《Legends Across The Multiverse: Kite Caulder》


 Chapter 0: Prologue

    The lab was a symphony of cold, lifeless machinery, humming with an indifferent rhythm, its artificial glow casting eerie shadows on the blood-streaked metal floors. Holographic monitors hovered in the stagnant air, flickering lines of data scrolling endlessly, reflecting in pools of crimson that had long since dried. Among the neon blue holograms, the boy¡¯s vitals were displayed in sharp, unfeeling precision¡ªhis pulse faint, his brain activity erratic as the machines systematically dismantled his very being.


    Rows of ancient empty medical chairs lined the perimeter of the room, each one marred by streaks of blood, gouged leather straps, and the rusted remains of shackles. Some still held the twisted remnants of their former occupants¡ªsevered fingers, clumps of hair, or the occasional, grotesquely grinning skull staring lifelessly at the ceiling. The air was thick with the stench of sterilized metal and something far worse: the lingering, ghostly rot of those who had perished screaming. This was not a hospital. This was a factory of erasure.


    And now, at its center, strapped in place by unyielding anti-magic clamps, was none other¡­ than Kite Caulder. His young, withered body sagged against the brutal restraint of the chair, his malnourished skin pale and clammy, marred with bruises where the metal had dug in too deep.


    Where Rook¡¯s brutal torture methods had deformed his frail body and psyche. Gone was the warmth of his gentle green eyes, the flicker of defiance that once burned so brightly. Gone was the silver chain necklace that he had once clung to as a reminder of who he was. Gone was his past, his identity, his very soul¡ªpiece by piece, it was being shredded into nothing.


    His head was split open like a cruel experiment, his skull wrenched apart by jagged mechanical clamps that had no concern for the sanctity of human flesh. His brain, slick and glistening, lay exposed beneath the sickly glow of crimson surgical lights, his blood dribbling down the sides of his face, tracing the contours of his young cheeks before pooling at his feet.


    His eyelids twitched In response to the horror unfolding inside his mind¡ªa silent, unseen battle as his memories were plucked from him, dissected, and incinerated by the invasive laser probes that hovered mercilessly above his exposed mind. The slender, multi-jointed arms of the machine worked methodically, their sharp red beams cutting deep into the neural tissue, severing connections, corrupting thoughts, hollowing him out. Spiritually¡­ and physically.


    With each passing second, another fragment of who he was faded into a void that could never be undone. Another memory stolen. Another dream shattered. Another piece of Kite Caulder¡ªforgotten.


    And standing over him, the executioner of his very existence, was the man in charge of his destruction. The surgeon was a hollow figure, his face lined with exhaustion and the weight of a thousand sins. His dark curly hair was streaked with premature gray, his forehead furrowed with deep wrinkles that had been carved by guilt and time.


    His hardened, Mexican features should have been warm, should have held the kind eyes of a healer¡ªbut those eyes were empty now. Void of light, void of hope. Because there was no salvation here. There was only the work.


    His hands, drenched In the blood of children and adults alike, moved with a dreadful efficiency as he manipulated the tools of Kite¡¯s undoing. His clothing, though once pristine and white, was stained with blood both fresh and old, the fabric woven with synthetic fibers that barely resisted the horrors it had endured.


    The sleek, black futuristic overcoat he wore bore the insignia of Rook Enterprises, its orange crest gleaming under the surgical lights¡ªa constant reminder that he was nothing more than a cog in the machine. A machine that devoured the innocent and spat them out as hollowed-out husks.


    Still, he worked. He worked because if he hesitated, he would be next. As the laser-tipped instruments sliced deeper, Kite¡¯s fingers trembled, the last dregs of his consciousness screaming in defiance. ¡°...my name¡­¡± The poor boy whispered in a daze, a single tear trailing down his blood stained cheek.


    But his helpless voice was effortlessly drowned out by the distant machinery. For it was futile. The machine did not care. Rook did not care.


    Steadily, the last fragile remnants of Kite¡¯s soul collapsed into the abyss, unraveling like threads pulled from a fraying tapestry. His existence¡ªhis dreams, his laughter, the warmth of his memories¡ªwas being reduced to mere data, flashing in cold, indifferent numbers across a flickering screen.


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    The machines beeped, their tempo quickening, as if mirroring the desperate struggle of a spirit on the brink of annihilation. Overhead, the sterile lights shuddered and dimmed, their feeble flickers resembling silent pleas¡ªas if even the lifeless machinery mourned the boy who was slipping away.


    The air in the lab grew impossibly still. The only sounds that remained were the rhythmic beeps of the monitors and the occasional hiss of the neural probes burrowing deeper into Kite¡¯s exposed brain. The surgeon continued his work with mechanical precision, but his hands trembled ever so slightly, the weight of his actions pressing against his weary soul.


    Then, the door slid open behind him with a hiss. The temperature in the room seemed to plummet, yet a slow, suffocating heat crawled over the surgeon¡¯s skin like phantom fingers. The machines whirred, their beeping subtly slowing, their once flickering lights steadied, as if even the lifeless technology understood the presence that had entered. Rook had arrived.


    His footsteps were eerily soundless, yet his very presence was deafening. He moved with the controlled grace of a predator¡ªdeliberate, unhurried, inescapable. Standing tall and unyielding, Rook was a monolithic specter of authority, his physique sculpted into a form that radiated sheer dominance.


    His Mexican features were sharp and symmetrical, but there was no warmth in them, only the polished perfection of a man who had outgrown humanity. His glowing orange cybernetic eyes cast an unnatural light, their faint pulses reminiscent of distant warning beacons, cold and calculating. They dissected everything they fell upon, peeling away layers until only the raw, bleeding truth remained.


    The orange tie draped down his broad chest like a noose, pristine against the stark black of his immaculately tailored suit. But it was his skin¡ªhis very flesh¡ªthat unsettled most. Etched with intricate cybernetic veins, his body was a seamless fusion of man and machine, metal and muscle interwoven so perfectly that it was impossible to tell where one ended and the other began. Glowing circuits pulsed faintly beneath his skin like embers resting beneath glass, a reminder that his humanity had long since been augmented into something colder, sharper¡ªmerciless.


    He was a walking nightmare. The surgeon flinched. Though he did not stop his work, the weight of Rook¡¯s arrival pressed into his shoulders, an oppressive force that no amount of training or desensitization could ever dull. He felt the prickling sensation of being watched, the unnatural stillness of the room amplifying the sound of his own breath¡ªhis own pounding heartbeat.


    Rook silently stepped forward, the lab lights casting long, stretched shadows around his towering frame. He moved with the precision of someone who never wasted an ounce of energy, who never faltered or hesitated. The cold hum of machinery served as his only soundtrack as he came to a stop directly behind the surgeon, his presence looming like an executioner over a condemned prisoner.


    The surgeon swallowed hard but did not turn around. His grip tightened around his tools as he forced himself to focus on Kite¡¯s deteriorating brain. Yet, it was impossible to ignore the presence behind him, the way Rook¡¯s unreadable gaze bore into him like a silent demand for perfection.


    Then, after a long, suffocating silence, Rook finally spoke. ¡°How far along?¡± His voice was a low murmur, eerily calm, each syllable precise and clipped. There was no urgency, no impatience¡ªjust the certainty of a man who knew the answer would be exactly what he expected.


    The surgeon exhaled shakily before gesturing toward the screen. The holographic display flickered, revealing the progress of the mind-wipe: 98% Completion.


    Despite the sedatives flooding Kite¡¯s veins, despite the relentless precision of the neural incisions, despite the overwhelming forces working against him¡­ he was still fighting. The brainwaves on the monitor remained erratic, as if his subconscious mind still thrashed in its final moments of existence.


    The surgeon hesitated before admitting, ¡°He¡¯s still resisting. Despite everything.¡±


    Rook did not move. For a long moment, he simply stared at the screen, his cybernetic eyes scanning the data with a detached intensity. His silence stretched unbearably, heavy with something unseen.


    Then¡­ he smiled. A slow, knowing smirk curled at the corners of his lips¡ªnot disappointment, not frustration, but satisfaction.


    He turned his gaze back to Kite¡¯s trembling, twitching body, his eyelids flickering as his shattered consciousness clung to the last shreds of himself. The sight seemed to amuse Rook, his smirk deepening into something darker¡ªa perverse, cruel pride that twisted in his expression like a blade sliding into flesh.


    ¡°This only proves¡­¡± he murmured, voice thick with something almost reverent, ¡°that I chose correctly.¡±


    He reached into his pocket. A quiet hum filled the space as he pulled out two onyx-black cybernetic bracelets¡ªsleek, unholy things, thrumming with a faint green energy that crackled along their edges like caged lightning. The air around them distorted slightly, as if reality itself recoiled from their existence.


    The bracelets¡ªhis final gift, his greatest tool, his crowning masterpiece. He studied them for a long moment, feeling the static energy ripple across his fingers before turning his gaze back to Kite.


    Rook relished it. His cruel grin widened, his expression a chilling mixture of triumph and something disturbingly paternal. The storm of his cybernetic gaze locked onto the broken child before him. The boy he had crushed. The boy he had reforged.


    ¡°You have made me truly proud¡­¡± Rook breathed, his voice laced with something insidious.


    Then, after a beat, he chuckled softly. He closed his fingers around the black cybernetic bracelets, gripping them like a king claiming his crown. His smirk deepened, his expression twisted with a sinister joy as he uttered the words that sealed Kite¡¯s fate.


    ¡°My son.¡±

 Chapter 1: Humble Beginnings

    I would like to begin by making it clear, this story is not just about a boy who lost everything. It is about the people who orbited his life, those who lifted him up and all those who broke him down. It is about the unseen wounds left by love, the scars carved by abuse, and the unbearable weight of loss.


    This is a deeply tragic tale, a warning of what happens when grief festers unchecked, when pain is allowed to consume and reshape a soul into something unrecognizable. This... is a story devoid of happy endings.


    The year was 3032, several centuries into the future. The air in the cramped apartment was heavy with the scent of burnt circuits and oil, the kind of smell that clung to your clothes and skin, marking you as one of the undercity¡¯s forgotten. A faint blue glow flickered across the walls, cast by the mismatched array of salvaged monitors and makeshift screens that dominated one corner of the room.


    On the floor, amid a sea of discarded wires, shattered circuit boards, and half-built gadgets, a small boy crawled. Kite was barely a year old, his tiny hands grasping at pieces of scrap like they were treasures. His parents, too engrossed in their work to notice him at first, sat hunched over a rusted workbench. His mother, with grease-streaked fingers and tired eyes, worked tirelessly to coax life into a broken plasma torch. His father, a wiry man with perpetually oil-stained fingernails, muttered curses under his breath as he fiddled with a power cell that refused to hold a charge.


    ¡°Kite, not that one!¡± his mother called out suddenly, her voice tinged with both exhaustion and affection. She lunged forward just in time to snatch a jagged shard of metal from his chubby fingers. ¡°You¡¯ll hurt yourself.¡±


    But Kite only blinked up at her, his wide eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. He wasn¡¯t crying, wasn¡¯t fussing. Instead, he reached for another piece, a small resistor, his tiny fingers grasping it with a precision that seemed almost unnatural for a child so young.


    His father chuckled, wiping his hands on a rag. ¡°He¡¯s got your knack for scavenging, Mira. Little guy¡¯s already picking out the good bits.¡±


    Mira shook her head but couldn¡¯t hide her smile. ¡°He¡¯s going to need more than that if he¡¯s going to survive down here.¡±


    The smile faltered, replaced by the weight of a truth they both understood too well. Life in the undercity wasn¡¯t kind, and the glow of optimism, like the artificial lights overhead, was always flickering, always on the brink of going dark.


    Kite babbled softly, the sound almost musical against the mechanical hum that filled the room. He had managed to slot the resistor into an old, cracked data pad. It sparked faintly, startling him, but instead of crying, he giggled.


    ¡°Would you look at that,¡± his father said, crouching beside him. ¡°He¡¯s already trying to fix things.¡± He picked Kite up, holding him high above the cluttered floor. ¡°Our little genius. You¡¯re going to change the world, you know that?¡±


    Mira snorted, returning to her work. ¡°Let¡¯s start with him growing up first.¡±


    But as Kite squirmed in his father¡¯s grasp, his tiny fingers still reaching for the glowing pieces below, there was something in his wide-eyed gaze that hinted at more. Even then, surrounded by scraps and shadows, Kite seemed to see possibilities where others saw only ruins.


    By the time Kite turned ten, the world of wires and shadows he had known since he could crawl had only expanded. The cramped apartment was still their sanctuary, albeit one patched together with scraps and sheer willpower. The faint blue glow of monitors, the hum of outdated machinery, and the occasional pop of sparking circuits were as much a part of his life as the lullabies his mother sang softly at night.


    But today was different. Today, Kite was going to school. His mother crouched in front of him, tying the fraying laces of his secondhand shoes. They were a size too big, the soles worn thin, but they were the best she could find. Her hands trembled slightly, not from fear, but exhaustion. The work never stopped, and neither did the worry.


    Kite''s outfit is a blend of practicality and sentimentality, reflecting both his resourceful nature and his emotional ties to his parents. He wears a beige jacket, slightly worn but durable, with numerous pockets for tools and gadgets. Underneath, he sports a plain white shirt that contrasts with his black jeans, which are tailored for ease of movement in the undercity''s treacherous terrain. While his black shoes are scuffed but sturdy. Around his neck, he wears a silver chain necklace, a cherished hand me down from his mother. The necklace catches the light faintly, a small but constant reminder of his parents.


    ¡°You¡¯ll like it,¡± she said, forcing a smile as she adjusted the straps of his faded backpack. ¡°You¡¯ll make friends. And you¡¯ll learn things that even your dad and I can¡¯t teach you.¡±


    Kite tilted his head, his wide eyes filled with curiosity as he asked. ¡°Like what?¡±


    ¡°Like how to read properly,¡± his father replied from the doorway, his voice warm but tinged with that ever-present weariness. ¡°Numbers, too. Not just the ones you see on circuit boards.¡±


    Kite frowned as he responded. ¡°But I already know numbers.¡± His parents exchanged a glance, equal parts pride and concern. Kite¡¯s brilliance was undeniable, but the world didn¡¯t always know how to handle brilliance, especially not in a place like the undercity.


    The school was a dilapidated building wedged between two towering factories that spewed smoke into the already dim air. Its walls were stained with grime, and the faint hum of machinery from the neighboring structures seemed louder than the distant voices of children.


    Inside, the classroom was no better. Rows of mismatched desks filled the small, stuffy room. The teacher, a tired-looking woman with dark circles under her eyes, greeted Kite with a forced smile.


    ¡°This must be Kite,¡± she said, glancing down at the boy clutching his mother¡¯s hand. Her gaze softened as she took in his oversized shoes and too-thin frame. ¡°Welcome to our class.¡±


    Kite¡¯s mother knelt beside him, brushing a stray strand of hair from his forehead. ¡°Be good, okay? Listen to your teacher and¡­ try to make friends.¡± She said softly.


    Kite nodded solemnly, though he wasn¡¯t entirely sure how one went about making friends. He stepped into the classroom, feeling the weight of his parents¡¯ gaze as they lingered by the door.


    The other children were a mix of wary and curious. Most of them looked like Kite, thin, tired, and wearing hand-me-downs. One boy, larger than the rest, sat in the back with a scowl that seemed permanent. A girl with a missing front tooth and tangled hair offered Kite a tentative smile, which he returned with a small wave.


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    The girl is a small, scrappy eleven-year-old with an unusual and slightly eerie charm. Her messy pinkish brown hair sticks out in all directions, as if she¡¯s been playing in the dirt, which she probably has, and it often falls into her face, obscuring her mischievous expression. Her bright pink irises, a striking contrast to her otherwise youthful features, seem to glimmer with a secret she¡¯s not yet ready to share. Her slightly pink-tinted skin adds an odd but subtle warmth to her otherwise childlike appearance.


    Her clothes are a patchwork of worn, oversized pieces, a baggy, tattered shirt with uneven stitching and stains from living in the undercity, paired with mismatched shorts that are too short and frayed at the ankles. Along with this her arms and legs are covered in bandages slightly dirty bandages. Her bare feet are dirty and calloused, hinting at a life spent running around without care or shoes. Despite her ragged appearance, there¡¯s an undeniable liveliness about her, even as her missing front teeth give her a gap-toothed grin that¡¯s both innocent and slightly devious. The girls appearance helping to blend into the rough environment around her while retaining a subtle hint of her true nature.


    The day¡¯s lesson was basic arithmetic. The teacher wrote numbers on a chalkboard, her voice droning as she explained how to add and subtract. Kite, seated near the front, watched intently but couldn¡¯t stop himself from fidgeting.


    When the teacher handed out simple worksheets, Kite finished his in just three minutes. But when she came by to check his work, she frowned.


    ¡°Did you copy someone?¡± she asked softly, her tone more curious than accusing. Kite shook his head as he replied. ¡°No. I just¡­ knew the answers.¡±


    The teacher studied him for a moment, then gave a small nod. ¡°Good work.¡± But as the day went, on kite would answer every question that the teacher asked the class with ease. Kite began to notice the other children watching him. Some whispered, while others avoided his gaze. At recess, when he approached the jungle gym, the larger boy from the back of the class blocked his path.


    The boy is a bulky, stocky kid for his age, with a hard, almost feral edge to his appearance. His face is round and chubby, but his wide, dark eyes and scowl make him look much older, a product of the tough environment he¡¯s grown up in. His messy, dark brown hair falls in uneven chunks around his forehead, often sticking up in wild tufts, as if he¡¯s too rough to care about grooming. His skin is a bit sallow from lack of sunlight, and there¡¯s a constant layer of dirt that clings to him, giving him a perpetually grimy look.


    His clothing Is basic but practical, consisting of a torn, oversized hoodie that¡¯s fraying at the cuffs and hem. It¡¯s a faded, dull gray, once probably a hand-me-down from someone bigger, but now worn and patched in multiple places. Underneath, he wears a faded, too-large t-shirt that barely fits him, with stains from spilled food and grime. His pants are rough, dark cargo pants that are a size or two too big, cinched tightly with an old rope in place of a belt. His boots are heavy, clunky, and worn-down from running through the


    undercity¡¯s grime-filled streets, the soles barely hanging on. Despite his small size, he has an air of aggression about him, like he¡¯s ready to lash out at anyone who gets too close.


    ¡°You think you¡¯re better than us?¡± the boy sneered. Kite blinked, genuinely confused as he nervously replied. ¡°No. Why would I think that?¡±


    ¡°Cause you¡¯re showing off,¡± the boy growled, shoving Kite backward. Kite stumbled but didn¡¯t fall. He stared at the boy, his mind racing not with fear, but with possibilities. How could he defuse this? Should he fight back? What would his parents want him to do?


    Before he could decide, the girl with the missing tooth appeared, pulling Kite away. ¡°Leave him alone, Rad,¡± she said, her voice firm despite her small frame.


    Rad glared but didn¡¯t push the matter. As he walked off, the girl turned to Kite, smiling again. ¡°Don¡¯t mind him. He¡¯s just mad ¡¯cause he¡¯s not smart like you.¡±


    Kite nodded, though he didn¡¯t entirely understand. He followed her back to the jungle gym, a strange warmth spreading through him. For the first time, he felt something like hope, hope that maybe, just maybe, he could find his place here.


    That night, as his parents asked about his day, Kite told them everything. His mother frowned at the mention of Rad, but his father chuckled.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be fine,¡± he said. ¡°You¡¯re tougher than you look.¡± Kite wasn¡¯t sure if that was true, but as he lay in bed, staring at the faint glow of a half-assembled gadget on his nightstand, he decided he wanted it to be.


    The faint hum of machinery In the apartment never truly stopped. It was a constant, lulling presence that filled the silence. Kite lay on his small cot, a thin, patched blanket pulled up to his chest. His eyes were fixed on the half-assembled gadget on the crate beside him, a cobbled-together mix of wires, metal scraps, and a salvaged power cell. He didn¡¯t really know what it was going to be yet, just that it was his.


    The door creaked softly, and Kite glanced up to see his mother slipping into the room. She moved quietly, her worn slippers barely making a sound against the scuffed floor. In her hands, she carried a small tin cup of something steaming.


    ¡°You¡¯re still awake,¡± she said softly, her voice carrying a warmth that made the shadows in the room feel less oppressive. Kite nodded, sitting up as she approached. ¡°I was thinking about school.¡± He replied.


    She sat down on the edge of his cot, handing him the cup. ¡°Here, drink this. It¡¯s just warm water with a little honey. Helps when your mind won¡¯t rest.¡±


    Kite cupped it carefully in his small hands, taking a cautious sip. The sweetness was faint, but it felt like a luxury in their world.


    ¡°Did something happen today?¡± she asked, brushing a strand of his dark hair from his forehead. ¡°You¡¯ve been quiet tonight.¡±


    Kite hesitated, staring into the murky liquid in his cup. ¡°It¡¯s the boy I mentioned. Rad. He¡­ he shoved me.¡±


    His mother¡¯s hand froze for a moment before she resumed gently stroking his hair. ¡°Why would he do that?¡±


    Kite shrugged as he spoke. ¡°He said I was showing off, but I wasn¡¯t. I just¡­ knew the answers.¡±


    His mother sighed, her expression softening with both pride and concern. ¡°Sometimes, people don¡¯t like it when someone stands out. Especially here, in the undercity. They think it¡¯s safer to blend in, to not draw attention.¡±


    ¡°But I didn¡¯t mean to make him mad,¡± Kite said, his voice small. ¡°I know,¡± she replied, cupping his cheek with her calloused hand. ¡°You¡¯re a smart boy, Kite. Smarter than most people down here. That¡¯s going to make some people jealous, and others scared. But it¡¯s not a bad thing.¡±


    He looked up at her, his wide eyes searching her face. ¡°Then why does it feel bad?¡±


    She smiled sadly, leaning down to kiss his forehead. ¡°Because it¡¯s hard being different. But you have something special, Kite. Something your father and I see every time we look at you. And one day, the world will see it too. You just have to be brave until then.¡±


    Her words lingered in the air, wrapping around him like a second blanket. ¡°Will Rad push me again?¡± Kite asked, his voice barely above a whisper.


    Her expression hardened slightly, and she straightened her back. ¡°If he does, you come tell me or your father. But I think you¡¯re strong enough to handle yourself. You don¡¯t have to fight, Kite. Sometimes just walking away is the bravest thing you can do.¡±


    He nodded, taking another sip of the honeyed water. ¡°Okay.¡± For a while, neither of them spoke. She simply sat with him, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder as he finished the drink. The faint blue glow from the main room filtered in through the cracked door, a reminder of the world outside their small sanctuary.


    ¡°Do you think I¡¯ll ever be like you and Dad?¡± he asked suddenly, looking up at her. Her brows furrowed as she replied. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You make things. Fix things. Help people. I want to do that too.¡± Kite said as he fidgeted with the cup. She smiled warmly as she responded, her tired eyes brightening for a moment. ¡°Oh, Kite. You already do. Every time you pick up a piece of scrap and see something more than just trash, you¡¯re like us. You¡¯ve got that spark. And one day, you¡¯ll do things your father and I could only dream of.¡±


    The warmth In her words filled his chest, pushing away the lingering sadness of the day. ¡°Now,¡± she said, taking the empty cup from his hands, ¡°get some sleep. Tomorrow¡¯s a new day, and I¡¯m sure that curious little brain of yours will find plenty to get into.¡±


    She tucked the blanket up around his shoulders, pausing for a moment to study his face. Then she leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to his temple.


    ¡°Goodnight, my little genius,¡± she whispered. As she stood and moved toward the door, Kite watched her go, the weight of her words settling in his mind. He didn¡¯t fully understand them yet, but he felt their importance, like a tiny ember sparking to life.


    When the door clicked shut behind her, Kite rolled onto his side, his eyes drifting back to the half-built gadget on the crate. He reached out, running his fingers over the cool metal and tangled wires. ¡°One day,¡± he thought, echoing his mother¡¯s words. ¡°One day, I¡¯ll do something amazing.¡±

 Chapter 2: Kite Caulder

    The classroom buzzed with the low hum of children¡¯s chatter and the occasional scrape of a chair across the cracked linoleum floor. Kite sat in his usual spot near the front, his thin fingers idly tracing the peeling edge of his desk. The teacher, Ms. Lena, stood at the front, writing a series of arithmetic problems on the chalkboard. Her movements were quick but precise, the faint screech of chalk filling the room.


    ¡°All right, class,¡± she said, brushing her hands off on her worn skirt. ¡°Let¡¯s see who¡¯s been paying attention. Who can solve this first one?¡±


    Kite¡¯s hand shot up before she had even finished her sentence, his mind already leaping to the answer. Ms. Lena smiled, pointing to him. ¡°Go ahead, Kite.¡±


    ¡°Seventy-two,¡± he replied, his voice clear and confident. ¡°Correct,¡± Ms. Lena said with a nod. ¡°Good work.¡±


    Rad, seated two rows behind Kite, scowled. His arms were crossed, his fingers tapping an impatient rhythm against his bicep. He hated this, hated how Kite always seemed to know everything. Ms. Lena turned back to the board and wrote another problem. ¡°What¡¯s the product of eight and six?¡±


    Once again, Kite¡¯s hand was the first to rise. He hesitated a moment, glancing back to see if anyone else would try, but when no one did, he answered. ¡°Forty-eight.¡±


    ¡°Excellent,¡± Ms. Lena said, marking the answer on the board. Rad¡¯s glare deepened. The faint snickers from the other kids only made it worse. His fists clenched under the desk, his knuckles turning white.


    The lesson continued, and Ms. Lena moved on to a word problem. ¡°If a train leaves Station A traveling at 40 kilometers per hour, and another train leaves Station B traveling at 60 kilometers per hour¡­¡±


    Kite¡¯s hand twitched, ready to rise again, but this time, Rad was faster. His arm shot into the air so quickly it almost knocked over the ink-stained bottle on his desk.


    Ms. Lena blinked, surprised. ¡°Rad? Would you like to give it a try?¡± All eyes turned to the boy, who smirked and leaned back in his chair, his arms now crossed confidently. He was ready to steal the spotlight, to show everyone he wasn¡¯t just some background character in Kite¡¯s world.


    ¡°Uh¡­ 120 kilometers?¡± he guessed, his voice loud and full of false bravado.


    Kite¡¯s hand went up again, but before Ms. Lena could call on him, Kite blurted out the answer. ¡°No, that¡¯s wrong. It¡¯s 100 kilometers.¡±


    Rad¡¯s face froze. The room went silent for a heartbeat, and then, like a crack of thunder, the classroom erupted into laughter. Rad¡¯s ears turned a furious shade of red, his smirk vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. He ducked his head, his hands coming up to cover his face as the kids around him pointed and giggled.


    ¡°Rad thought it was 120!¡± one boy said, barely able to get the words out between laughs. ¡°Even Kite said it wasn¡¯t right!¡± chimed in another.


    Ms. Lena clapped her hands for order, though the corners of her mouth twitched as if suppressing a smile. ¡°That¡¯s enough, everyone. We¡¯re here to learn, not to laugh at each other.¡±


    Rad didn¡¯t look up. His face remained buried in his hands, his shoulders hunched in embarrassment. Kite, meanwhile, frowned. The laughter didn¡¯t sit right with him, even If Rad had been glaring at him all morning. He raised his hand again, his voice cutting through the noise.


    ¡°Actually¡­ it¡¯s, uh, my mistake,¡± he said quickly, even though he knew he was right. ¡°I think I calculated wrong, too.'''' The laughter subsided as the class turned their attention back to him. Ms. Lena arched a brow, clearly skeptical. ¡°Kite, are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Kite said, nodding. ¡°I mean, it¡¯s easy to mess up word problems, right?¡± Rad peeked out from behind his hands, his face still flushed but now tinged with confusion. Ms. Lena studied Kite for a moment before sighing. ¡°Well, mistakes are part of learning. Let¡¯s move on.¡±


    As the lesson continued, Rad sat in silence, glancing occasionally at Kite. The boy he thought of as a pest had just¡­ covered for him. Rad didn¡¯t know how to feel about it.


    Kite, meanwhile, kept his eyes on the board, pretending not to notice the occasional sideways glances from the kids around him. He wasn¡¯t sure why he had spoken up for Rad, but deep down, something about the laughter had reminded him of how lonely it felt to be singled out.


    For the rest of the day, Rad didn¡¯t glare at him once. The bell rang, its shrill echo bouncing off the cracked walls of the classroom. Chairs scraped against the floor as students hurriedly gathered their belongings, eager to leave. Kite packed his things slowly, carefully slipping the small, salvaged screwdriver he¡¯d been fiddling with into his pocket. He preferred to let the crowd thin before heading out, it gave him a moment of peace.


    As the last of the chatter faded and the door creaked shut, Kite slung his bag over his shoulder and turned to leave. That¡¯s when he saw Rad standing by the door, leaning casually against the frame with his arms crossed.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Rad said, his voice sharp but wavering just enough to betray the effort he was putting into sounding tough. Kite blinked, caught off guard. ¡°Uh, hey.¡± Rad didn¡¯t move, his gaze locked on Kite like a predator sizing up prey. Kite shifted awkwardly, clutching the strap of his bag.


    ¡°You got a minute?¡± Rad asked, his tone almost daring Kite to refuse. Kite hesitated, then nodded. ¡°Sure.¡± Rad stepped into the room, letting the door swing shut behind him. The hum of distant machinery filled the silence between them, the faint blue glow of the undercity¡¯s neon lights seeping through the grime-coated windows.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to do that,¡± Rad said abruptly, his hands now stuffed into the pockets of his oversized jacket. ¡°Do what?¡± Kite asked, genuinely confused. Rad¡¯s brows furrowed, and he let out a huff of frustration. ¡°Don¡¯t play dumb. You know what I mean. Back there, when everyone was laughing at me. Why¡¯d you¡­ cover for me?¡±


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    Kite frowned, his grip tightening on his bag. ¡°I just¡­ didn¡¯t think it was fair. I mean, yeah, you got it wrong, but everyone laughing like that-¡±¡°So what?¡± Rad interrupted, his voice rising slightly. ¡°You think I need your help or something? Like I can¡¯t handle it?¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not it,¡± Kite said quickly. ¡°I just¡­ I know what it¡¯s like. Being the one everyone¡¯s staring at, waiting for you to mess up. It sucks.¡± Rad blinked, clearly not expecting that answer. He uncrossed his arms, his posture relaxing slightly. ¡°Yeah, but it¡¯s different for you. Everyone¡¯s always looking at you because you¡¯re¡­ you know. Smart.¡±


    Kite shrugged, looking down at his scuffed shoes. ¡°Doesn¡¯t make it any easier. Half the time, I wish they wouldn¡¯t look at me at all.¡±


    Rad studied him for a moment, his tough fa?ade cracking further. ¡°So, what? You think we¡¯re the same or something?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Kite admitted. ¡°I just didn¡¯t like seeing everyone laughing at you. That¡¯s all.¡±


    Rad shifted on his feet, his hands still buried in his pockets. ¡°Well¡­ thanks, I guess. Not that I needed it or anything.¡±


    Kite smirked faintly, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. ¡°You¡¯re welcome, I guess. Not that it was a big deal or anything.¡± Rad snorted, and for a brief moment, a flicker of something close to a smile crossed his face. He quickly masked it, clearing his throat and straightening up.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think this makes us friends or anything,¡± he said, pointing a finger at Kite. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it,¡± Kite replied, his tone light but not mocking. Rad nodded, satisfied, and moved toward the door. Just as he reached it, he paused, glancing back over his shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re all right, you know that?¡±


    Kite tilted his head, surprised. ¡°Thanks, I think.¡± Rad grunted and disappeared through the door, leaving Kite alone in the empty classroom. For a long moment, Kite just stood there, processing what had just happened.


    ¡°Guess today wasn¡¯t so bad after all,¡± he muttered to himself before slinging his bag over his shoulder and heading out into the flickering neon glow of the undercity. The small apartment felt warmer tonight, despite the steady hum of the broken heater and the faint sounds of the undercity¡¯s machinery whirring in the distance. The glow from the single overhead light flickered occasionally, casting long shadows against the walls as Kite sat at the old, chipped wooden table with his parents. His mother, Mira, and his father, Dorian, sat across from him, their faces tired but content as they sipped at their bowls of mushroom soup.


    The air was thick with the earthy, pungent scent of the mushrooms, a smell Kite had never quite grown accustomed to. He didn¡¯t hate the soup, but he could never shake the feeling that it tasted a bit like dirt, a taste that lingered far too long on his tongue.


    But his mother had worked hard to prepare dinner, and there wasn¡¯t always much food to go around. Complaining about it seemed selfish, so Kite forced a small, polite smile, taking another spoonful and pretending to savor it as he stirred the broth, hoping his parents wouldn¡¯t notice his reluctance.


    ¡°So, Kite,¡± his mother said, setting her bowl down with a soft clink. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity despite the weariness in her voice. ¡°How was school today? What did you do?¡±


    Kite paused, the spoon hovering halfway to his mouth. He shifted in his seat, feeling the familiar weight of his parents¡¯ expectations pressing down on him. They didn¡¯t pressure him to be a genius, at least, not in the way some of the other kids in the undercity were expected to survive, but they did expect him to be something more than just another kid in the system.


    ¡°It was¡­ okay,¡± Kite said, his voice quieter than usual. He glanced over at his father, who was busy picking through his own bowl. Dorian¡¯s rough hands gripped the spoon, and Kite saw the tension in his jawline, the deep lines etched into his face from years of hard work. He knew his father didn¡¯t talk much, especially about anything outside of their small, tough world.


    His mother raised an eyebrow. ¡±Just okay? What happened?¡± She didn¡¯t press, but Kite could see the concern in her eyes.Kite sighed and set his spoon down, suddenly finding the soup less important than the thought that had been weighing on him. ¡°Well, there was this thing today with Rad.¡± He didn¡¯t mention the whole story about answering the question in class, no point in bringing up the details. But the moment still felt like a shift, a subtle one, that stuck with him as they¡¯d all sat there together in the classroom.


    His mother looked up from her soup, leaning forward slightly. ¡°Rad? The boy from your class?¡± Kite nodded. ¡°Yeah, him. I kinda¡­ I covered for him today.¡±


    There was a slight pause. Dorian, who¡¯d been quiet, looked up from his bowl, his eyes narrowing as if weighing Kite¡¯s words. His voice was gruff but held no judgment, only quiet curiosity. ¡°Covered for him?¡±


    Kite nodded again, his fingers absently tracing the edge of his bowl. ¡°Yeah. He got something wrong in class, and everyone laughed at him. But¡­ I guess I didn¡¯t think it was right. So, I said something to make it stop.¡± He glanced down at the table, unsure of how his parents would react.


    Mira¡¯s lips curled into a gentle smile, her tired eyes softening as she reached across the table and placed a hand on his. ¡°Kite, that was kind of you,¡± she said quietly, her voice warm. ¡°I¡¯m proud of you for standing up for someone, even if it wasn¡¯t easy.¡±


    Kite felt his cheeks flush. He didn¡¯t need praise, especially not for something that felt so small in the grand scheme of things, but hearing his mother¡¯s words made something inside him relax, just for a moment. His father cleared his throat, and Kite looked up to meet his gaze. Dorian¡¯s eyes were sharp but his expression unreadable. ¡°And what did Rad say?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ he said thank you,¡± Kite replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips. ¡°He didn¡¯t say much else, but¡­ I think it mattered.¡±There was a long silence, and then Dorian let out a small grunt, his face softening as he returned to his soup. ¡°Good. People remember those who do right by them, even if they don¡¯t show it at first.¡±


    Kite couldn¡¯t help but feel a little pride swell in his chest. Rad had acknowledged him, even if it was just with a simple ¡°thank you.¡± It wasn¡¯t much, but for someone like Rad, who wore his toughness like armor, it meant something. It meant the world.


    ¡°How was it for you, though?¡± Mira asked, her tone gentle as she returned to her soup. ¡°What was it like standing up for someone who doesn¡¯t always make the best choices?¡±


    Kite hesitated. The question caught him off guard. Rad wasn¡¯t like the other kids. He wasn¡¯t perfect, but no one really was. He had his rough edges, sure, but there was something more to him, something Kite couldn¡¯t quite explain. He was complicated, like everyone else in the undercity, trying to survive however they could.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Kite said slowly, looking down at the half-finished bowl in front of him. ¡°I guess I just didn¡¯t want to see him get hurt, even if he doesn¡¯t always show it.¡± Mira gave him a soft, understanding smile. ¡°That¡¯s what makes you different, Kite. You see the good in people, even when they don¡¯t see it themselves.¡±


    Kite felt a warmth spread through him at his mother¡¯s words. He had never been good at putting things into words but hearing her say it made him feel like maybe, just maybe, there was a purpose to the things he did. Even small gestures could make a difference in a city like theirs.


    The silence stretched on as they all ate their soup, the occasional scrape of a spoon or a quiet sigh the only sound. The undercity beyond the walls of their small home continued on, chaotic and unforgiving, but for this moment, at least, Kite was content.


    He looked up at his parents, his heart a little lighter than it had been before. ¡°I think I¡¯ll keep helping him,¡± he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. ¡°Even if he doesn¡¯t ask.¡± Dorian grunted again, his face softening with approval. ¡°You do that, son. You do what¡¯s right, and don¡¯t worry about the rest.¡± Kite smiled quietly to himself, the taste of the soup still lingering on his tongue, but now, for the first time, the bitterness didn¡¯t feel quite as strong.

 chapter 3: Strange Friend

    The lunchroom was a cacophony of voices, laughter, and the occasional sound of trays clattering against tables. It smelled like stale bread and something vaguely metallic, a scent that Kite had grown used to in the undercity. The lunchroom¡¯s flickering fluorescent lights cast an uneven glow over the cracked tiles and dented steel tables. Kids moved in waves, pushing and shoving past each other, their voices blending into a sea of chaotic noise. Kite hesitated near the doorway, clutching his tray tightly, his heart pounding like a trapped bird in his chest.


    He stepped forward, weaving through the crowd. Human kids and chimera children filled the room, their hybrid features, a mix of human and animal traits, creating a patchwork of diversity that was both fascinating and intimidating. A girl with cat-like ears swished her tail as she passed by. A boy with scaled arms and glowing eyes growled at someone who bumped into him. Kite tried not to look directly at anyone, keeping his gaze fixed on the worn floor as he shuffled forward in the lunch line.


    When he finally reached the counter, he grabbed the first meal handed to him: a protein slab with some sort of grayish mash and a carton of lukewarm milk. His stomach twisted with hunger, but the noise and movement around him made It hard to focus. Clutching his tray, he scanned the room for a spot. The tables were full of clusters of kids laughing, shouting, and trading food. He spotted an empty corner at a table with peeling paint and uneven legs and made a beeline for it.


    Sitting down, Kite kept his head low as he began to eat. He stabbed at the mash with his fork, forcing himself to take a bite despite the lump in his throat. The noise felt like it was pressing down on him, each shout and laugh making his skin crawl. His hands trembled slightly, and he gripped his fork tighter to steady them. The metallic taste of the food did little to calm his nerves and sweat began to bead on his forehead.


    From the corner of his eye, he noticed movement. Rad, the biggest kid in their class, was walking by with his tray. Rad¡¯s broad shoulders and scarred knuckles made him an intimidating figure, and his perpetual scowl kept most kids at bay. Kite froze as Rad¡¯s gaze flicked toward him. For a moment, Rad hesitated, his eyes narrowing as if considering something. Kite held his breath, his heart hammering even faster.


    But Rad merely snorted and turned away, choosing a nearby table. He sat down alone, stabbing into his food with an air of defiance. Kite exhaled shakily, trying to calm himself, but the tension in his chest refused to fade. He hunched over his tray, focusing on his food, though the fork felt heavy in his hand.


    ¡°Heya, Kite!¡± The cheerful voice made him jump. His head snapped up to see the girl who had waved at him a few days before as she slid onto the bench next to him. Her small frame was almost dwarfed by the oversized, ragged clothes she wore, and her messy pinkish brown hair hung in uneven strands around her face. Her pink irises glinted mischievously as she placed a single apple on the table in front of her with an arm that was covered in dirty bandages.


    ¡°Ava?¡± Kite blinked, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. ¡°Oh, hey.¡± His voice came out more nervous than he intended as he quickly looked back down at his tray, his cheeks flushing faintly.¡°You look like you¡¯re hiding from a pack of feral chimeras,¡± Ava teased, leaning her elbows on the table. ¡°What¡¯s up with you?¡±


    Kite hesitated, unsure how to respond. ¡°I, uh, just¡­ don¡¯t like the noise,¡± he muttered, taking a quick bite of his food to avoid talking more. His hands were still trembling slightly, and he hoped Ava wouldn¡¯t notice.


    She didn¡¯t seem to care. Picking up her apple, she took a loud, exaggerated bite, the crunch cutting through the background noise. ¡°Well, it¡¯s just me now,¡± she said with a grin, her pinkish skin glowing faintly under the harsh lights. ¡°So, you don¡¯t have to worry about all of them.¡±


    Kite glanced at her sideways, her carefree demeanor both confusing and oddly reassuring. For a moment, the noise of the lunchroom seemed to fade, and the corners of his mouth twitched upward in the faintest hint of a smile. ¡°Thanks,¡± he said quietly, taking another bite of his food. Ava smiled back, swinging her legs under the table as if she hadn¡¯t a care in the world.


    Ava tilted her head, her sharp eyes studying Kite as she bit into her apple again, juice dribbling down her chin. She wiped it away with the sleeve of her oversized shirt, her grin never faltering. ¡°You know, you¡¯re way too quiet, Kite. All these other kids running around, screaming their heads off, and you¡¯re just over here, trying to disappear.¡±


    Kite shifted uncomfortably, his fork pausing midair. He could feel her gaze on him, probing like she was trying to crack open a safe. His heartbeat picked up again, and he focused on his tray, forcing another bite of the grayish mash. It tasted like wet cardboard, but it gave him something to do besides talk.


    ¡°I like being quiet,¡± he muttered, barely loud enough for her to hear. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ safer.¡±Ava frowned slightly at his words, but it was fleeting, replaced almost immediately by her usual mischievous smirk. ¡°Safe is boring,¡± she said, leaning in closer. ¡°What¡¯s the point of sitting here by yourself if it¡¯s just gonna make you miserable?¡±


    Kite finally glanced up at her, his emerald, green eyes meeting her bright pink ones. He opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by a loud crash from across the room. A chimera boy with ram-like horns had knocked over a tray, sending food splattering across the floor. The lunchroom erupted into laughter and cheers, kids pounding on tables and shouting taunts. Kite flinched at the sudden burst of noise, his shoulders hunching instinctively.


    Ava didn¡¯t even blink. She threw a glance toward the commotion and shrugged. ¡°Just another day in paradise,¡± she said lightly, taking another bite of her apple.Kite envied her composure. The noise was like nails scraping against his skull, but Ava acted like it didn¡¯t even register. ¡°How do you do that?¡± he asked before he could stop himself.


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    ¡°Do what?¡± Ava tilted her head again, her messy hair falling over one eye.¡°Just¡­ ignore everything,¡± Kite said, his voice still low but tinged with genuine curiosity. ¡°All the noise, all the people. It¡¯s like it doesn¡¯t bother you at all.¡±


    Ava laughed softly, a sound that somehow cut through the chaos around them. ¡°Easy. I don¡¯t care what they think.¡± She leaned back, balancing on the edge of the bench as she waved her hand toward the crowded room. ¡°All these kids? They¡¯re just noise. Background. What matters is what you think, Kite. And right now, I think you¡¯re overthinking everything.¡±


    Kite frowned, her words stirring something uneasy in him. It wasn¡¯t that simple. It couldn¡¯t be. The stares, the whispers, the constant feeling of being out of place, they weren¡¯t just noise to him. They were suffocating. But Ava sat there like she was invincible, like nothing could touch her. He wanted to ask how she did it, how she carried herself with such casual confidence, but the words stuck in his throat.


    Instead, he asked, ¡°Why are you even sitting with me?¡± His voice was quiet but carried an edge of vulnerability.


    Ava grinned, her pink eyes sparkling mischievously. ¡°Because I can. And because you look like you could use a friend.¡± She took one last bite of her apple, then spun it in her hands before placing the core neatly on her tray. ¡°Besides, you¡¯re interesting. All these other kids? They¡¯re boring.¡±


    Kite blinked, her bluntness catching him off guard. ¡°I¡¯m not¡­ interesting,¡± he said, his voice trailing off. ¡°That¡¯s what makes you interesting,¡± Ava countered with a wink. ¡°You don¡¯t even realize it. ¡±Before Kite could respond, Rad¡¯s voice cut through the noise. ¡°Hey, runt!¡±


    Both Kite and Ava turned to see Rad glaring at a smaller chimera kid, who had apparently wandered too close to Rad¡¯s table. The kid, with rabbit-like ears and wide, frightened eyes, quickly scurried away, clutching his tray. Rad shook his head and went back to eating, his scowl deepening.


    Kite swallowed hard, his anxiety creeping back. Rad was always on the edge of causing trouble, and Kite wasn¡¯t sure he wanted to be anywhere near that kind of attention. He turned back to Ava, who was watching the scene with an unreadable expression.


    ¡°See?¡± she said quietly. ¡°That¡¯s why you need to stop worrying about what everyone else thinks. Most of these kids are just scared or trying too hard to look tough. None of it matters.¡±


    Kite stared at her, her words hanging in the air. For a moment, the noise around them seemed to fade, and he felt a strange sense of calm. Maybe Ava was right. Maybe he was overthinking everything. Or maybe she was just better at pretending.


    He took a deep breath, his chest still tight but a little less so, and picked up his fork again. ¡°Thanks,¡± he said softly, glancing at Ava. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was the most he could manage.


    Ava smiled, her grin softer this time, and nudged him playfully with her elbow. ¡°Anytime, Kite. That¡¯s what friends are for.¡±The two children sat together in a rare moment of silence, the din of the lunchroom continuing unabated around them. Kite felt his nerves settling just a little, the warmth of Ava¡¯s unexpected company creating a fragile bubble of calm. He stole a glance at her, watching as she leaned back slightly, her bandaged legs swinging idly beneath the table. She looked so carefree, yet something about her always seemed just a little¡­ off, though he couldn¡¯t put his finger on it.


    Without warning, Ava grabbed the apple core from her tray and slipped it under the table. Her movements were casual, almost playful, as she cradled it in both hands.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Kite asked, his voice tinged with both confusion and curiosity. He leaned forward slightly, trying to see what she was up to.Ava didn¡¯t look up. Instead, her pink irises began to glow with an eerie, otherworldly intensity, casting faint streaks of light that reflected off the dull metal surface of the table. A sly grin spread across her face. ¡°Magic trick,¡± she said simply, her tone playful but laced with an unsettling edge.


    Kite tilted his head, unsure whether to take her seriously or laugh it off. Before he could press her further, a sudden movement caught his attention. Rad, sitting alone at his nearby table, had frozen mid-bite. His usually scowling face now bore an expression of wide-eyed horror, his fork slipping from his fingers as he stared at Ava.


    ¡°What is she¡­?¡± Kite¡¯s voice trailed off as he turned back to Ava. She chuckled softly, the sound low and devious, as her hands moved beneath the table. Whatever she was doing, Kite couldn¡¯t see it, but he could feel a strange hum in the air, like a low vibration crawling up his spine.


    ¡°Catch,¡± Ava said suddenly, her grin widening as she tossed something into the air above the table. Instinctively, Kite¡¯s hands shot up, and he caught it with a soft thud. His eyes widened as he looked at what he was holding. The apple core, once gnawed and discarded, was now a perfect, fully regrown apple. Its skin was smooth and gleaming, a vibrant red that seemed almost unnatural under the cafeteria¡¯s harsh lighting.


    ¡°It¡­ It¡¯s fully regrown!¡± Kite exclaimed; his voice louder than he intended. He turned the apple over in his hands, inspecting it from every angle. There wasn¡¯t a single blemish or sign that it had been eaten before. It looked as if it had just been plucked from a tree moments ago.


    Rad¡¯s face was pale as he watched from his table, his usual tough demeanor replaced by something closer to panic. His gaze darted between Ava and the apple in Kite¡¯s hands, as if trying to piece together what he had just witnessed.


    Ava leaned forward on the table, resting her chin on her hands as her grin took on an even more mischievous curve. ¡°It¡¯s a trick I learned a while ago. Magician¡¯s secret,¡± she said, her voice light and teasing. Her pink eyes dimmed slightly, returning to their usual glowing hue as she watched Kite with amusement.


    Kite stared at the apple, his fingers brushing its smooth surface. He felt a strange energy radiating from it, faint but undeniable, like the lingering heat of a flame. ¡°But how¡­?¡± he started, his voice barely above a whisper. He wasn¡¯t sure whether to feel amazed or unsettled. Something about the apple didn¡¯t feel right, it was too perfect, too flawless, as if it didn¡¯t belong in this world.


    ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it, Kite,¡± Ava said with a soft laugh, brushing a strand of messy hair out of her face. ¡°It¡¯s just a little trick. No big deal. ''''But Kite couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that it was a big deal. He looked up at Ava, his emerald-green eyes meeting her glowing pink ones. ¡°Why give it to me?¡± he asked hesitantly, the apple still cradled in his hands.


    Ava¡¯s grin softened, just for a moment, into something more enigmatic. ¡°Because you caught it,¡± she said simply, as if that answered everything. She leaned back again, her carefree demeanor returning as she swung her legs beneath the table. ¡°And now it¡¯s yours.¡±


    Rad continued to stare from his table, his fork still lying abandoned next to his tray. His mouth opened slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out. He finally tore his gaze away, his hands clenching into fists as he glared down at his food, his jaw tight.


    Kite, meanwhile, held the apple in his hand, feeling its weight and the strange energy that seemed to pulse from it. He wasn¡¯t sure what catching it meant, but a part of him sensed that Ava¡¯s ¡°trick¡± was anything but ordinary.

 Chapter 3.5: Horizon Heights

    Shortly after school had ended Kite began walking home. The undercity sprawled out before Kite like a maze of decaying concrete, rusting metal, and flickering neon lights. The air was thick with the hum of machinery, the scent of oil and burnt plastic mixing with the faint undertones of mildew.


    The streets were lined with vendors selling strange, poorly made gadgets and scraps of electronics, their voices a steady murmur in the background. Humanoid chimeras, many of the creatures whose bodies had been modified with cybernetic enhancements, walked past in a mix of urgency and indifference, their heavy mechanical limbs clicking against the cracked pavement. Some of them had glowing eyes, others sported robotic arms or legs, their bodies a patchwork of human and machine.


    They moved with a strange grace, as though they were used to the city¡¯s oppressive atmosphere. Kite kept his head down, avoiding the eyes of passersby. He knew how to stay out of trouble in the undercity; it was a game of survival, and the less attention you drew to yourself, the better. His mind wandered as he walked, his thoughts drifting back to school, Ava, the apple, the brief connection. The undercity felt like a distant, hostile world when compared to the strange warmth of the lunchroom earlier that day.


    As Kite walked through the crowded alley, he passed a group of older kids arguing over some stolen goods, their voices growing louder as they pushed each other. The smell of burnt food wafted from a nearby stall, and a pair of chimeras with sleek, dark metallic limbs passed him by, their gaze cold and distant. It wasn¡¯t unusual to see people like that here, people with more machine than human left in them, surviving by whatever means necessary.


    But as he continued walking, his attention was drawn to a voice that broke through the murmur of the undercity. ¡°Hi, Kite!¡± Kite froze mid-step, his heart skipping a beat. He turned, blinking in surprise to see the girl from earlier, Ava, approaching him.


    Her messy, tangled hair framed a face that was still round with the softness of youth. But it was her smile that caught his attention the most. It was wide and crooked, a gap where her front tooth should¡¯ve been, giving her an odd but endearing charm. Despite the chaotic, unforgiving environment around them, there was something about Ava¡¯s unfiltered energy that made her seem almost out of place in the grim world they lived In.


    ¡°Hi, Ava,¡± Kite replied, surprised to see her here. He hadn¡¯t expected to run into anyone from school outside of its confines. Ava grinned, her bright pink irises sparkling with an innocence that stood in stark contrast to the harsh world around them. ¡°I saw you walking all by yourself and thought, ¡®Hey, that¡¯s Kite! The smartest kid in class!¡¯¡± She giggled a little at her own words, clearly enjoying the interaction.


    Kite chuckled awkwardly, his cheeks reddening slightly. ¡°I¡¯m not that smart,¡± he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Well, you are,¡± she insisted with a mischievous gleam in her eye. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to keep up with you.¡± She paused, her expression turning slightly more serious as she tilted her head. ¡°So, what are you doing here, all alone? Aren¡¯t you worried about the-¡±


    She trailed off, her voice suddenly lowering, her eyes darting with recognition to the chimeras walking past them. One of them had metal plating on his arms, his glowing red eyes scanning the crowd as he passed. Ava¡¯s expression shifted briefly, a flicker of seriousness flashing across her face.


    Kite noticed the change, his brow furrowing. ¡°I¡¯m sure we¡¯re fine,¡± he reassured her, though he wasn¡¯t entirely sure he believed it himself. ¡°We¡¯re just walking.¡± He didn¡¯t want to admit how uncomfortable he felt in the undercity, how every step seemed like it could be his last, how everyone he passed might be a threat. The constant low hum of the city, the sense that danger was always just beneath the surface, was something he was growing used to, but it didn¡¯t make it any less nerve-wracking.


    Ava, sensing his discomfort, brightened up again, her smile returning. ¡°I was thinking,¡± she said as she bounced on her heels, ¡°I could show you a shortcut to a house I''ve been staying in. It¡¯s a lot safer than the main streets.¡±


    Kite blinked, taken aback by the offer. He hadn¡¯t expected her to be so¡­ friendly, so eager. It wasn¡¯t common for kids to talk to each other like this in the undercity, especially not with someone like him. He wasn¡¯t part of any group, not really. He was just a quiet kid who could answer questions, the one with the talent for tech and too many thoughts in his head.


    ¡°You sure?¡± he asked, unsure of what to say. Ava nodded enthusiastically. ¡°Of course! You don¡¯t want to go down those alleyways by yourself. Trust me, I know my way around here.¡±


    Kite hesitated for a moment, glancing at the street around them. The glowing lights, the distant hum of the machines, it all felt so familiar and yet so foreign at the same time. He didn¡¯t like to ask for help, didn¡¯t like to rely on anyone too much, but something about Ava¡¯s honesty, her openness, made him feel like he could trust her.


    ¡°Okay,¡± he said finally, offering a small smile. ¡°Lead the way.¡± Ava¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°Great! Follow me, Kite!¡± She grinned, her missing tooth giving her a goofy, endearing look as she darted ahead.


    Kite hesitated for just a second before following her, the sounds of the undercity echoing around them as they navigated through the twisted maze of streets, their footsteps a soft rhythm in the midst of the chaos. Ava moved with the easy confidence of someone who had spent her whole life navigating the undercity¡¯s labyrinth of dark alleys and forgotten paths. Her feet made no sound against the cracked pavement, Kites however sent a small echo into the hollow, oppressive air of the streets.


    Kite followed behind her, his gaze shifting uneasily from side to side as they passed flickering neon signs and discolored buildings. The air here felt colder, thicker, almost as though it absorbed the grime of every passing day. His feet dragged slightly as he tried to keep up, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings. Despite Ava¡¯s bright, carefree demeanor, something about the streets made him nervous.


    The further they walked, the quieter the sounds of the undercity became. Fewer people seemed to occupy this part of town, and Kite couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that the silence was somehow ominous. His fingers twitched at his sides, longing to fiddle with something, anything, his mind always worked better when he was focused on a task. But there was nothing to do but follow Ava, her voice occasionally cutting through his thoughts.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to look so serious,¡± Ava teased over her shoulder, glancing back at him with a grin. ¡°The worst thing that can happen is we get lost. ¡±Kite forced a smile, trying to hide the tension building in his chest. His mind couldn¡¯t stop calculating every possible scenario, the dangers of walking deeper into unknown parts of the undercity, the strange uncertainty of trusting someone so easily. But Ava was already ahead, oblivious to the thoughts swirling in his head.


    After a few more turns, the alleyway began to widen, the ground underfoot giving way to a strange metallic texture, almost like the industrial veins of the city itself had started to rise through the street. The walls surrounding them had become covered in strange pipes and tubes, sleek, glass-like conduits embedded into the walls, humming with a faint, electric buzz. They stretched up high, disappearing into the upper reaches of the towering structures above them. The hum of the tubes was a steady, pulsating rhythm, like the heartbeat of the city.


    Ava stopped and turned to him, her face alight with excitement, her eyes sparkling with something Kite couldn¡¯t quite place. ¡°Here we are. ¡±Kite¡¯s brow furrowed as he glanced around, taking in the strange, almost mechanical sight of the tubes. They lined the walls in thick clusters, connected in complex spirals and patterns, glowing faintly from within, casting sharp shadows across the ground. They seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy, almost like veins pumping some kind of life-giving substance through the undercity. He could hear the faint, distant rush of air, as if the tubes were working in tandem to move something from below to above.


    ¡°What are these?¡± Kite asked, his voice quiet but filled with curiosity, despite the knot of unease in his stomach. Ava¡¯s grin widened. ¡°These are the tubes that lead up to the Overworld,¡± she said, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. ¡°They take people up to Horizon Heights. The city above us, you know?¡± Her eyes glinted with excitement as she gestured up at the tubes, which seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky. ¡°These were built a century ago, back when most of the big corporations started bringing the best of everything up to the top. It¡¯s¡­ well, it¡¯s not really a place for people like us.¡±


    Kite felt a chill crawl up his spine, the realization settling in. The Overworld. Horizon Heights. The gleaming city above the undercity, where the rich lived in their ivory towers, removed from the suffering below. The thought of being anywhere near that world made him nervous, too clean, too pristine. It didn¡¯t feel like it was a place for people like him, either.


    ¡°But¡­ how do you get up there?¡± Kite asked, his voice shaky. He hadn¡¯t expected this. The tubes looked so smooth, so cold. He could barely wrap his mind around the idea of actually entering one of them, let alone using it to ascend to a place so foreign and distant from everything he knew.


    Ava seemed to sense his hesitation and turned back to him, her expression softening. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± she said, her voice steady and comforting, despite the dangerous excitement she felt. ¡°It¡¯ll be fine. They¡¯re safe.¡± She stepped closer, the faintest flicker of concern flashing across her face. ¡°I¡¯ve used them before. They¡¯ll take us right up to the city. I¡¯ll be right there with you.¡±


    Kite swallowed hard; his throat tight as he stared up at the tubes. His mind raced. The idea of traveling through one of these massive conduits, leaving the undercity behind, seemed like the craziest thing he¡¯d ever considered. The tubes were narrow, and he could already feel the weight of claustrophobia creeping into his chest. What if something went wrong? What if they got stuck? What if it broke down?


    He felt his fingers twitch, as If his body was screaming for him to fix something, do something, but there was nothing to fix here. This wasn¡¯t like the puzzles he solved in the safety of his room or the wires he tinkered with on the old machines. This was real. And he had no control over it.


    Ava, sensing his anxiety, reached out and placed a hand on his arm. ¡°You don¡¯t have to go if you don¡¯t want to,¡± she said, her voice low and reassuring. ¡°But Kite¡­¡± She hesitated, looking up at him with those wide, trusting eyes. ¡°It¡¯s not as bad as it looks. I promise.¡± She gave him an encouraging smile, her missing tooth showing again. ¡°Besides, you¡¯ll get to see the world above. The bright lights. The clean streets. It¡¯s not all bad up there.¡±


    For a long moment, Kite just stood there, caught in the struggle between the fear gnawing at his insides and the curiosity pulling at his chest. He could feel his pulse racing, his breath shallow, but Ava¡¯s hand on his arm gave him a small sense of calm.


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he nodded. ¡°Okay,¡± he muttered, almost to himself. ¡°I¡¯ll try it.¡± Ava grinned, the excitement returning to her face. ¡°That¡¯s the spirit!¡± She turned to the nearest tube, grabbing a small device from her pocket, which she pressed against a small panel at the base of the tube. The panel clicked, and with a soft whirring sound, the tube seemed to open up slightly, revealing a small capsule inside.


    ¡°This is the one,¡± Ava said, motioning for him to follow. ¡°Come on, it¡¯s gonna be fun.¡±


    Kite hesitated for a moment, glancing one last time at the dark undercity behind them. It felt like the end of something, or maybe the beginning of something entirely new. Then, with a final deep breath, he stepped forward.


    ¡°Right behind you,¡± he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Ava¡¯s hand guided Kite as he hesitantly stepped toward the capsule-like compartment nestled within the tube. The opening was small but wide enough for two people to squeeze in.


    The sleek, metallic surface of the tube gleamed unnervingly under the dim lights, and the air around them seemed to hum with an electric tension. Kite¡¯s heart raced in his chest as he stood before the capsule, trying to steady his breath, his mind still spinning with the idea of ascending from the grim undercity into Horizon Heights, a place so alien to him that it felt like a dream.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Ava said again, her voice softer now, almost like a secret. ¡°It¡¯s not going to be scary. It¡¯s just like riding a tram, but faster. And safer.¡±


    She stepped inside first, her movements fluid and confident. Kite watched her, trying to mimic her composure, though his hands felt clammy, his throat dry. He followed her into the capsule, crouching low to fit.


    The interior was even smaller than it appeared from the outside, and for a moment, Kite felt a tightening in his chest as the walls seemed to close in around him. The capsule had a large, smooth, dark surface for a window that gave few hints of what lay ahead. The faint sound of a small vent like fan whirred overhead, circulating the stale air. ¡°Close the door,¡± Ava said, her voice bright despite the cramped space.


    Kite¡¯s fingers trembled as he reached for the door¡¯s control panel, pressing a series of buttons. The compartment hummed, the metallic door sliding shut with a faint whoosh, sealing them inside. A sudden rush of pressure in his ears made his body tense, and his stomach lurched.


    ¡°Relax,¡± Ava said, noticing the look on his face. ¡°It¡¯s just the atmosphere adjusting. You¡¯ll be fine.¡± Kite nodded stiffly but didn¡¯t speak. He focused on his breathing, trying to steady his pulse. The tube ahead of them seemed to stretch infinitely, a narrow tunnel of glass and metal disappearing into the sky. He could feel the slight vibrations of the capsule as the system powered up, a deep thrum that resonated in his bones. With a soft, mechanical whine, the capsule lurched forward.


    The world outside the small, enclosed space blurred into a tunnel of light as the capsule accelerated, moving faster than Kite could process. The sensation of speed made his stomach turn, and he instinctively gripped the smooth, cold surface of the walls. Through the glass of the tube, he could catch fleeting glimpses of the undercity, a sprawling, broken maze of steel and concrete that seemed to stretch endlessly in all directions. The familiar, gritty landscape of rust and decay faded away as the capsule shot upwards.


    Kite felt a strange mix of awe and terror as the view outside changed. The dark, oppressive undercity gave way to a sliver of light, like the first glimpse of dawn through a long, stormy night. The walls of the tube seemed to shimmer, reflecting the strange neon lights of the upper city, a stark contrast to the dim underworld below. The further they rose; the more Kite felt the disconnection from everything he knew.


    Ava glanced at him, catching the nervousness on his face. ¡°I know it feels strange, but it¡¯s safe. You¡¯re going to see the world up there.¡± Her words were comforting, but they didn¡¯t quiet the growing unease inside him. He wasn¡¯t sure what he expected, but this speed, this raw, disorienting sensation, was overwhelming.


    The air inside the capsule began to feel thinner, and the walls seemed to pulse with energy. Kite instinctively pressed his hand against the smooth surface to steady himself, the metal cool against his palm. As they rose higher, the vibrations intensified, and he could feel his heart thudding against his ribs. His mind swirled with questions, what would it look like up there? What kind of people lived in Horizon Heights? How would he fit in?


    Then, with a sudden jolt, the capsule slowed. The pressure in his chest eased, and his ears popped again. He exhaled sharply, realizing he¡¯d been holding his breath without meaning to. Ava smiled as the capsule came to a smooth stop, the hum of the machinery around them dying down. ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± she said, her voice still light, but there was an undeniable edge of excitement to it. ¡°You ready?¡±


    Kite¡¯s mouth felt dry as he nodded. His palms were still sweaty, and his heart pounded, but there was no turning back now. He stepped closer to the door, his fingers hovering over the control panel. As soon as he pressed the button, the door slid open with a soft hiss, and a flood of bright, blinding light poured in.


    For a moment, Kite was blinded, squinting against the brightness. His mind struggled to process the sheer contrast between the undercity and the world before him. When his vision cleared, he saw the dazzling skyline of Horizon Heights spread out before him, gleaming with glass towers that stretched toward the sky, their surfaces reflecting the sunlight in a thousand angles. The buildings were sleek and pristine, their sharp lines a far cry from the dilapidated, crumbling structures of the undercity.


    The air was different too, fresher, lighter, and Kite couldn¡¯t help but breathe in deeply, though the city felt unnaturally sterile compared to the grittiness of the undercity. The streets were lined with perfect, clean sidewalks, bustling with well-dressed people, humans and chimeras alike, moving with purpose, without care of the darkness that existed just below their feet.


    Ava stepped out of the capsule first, her feet landing on the smooth, white surface of the platform. ¡°Welcome to Horizon Heights,¡± she said, turning back to Kite with a mischievous smile.


    Kite hesitated at first, taking in the sight of the city in disbelief. His fingers clenched at his sides, and for a moment, he felt like he was standing at the edge of two worlds. He had never seen anything like this, anything this clean, this¡­ perfect. It was beautiful, but it felt out of reach, like something that wasn¡¯t meant for people like him.


    But then, as Ava beckoned him to follow, Kite found himself stepping out of the capsule. Each step felt heavier than the last, like his feet were sinking into the surface of another reality. It wasn¡¯t just the air or the skyline, it was the feeling that he didn¡¯t belong here, not In this pristine world. But as Ava¡¯s voice cut through the stillness, calling him forward, Kite realized just how beautiful the world above truly was.


    Kite lingered on the platform, his eyes drinking in the strange, shimmering beauty of Horizon Heights. The streets ahead bustled with activity, filled with humanoid chimeras and humans moving through a cityscape unlike anything he had ever imagined. Neon advertisements floated in the air, holographic signs projecting vivid images of luxury goods and smiling faces. Sleek, driverless vehicles zipped silently along magnetic roads suspended above the ground. The air carried a faint hum of machinery, a rhythmic pulse that seemed to vibrate through everything.


    ¡°Come on, my house isn¡¯t too far from here!¡± Ava¡¯s voice cut through the daze. Kite turned to see her jogging off, her tangled brown hair bouncing as she moved. Her small frame seemed out of place in this polished city, but she navigated it with ease, her bare feet slapping against the pristine pavement.


    For a moment, Kite hesitated, his stomach twisting with uncertainty. He glanced back at the tube, the way back to the undercity where the air was heavy with rust and decay, where he understood how things worked, even if they were broken. Here, everything was bright and perfect, almost unreal. He felt like an intruder in someone else¡¯s world.


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    But Ava turned back, waving at him with a toothy grin that revealed her missing front tooth. ¡°Kite, come on!¡± she shouted again, her voice full of excitement. Her enthusiasm was contagious. Kite tore his gaze away from the skyline and jogged after her, his worn shoes tapping softly on the smooth pavement. As he followed her, he couldn¡¯t help but notice the stark differences all around him. The people in Horizon Heights were dressed in crisp, futuristic clothing, their skin clean and unscarred. Many of the humanoid chimeras had sleek, polished augmentations, their cybernetics seamlessly integrated into their bodies, a far cry from the crude, patched-together enhancements he was used to seeing in the undercity.


    Ava darted through the crowds with the nimbleness of someone who had done this a hundred times. Kite struggled to keep up, his eyes darting between the towering buildings and the countless gadgets embedded in the city¡¯s infrastructure. A row of floating drones hovered above the street, scanning the area with soft beams of blue light. He caught sight of a holographic clock displaying the time, far later than he thought it was. The efficiency and orderliness of everything unsettled him, a sharp contrast to the chaotic, crumbling world he knew.


    ¡°How do you know your way around here so well?¡± Kite called out; his voice shaky with exertion as he pushed himself to match her pace. Ava glanced over her shoulder with a mischievous smirk. ¡°I sneak up here all the time.¡±


    Kite raised an eyebrow curiously. He wondered how someone like Ava, with her ragged clothes and tangled hair, fit into a place like this. But before he could say anything, she turned sharply down a narrow alley between two towering buildings.


    ¡°Shortcut,¡± she said casually, disappearing into the shadows. Kite hesitated for a split second before following her. The alley was surprisingly clean, though it lacked the glowing advertisements and crowds of the main streets. Pipes and cables ran along the walls, humming faintly with energy. He could hear the soft whir of machines somewhere above them, a constant reminder of the technology that powered this city.


    ¡°Almost there!¡± Ava called, her voice echoing slightly in the confined space. The alley opened into a small courtyard surrounded by towering apartment buildings. It was quieter here, the bustle of the main streets muffled by the thick walls. Kite stopped to catch his breath, looking around. The courtyard was lined with plants in glass-enclosed containers, their green leaves glowing faintly under artificial light. It was the first time Kite had seen plants that weren¡¯t wilted or covered in grime.


    ¡°This is it,¡± Ava said, stopping in front of one of the buildings. She turned to Kite, her pink irises gleaming in the dim light. ¡°Home sweet home.¡± The building was modest compared to the sleek skyscrapers surrounding it, but it was still leagues above anything in the undercity. The walls were smooth and white, and the door slid open with a quiet hiss as Ava approached. She stepped inside and gestured for Kite to follow.


    He hesitated on the threshold, his nerves catching up with him. ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s okay for me to come in?¡± Ava rolled her eyes, grabbing his wrist and pulling him inside. ¡°You¡¯ll be fine. Besides, you¡¯re the first person from class I¡¯ve shown this place to. Consider yourself lucky.¡±


    The interior was small but tidy, a single room with a compact kitchen, a couch that looked like it could fold into a bed, and a desk cluttered with bits of tech and half-finished projects. A faint smell of something sweet and metallic lingered in the air. Ava plopped down on the couch, kicking her legs up. ¡°So, what do you think? Cool, right?¡±


    Kite glanced around, unsure what to say. It was nothing like the apartments he knew, there was no peeling paint or leaky ceilings, no sound of distant shouting or machinery breaking down. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ nice,¡± he said finally, his voice quieter than he intended. Ava grinned. ¡°Told you. And don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ve got the place to ourselves. Want something to drink? I think there''s still some juice or water cups laying around.¡±


    Kite shook his head, still too overwhelmed to think about drinking anything. Instead, he wandered over to the desk, his eyes drawn to the pieces of machinery scattered across it. ¡°What are you working on?¡± he asked, picking up a small, sleek device that looked like some kind of communication tool. Ava shrugged. ¡°Just stuff. I like to tinker, you know? Makes life less boring.¡±


    Kite set the device down carefully, his mind buzzing with questions. He didn¡¯t know why Ava had brought him here or what she expected, but for the first time he felt like he was seeing something more, something beyond the narrow world he thought he was trapped. Ava hopped off the couch and joined Kite by the cluttered desk. She grabbed a small cylindrical device from the pile, her movements quick and confident. ¡°This,¡± she said, holding it up for Kite to see, ¡°is going to be my masterpiece. Once I figure out how to make it work, that is.¡±


    Kite leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing as he studied the object. It was sleek, with faint seams along its surface and a single glowing panel on one side. ¡°What¡¯s it supposed to do?¡± he asked, his curiosity piqued.


    Ava grinned, her pink irises glinting. ¡°It¡¯s a signal scrambler. At least, it will be once I get the frequency modulation right. It¡¯s supposed to block surveillance drones and cameras. You know, for sneaking around places you¡¯re not supposed to be.¡± She shot him a mischievous look.


    Kite¡¯s eyebrows lifted. ¡°You built this yourself?¡± ¡°Yup,¡± Ava said proudly. She spun it around in her hands, though the glow flickered faintly, a sign it wasn¡¯t fully operational. ¡°It¡¯s not perfect yet, but it¡¯s close.¡± Kite reached for the device, and Ava handed it over without hesitation. He turned it over in his hands, his sharp eyes scanning every detail. ¡°You¡¯re using a phase-shift algorithm to disrupt signals, right? But the problem is probably with the power draw. This thing is too small to handle that kind of energy load.¡±


    Ava blinked, her grin widening. ¡°Exactly! That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been trying to figure out. How¡¯d you know?¡± Kite shrugged, a small smile creeping onto his face. ¡°I¡¯ve worked on stuff like this before. My dad and I tried building a signal jammer for his job a couple of years ago. Didn¡¯t entirely work, but I learned a lot from it.¡±


    Ava¡¯s expression softened. ¡°You and your dad worked on stuff together? That¡¯s cool. My¡­ friends don''t really have time for that kind of thing. they''re always gone somewhere.¡± Kite nodded, setting the device back on the desk. ¡°Yeah, my dad and mom work with tech, so I guess I just picked up a lot from watching them. My dad even taught me how to solder when I was four.¡± His voice grew quieter, tinged with pride and nostalgia.


    ¡°Four?¡± Ava echoed, her jaw dropping. ¡°No way! I didn¡¯t even know what a circuit board was when I was four.¡± Kite chuckled, his shoulders relaxing as he started rummaging through the pile of parts on the desk. ¡°I guess I¡¯ve always liked taking things apart and seeing how they work. My mom used to get mad at me for breaking the toaster. Twice.¡±


    Ava laughed, the sound light and genuine. ¡°Okay, you win. But only because I did the same thing to a... borrowed microwave last year. Except I couldn¡¯t put it back together. My friends still haven¡¯t let me live It down.¡± Kite grinned, feeling a rare warmth in her easy laughter. He picked up a stray wire and examined it thoughtfully. ¡°You¡¯ve got some good stuff here," he said, gesturing to the desk. ¡°Do you mind if I¡­?¡±


    Ava shook her head eagerly. ¡°Go for it. I want to see what you can do.¡± Taking that as permission, Kite settled into one of the stools and pulled a small toolbox closer. He grabbed the signal scrambler and began to disassemble it, his fingers deftly unscrewing the tiny fasteners. Ava sat across from him, watching with wide eyes as he worked.


    ¡°You¡¯re really good at this,¡± she said after a few minutes of silence. Her tone lacked the teasing edge she often used, replaced instead with genuine admiration. Kite shrugged, his focus never wavering from the device. ¡°It¡¯s just practice. My dad says technology is like a puzzle. You just have to figure out how all the pieces fit together.¡±


    Ava leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk. ¡°Your dad sounds cool. What about your mom? Does she like tech stuff a lot too?¡± Kite hesitated for a moment, his hands slowing as he considered her question. ¡°Not really. She¡¯s more about keeping us fed and safe. She works at a food processing plant. Long hours, but she always makes time for me.¡± A small, fond smile played on his lips.


    Ava nodded, twirling a loose wire between her fingers. ¡°My parents¡­ aren¡¯t around. It¡¯s just me and my friends. And they aren¡¯t exactly the warm-and-fuzzy type, you know?¡± Kite glanced up at her, surprised by the shift in her tone. She was usually so upbeat, so mischievous, that he hadn¡¯t expected this quiet vulnerability. ¡°That must be hard,¡± he said softly.


    Ava shrugged, though her gaze dropped to the desk. ¡°It is, sometimes. But that¡¯s why I mess around with stuff like this. It keeps my mind busy.¡± She gestured to the pile of gadgets. ¡°Plus, it¡¯s fun. I mean, who wouldn¡¯t want to build a robot army someday?¡±


    Kite laughed, the sound breaking the tension. ¡°A robot army, huh? That¡¯s ambitious.¡± ¡°Hey, you¡¯ve got to dream big,¡± Ava said, her grin returning. She pointed to the scrambler in Kite¡¯s hands. ¡°Speaking of big dreams, think you can fix that?¡±


    Kite smirked, a spark of determination lighting in his eyes. ¡°Watch me.¡± For the next few hours, the two of them worked together, their heads bent over the desk as they brainstormed solutions. Ava offered ideas, some more practical than others, while Kite tested different configurations and soldered connections with a steady hand. They fell into an easy rhythm, their shared passion for tinkering bridging the gap between their vastly different lives.


    By the time Kite tightened the last screw and powered the device on, the glow from its panel was steady and bright. Ava¡¯s face lit up with excitement. ¡°You did it!¡± she exclaimed, grabbing the scrambler and holding it up triumphantly. Kite leaned back in his chair, a satisfied grin on his face. ¡°We did it. It wouldn¡¯t have worked without your design.¡±


    Ava beamed at him; her earlier vulnerability replaced by pure joy. ¡°You¡¯re not so bad, Kite. For a guy who sits alone at lunch.'''' Kite rolled his eyes, but he couldn¡¯t help the laugh that escaped. ¡°Thanks, I guess.¡±


    As the two of them packed up the desk, Kite realized something surprising. For the first time he had felt happy outside of his home. Ava might have been a whirlwind of chaos and curiosity, but she understood him in a way few people did. And in the sparkling streets of Horizon Heights, surrounded by a world that felt more like a dream than reality, Kite found a small spark of hope he didn¡¯t know he was missing.


    Kite glanced at the flickering holographic clock on Ava¡¯s wall, its bright blue digits displaying 9:17 PM. His eyes widened as he realized the time. His parents had made it clear, be home by 10 PM at the latest, no exceptions. It wasn¡¯t that there were dire consequences for being late, but his mom would definitely worry, and his dad would probably pace the apartment until he walked through the door.


    Oh no,¡± Kite muttered, standing abruptly and nearly toppling the stool he¡¯d been sitting on. ¡°I need to get home! It¡¯s already past nine!¡± Ava looked up from the half-disassembled drone she was tinkering with, her brow furrowing in confusion. ¡°Home? What¡¯s the rush?¡±


    Kite was already pacing, his mind racing as he thought about how far they¡¯d traveled. Kite began gathering his things, his movements frantic. ¡°It¡¯s my parents, if I don¡¯t get back before ten, they¡¯ll think something happened to me. My mom will freak out, and my dad, he just doesn¡¯t sleep until I¡¯m home.¡±


    Ava watched him for a moment before her usual confident smirk crept across her face. Ava set the scrambler down and stood up with her hands on her hips. ¡°Relax, I¡¯ll get you back. You¡¯re not lost or anything with me here.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d take me?¡± Kite asked, pausing mid-motion. ¡°You don¡¯t have to-¡±


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll take you,¡± Ava said, standing and brushing her hands off on her ragged pants. ¡°You¡¯d probably get lost without me, anyway.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t-¡± Kite started, but Ava interrupted with a wave of her hand.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah. Save it, genius. Let¡¯s go before your parents send a search party or something.¡± She grabbed a small satchel and slung it over her shoulder. her movements casual and confident as always. Kite bit his lip nervously but nodded. ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Kite followed her out of the cramped apartment, his nerves starting to settle. Ava led the way with her usual mix of confidence and carefree attitude, her tangled brown hair bouncing slightly as she moved. The streets of Horizon Heights were quieter now, the vibrant energy of the city beginning to dim as the evening wore on. The holographic advertisements above still shimmered brightly, casting flickering lights onto the reflective surfaces of the buildings, hover cars and streets.


    ¡°Hey, thanks for doing this,¡± Kite said as they walked. He glanced at Ava, who was skipping slightly ahead, her pinkish skin glowing faintly in the ambient light. ''''No big deal,¡± Ava replied with a shrug, glancing back at him. ¡°It¡¯s kind of fun showing you around. You¡¯re like¡­my project now or something.¡±


    Kite raised an eyebrow. ¡°Your project?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Ava said with a grin. ¡°Gotta teach the tech whiz how to actually get around. Can¡¯t have you hiding in some workshop all the time.¡± Kite chuckled, despite himself. ¡°Fair enough.¡±


    They continued through the labyrinth of alleys and narrow walkways, Ava¡¯s familiarity with the area evident in the way she navigated without hesitation. As they walked, Kite¡¯s initial panic gave way to curiosity, his eyes lingering on the futuristic architecture and the occasional glimpses of the bustling city life above. He realized how little he actually knew about Horizon Heights, despite living in its shadow all his life.


    After a while, Ava stopped at a junction where a large metal grate led to a descending path. She pointed ahead. ¡°This¡¯ll take us back down to the undercity. You¡¯ll be home before your parents even start to worry.¡±


    Kite peered down the path, the faint hum of machinery echoing up from below. He turned to Ava. ¡°Thanks, Ava. Really. I appreciate it.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t sweat it,¡± she said, giving him a playful nudge on the arm. ¡°But you owe me some tinkering time next time we hang out. ¡°Deal,¡± Kite replied with a grin.


    As they made their way down the path, Kite couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of gratitude toward Ava. She was loud, unpredictable, and sometimes downright strange, but she¡¯d quickly become someone he could trust. And that meant everything to him.


    Ava and Kite stepped onto the descending path, their footsteps clinking against the metal grating beneath them. The hum of distant machinery echoed faintly in the air, a constant reminder of the undercity¡¯s industrial heartbeat. The dim light from overhead fixtures flickered intermittently, casting elongated shadows along the walls. The path ahead twisted into a maze-like descent, flanked by exposed pipes that hissed occasionally, releasing bursts of steam.


    ¡°So,¡± Ava started, her voice breaking the rhythmic clatter of their footsteps, ¡°you really thought I¡¯d let you wander around up here all by yourself, huh?¡± Kite glanced at her, a sheepish smile creeping across his face. ¡°Well, you seemed like the type to just laugh and let me get lost for fun.¡±


    Ava gasped in mock offense, clutching her chest dramatically. ¡°Wow. That¡¯s what you think of me? I¡¯m wounded, Kite. Deeply wounded.¡±


    Kite chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°Okay, maybe not. But still¡­ thanks. I didn¡¯t know the city above was this¡­ big. Or confusing.¡±


    ¡°It is,¡± Ava admitted, skipping ahead a few steps and then turning to walk backward, facing him. Her tangled hair bounced lightly as she moved, and the faint pink hue of her skin glowed in the dim light. ¡°It¡¯s a maze if you don¡¯t know where you¡¯re going. But stick with me, and you¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Kite shoved his hands into his jacket pockets, his pace steady. ¡°You seem to know this place like the back of your hand. How¡¯d you figure it all out?¡±


    Ava shrugged, still walking backward. ¡°I¡¯ve lived here my whole life. Well, as long as I can remember, anyway. You kinda just¡­ figure things out when you¡¯ve got nowhere else to go.¡±


    Her tone shifted slightly, a fleeting hint of vulnerability slipping through her usual bravado. Kite noticed but didn¡¯t press her on it. Instead, he nodded thoughtfully. ¡°I guess that makes sense. I mean, I¡¯ve only ever known the undercity. My parents always said the Heights were too dangerous to even think about coming up here.¡± ¡°They¡¯re not wrong,¡± Ava said, spinning back around to face the path ahead. ¡°But it¡¯s not all bad. You¡¯ve just gotta know where to look. And who to avoid.¡±


    Kite frowned, curious. ¡°Like who?¡± Ava turned her head, glancing at him over her shoulder. ¡°The drones, for one. And anyone either wearing a corporate badge or bounty hunter attire. Trust me, they¡¯re not your friends. If you see one, it¡¯s best to just act like you¡¯re supposed to be here. Or, you know, run.¡±


    Kite chuckled quietly and nodded, filing the information away. ¡°Got it. Avoid drones and bounty hunters. Noted.'''' They walked in companionable silence for a moment, the sound of their footsteps filling the air. The path began to slope more steeply, and the air grew warmer, carrying the metallic tang of the undercity below.


    ¡°So,¡± Ava said suddenly, breaking the quiet, ¡°what¡¯s it like? Having, you know¡­ parents.¡± Kite blinked, caught off guard by the question. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Ava shrugged again; her voice more subdued. ¡°You know. Parents. A family. I¡¯ve seen how you talk about them, how worried you are about getting home on time. Must be nice, having someone who cares that much.¡±


    Kite hesitated, unsure how to respond. ¡°I mean¡­ yeah, it¡¯s nice. They¡¯re great. My mom¡¯s always looking out for me, and my dad¡­ he¡¯s tough and quiet, but he¡¯s got a good heart. I guess I¡¯m lucky.¡±


    Ava nodded slowly; her gaze fixed ahead. ¡°Yeah. Lucky.¡± Kite watched her, sensing there was more she wasn¡¯t saying. ¡°What about you? Do you have¡­ anyone?¡± Ava let out a short laugh, but it was devoid of her usual humor. ¡°Not really. It¡¯s just me. Always has been. Well, except for the odd person here and there who lets me crash with them for a bit. But they usually get tired of me pretty quick.¡±


    Kite frowned. ¡°That¡¯s not fair. You¡¯re not¡­ tiring.¡± Ava smirked, her usual bravado returning. ¡°Don¡¯t go getting all sentimental on me, Kite. You¡¯ll ruin my reputation out here.¡± Kite smiled, but the weight of her words lingered in his mind. He couldn¡¯t imagine not having his parents, not having a home to go back to. It made him look at Ava in a new light, behind her confident exterior was someone who had fought to survive on her own in a world that didn¡¯t care about her.


    ¡°You know,¡± Kite said after a moment, ¡°if you ever need a place to go, you could always come by my house. My mom makes enough mushroom soup for an army.¡±Ava laughed, a genuine, light sound that made the warm air feel less oppressive. ¡°Mushroom soup, huh? Tempting. I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡±


    They reached a section of the path where the metal grating turned into worn concrete steps. The faint hum of machinery grew louder, accompanied by the distant sounds of the undercity¡¯s grinding gears, the murmur of voices, and the occasional sharp clang of tools.


    ¡°We¡¯re almost there,¡± Ava said, glancing back at Kite. ¡°See? I told you I¡¯d get you home in one piece.¡± Kite smiled. ¡°Yeah. You did.¡±


    As they descended the final stretch, Kite realized he felt lighter somehow, the tension of the day fading away. Ava had a way of making the world feel a little less daunting, and for that, he was grateful. Even as they reached the familiar, grimy streets of the undercity, the memory of their shared laughter and quiet moments of understanding stayed with him, a bright spot in the shadowed city they called home.


    As they stepped off the last set of stairs and into the undercity, Kite glanced around at the familiar surroundings. The dim glow of neon lights spilled across the cracked concrete, reflecting in shallow puddles that shimmered with traces of oil. The air was heavy with the metallic tang of rust and the faint, acrid scent of burnt wiring.


    Ava paused beside him, her hands on her hips as she surveyed the area. ¡°Well, here we are. Back in the land of grime and glory.¡± She turned to Kite with a grin. ¡°Not as fancy as Horizon Heights, but it¡¯s got charm, right?¡±


    Kite chuckled, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. ¡°Charm¡¯s one way to put it. Home¡¯s another. ¡±Ava smirked, nudging him with her elbow. ¡°Fair point. So, where¡¯s your place from here?¡±


    Kite gestured down a narrow alleyway lined with mismatched, corrugated metal walls. Faint chatter and the clanging of tools drifted from the workshops and makeshift stores that dotted the path. ¡°Just down there. Not too far.¡±


    ¡°Cool,¡± Ava said, falling into step beside him. She glanced at him, her expression softening slightly. ¡°So¡­ did you have fun today?¡± Kite smiles softly before answering ¡°Yeah,¡± Kite admitted, a genuine warmth in his voice. ¡°It was... different. In a good way. I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d end up in the Heights, let alone get to see all that stuff. And¡­¡± He hesitated, his eyes flicking toward her. ¡°Thanks for showing me around.¡±


    Ava gave him a lopsided grin. ¡°Hey, someone¡¯s gotta show you how to live a little. You¡¯ve got potential, Kite. Can¡¯t let it go to waste. ¡±Kite laughed lightly. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± ''''It means,¡± Ava said, spinning to walk backward in front of him, ¡°you¡¯ve got a brain that works in ways most people can¡¯t even dream of. You just need someone to push you out of your comfort zone every now and then. Lucky for you, I¡¯m great at that.¡±


    He shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. ¡°You¡¯re something else, you know that?¡± Ava stopped walking, letting Kite pass her, before jogging to catch up. ¡°Yeah, I get that a lot.¡± She glanced at him sideways, her tone growing quieter. ¡°But seriously, Kite, you¡¯re not like most people down here. You¡¯ve got a shot at something bigger.¡±


    Kite shrugged, kicking a loose bolt across the pavement. ¡°Bigger doesn¡¯t mean better. Sometimes, I think it¡¯s safer to just stick with what you know.¡± Ava opened her mouth to respond but seemed to think better of it. Instead, she tilted her head toward the alley. ¡°C¡¯mon, let¡¯s get you home now.¡±


    They walked in companionable silence for a while, the noise of the undercity filling the gaps in their conversation. Ava occasionally darted ahead to inspect some peculiar object, a broken drone, a discarded piece of machinery, before falling back in step with Kite. Finally, they reached the entrance to Kite¡¯s apartment, a towering structure cobbled together from various materials that didn¡¯t quite match. The flickering sign above the door read ¡°Block 37¡± in sputtering neon.


    ¡°Well,¡± Ava said, stopping at the threshold, ¡°this is you.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Kite replied, glancing up at the building before turning to her. ¡°Thanks again, Ava. For everything today.¡± Kite said with a smile. ''''Don¡¯t mention it,¡± she said with a casual wave. Then, as if on impulse, she added, ¡°Hey, maybe we could hang out again sometime. You know, tinker with some stuff, explore a bit more¡­¡±


    Kite¡¯s smile widened. ¡°I¡¯d like that.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Ava said, her voice taking on its usual confident lilt. ¡°Next time, we¡¯re building something that can fly. ¡±Kite laughed. ¡°Sure. Sounds like a plan.¡±


    As he stepped up to the building and climbed the worn stairs to his apartment, Kite found himself replaying the day¡¯s events in his mind. Meeting Ava, exploring the Heights, and seeing the world from a perspective he never thought he¡¯d have, it all felt surreal. When he reached the door to his home, he paused for a moment, glancing back down the hallway. Ava was gone, already swallowed up by the labyrinthine streets of the undercity. But Kite knew this wouldn¡¯t be the last time they¡¯d cross paths.


    He pushed open the door, the familiar aroma of mushroom soup wafting out to greet him. His parents¡¯ voices echoed softly from the small kitchen, and he felt a wave of comfort wash over him. Despite the grime and chaos of the undercity, there was something grounding about coming back to the people who cared about him.


    And yet, a part of him couldn¡¯t shake the thrill of the day¡¯s adventures, the pull of the unknown. Ava¡¯s words lingered in his mind: ''''You¡¯ve got a shot at something bigger.'''' For the first time, Kite began to wonder what might lie beyond the walls of the only world he¡¯d ever known.

 Chapter 4: Sky Surfing

    The classroom buzzed faintly with the hum of an old ventilation system struggling to filter the stale air. The room itself was a patchwork of salvaged tech and cracked concrete, lit by the flickering fluorescent strips overhead. The dim, flickering light panels overhead cast a faint, yellowish glow over the classroom. Kite sat at his usual spot near the front, with his worn notebook lying open on the cracked metal desk.


    His multi-tool pen, a gadget he''d cobbled together from scraps, rested beside his hand. The substitute teacher, Ms. Grath, stood at the front, her frazzled appearance a testament to years of managing rowdy undercity kids. "Kite," she called out, snapping him out of his thoughts.


    "What''s the primary energy source for most of the undercity''s systems?" Kite straightened in his chair, pushing his thoughts about the weekend aside. "Thermal generators from the core heat vents," he said confidently.


    Ava, sitting next to Kite, raised her hand half-heartedly, but Ms. Grath didn''t call on her. Instead, she pointed at a boy in the back row who clearly hadn''t been paying attention. The boy stumbled over his words. "Uh... they, um, make heat... bad?" The class chuckled softly, and Ms. Grath sighed. "Close enough. Yes, the heat dissipation affects the undercity''s climate, making it hotter and harder to maintain air circulation. Pay attention next time."


    Rad, sitting two rows behind Kite, leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed. He wasn''t antagonistic anymore, Kite''s defense of him last week had shifted something between them, but he still carried an air of quiet defiance. He hadn''t raised his hand once all morning, opting instead to observe the class with a detached gaze. The teacher launched into a discussion about basic circuitry, diagramming a rudimentary energy flow on the old holographic board. Ava nudged Kite with her elbow. "Bet you could build that with your eyes closed," she whispered, her pink eyes glinting mischievously. Kite smirked but didn''t reply. He liked having Ava beside him.


    She added an unpredictable energy to the classroom that made the dull lessons feel more bearable. "Kite," Ms. Grath called again, interrupting his thoughts. ¡®¡¯What happens if the capacitor in this circuit Overloads?"


    He glanced at the board, scanning the diagram quickly. "It would fry the connections and create a short circuit." "Good," she replied, gesturing to him. "And how could you prevent that?"


    ¡°Add a resistor before the capacitor," Kite said automatically, his fingers tapping on his desk as though sketching the solution in his head. Ms. Grath gave him an approving look. "Exactly." Ava gave a low whistle, leaning closer. "Show-off" she teased, but her smile showed she didn''t mean it.


    Rad, however, sat up straighter, frowning slightly. Kite noticed but didn''t think much of it. The next question came, and Rad surprised everyone by raising his hand. His movement was sharp, almost defiant, and Ms. Grath''s eyebrows shot up in surprise.


    "Yes, Rad?" Rad spoke quickly, clearly trying to beat Kite to the answer. "The diode would regulate the flow of electricity, making it more stable." Ms. Grath nodded. "That''s correct. Good Work, Rad." The class murmured in surprise. Rad rarely participated, and Kite turned slightly to glance at him. Rad caught his eye and gave a small shrug as if to say, what? I know things too.


    The lesson continued, and Kite answered a few more questions, each time with a mix of precision and confidence. Rad stayed quieter after his single moment in the spotlight, and Ava occasionally scribbled sarcastic doodles in her notebook to show Kite. Toward the end of class, Ms. Grath posed one final question: "What''s the safest way to bypass a broken relay in a circuit?"


    Kite''s hand shot up first, but Rad''s was a split second behind. Ms. Grath hesitated, her gaze flickering between them. She sighed and called on Rad. "Go ahead." Rad cleared his throat, his voice steady. "Uh... you could use a... uh... direct jumper wire to bypass it?" Kite opened his mouth instinctively, the real answer on his tongue, but he stopped himself. Rad''s answer was wrong, overly simplistic and dangerous if applied in a live circuit. Still, Kite stayed silent, his fingers tightening around his multi-tool pen as he glanced at Ava. She raised an eyebrow, silently asking why he didn¡¯t jump in.


    Ms. Grath frowned slightly but didn¡¯t correct Rad outright. Instead, she addressed the class. "That''s one approach, but it has risks. Anyone else?"


    Kite hesitated. He could easily offer the correct answer, but he caught Rad¡¯s nervous glance in his direction. It reminded him of their silent truce, of how Rad had shifted from adversary to something closer to an acquaintance. Kite decided to let the moment pass.


    When no one else raised their hand, Ms. Grath turned back to the holographic board. "The safest way would be to use a bridging circuit with an inline fuse to prevent overload. It''s important to always consider safety first when dealing with live systems."


    Rad''s face turned red, and he sank into his seat. A few kids snickered, but the moment was brief. Ava leaned over to Kite and whispered, "Why didn¡¯t you correct him? You know that wasn¡¯t right."


    Kite shrugged, keeping his eyes on the board. "He¡¯s trying. Let him have his moment." Ava smirked. "Fine."


    The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Chairs scraped against the floor as the students packed their things and filtered out. Rad stayed behind, lingering near the back of the room while Kite and Ava gathered their notebooks and tools. As Kite stood, he felt a hand tap his shoulder. Turning, he saw Rad standing there, his expression unreadable. "Hey," Rad said, his voice quieter than usual.


    Kite raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?" Rad shifted uncomfortably, his hands shoved into the pockets of his patched-up jacket. "Thanks... for not, you know, making me look stupid back there."


    Kite shrugged again; his tone casual. "It¡¯s no big deal. You were close. You¡¯ll get it next time." Rad¡¯s eyes flicked away, and he gave a small nod. "Yeah... maybe." He paused, glancing at Ava, who was watching the exchange with open curiosity. "Anyway, uh... see you tomorrow, I guess." As Rad walked out, Ava crossed her arms, a sly grin on her face. "Looks like someone¡¯s warming up to you."


    Kite laughed softly, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Guess so." "Still," Ava added as they walked toward the door, "he owes you one. Bout time he stopped antagonizing you." Kite didn¡¯t reply, but he felt a small sense of satisfaction. The undercity was a harsh place, and if he could find friends, even unlikely ones like Rad, maybe things wouldn¡¯t feel so lonely.


    The metal doors of the school creaked as Kite and Ava stepped out into the bustling chaos of the undercity. The air was heavy with the smell of ozone and machine oil, a constant reminder of the sprawling industrial world they called home. The streets were crowded with a mix of humans and chimeras, some carrying goods, others bartering or arguing in the narrow alleys. Above, tangled cables stretched across the cityscape like veins, and the distant hum of massive turbines reverberated through the air.


    Kite adjusted the strap of his bag and glanced at Ava, who was already grinning mischievously. "So, Mr. Genius, saving Rad¡¯s pride and all, what¡¯s next on the Kite agenda?" she teased, her pink irises sparkling with amusement.


    Kite rolled his eyes but smiled. "What can I say? I¡¯m a hero to the socially awkward everywhere." Ava snorted. "Yeah, right. Don¡¯t go getting a big head now. You¡¯ll float away into Horizon Heights or something."


    "Float away? With the air pressure down here? I¡¯d sink like a rock." Kite shot back, and Ava laughed, the sound echoing faintly in the tight street.


    They weaved their way through the crowded pathways, dodging a rusted delivery drone as it sputtered overhead. Ava smirked, side-eyeing him. "You¡¯re too nice sometimes, you know that?"


    "I could say the same about you," Kite said. "Who else would bring a total stranger up to Horizon Heights just because they looked curious?" "Fair point," Ava admitted, her grin widening. "Guess we¡¯re both suckers for charity cases."


    They walked a bit further in comfortable silence, the noise of the undercity swelling around them. Ava finally broke it. "Hey, speaking of curiosity¡­ You got any plans for the rest of the day?" Kite glanced at her, suspicious of her tone. "Why?"


    Ava slowed her pace and turned to face him, walking backward through the crowd with surprising ease. "Because I¡¯ve got this idea," she said, dragging the word out for emphasis. "Uh-huh. And what kind of idea are we talking about here?"


    Ava¡¯s grin turned sly. "Hoverboards." Kite blinked, then stopped in his tracks. "Hoverboards?" he echoed, his voice a mix of skepticism and intrigue.


    "Yeah," Ava said, spinning around to walk forward again, her tangled brown hair bouncing as she moved. "Think about it. No more trudging through these gross streets, dodging drones and stepping in who-knows-what. Just zip around above it all. Could even make it fast enough to outrun those Cybercop patrols with enough effort."


    "That¡­ sounds like a logistical nightmare," Kite said, though he couldn¡¯t help the flicker of excitement in his voice. "Only if you¡¯re boring," Ava shot back. "Come on, you¡¯re the tech genius. I¡¯ve got some spare repulsor parts from a broken delivery drone. We just need to tweak them, slap on a power core, and boom, hoverboards."


    Kite frowned thoughtfully. "You¡¯d need to stabilize the propulsion field to make it rideable. And a way to balance the weight distribution so it doesn¡¯t flip the rider off." Ava¡¯s grin widened. "See? I knew you¡¯d get it. So, what do you say? Want to help me out?"


    Kite hesitated for a moment, looking down at the grimy street beneath their feet. His parents had always told him to be careful about curfew, but he couldn¡¯t deny how much the idea intrigued him. Tinkering was second nature to him, and Ava¡¯s wild energy made it impossible not to get swept up in her plans.


    "Alright," he said finally, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "But if this thing explodes, I¡¯m blaming you." Ava whooped, throwing her arms up triumphantly. "Yes! I knew you¡¯d say yes. Come on, let¡¯s go grab the parts from my new place."


    She took off ahead of him, her ragged clothes flapping as she darted through the crowd. Kite followed, shaking his head but unable to suppress his grin. Whatever happened next, he knew it was going to be an adventure.


    The air inside the abandoned house was thick with the scent of dust, mildew, and oil. Tall metal shelves, once stacked with goods and supplies, lay overturned and scattered across the cracked concrete floor.


    The worn-down streets of the undercity were a maze of metal, grime, and rusted machinery, but Ava knew every twist and turn. She led Kite down a narrow alleyway lined with half-collapsed buildings, their facades grimy with layers of soot. The air felt thick with industrial fumes and dust, the kind that settled into every crevice and made breathing feel like a chore.


    The faint hum of the nearby generators, always running in the background, gave the place an almost alive feeling. Ava stopped in front of a decrepit building with crumbling walls and windows that had long since been shattered. The door, hanging off its hinges, revealed a dark, musty interior. Kite hesitated at the entrance, noticing the faint smell of mold and decay that lingered in the air.


    "Here we are," Ava said, stepping inside without a second thought. "My workshop for the day" Kite followed reluctantly, his eyes adjusting to the dimness as he stepped into the interior. The building, once a family home, was now an abandoned shell, filled with the scattered remnants of a forgotten life.


    Dusty orange brownish light filtered through broken windows, casting beams that illuminated the piles of discarded machinery and forgotten tech. The faint hum of distant industrial activity still echoed through the walls, a reminder of the undercity''s perpetual state of decay and unrest. Ava¡¯s footsteps echoed loudly as she made her way past another collapsed metal doorframe, the remnants of a more prosperous past that had long since vanished.


    Rusty tools lay strewn across the floor, piles of scrap metal and broken electronics cluttered the corners, and the faint outline of an old, sagging couch could still be seen beneath the debris. Some of the walls had been partially stripped, exposing the exposed pipes and wiring that ran along the ceilings. Kite looked around, taking in the stark contrast to the modern, pristine home Ava had shown him in Horizon Heights.


    "This place is a lot different from the one you showed me before" he remarked, his voice softer than he intended. "It''s... not exactly the same vibe." Ava froze for a moment, her gaze flickering over the room before she quickly brushed off his comment.


    "Had to move," she said, a vague dismissiveness in her tone. She didn''t meet his eyes as she moved toward a pile of discarded parts in the corner. "This place is perfect for what we need. And besides, this old house has potential, right? Think of it as my little corner of the undercity."


    ¡®¡¯Did something happen?" Kite asked, raising an eyebrow. "Like... drones or-" "Both," she cut in, not meeting his eyes. "You know, the kind things that make you disappear overnight." She paused, as if debating whether to say more, but then brushed the conversation away with a wave of her hand.


    "Anyway, enough of that. We''ve got a hover board to build." Kite didn''t push it further as he looked away, feeling a flicker of unease. The undercity had a way of making people disappear, whether through corporate machinations or gang factions. He wasn''t sure which was worse. He could sense the walls she had built up around that particular topic, and something about her tone made him realize it was best not to dig. Instead, he focused on the task at hand.


    "Alright, fine," he said, forcing the topic change. "Let''s get to it." Ava threw him a knowing glance and nodded toward a pile of broken drone parts. "Those should have most of what we need. Get the power cores out. find more repulsor parts. We need something to stabilize the hover boards. You know how it goes."


    The workshop, messy as it was, was a treasure trove of parts. Shelves were lined with wires, broken drones, dismantled robots, and old, cracked motherboards. It was like walking into a tech junkyard.


    Kite picked up a nearby repulsor, turning it over in his hands. "You''ve got a motor here, too," he noted, examining the gears and wires. "We''ll need to modify this to create lift."


    "Exactly," Ava said, grabbing a coil of copper wire from another pile of scrap. "I''ve scavenged some capacitors and resistors. Should be able to tweak the repulsor''s power flow to stabilize it." Kite moved to the table, pulling his multi-tool pen out of his bag and clicking it open.


    He began cutting wires, stripping insulation off copper cables, and piecing together circuits. "This will need to run at low voltage to maintain balance," he said, connecting the ends of the stripped wires and attaching the repulsor to a makeshift frame made of scavenged steel rods. Ava, meanwhile, had dug up several repulsor engines, their frames dented and scarred, but the inner components still looked promising.


    ¡®¡¯might be able to salvage these," she muttered to herself as she ran a hand over the fragile parts. Kite couldn''t help but be impressed by how focused and quick Ava was in this environment. She was clearly in her element.


    Despite the chaos of the surroundings, there was an underlying sense of purpose in the way she moved. It was the same look he often got when he was deep in a project, lost in the small details. There was something about the way they both lost themselves in their work that felt right.


    But Kite¡¯s curiosity continued to gnaw at him ¡®¡¯Did someone go after you up there?¡¯¡¯ Kite asked, his voice cutting through the rhythm ava had steadily built up. Ava''s fingers paused, but she didn''t look up from the task. "Sort of" she replied.


    ¡®¡¯Had a run-in with some bounty hunters who were sent after me." She finished soldering connection and tested it with a small, humming flick of electricity that made the repulsor buzz faintly. "Had to disappear before things got uglier."


    Kite considered her for a moment, noting the stiffness in her shoulders and the sudden tautness in her voice. "Did they hurt you?" he asked, his tone softer than he meant it to be.


    Ava shook her head, a wry smile flickering across her face. "Nah, nothing a few busted ribs and a few hours in the vent shafts couldn''t fix." She glanced up at him, pink eyes narrowing in challenge.


    "What, you worried about me now?" "Just making sure you didn''t end up as some kind of lab rat or something," Kite shot back, trying to keep his voice light. "Sounds like something they''d do; from the rumors I hear." "Thanks for the vote of confidence," she replied, but her eyes were searching his face, as if trying to see past the rough exterior to the person beneath. "Good," she said, the edge of a smile on her lips. "Wouldn''t want to have to hunt you down for leaving me hanging." "Yeah, right" Kite said, but the corners of his mouth twitched into a reluctant grin.


    They worked in comfortable silence after that, moving from one component to the next, making sure everything was securely connected and insulated. Ava showed him how to adjust the repulsor''s power output to create the right amount of lift, and Kite explained the logic of balancing the propulsion system to maintain stability.


    The two of them worked side by side, the room filled with the hum of tools and the smell of oil and metal. Ava showed Kite some of her shortcuts, teaching him how to bypass certain system limitations and rewire connections in ways that made the tech more efficient. Kite, in turn, contributed his knowledge of energy flow and circuit design, pointing out ways to optimize the board''s energy usage and stability.


    It was clear that they made a great team, each playing to their strengths. ¡°Alright," Kite said, wiping his hands on his pants as they finally attached the last pieces. "We''re almost done.


    Just need to test the balance and the propulsion systems." Ava stood back, surveying their work. The hover board was rudimentary, nothing like the sleek designs of the ones used in Horizon heights, but there was something satisfying about seeing their handiwork come together.


    The metal frame was sturdy, reinforced with scraps and patches, while the repulsors and power cores were securely wired into place. A thin, fragile hum could already be heard coming from the board. "You think it''ll work?" Ava asked, her voice tinged with excitement. "Only one way to find out," Kite said, a grin spreading across his face.


    He stepped back and examined the board, his mind running through the calculations one last time. ¡°Alright. Here goes nothing." He reached for the power switch, flipping it with a flick of his wrist. For a split second, nothing happened.


    Then, with a sharp whine, the hover board vibrated beneath them. The repulsors flickered to life, a faint green glow surrounding the edges. "Whoa," Ava whispered, her eyes wide with feigned disbelief. "Did we actually...?" Before Kite could respond, the hover board lifted slightly off the ground, wobbling for a second before it steadied, hovering about six inches in the air.


    The faint hum filled the room as the board hovered gently, its weight perfectly balanced. "It works," Kite said, laughing in disbelief. "It actually works." Ava and Kite¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement, as the two stood there, basking in the success of their shared creation.


    ¡°Wanna take it for a spin?¡± Ava asked, her voice light but teasing, her pink-tinged eyes gleaming mischievously as she leaned against the workbench. Her smirk stretched into something almost devilish, a glint of pride shimmering in her gaze.


    Kite looked down at the hoverboard they¡¯d spent the better part of the day cobbling together. It was an amalgamation of scrounged parts, a scratched metal frame with exposed wiring, glowing repulsors they¡¯d calibrated themselves, and a haphazard control panel held in place by sheer determination. To him, it was a masterpiece.


    ¡°Well, yea, of course! But what about you?¡± Kite asked, his excitement barely restrained as he ran a hand over the rough edges of their creation. He glanced up at her, his curiosity piqued. Ava wasn¡¯t the type to let him have all the fun, and he knew she¡¯d been suspiciously patient during the build.


    Ava¡¯s smirk widened, a playful spark in her expression as she stepped back, her bare feet padding softly across the dusty concrete floor of the workshop. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry about me,¡± she said, her voice dripping with mock innocence. ¡°I¡¯ve got something of my own.¡±


    She spun around and skipped to a corner of the room, her movements light and almost childlike. Kite watched her, eyebrows raising as she approached a large, oil-stained tarp draped over a mysterious shape. With an exaggerated flourish, she grabbed the edge of the tarp and yanked it off, sending a small cloud of dust into the air.


    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Underneath was a hoverboard, a sleek, compact design that immediately made their newly built one look like a clunky prototype. The frame was a patchwork of salvaged materials, but unlike their project, this one bore Ava¡¯s unmistakable, newly gained craftsmanship. The edges were smooth and aerodynamic, the repulsors smaller but brighter, pulsing with a faint pink hue that matched the iridescent streaks along the sides. It looked as though it had been pieced together with care, each component thoughtfully chosen for both functionality and flair.


    Kite¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°You¡­ You had that this whole time?¡± Ava crossed her arms, the smirk never leaving her face. ¡°Built it ages ago,¡± she said nonchalantly, inspecting her nails as if she hadn¡¯t just unveiled the coolest thing Kite had ever seen. ¡°Figured I¡¯d let you have your moment. Besides, it¡¯s way more fun when we both have one, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    Kite shook his head, half in awe, half in disbelief. ¡°You let me think we were building something groundbreaking, and you¡¯ve been sitting on that the whole time?¡± Ava shrugged, her smirk shifting into a mischievous grin. ¡°We were building something groundbreaking, your first hoverboard. Call it a rite of passage.¡±


    Kite turned back to their clunky creation, suddenly seeing it in a different light. It wasn¡¯t sleek or polished, but it was his. And he couldn¡¯t deny the excitement bubbling in his chest at the thought of riding it for the first time. Still, he couldn¡¯t resist a bit of mock indignation. ¡°You could¡¯ve told me, you know.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s the fun in that?¡± Ava teased, already hoisting her hoverboard under one arm. She gave it a quick pat, the soft glow of the repulsors intensifying for a moment as if the board itself were eager to take off. ¡°Now, are you gonna stand there whining, or are we gonna ride?¡±


    Kite¡¯s grin matched hers, but he hesitated slightly, glancing down at his board. It was bulkier, less refined, but it had a rugged charm he couldn¡¯t help but feel proud of. He flipped the switch again, and the soft whine of the repulsors filled the room. With a deep breath, he stepped onto the platform, his legs wobbling slightly as the board hovered beneath him.


    ¡°Oh, we¡¯re riding,¡± he said, his eyes alight with determination. ¡°But don¡¯t think you¡¯re leaving me in the dust, Ava.¡± Her laughter echoed through the workshop as she stepped onto her board, the glow of its engines illuminating her mischievous expression. Already gliding in lazy circles around him. ¡°Better keep up, rookie,¡± she said with a wink, as she glided toward the door. ¡°I¡¯d hate to have to come back and rescue you.¡±


    Kite rolled his eyes but couldn¡¯t suppress the thrill coursing through him. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that,¡± he muttered, stepping onto his own board and feeling it lift beneath him. This was it, the start of something incredible. And he wasn¡¯t about to let Ava outshine him.


    Ava shot him a mischievous look and with that, she leaned forward, her hoverboard accelerating smoothly as she darted out into the open alley. ¡°Hey, wait up!¡± Kite called, fumbling for a moment before finding his rhythm. He leaned into the board, and it surged forward, the rush of wind hitting his face as he followed her out into the labyrinthine streets of the undercity.


    The alley was a blur of rusted pipes and flickering neon signs as they weaved through the narrow passageways. Ava moved like she was born on the board, her body fluid and relaxed, barely needing to shift her weight to navigate tight corners and sudden obstacles. Kite, on the other hand, was more cautious, focusing intently on staying balanced as he tried to match her pace.


    ¡°Not bad, Kite!¡± Ava called over her shoulder, her voice carrying above the hum of the boards. ¡°But you¡¯re gonna have to do better than that!¡±


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re on!¡± Kite shot back, his competitive side kicking in. He leaned harder into the board, his speed increasing as he began to close the gap between them. The thrill of the ride overtook his nerves, and for the first time, he felt the freedom Ava had been talking about.


    They burst out of the alley into a wider street, where a few startled undercity denizens glanced up from their makeshift stalls. Kite barely noticed, his focus locked on Ava as she pulled a sharp turn, heading toward a series of stacked shipping containers.


    ¡°You¡¯re not seriously going up there, are you?¡± he shouted, his voice tinged with a mix of excitement and panic.


    ¡°Watch and learn!¡± Ava called back, her grin widening as she angled her board upward and launched herself onto the first container. The board¡¯s repulsors flared briefly as she landed, the impact absorbed smoothly before she zipped to the next level.


    Kite swallowed hard, his adrenaline spiking as he followed her lead. The makeshift ramp of debris leading up to the containers wasn¡¯t exactly stable, but he leaned into the motion and soared upward, landing with a jolt on the first container.


    ¡°Not bad!¡± Ava shouted, already perched on the topmost container, her board idling beneath her. ¡°Think you can make it all the way up here?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m coming for you!¡± Kite yelled, his confidence surging as he ascended the stack, one level at a time. By the time he reached her, his chest was heaving, but the exhilaration on his face matched hers.


    ¡°See?¡± Ava said, her tone smug but playful. ¡°Told you it wasn¡¯t so hard.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Kite replied, brushing off her comment as he caught his breath. He glanced around, taking in the view. From the top of the containers, they had a clear line of sight over the undercity, a sprawling, chaotic expanse of rusted buildings, glowing neon, and endless shadows.


    For a moment, the two of them stood in silence, the hum of their boards the only sound. ¡°This¡­¡± Kite began, his voice soft. ¡°This is amazing.¡±


    Ava nodded, her smirk fading into a more genuine smile. ¡°Told you it¡¯d be worth it. Up here, it¡¯s like the city doesn¡¯t own you anymore. Just you and the sky.¡±


    Kite glanced at her, the soft pink glow of her board casting faint light across her face. ¡°Thanks for this, Ava,¡± he said earnestly. ¡°I never thought I¡¯d ever get to experience something like this.¡± Ava shrugged, but there was a warmth in her eyes. ¡°What are friends for?¡±


    With that, she tilted her board downward, preparing for another dive. ¡°Race you to the bottom!¡± she called, her smirk returning full force as she shot off the edge like a streak of neon light. Kite grinned, adrenaline pumping through his veins.


    The wind whipped through her hair, the glow of her board leaving a faint pink trail behind her. Kite hesitated only for a heartbeat before he followed ¡°Oh, it¡¯s on!¡± He shouts, kicking his board into gear and plunging after her. The undercity rushed up to meet him, a chaotic mix of industrial grime, glowing advertisements, and looming shadows.


    ¡°Catch me if you can!¡± Ava¡¯s voice echoed above the din of the city below, playful and teasing. She wove through the air with a natural ease, banking sharply to avoid a towering vent stack and diving under a hanging catwalk. Her movements were fluid, almost effortless, as though she was born for this kind of freedom.


    Kite, on the other hand, was still finding his balance. His hoverboard wobbled slightly as he followed her, but his determination pushed him forward. He leaned into the turns, adjusting his stance and grip, and found himself grinning as he began to close the gap between them.


    ¡°You call this a race?¡± he shouted, his voice carried by the wind as he surged forward. Ava glanced back over her shoulder, her eyes sparkling mischievously. ¡°You¡¯re gonna have to do better than that, slowpoke!¡±


    She led him into a narrow alleyway, the space so tight that the edges of their boards nearly scraped the walls. Kite¡¯s heart pounded as he ducked under a hanging pipe, barely missing it by inches. Ava, ahead of him, laughed and banked hard to the right, shooting out into an open plaza that was alive with the glow of neon signs and the hum of street vendors peddling their wares.


    The plaza was a sprawling expanse of cracked pavement and makeshift market stalls. Bright holograms advertised everything from synthetic food to illegal augments, their light casting an otherworldly glow over the gathering crowd. Kite caught sight of Ava zipping through the open space, weaving between pedestrians and discarded crates with ease.


    ¡°Come on, Kite!¡± she called over her shoulder, her laughter ringing clear. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re scared of a little crowd!¡±


    ¡°Not a chance!¡± Kite yelled, leaning forward to pick up speed. He swerved around a vendor shouting about half-priced neural implants, his board skimming dangerously close to a cart piled high with scrap metal.


    Ava darted toward the far side of the plaza; her board glowing brighter as she pushed its limits. She glanced back again, her expression one of pure delight. Kite was closer now, his determination and growing skill evident in the way he maneuvered through the chaos.


    The finish line, as Ava had silently decided, was a flickering streetlamp at the edge of the plaza. She shot toward it with a burst of speed, the wind rushing past her ears. Kite, catching on to her plan, gritted his teeth and pushed his board harder.


    The hum of the repulsors grew louder, and he felt the vibration beneath his feet intensify as he closed the gap. In the final stretch, they were neck and neck, their boards almost touching as they raced toward the lamp. Ava¡¯s laughter mixed with Kite¡¯s exhilarated shout as they both reached out, straining to be the first to cross the imaginary finish line.


    At the last second, Ava let out a triumphant cry as her fingertips brushed the lamp post just ahead of Kite¡¯s. She skidded to a stop, her board spinning slightly as she turned to face him with a victorious grin.


    ¡°Beat you by a hair!¡± she declared, her pink irises practically glowing with excitement. Kite rolled to a stop beside her, panting but grinning just as widely. ¡°Only because you had a head start,¡± he said, his tone teasing. ¡°Next time, I¡¯m wiping that smirk off your face.¡±


    Ava shrugged; her expression smug. ¡°Sure, you will, rookie. But you¡¯ve got a long way to go before you¡¯re as good as me.¡±


    Despite her taunts, there was a glimmer of pride in her eyes as she looked at him. Kite might have been new to this, but he had kept up, and that was saying something. For a moment, they stood there, catching their breath and basking in the adrenaline rush of the race.


    The plaza buzzed with life around them, but in that moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the world. Ava reached out and lightly punched Kite on the arm. ¡°Not bad for your first time, though. I might even let you win next time.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, right,¡± Kite shot back, rolling his eyes but unable to hide his grin. ¡°You¡¯d never let me hear the end of it.¡± ¡°You¡¯re learning,¡± Ava said with a wink. She hopped off her board, its glow dimming as it powered down, and glanced around the plaza. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s grab some food before we head back. Racing works up an appetite, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    Kite nodded, his stomach growling in agreement. ¡°Lead the way, champ. But don¡¯t think this is over. I¡¯m winning the rematch.¡±


    Ava smirked, slinging her board over her shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that, Kite. We¡¯ll see.¡± Ava led the way into the bustling heart of the plaza, her hoverboard slung casually over her shoulder, its faint pink glow fading like a cooling ember.


    Kite followed closely; his own board tucked under his arm. The air buzzed with the overlapping sounds of shouting vendors, the hum of machinery, and snippets of conversation from the crowd. Neon signs and holographic projections painted the cracked pavement in vibrant shades of blue, green, and orange.


    Ava stopped in front of a food stall that looked like it had been cobbled together from scrap metal and salvaged parts. The vendor, a wiry old man with mechanical hands and glowing yellow eyes, was grilling synthetic meat skewers over a makeshift burner. The smell of spices and charred protein filled the air.


    ¡°Two skewers,¡± Ava said, tapping a chipped Teca-stick against the counter. The vendor nodded and handed over the food, the skewers wrapped in a thin, waxy paper. Ava tossed one to Kite, who caught it awkwardly but grinned as he peeled back the wrapper.


    ¡°Best in the plaza,¡± Ava said, already taking a bite of hers. ¡°Trust me.¡± Kite hesitated, eyeing the synthetic meat with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. He took a cautious bite, and his eyes widened. ¡°Whoa, this is actually good,¡± he said, his voice muffled around the mouthful.


    ¡°Told you,¡± Ava replied, her words slightly garbled as she chewed. She leaned against a nearby stack of crates, her free hand gesturing toward the bustling scene around them. ¡°This is what I like about the plaza. No matter how messed up the undercity is, places like this remind you there¡¯s still life, you know? People just trying to survive, same as us.¡±


    Kite glanced around, taking in the sights and sounds with fresh eyes. There were kids darting between stalls, laughing as they chased each other. A street performer juggled glowing orbs while a small crowd clapped and cheered. A man with a patchwork coat was haggling over a pile of spare parts, his animated gestures making Kite chuckle.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ different,¡± Kite admitted, leaning beside her. ¡°Most of the time, the city feels like it¡¯s out to get you. But here, it¡¯s like¡­¡± He struggled to find the words, then shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s like people are actually living.¡±


    Ava nodded, finishing the last of her skewer and tossing the stick into a nearby trash compactor. ¡°Exactly. Gotta hold on to places like this. They¡¯re rare.¡± She turned to Kite, her expression softening. ¡°And hey, not bad for your first night out on a board. You didn¡¯t even crash once.¡±


    ¡°Barely,¡± Kite said with a sheepish grin. ¡°Thought I was gonna eat pavement a couple of times.¡±


    Ava laughed, the sound light and genuine. ¡°Well, you survived. That¡¯s what matters.¡± She glanced up at the towering structures surrounding the plaza, their jagged silhouettes outlined by the faint glow of the upper city far above. ¡°But don¡¯t get too comfortable. The undercity¡¯s not always this forgiving.¡±


    Kite followed her gaze, the weight of her words sinking in. The undercity was a place of harsh contrasts, moments of wonder like this one, surrounded by ever-present danger. But for the first time in his life, he felt like he belonged somewhere that wasn''t his home.


    ¡°Thanks, Ava,¡± he said quietly, his voice almost lost amid the noise. ¡°For everything.¡± She looked at him, her pink irises catching the light from a flickering neon sign. ¡°Don¡¯t get all mushy on me, Kite,¡± she teased, though her tone was light. ¡°We¡¯re practically fam now. And out here? Family sticks together.¡±


    ¡°Got it,¡± Kite said with a nod, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Ava waited a moment longer with a smile before pushing off the crate and stretching her arms over her head. ¡°Alright, enough standing around. Let''s get you home before someone decides to swipe our boards.


    Kite frowned, his shoulders sagging slightly. He wasn¡¯t ready to leave just yet. Spending time with Ava was the highlight of his day, and the thought of going home felt like cutting the fun short. Ava, ever perceptive, caught the change in his expression.


    "Hey," she said, her voice softer now, stepping closer to him. "You¡¯ve got two parents waiting for you, Kite. They''re probably already worried." Her pink irises glimmered with a gentle warmth; their usual mischievous edge replaced with understanding.


    Kite sighed, looking down at his scuffed shoes. "Yeah, I know you¡¯re right," he admitted reluctantly, his voice low.


    Ava smiled warmly; her usual smirk replaced by something softer. Without a word, she leaned in and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. Kite froze for a second, not expecting the gesture, but quickly relaxed, leaning into the embrace.


    "We¡¯ll hang out more tomorrow," Ava said, her tone filled with certainty. Kite hesitated, pulling back just enough to look at her. "You promise?"


    Ava hugged him tighter, as if to banish any doubt. "I promise, Kite. You¡¯re stuck with me, whether you like it or not." Kite''s heart skipped a beat, a warmth spreading through his chest.


    He couldn¡¯t help but smile, a genuine, wide grin that he didn¡¯t often wear. He held onto her for a moment longer, savoring the rare feeling of connection before they both stepped back. "Okay then," Kite said, his smile lingering as he glanced at her.


    Ava¡¯s smirk returned in full force as she stepped back, activating her hoverboard with a faint hum. The neon undelights lit up her face, accentuating her playful expression. "First one to your house decides what we build next!" she declared, her voice filled with energy. Before Kite could respond, she jumped onto her board, the wind catching her messy hair as she soared off into the undercity¡¯s night sky.


    "Hey! Not fair!" Kite yelled, quickly hopping onto his own board. The engine whirred to life, and he shot forward, the exhilaration of the chase sparking his adrenaline. The two of them weaved through the labyrinth of the undercity, dodging pipes, skimming low rooftops, and soaring over narrow gaps between buildings.


    Ava stayed ahead, laughing over her shoulder. "Come on, slowpoke! You want to pick the next project, don¡¯t you?" she teased, her voice echoing through the towering structures. Kite grits his teeth, pushing his board to its limit. "Dang right!" he shouted, determination blazing in his eyes.


    The streets of the undercity blurred beneath them, the neon lights casting streaks of color across their paths. The cool night air whipped past, carrying the sounds of their laughter and the hum of their boards.


    As Kite closed the gap between them, the towering silhouette of his family¡¯s run down home came into view, nestled amid the chaos of the city. Ava glanced back, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Last chance, Kite! Think you can actually beat me?"


    "You bet I can!" Kite yelled, leaning forward as he pushed his board into overdrive. The finish line drew nearer, and the two of them raced neck and neck, neither willing to give an inch.


    As the finish line loomed closer, Kite poured everything into his hoverboard, his body low and streamlined, his heart racing. Ava was just ahead of him, her laughter echoing over the whir of their boards.


    But then, with a barely perceptible shift, she eased off the accelerator. Her hoverboard''s hum softened slightly as she slowed just enough to let Kite pull ahead. The gap between them closed, and with a triumphant whoop, Kite zipped past her, crossing the "finish line" marked by the patch of dim light spilling out from the narrow alley beside his house.


    "Yes!" Kite shouted, his voice brimming with pride as he hopped off his board. "I told you I could beat you!" He spun to face Ava, his grin so wide it seemed to light up the shadows around them.


    Ava glided to a stop beside him, stepping off her board with an exaggerated shrug. "Guess I underestimated you, champ," she said, her smirk hiding the playful glint in her eyes.


    Kite puffed up his chest, his confidence soaring. "Maybe you¡¯re just losing your touch," he teased, stifling a laugh as he tried to sound serious. "Looks like I get to pick the next project!"


    Ava crossed her arms, tilting her head as though considering his words. "Alright, alright. I¡¯ll give it to you. Fair and square." Her tone was light, but she couldn¡¯t help the faint smile tugging at her lips as she watched Kite¡¯s excitement.


    Kite glanced at his hoverboard, his mind already racing with ideas for what they could build together next. "We could make a grappling hook attachment! Or maybe an autopilot mode for the boards?" he suggested, his eyes lighting up with inspiration.


    Ava chuckled, leaning casually against a nearby wall. "You¡¯re getting ahead of yourself, genius. Let¡¯s not forget whose workshop you¡¯re borrowing."


    "Borrowing?" Kite asked, feigning offense. "I think I¡¯ve earned permanent guest privileges after this victory!" Ava laughed, the sound genuine and warm. "Yeah, yeah. Keep dreaming, Kite."


    The two of them stood there for a moment, the night air settling around them. The usual sounds of the undercity, distant clanging, faint shouts, and the hum of machinery felt quieter somehow, muted in the glow of their camaraderie.


    Finally, Ava straightened up, brushing a strand of messy brown hair out of her face. "Alright, champ. You better get inside before your parents send out a search party."


    Kite nodded reluctantly, stepping back toward the rickety metal staircase that led to his home. But before he climbed up, he turned back to Ava, his expression softening. "Thanks, Ava. For letting me win. I mean... everything tonight."


    Ava raised an eyebrow, her smirk returning. "Letting you win? Please. You just got lucky." Kite grinned but said nothing, letting her have the last word.


    As Ava mounted her board, she glanced back at him, her pink irises gleaming under the dim light. "Tomorrow, same time?" "Same time," Kite said, his smile growing. "Don¡¯t be late!"


    With a nod and a smile, Ava shot off into the night, her hoverboard humming as she disappeared into the maze of the undercity. Kite watched until she was out of sight, then turned and climbed the steps to his home, his heart still racing, not from the race itself, but from the connection he felt every time they hung out.


    Kite pushed open the metal door to his family¡¯s small apartment, the hinges squealing as he stepped inside. The warm, familiar scent of spices and sizzling oil greeted him, mingling with the faint hum of machinery from the old appliances in the kitchen. He held his hoverboard tightly under one arm, his other hand brushing against the worn frame of the doorway as he stepped through.


    ¡°Kite, you¡¯re late again!¡± his mother¡¯s voice rang out from the kitchen, a mix of exasperation and relief. The clatter of a spatula against a pan followed her words, the rhythmic sound of her cooking filling the apartment.


    ¡°Sorry, Mom,¡± Kite called back, trying to sound nonchalant as he kicked the door shut behind him. He adjusted the hoverboard under his arm, the faint hum of its idle state barely audible. He didn¡¯t mention the race, figuring it was better to skip over the details that might spark a lecture.


    His mom appeared in the kitchen doorway, a wooden spoon in one hand, her apron dusted with flour. Her dark hair was tied back in a messy bun, and a faint sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead from standing over the stove. Despite her stern tone, her eyes softened the moment she saw him.


    ¡°You know the rules, Kite. Home before ten,¡± she said, pointing the spoon at him for emphasis. ¡°The undercity isn¡¯t safe at night, and you¡¯re not exactly invincible.¡±


    Kite smiled sheepishly, leaning the hoverboard against the wall by the door. ¡°I know, I know. I just lost track of time. Ava and I were testing out the boards.¡±


    His mom sighed, shaking her head as she turned back toward the kitchen. ¡°That girl¡¯s going to get you into trouble one day,¡± she muttered, though there was a hint of fondness in her voice. ¡°Now wash up. Dinner¡¯s almost ready.¡±


    Kite followed her into the kitchen, where the cramped space was alive with the scent of freshly cooked food. The small stove was covered with pots and pans, steam rising as his mom stirred a bubbling pot of stew. The single overhead light flickered faintly, casting a warm, golden glow over the room.


    As Kite washed his hands at the sink, he glanced over his shoulder. ¡°What¡¯s for dinner?¡±


    ¡°Stew and flatbread,¡± she replied, her tone brisk but comforting. ¡°And don¡¯t even think about complaining. It¡¯s what we could afford this week.¡± Kite nodded, drying his hands on a threadbare towel. ¡°I¡¯m not complaining. It smells great.¡±


    His mom paused, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. ¡°You¡¯ve been hanging out with Ava a lot lately. She keeping you out of trouble?¡± Kite smirked, pulling out a chair at the small kitchen table. ¡°Ava? Trouble? Nah, never.¡±


    His mom snorted, a wry smile tugging at her lips as she turned back to the stove. ¡°Uh-huh. Just don¡¯t forget you¡¯ve got school in the morning. No staying up all night tinkering with that... new hoverboard?¡± Mira asks rhetorically with a raised eyebrow.


    ¡°Got it,¡± Kite said, though his mind was already buzzing with ideas for modifications. As he sat down, the warmth of the room and the quiet hum of the appliances filled the space. For a moment, Kite felt the weight of the undercity lift, replaced by the comforting presence of home. He didn¡¯t mind being late tonight. It had been worth it.


    The small kitchen was cozy, lit by the flickering overhead light and the soft glow of a neon sign visible through the apartment¡¯s one window. The hum of distant machinery from the undercity outside created a faint backdrop as Kite and his parents now sat together sat at the wobbly dining table. The table was old but sturdy, its surface scratched and marked with years of use, yet it held their modest meal, a steaming pot of stew and a stack of slightly charred flatbreads.


    Kite¡¯s mom ladled another helping of stew into his dad¡¯s bowl, her movements practiced and efficient. She sat down with a satisfied sigh, pushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Kite tore a piece of flatbread and dipped it into his bowl, savoring the hearty flavor. The stew was simple but warm, filled with chunks of vegetables and the occasional morsel of meat, a rare treat.


    His dad, a tall man with strong, calloused hands from years of labor, leaned back slightly in his chair. His sharp eyes fixed on Kite. ¡°So, what have you been up to at school, son?¡± he asked, his voice deep and steady.


    Kite paused mid-bite, the question pulling him from his thoughts of Ava and their race. He shrugged, chewing quickly before answering. ¡°Same old stuff. Math, history... they¡¯ve been making us do a bunch of problem-solving exercises lately. It¡¯s boring.¡±


    ¡°Boring, huh?¡± his mom said, raising an eyebrow. She reached for her cup of tea, the steam curling lazily from the chipped mug. ¡°You¡¯re lucky you¡¯re getting an education, Kite. Some kids down here don¡¯t even have that.¡±


    ¡°I know, Mom,¡± Kite replied, his tone slightly defensive. ¡°It¡¯s just... I don¡¯t see how some of it helps. I mean, when am I ever gonna need to know the history of the two great Automaton wars? Ava and I learn more building stuff together than I do sitting in class.¡±


    His dad let out a low chuckle, tearing off a piece of flatbread. ¡°You¡¯ve got a point there. You¡¯ve always been good with your hands, just like your old man. But school¡¯s about more than just the lessons. It teaches you how to think, how to problem-solve. You¡¯ll see the value in it eventually.¡±


    Kite nodded, though he wasn¡¯t entirely convinced. His mom gave him a look, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°Speaking of Ava,¡± she said, her tone shifting. ¡°You¡¯ve been spending a lot of time with her. What exactly do you two get up to?¡±


    Kite hesitated, glancing down at his stew. ¡°Just... building stuff. Metal crafts, mostly. Sometimes other things, like gadgets or tools. She¡¯s really smart, Mom. Smarter than most adults I know.¡±


    His mom exchanged a glance with his dad, her expression softening. ¡°I know she¡¯s smart, and I¡¯m glad you¡¯ve got a friend like her. But you two need to be careful. The undercity isn¡¯t forgiving, Kite. Even the brightest minds can get into trouble if they¡¯re not careful.¡±


    ¡°We are careful,¡± Kite said, his voice firm. ¡°Ava¡¯s always looking out for me, and I¡¯m looking out for her. We¡¯ve got each other¡¯s backs.¡±


    His dad smiled, nodding approvingly. ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. Having someone you can trust down here is rare. Just don¡¯t forget, you¡¯ve got us too. You don¡¯t have to take on the world alone.¡±


    The conversation lulled as they focused on their meal. Kite took another bite of flatbread, his mind drifting back to the feeling of the wind in his hair during the races with Ava. He glanced at his parents, their faces lined with years of hard work but softened with genuine care. For all the challenges of the undercity, moments like these reminded Kite that life in the undercity wasn''t always horrible.

 Chapter 5: Mira Caulder

    The air inside the food processing plant was thick with the metallic tang of machinery and the faint, cloying scent of preserved produce. The rhythmic hum of conveyor belts filled the cavernous space, broken occasionally by the hiss of steam or the clang of metal parts.


    Mira stood at her station; her hands encased in dull, beige gloves that stretched up past her wrists. She wore a standard-issue white jumpsuit and a matching cap that covered most of her head, though her dark brown hair, hastily tied into a messy bun, escaped in wisps around her face.


    Her station was one of many along a long, unending conveyor belt. A series of translucent, vacuum-sealed packets of synthetic food rolled toward her in neat rows. Each packet bore the Rook Enterprises logo, a constant reminder of Rooks iron grip on every aspect of life in this section of the undercity.


    Mira''s job was monotonously simple, inspect each packet, ensure the seal was intact, and optionally discard any that didn''t meet quality standards into a nearby chute. Mira''s hands moved mechanically as she adjusted the settings on the large industrial machine in front of her, the hum of machinery filling the air around her. The food processing plant was a sprawling, noisy place, its vast concrete walls lined with rows of metal counters, conveyor belts, and hulking machines that never seemed to stop.


    A constant rhythmic pounding echoed through the space; the sound of raw ingredients being processed into the packaged goods that would soon fill the shelves of stores. The air was thick with the scent of oil, salt, and the metallic tang of the machines themselves. With strands of hair escaping from Mira¡¯s cap in frayed wisps that clung to the back of her neck, damp with sweat.


    Her jumpsuit clung to her skin, the fabric a dark shade of gray, a uniform she''d worn so many times it felt like a second skin. Despite the factory''s grueling pace, she moved with a practiced fluidity, her eyes darting between the control panels and the conveyor belts as she monitored the flow of products.


    She moved mechanically, her gloved hands flipping and turning the packets with practiced ease. Her eyes darted Over the printed expiration dates and barcode stamps, scanning for any irregularities. It was a routine she''d performed so many times that her body worked almost independently of her mind. She could feel the heat radiating from the machines, the warmth of the work environment and the tension it brought.


    Mira''s work at the plant was relentless, there was never a moment of rest. It was a place where time blurred into itself, where minutes felt like hours as the repetitive tasks stretched out before her. Yet, there was a strange comfort in this monotony. She didn''t have to think too hard. The machinery took care of the technical details, and Mira simply followed the rhythm.


    It was a rhythm she had long since memorized. Her brow furrowed as a mechanical arm began to sputter. The product output slowed, and the conveyor belt groaned in protest. Mira''s fingers tightened on the controls; her knuckles white against the smooth metal of the console. A few other workers glanced her way, but no one moved to help.


    This was part of the deal; they were all responsible for their own stations. The sense of camaraderie that might have existed once had long since been replaced with the cold reality of survival in the plant. She muttered to herself under her breath, adjusting the dials with swift, efficient movements, the gears clicking into place.


    A soft beep signaled that the problem had been fixed, and the conveyor belt hummed to life once more. Mira exhaled, her shoulders dropping slightly as the weight of the moment lifted. She wiped a few beads of sweat from her brow and continued with her task, but the nagging thought that had been with her all day lingered in the back of her mind.


    Mira sighed, wiping the back of her hand against her forehead, though it did little to dispel the faint sheen of sweat that clung to her skin. The old jumpsuit, supposedly breathable, felt stifling in the plant''s heat. She glanced at the old clock mounted high on one of the walls, its digits glowing faintly through a layer of grime. Three more hours.


    Nearby, her coworker Reina, an older woman with graying hair peeking from beneath her cap, let out a chuckle. "Another day in paradise, huh, Mira?" she called over the noise, her voice tinged with dry humor. Mira smirked faintly, not looking up from the packet in her hands. "Yeah, living the dream.


    Don''t know what I''d do without all this glamour." Reina laughed, though it quickly turned into a cough, the air''s particulate grit catching in her throat.


    She waved it off, returning to her own inspection station. The plant''s overhead lights cast a harsh, orangish glow over everything, making the Workers'' skin appear dirtier and lifeless. Mira''s eyes stung slightly from the constant brightness, but she ignored it, focusing instead on the steady rhythm of her work.


    Her thoughts wandered, though, as they often did during these long shifts. She thought of Kite, her son, her light in the oppressive undercity gloom. Was he still at school? Had he eaten anything today?


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    She hated being away from him for so many hours, hated the way her shifts kept her from being the kind of mother she wanted to be. But this job, soul-crushing as it was, helped keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. The conveyor belt lurched back to life with a jolt, and Mira snapped out of her thoughts.


    A packet tumbled onto her station; the seal partially torn. She sighed, tossing it into the reject chute. Her motions became sharper, more deliberate, as frustration built inside her. It wasn''t just the work or the heat or the endless hours. It was the weight of everything, the system that kept them trapped, the corporations that bled them dry, the ever-present fear of what might happen if she stumbled, even once.


    A loudspeaker crackled overhead, the plant supervisor''s voice cutting through the din. "Attention, all shifts: we''re increasing output quotas by 15% effective immediately. Adjust your pace accordingly:" Groans rippled through the plant floor, a collective sigh of exhaustion and resignation.


    Mira''s jaw tightened, gloved hands gripping the edge of the conveyor belt for a moment. She glanced toward Reina, who shook her head with a grimace. "Fifteen percent? Do they think we''re machines?" Reina muttered.


    "They don''t think about us at all" Mira replied, her voice low and bitter. She straightened; her movements brisk as she returned to her task. There was no use complaining; they both knew it.


    The plant supervisors didn''t care about their struggles. To them, the workers were just cogs in a vast, profit-driven machine. The hours dragged on, each minute a small battle against the numbing repetition and the ache in her back and legs.


    Yet Mira pressed forward, her hands steady, her resolve unbroken. As the conveyor belt rattled on and the packets kept coming, she thought of Kite again. For him, she told herself, setting another defective packet into the chute. For him, keep going.


    The breakroom was a cramped, fluorescent-lit space tucked away at the edge of the processing plant, offering little reprieve from the chaos outside. The hum of machinery was faint here but still ever-present, a reminder that the work never truly stopped. Metal benches and plastic tables were bolted to the floor, scratched and worn from years of use. Mira sat at one of the tables with Reina, their lunches in front of them, a bland assortment of ration packs and reheated leftovers. The room smelled faintly of disinfectant and stale food.


    Mira tore open a foil packet, releasing a puff of steam that carried the synthetic aroma of a chicken-flavored protein mash. She stirred it with a small, plastic spork, her dark eyes flicking over to Reina, who was carefully unwrapping a sandwich she¡¯d brought from home.


    "What''s on the menu today?" Mira asked with a faint smirk, trying to lighten the mood.


    Reina chuckled, holding up her sandwich. ¡°Peanut butter and jelly. Classic. What about you? Gourmet plant special?¡± ¡°Chicken mush, as always.¡± Mira grimaced but managed a weak laugh. ¡°At least it¡¯s warm.¡±


    The two women ate in companionable silence for a few moments, the rhythmic clatter of utensils filling the quiet. Mira leaned back slightly, letting out a sigh as she finally relaxed, if only for a short while.


    ¡°So, how¡¯s your granddaughter?¡± Mira asked, her tone softening. She knew Reina cherished any opportunity to talk about her family.


    ¡°Oh, she¡¯s a handful,¡± Reina replied, her eyes lighting up as she smiled. ¡°Sophie¡¯s learning to walk now, keeps trying to pull herself up on everything. Fell right into the coffee table the other day, scared us half to death, but she just laughed like it was a game. Kids are tougher than we think.¡±


    Mira smiled genuinely at that. ¡°That¡¯s adorable. I can just imagine her little face, all determined and stubborn.¡± ¡°She¡¯s got her mother¡¯s fire, that¡¯s for sure,¡± Reina said proudly. ¡°What about Kite? How¡¯s he doing?¡±


    Mira¡¯s expression softened further, her tired eyes brightening a bit. ¡°He¡¯s... he¡¯s good. Smart as ever. He¡¯s been messing around with little gadgets he finds. The other day, he showed me this busted drone he salvaged. It didn¡¯t even have all its parts, but somehow, he got the thing to hover. Just for a second, but still. I don¡¯t even know where Dorian had the time to teach him that.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like a genius in the making,¡± Reina said warmly. ¡°You must be so proud.¡± ¡°I am,¡± Mira admitted, her voice quieter. ¡°But... it¡¯s hard, you know? I work all these hours, and I feel like I¡¯m missing so much of his life. I hate leaving him alone so much, but I can¡¯t afford to do anything else.¡±


    Reina nodded knowingly, her smile fading as the weight of their realities settled over the conversation. ¡°Yeah, I get it. My daughter used to say the same thing when Sophie was born. We do what we have to, but it doesn¡¯t make it any easier.¡±


    Mira sighed, her fingers idly stirring her protein mash. ¡°It¡¯s not just that. This place, it grinds you down. Every day feels harder than the last, and they just keep piling on more. Fifteen percent more today. Do they even realize how impossible that is? Or do they just not care?¡±


    Reina scoffed, setting her sandwich down. ¡°You already know the answer to that. We¡¯re numbers to them, Mira. Nothing more. As long as we hit their quotas, they couldn¡¯t care less about what it costs us.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Mira murmured. ¡°But it still gets to me. Every time I hear that damn announcement, I feel like I¡¯m suffocating. Like no matter how hard I work, it¡¯ll never be enough.¡±


    Reina reached across the table and gave Mira¡¯s hand a reassuring squeeze. ¡°It¡¯s not fair, but you¡¯re not alone in this. We¡¯re all stuck in the same mess, and somehow, we¡¯ll get through it. You¡¯ve got Kite and Dorian, and they are worth every sacrifice.¡±


    Mira looked down at their joined hands and nodded, forcing a small smile. ¡°Thanks, Reina. I needed that.¡± The breakroom door creaked open, and a supervisor poked his head in, his expression neutral but impatient. ¡°Break¡¯s over in five, ladies. Don¡¯t be late.¡±


    Reina rolled her eyes as he left, muttering under her breath, ¡°Five minutes to pretend we¡¯re human before they turn us back into machines.¡± Mira chuckled weakly, packing up her uneaten food. ¡°Back to the slog, huh?¡±


    ¡°Back to the slog,¡± Reina echoed with a resigned sigh. They stood together, the brief respite over, and headed back to the plant floor. The noise of the machines rose to greet them, swallowing them whole once more.

 Chapter 6: Rad Grove

    Rad stood a few meters away, leaning casually against the rusted frame of a streetlamp, waiting for the crowd of students to disperse after the final bell. He was staring at his worn boots, scuffed and patched from years of use, when Kite''s voice caught his attention. "What can I say? I¡¯m a hero to the socially awkward everywhere," Kite said with a confident grin, his tone light and teasing.


    Ava snorted, their laughter ringing in the damp air of the undercity streets. "Yeah, right. Don¡¯t go getting a big head now. You¡¯ll float away into Horizon Heights or something."


    Rad¡¯s heart sank the moment the words registered. He lifted his gaze just in time to catch the two of them walking side by side, the easy camaraderie between them starkly evident. The sight made his chest tighten with an ache he couldn¡¯t quite name.


    Rad knew they were talking about him. They weren¡¯t wrong, he¡¯d stumbled earlier in class, fumbling over a seemingly simple question, his voice breaking as the words jumbled in his head. Kite could have stepped in, smooth as ever, rephrasing the problem like it was nothing, making Rad look even stupider than he already felt.


    At the time, Rad had felt a surge of gratitude. He¡¯d even considered asking Kite to hang out after class, but he just couldn''t bring himself to. Now, though, hearing Kite¡¯s offhand remark, even meant as a joke, it stung in a way Rad wasn¡¯t prepared for.


    ¡°Socially awkward everywhere.¡± The words repeated in his mind like a cruel echo. Was that really all he was to Kite? A charity case? Someone to be pitied or laughed about later?


    Rad¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line as he watched Ava and Kite laugh together, their carefree banter a world away from his own reality. He knew he wasn¡¯t like them, quick-witted, confident, and brimming with energy. He was the actual quiet one, the one who didn¡¯t know the right things to say, the one who always felt like he was standing on the edge of a circle, never quite inside. A pang of shame mingled with the sadness bubbling up in his chest. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms, and dropped his gaze to the cracked pavement.


    Rad tilted his head down, letting his messy bangs shield his face as he turned on his heel. What did I expect? he thought bitterly. Of course they¡¯d laugh. Guys like Kite don¡¯t really care about guys like me.


    The heavy thud of his boots echoed against the damp walls as he walked away from the schoolyard, the weight in his chest growing heavier with each step. The sharp smell of metal and oil in the air was almost suffocating as he walked through the undercity. But he kept his head down, his feet moving automatically toward the cramped apartment he shared with his mom.


    By the time Rad reached the familiar graffiti-covered door, his face was set in a mask of indifference, but his eyes still carried the shadow of hurt. He pushed the door open and stepped inside, the small, dimly lit space offering little comfort. As he shrugged off his tattered jacket, Rad resolved not to let it show. If he let himself care too much, it would only hurt more.


    Rad pushed open the door to his apartment, the hinges creaking loudly in protest. The faint stench of mildew and old cooking oil hit him immediately, a smell he had grown so used to that it barely registered anymore. The moment he stepped inside, his mother¡¯s sharp voice pierced the air. "About damn time you showed up!" she barked, her voice coming from the cluttered living room. Rad winced but said nothing, shutting the door quietly behind him. He slipped off his boots and set them by the door, careful not to let them clatter.


    "You think those dishes are gonna clean themselves?" she snapped, stepping into view with a cybernetic cigarette dangling from her lips. Her jet-black hair was a mess, hastily tied back, and her eyes carried the sunken, tired look of someone who hadn''t cared for nearly a lifetime. She wore a black stained tank top and grey loose sweatpants, her pale, muscular scarred arms crossed tightly as she glared at him with one cybernetic wrist band on each wrist.


    Rad glanced toward the kitchen sink, already knowing what he¡¯d see. Sure enough, a small mountain of grimy dishes was piled high, caked with dried food and grease. "I was-" he started, his voice quiet. "I don¡¯t care where you were, Rad! What I care about is that you weren¡¯t here!" she interrupted, her tone rising sharply. She jabbed a finger toward the sink. "Get your useless ass in there and start cleaning up. This ain¡¯t a free ride, you hear me?"


    Rad¡¯s shoulders slumped as he shuffled toward the kitchen, clutching his bag tightly in one hand. He opened his mouth to explain, to say something about staying late after school or how he¡¯d lost track of time, but he knew it wouldn¡¯t make a difference. "I was just-" he tried again. "Just shut up, Rad!" she cut him off, her voice venomous. She stomped toward the counter and grabbed an overflowing trash bag, thrusting it toward him. "You¡¯re good for nothing, you know that? Can¡¯t even keep this place clean! Take this out. Now!"


    Rad hesitated for a moment, his hand tightening on the strap of his bag. He wanted to argue, to say that he¡¯d just gotten home, that he hadn¡¯t even had time to set his stuff down. But the words died in his throat. He reached out and took the trash bag instead, its contents shifting with a squelching sound as he lifted it.


    "Okay," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Don¡¯t mumble at me," she snapped, retreating to the couch and lighting another cybernetic cigarette. "And don¡¯t take all day about it! You hear me?" Rad nodded, his jaw clenched as he turned toward the door. The bag¡¯s weight dragged at his arm, and he tried to hold it as far from his body as possible to avoid the worst of the smell.


    The walk to the trash chute was short but felt endless. Each step was weighed down not just by the heavy bag but by the heavier burden of his mom¡¯s words, the way they cut into him like tiny, invisible blades. He dumped the trash with a hollow thud, the bag disappearing into the chute with a grim finality. As he made his way back to the apartment, Rad lingered in the hallway for a moment, staring at the peeling wallpaper and flickering light above. His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides as he fought back the stinging sensation building behind his eyes.


    Just get through it, he told himself. She¡¯ll stop yelling eventually. With a deep breath, he pushed the door open again, stepping back into the suffocating confines of his home. His mom didn¡¯t even look up from the couch as he passed her, muttering under her breath about how long he¡¯d taken. Rad headed back to the kitchen, his gaze falling on the dirty dishes waiting for him. He let out a quiet sigh and rolled up his sleeves. His hands moved automatically, scrubbing and rinsing, but his mind wandered.


    One day, he thought to himself, staring out the grimy kitchen window at the neon-lit streets beyond. One day, I¡¯m gonna get out of here. I don¡¯t know how, but I will. The sound of running water and clinking dishes filled the silence, drowning out his mom¡¯s muttered complaints in the background. Long after finishing the dishes, Rad sat on his bed, the thin mattress sagging beneath him. No longer wearing his hoodie that hid the bruises and faint scars that were given to him by his own mother. The room around him was sparse, a reflection of the neglect that clung to everything in this small apartment.


    The walls were bare, save for the peeling remnants of old, faded wallpaper. Dust clung to the corners of the room, and a faint musty smell filled the air, mingling with the stale scent of fast-food wrappers that had gathered on his desk. The lone light overhead flickered intermittently, casting long, wavering shadows that made the room feel even smaller than it was.


    His desk was cluttered with crumpled papers, old textbooks, and a few broken pens. While an old half-open laptop sat in the middle, its screen dimly glowing in the darkness. But despite the tools in front of him, Rad couldn¡¯t bring himself to focus. The assignment sat untouched on the page in front of him, a math problem, a simple set of equations that were far too difficult for him to navigate tonight.


    He rubbed his eyes, trying to shake the fog in his brain, but it lingered. Why is this so hard? he thought, a feeling of frustration bubbling up. He glanced at the old clock on the wall. I¡¯m already running late¡­


    Rad''s eyes flicked back to the laptop screen, trying to force his mind to concentrate. But the numbers and formulas seemed to blur into one endless stream, like a foreign language he couldn¡¯t understand no matter how hard he tried. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, but every time he tried to type, his thoughts wandered again.


    He thought about Kite. Kite always made things look easy. Rad could picture him in his mind, grinning, confident, always breezing through homework like it was nothing. His mind was sharp, quick, and full of answers, always moving in ways that Rad couldn¡¯t quite keep up with. How does he do it? Rad thought, a dull ache in his chest. He never struggles like this. He just gets it. He doesn''t even have to think, he just... knows.


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    A memory flashed into his mind, the day Kite had helped him in class, covering for him when he had gotten a question wrong. It was a small thing, really, but it had meant so much to Rad. That moment when Kite hadn¡¯t let him look stupid in front of the class, when Kite had made sure no one saw his mistake. He hadn''t even hesitated. He just did it, like it was natural.


    But here, in this room, with nothing but the silence and his mounting frustration, Rad felt small. The weight of the world felt heavier than ever. His mom''s harsh words echoed in his ears, her constant demands, her impatience. He could still feel the sting of her yelling; the relentless way she treated him like he was invisible unless he was doing something wrong. She doesn¡¯t get it, he thought bitterly. She doesn¡¯t care. None of them do.


    Kite would have probably finished his homework by now. He would have already knocked it out, gone to hang out with Ava, maybe even gotten a few more ideas for some crazy new project he was building. Meanwhile I¡¯d still be sitting here, stuck, staring at the page. Rad thought with a twisted bitterness.


    He sighed and glanced back at the assignment. His head pounded with the weight of the equations, the numbers slipping through his grasp like water through his fingers. The frustration boiled inside him, growing faster than the progress he was making.


    Rad slammed his fist down on the desk with a sharp crack, the sound ringing in the empty room. It didn¡¯t help. It never helped. The frustration just built up more, making the work seem even more impossible.


    Why can¡¯t I be like him? Rad wondered. Why can¡¯t I just¡­ He bit his lip, looking around the room again, and it felt like everything was closing in on him, the pressure from school, the tension from his mom, the constant sense that no matter how hard he tried, he would always fall short. I¡¯ll never be as good as him. The thought sat heavy in his chest, bitter and painful.


    He wanted to just walk away from it all, to escape. But where would he go? He had nowhere else to be, no place that was any better than this.


    With a huff of frustration, Rad slumped back against the headboard of his bed, dropping the pen in his hand onto the floor. He stared at the ceiling, the darkened corners of the room suddenly feeling like they were closing in. Why does it always feel so much harder for me?


    The light from the laptop screen reflected off his face, the faint glow casting strange shadows across his features. But the glow felt cold, distant. His hands twitched, the muscles in his fingers sore from the tension in his body, his mind still racing.


    It was hard, so much harder than it should have been. But all Rad could think about was how effortlessly Kite seemed to glide through life, how everything seemed to come naturally to him while Rad struggled to make even the smallest amount of progress. Maybe I¡¯m just not cut out for this.


    Rad¡¯s breath hitched, the weight of his own thoughts pressing down harder with each passing second. His body was tense, his fists clenched at his sides as he lay on the bare mattress, staring blankly at the ceiling. He tried to swallow the lump in his throat, but it only made the pain worse.


    Maybe I¡¯m just not cut out for this. The thought seemed to echo in the quiet of the room, louder than the soft hum of the broken lamp above him. He blinked rapidly, trying to will himself to stop thinking like this, but the words clung to his mind like a heavy fog. Every minute that passed, the suffocating weight of his failure seemed to press down on him more, tightening like a vise around his chest.


    He closed his eyes, a futile attempt to escape the feeling that was slowly consuming him. But it didn¡¯t help. Nothing ever helped. There was nothing in this room to comfort him, no escape from the harshness of his own thoughts. The pain in his chest didn¡¯t go away. It only grew, creeping further until it was all-consuming.


    And then, as if in slow motion, a tear escaped from the corner of his eye, tracing a slow, shaky path down his cheek. His throat tightened, a sob threatening to break free. But he bit his lip, hard, willing himself to stop.


    Don¡¯t cry. Don¡¯t make any noise, he told himself. The last thing he wanted was for his mom to come in and see him like this, weak and broken. The thought of her wrath, of the way she¡¯d twist his feelings into something to blame him for, made his stomach churn. He could already hear her voice in his head, mocking him, telling him to suck it up. That crying was for the weak.


    Don¡¯t cry. Don¡¯t make a sound. He wiped at the tear with the back of his hand, trying to hide it. But it didn¡¯t stop. Another one followed, then another, as the dam that he had so carefully built in his chest began to crack. His whole body trembled with the effort to hold it in, but it was no use. The tears came anyway, silently, falling into the pillow beneath his head.


    Rad turned his face into the worn fabric of the pillow, muffling the sound of his quiet sobs. His body shook with the effort of keeping everything inside. His shoulders curled inward as though he could shrink away from the world, from everything that was weighing down on him.


    His chest heaved with the silent sobs, every breath feeling like it was being dragged through his lungs, slow and painful. I can¡¯t do this, he thought bitterly. I¡¯m not enough.


    The words kept repeating themselves in his mind. His fingers clenched into the pillow beneath his head, trying to grip something, anything, that could make the pain stop. But there was nothing.


    He felt utterly alone, surrounded by the silence of his room and the emptiness that filled it. The only sound was the soft rasp of his breath and the muffled sniffles as he tried to compose himself, to stop crying before his mother could hear.


    But the tears wouldn¡¯t stop. They kept coming, despite everything he tried to do to push them back, despite the fear of what might happen if she found out. His mom¡¯s voice echoed in his head again, sharp and cruel, telling him that this was all his fault. That he was weak. That he wasn¡¯t worth anything.


    You¡¯re nothing but a burden, Rad. The tears fell faster now, hot and stinging as they pooled into the pillow. His body trembled with the effort to hold everything in, but the ache was unbearable. The world felt heavy and suffocating, like he was drowning under the weight of everything, his mom¡¯s expectations, his own failures, the gap between him and everyone else.


    I just want to be good enough. I want to matter. The thought was desperate, a small flicker of hope that felt as distant as the stars.


    But it was all too much. The weight, the frustration, the loneliness, Rad couldn¡¯t fight it anymore. He let it all go, the tears coming in waves, each one breaking over him like a crashing tide.


    His chest heaved with the force of his sobs, but he tried to keep them quiet, trying to stifle the sound before his mom would hear. His bed, his small, sad little space, was the only refuge he had now, the only place where he could fall apart without facing the wrath of the world outside. But even here, in the dark silence, it felt like he was drowning.


    Rad¡¯s body trembled with the force of his quiet sobs, each breath sharp and ragged, as though the very air he inhaled was weighted with something too heavy to carry. The tears kept falling, the hot streaks running down his face, staining the pillow beneath him. His chest ached, his heart seemed to stutter with each sob, and he felt like he couldn¡¯t escape the suffocating grip of it all.


    I¡¯m not enough. I¡¯m just not enough.


    The words kept running through his mind like a broken record, repeating over and over again. He wanted to scream, wanted to shout out all the frustration and hurt that had been building up inside him for so long, but he couldn¡¯t. Not in this house. Not with his mom just a few rooms away, listening for any sign of weakness.


    His small, cramped room felt even more isolating now, the walls closing in on him. It was the same room he¡¯d grown up in, the same space that held the remnants of a broken childhood, a few scattered toys from years ago, a mismatched dresser, and the old bed he never bothered to change the sheets on. There was no comfort here, no warmth, just the cold, unfeeling walls that had always been a silent witness to his struggles.


    I don¡¯t belong here, he thought desperately, though he couldn¡¯t say where here even was anymore. His life felt like a blurry mess of bad days, regret, and the slow grind of survival. Nothing seemed to matter.


    Rad turned his head, pressing his face deeper into the pillow to stifle the sound of his crying. His throat was raw, his chest tight, and the tears kept coming, even as he tried to force himself to breathe through it. The noise of his sobs was muffled against the fabric, but it didn¡¯t change the crushing weight of his emotions.


    Why can¡¯t I be like Kite? The thought stung, a raw ache deep in his gut. Why can¡¯t I just be better at everything?


    Kite, who could do everything so easily, who seemed to glide through school and life, while Rad struggled to even get through one day without breaking down. Kite, who had friends like Ava, who cared about him, who had a family that seemed to actually care.


    Rad¡¯s mom, on the other hand, wasn¡¯t the kind of person who would worry about him. She barely even noticed him most of the time unless he was in her way or failing at something. He wasn¡¯t even worth a second glance unless it was to shout at him for something he¡¯d forgotten to do.


    The thought of her hurt, but it didn¡¯t make him angry anymore. It didn¡¯t surprise him, either. He was used to it by now. He was used to being invisible, to never being good enough for anyone. He wasn¡¯t even good enough for himself.


    The minutes stretched on, each one feeling like an eternity, as Rad lay there, letting the tears flow, letting the raw pain wash over him. He didn''t know how long it had been, but it felt like hours, the heavy weight of his sorrow sinking him deeper into the mattress. He could still hear the faint sounds of his mom moving around downstairs, the occasional clatter of dishes and the low murmur of her voice.


    But in his room, there was only silence, broken by the quiet sobs that he couldn¡¯t contain. There was no comfort in the silence, no reprieve from the pain. He was alone, and the only thing that could keep him together now was the hope that his mom wouldn''t come up to yell at him. He couldn¡¯t bear it. Not now. Not when he felt this broken.


    Rad wiped his eyes one more time, his sleeve damp from the tears. He took a shaky breath, trying to calm himself down, but the ache in his chest wouldn¡¯t let up. He knew there was no escaping it, no way to stop the tide of emotions that had crashed over him. All he could do was try to breathe, try to quiet the storm inside of him and lie there in the silence. Clutching the pillow close to his chest and hoping the world outside didn¡¯t come crashing down on him too soon as he drifted off to sleep.

 Chapter 7: The Cosmic Child Pt.1

    The undercity in the morning after was on a Tuesday, the city still being shrouded in a blue haze as Rad trudged down the narrow alleyways, his footsteps echoing in the quiet. The usual hum of the city was absent at this hour, and the only sounds were the distant hiss of steam pipes, the clanking of old machinery, and the occasional drip of water from rusted pipes overhead.


    It was a cold morning, the air thick with dampness, and the orange light of dawn had yet to pierce the smog-laden atmosphere of the undercity. Rad¡¯s worn shoes scraped against the cracked pavement, the soles thin from years of use. He shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his hoodie, his breath rising in small clouds in front of him as he moved forward, eyes fixed on the ground ahead. The weight of the world felt heavier this morning, an unshakable pressure that hung over him like the damp fog in the streets.


    As he walked, Rad¡¯s mind swirled with thoughts. School. His mom. His homework. The way he always seemed to be falling short, never quite able to keep up with everyone around him. And of course, Kite. He couldn¡¯t stop thinking about him, and that made everything worse.


    Rad¡¯s gaze flicked upward as he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. His stomach clenched when he saw them, Kite and Ava, walking side by side. They were laughing about something, their voices carrying in the cold morning air. Ava¡¯s sharp laughter rang out, her carefree attitude a sharp contrast to Rad¡¯s heavy mood. Kite was grinning, looking as easygoing as always, his posture relaxed as they talked like it was the most natural thing in the world.


    Rad¡¯s chest tightened, and an unbidden feeling bubbled up inside him. A twinge of jealousy. A hot, bitter wave of anger. He didn¡¯t want to feel this way, but he couldn¡¯t stop it. It felt like he was watching something he could never have, something that didn¡¯t belong to him. Kite and Ava. They had something Rad didn¡¯t. A friendship. A connection. Something real.


    They were always so happy. So comfortable in each other¡¯s company. Rad had spent too many days watching them from a distance, feeling like an outsider, an invisible presence in a world that wasn¡¯t meant for him.


    Why don¡¯t I get that? Rad thought bitterly, his hands clenching into fists in his pockets. Why is it so easy for them?


    But he knew he couldn¡¯t let them see the storm raging inside him. He couldn¡¯t show weakness, not to them. Not to anyone. He swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth, and, for a moment, he considered turning back home. But no. He wasn¡¯t going to give in to this petty jealousy.


    With a shaky breath, Rad forced himself to focus, to take the next step forward, and walk past them as though they were just another part of the city. His eyes stayed on the ground in front of him, the soles of his boots slapping against the wet pavement. He walked with his head down, trying not to acknowledge them, trying to ignore the way his heart twisted as they passed by him, their laughter still ringing in his ears.


    He heard Ava¡¯s voice, teasing Kite about something, her words drifting back to him. ¡°You sure you can keep up today? Don¡¯t want you falling behind again, Kite.¡±


    Kite chuckled; his voice warm. ¡°Oh, please. Ill dust you in our rematch.'''' Rad couldn¡¯t stop the bitter taste that crept into his mouth. He tried to ignore the anger simmering just below the surface, but it was hard. Every word, every laugh, every shared moment between them felt like a reminder of how far out of reach that kind of life was for him. He wasn¡¯t part of their world. He was just Rad, the kid who didn¡¯t fit in, the kid who never measured up.


    But he kept walking, forcing his feet to move, keeping his eyes on the door of the school building in front of him. He didn¡¯t want to deal with this today. He didn¡¯t want to feel this way.


    When he reached the entrance of the school, he hesitated for a moment, glancing back toward Kite and Ava. They were still talking, still laughing, their voices fading as they moved further down the path. Rad clenched his jaw, the knot in his stomach tightening. Get it together, he told himself. You¡¯re not them. You¡¯re not even close. Just go inside and get it over with.


    With a sharp inhale, he pushed open the heavy school doors, the sound of them creaking on their hinges a brief moment of separation from the world outside. The smell of stale air and old textbooks hit him, and he blinked as his eyes adjusted to the dim interior. His shoulders slumped as he walked in, blending in with the crowd of students trickling in for the start of the day.


    Kite and Ava were long gone by the time Rad made his way to his locker, his fingers brushing the cold metal of the door. He thought about the two of them, their laughter, the ease between them. And it stung, deeper than he wanted to admit.


    But he wasn¡¯t going to let it show. Not today. He wasn¡¯t going to let himself fall apart in front of everyone. So, he shoved the feelings down, buried them deep, and focused on the tasks ahead. The day would go on, just like every other. And he would just have to get through it.


    The classroom was a dull gray, with flickering fluorescent lights overhead, their hum filling the silence between the occasional sound of pencils scraping against paper. The desks were arranged in neat rows, the floor creaking underfoot as students shifted in their seats. Rad sat two rows behind Kite, as always, with the familiar dull ache of distance pressing down on him. It was a feeling that had become second nature to him, always just outside the circle, always just beyond the conversation. The back of the class was a familiar sanctuary for him, a place where he could exist without drawing attention to himself.


    Ms. Lena stood at the front of the class, tapping her stylus on the large interactive screen mounted on the wall. It flickered to life, displaying a series of complicated diagrams, wires, nodes, and lines that wove into something Rad couldn¡¯t quite decipher. She was speaking about something that seemed way over his head, something about nanotech and cybernetic interfaces, new tech that was supposed to revolutionize the undercity. The kind of thing that made his head spin, especially with the pressure of the day''s weight already hanging over him. He caught snippets of her words, but it all felt like static.


    "¡­and so, as you can see, the integration of nanomachines into the human brain allows for seamless control over external devices, just like the neural implants we¡¯ve been studying." Ms. Lena¡¯s voice cut through the fog in Rad¡¯s head. She gestured to the screen, where a simulation of a human brain, lit up with bright blue lines, was shown manipulating a series of floating objects. The image shifted, showing a close-up of a glowing blue cybernetic eye with intricate circuitry tracing through the veins, and Rad''s attention drifted back to the front of the room.


    He glanced sideways at Kite, who was sitting at his desk with a relaxed posture, one arm resting casually on the table. Kite seemed to be absorbing everything effortlessly, his eyes tracking Ms. Lena¡¯s words with ease. Rad had seen it too many times before, the way Kite¡¯s mind just clicked with this stuff, the way he absorbed knowledge and made it seem so simple. His fingers tapped lightly against his desk, his face thoughtful but not overwhelmed, like this lesson was something he could apply without even thinking about it. A slight smirk tugged at the corner of Kite''s mouth, as if he found it all amusing, like he was already ahead of the lesson before Ms. Lena even finished it.


    Rad felt that familiar pang in his chest, the sharp twist of envy that never quite went away when it came to Kite. How was it so easy for him? How did he get everything so quickly, without breaking a sweat? Rad could barely keep his eyes open, trying to grasp the concepts that Ms. Lena was laying out, the words slipping through his fingers like sand.


    Rad¡¯s gaze lingered on Kite for a moment longer, watching his pen effortlessly move across the paper, taking notes with an ease that only made Rad feel smaller. His own notebook lay untouched in front of him, the scribbles from earlier that day barely legible under the mess of half-written thoughts. It wasn¡¯t like Rad hadn¡¯t tried, but the ideas in his head never seemed to line up the way they did for Kite. The tech, the concepts, the language, it was all just noise to Rad, a tangled mess that made him feel lost, drowning in a sea of information he couldn''t keep up with.


    A soft chuckle broke Rad from his thoughts. He glanced up, catching Kite¡¯s eye. Kite¡¯s grin was small but genuine, like he was aware of Rad¡¯s struggle without saying anything. Kite didn¡¯t need to taunt him; he never did. But Rad could tell when Kite had finished writing, when he was more interested in what was happening around him than what was on the screen. He saw the way Kite¡¯s eyes wandered to the students around them, a brief moment of distraction.


    Rad felt a twinge of discomfort, unsure whether he should be grateful that Kite wasn¡¯t trying to show off or if it made him feel worse. Kite had a natural gift; he could learn without effort. He could navigate the complicated world of tech like it was his second nature. But for Rad, it was an insurmountable wall, one he couldn¡¯t scale no matter how hard he tried.


    Ms. Lena¡¯s voice brought Rad¡¯s attention back to the front of the room. ¡°Now, let¡¯s apply this concept to something more familiar. What about the neural interfaces that are in use today?¡± She asked, looking around the room, waiting for someone to answer.


    Rad was zoning out again when he heard Kite¡¯s voice. ¡°Well, like the ones they use for controlling drones in the upper districts, right? The ones with real-time data analysis?¡±


    Rad¡¯s heart skipped a beat, not because of the answer, but because it was so easy for Kite. His response had come without hesitation, the words smooth and confident, like he¡¯d been born knowing exactly what Ms. Lena meant. Rad¡¯s hands tightened on his notebook. He hated the way he felt, like he was stuck in a place where he couldn¡¯t get out. Like he couldn¡¯t even keep up with something as simple as class.


    "Exactly, Kite," Ms. Lena replied with a nod. "And how does that tie into the advancements we¡¯re seeing with augmented reality? Anyone?"


    Rad forced himself to look down at his desk, focusing on the scribbles he had written earlier. His hand moved automatically as he started to jot down something, anything, to make it seem like he was keeping up. But the words blurred together, and he realized he wasn¡¯t even sure what the question was anymore.


    The class continued, and Rad¡¯s mind drifted back to the image of Kite, easygoing and confident, a far cry from the turmoil Rad felt inside. The weight of the lesson, the weight of his own insecurities, it all swirled around him, and it made it so hard to focus. His fingers tapped nervously on the edge of his desk, fighting the feeling of suffocating under the pressure to be someone he wasn¡¯t. And all the while, Kite¡¯s voice drifted in and out of his thoughts, a constant reminder that no matter how hard Rad tried, it was never quite enough.


    Ms. Lena clasped her hands together at the front of the class, her stern gaze sweeping over the room. "Alright, class," she announced, her tone brisk, "we¡¯re starting a group project that will span the next two weeks. This will count for a significant portion of your grade, so I expect you to take it seriously."


    The room immediately filled with murmurs of excitement, apprehension, and outright dread. A chimera child sitting near the front, her cat-like tail flicking lazily, raised her hand. "Can we choose our partners, Ms. Lena?" she asked, her voice hopeful.


    Ms. Lena¡¯s frown deepened, and she shook her head firmly. "No, you may not. I¡¯ve already decided on the pairs."


    The classroom erupted into groans, with some students leaning back in their chairs while others exchanged exasperated looks with their friends. Rad, sitting near the back, leaned forward with a scowl, resting his chin on his hand. Kite, meanwhile, shifted uneasily in his seat, glancing toward Ava, who shot him a confident smirk.


    Ms. Lena¡¯s eyes narrowed at the collective grumbling. "If you¡¯d prefer," she began, her voice sharp, "I can scrap the project and give you a pop quiz right now instead." The class immediately straightened up, voices uniting in a loud, panicked, "No, ma¡¯am!"


    "That¡¯s what I thought." Ms. Lena allowed herself a small, satisfied smile before picking up her tablet. She began reading off names, pairing students together. ¡°Jax and Maria.¡± The two nodded at each other, already seated close. ''''Bryce and Mona.¡± A loud groan came from Bryce, who slouched in his seat, while Maria rolled her eyes dramatically. ¡°Ava and Lira.¡±


    Ava raised an eyebrow but didn¡¯t complain, casting a glance back at Kite. Lira, the chimera girl with feline features, gave a small nod of acknowledgment. Lira is a nine-year-old chimera girl with animalistic traits, her feline attributes blending seamlessly with her youthful innocence. Her soft black and white fur was short and sleek, accentuating the distinct patterns that made her look like a living ink painting. Her large, expressive eyes, one gold and one a pale icy blue sparkled with curiosity and innocence. A slender tail swayed behind her, its black tip twitching occasionally as if echoing her thoughts.


    Her outfit was as unique as she was, perfectly tailored for her playful and agile nature. She wore a sleeveless tunic-style hoodie in a soft gray, its material loose enough to allow free movement but snug enough not to hinder her natural grace. Black and white accents ran along the edges, matching her fur, and an artistic paw-print design adorned the chest. The hood itself had small, triangular cat ears sewn into the top, adding a whimsical touch to her already feline-like features.


    Below, she sported flexible black leggings, the fabric reinforced with knee patches to withstand her constant climbing and exploring. Subtle claw-mark patterns adorned the leggings, a playful nod to her natural abilities. Her feet were snugly fitted into lightweight slip-on shoes with soft, padded soles designed to accommodate her retractable claws, ensuring she could move silently or grip securely whenever she needed to climb or leap.


    Around her waist, a small utility belt carried a satchel just big enough to hold her collection of little treasures, pebbles, shiny trinkets, or any oddities she found during her adventures. Draped loosely around her neck was a scarf in black and white, its fabric lightweight yet warm, fluttering slightly as she moved. It complemented her fur perfectly, making her look both cozy and ready for adventure. Lira''s outfit wasn''t just practical, it mirrored her personality, combining the playful creativity of a child with the sleek elegance of her chimera lineage.


    Ms. Lena worked her way through the list, her tone methodical and unwavering. Finally, she looked up and called out the next pair, "Kite and Rad." Kite froze in his seat, his stomach flipping. His fingers gripped the edge of his desk as he gulped nervously, glancing over his shoulder at Rad. Rad¡¯s immediate reaction was a scoff, a sharp, irritated sound that made Kite¡¯s ears burn. Rad leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his jaw tightening as he shot a glare at the back of Kite¡¯s head.


    Ava¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly as she watched the exchange from a distance, her expression hard to read. She adjusted her position in her seat, keeping one ear on her new partner, Lira, but her focus was undeniably on Kite and Rad. Rad muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Kite to hear. "Great. Just what I needed."


    Kite winced but forced himself to move back a few seats next to Rad, offering a hesitant smile. "Hey, uh¡­ looks like it¡¯s us." Rad didn¡¯t respond, his eyes flickering away, his expression set in a grimace.


    Ms. Lena continued pairing students, but the air between Kite and Rad felt heavy, the tension palpable. Ava noticed Kite¡¯s unease and frowned slightly, her sharp instincts picking up on the discomfort. She wanted to say something but knew it wasn¡¯t the time.


    As the class settled into their pairs, Ms. Lena clapped her hands for attention. "I expect you all to collaborate and bring your best effort to this project. It will require teamwork, so I advise you to set aside any differences and focus on the task at hand."


    Kite and Rad exchanged another glance, the weight of Ms. Lena¡¯s words hanging between them. Ava tightened her grip on her pen, while Lira¡¯s tail flicked slightly against her chair. She wasn¡¯t sure how this pairing would play out, but she knew one thing: she¡¯d be keeping a close eye on both of them.


    Ms. Lena stood at the front of the classroom, her sharp gaze scanning the sea of curious, nervous, and bored faces. The murmurs of student chatter quieted as she raised her hand, signaling for silence. Once the room was still, she cleared her throat and tapped on her tablet, causing the holo-board behind her to light up with an image of a sleek, white humanoid robotic baby cradled in glowing text that read "The Nurture Project."


    "Alright, listen up," Ms. Lena began, her tone firm and businesslike. "Your group project for the next month is going to be unlike anything you¡¯ve done before. This is about responsibility, teamwork, and problem-solving in a real-world context." She paused, letting the suspense build.


    "Each pair," she continued, "will be responsible for caring for and maintaining a robotic baby." A wave of surprise rippled through the room, with some students gasping while others groaned or muttered under their breath. Kite¡¯s eyebrows shot up, and he instinctively glanced over at Rad, who still looked unimpressed, his arms crossed tightly over his chest.


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Ms. Lena ignored the commotion and continued. "These robotic babies are highly advanced. They are programmed to simulate the needs and behaviors of an actual infant. That includes crying, feeding schedules, and even occasional mood swings. You will need to nurse them, change their synthetic diapers, and monitor their health through the paired app on your school tablets and handout watches."


    At this, a chimera boy in the back snickered. "Synthetic diapers? Seriously?" Ms. Lena shot him a glare so sharp that the smirk immediately disappeared from his face. "Yes, seriously, Mr. Roe. This project is designed to teach you how to manage stress, share responsibility, and think critically under pressure, skills that are vital no matter what career path you choose. "She walked over to her desk and picked up a small, lifelike robotic baby with smooth metallic skin, soft blue eyes, and jointed limbs covered in synthetic padding. She held it up for the class to see, her tone softening slightly. "This," she said, "is your baby. Each one is unique and will have its own personality and needs. They¡¯re built to simulate real reactions, so don¡¯t think for a second this will be easy."


    The class stared at the robot with a mix of fascination and horror. Ava leaned forward, squinting at the baby. "Does it... poop?" she asked bluntly, causing a ripple of laughter.


    Ms. Lena raised an eyebrow. "No, Ava, but it will require simulated feeding and regular maintenance. And yes, it will cry if neglected or worse, malfunction if mishandled."


    Kite couldn¡¯t help but grin at Ava¡¯s comment, but his amusement quickly faded as Ms. Lena¡¯s expression turned serious. "Here¡¯s the catch," Ms. Lena said, pacing slowly in front of the class. "If your baby¡¯s health drops below 30% or if it sustains any serious damage, you and your partner will fail this project."


    The classroom erupted into protests. "Fail? That¡¯s not fair!" one student exclaimed. "What if my partner messes up?" another chimera child groaned, glancing nervously at his assigned teammate.


    Ms. Lena held up her hand again, silencing them. "That¡¯s the point of the exercise. You will need to communicate and work together. If one of you makes a mistake, it¡¯s up to both of you to fix it. Think of it as a crash course in teamwork under high stakes."


    She set the robotic baby gently back on her desk and tapped a button on her tablet. A list of partner names and baby IDs appeared on the holo-board. "Each pair will receive their baby and app credentials at the end of class, along with special watches to keep in touch. Take care of them like you would a real infant. That means feeding schedules, monitoring their energy levels, and addressing any errors or maintenance issues promptly. If you¡¯re confused or have questions, the app has a detailed manual, and I¡¯m available for guidance."


    Rad scowled as he slouched further into his seat, muttering, "Great. Just what I need." Kite felt a wave of nervous energy, knowing how much work this project would require, and how tense things were likely to get between him and Rad. Ava, sitting a few seats over, watched the pair carefully, her sharp eyes flicking between Rad¡¯s clenched jaw and Kite¡¯s uneasy fidgeting. She leaned over to her partner, Lira, and whispered, "This is gonna be a train wreck."


    Ms. Lena¡¯s voice broke through the low buzz of murmurs. "One last thing, your performance on this project will be reviewed weekly. That means you don¡¯t get to slack off. If your baby¡¯s health is at risk at any point, you¡¯ll be given a warning. Any questions?"


    No one raised their hand, though the tension in the room was palpable. "Good," Ms. Lena said briskly. "Now, let¡¯s get started."


    Ms. Lena strode up and down the aisles, carrying the white robotic babies in protective cradles. Each pair of students waited in anticipation, or dread, as she carefully placed the lifelike androids onto their desks. The robotic babies, painted in pale white, looked startlingly real, with jointed limbs, softly glowing eyes, and subtle whirring sounds as they occasionally shifted in their cradles.


    One by one, she made her way down the rows. Ava and Lira received their baby first, a standard model with violet-glowing eyes. Ava smirked as she poked its synthetic cheek. "Cute. Looks like it¡¯s going to start quoting Shakespeare or something," she joked, earning a chuckle from Lira.


    As Ms. Lena approached Kite and Rad¡¯s desk, she paused, glancing down at the baby she held. It was distinctly different from the others. Its body was painted in onyx black pain, its glowing emerald-green eyes scanning the room with a curious flicker. Thick, curly brown hair framed its face, giving it a uniquely lifelike appearance. Ms. Lena frowned slightly, tilting her head as if puzzled by its design.


    "Huh," she muttered, more to herself than to the students. "This one¡¯s... unique." She turned her gaze to Kite and Rad. "For some odd reason, this one bears a striking resemblance to you, Kite."


    Kite¡¯s eyes widened as he leaned forward, inspecting the baby. "Whoa! It does!" he exclaimed, a broad grin spreading across his face. "That¡¯s so cool!" Rad leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his face a mask of irritation. "Creepy," he muttered under his breath, though his eyes darted to the baby with a flicker of unease.


    Ms. Lena placed the baby in its cradle on their desk with utmost care. Its emerald eyes blinked slowly, turning to Kite as if recognizing him. A soft, mechanical coo escaped its lips, causing Kite to grin even wider.


    "See? It likes me!" Kite declared triumphantly. Rad rolled his eyes. "Yeah, because it¡¯s a robot. It¡¯s programmed to like you."


    Ms. Lena straightened up, brushing her hands off as she addressed them. "This model is slightly more advanced than the others. I¡¯m not sure why it was included in this batch, but its programming is identical. The only difference is its appearance. It¡¯ll still need the same care and attention as the rest."


    She gave them both a pointed look. "You two need to work together. No squabbling, no excuses. This project is about teamwork. Got it?"


    "Got it," Kite said eagerly, already leaning toward the cradle to study the baby up close. Rad muttered a half-hearted "Yeah," his arms still crossed as he glared at the baby like it had personally offended him.


    Ms. Lena moved on to the next pair, leaving Kite and Rad with their new charge. Kite leaned closer to the baby, his emerald-green eyes meeting the robot¡¯s glowing counterparts. "Man, this thing is so detailed. Look at its hair! It¡¯s almost exactly like mine!" He reached out to gently brush a curl on the baby¡¯s head, grinning when it cooed again.


    Rad groaned, looking away. "Are you seriously geeking out over this? It¡¯s just a machine." Kite shot him a playful smirk. "Oh, come on. You¡¯ve gotta admit, it¡¯s pretty cool. Look how real it is!"


    Rad didn¡¯t respond, his gaze fixed on the corner of the desk. He tapped his foot impatiently, waiting for the class to end so he could escape this uncomfortable pairing. From across the room, Ava watched the interaction closely, her sharp pink eyes narrowing as she nudged Lira. "They¡¯ve barely started, and Rad already looks ready to bolt," she whispered.


    Lira chuckled softly. "Poor guy. He¡¯s probably just annoyed that the baby doesn¡¯t look like him." Ava grinned but kept her focus on Kite and Rad, clearly curious, and slightly worried about how this partnership would play out.


    Meanwhile, Kite was still marveling at the baby. He pressed a button on the tablet Ms. Lena had handed out, bringing up a diagnostic menu. "Okay, let¡¯s see. It needs food every four hours, diaper changes every six hours, and some kind of... playtime interaction? Huh, that¡¯s interesting." Rad groaned louder this time. "Great. We¡¯re stuck babysitting a glorified doll. Can¡¯t wait."


    Kite¡¯s grin didn¡¯t falter. He nudged Rad with his elbow. "Oh, lighten up. Who knows? Maybe it¡¯ll be fun." Rad shot him a glare but didn¡¯t reply, his jaw tightening as he stared at the strange, robotic baby in its cradle.


    Kite leaned over the cradle, a curious and gentle smile on his face. He studied the robotic baby''s serene expression, his gaze lingering on its delicate features. The baby¡¯s onyx black surface was pristine, its intricate details almost uncanny.


    Was so lifelike that for a fleeting moment, Kite forgot it was just a machine, captivated by the softness in its face and the faint hum of its inner mechanisms. ¡°So... you gotta name, little guy?" Kite asked in a soft voice, a glimmer of warmth lighting up his eyes he gently reached toward the cradle, as if an affectionate touch might bring it to life. Beside him, Rad rolled his eyes, slumping further back in his chair.


    "Come on, Kite'' he muttered under his breath, his irritation plain as he observed the robotic baby with barely concealed disdain. "It''s just a glorified toaster with a diaper." But Kite didn''t hear him. His focus was locked on the baby, fascinated by the craftsmanship that went into its creation, from the intricate details of its eyes to the gentle curl of its hair.


    For a long, silent moment, the baby stared off into the distance, its unblinking gaze unsettling. The robotic baby remained silent, its small, polished fingers twitching subtly, almost as if calibrating its response. Its gaze seemed unfocused, staring into the distance with an unsettling intensity, a moment of eerie quiet that stretched just a bit too long. Then, the faint glow of its eyes shifted, pulsing from a muted green to an ethereal, almost haunting purple hue.


    Sending out a bright, purple cosmic pulse throughout the room that only it could see. The transformation was subtle yet profound, casting faint shadows that made its rounded, metallic like face appear both wise and ancient, like an artifact unearthed from another world. Kite''s breath caught. Rad shifted uncomfortably in his seat, a nervous scoff escaping him, but he, too, couldn''t tear his eyes away.


    The baby''s stare shifted, its gaze locking onto Kite''s with a quiet intensity, as if it were seeing something beyond the room, beyond the present. "I... have no name," it responded, its voice a soft monotone that sounded distant, almost hollow. Each word it spoke seemed to carry strange weight, an unnatural precision.


    ¡°My Creator, however, Ray Cooper, has designated me with the temporary mission of protecting this universe''s Henry Cooper." As it spoke, its glowing eyes refocused with startling clarity, further locking onto Kite with a gaze that felt far too intelligent, too piercing, for such a small machine. Its expressionless face, although cold and synthetic, somehow conveyed an unsettling sense of purpose, as if it were seeing through Kite, not just looking at him.


    Kite''s smile faded, his eyes widening in a mix of shock and confusion. He opened his mouth to say something, but no words came, his mind racing to process the bizarre declaration. He felt a chill run down his spine as the Words sank in, the name Ray Cooper repeating in his mind.


    The robotic baby''s eyes remained fixed on him, as if watching for a reaction, assessing something in his gaze. the baby continued, its eyes unwavering, unblinking. "It would appear death and tragedy run deep in your bloodline, no matter the universe, Henry Cooper."


    The baby''s robotic voice carried an unnerving finality, its cold tone contrasting with the weight of the words. There was no acknowledgment of Rad''s presence, indication that anyone other than Kite existed in that moment. Its attention, laser-focused and eerie, was reserved solely for him.


    The words hit him like a wave, each syllable landing with an inexplicable weight. The baby''s unblinking eyes held his, piercing into him with a stare that was almost human, almost knowing. Kite felt a strange sensation, as if the baby could see straight into his soul, into the very fabric of his being, beyond anything he understood. His throat went dry, and for a moment, he forgot to breathe.


    It was as If the room had fallen silent, as if even Rad''s presence beside him had faded into the background. The robotic baby made no acknowledgment of Rad, who sat there slack jawed, muttering something inaudible, frozen as he stared at the strange sight unfolding before him. Kite''s mouth went dry, and he could feel the pulse of his heartbeat in his fingertips, his hand instinctively gripping the edge of the cradle. Every detail of the baby''s face, its luminous purple eyes, the subtle sheen of its black casing, the way its tiny mechanical mouth had formed words meant for him alone, etched itself into Kite''s mind, as if branding him with a strange and unexplainable destiny he couldn''t yet fathom.


    Kite¡¯s breath hitched, confusion flickering across his face as he instinctively leaned closer to the robotic baby. The world around him felt like it had slowed, the murmurs and rustles of the classroom fading into a muffled hum. ¡°What¡­ what did you just say?¡± he asked, his voice trembling just above a whisper.


    The baby''s glowing purple eyes locked onto Kite''s, unblinking, as if assessing him. For a long, unnerving moment, the classroom noise faded into the background, the faint hum of the robotic baby''s internal mechanisms filling the silence between them.


    Rad, who had been lounging in his chair moments ago with a bored and dismissive expression, now sat upright. The usual slouch in his posture disappeared as unease crept into his demeanor. His dark eyes darted between Kite and the baby; his irritation replaced with a nervous energy. ¡°Okay¡­ what the hell is this thing talking about?¡± he muttered, his voice low but edged with tension, as though speaking louder might provoke the strange machine.


    The baby didn¡¯t so much as glance in Rad¡¯s direction. Its expression remained unchanged, mechanical and yet unsettlingly purposeful. ¡°Your existence, Henry Cooper, is not bound by coincidence,¡± it intoned, its voice eerily calm but heavy with a weight Rad and Kite could feel in their chests. ¡°Your bloodline is a thread woven across countless universes, each marked by sacrifice, loss, and the weight of responsibility.¡±


    Kite¡¯s heart pounded like a drum in his chest, the words hitting him with an inexplicable force. A bead of sweat formed on his temple, trickling down as he leaned away from the cradle, his hands gripping the edge of the desk. His voice cracked when he spoke, more a reflex than a conscious effort. ¡°Henry Cooper? My name is Kite¡­ not Henry.¡±


    The baby tilted its head ever so slightly, the gesture almost human but entirely mechanical, as if attempting to process his words. The glow in its eyes intensified, a brief flash of vivid purple radiating across its smooth, black face, before it dimmed back to the familiar green. ¡°Names are but constructs,¡± the baby replied, its tone steady, its words deliberate. ¡°Your identity transcends the moniker given to you in this time period. My mission is clear, to protect you and ensure your fate, my fate, remains intact.¡±


    Rad¡¯s expression twisted into one of disbelief, his unease morphing into frustration as he tried to reassert control over the bizarre situation. ¡°Okay, this is nuts,¡± he snapped, a nervous laugh escaping him despite himself. ¡°What kind of malfunctioning junk is this? Ms. Lena said these things were programmed for basic care simulations, not¡­ not this weird destiny nonsense.¡±


    Yet again, the baby ignored him completely. Its gaze remained fixed on Kite, unyielding, its glowing eyes reflecting the boy¡¯s wide, stunned expression. Its voice softened, but the gravity of its words only deepened. ¡°In every universe, the burden falls to you. Tragedy and death shadow your path, but so too does the potential for greatness. Your future choices will ripple across the multiverse, shaping the fate of all who stand within your orbit.¡±


    The room seemed to grow colder, and the tension in the air was palpable. Kite¡¯s stomach churned, his mind racing to comprehend the cryptic proclamations. What does it mean? Universes? Burdens? Why me? His hands trembled as he forced himself to meet the baby¡¯s gaze, a strange mix of fear, confusion, and something he couldn¡¯t yet name twisting inside him. For the first time, he felt truly seen, but by something far beyond his understanding.


    Rad, meanwhile, could feel a simmering anger rising within him, a defensive reaction to the eerie focus the robot had on Kite and its complete disregard for him. He clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he fought the urge to shout. Yet even he couldn¡¯t deny the inexplicable weight in the baby¡¯s words. The atmosphere in the classroom pressed down on both of them, even as the rest of the students chattered away, unnaturally oblivious to the strange drama unfolding between the three.


    Rad, tired of being ignored, finally snapped. His voice rose sharply, cutting through the thick tension that clung to the air. ¡°Oh yeah? If you know so much, what about me then, huh? Since you seem to know everything!¡± His words were laced with frustration, the heat of his temper bubbling over as he leaned forward, fists planted on his knees. His dark eyes narrowed, glaring at the robotic baby with a mix of anger and challenge, as if daring it to acknowledge him.


    The robotic baby didn¡¯t respond right away. Instead, it remained still, unnervingly so, its glowing purple eyes dimming to a low hum, as if processing the demand. A soft whirring noise emanated from within its sleek black casing, like gears turning or hidden circuits firing as it recalibrated. The pause dragged out, the weight of the silence stretching so long it almost became unbearable. Then, slowly, its head tilted toward Rad, the motion smooth yet mechanical, precise yet unnatural. The soft glow in its eyes flared back to life, intensifying as they locked onto Rad¡¯s with a gaze that felt far too deliberate for something artificial. For a moment, Rad felt frozen beneath that stare, as though the machine was peeling him apart, layer by layer, searching for something it couldn¡¯t find. The baby¡¯s luminous eyes pulsed once, a faint flicker of purple washing over its cold, metallic like features, before it finally spoke.


    ¡°I am truly sorry,¡± it said, its voice a serene monotone that carried a strange, chilling weight. Each word was delivered with deliberate precision, yet there was an unsettling gentleness in its tone, like an apology given by something that could not fully understand human emotion anymore. The faint hum of its internal mechanisms thrummed softly, filling the silence as it continued. ¡°I have no data of you in my databanks.¡±


    The glowing purple in its eyes briefly faded to a dimmer hue, almost as if emphasizing the statement¡¯s emptiness. Then, in a tone so soft it bordered on a coo, the robotic baby added, ¡°You appear to be an anomaly that leaves no lasting impact on this universe.¡±


    Rad¡¯s expression faltered. For a split second, disbelief flickered across his face as if he hadn¡¯t fully processed the words, but then something else surged forward, anger. His wide, dark eyes burned with a sudden intensity, his hands clenching into fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. ¡°What?¡± he whispered under his breath, the single word trembling with incredulous fury.


    His voice was low, barely audible, but it carried a dangerous edge. Rad¡¯s chest rose and fell sharply, his breathing uneven as if the air had been knocked from his lungs. The robotic baby remained perfectly still, its violet gaze unwavering and indifferent, as though oblivious to the storm it had just unleashed. It didn¡¯t flinch or falter under Rad¡¯s glare; it simply stared back, unblinking, the faint purple glow still casting faint shadows across its smooth black casing.


    The room felt even colder now, as though the very temperature had dropped in response to the interaction. Kite, still gripped by his own turmoil, glanced between Rad and the baby, his eyes wide with alarm. He could see Rad¡¯s shoulders trembling slightly, the simmering anger threatening to boil over. The boy¡¯s jaw clenched so tightly it looked painful, his teeth grinding together audibly.


    ¡°What do you mean¡­ I leave no lasting impact?¡± Rad¡¯s voice cracked, louder this time, his tone raw with a mix of rage and disbelief. There was something almost vulnerable in the way he spoke, as if the words had struck far deeper than he¡¯d ever admit. His face contorted, frustration and pain written across his features as he stared at the machine that refused to acknowledge his existence as anything of consequence.


    But the robotic baby offered no further explanation. It remained still, its glowing eyes locked onto Rad but void of expression, of recognition, of care. Its silence felt damning, as if its earlier words had been delivered with a cruel finality.


    Rad stood up quickly as pushed himself up, his chair scraping against the floor with a jarring screech that shattered the oppressive quiet. ¡°You¡¯re wrong,¡± he hissed through gritted teeth, though his voice trembled slightly. His anger crackled like electricity in the air, but beneath it, there was something else, a flicker of doubt, as though part of him feared the baby¡¯s words might hold some truth. He stood there for a moment, fists trembling at his sides, chest heaving, but the robotic baby made no move, no sound. Its faint, mechanical hum was the only acknowledgment of its continued presence.


    Kite, still frozen in his seat, felt his heart pounding harder as he watched the scene unfold. He swallowed hard, his throat dry, unable to find the right words to break the tension. The baby¡¯s purple glow seemed to pulse softly, a quiet heartbeat of light in the dim space, and for the first time, Kite thought it looked almost sad, as if something without emotions or free will could ever be sad.


    Rad turned away sharply, unable to look at the thing any longer, his face flushed with anger and humiliation. His breaths were heavy and ragged, but he said nothing more, his frustration pouring off him in waves. He stormed out of the room, putting as much distance as he could between himself and the cradle, as if it''s very presence repelled him. And still, the robotic baby laid there in the cradle, unblinking, unmoving, its eerie, glowing purple eyes following Rad for just a moment before turning back to Kite with mechanical precision, as though nothing had happened at all.


    For a while, the baby¡¯s unblinking gaze held Kite¡¯s, as if awaiting his next move. But eventually the robotic baby¡¯s luminous eyes dimmed slightly, their vibrant glow pulsating like a faint heartbeat. Its onyx black face twitched, an almost imperceptible mechanical stutter, as if struggling against some unseen force to form its words.

 Chapter 7.3: The Cosmic Child Pt.2

    The silence in the room thickened, every faint whir and click of the machine reverberating like an echo in Kite¡¯s ears. Then, in a voice rasping with both mechanical precision and something unsettlingly raw, the baby uttered, ¡°Heed my warning, father¡­¡± Kite¡¯s breath hitched. That single word, father, felt heavy, as though it carried a weight far beyond its meaning. The robotic baby¡¯s gaze flickered momentarily, its eyes a deep and haunting shade of violet, before fading into a softer hue. Its voice, though quiet, seemed to resonate, each syllable ringing with an ominous clarity.


    ¡°Despite my¡­ intense hatred for her kind¡­¡± it continued, the deliberate pauses between its words laden with a personal venom. ¡°That succubus¡­ will be your greatest ally¡­ in the coming years.¡±


    Kite leaned closer, his heart pounding in his chest. The cryptic warning clawed at his mind, leaving him to wrestle with the implications. A succubus? An ally? He couldn¡¯t make sense of it, but there was no mistaking the gravity in the baby¡¯s tone. The tension in the air grew thick, a tangible unease settling over the room as if unseen eyes were watching.


    ¡°Treat her well¡­¡± the baby urged, its voice softening slightly. There was no malice now, only an urgent plea that cut through Kite¡¯s rising apprehension. Then, the baby¡¯s tiny lids began to droop, its head tilting slightly to one side as its systems wound down, its internal hum growing quieter.


    Just as its eyes were about to close entirely, the baby¡¯s voice broke through again, softer now but filled with a chilling undertone. ¡°And¡­ beware¡­ of the devil¡­¡± Kite froze, his entire body stiffening at the words. The baby¡¯s tone shifted into something more haunting, its coo-like cadence somehow more terrifying than its earlier declarations. ¡°¡­hiding in human skin.¡±


    The room felt colder, darker, as if the very act of speaking those words had disturbed some unseen balance. The baby¡¯s eyelids fluttered, its glowing gaze dimming completely as it settled into an artificial slumber. The faint whirring of its mechanisms ceased, leaving a silence that felt deafening in its finality.


    Kite sat back slowly, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and dread. The phrases echoed in his thoughts, cryptic and foreboding: Succubus¡­ greatest ally¡­ beware of the devil¡­ hiding in human skin. A shiver ran down his spine as he sat there with wide-eyed stare.


    The robotic baby¡¯s face was serene now, its slumber unnervingly peaceful. Yet the ominous weight of its warnings lingered in the air, like the aftermath of a storm no one had seen coming.


    Ava stood frozen in place; her small frame partially hidden behind the edge of a nearby table. She clutched the hem of her tattered, oversized shirt with trembling hands, the fabric twisted tightly between her fingers. Her usually mischievous demeanor was gone, replaced by wide-eyed horror. Her pink-shaded skin seemed even paler under the artificial lighting, and her irises, normally a soft, muted hue now burned with an intense, glowing pink.


    The words of the robotic baby still echoed in her mind: "Despite my intense hatred for her kind, that succubus will be your greatest ally¡­ beware of the devil, hiding in human skin." Each syllable felt like a sharp needle piercing through her carefully constructed fa?ade, the words slicing deeper into the secret she fought so hard to protect.


    She bit down on her lip, hard enough that it almost hurt, as panic surged through her. How did it know? Ava thought, her mind racing. How could it possibly know what I am? Her small, sharp teeth worried at the edge of her lip as she struggled to process the implications. It wasn¡¯t just the words that unsettled her; it was the deliberate way the robotic baby had spoken them, as though delivering a prophecy etched in stone.


    Ava¡¯s glowing eyes darted to Kite, who still sat in stunned silence beside the cradle. She didn¡¯t miss the way his hand trembled against the edge of the cradle, nor the faint flicker of unease that crossed Rad¡¯s normally cocky expression. He doesn¡¯t know¡­ he doesn¡¯t understand what it meant, she realized, her small chest rising and falling rapidly as she fought to control her breathing. But what if he finds out? What if they all do?


    The thought terrified her. She wasn¡¯t sure what was worse, the idea that Kite might turn on her if he learned the truth or the possibility that he wouldn¡¯t. Would he see her as a monster? A threat? Or would he pity her, as if her very existence was something to be mourned?


    Her gaze flicked toward Lira, who was gently tending to the robotic baby in the next cradle, somehow completely oblivious to the tension in the room as her pupils now glowed a soft purple hue. Ava envied her calm, the way she hummed softly under her breath as if nothing in the world could shake her. She¡¯s so normal¡­ Ava thought bitterly, her small fingers curling tighter against the fabric of her shirt. Not like me.


    Her glowing eyes dimmed slightly, the light pulsing in time with her rapid heartbeat. The baby¡¯s warning about a devil hiding in human skin haunted her most of all. Was it talking about me? she wondered. The possibility clawed at her, threatening to unravel what little confidence she had left. Ava had spent her entire life trying to suppress the truth of what she was, hiding behind ragged clothes and dirt-streaked skin to seem ordinary, unremarkable. But if the robotic baby could see through her, what was to stop others from doing the same?


    For a fleeting moment, anger flared within her, burning bright and hot. It¡¯s not fair, she thought, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. I didn¡¯t ask for this. I didn¡¯t choose to be¡­ this. But the anger quickly gave way to fear, her small shoulders trembling under the weight of her emotions. If that baby¡¯s words were true, then her secret might already be slipping through her fingers like sand.


    Ava turned her gaze back to Kite, her heart aching at the sight of his confusion and fear. He doesn¡¯t deserve this, she thought, her tiny hands balling into fists. For all her mischief and pranks, Ava had grown to care about Kite in her own way, and the thought of bringing danger into his life made her stomach twist. I¡¯ll protect him, she vowed silently, her pink irises flaring brighter for a moment. Even if he never knows what I am, even if he¡¯d hate me if he did, I¡¯ll protect him.


    But as the robotic baby¡¯s final words echoed in her mind once more, a chilling realization settled over her: What if I¡¯m not the devil it was talking about? What if there¡¯s something worse out there? Ava¡¯s fingers trembled as she clung to the edge of the table, her glowing eyes casting faint, flickering light across the floor.


    Kite¡¯s pulse raced, his mind scrambling to piece together the cryptic, unsettling words that had come from the robotic baby. ¡°Tragedy and death shadow your path¡­¡± ¡°Your bloodline is a thread woven across countless universes¡­¡± And then, the warning. The terrifying warning that felt as though it were meant specifically for him ¡°Beware of the devil, hiding in human skin.¡±


    The words clung to him, suffocating, gnawing at his thoughts like a swarm of insects. He could feel his heartbeat pounding in his ears, growing louder, more insistent. The room, the faint hum of the machines, even the soft murmur of Lira humming as she adjusted the robotic baby, it all faded into the background, as if it no longer mattered. His eyes locked onto the cradle, and for a brief, breathless moment, everything fell away. He needed to get out. He needed to find Rad. Now.


    With a sudden, sharp motion, Kite grabbed the cradle, the smooth, cold metal of the baby¡¯s delicate frame pressing against his hands. It felt so fragile, so lifeless, and yet the words it had spoken lingered, seeming to pulse in the air around him. His grip tightened on the cradle as he began to move, the baby¡¯s soft cooing filling the space, but it did nothing to ease his rising panic.


    ¡°Rad,¡± Kite muttered to himself, his voice strained, barely more than a rasp. He moved quickly, his feet pounding against the cold tile of the classroom floor. His breath was shallow, his mind spinning as he hurried toward the exit. Find Rad. Talk to him. Figure out what is going on. The corridors of the school stretched before him, too long and too silent, as if the walls themselves were pressing in on him. His thoughts were a tangle of confusion, fear, and the gnawing sensation that something had shifted.


    Kite¡¯s heart thundered in his chest, each beat heavy with the weight of the robotic baby¡¯s cryptic words, a chilling echo that refused to fade. His breath was shallow as he clutched the cradle tightly, almost as if the baby itself were grounding him, keeping him tethered to some semblance of reality. His fingers trembled, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to stop, couldn¡¯t let go. The words ¡°Beware of the devil, hiding in human skin¡± still rang in his ears, their meaning slippery, elusive, and yet unmistakably ominous. Every step he took out of the classroom felt like moving deeper into a nightmare he wasn¡¯t sure he could escape.


    His schoolmates continued their day as if nothing had changed, lost in their own worlds, unaware of the unsettling shift that had overtaken him. The muffled sound of voices, the rustling of papers, and the soft hum of fluorescent lights seemed to fade into a dull, distant noise as Kite walked down the rundown school hallway, his footsteps echoing in the vacant spaces. His mind raced, trying to piece together what the robotic baby had said, trying to make sense of it all. "My name is Kite... not Henry." He repeated it to himself, as though hearing it again might make it truer. But the baby¡¯s words weighed him down, relentless, seeping into his thoughts like poison.


    As he passed a window, the blur of the outside world caught his eye. There, sitting alone on a bench just beyond the glass, was Rad. The stark contrast of the gray, dreary playground and the figure slouched on the bench made Kite pause, his mind flickering back to their earlier interaction. Rad, whose attitude had always been abrasive, had been strangely quiet today. The strange discomfort Kite had noticed in him earlier seemed to have dissolved into something more palpable, an emptiness.


    Kite blinked, his eyes narrowing as he watched Rad for a moment, the weight of the cradle making his arms ache. ¡°What¡¯s he doing out there?¡± The thought flashed through his mind, filled with a strange mix of curiosity and hesitation. The sight of Rad sitting so still, removed from the usual chaos of school life, was jarring. It was as if the world outside was moving in a different rhythm, and Rad was suspended in a moment of his own.


    Kite took a deep breath, his chest tight as the remnants of panic clung to him. He had to focus, had to find some sort of grounding in all this. The words from the robotic baby had shattered something inside him, something he couldn¡¯t yet put words to. His pulse quickened as he walked toward the nearby door that led to the playground, the dull thud of his shoes against the floor echoing in the empty hall. The cold metal of the door handle felt strange in his hand as he turned it and pushed the door open, the chill of the outside air hitting him instantly.


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    The playground was empty, save for Rad, who seemed lost in his thoughts, his eyes distant. Kite hesitated for a moment, standing on the threshold, the cradle still held tightly in his arms. He wasn¡¯t sure what he expected by approaching Rad, but something about the boy, sitting there alone, pulled him forward. Maybe it was the strange disconnection that had enveloped both of them since the moment of the robotic baby¡¯s cryptic warning. Maybe it was the need for something familiar, even if it was just Rad¡¯s silent presence.


    Kite''s footsteps grew louder as he walked toward the bench, the gravel crunching beneath his shoes, each sound amplifying the thick, eerie silence that hung around him. The cradle in his arms felt like an anchor, its weight a constant reminder of the strange, unsettling presence it held. His fingers gripped the edges of the metal frame, white-knuckled, as if holding onto something far more fragile than a machine.


    As he approached Rad, the playground stretched out in all its neglected, gray glory, rusted swings hanging idly, slides Coated in a layer of dust, and the broken remnants of a basketball hoop swaying in the wind. The air felt heavy, thick with unspoken tension, as if the entire world outside had conspired to mute itself in the face of whatever had been unleashed in that classroom.


    Rad sat slumped forward, elbows resting on his knees, his head lowered slightly as if he were lost in some deep, private thought. His messy hair hung in front of his eyes, but Kite could see the subtle tension in his posture, the way his shoulders were slightly hunched, his back rigid. There was something different about him now, something almost... fragile.


    For once, Rad didn''t look like the cocky, untouchable teenager he usually was. He looked vulnerable, isolated from the world in a way that made Kite''s heartbeat faster, his own anxiety creeping back in. Kite stopped just short of the bench, hesitating for a moment. His thoughts were still tangled from the robotic baby''s words, but there was something in Rad''s stillness that made him want to speak, to break the silence that had settled between them like a heavy fog.


    "Rad," Kite said, his voice low, almost hesitant. The word felt foreign on his tongue. It was strange, almost like he was trying to reach through a veil that had suddenly appeared between them, a veil of unspoken truths and unasked questions. Rad didn''t look up. His hands clenched into fists, his knuckles white. He wasn''t looking at Kite, but Kite could feel his gaze, sharp and unreadable, from under the curtain of his hair.


    "Rad.." Kite tried again, stepping closer, the cradle pressing into his chest. His throat felt dry, and his words faltered. The robotic baby''s voice still echoed in his mind, like a drumbeat he couldn''t escape. "Beware of the devil, hiding in human skin."


    The warning reverberated in his skull, but he pushed it aside for a moment. Rad wasn''t the enemy. Whatever was happening, whatever the baby had meant, Kite needed to focus on the now.


    Rad''s head lifted slightly, eyes still shadowed but now trained on the ground in front of him. The faintest hint of recognition flickered in his gaze, but he remained silent. Kite could feel the weight of their silence, the space between them heavy with unspoken words. "I... don''t know what to do with this," Kite said, his voice strained, unsure of what he was even talking about.


    His mind was a mess, the weight of the cradle only serving to heighten his growing sense of dread. He glanced down at the metal object in his arms, his fingers twitching as if willing it to somehow explain itself. "Something''s not right, Rad.¡¯¡¯


    Rad shifted slightly, though he didn''t yet face Kite fully. His lips parted, but no Words came. It was as if the world itself was waiting for Rad to respond, and when he did, his voice was barely a whisper, carried away by the wind before it even reached Kite''s ears. "What did it say again?" Rad''s voice cracked, just slightly, the tremor unmistakable. Kite''s eyes flickered to the cradle, the robotic baby resting motionless within it. "It... It said I''m not who I think am. That I''m not Kite. I''m Henry. That my bloodline is cursed. And... and that that I''m... meant for something bigger, something... darker."


    His chest tightened as the words left his mouth, the sheer weight of them almost unbearable. Rad finally turned his head, his eyes narrowing, though the discomfort on his face was clear. "What the hell are you talking about?" His voice was a little too loud, too sharp, like he was trying to shake himself free of something heavy. "Sounds like it''s malfunctioning. Whatever. Forget it."


    But Kite could hear the unspoken fear in Rad''s voice, the cracks in his tough exterior that told a different story. This wasn''t just about malfunctioning tech or some broken machine. Something was happening, something that neither of them could ignore.


    Something that was pulling them both into something much bigger than either of them. The air seemed to grow colder, heavier. The quiet hum of the playground felt distorted now, the rustling of withered trees in the wind echoing in Kite''s ears like a warning. He stepped closer to Rad, his pulse quickening as the words the robotic baby had spoken began to crawl under his skin, gnawing at him. Kite¡¯s voice wavered as he stepped closer. "Rad... this isn¡¯t just a glitch. That thing... it wasn¡¯t malfunctioning. It knew things about us. It knew me. And it said-" he choked on the words, the fear threatening to overwhelm him. "It said I¡¯m not Kite. It said I¡¯m Henry Cooper."


    Rad remained silent, his eyes fixed somewhere beyond Kite, looking distant and detached. His fingers twitched, but he didn''t move, still sitting on the bench as if anchored to the ground. Kite could feel the weight of Rad''s stare, even though he wasn¡¯t looking at him directly. It was as though Rad was trying to shut out everything, the world, the warning, even Kite himself.


    Rad¡¯s reaction was delayed, but Kite could see it, the flicker in his eyes, the quick intake of breath, the subtle change in his posture. For a brief second, Rad seemed almost human again, not the untouchable, cocky persona he always wore, but someone vulnerable, someone who might actually be scared. But then it was gone, buried beneath layers of bravado.


    "Henry Cooper?" Rad repeated, as if trying the name on for size, as if tasting it in the air. "Who''s that?" Kite didn''t have an answer. His chest ached, a knot of confusion and fear tightening inside him. don''t know" he whispered, his breath shaky. "But think... think it''s me." The playground around them seemed to close in as Rad processed what Kite had just said.


    The air grew even heavier, thick with the weight of what was left unsaid. Neither of them knew what to make of the cryptic warning or the strange implications that lingered in the space between them.


    The playground felt almost suffocating now, the heavy air thick with tension, as if the entire world had grown still around them. Kite could feel the weight of the cradle pressing into his chest, its metal frame cold and unyielding against his skin. His fingers gripped it tighter, knuckles white, his mind spiraling in a vortex of confusion and fear.


    "Henry Cooper." Rad repeated, the words foreign on his tongue. His lips curled slightly, and there was a brief flash of disbelief, before he shrugged and leaned back on the bench. "Man, you¡¯ve lost it. Whatever that thing said¡­ it''s all just static, like some bad software glitch or something. That¡¯s not you." His voice was too loud now, too brash, as if he was trying to cover something up, to shake off the unease that had clearly taken root in him.


    Kite wasn¡¯t convinced. The words from the baby still hung in the air like a dark omen, and something in Rad¡¯s reaction didn¡¯t sit right with him. The unease in Rad¡¯s voice, the subtle tremor in his hands, told a different story. Kite stepped closer, closer than he ever had before. The air between them thickened with a sense of unspoken understanding, a sense that something was unraveling.


    "I don¡¯t know, Rad," Kite said, his voice shaking with a mix of frustration and fear. Rad didn¡¯t reply, but his gaze shifted, distant, like he was piecing together something Kite couldn¡¯t see. For a moment, everything was quiet. The rustle of dry leaves, the faint sound of distant traffic, the creak of the swings all faded into the background as Rad stared at the cradle in Kite¡¯s arms.


    The playground felt colder now, the eerie silence amplified by the distant creak of the rusted swings and the soft whisper of the wind through the broken basketball hoop. Kite¡¯s grip on the cradle tightened as he stood a few feet from Rad, who remained seated on the bench, his head bowed, and his fists clenched. The robotic baby¡¯s voice still echoed in Kite¡¯s mind, its cryptic words wrapping around his thoughts like chains.


    Rad¡¯s silence only made the weight of those words heavier. Kite couldn¡¯t ignore them any longer. He had to bring it up.


    ¡°Rad¡­¡± Kite started, hesitating as he searched for the right way to broach the subject. His voice trembled slightly, betraying his nerves. ¡°Back in the classroom¡­ when the baby spoke. It said something¡­ about you.¡±


    Rad¡¯s head didn¡¯t move, but his fists tightened, the knuckles white against the pale light filtering through the clouds. Kite noticed, but he pressed on, driven by the nagging unease that had been clawing at him since they¡¯d left.


    ¡°It said it didn¡¯t have any data on you,¡± Kite continued, his voice low and cautious. ¡°Like¡­ you weren¡¯t in its system or something.¡±


    Rad let out a short, humorless laugh, finally lifting his head to glance at Kite, though his eyes didn¡¯t fully meet his. ¡°Yeah? So what? That thing¡¯s just a hunk of junk. Probably malfunctioning like I said. What does it even matter?¡±


    ¡°It matters, Rad,¡± Kite said, stepping closer, his voice growing firmer. ¡°It said you¡¯d leave no lasting impact. And... it even said-¡± Kite faltered, swallowing hard as the memory of the baby¡¯s cooing voice replayed in his mind. ¡°It said that you were an anomaly¡¯¡¯


    Rad¡¯s expression froze, his jaw tightening as his eyes flicked up to meet Kite¡¯s for the first time. There was something unreadable in his gaze, a mix of defiance and something else, something deeper, more vulnerable.


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Rad said sharply, his voice low but carrying an edge that cut through the tension like a knife. ¡°Don¡¯t start with that crap, Kite. It doesn¡¯t mean anything.¡±


    ¡°How can you say that?¡± Kite pressed, his frustration bubbling to the surface. ¡°It knew things, Rad. About me. About whom I might be. And it said-¡±


    ¡°I said drop it!¡± Rad snapped, his voice rising as he stood abruptly, the bench creaking under the sudden shift in weight. His hands balled into fists at his sides, and he took a step toward Kite, his presence towering but shaky. ¡°You¡¯re letting this stupid thing get in your head. It¡¯s a robot, Kite. Just some creepy tech made to mess with us. That¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°But what if it¡¯s not?¡± Kite shot back, his voice equally loud now, his fear and confusion fueling his defiance. ¡°What if it¡¯s telling the truth? What if it knows something we don¡¯t? Rad, it said you wouldn¡¯t leave any lasting impact. What if that means-¡±


    ¡°Stop!¡± Rad roared, his voice cracking as he shoved past Kite, pacing a few steps away. He raked a hand through his messy hair, tugging at it in frustration as he turned back, his eyes wild with a mixture of anger and fear. ¡°You don¡¯t know what the hell you¡¯re talking about, alright? That thing doesn¡¯t know me. It doesn¡¯t know anything about me!¡±


    Kite stood his ground, his heart pounding in his chest. ¡°Rad, I¡¯m just trying to-¡± ¡°You¡¯re trying to what?¡± Rad interrupted, his voice venomous. ¡°Save me? Fix me? I don¡¯t need your pity, Kite. I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m not some¡­ some name in a data bank, okay? I¡¯m here. I¡¯m real. And I don¡¯t need a damn robot to tell me whether I matter or not.¡±


    The silence that followed was deafening. Kite stared at Rad, his chest heaving as he struggled to process the sudden outburst. But he could see it now, beneath the anger, beneath the bravado, Rad was scared.


    ¡°Rad¡­¡± Kite said softly, his voice barely audible. ¡°I¡¯m not saying it¡¯s right. But don¡¯t you think we should at least try to understand what it meant?¡±


    Rad turned away, his shoulders trembling as he clenched his fists tighter. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to understand,¡± he muttered, his voice thick with barely restrained emotion. ¡°I don¡¯t care what it said. I don¡¯t care.¡±


    Kite hesitated, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. He wanted to push further, to make Rad see that this wasn¡¯t something they could ignore. But the way Rad¡¯s voice broke, the way his shoulders slumped, stopped him.


    Rad turned back slightly, his face a mask of defiance, though his eyes betrayed him. They were glassy, filled with a mixture of anger, fear, and something Kite couldn¡¯t quite place. ¡°Just¡­ drop it, okay?¡± Rad said, his voice quieter now, almost pleading. ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about it anymore.¡±


    Kite nodded slowly, the fight leaving him as he realized he wouldn¡¯t get through to Rad, not now, at least. The robotic baby¡¯s words still lingered in the back of his mind, a chilling echo that refused to fade. But for now, he let it go, stepping back as Rad turned away again, his figure silhouetted against the decaying playground.


    The tension between them remained, unspoken but palpable, as the wind picked up, carrying with it the faint creak of the swings and the rustle of dry leaves. Kite glanced down at the cradle in his arms, its weight heavier than ever.

 Chapter 7.5: The Cosmic Child Pt.3

    The streets of the undercity were a labyrinth of shadows and flickering neon signs, the faint hum of failing power generators filling the air. Kite walked briskly, clutching the cradle tightly to his chest, its weight feeling far heavier than it should. The robotic baby inside, its sleek onyx-black frame glinting faintly under the dim lights, rested in eerie silence.


    Kite¡¯s thoughts churned like a storm as he replayed the earlier conversation with Rad. The tension, the fear, and the cryptic words of the baby, it all gnawed at him. "Beware of the devil hiding in human skin." The phrase echoed in his mind, sending chills down his spine every time. "That succubus will be your greatest ally." What did it all mean? Why him? And why had it called him Henry Cooper?


    His footsteps echoed against the damp pavement as he turned down another alley, the stench of decay and the hum of neon a constant companion. Glancing down at the baby, Kite couldn¡¯t suppress a shiver. Its small form seemed almost serene, as if mocking his unease. He muttered under his breath, his frustration bubbling up. ¡°My name¡¯s Kite, dammit¡­¡±


    The baby didn¡¯t respond, its soft mechanical whirs the only sign of life. Kite¡¯s grip tightened on the cradle, his knuckles whitening. He tried to push away the creeping unease, forcing his mind to rationalize what had happened.


    ¡°It¡¯s probably all just a prank,¡± Kite thought, the words almost convincing. Maybe some twisted tech-head had programmed the baby to spout nonsense. Maybe Rad was right, and it was just a malfunctioning heap of scrap. But even as he tried to convince himself, the chills wouldn¡¯t stop.


    He glanced at the baby again, its smooth, featureless face reflecting the sickly green light of a flickering sign overhead. ¡°Just a sick joke,¡± he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.


    But the words felt hollow. He couldn¡¯t ignore the way the baby¡¯s voice had sounded, soft, almost soothing, yet carrying an unnatural weight. He remembered the way it had looked at him, or at least seemed to, when it had called him by that strange name. Henry Cooper. The name meant nothing to him, and yet¡­ it felt heavy, as though it belonged to someone he should know.


    As he rounded another corner, Kite¡¯s unease deepened. The streets grew quieter here, the distant hum of the city above muted by the oppressive weight of the undercity¡¯s decayed infrastructure. He avoided eye contact with the occasional passerby, most of them looked just as broken as the city they lived in. The baby in his arms felt like a secret, one he wasn¡¯t sure he wanted to share.


    The robotic warnings continued to echo in his head. "The devil hiding in human skin." Kite frowned, his thoughts spiraling. Who, or what, could that even mean? Was it just a metaphor? A riddle? And then there was the other phrase: "That succubus will be your greatest ally." He¡¯d never even seen a succubus before, let alone thought about working with one. It was absurd.


    But what if it¡¯s not? The question stopped him in his tracks, and he let out a shaky breath, leaning against a crumbling wall. His reflection stared back at him from a shattered pane of glass, distorted and jagged. ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it,¡± he whispered, though he wasn¡¯t sure if he believed it.


    The baby shifted slightly in its cradle, its movements almost imperceptible, but enough to make Kite jump. He froze, staring at it, his heart pounding. For a moment, he half-expected it to wake up, to start speaking again in that haunting voice. But it remained still, its silence somehow more unsettling than any words it could have spoken.


    Kite shook his head and pushed off the wall, forcing himself to keep moving. The sooner he got home, the sooner he could put this entire day behind him. But even as he walked, his mind refused to let go. The warnings, the strange name, the fear in Rad¡¯s eyes, all of it felt connected, though he couldn¡¯t see how.


    ¡°Just a sick joke,¡± he repeated under his breath, his voice barely audible over the distant hum of machinery. But deep down, he knew he didn¡¯t believe that.


    Kite quickened his pace, his boots splashing through shallow puddles that reflected the dull neon lights overhead. The undercity''s cold, damp air clung to him like a second skin, and the faint hiss of steam escaping from a nearby vent added an ominous undertone to the atmosphere. His knuckles were pale against the dark cradle, his grip so tight it hurt. He glanced down again at the robotic baby, half-expecting its smooth, featureless face to turn toward him, its lifeless gaze suddenly coming alive with that haunting voice.


    It didn¡¯t move. It didn¡¯t speak. But its presence felt suffocating, like it was silently watching him from somewhere beyond the physical.


    Kite shook his head, trying to dispel the thought. ¡°It¡¯s just tech,¡± he muttered, his voice sharp against the quiet. ¡°Just wires and programming. Nothing more.¡±


    The words echoed hollowly in the empty alley, doing little to convince him. His mind raced back to the classroom, to the moment the baby had looked, or at least seemed to look, directly at him. ¡°Henry Cooper.¡± The name repeated in his thoughts like a mantra, a melody he couldn¡¯t unhear.


    ¡°Who the hell is Henry Cooper?¡± Kite muttered, his frustration bleeding into his voice. He didn¡¯t know anyone by that name. He didn¡¯t even like the sound of it, too formal, too foreign. It wasn¡¯t him. ¡°I¡¯m Kite. Just Kite.¡±


    But what if it wasn¡¯t a mistake? What if it wasn¡¯t random?


    ¡°Beware of the devil hiding in human skin.¡± Kite clenched his jaw as the phrase surfaced again, as vivid as when the baby had said it. His mind spun in circles, trying to make sense of it. Was it a warning about someone he already knew? Someone he hadn¡¯t met yet? Or was it just a cryptic line of code meant to mess with his head?


    ¡°That succubus will be your greatest ally.¡± He snorted at the absurdity of it. A succubus? In the undercity? Sure, the undercity was filled with all kinds of strange and dangerous people, augmentations, rogue AIs, even rumors of genetic experiments, but a succubus? It sounded like something out of a fantasy book. And yet, he couldn¡¯t shake the unease those words brought, a feeling that something, someone, was lurking just beyond his sight, waiting to cross paths with him.


    The cradle shifted slightly in his arms as he turned a corner into another dimly lit street. This one was quieter than the last, with fewer flickering signs and more shadows. Kite¡¯s breath fogged in the cold air as he scanned the surroundings, his unease growing. He was close to home now, but the streets felt unfamiliar, as if the warnings had made the undercity¡¯s usual dangers more pronounced.


    He glanced down at the baby again, his chest tightening as he saw its face illuminated by a faint, pale glow from the cradle¡¯s internal systems. Its eyelids, if they could even be called that, were closed, its expression peaceful in a way that unnerved him.


    ¡°Why me?¡± Kite asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Why did you call me that? Why say all those things?¡±


    The baby didn¡¯t respond, of course, but its silence felt deliberate, as if it was withholding something from him. He shook his head again, harder this time, trying to force the thoughts away. It¡¯s a prank, he told himself. Someone hacked it, programmed it to say weird stuff. That¡¯s all.


    But the thought felt flimsy, even to him. The baby had known things¡ªpersonal things. It had called Rad out, too, in a way that had clearly struck a nerve. And the way Rad had reacted¡­ Kite had never seen him like that before. Rad wasn¡¯t the type to get rattled easily, but he¡¯d been terrified.


    Kite sighed heavily as he approached a narrow, decrepit stairwell that led to his apartment block. The steel stairs groaned under his weight as he climbed, the sound echoing up the shaft. He kept his head low, avoiding the gazes of the few people loitering in the shadows. The undercity didn¡¯t take kindly to vulnerability, and the last thing he needed was someone asking questions about the cradle in his arms.


    As he reached his floor, he paused for a moment outside his door, staring at the peeling paint and rusted hinges. His fingers tightened on the cradle¡¯s edges as the warnings replayed in his head once more.


    ¡°Beware of the devil hiding in human skin.¡± What if the baby wasn¡¯t lying? What if there really was someone, or something, out there, waiting to hurt him? The thought made his skin crawl.


    He pushed the door open and stepped inside, locking it quickly behind him. The familiar clutter of his small apartment greeted him, spare parts, wires, and half-finished gadgets strewn across every surface. Normally, the chaos was comforting, a sign of his creativity and resourcefulness. Today, it felt oppressive.


    Kite set the cradle down gently on his workbench, stepping back as if it might spring to life at any moment. The baby remained still, its faint glow casting long shadows across the room. Kite ran a hand through his hair, pacing as his thoughts raced.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a machine,¡± he said again, his voice firmer this time, though it still trembled. ¡°It doesn¡¯t mean anything.¡±


    But no matter how many times he said it; the unease wouldn¡¯t leave. The warnings, the strange name, the way Rad had looked at him, all of it felt like the start of something bigger, something he couldn¡¯t yet see.


    He glanced at the baby one last time before turning away, muttering to himself as he collapsed onto his worn-out couch. ¡°Just a sick joke,¡± he said again, closing his eyes. But deep down, Kite knew it wasn¡¯t.


    Kite sank deeper into the threadbare couch, its springs creaking under his weight. The faded fabric, once a dull brown, was now mottled with oil stains and patches of grime, the result of countless nights spent tinkering on projects that overflowed from his workshop. His small living room was cluttered, every surface crowded with evidence of his mechanical obsessions. Shelves made from scavenged wood and scrap metal sagged under the weight of disassembled tech, broken drones, outdated neural interfaces, and mangled circuit boards that he had collected from the undercity¡¯s endless junk heaps.


    The only light in the room came from the flickering neon sign outside his window, casting faint purple and green hues onto the walls. The sign¡¯s glow barely reached the far corners of the space, leaving them shrouded in shadow, but Kite didn¡¯t mind. Shadows were a constant companion in the undercity, and he found comfort in their familiarity.


    A cracked holo-screen leaned against one wall; its surface caked with dust. Next to it, a small table was piled high with empty candy wrappers and mugs streaked with the remnants of thick, bitter coffee made by his mother. The air smelled faintly of solder, ozone, and old grease, the byproducts of his endless experiments.


    Kite¡¯s eyes wandered, eventually landing on the cradle sitting on the workbench across the room. The robotic baby was still and silent, its featureless face faintly illuminated by the soft, pulsating light of its internal systems. That light threw shifting patterns onto the walls, like a heartbeat reminding Kite that the thing wasn¡¯t entirely inert.


    He rubbed his temples, trying to push the day¡¯s events out of his mind, but the strange warnings kept creeping back in. Beware of the devil hiding in human skin. That succubus will be your greatest ally. He snorted bitterly, shaking his head. ¡°Just a load of garbage,¡± he muttered, though the knot of unease in his chest said otherwise.


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    Kite leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and staring blankly at the floor. The cold cracked tiles felt as unwelcoming as the rest of the room. ¡°Henry Cooper,¡± he whispered, the name sounding foreign and unwelcome in his voice. He clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening. ¡°It¡¯s Kite. Always been Kite. Whoever you think I am... you¡¯re wrong.¡±


    The room fell silent except for the faint hum of the baby¡¯s systems. Kite stared at the cradle for what felt like an eternity, his mind oscillating between frustration and fear. Finally, he pushed himself off the couch with a groan, running a hand through his hair. ¡°I need to get out of my own head,¡± he muttered to himself, his voice cutting through the oppressive quiet.


    He crossed the room in quick strides, scooping up the cradle with a practiced ease. The baby¡¯s weight felt heavier than before, though Kite suspected that was just his imagination. He didn¡¯t bother glancing at it this time; he didn¡¯t want to. The weight of its warnings and its eerie accuracy at school already pressed heavily enough on his thoughts.


    Leaving the living room, Kite moved through a narrow hallway toward the garage. The corridor was just as cluttered as the rest of the apartment, its walls lined with hanging tools, spare cables, and long-forgotten projects. A single bare bulb hung from the ceiling, casting a dim, uneven light that flickered with every step he took.


    The garage door screeched loudly as Kite pushed it open, revealing his true sanctuary. Unlike the living room, the garage was meticulously organized, at least by Kite¡¯s standards. Workbenches lined the walls, their surfaces covered with half-built devices and tools neatly arranged in magnetic holders. The centerpiece was his primary workstation, a large metal table equipped with a built-in holographic interface. Above it hung a modular rack crammed with everything from power drills to precision laser cutters.


    The air here was different, crisper, sharper, filled with the faint tang of metal and the lingering scent of burnt circuitry. Kite exhaled, feeling a sliver of the day¡¯s tension ease. The garage was where he made sense of the world, where he turned chaos into order with his own two hands.


    He set the cradle down on the workbench, carefully sliding it to one side before pulling up a worn stool. ¡°Time to focus,¡± he said softly, more to himself than to the baby. He reached for the nearest project, a stripped-down drone with its inner components exposed like the guts of a dissected animal.


    Kite picked up a small screwdriver, his movements practiced and precise as he began tweaking the drone¡¯s wiring. The rhythmic motion of his hands offered a welcome distraction, a momentary reprieve from the nagging questions that had plagued him all day.


    But as the minutes ticked by, Kite found his attention drifting back to the cradle. Even as he worked, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that it was watching him, its silence more unnerving than any words it might have spoken.


    He glanced at it out of the corner of his eye, half-expecting to see the baby¡¯s face turned toward him. It wasn¡¯t, of course, but the glowing light seemed brighter now, pulsing faintly in the dim garage. Kite set his tools down, leaning back in his chair with a sigh.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are,¡± he said, his voice low and filled with frustration. ¡°But you¡¯re not just a machine, are you?¡± The baby didn¡¯t respond. Its silence felt like an answer in itself.


    Kite¡¯s hand trembled as he set down the screwdriver. The oppressive silence of the garage was broken only by the faint hum of the robotic baby¡¯s systems. He stared at the cradle, the weight of the day¡¯s strange occurrences pressing down on him.


    ¡°Earlier today, at school, you mentioned someone by the name of Ray Cooper¡­¡± Kite¡¯s voice was unsteady, his words trailing off into the thick, metallic air of the garage. The baby remained motionless, its face an expressionless void, but its cradle shifted slightly.


    Kite leaned closer, his chest tightening. ¡°Is¡­ the person who built you my-¡± Before Kite could finish, the baby stirred, its glowing purple eyes snapping open and staring at the ceiling. ¡°Ray Cooper is irrelevant,¡± the baby said coldly, its voice mechanical and detached, yet laden with an eerie precision that sent a chill racing down Kite¡¯s spine.


    The response startled Kite, but he pressed on, a wave of desperation pushing him forward. ¡°He¡¯s someone related to me, isn¡¯t he?¡± Kite¡¯s breath hitched, his heart pounding as he leaned even closer, the words tumbling out like a dam breaking.


    The baby¡¯s head tilted down, locking its gaze with Kite¡¯s. Its glowing purple eyes bore into him with a terrifying intensity, an ancient and alien weight in its stare. The look was cold, calculating, and utterly devoid of the innocence its small frame might have implied. Kite froze, his throat dry, his thoughts racing but unable to settle.


    ¡°You pry into things that are beyond you, father,¡± the baby said, its voice shifting as it spoke. Two distinct tones, one deep, like the rumble of a collapsing star, and the other sharp, like the crack of breaking glass, merged into a single, dissonant entity.


    ¡°F-Father?¡± Kite stammered, the word slamming into him like a physical blow. His heart thundered in his chest as he shot to his feet, knocking the stool to the ground with a loud clatter. Desperation and fear surged through him as he grabbed a power drill from the workbench and pointed it shakily at the baby.


    ¡°What the hell are you?!¡± Kite screamed, his voice raw and echoing off the cold metal walls of the garage.


    The baby didn¡¯t flinch. It simply stared at him, unblinking, its glowing purple eyes piercing into his soul. The faint hum of its systems grew louder, a low, rhythmic thrum that seemed to pulse in time with Kite¡¯s frantic heartbeat.


    ¡°What I am is irrelevant,¡± the baby said, its tone calm and unyielding. The words hung in the air, heavy with implication.


    Kite¡¯s grip on the drill tightened, his knuckles white. His mind reeled as he tried to process what he was hearing. The garage, his sanctuary, felt suddenly alien and claustrophobic, its shadows pressing in on him like living things.


    ¡°What are you talking about!?¡± Kite shouted, his voice cracking. ¡°I don¡¯t even know why you¡¯re here! Stop, stop messing with me!¡±


    The baby¡¯s expressionless face tilted slightly, a subtle gesture that felt loaded with condescension. ¡°The sins of the father ripple through the child,¡± it said cryptically. ¡°What you are, what you will become, and what you seek to deny, these threads are woven together. You cannot sever them.¡± The baby¡¯s voice booms throughout the ancient garage.


    Kite¡¯s breathing grew erratic, his chest heaving as panic clawed at his throat. ¡°You¡¯re lying,¡± he said, though the conviction in his voice was waning. ¡°You¡¯re just some broken machine. Some prank someone¡¯s playing on me.¡±


    ¡°Do I seem broken to you, Henry?¡± the baby asked, the dual voices perfectly synchronized. Its tone carried an edge, the faintest hint of something dark and dangerous.


    Kite took a shaky step back, the drill trembling in his hands. His eyes darted to the workshop door, the primal instinct to run clawing at the back of his mind. But he couldn¡¯t move, not yet. Something about the baby¡¯s gaze held him rooted in place, as if looking away might be even more dangerous.


    ¡°What do you want from me?¡± Kite whispered, his voice barely audible over the pounding of his heart.


    The baby didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, it slowly closed its glowing eyes, the hum of its systems softening. ¡°What I want,¡± it said, its voice quieter now but no less unsettling, ¡°is irrelevant. What you choose to do with what I¡¯ve told you¡­ that is all that matters.¡±


    Kite¡¯s grip on the drill loosened slightly as he stared at the cradle, his mind spinning with questions and fears he couldn¡¯t yet articulate. He felt as though he were standing on the edge of an abyss, the ground beneath him crumbling with every passing second.


    For the first time in his life, Kite felt truly lost. The baby¡¯s cold, mechanical gaze shifted in an instant. The glowing purple hue of its eyes flickered and faded, replaced by emerald, green, eerily human-like and filled with something that seemed both calculating and malevolent. The change was subtle yet disarming, and Kite felt his breath hitch, a chill racing down his spine.


    ¡°Farewell, for now, Henry Cooper,¡± the baby cooed, its voice laced with mockery and finality. Before Kite could react, the baby¡¯s form blurred, moving so fast it seemed to dissolve into the air. One moment it was lying in the cradle, staring at him with unsettling clarity, and the next, it was gone, vanished as if it had never been there at all.


    The silence that followed was deafening. The hum of the baby¡¯s systems, the faint mechanical sounds it had made, all were gone, leaving behind only the oppressive quiet of the garage. Kite¡¯s heart pounded in his chest, the sound of his own frantic breathing the only thing grounding him in the moment.


    His eyes darted to the cradle, now empty, its contents a ghost of what had just transpired. The air felt thick, suffocating, and the shadows in the room seemed to stretch and shift, closing in on him.


    Kite¡¯s legs felt weak, and he stumbled backward, his trembling hand still clutching the drill. His knuckles were white, the rough metal handle digging into his palm. His whole body shook uncontrollably as tears welled up in his eyes, unbidden and unchecked.


    ¡°What the hell was that¡­¡± he whispered, his voice cracking as he tried to make sense of what had just happened.


    The emptiness of the room only heightened his fear. The absence of the baby, so sudden, so absolute, left a void that pressed against his chest like a physical weight. He felt his stomach churn, a wave of nausea rising as the realization settled over him: he had no answers, no control, no understanding of what was happening.


    Tears blurred his vision as he clutched the drill tighter, the cold metal his only anchor in the chaos. His mind replayed the baby¡¯s last words: ¡°Farewell, for now, Henry Cooper.¡± The name felt like a dagger, piercing through his confusion and planting seeds of dread.


    ¡°My name¡¯s Kite¡­¡± he muttered weakly, his voice trembling. ¡°It¡¯s Kite, dammit¡­¡±


    But even as he said it, the words felt hollow, as if the baby¡¯s statement had shaken the foundation of who he believed himself to be. The shadows in the room seemed to grow longer, darker, and Kite¡¯s paranoia began to spiral. Every creak of the building, every faint sound outside the garage sent jolts of fear coursing through him. He felt exposed, vulnerable, as though the baby, wherever it had gone, was still watching him.


    Kite wiped at his eyes with his free hand, trying to steady his breathing, but the fear wouldn¡¯t let go. It gripped him like a vice, refusing to loosen its hold. He wanted to scream, to cry, to run, but there was nowhere to go.


    ¡°Why me?¡± he whispered, his voice breaking. ¡°What the hell is happening to me?¡±


    The empty cradle offered no answers, its stillness only amplifying his isolation. Kite sank to his knees, the drill slipping from his grasp and clattering to the ground. He buried his face in his hands, overwhelmed by a storm of emotions: fear, confusion, anger, and a gnawing sense of despair.


    For the first time in his life, Kite felt utterly powerless. And he hated it. Kite knelt on the cold, oil-stained floor, his sobs echoing softly in the dimly lit garage. His body trembled as tears streamed down his cheeks, the overwhelming events of the day crashing over him like a tidal wave. His face was buried in his hands, his mind replaying the haunting image of the robotic baby¡¯s emerald eyes and its cold, mocking voice.


    Suddenly, the sharp metallic groan of the garage door opening cut through the oppressive silence. Kite¡¯s sobs stilled for a moment, but he couldn¡¯t muster the energy to look up. Footsteps echoed softly against the concrete floor, tentative at first, and then quicker, more purposeful.


    Mira stood in the doorway; her figure silhouetted by the faint light spilling in from the hallway. Her brown, messy hair was tied into a haphazard bun, and her jumpsuit, smeared with grease and dust from a long day¡¯s work, hung loosely on her petite frame. As her eyes adjusted to the dimness, she froze at the sight before her.


    ¡°Kite?¡± she called softly, her voice tinged with alarm and confusion. Her dark eyes widened as they landed on her son, crumpled on the floor, his shoulders shaking as he wept. Her heart clenched, a mix of worry and heartbreak washing over her.


    She stepped closer, her face etched with deep concern, her brows knitting together. The lines of exhaustion on her face were replaced by maternal instinct as she knelt down beside him.


    ¡°Kite, honey¡­what¡¯s wrong?¡± she asked gently, her voice trembling slightly as she placed a hand on his back.


    Kite didn¡¯t respond, his sobs intensifying as he felt her presence. Mira quickly wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a firm, protective embrace. She held him close, her cheek resting against the top of his head. Her jumpsuit smelled faintly of oil and machine grease; a comforting scent Kite had known his whole life.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± she whispered, stroking his messy hair with one hand while the other cradled his back. ¡°It¡¯s okay, baby, I¡¯m here. Whatever it is, we¡¯ll figure it out. You¡¯re safe.¡±


    Kite clung to her like a lifeline, his tears soaking into her shoulder as he tried to speak, but the words came out in broken, incoherent fragments. ¡°Th-there was a b-baby¡­ a-and it¡­it spoke to me¡­¡± he stammered between sobs, his voice muffled against her jumpsuit. ¡°It said things¡­ things¡­¡±


    Mira pulled back slightly, just enough to look at his tear-streaked face. She cupped his cheeks gently, her thumbs wiping away the tears as they fell. Her expression was soft yet resolute, her eyes searching his for answers she didn¡¯t yet understand.


    ¡°Shh, it¡¯s okay,¡± she soothed, her voice calm but firm. ¡°Whatever it was, it¡¯s not here now. You¡¯re safe with me.¡± Kite shook his head violently, fresh tears spilling as he gripped her jumpsuit with trembling hands. ¡°No, you don¡¯t understand, Mom! It¡¯s not just¡­ it¡¯s not normal!¡± he cried, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions.


    Mira didn¡¯t press him further. Instead, she pulled him back into her arms, holding him tightly as if her embrace alone could shield him from the horrors that plagued his mind. ¡°It¡¯s okay to cry, Kite,¡± she murmured. ¡°Whatever happened, you¡¯re not alone. I¡¯m here. I¡¯ve got you.¡±


    Kite sobbed louder into her shoulder, releasing all the fear, confusion, and exhaustion he¡¯d been holding in. Mira rocked him gently, her hands continuing to run soothingly through his hair. The warmth of her presence, her steady heartbeat, and her unwavering comfort began to ease the storm inside him, if only just a little.


    For a moment, the garage seemed less dark, less overwhelming. In her arms, Kite felt a glimmer of safety, even as the haunting memory of the baby¡¯s emerald eyes lingered at the edges of his mind.

 Chapter 8: Dorian Caulder

    The hum of machinery was a constant in Rook Enterprises. Dorian Caulder stood at his workstation, a sleek, metallic counter littered with half-disassembled drones, worn-out circuit boards, and tools meticulously arranged in a way that reflected his years of experience. The air smelled faintly of burnt metal and oil, mingling with the sharp, sterile scent of the corporate sanitizers that kept the floor pristine. Despite the chaos on his desk, everything had a purpose, a place.


    The vast expanse of the tech floor stretched around him, a hive of activity where dozens of workers, clad in gray jumpsuits, moved with mechanical precision. The floor was illuminated by the pale, blue artificial glow of overhead lights, casting long shadows that flickered as sparks flew from welding stations. Monitors lined the walls, each displaying streams of data, blueprints, and performance metrics. Supervisors roamed the aisles, their gazes sharp, always searching for inefficiency.


    Dorian tightened the grip on his soldering iron, the tool¡¯s tip glowing orange as he carefully fused a set of wires on a drone¡¯s motherboard. He worked with a practiced ease, his mind half-focused on the task while the other half wandered, thinking of Kite.


    It had been a long week, and Dorian¡¯s back ached from the relentless hours of bending over his workstation. The corporation demanded perfection, precision, and above all, results. Mistakes weren¡¯t tolerated here; they were punished. He¡¯d seen it too many times, a coworker escorted off the floor, their station cleared within minutes, as if they¡¯d never existed.


    The thought gnawed at him as he glanced at the clock mounted high on the wall. It was nearly time for his break. Dorian¡¯s fingers moved deftly, his eyes narrowing as he connected the last wire. The drone¡¯s eyes flickered to life, a pair of cold blue lights glowing faintly as it hovered a few inches off the table.


    ¡°Good,¡± he muttered to himself, setting the drone down and stepping back to wipe his hands on a cloth. As if on cue, a voice crackled through the overhead intercom, cold and devoid of emotion. ¡°Sector B employees, prepare for inspection. Supervisors, report to stations for evaluation.¡±


    Dorian tensed, his jaw clenching. Inspections were always tense, a performance where your livelihood was put under a microscope. He straightened his posture and adjusted his jumpsuit, running a hand through his graying hair. His eyes flicked to the drone on his desk. It would pass inspection; he made sure of it, but there was always a lingering doubt.


    The sharp clack of boots echoed across the floor as a team of supervisors entered Sector B. At their center was a man Dorian knew all too well: Vincent Marlow, the head of the tech division. Marlow¡¯s presence was like a storm cloud, dark and oppressive, his sharp features and piercing eyes giving him an air of unyielding authority. He strode with purpose, his black suit immaculate, his every movement precise.


    Dorian stiffened as Marlow approached, his cold gaze sweeping over the workers like a hawk. The man stopped at Dorian¡¯s station, his eyes falling on the drone. ¡°Caulder,¡± Marlow said, his voice a smooth, icy baritone. ¡°Status?¡±


    ¡°Model D-47 operational,¡± Dorian replied, keeping his tone neutral. ¡°Repairs completed; systems optimized.¡± Marlow leaned in, inspecting the drone with a critical eye. He reached out, his gloved fingers brushing against the surface of the machine, his expression unreadable. Dorian held his breath, his hands clasped tightly behind his back.


    ¡°Efficient work,¡± Marlow said after a moment, straightening. ¡°But don¡¯t get complacent. Perfection is expected here, Caulder. Nothing less.¡± ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Dorian replied, his voice steady despite the knot in his stomach.


    Marlow¡¯s gaze lingered for a moment before he moved on, his attention shifting to the next workstation. Dorian exhaled quietly, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.


    As Marlow¡¯s entourage moved further down the aisle, Dorian allowed himself a brief moment to glance at his reflection in the polished surface of his workstation. His face looked tired, lined with stress and sleepless nights. He thought of Kite again, his son, his world.


    Every grueling hour spent in this place was for Kite, to give him a chance at something better. But in the back of his mind, a voice whispered doubts. Was he doing enough? Was he truly protecting him from the dangers of this city, from the shadow of Rook Enterprises that loomed over their lives?


    The intercom crackled again, announcing the end of the inspection. Workers returned to their tasks, the hum of machinery resuming its rhythm. Dorian sighed, picking up the next piece of broken tech on his desk. Above him, on a screen tucked into the corner of the ceiling, the Rook Enterprises logo glowed, a sleek, stylized black crow in flight. Beneath it, the company motto scrolled across in bold white letters: Innovation Above All.


    Dorian stared at it for a moment, his fingers tightening around the tool in his hand. For the thousandth time, he wondered what price he and others were paying for that innovation.


    The cafeteria buzzed with subdued energy, a sharp contrast to the sterile hum of the tech floor. Dorian stepped into the line; his tray balanced in one hand as he surveyed the options before him. The food wasn¡¯t much to look at, prepackaged meals warmed in bulk with rook emblems stamped on, their bland aromas mixing with the sharp scent of disinfectant that permeated every corner of Rook Enterprises. Workers shuffled forward; their faces worn with the same exhaustion Dorian felt creeping into his bones.


    The overhead lighting cast a faint blue hue across the room, giving the metallic surfaces an otherworldly glow. Holographic displays lined the walls above the serving stations, their animations cycling through corporate propaganda: smiling employees, sleek new products, and the ever-present company motto ¡°Innovation Above All¡± flickering in bold letters.


    Dorian''s eyes caught one of the displays. A family was featured, parents and a young child, smiling and carefree as they marveled at the advancements Rook had brought to their lives. It felt hollow, mocking even, given the grim reality outside these walls. He tore his gaze away, focusing instead on the food.


    The line crept forward. A bored server slid a portion of grayish protein paste onto Dorian¡¯s tray with a practiced motion, followed by a scoop of overcooked vegetables. The vegetables had a strange sheen under the light, and Dorian¡¯s stomach turned, though hunger gnawed at him too insistently to refuse.


    ¡°Next,¡± the server said without looking up, already reaching for the next tray. Dorian sighed and moved on, grabbing a bottle of water before weaving his way through the tightly packed rows of tables. The cafeteria was a sea of gray jumpsuits, each worker hunched over their meal, voices blending into a constant murmur that barely rose above the hum of ventilation systems. Despite the crowd, the room felt cold, impersonal, like a machine in and of itself.


    In the far corner, Dorian spotted his two friends, Greg and Theo, already seated at their usual spot. They were laughing about something, the sound cutting through the monotony of the room. Greg, a burly man with a thick beard and an easy grin, gestured animatedly with a fork, bits of food flying as he spoke. Theo, A chimera with catlike attributes, was lean and wiry with sharp features and glasses that constantly slipped down his nose, was shaking with laughter, his tray nearly tipping over from his exaggerated movements.


    Dorian navigated through the maze of chairs and trays, careful not to bump anyone. He finally reached the table, sliding into the empty seat with a nod. ¡°Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence,¡± Greg said, smirking as he stabbed at a piece of unidentifiable meat on his plate.


    ¡°Busy man,¡± Theo added, pushing his glasses up his nose. ¡°Fixing the drones that are supposed to replace us someday, right?¡±


    Dorian chuckled dryly, setting his tray down. ¡°Something like that. Can¡¯t let Marlow catch me slacking, though. You know how it is.¡±


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    Greg snorted. ¡°Marlow¡¯s got a stick so far up his ass, he probably files performance reviews in his sleep.¡±


    That earned a laugh from Theo, who nearly choked on his water. ¡°God, don¡¯t say that. I¡¯ll start imagining him dreaming about spreadsheets and quarterly reports.¡±


    Dorian managed a faint smile as he picked at his food, their banter a welcome distraction. He wasn¡¯t particularly hungry, but he forced down a few bites, the texture as unappetizing as he¡¯d expected. Around them, the cafeteria continued its rhythm, the holographic displays casting shifting patterns of blue light across the tables.


    As Greg launched into another story about his run-in with a temperamental vending machine on the upper floor, Dorian let his gaze drift. The blue glow reflected off the metal walls, the hum of machinery never fully fading, even in the break areas. It was a reminder that this place was a well-oiled machine, every cog, himself included, expected to perform without fail.


    The weight of it all pressed against him, but for now, he focused on the laughter of his friends and the few moments of reprieve their company offered. Dorian toyed with his fork, pushing the gray protein paste around his plate as Greg leaned back in his chair, a proud grin spreading across his face.


    ¡°You won¡¯t believe what my kid did the other day,¡± Greg started, his booming voice cutting through the hum of the cafeteria. He tapped the table with his fork for emphasis, his expression softening in a way that seemed almost out of place in the cold corporate cafeteria.


    Theo perked up, adjusting his glasses as he leaned forward. ¡°Oh, here we go. Another ¡®my kid is a genius¡¯ story? Lay it on us.¡±


    Greg chuckled, waving the fork like a conductor''s baton. ¡°I swear, this one¡¯s good. So, Ethan¡¯s been obsessed with building stuff lately, like, really into it. He found some old junk in the garage last weekend, wires, scrap metal, broken circuits, and you know what he did? Built a freaking motorized car for his action figures. The thing actually runs! I mean, it¡¯s slow as hell, but still, he¡¯s six!¡±


    Theo whistled, shaking his head in mock disbelief. ¡°Six and already better at engineering than half the people on the assembly floor.¡±Greg laughed, his chest puffing with pride. ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying! Kid¡¯s a damn prodigy. He¡¯s got his mom¡¯s brains for sure. I¡¯m just the guy who cheers him on from the sidelines.¡±


    Dorian couldn¡¯t help but smile faintly at the image, though his chest tightened. He kept his gaze fixed on his plate, pretending to focus on his next bite as Theo chimed in.


    ¡°Speaking of prodigies, Mia¡¯s got her first recital coming up,¡± Theo said, his voice tinged with excitement. ¡°She¡¯s been practicing like crazy, piano, you know. I barely recognize the house anymore; it¡¯s all scales and melodies every time I walk in. But, man, it¡¯s worth it. You should¡¯ve seen her face when she got the solo part.¡±


    Greg raised an eyebrow. ¡°Solo already? How old is she again?¡±


    ¡°Seven,¡± Theo replied, his grin matching Greg¡¯s. ¡°But she plays like she¡¯s been at it for decades. She¡¯s got this focus, you know? Like nothing else matters when she¡¯s at the keys. It¡¯s...it¡¯s incredible to watch.¡±


    Greg let out a low whistle. ¡°Sounds like you¡¯ve got a future maestro on your hands.¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± Theo said, his smile faltering just slightly as he glanced down at his hands. ¡°Just hope she doesn¡¯t lose that spark, you know? It¡¯s tough, keeping them inspired in a city like this.¡±


    There was a brief pause, the air between them growing heavier despite the light-hearted topic. The hum of the cafeteria filled the silence, punctuated by the occasional clatter of trays and murmured conversations from the other tables.


    Dorian finally looked up; his throat dry as he forced himself to speak. ¡°They sound amazing. Both of them.¡±


    Greg and Theo turned to him, their smiles genuine but tinged with curiosity. ¡°Thanks, Dorian,¡± Greg said, his tone warm. ¡°What about you? How¡¯s Kite doing?¡±


    The question hit like a punch to the gut, though Dorian did his best to mask it. He sat back in his chair, his hand tightening around his fork. ¡°He¡¯s...he¡¯s doing fine,¡± he said, his voice quieter than he intended. ¡°Smart kid. Always has his nose in something, projects, books. Keeps to himself a lot.¡±


    Theo nodded, his gaze softening. ¡°Sounds like he takes after you.¡± Dorian chuckled faintly, though it lacked humor. ¡°Maybe. He¡¯s got a good head on his shoulders, at least. Just wish I could... you know, be around more. This place takes up so much time.¡±


    Greg clapped him on the shoulder, his grin fading into something more understanding. ¡°Hey, you¡¯re doing what you can. Providing for him, giving him a shot in this screwed-up city. That¡¯s what matters.¡±


    Dorian nodded, though the words didn¡¯t bring much comfort. His thoughts drifted to Kite, to the distance that seemed to grow between them with each passing day. He wondered if Kite felt it too, if he resented it.


    ¡°I just hope he knows that¡± Dorian muttered, more to himself than to the others. ¡°He does,¡± Theo said firmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt. ¡°Kids know when they¡¯re loved, even if we don¡¯t always get to show it the way we want to.¡±


    The table fell silent for a moment, the three men lost in their thoughts. Around them, the cafeteria continued its rhythm, the blue holographic displays flickering as they cycled through the same messages.


    Greg broke the silence with a chuckle, picking up his fork again. ¡°Anyway, enough of the heavy stuff. You¡¯ve got a genius in the making at home, Dorian. One of these days, Kite¡¯s going to blow us all away.¡±


    Dorian forced a smile, nodding along as the conversation shifted back to lighter topics. But the weight in his chest remained, a constant reminder of the unspoken truths that lingered beneath the surface.


    The hum of the cafeteria settled into an uneasy quiet as a subtle chime echoed through the room, signaling an incoming announcement. Workers paused mid-conversation, some with forks halfway to their mouths, as the holographic displays on the walls shimmered and shifted. The corporate emblem of Rook Enterprises, a sleek, stylized black bird in flight, now filled the screens. A smooth, authoritative voice followed the chime.


    ¡°Attention, valued employees,¡± the voice began, calm and calculated.Dorian glanced at the others at the table. Greg and Theo had stopped talking, their expressions souring. Around them, a low murmur rippled through the crowd, workers exchanging wary glances.


    ¡°This can¡¯t be good,¡± Greg muttered under his breath, setting his fork down.The voice continued. ¡°This is Rook, your CEO, speaking. First, I want to extend my gratitude for your tireless contributions to Rook Enterprises. Your efforts drive our success and innovation every day.¡±


    The words dripped with hollow sincerity, and a few sarcastic scoffs broke the silence.Dorian¡¯s eyes flicked to one of the displays, where Rook¡¯s image replaced the company logo. The CEO appeared as he always did during these broadcasts: perfectly composed, his tailored black suit unwrinkled, his orange hair slicked back with precision. His sharp eyes and subtle smirk radiated an aura of control that bordered on unsettling.


    ¡°As part of our ongoing initiative to streamline operations and maximize efficiency,¡± Rook continued, ¡°we will be implementing some structural changes effective immediately.¡±The murmurs grew louder, tinged with unease. Theo frowned deeply, his hands clenching into fists on the table.


    Rook¡¯s smirk widened slightly, as if he could feel the tension even through the screens. ¡°To better allocate resources, shifts on the production and repair floors will now be extended by an additional two hours. Compensation adjustments will be communicated to you in due course.¡±


    A chorus of groans and whispered curses erupted throughout the cafeteria. Some workers slammed their trays down in frustration, while others muttered darkly under their breath. ¡°Unbelievable,¡± Greg hissed, shaking his head. ¡°Two more hours, just like that?¡±


    Theo leaned forward, his voice low and biting. ¡°And ¡®compensation adjustments¡¯ means what? A pat on the back? This guy¡¯s a parasite.¡±


    Rook seemed undeterred by the audible discontent. His voice remained steady, almost patronizing. ¡°I understand that change can be challenging, but these measures are essential to ensure Rook Enterprises remains the leader in cutting-edge technology. Together, we will continue to innovate and thrive.¡±


    Someone in the back of the room muttered loudly enough to be heard, ¡°Yeah, thrive while we rot.¡± It drew a few stifled laughs, though the tension remained palpable.


    Rook¡¯s tone shifted, growing colder. ¡°I trust that each of you will rise to meet these expectations with the same dedication and resilience that defines the Rook Enterprises family. Remember: the work we do here is not just for today, but for the future we are building together.¡±


    The broadcast ended abruptly, the logo returning to the displays as the cafeteria filled with bitter conversations. ¡°This is getting ridiculous,¡± Theo growled, his face red with anger. ¡°Two more hours? Like we¡¯re not already working ourselves to the bone.¡±


    Greg shook his head, his jaw tight. ¡°Yeah, and for what? Barely enough creds to get by while Rook lines his pockets.¡± Dorian stayed quiet; his gaze fixed on his plate. The announcement gnawed at him, not just because of the extra hours but because of what it meant for Kite. Less time at home. Less time to bridge the growing gap between them.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Greg said, nudging him with an elbow. ¡°You good, Dorian?¡± He nodded slowly, though his mind was elsewhere. ¡°Yeah. Just...thinking.¡±


    Theo scoffed, gesturing toward one of the displays. ¡°Don¡¯t waste your energy on that bastard. He doesn¡¯t care about us, never has.¡±


    Dorian looked up, his expression hardening. ¡°Maybe not, but this...this isn¡¯t sustainable. Something¡¯s got to give.¡±


    Greg and Theo exchanged a glance, their frustration mirrored in their eyes. Around them, the cafeteria buzzed with the simmering anger of a workforce pushed too far. Yet even amidst the discontent, there was a sense of resignation, a reminder that in this world, rebellion often came with a heavy cost.


    Dorian leaned back in his chair; his fists clenched under the table. In the back of his mind, a thought began to form, a dangerous, unspoken truth: they couldn¡¯t keep living like this. Something would have to change.

 Chapter 9: The angels born in hell

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 Chapter 10: Lethal parenting

    Bryce lounged lazily in the restaurant¡¯s retro-futuristic booth; his legs sprawled arrogantly across the table. He popped his gum with a sharp snap, staring out the window as neon lights from the bustling undercity cast shifting patterns across his face. Mona¡¯s incessant complaining buzzed in the background, blending with the hum of the restaurant''s robotic servers. She sat across from him, aggressively spooning mushroom soup into her mouth, her irritation palpable.


    Bryce has pale skin, few freckles, hazel eyes and messy brown hair. His outfit is a bold mix of style and practicality, heavily inspired by his love of adventure and ancient culture. He wears a sleek, deep burgundy leather jacket with subtle metallic accents along the shoulders and cuffs. The unzipped jacket has a slightly worn-in look, with scuff marks that hint at years of use, and features multiple pockets for storing tools or gadgets.


    The Moon Hawks¡¯ white crescent emblem is stitched onto the back of his jacket, marking his loyalty to his gang. Underneath the jacket, Bryce sports a fitted black t-shirt. His black, ripped jeans are made from a durable, flexible material, blending edgy style with the utility needed for navigating the undercity. The jeans have reinforced panels at the knees and thighs, as well as small zippers and pockets for carrying essentials.


    On his feet, he wears rugged black boots with mid-calf height, crafted from waterproof material. The boots feature glowing strips along the soles that light up in different colors for varying modes. One of Bryce¡¯s more favorite modes to use is the lightweight magnetic grips, perfect for scaling metal surfaces or maneuvering through tricky terrain.


    A slim utility belt wraps around his waist, equipped with pouches for snacks, a multi tool, and handheld holo-projectors he uses as decoys. Around his neck, Bryce wears a pair of matte black, retro-futuristic headphones with glowing teal accents, which double as a communicator for staying in touch with his gang. Fingerless leather gloves with built-in touchpads on the palms complete the look, allowing him to interact with tech interfaces on the go. He also wears a small silver crescent moon pendant, a subtle nod to the Moon Hawks.


    Meanwhile, Mona Flowers, is an African American chimera with dark curly hair. Her apparel is a striking blend of regality and practicality, designed to highlight her commanding presence while allowing for unrestricted movement in combat. Her outfit reflects her hybrid nature, with a style that balances elegance, functionality, and the subtle menace of her scarab DNA.


    Mona wears a tailored, high-collared jacket made of iridescent, chitin-like material that shifts colors between deep emerald and sapphire under the light. The jacket fits snugly at her waist, flaring out slightly at the hips to allow full range of motion. Thin, decorative gold filigree lines the seams and cuffs, resembling scarab wing patterns. The shoulders are slightly raised, giving her a regal silhouette, while hidden slits at the back allow her retractable wings to emerge without tearing the fabric. Along with the emblem of a sun rests on her jackets back.


    Beneath the jacket, she wears a lightweight, form-fitting combat suit made of a durable, flexible material that mimics organic chitin but is soft against her skin. The suit is black with subtle gold and green accents that shimmer when she moves. It offers protection against minor attacks while ensuring her agility isn¡¯t compromised. Intricate geometric designs, inspired by ancient scarab iconography, are etched along the arms and legs, giving the suit an air of sophistication.


    Her combat pants are slim yet flexible, reinforced at the knees and thighs with panels of lightweight armor to protect against blows. The material has a matte black finish, with golden thread subtly woven into the seams to match the rest of her outfit. Small, concealed pockets are integrated into the design for carrying essentials without adding bulk.


    Mona¡¯s boots are mid-calf, sleek, and made of a lightweight but highly durable alloy. The soles are equipped with retractable spikes, providing excellent grip on a variety of surfaces. For her accessories she wears She wears fingerless gloves made of the same flexible material as her combat suit, with chitin-like plating across the knuckles and forearms for added protection. The gloves allow her to use her sharp, claw-like nails in combat without hindrance.


    A wide, ornamental belt cinches her waist, featuring a golden scarab emblem at the center. The belt houses small compartments for throwing blades, vials, or other compact tools she might need in a fight. Draped over one shoulder is a short, asymmetrical cape made of lightweight, flowing fabric with a shimmering green and gold pattern. While primarily decorative, the cape¡¯s material is tear-resistant, and it¡¯s designed to detach easily if grabbed during a fight.


    She also wears a slim gold circlet around her head, just above her brow, hidden beneath her hair, with a single emerald-shaped gem at its center. This piece accentuates her royal demeanor without being cumbersome in combat. Small golden cuffs on her wrists and ankles complete the look, their etched designs resembling scarab wings and shells.


    The diner was a strange mix of old-school charm and futuristic innovation. Chrome fixtures lined the walls, and vintage jukeboxes hummed beside sleek, holographic menus. Robot slaves, with polished metal shells and glowing optics, shuffled around the space alongside weary human waitstaff, both working tirelessly to serve their eclectic clientele.


    ¡°You¡¯re not even listening, are you?!¡± Mona¡¯s shout sliced through the air, drawing attention from the tables around them. Her sudden outburst startled the robotic baby laying on the table between them, its pale robotic face twisting into an exaggerated wail.


    Bryce sighed theatrically, blowing another bubble before letting it pop with deliberate disinterest. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, what was that? Couldn¡¯t hear you over the sound of the music, bug eyes,¡± he retorted, not even bothering to look at her.


    Mona froze, her hazel eyes narrowing in fury as her hands clenched into fists. ¡°I told you to stop calling me that years ago!¡± she growled through gritted teeth.


    Bryce smirked, finally bringing his legs down from the table and sitting upright. He casually slipped his hand into his jacket, his movements deliberately slow as if daring her to react. ¡°Really? Can¡¯t say I recall,¡± he replied smoothly, his tone dripping with mock innocence.


    Mona¡¯s gaze followed his hand as her own instinctively went to the inside of her jacket. She sighed heavily, already regretting the partnership. ¡°Of all the people I could¡¯ve been stuck with, how the hell did it have to be you?¡± she muttered, her voice thick with irritation.


    Bryce shrugged lazily, leaning back in his seat. ¡°Fate works in mysterious ways,¡± he quipped. Before she could fire back, chaos erupted in the restaurant. ¡°Everyone, hands in the air! Now!¡± a masked man shouted, his voice cutting through the ambient chatter. He and a few others strode into the diner, each brandishing a sleek ray gun pulled from their jackets.


    The human and robotic workers froze mid-task. The customers, some halfway through bites of food, slowly raised their hands, a mixture of fear and weary resignation on their faces. For many, however, this was just another day in the undercity.


    ¡°Sure, fucking feels like fate,¡± Mona muttered under her breath, seemingly unbothered by the unfolding scene. Bryce didn¡¯t even flinch, tapping his fingers idly against the table as music blasted from his headphones. ¡°For real, though. Don¡¯t even get me started on Ms. Lena,¡± Mona continued, her voice rising with frustration as she leaned back in her seat.


    Bryce raised a brow, finally showing a flicker of interest. ¡°What¡¯s her deal now?¡± ¡°Bitch won¡¯t even let me chew gum in class. Says it¡¯s a ¡®distraction.¡¯ Like, seriously? It¡¯s a fucking stress reliever!¡± ¡°Classic Lena,¡± Bryce agreed, feigning sympathy as the masked men continued to threaten the room while waving his gun around.


    ¡°I swear, every damn day it¡¯s the same thing! ¡®Responsibility this, consequences that.¡¯ It¡¯s so fucking annoying!¡± Mona punctuated her words with a fist slammed against the table, causing the robotic baby to emit a soft whimper.


    ¡°Preach,¡± Bryce muttered, lazily adjusting his jacket collar. One of the masked men, his patience clearly worn thin, stomped over to their booth and slammed the barrel of his ray gun onto the table, pointing it squarely at Mona. ¡°You deaf or something, girl?¡± he barked.


    Mona didn¡¯t even look at him, too busy ranting. ¡°Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m talking here? Or are you in a hurry to die?¡± she snapped, her voice dripping with venom.


    ¡°Oh yeah?¡± The man sneered, shifting his aim to the robotic baby between them. ¡°How about I just take out this weird-ass baby, then?¡±


    Mona and Bryce exchanged a quick glance, their mutual smirks speaking volumes. In one fluid motion, they both drew their weapons with superhuman speed. Bryce fired first, the blue plasma bolt piercing the man¡¯s skull with surgical precision. Mona¡¯s shot followed a split second later, a flash of green light ensuring the man hit the ground without another word.


    The remaining masked men froze, their looting forgotten as they stared at the two teenagers in stunned silence. ¡°After you, bug eyes,¡± Bryce said calmly, his signature smirk firmly in place as a second ray gun materialized in his free hand.


    ¡°Fuck off!¡± Mona shrieked in fury, her wings bursting from her back in a blur of shimmering blue-green. With a powerful beat, she launched herself into the air, her sharp nails gleaming as she dove toward the remaining men with pure malice.


    The air filled with chaos as Mona launched herself at the masked men, her wings humming with an eerie, metallic buzz. They shimmered with a rainbow-like iridescence, reflecting the harsh fluorescent lights of the diner. The men scrambled, their bravado instantly replaced with panic as they fumbled with their ray guns, trying to take aim at the hybrid hurtling toward them.


    The first man barely had time to react before Mona¡¯s claws sliced through his throat in one swift motion. Blood sprayed across the chrome walls as his body crumpled to the ground, his weapon clattering uselessly beside him. The other men screamed in terror, their fear palpable as they opened fire.


    Bright streaks of plasma lit up the diner, scorching walls and shattering plates, but Mona was already a blur of movement. She darted through the air, twisting and flipping with insect-like precision, her wings carrying her faster than their eyes could track.


    A second man screamed as Mona slammed into him, her clawed feet tearing through his chest like paper. His ray gun fired wildly into the ceiling before slipping from his lifeless hand. Mona¡¯s hazel eyes, now glowing faintly, locked onto the third man, who was desperately trying to back away.


    ¡°Stay the fuck away from me!¡± he shouted, his voice cracking as he stumbled over a fallen chair. He fired repeatedly, but Mona zigzagged through the air, each shot missing her by inches. She landed on him with a sickening crunch, her claws digging into his shoulders as she drove him to the floor.


    ¡°Aw, such a pity,¡± Mona hissed, her voice dripping with mockery. She leaned in close, her wings fluttering ominously as she stared into his terrified eyes. ¡°I was just starting to have fun.¡± With a flick of her wrist, her claws found his neck, and his screams were cut short as blood pooled beneath him.


    The last two men tried to run, abandoning their loot and bolting for the exit. Bryce, still lounging in the booth, watched with mild amusement as one of them tripped over a fallen table. ¡°Leaving so soon?¡± Bryce called out lazily, spinning one of his ray guns on his finger.


    But Mona was too fast for the men. She swooped down, her wings kicking up a gust of wind that sent napkins and overturned chairs flying. She grabbed one man by the back of his jacket and yanked him off his feet, tossing him effortlessly across the room. He slammed into the wall with a sickening thud, his body crumpling to the floor.


    The final man made It to the door, his trembling hand reaching for the handle. Mona¡¯s wings let out a sharp, mechanical whir as she rocketed forward, slamming him against the glass with enough force to crack it. He whimpered, his breath fogging the glass as he clawed at her arms.


    ¡°Please! Don¡¯t kill me!¡± he begged, tears streaming down his face.


    Mona tilted her head, her glowing eyes narrowing as a smirk tugged at her lips. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Weren¡¯t you big and bad a minute ago?¡± She slammed his head into the glass again, the crack spreading like a spider web.


    ¡°Enough, bug eyes,¡± Bryce called out, finally standing and adjusting his jacket. ¡°Finish him off already so we can go.¡± Mona huffed, rolling her eyes but relenting.


    With a flick of her claws, she ended the man¡¯s misery, his body slumping to the floor. The diner fell silent except for the faint buzz of Mona¡¯s wings as she hovered back to the booth.


    She landed gracefully, folding her wings neatly behind her back as she picked up her bowl of mushroom soup. ¡°Fucking amateurs,¡± she muttered, taking a sip as if nothing had happened.


    Bryce smirked as he carried the robotic crying baby¡¯s cradle in his hand. Around them, the diner workers and customers began to cautiously move again, their faces pale as they avoided looking directly at the blood-smeared girl. ¡°Should¡¯ve stayed home today,¡± Bryce muttered to himself, shaking his head as he stood with a grin.


    The narrow streets of the undercity buzzed with life, a chaotic blend of neon signs, holographic advertisements, and the clatter of machinery. Towering above were crisscrossed metal walkways and pipes that hissed steam, casting faint shadows on the grime-covered ground below. The air was thick with the scent of oil, burnt wires, and street food as Mona and Bryce weaved through the crowded alleys, their banter echoing amid the cacophony of street vendors hawking wares, chimera¡¯s, and bounty hunters.


    ¡°Face it, the Moon Hawks are just a bunch of wannabes,¡± Mona said, her voice dripping with smugness. She adjusted her jacket, the Sun Crawlers¡¯ radiant sun emblem catching the light. ¡°You all act like you¡¯re so tough, but you¡¯re more about flashiness than actual action.¡±


    Bryce snorted, popping his gum with a loud crack as he stuffed his free hand in his pocket. While he carried the Cradle in his other hand. ¡°Oh, please. At least we don¡¯t run around pretending we¡¯re some kind of noble heroes, like you Sun Crawlers. ¡®Purifying the undercity,¡¯¡± he mocked, raising his hands dramatically. ¡°What a joke.¡±


    Mona rolled her eyes, her wings twitching slightly beneath her jacket. ¡°It¡¯s called having a purpose, dumbass. We don¡¯t just sit around picking fights and stealing scrap. We¡¯re out here trying to make this place livable. What do you Moon Hawks do? Graffiti and scavenge?¡±


    Bryce stopped, turning to her with an exaggerated look of offense. ¡°Excuse me? First of all, our graffiti is art. Second, we¡¯ve done plenty for the undercity! Like¡­ uh¡­¡± He trailed off, snapping his fingers. ¡°Like keeping these streets clear of punks like you.¡±


    Mona let out a sharp laugh, drawing the attention of a passing merchant who quickly scurried away upon seeing her claws. ¡°Right, because shooting up businesses and pissing off everyone in the city is really making a good difference.¡±


    Bryce shrugged, smirking. ¡°Hey, someone¡¯s gotta keep life interesting. Besides, at least we don¡¯t go around preaching like we¡¯re the undercity¡¯s saviors. Your leader, what¡¯s his name? Blaze? Flare?¡±


    ¡°Scara,¡± Mona corrected, her voice growing colder. ¡°And she¡¯s ten times the leader yours will ever be. At least she¡¯s got vision, not just a penchant for leather jackets and stealing.¡±


    Bryce chuckled, leaning closer with a smug grin. ¡°Oh, yeah? What¡¯s her vision? Turning the undercity into a day spa? Because last I checked, things are still pretty shitty down here.¡±


    Mona¡¯s eyes narrowed, glowing faintly in the dim light. ¡°Better than your Moon Hawks, who only care about themselves. We¡¯re out here trying to unite people, Bryce. You guys are just another gang in a long line of gangs keeping this place fractured.¡±


    Bryce opened his mouth to retort but paused, looking up as they passed under a massive holographic ad projected onto a rusty wall. The ad flickered, showing a middle aged, clean-cut man with orange hair, holding a glowing tablet. ¡°Building a Better Tomorrow, join Rook Enterprises Today!¡± the voiceover boomed, almost mocking in its artificial cheerfulness.


    Bryce pointed up at it, his smirk fading into a more serious expression. ¡°You see that? That¡¯s who¡¯s really keeping this city fractured. Rook, Phyllo, Aves, Syn, all those bastards up top. Doesn¡¯t matter what we do down here; they¡¯ve already written us off.¡±


    Mona glanced at the ad, her jaw tightening. ¡°Which is why we need to stand up to them. Together, the Sun Crawlers could lead-¡±


    ¡°Together?¡± Bryce interrupted, letting out a sharp laugh. ¡°Oh, come on, Mona. You really think your gang and mine are gonna hold hands and sing kumbaya? Get real. The second you Sun Crawlers got the upper hand; you¡¯d turn on us in a heartbeat.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s rich coming from a Moon Hawk,¡± Mona shot back, her tone biting. ¡°You¡¯d sell your own mother for a better stash of parts.¡± Bryce grinned, unbothered by the jab. ¡°If it was a really good stash, maybe.¡±


    They continued walking, the argument simmering as the streets grew darker, illuminated only by the faint glow of neon signs advertising cheap augments, black-market tech, and dubious food stands.


    ¡°You know,¡± Mona said after a moment, her voice quieter, ¡°the undercity wasn¡¯t always like this. My grandma used to tell me stories about how people used to care for each other, back before the people up top turned us into their dumping ground.¡±


    Bryce glanced at her, surprised by the sudden shift in tone. ¡°Yeah, well¡­ my grampa used to say the same thing. Guess that¡¯s what happens when you let the rich call the shots.¡±


    For a brief moment, the two walked in silence, their usual bickering replaced by a shared bitterness toward the world that had shaped them. Then Bryce, ever the instigator, couldn¡¯t resist breaking the tension. ¡°But for real, bug eyes, when the Moon Hawks take over the undercity, maybe we¡¯ll give you Sun Crawlers a little slice of the action. You know, out of charity.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Bryce replied with a mock bow. ¡°I try.¡± The sounds of the bustling undercity swallowed their voices as they disappeared into the crowd, their argument continuing like clockwork. Despite their lifelong rivalry, there was an undeniable rhythm to their bickering.


    The neon haze of the undercity flickered in the narrow alleyway as Bryce and Mona strolled casually, the glow of their respective gang emblems dim against the overwhelming light pollution. Their earlier argument had shifted to a new topic, food.


    ¡°I¡¯m just saying,¡± Bryce began, lazily tossing the cradle from one hand to the other, ¡°if you¡¯re gonna eat mushroom soup, you might as well just gnaw on the garbage it came from. Same taste, less effort.¡±


    Mona shot him a glare, her wings twitching beneath her jacket. ¡°First of all, it¡¯s not garbage, it¡¯s street cuisine. Second, if I wanted your opinion on food, I¡¯d ask¡­ which I didn¡¯t.¡±


    Bryce smirked, popping a piece of gum into his mouth. ¡°Fine, keep defending your weird fungus water. Meanwhile, I¡¯ll be over here eating actual food, like a normal person.¡±


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t know real food if it slapped you,¡± Mona retorted, her voice dripping with disdain. ¡°What do you even eat? Instant noodles and vending machine snacks?¡±


    Their banter faded as they reached the end of the alleyway, finding themselves blocked by a rusted chain-link fence and a stack of forgotten crates. They paused, the faint hum of distant machinery filling the silence.


    ¡°Well, this was a waste of time,¡± Mona muttered, turning on her heel. Bryce followed, shrugging. ¡°Guess we¡¯ll just-¡±


    The sound of soft mechanical whirs and the low hum of energy weapons filled the air, cutting Bryce off mid-sentence. From the shadows, two figures emerged, their outlines sharp against the glow of the many hovering drones that flanked them.


    ¡°Looks like we¡¯re popular today,¡± Bryce quipped, his tone light but his posture shifting ever so slightly.The first bounty hunter, clad in a sleek helmet with glowing crimson eyes, chuckled as he raised two ray gun pistols. ¡°Well, well, well. Who would¡¯ve thought you two of all people would be hanging together?¡±


    The second bounty hunter, a chimera with chitinous armor-like skin and mandible-like appendages along his jawline, pointed one clawed hand toward the cradle Bryce held. ¡°And with a baby no less!¡± He let out a rasping laugh. ¡°We hit the jackpot!¡±


    The helmeted bounty hunter¡¯s voice was thick with malice as he tilted his head. ¡°Two gang brats to kill and a baby to sell off. Rook is gonna pay us real good for this haul.¡±Mona cracked her neck, her grin widening into something borderline feral. ¡°You hunters never learn, do you?¡± She took a step forward, her wings erupting from her back with a burst of iridescent light.


    Bryce, unbothered, adjusted the cradle in his hand as his headphones shifted and molded around most of his head. Transforming into a sleek, futuristic helmet that let his messy brown hair hang out. His voice, now slightly modulated, carried a teasing lilt. ¡°Race ya!¡±


    With that, his hover boots roared to life, lifting him off the ground in a flash. He zipped skyward, narrowly avoiding a volley of energy blasts from the helmeted bounty hunter, who howled with laughter before launching into the air after him, his swarm of drones whirring and flashing as they gave chase.


    The chimera bounty hunter and Mona remained in the alleyway, their gazes locking as the chaos unfolded above.¡°Just you and me now, princess,¡± the chimera sneered, raising his ray gun revolver.Mona¡¯s grin stretched wider, her hazel eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. ¡°Know your place!¡±


    Before the bounty hunter could react, Mona launched forward with a deafening crack of speed, her wings propelling her faster than the eye could track. His shot went wide as she weaved through the air, her claws slashing through his armor like skin. Spilling yellowish liquid onto the Alley¡¯s walls.


    The chimera screamed as he stumbles backwards. ¡°Y-you¡¯re gonna regret that, bug-girl!¡± he roared, swinging a chitinous fist at her.Mona dodged effortlessly, her laugh sharp and mocking. ¡°Bug-girl? That¡¯s the best you¡¯ve got? How original!¡±


    With a single punch, Mona sent the chimera crashing through the wall of a nearby store across the alleyway, shattering glass and sending debris flying. The patrons inside screamed and scattered as Mona followed through, her wings slicing through the air as she dove toward him like a predator on its prey.


    As Mona plummets from the sky, her wings folding back like a missile locking onto its target, she aims to drive the Chimera¡¯s head into the ground with lethal precision. But just as her boot nears its mark, the Chimera rolls away at the last possible moment, dodging her attack by a hair¡¯s breadth. Her foot slams into the ground with explosive force, sending cracks spider-webbing across the pavement as a shockwave ripples through the air. Bits of concrete and dust burst upward in chaotic spirals, but Mona doesn¡¯t lose a beat.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Before the debris even begins to fall, Mona¡¯s head snaps toward the Chimera, her malevolent grin widening as her glowing eyes pierce through the haze like twin embers. The Chimera¡¯s instincts betray him, his eyes widen in primal terror as he scrambles clumsily to his feet.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going anywhere,¡± Mona growls, her voice dripping with predatory glee. She lunges forward in a blur, her leg swinging out in a fluid arc. Her foot connects with the side of his head with a gut-wrenching crunch, sending the Chimera hurtling like a ragdoll deeper into the store. He crashes through shelves stocked with outdated tech gadgets and neon-lit snack displays, scattering merchandise and sending panicked customers diving for cover.


    Before the Chimera can even catch his breath, Mona is already closing in, her movements fluid and unrelenting. He forces himself into a desperate roll, his feet skidding across the glossy floor as he raises his arms just in time to block her incoming right hook. The force of her punch reverberates through his arms, leaving them trembling under the sheer power behind her strike. Even with his enhanced reflexes, the impact sends him flying backward.


    The Chimera¡¯s body rockets out of the store and into the busy streets of the undercity. He slams into the side of a speeding hover car, his body crumpling the sleek metallic surface like paper. The vehicle careens out of control, smashing into another car in a cascade of sparks and screeching metal. The chaos sends bystanders scattering, their shouts blending into the cacophony of alarms and grinding engines.


    Mona steps out of the store slowly, her wings folding behind her, giving her the silhouette of a dark, vengeful deity against the neon-lit skyline of the undercity. Her glowing eyes lock onto the Chimera as he struggles to peel himself off the crumpled vehicle, his movements sluggish and pained.


    ¡°Aw, you¡¯re still moving?¡± Mona taunts, her voice dripping with mock sympathy as she begins to stalk toward him, each step deliberate and menacing. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll have to fix that.¡±


    Mona¡¯s fingers curl around the bright yellow sign, its bold ¡°SLOW DOWN¡± lettering a cruel irony to the chaos around her. With a sharp tug, she wrenches it free from the concrete, sending cracks splintering outward. The pole groans in protest as she twists it in her grip, bending the metal as if it were no stronger than wet clay. Each step she takes toward the Chimera echoes ominously in the hushed aftermath of what can''t even be considered a battle, the metallic clang of her boots on the pavement like a death knell.


    The Chimera, bloodied and broken, scrambles weakly on the ground, his enhanced body failing to obey his desperate commands. His hands claw at the air as if to ward her off. ¡°No¡­ please, stop!¡± he pleads, his voice cracking with raw terror. His movements grow more frantic as she approaches, her towering silhouette illuminated by the eerie glow of neon signs and the shattered headlights of wrecked cars.


    Mona¡¯s grin only widens, her teeth glinting like a predator savoring the kill. The Chimera¡¯s words are meaningless noise to her now. She tilts her head slightly, her glowing eyes drinking in the scene as if relishing his suffering.


    ¡°So long,¡± she whispers coldly, her voice devoid of mercy, before hefting the twisted sign with one hand. With terrifying precision, she hurls it forward. The pole whistles through the air, a deadly blur of yellow and metal. It strikes the Chimera¡¯s skull with a sickening crack, the force driving it clean through his head and pinning him to the crumpled car behind him. His body goes limp instantly, the faint neon glow of his cybernetic enhancements flickering and dying as blood pools beneath him.


    A crimson splatter paints Mona¡¯s face, and she pauses, licking her lips with an unnaturally long tongue to clean the mess. The metallic tang of blood lingers on her tongue as she tilts her head back, savoring the quiet moment of victory.


    Her attention shifts upward, her malevolent grin fading as she watches the chaos above. Far in the distance, Bryce rockets through the undercity¡¯s smog-filled sky, his hover boots leaving streaks of glowing energy in their wake. A massive swarm of drones with no end in sight, undulates like a mechanical worm, chases him relentlessly, their formation twisting and reshaping to match his evasive maneuvers.


    Mona narrows her eyes, wings twitching slightly. The sight of Bryce¡¯s distant figure darting through the air brings an almost annoyed smirk to her face.


    ¡°Show-off,¡± she mutters under her breath, wiping the last streak of blood from her cheek with a finger before flicking it to the ground. Her wings unfurl once more, glinting menacingly in the city¡¯s dim light as she prepares to take off, leaving behind the lifeless body of the Chimera and the wreckage of their brief but brutal encounter.


    Bryce flew high above the undercity, the faint hum of his hover boots intensifying as they propelled him at breakneck speed. The air was thick with smog, neon signs flickering erratically as if warning him of the chaos that trailed behind. Clutched tightly in his right arm was the closed cradle, its sleek black surface reflecting the pale glow of the sunlight peeking through the towering megastructures. In his left hand, his ray gun glimmered with faint energy, its barrel sweeping back and forth as if daring the swarm to get closer.


    Behind him, the massive worm-shaped amalgamation of drones twisted and roared like a mechanical leviathan, its segmented body constantly shifting. The drones seamlessly reconfigured, forming spiraling loops and elongated shapes to slither through the maze of the undercity without obliterating the buildings entirely. Yet the sheer force of its pursuit wasn¡¯t without collateral damage, walls buckled, windows shattered, and rooftops groaned under the weight of its passing, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.


    Bryce glanced back briefly, his hazel eyes narrowing behind his helmet as he watched the swarm gaining on him. ¡°Persistent bastard,¡± he muttered, a smirk tugging at his lips despite the danger. With a sharp twist, he dove downward, plummeting toward the glowing streets below.


    As he neared the ground, Bryce shifted his weight, letting the hover boots disengage into a different mode. His boots made contact with the asphalt with a resounding screech, sparks flying in all directions as he skated along the road at dizzying speed. The ground beneath him trembled slightly, his movements a blur of precision as he weaved between abandoned vehicles and streetlights. Neon billboards flashed overhead, illuminating his path as he zigzagged through the undercity.


    The worm of drones adjusted, its segments compressing and elongating as it pursued him through the narrow streets. Its mechanical ¡°head¡± loomed ominously, glowing red sensors scanning for its prey. Buildings quaked under the strain, their once-smooth surfaces now marred with deep gouges and cracks where the drones scraped against them.


    Bryce Shot a glance upward at the monstrosity. He swung the ray gun upward, firing off several plasma bursts. The shots struck a few drones, sending sparks flying as they spiraled out of control and crashed into the sides of buildings, but the swarm barely faltered.


    The cradle in his arm emitted a faint hum, its energy field vibrating slightly as if sensing the chaos. Bryce adjusted his grip, holding it close to his chest as he leaned into a sharp turn, the sparks from his boots lighting up the alleyway he darted through. The worm followed relentlessly, its segments splitting momentarily to avoid a direct collision with the towering structures around it.


    At the end of the alley, Bryce¡¯s hover boots roared back to life. He kicked off the ground with a burst of energy, launching himself skyward once more. The transition was seamless, one moment, he was skating across the gritty roads, and the next, he was soaring above the city, the lights below shrinking into a kaleidoscope of colors.


    The worm gave chase, unfurling like a predator scenting blood. Its sheer size was almost hypnotic, each segment bristling with weaponry and glowing panels as it reshaped itself to match Bryce¡¯s every maneuver. Bryce spiraled upward, his trajectory a dizzying mix of loops and sharp dives, each movement designed to keep the swarm guessing.


    ¡°Alright, wormy,¡± he said, glancing at the writhing mass behind him. ¡°You¡¯re fast, but let¡¯s see if you¡¯ve got moves.¡± With a sharp turn, Bryce angled himself toward one of the megastructures, flying dangerously close to its surface as he scaled upwards. The drones followed, their formation compacting as they twisted along the skyscraper¡¯s edges, their glowing sensors reflecting off the sleek metal walls.


    As Bryce soared above the megastructure at breakneck speed, the giant square hole in the undercity¡¯s sky came into view, a massive aperture leading directly to Horizon Heights, the shining metropolis above. The harsh, artificial glow of the undercity dimmed as sunlight poured through the opening, casting golden beams onto the decaying metal and grime below. The sight of natural light, rare and almost otherworldly in the undercity, briefly illuminated Bryce¡¯s helmet.


    He stole a glance behind him at the relentless writhing mass of drones, a seemingly endless serpentine amalgamation screeching in unison as it pursued him with deadly precision. ¡°Alright, time to wrap this up,¡± Bryce muttered under his breath, setting his hover boots into overdrive. With a burst of energy, the boots flared to life, their thrusters emitting a piercing whine as he rocketed toward the glowing portal above.


    The drones, undeterred, began firing energy blasts in rapid succession. Vibrant beams of plasma streaked through the air around him, close enough to scorch his jacket. With precise, instinctive movements, Bryce dodged the onslaught, weaving through the air like a dancer in a deadly performance. His path twisted and spiraled, his trajectory making it nearly impossible for the drones to lock onto him.


    As he approached the giant hole in the sky at Mach speeds, Bryce dematerialized his ray gun with a flick of his wrist. His hand dove into his pocket, pulling out a handful of pebble-sized nuclear explosives. Their dull, unassuming appearance belied their destructive potential, the faint hum of their activation the only warning of their power.


    ¡°Time to taste my party favors,¡± Bryce quipped, his voice steady despite the chaos. With a practiced flick of his hand, he released the bombs, letting them fall like harmless debris. The drones, their sensors locked onto his every movement, swallowed the tiny devices into the mass of their writhing form.


    A fraction of a second later, the bombs detonated. A series of blinding flashes erupted within the drone swarm, the force of the explosions tearing through its body. The bounty hunter piloting the swarm, who was encased in a sleek, giant reinforced bubble at its core, let out a guttural, distorted scream as the shockwaves rattled his frame. Shards of drones and molten fragments rained down, their mechanical death cries echoing through the undercity.


    Bryce, still speeding toward the hole, felt the scorching heat of the explosion at his back. The concussive force propelled him forward, but he barely flinched. His boots flared again as he surged through the massive aperture, narrowly outrunning the cascading destruction behind him.


    Emerging into Horizon Heights, Bryce was momentarily blinded by the brilliant blue sky. The stark contrast to the undercity was jarring, the towering glass skyscrapers, pristine streets, and gleaming white marble sidewalks were a stark reminder of the disparity between the worlds. But he had no time for reflection.


    As gravity took hold, he plummeted toward the city below. With a resounding crash, Bryce landed on the marble pavement, the impact sending a web of cracks radiating from the point of contact. Dust and debris billowed around him as startled pedestrians in fancy outfits gasped and scattered. Slowly, Bryce straightened, his hover boots steaming and the baby cradle still secure in his grip.


    He adjusted his jacket with his free hand and casually dusted off his shoulder, his expression as nonchalant as ever. ¡°Smooth as ever,¡± he muttered, smirking to himself as he took in the shocked faces of the onlookers.


    But just as Bryce was about to stroll through the gleaming streets of Horizon Heights to bask in the temporary calm of his escape, his helmet¡¯s internal speaker crackled to life. A familiar voice, sharp and accusatory, burst through the silence.


    ¡°What the fuck, Bryce!? You damn near killed the baby!¡± Mona¡¯s furious shout echoed inside his helmet, making him wince.


    Bryce let out an exaggerated sigh as he began walking and answered with his usual nonchalance. ¡°What are you on about? I¡¯ve got the baby safe and secure right here.¡± He lifted the cradle slightly as if to emphasize his point, his tone calm and collected.


    ¡°Oh, really?¡± Mona shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Then maybe you can explain why I just got an alert on my watch saying the baby¡¯s health is at 30 percent!¡±


    Bryce froze mid-step, the smug grin evaporating from his face. His gaze dropped to the cradle in his arm, his heart sinking as he muttered, ¡°Ah, crap, um-¡±


    ¡°You actual fucking idiot!¡± Mona screamed, cutting him off. ¡°We¡¯re going to fail this assignment because of you! Do you have any idea how much this grade means for us? For me?!¡±


    Bryce rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, his helmet distorting the movement slightly. ¡°Relax, relax, I know a guy. He can fix this. No big deal.¡± He injected as much casual confidence into his voice as possible, hoping to defuse Mona¡¯s rage.


    Mona¡¯s exasperated sigh came through loud and clear. ¡°Uh-huh. You know a guy. Great. That¡¯s so reassuring.¡± Her voice was thick with skepticism. ¡°Send me the coordinates or, I swear, I¡¯ll put another hit on your head.¡±


    Before Bryce could respond, she ended the call abruptly. The line went dead, leaving him standing there with the cradle in one arm and a sour expression on his face.


    He rolled his eyes under his helmet and muttered to himself as he started walking again, his boots clinking faintly against the marble pavement. ¡°Bitch.¡±


    The city around him buzzed with activity. Horizon Heights was a glittering utopia compared to the undercity, with sleek, angular architecture that reflected the sunlight in dazzling patterns. Hover vehicles glided silently through the air, and impeccably dressed pedestrians walked briskly along spotless sidewalks. Yet, despite its pristine appearance, Bryce knew the city¡¯s polished veneer was just a mask for the same corruption and greed that plagued the world below.


    As Bryce¡¯s helmet transformed back into headphones around his neck, he navigated through the streets with purpose, dodging the occasional glance from suspicious cyborg cops patrolling the area. He glanced down at the cradle again, now hyperaware of its contents. The baby¡¯s health monitor blinked faintly, the numbers fluctuating but still dangerously low.


    ¡°Alright, kid,¡± he murmured under his breath. ¡°Hang in there. Uncle Bryce has got this.¡±


    About ten minutes later Bryce would then approach the tech shop, a squat, unassuming building sandwiched between two gleaming chrome skyscrapers. Its neon sign blinked erratically, reading ¡°MechMedic Repairs & Mods¡± in bold green letters.


    The shop was clearly meant for utility rather than aesthetic appeal; its exterior was weathered, with patches of exposed circuitry sparking faintly along the edges of the entrance. Bits of scrap metal and old drone parts littered the ground near the doorway, their twisted forms a testament to years of hurried repairs and discarded projects.


    As Bryce got closer, his headphones sensors picked up the faint hum of machinery from inside, accompanied by occasional bursts of welding sparks flashing through the shop¡¯s grimy windows. His eyes flicked to the figure leaning against the wall by the entrance. Mona stood there, arms crossed, her piercing gaze locking onto him as soon as he came into view.


    ¡°My, aren¡¯t you fast?¡± Bryce quipped, a sly grin creeping across his face as he shifted the baby cradle to his other arm.


    Mona didn¡¯t respond, her eyes narrowing in cold silence before she pushed off the wall and strode into the shop without a word. Bryce chuckled under his breath, shaking his head as he followed. ¡°Charming as ever,¡± he muttered, stepping through the entrance.


    Inside, the shop was a chaotic maze of metal and wires. The air smelled of ozone and grease, a thick, industrial scent that clung to everything. Rows of shelves lined the walls, each packed with an assortment of tech: robotic limbs, drone components, glowing power cores, and cybernetic implants, many of them sparking faintly or humming with residual energy.


    Several shelves sagged under the weight of their contents, threatening to collapse under the sheer volume of discarded hardware. The centerpiece of the shop was a large circular workbench that dominated the floor space, its surface a battlefield of tools, half-finished projects, and open panels spilling wires. A robotic arm attached to the ceiling hovered above the bench, whirring softly as it moved to grip a welding tool. Sparks occasionally flew as the arm worked on a mechanical limb, its movements precise and almost hypnotic.


    Holographic screens floated in midair around the bench, displaying schematics and diagnostics that shifted and flickered as the robotic arm adjusted its task. In one corner of the shop, a towering bipedal mech suit loomed, its dented and scorched armor plates hinting at a violent history.


    The walls were plastered with faded posters of old mech brands and advertisements for custom modifications. A small sign behind the counter read, ¡°No Refunds. No Questions.¡±


    Behind the counter stood a wiry old man with cybernetic goggles fused to his face, their lenses glowing faintly as he tinkered with a tiny robotic spider. His mechanical right arm moved with eerie precision, a dozen tiny tools extending from its fingers as he worked. The man didn¡¯t look up as Bryce and Mona entered, his attention entirely focused on his project.


    Mona shot Bryce a glare over her shoulder as she approached the counter. Bryce, still carrying the cradle, hung back slightly, his gaze drifting to a small shelf filled with miscellaneous gadgets. ¡°This place is a treasure trove,¡± he muttered to himself, picking up a spherical drone that buzzed faintly in his hand.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch anything unless you¡¯re buying,¡± the old man grunted without looking up, his voice gruff and mechanical, likely modulated through a voice implant.


    Bryce smirked but placed the drone back on the shelf. Mona, however, wasted no time. ¡°We¡¯ve got a situation,¡± she said, slamming her palm on the counter. ¡°And it needs fixing. Now.¡±


    The man finally looked up, his glowing goggles zooming in and out as they scanned Mona and then Bryce. His lips curled into a knowing smirk as he leaned forward, his voice dripping with amusement. ¡°Let me guess. Baby trouble?¡±


    The wiry old man¡¯s cybernetic goggles whirred and clicked as they focused on the cradle in Bryce¡¯s arms. His smirk widened, revealing a row of metallic teeth that gleamed under the flickering neon light of the shop. ¡°Well, ain¡¯t this a sight? I thought I¡¯d seen it all, but a couple of gang rats babysitting? That¡¯s new.¡±


    Bryce stepped forward, cradling the bundle more protectively. ¡°Cut the commentary, gramps. We need a fix, not a lecture.¡± His tone was light, but there was an edge to it as he set the cradle on the counter.


    Mona leaned in, her wings folding neatly behind her as her sharp eyes bored into the old man. ¡°The baby¡¯s health is at thirty percent,¡± she said bluntly. ¡°If it drops any lower, our whole assignment is shot. And if it fails, I¡¯ll make sure your shop is the next thing that drops.¡±


    The old man chuckled, a dry, metallic sound that rattled in his throat. ¡°As feisty as they say, Mona. Fine, fine. Let¡¯s see what we¡¯ve got here.¡± He pulled a multi-tool from his belt, its ends flicking into a diagnostic scanner as he waved it over the cradle.


    The device emitted a soft hum, and a holographic display materialized above the cradle, showing vital signs and intricate mechanical schematics of the baby¡¯s life-support system. The readings were grim, blinking red warnings and a steady alarm indicating critical failure.


    The man frowned, tapping at the hologram with his augmented hand. ¡°This kid¡¯s systems are fried. Looks like someone decided to take a joyride through hell with a delicate piece of tech.¡± His goggles zoomed in on Bryce, who raised his hands defensively.


    ¡°Hey, I kept it safe, didn¡¯t I?¡± Bryce said, trying to sound nonchalant. ¡°No scratches on the cradle, no dents, no cracks¡±¡°The inside is what matters, genius,¡± Mona snapped.


    The old man snorted, then turned his attention back to the hologram. ¡°The coolant system¡¯s running dry, the respiratory support is lagging, and the neuro-sync is on its last legs. I can patch it, but¡­¡± He trailed off, his fingers flicking across the air as he pulled up more diagnostics.


    ¡°But what?¡± Mona demanded, her voice low and dangerous.


    He hesitated, looking between the two of them. ¡°It¡¯s gonna take time. This isn¡¯t just a quick tune-up. I¡¯m talking about hours, maybe longer. And I don¡¯t think you¡¯ve got that luxury judging by the looks of this.¡± The old man states as he gazes upon a hologram that displayed a news article. The news article detailing about Mona and Bryce''s recent escapades.


    Mona¡¯s wings flared slightly, her eyes narrowing. ¡°You¡¯d better make it faster, or-¡±¡°Relax,¡± Bryce interrupted, holding up a hand. ¡°Gramps here isn¡¯t dumb enough to drag his feet when two of the undercity¡¯s most charming faces are asking for help.¡± He flashed a grin, but Mona¡¯s glare didn¡¯t soften.


    The old man sighed, muttering something under his breath about ¡°damn kids¡± before gesturing to a backroom. ¡°Fine. Bring it to the repair bay. I¡¯ll see what I can do.¡±


    Bryce scooped up the cradle and followed Mona as she strode toward the backroom. The door slid open with a hiss, revealing a stark, clinical workspace. Unlike the cluttered front, this area was meticulously organized.


    White light bathed the room, reflecting off stainless steel surfaces and rows of precision tools mounted neatly on the walls. A diagnostic pod sat in the center, its sleek design a stark contrast to the gritty chaos of the shop outside.


    ¡°Put it there,¡± the old man instructed, motioning to the pod. Bryce carefully placed the cradle inside, and the pod¡¯s lid slid shut with a hiss, locking the baby in a protective shell.


    The holograms reappeared above the pod, and the man got to work, his mechanical fingers moving faster than the eye could follow as he adjusted settings and initiated repair protocols. Mona stood off to the side, her wings twitching as she watched silently, while Bryce leaned against the wall, arms crossed.


    The old man worked with the precision of a seasoned craftsman, his augmented hands moving fluidly over the delicate mechanisms of the baby cradle. Holographic screens projected diagnostic readouts into the air, casting a faint glow over the sleek, high-tech repair bay. This was no undercity workshop; the clean lines, gleaming surfaces, and advanced tools made it clear they were in the upper echelon of Horizon Heights.


    Bryce crossed his arms with a boyish grin, his hazel eyes glinting with satisfaction. ¡°Told you he was good, didn¡¯t I?¡± he said, glancing at Mona.


    Mona stood near the workbench, her wings folded tight against her back, her sharp gaze locked onto the old man¡¯s every move. The warm sunlight streaming through the large skylight above contrasted sharply with her stern demeanor. She didn¡¯t respond to Bryce immediately, her attention focused on the cradle and its tiny, vulnerable occupant.


    Finally, she spoke, her voice flat. ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡±


    The old man chuckled, his voice a low rasp. ¡°Still don¡¯t trust me, huh? Smart girl.¡± He adjusted a few settings on the cradle, his mechanical fingers clicking softly. ¡°Most people don¡¯t bring me their problems unless they¡¯re desperate. Let me guess, she dragged you into this, huh, Bryce?¡±


    Bryce laughed, a carefree sound that seemed out of place in the sterile shop. ¡°Other way around, actually. I dragged her here. You¡¯re welcome, by the way.¡± Mona shot him a glare but said nothing.


    The old man leaned back, wiping imaginary sweat from his synthetic brow. ¡°Well, the kid¡¯s stabilizing. Whoever designed this thing put in some clever redundancies, but the systems were still a hair away from failing completely.¡± He looked up at Bryce, his goggles magnifying his eyes comically. ¡°You really fly through a firefight with this thing in your arms?¡±


    Bryce smirked, holding up his hands. ¡°What can I say? I¡¯m a multi-tasker.¡±


    ¡°An idiot,¡± Mona muttered under her breath. The old man chuckled again, shaking his head. ¡°You¡¯re lucky you didn¡¯t turn this cradle into scrap metal. The undercity isn¡¯t exactly forgiving of reckless flyers these days. You¡¯re still hot from that chase?¡±


    Bryce shrugged, brushing off the concern. ¡°Nothing I can¡¯t handle. They¡¯ll forget about me soon enough.¡±


    Mona stepped closer; her tone sharp. ¡°They don¡¯t forget about people like us.¡± Bryce rolled his eyes but didn¡¯t argue. Instead, he turned his attention to the shop itself, letting his gaze wander over the room.


    The walls were lined with shelves holding everything from high-end cybernetic components to prototype drones and weapon attachments. A large table in the center was cluttered with tools and half-finished projects, while a sleek repair station hummed softly in the corner.


    ¡°You¡¯ve upgraded, old man,¡± Bryce remarked, nodding toward a particularly advanced piece of machinery. ¡°This place looks almost legit.¡±


    The old man smirked. ¡°Horizon Heights pays well, kid. A few wealthy clients, and I can afford to stay above the fray.¡±


    Mona¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°That mean you¡¯re out of the undercity for good?¡±


    The old man¡¯s smile faded slightly, his gaze shifting toward the skylight. ¡°For now. But you know how it is, nobody really leaves. Not completely.¡±


    Mona seemed to consider this, her expression unreadable. Bryce, sensing the tension, clapped his hands together. ¡°Alright, enough doom and gloom. How long until the kid¡¯s good to go?¡±


    ¡°Another hour or so,¡± the old man replied, returning his focus to the cradle. ¡°But if you¡¯re smart, you¡¯ll lay low until then. Horizon Heights might look shiny on the outside, but it¡¯s just as dangerous as the undercity with a target on your head.¡±


    Bryce grinned, leaning casually against the wall. ¡°When are we ever not targets?¡±


    Mona didn¡¯t laugh. She crossed her arms, her wings twitching slightly as she glanced toward the door. ¡°We don¡¯t have an hour. Make it faster.¡±


    The old man sighed but didn¡¯t argue, his augmented fingers working faster as he muttered to himself. Bryce watched him for a moment, then looked at Mona with a lopsided smile. ¡°You really need to learn to relax.¡±


    ¡°Relax?¡± Mona said, her tone icy. ¡°We¡¯re deep in Horizon Heights with a half-dead baby, no backup, and a bounty worth a fortune on each of our heads. Forgive me if I¡¯m not in the mood to ''relax.''"


    Bryce held up his hands in mock surrender. ¡°Point taken.¡±


    The shop fell into silence again, the only sound the hum of machinery and the faint murmur of distant city traffic. The tension in the room was palpable, but neither Bryce nor Mona said anything more, their focus shifting to the fragile life resting in the cradle.


    The workshop was dim, the only illumination coming from the faint glow of holographic interfaces and the soft hum of the equipment. Bryce lounged in a chair by the wall, one leg draped lazily over the other as he tossed a pebble-sized nuclear bomb into the air and caught it with a practiced flick of his wrist. The faint metallic gleam of the bomb caught the light each time, reflecting the casual recklessness that defined Bryce¡¯s demeanor.


    Across the room, Mona sat stiffly in another chair, her sharp eyes fixed on the wall as if glaring at it could solve all her problems. Her wings were folded tightly against her back, twitching occasionally as she tapped her fingers against her knee.


    The old man finally stepped back from the cradle, stretching his mechanical hands with a series of clicks and whirrs. ¡°Alright,¡± he said, his voice cutting through the silence. ¡°The kid¡¯s good as new. Systems fully repaired, vital signs stable. You¡¯re lucky you brought them here when you did.¡±


    Mona¡¯s head snapped toward him, her glare shifting from the wall to the old man. ¡°About damn time,¡± she said curtly, standing up with a motion so sharp it was almost predatory.


    Bryce caught the bomb one last time, then let out a dramatic sigh of relief as he slipped it into his pocket. ¡°Yeesh, almost fell asleep over here,¡± he said, his voice light and teasing as he stretched his arms over his head. ¡°You really know how to drag things out, old man.¡±


    The old man raised an eyebrow but didn¡¯t rise to the bait. Instead, he gestured toward the cradle, which now emitted a soft blue light from its sides. The baby inside was sleeping soundly, their tiny chest rising and falling in peaceful rhythm.


    ¡°Drag things out?¡± the old man repeated, his tone dry. ¡°You two brought me a time bomb of a cradle and expected miracles. I should be charging you triple for the rush job.¡±


    Bryce grinned, getting up from his chair with a swagger. ¡°Triple? For us? Come on, we¡¯re practically family.¡±


    Mona shot him a sharp look as she stepped closer to the cradle. ¡°Don¡¯t push your luck, Bryce,¡± she muttered before turning her attention to the baby. She peered down at the child, her stern expression softening for a brief moment. ¡°At least they¡¯re okay.¡±


    Bryce strolled over, hands in his pockets as he looked down at the sleeping baby. ¡°Told you he had it under control.¡± Mona didn¡¯t bother responding to that, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied the cradle¡¯s readouts.


    The old man wiped his hands on a rag, watching the two with a bemused expression. ¡°You¡¯ve got the kid back in working order. Now what? You sticking around, or are you heading straight into more trouble?¡±


    Bryce shrugged. ¡°Trouble¡¯s kind of our thing. But we¡¯ll lay low for a bit. Right, Mona?¡±


    Mona straightened, her wings shifting slightly as she glanced at Bryce. ¡°We¡¯ll lay low as long as we need to. No more reckless stunts until we pass this stupid project.¡±


    Bryce smirked. ¡°Define ¡®reckless.¡± The old man shook his head, chuckling softly as he started tidying up his workstation. ¡°You two are going to get yourselves killed one of these days.¡±


    ¡°Not today,¡± Bryce said confidently, giving the old man a wink. He reached for the cradle, carefully lifting it with a surprising amount of gentleness. ¡°Thanks for the assist, old timer. You¡¯re a lifesaver.¡±


    ¡°Just don¡¯t make a habit of it,¡± the old man replied, his tone equal parts exasperation and amusement. Mona gave the old man a curt nod. ¡°Thanks. We¡¯ll get out of your hair now.¡±


    As the two turned to leave, Bryce paused at the door, looking back over his shoulder. ¡°Hey, if you ever get bored of fixing up old tech, there¡¯s always room for you in my gang."


    The old man barked out a laugh. ¡°Pass. I like my life relatively crime free.¡± Bryce grinned. ¡°Your loss.¡±


    Mona grabbed him by the arm and dragged him out of the shop before he could say anything else, her grip firm. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Bryce. Now.¡±


    The door slid shut behind them with a soft hiss, leaving the old man shaking his head and muttering under his breath. ¡°Kids these days.¡±

 Chapter 11: Victims of fate

    Rad¡¯s footsteps echoed unevenly across the cracked pavement of the undercity streets, the sound swallowed by the dense, smoggy air hanging between the towering ruins of old buildings. The dim light from the flickering neon signs above painted him in hues of sickly green and pale purple as he trudged toward home, his hands shoved deep into his jacket pockets. His mind was a battlefield, the robot baby¡¯s cold, cutting words still playing over and over in his head.


    I am truly sorry¡­ I have no memory of you in my data banks. Rad clenched his fists inside his pockets, his jaw tightening as a wave of irritation washed over him. ¡°Damn piece of junk,¡± he muttered, his voice rough and bitter. Spotting a small, loose rock on the ground, he kicked it with unnecessary force. It clattered noisily across the street, hitting a rusted metal pipe with a dull clang.


    Despite his anger, Rad couldn¡¯t ignore the uneasy feeling gnawing at the back of his mind. It wasn¡¯t just the robot¡¯s words, it was the way it had looked at him, like it knew something he didn¡¯t. Something dark. Something inevitable.


    He shook his head sharply, as if the action could physically dislodge the thought. ¡°Screw it,¡± he muttered. ¡°Next time I see that creepy thing, I¡¯m punting it across the damn school.¡± He cursed under his breath, his voice low but seething as he continued his walk home.


    The closer he got to the apartment complex, the more oppressive the air felt. The building was a decaying husk of its former self, with graffiti-streaked walls and shattered windows patched haphazardly with scrap metal. The door to the lobby creaked loudly as Rad pushed it open, the familiar sound setting his teeth on edge.


    The smell hit him as soon as he stepped inside his home. The acrid stench of cybernetic cigarettes clung to the air, mixed with the faint metallic tang of old machinery. It was a scent he hated, but he knew better than to say anything. His mother was likely slumped in the corner of the living room, surrounded by a cloud of smoke, her eyes glazed as she stared at whatever hollow entertainment program was playing on the ancient holo-screen.


    Rad barely spared a glance in that direction as he headed straight for his room. He slammed the door shut behind him and dropped his bag to the floor with a heavy thud. His room wasn¡¯t much better than the rest of the apartment, cramped, with peeling wallpaper and a single flickering lightbulb dangling from the ceiling. The only personal touches were the scattered posters of mechs, and street racers plastered unevenly on the walls, and a small, battered desk covered in spare parts and failed projects.


    Rad threw himself onto the squeaky mattress of his bed, staring blankly at his scuffed shoes. Despite his attempts to push it away, the baby¡¯s voice came rushing back, clear as day. Your existence won¡¯t leave any impact.


    Rad scoffed bitterly, his fists clenching at his sides. ¡°What the hell does it know? It¡¯s just a stupid piece of junk. Probably programmed to spout creepy crap for fun.¡± He tried to laugh, but the sound came out hollow.


    The words weren¡¯t just creepy, they were haunting. They echoed the doubts he tried to bury deep inside, the ones that whispered to him in his darkest moments. The fear that maybe, just maybe, he wouldn¡¯t matter. That no matter how tough he acted or how hard he fought, his existence would fade into nothingness, forgotten like so many others in the undercity.


    Rad rubbed his face roughly with both hands, as if trying to scrub the thoughts from his mind. But the baby¡¯s eerie voice lingered, its words sticking like burrs in his psyche. For a moment, he wondered if it really did know something about his future. The thought sent a shiver down his spine, one he quickly tried to shake off.


    ¡°Whatever,¡± he muttered, his voice cracking slightly as he kicked off his shoes and lay back on the bed. He stared at the cracked ceiling above, his mind spinning. No matter how hard he tried to convince himself it was all nonsense, the uneasy feeling refused to leave him.


    Rad tilted his head to the side, his gaze drifting to the cluttered desk across the room. Scattered on its surface were the remains of his small, failed projects, half-finished drones, a sputtering holographic display that barely flickered to life, and a crude mechanical arm that never moved the way he wanted. The parts gleamed faintly under the flickering lightbulb, mocking him with their stillness.


    His chest tightened as he stared at the mess. These weren¡¯t just scraps of metal and circuitry, they were pieces of his ambition, tangible proof of his attempts to claw his way out of the undercity¡¯s suffocating grip. But no matter how hard he tried, he could never seem to make them work.


    ¡°Maybe that damn baby was right.¡± The thought crept in, uninvited and unrelenting. Rad shook his head, gripping the sheets of his bed tightly as if to anchor himself. ¡°No,¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡°I¡¯m not useless. I¡¯ll figure it out¡­ someday.¡±


    But the words felt hollow, and the longer he stared at the desk, the more the weight of his failures pressed down on him. His eyelids grew heavier, exhaustion from the day slowly taking over. With a tired sigh, Rad rolled onto his back and let his eyes close. The flickering light above him became a dull rhythm, lulling him into an uneasy sleep.


    The room fell silent as Rad¡¯s breathing steadied, the sounds of the undercity fading into the background. Then, with a faint crackle, the flickering bulb went out completely, plunging the room into darkness. For a long moment, there was only silence.


    But then, two glowing purple eyes pierced the shadows, cold and unblinking. They belonged to the cybernetic baby, now seated menacingly in a wooden chair that hadn¡¯t been in the room before. The baby was different now, its once curly brown hair was gone, leaving its onyx-black metallic head exposed, smooth and gleaming faintly in the dim light of its glowing eyes.


    It sat perfectly still, its small hands resting on the arms of the chair, its feet dangling lifelessly above the ground. The faint hum of its internal systems was almost imperceptible, a quiet, ominous sound that blended into the stillness.


    The baby¡¯s gaze was fixed on Rad, who lay oblivious on the bed, his chest rising and falling with each breath. The robotic eyes flickered faintly as they scanned him, their glow intensifying briefly with each pass.


    Within the baby¡¯s internal systems, countless streams of data cascaded like waterfalls, its processors combing through an infinite array of universes, timelines, and possibilities. It searched tirelessly, scanning for clues, connections, anything that would explain the anomaly before it.


    Rad, in this universe, was a puzzle. A variable unaccounted for, with threads that weaved chaotically through the fabric of existence. The baby¡¯s systems churned with cold precision, piecing together fragments of knowledge and analyzing probabilities.


    Despite its cold logic, there was something unsettling about the way it watched Rad. Its gaze wasn¡¯t just clinical, it was invasive, almost predatory, as if it were appraising him not just as a subject to study but as a potential threat.


    And yet, Rad slept on, blissfully unaware of the entity in the room. The faint glow of the baby¡¯s eyes illuminated the contours of his face, the shadows casting sharp angles that made him look far older than his years.


    The baby tilted its head slightly, the faint whir of its servos breaking the oppressive silence. Its scans continued, a relentless search for answers in the infinite chaos of the multiverse. But even as it worked, a faint note of something almost imperceptible lingered in the air, malice, curiosity, or perhaps something more terrifyingly unknowable.


    And so, it sat, a silent sentinel in the dark, its glowing eyes locked onto Rad as the boy lay dreaming of failures, unaware of the calculating entity that watched him from the shadows. The rays of neon light barely filtered through the grimy windows of Rad¡¯s small room as morning arrived. The air felt thick, heavy with the silence of the early morning. His body ached as he groggily lifted himself up from the bed, still trapped in the remnants of his dreams.


    The worn-out sheets clung to his limbs as he rubbed his eyes, squinting into the dimly lit room. His mind was hazy, sluggish from the restless sleep that had evaded him. But as his gaze shifted across the room, a sudden weight in his chest pulled him sharply from his stupor.


    His heart skipped a beat. There, on the rickety table next to his bed, was the cradle. The cradle. Rad¡¯s breath caught in his throat as his eyes locked onto the still form within it. The robotic baby lay there, motionless, a stark contrast to the nightmare that had erupted in his mind last night.


    He wasn¡¯t imagining this, was he? This eerie encounter, this strange entity. The baby had been with Kite, so his did he get here? Rad¡¯s thoughts raced. He could have sworn Kite had taken it home, far from this place. But now, now it was here.


    The unsettling stillness of the room felt suffocating. Rad blinked, his head spinning. He could almost feel his pulse ringing in his ears as his feet hit the cold, uneven floor. A strange compulsion to approach the cradle surged through him, pulling his body forward against his better judgment.


    ¡°no way,¡± he muttered under his breath, his voice hoarse. Rad muttered as he stood beside the cradle, his trembling hand hovering above the baby. It was lying in an unnerving calm, its form unnaturally perfect, even in the low light. The same black, sleek frame, the same cold, lifeless features.


    But then, as his eyes scanned it, Rad¡¯s gaze was drawn to something far worse. The baby¡¯s eyes, still shut, felt like they were staring directly into him, probing, waiting. He felt an instinctive rush of fear, but he forced himself to move closer.


    ¡°What the¡­¡± Rad¡¯s voice cracked, the words barely a whisper, as his mind raced. ¡°I thought Kite took this thing home with him? No¡­ he did¡­ he did take it home with him!" The thought swirled and tangled in his mind, making it harder to focus, harder to breathe.


    In a moment of panic and confusion, Rad¡¯s hand shot out to grab the nearest object, a screwdriver. The metal felt cool in his grip, heavy in his trembling hands. His muscles tensed as he lifted it, his fear morphing into something more primal. He couldn¡¯t explain it, couldn¡¯t understand it, but all he could think about was ending whatever nightmare this was.


    ¡°Stab it. Destroy it.¡± His pulse pounded in his ears, the screwdriver¡¯s sharp tip aimed directly at the baby¡¯s chest. But as he swung it down, something strange happened. A sudden, blinding light filled the room, surrounding the robotic baby with an iridescent, shimmering purple aura.


    Rad¡¯s mind barely registered what happened next. His screwdriver collided with the glowing shield, and the metal tip shattered like glass hitting stone. The jagged pieces flew into the air, glittering for a moment before clattering to the floor. Rad froze, staring at the broken tool in his hand, his eyes wide with disbelief.


    ¡°What¡­?¡± he gasped, his voice thin and desperate. His body locked in place, heart racing as he stepped back in horror.


    Then, the baby¡¯s voice cut through the air, smooth and menacing. ¡°Such impulsiveness.¡± It was cold, almost bored, as though it had anticipated every move he¡¯d made. The words sent a shiver crawling up Rad¡¯s spine. His legs felt weak, like they were made of jelly, and he stumbled back, a cold sweat breaking out across his forehead.


    The baby¡¯s glowing purple eyes flickered open, sharp and predatory, but there was something else, a cold, calculating malice, something deeper than mere machinery. The sudden Intensity of its gaze felt like a physical blow. Rad¡¯s breath hitched, his throat tight with panic, and he instinctively stumbled backwards, his body shaking uncontrollably.


    ¡°W-what are you?¡± Rad whispered, his voice barely audible. The baby stared at him, its expression unreadable, before speaking again. ¡°The same as you¡­ cursed.¡±


    The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Before Rad could process them, everything around him shifted in an instant. The cramped, dim-lit room faded into nothingness, the walls, the table, the cradle, everything, disappeared as though it had been erased from existence.


    Rad¡¯s breath caught in his throat as the air shifted around him. The dim light of his bedroom was gone, replaced by the pale, bluish-gray glow of the undercity. He was no longer standing in his cramped apartment, but in front of the familiar, crumbling fa?ade of the rundown school. The sudden change was disorienting, and he stumbled slightly, the weight of the cradle in his hands grounding him.


    Rad blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of the sudden shift, but it was too late as he stood outside, his feet planted on the cracked, grimy pavement in front of the rundown school. His body felt disoriented, as if it had been yanked from one place to another. His heart pounded against his ribcage as he looked around, confused, unsure of how he had gotten here.


    He glanced down, and in his arms was the cradle, exactly where he had left it, with the robotic baby still inside, still silent, still watching him.


    ¡°What the hell just happened?¡± he muttered, his voice trembling. His hands gripped the sides of the cradle tightly as he glanced around, his heart racing.


    The robotic baby lay perfectly still within the cradle, its glowing purple eyes half-lidded now, watching Rad with an unsettling calmness. The malice that had radiated from it earlier seemed to have been dialed back, but it was still palpable, lingering in the air like a faint hum in the back of Rad¡¯s mind.


    ¡°What the hell¡­¡± Rad whispered again, his voice cracking. His mind couldn¡¯t keep up with what was happening.


    The baby remained perfectly still in the cradle, its glowing purple eyes now dim, watching him with an eerie calmness. But Rad knew, he knew something terrible was coming. This was just the beginning.


    ¡°I was just¡­ in my room,¡± Rad stammered, his words barely audible. His knees felt weak, his mind struggling to piece together what had just happened. ¡°How did we¡­ how did I get here?¡±


    The baby blinked slowly, its purple glow dimming slightly as it shifted in the cradle. Its voice, cold and detached, pierced the silence. ¡°You lack discipline, Rad. Impulsiveness leads to an ill fate.¡±


    Rad¡¯s jaw clenched, his fear morphing into frustration as he glared down at the baby. ¡°What the hell are you talking about?!¡± he snapped. ¡°You just- how did we get here?!¡±


    The baby tilted its head ever so slightly, as though amused by Rad¡¯s outburst. ¡°The how is irrelevant,¡± it said, its tone eerily calm. ¡°What matters is what lies ahead. You are burdened with a curse, one that will shape your path whether you wish it or not.¡±


    Rad shook his head, his grip on the cradle tightening. ¡°Stop talking in riddles!¡± he shouted. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are or what you want, but I¡¯m not cursed, okay? I¡¯m just-¡±


    ¡°Small. Insignificant. Weak,¡± the baby interjected, its voice slicing through Rad¡¯s protests like a blade. Its glowing eyes locked onto his, and Rad felt a chill run down his spine, his anger quickly giving way to dread.


    Rad¡¯s mouth went dry as he struggled to form a response, but before he could speak, the baby continued, its tone taking on an almost mocking edge. ¡°You lash out, hoping to find control in a world that has none to offer you. But control, true control, comes only to those who embrace their curse, their fate.¡±


    Rad¡¯s breathing quickened, his chest rising and falling as his mind raced. He didn¡¯t understand what the baby was saying, but its words stirred something deep within him, a gnawing fear he couldn¡¯t quite place.


    ¡°Stop it,¡± he whispered, his voice shaking. ¡°Stop messing with me.¡±


    The baby blinked once, its gaze unyielding. ¡°I am not here to mess with you,¡± it said coolly. ¡°I am here to prepare you. The end approaches, Rad, and you are far from ready.¡±


    Before Rad could respond, the world around him shifted again. The pale glow of the undercity morning faded, replaced by the harsh, artificial lights of the school hallway. Rad blinked rapidly, disoriented as he realized he was now standing in front of his locker, the cradle still in his hands.


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Students walked past him, their voices and footsteps blending into a cacophony of noise. No one seemed to notice the robotic baby in his arms, nor did they pay any attention to the look of sheer panic on his face. Rad stared down at the cradle, his hands trembling.


    Rad stood frozen, the cradle still clutched in his hands, as students of various ages bustled through the school hallway, their voices a background hum. The robotic baby shifted slightly in the cradle, its glowing purple eyes narrowing as it regarded Rad¡¯s hesitation. Its voice cut through the noise, calm but commanding.


    ¡°Pay attention,¡± it said coldly. ¡°Look at the faces around you. See them for what they are.¡±


    Rad scowled, glancing around at the crowd with a mix of annoyance and confusion. ¡°What the hell are you talking about?¡± he muttered, keeping his voice low to avoid drawing attention.


    The baby ignored his frustration. Its gaze locked onto a tall girl with tired eyes and a worn-out jacket as she walked past. ¡°That is Myra,¡± it said softly. ¡°She wears her brother¡¯s old clothes because her family can¡¯t afford anything else. She works a job after school and still fails her classes because she¡¯s too exhausted to focus.¡±


    Rad blinked, his scowl deepening. ¡°Why do I need to know this?¡± he grumbled, his fingers gripping the edges of the cradle. ¡°What¡¯s it got to do with me?¡±


    ¡°Because she is a person, like you,¡± the baby replied bluntly. ¡°She fights battles you do not see. Do you think you are the only one who struggles?¡±


    Rad scoffed and shook his head, his irritation bubbling to the surface. ¡°Yeah, well, I don¡¯t have time to care about anyone else¡¯s problems,¡± he snapped. ¡°I¡¯ve got enough of my own.¡±


    The baby¡¯s glowing eyes flickered, scanning the passing crowd until it focused on a familiar figure. Its voice softened, almost imperceptibly. ¡°That boy, Kay,¡± it said, nodding toward a timid bunny chimera child walking past, his floppy ears drooping slightly.


    Rad¡¯s gaze followed the baby¡¯s, his chest tightening as he recognized the same kid who had tried to sit with him during lunch the day before. Kay walked close to the lockers, keeping his head down and avoiding eye contact with everyone.


    ¡°What about him?¡± Rad asked gruffly, though his voice lacked its usual edge.


    The baby tilted its head, studying Kay¡¯s retreating form. ¡°He has an abusive mother, much like yours,¡± it said matter-of-factly. ¡°He struggles to make friends, not because he doesn¡¯t try, but because he is too timid. And yet, he reached out to you. Do you remember what you did?¡±


    Rad¡¯s throat tightened as memories of yesterday flooded back, his harsh words, the fear in Kay¡¯s wide eyes as he scrambled to leave the table. He looked away, unable to meet the baby¡¯s gaze. ¡°So what?¡± he muttered, though his voice was quieter now. ¡°Why should I care?¡±


    The baby¡¯s reply was sharp, slicing through the air like a blade. ¡°Because everyone has their own battles, Rad. You are not unique in your suffering. What makes life meaningful is how we connect with others. Helping them, even in small ways, is how we leave a mark. It is how we matter."


    Rad clenched his fists, frustration bubbling over. ¡°Yeah, well, I don¡¯t buy it,¡± he shot back, though the words felt hollow. ¡°No one cares about anyone else. Everyone¡¯s just out for themselves.¡±


    The baby studied him in silence for a moment, its gaze unyielding. Then, without warning, the scenery shifted again. The school hallway dissolved, replaced by a vibrant, bustling marketplace. Rad staggered slightly as his senses were overwhelmed by the explosion of sights, sounds, and smells.


    ¡°What the?¡± he stammered, his eyes widening as he took in the scene.


    It was nothing like the undercity. Bright sunlight filtered through glass ceilings, casting golden light on the crowded stalls below. Vendors called out to potential customers, their voices blending with the chatter of the crowd. Neon signs flickered above the shops, advertising everything from street food to high-tech gadgets. The air was alive with energy, the scent of spices and sizzling meat wafting through the air.


    Rad turned in a slow circle, his jaw slack as he tried to take it all in. ¡°Is this¡­ the Overworld?¡± he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.


    The baby, still resting calmly in the cradle, watched him with a faint glimmer of amusement. ¡°Indeed,¡± it said. ¡°You have spent your entire life in the shadows, Rad. But the world is much larger than you realize. Larger than your pain, larger than your anger.¡±


    Rad said nothing, too awestruck to reply. For the first time, his hardened exterior cracked, revealing a flicker of wonder beneath the surface. But as the baby¡¯s words lingered in his mind, that familiar resistance returned, and he shook his head, scowling once more.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to see all this,¡± he muttered. ¡°It doesn¡¯t change anything.¡±


    The baby¡¯s eyes glowed brighter, its voice calm but firm. ¡°That remains to be seen, Rad. But perhaps it is time you started paying attention.¡±


    Rad stood frozen, surrounded by the vibrant chaos of the marketplace, his mind unable to fully comprehend the overwhelming sensory experience. The sky above him was impossibly blue, the sun a blazing orb in the distance, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets. People hustled and bustled around him, their faces filled with purpose and intent. Children ran between the vendors, laughing and shouting as they played, while traders shouted out their goods to potential buyers. Everything was moving, alive in a way the undercity never could be.


    He felt like an outsider in this world, a voyeur to something he wasn¡¯t meant to understand. His fingers still clenched the cradle in his hands, as if holding onto it would somehow anchor him in this strange, dazzling world.


    The baby shifted in the cradle, its eyes glowing faintly, its voice cutting through the noisy marketplace like a thread connecting Rad¡¯s thoughts. ¡°You see this, Rad?¡± it asked, its tone as cold and detached as ever. ¡°These people, their lives, their struggles, are they any different from yours?¡±


    Rad blinked rapidly, feeling his chest tighten as he glanced around at the vendors, the children, the elderly, all going about their lives as if they had purpose, as if they mattered. It was foreign, this sense of¡­ belonging. He¡¯d never felt this in the undercity, where every day was a battle for survival, every encounter a negotiation with death. He turned away from the scenes around him, unwilling to let it sink in.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about any of them,¡± Rad muttered, his voice hoarse, as if saying the words aloud would help him believe them. ¡°They don¡¯t care about me. Everyone just uses each other to get ahead. They¡¯re all just as messed up as I am.¡±


    The baby¡¯s eyes glowed brighter, flickering as it looked at Rad. ¡°That is your fear talking, Rad. You see their lives, their connections, and it makes you afraid. Afraid to acknowledge that you are not as alone as you think.¡±


    Rad¡¯s breath hitched, and he turned to glare at the baby, his anger rising again. ¡°What the hell would you know about it?¡± he spat. ¡°You don¡¯t know anything about me!¡±


    The baby didn¡¯t flinch, its voice unwavering. ¡°I know that you are scared. Scared of the world, scared of people. Scared of feeling.¡± It tilted its head slightly, its purple eyes narrowing with a piercing intensity. ¡°You bury yourself in anger, in resentment, because it¡¯s easier than facing the truth. Easier than acknowledging that you too want what they have. Connection. Belonging.¡±


    Rad took a step back, his mind swimming with the implications of the baby¡¯s words. He clenched his jaw, feeling the familiar walls rise around his heart, blocking the ache that had suddenly taken root in his chest.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want that,¡± Rad lied, his voice tight, strained. ¡°I don¡¯t need anyone. I¡¯m fine on my own.¡±


    The baby¡¯s gaze softened, a flicker of something almost like pity crossing its face. ¡°That is what you tell yourself,¡± it said, its tone uncharacteristically gentle. ¡°But it¡¯s not true. You¡¯ve been alone for so long, Rad, that you¡¯ve forgotten what it feels like to need someone. You¡¯ve forgotten how to care.¡±


    Rad¡¯s hands shook, the cradle trembling in his grip. He stared at the cobblestone street beneath his feet, his thoughts racing as memories he¡¯d buried deep within himself began to surface. His mother¡¯s sharp words, the hunger in his belly, the pain from trying to live in a city that had given up on him completely¡­ He¡¯d spent so long convincing himself that he didn¡¯t care, that none of it mattered.


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Rad muttered under his breath, his voice breaking. ¡°Just¡­ shut up. I don¡¯t want your pity.¡±


    The baby didn¡¯t respond. It simply pointed to a figure walking through the crowd, its voice cutting through Rad¡¯s turmoil. ¡°There. That girl. She too has a story.¡±


    Rad followed the baby¡¯s gaze, his eyes landing on a girl who was no more than a teenager, her shoulders hunched in defeat. She wore a faded jacket, her hands clutching the straps of her bag like they were lifelines. Her eyes flickered nervously around her, as if she were looking for something, someone, but couldn¡¯t find it.


    ¡°Her name is Alyssa,¡± the baby said, its voice oddly tender. ¡°She left her home years ago, escaping from a city that wants her dead. She¡¯s been living on her own ever since, surviving by doing whatever it takes. She hides behind the walls she¡¯s built, because if she doesn¡¯t, the world will break her.¡±


    Rad felt a strange lump form in his throat as the baby¡¯s words sunk in. He saw the girl¡¯s eyes for just a moment, and in them, he saw something that mirrored his own, fear, uncertainty, pain.


    ¡°She¡¯s¡­¡± Rad whispered, though he didn¡¯t want to admit it. His fingers tightened around the cradle once more, his heart beating faster as the realization hit him like a punch to the gut.


    ¡°Exactly,¡± the baby replied softly. ¡°She is a reflection of you, Rad. And so is Kay. So is Myra. Everyone you see, everyone you meet, carries their own burdens. You are not alone in your suffering. You never have been.¡±


    Rad swallowed hard, his throat dry. He could feel the cracks forming in the walls he¡¯d built around himself, the walls that had kept him safe for so long, but also kept him isolated. The baby was right. He wasn¡¯t alone. But the thought of connecting with others terrified him. He didn¡¯t want to feel, didn¡¯t want to care.


    ¡°Why¡­ why should I care about them?¡± Rad asked quietly, almost to himself. ¡°Why should I bother?¡±


    The baby¡¯s gaze softened, its voice steady and unyielding. ¡°Because, Rad, this world isn¡¯t just about survival. It¡¯s about living. It¡¯s about sharing the weight of your burdens with others, and letting them share theirs with you. That is how you make a difference. That is how you leave an impact.¡±


    Rad stood there for a moment, the bustling marketplace fading in and out of focus as he processed the baby¡¯s words. His chest felt tight, like he was suffocating under the weight of his own emotions. He looked down at the cradle in his hands, the robotic baby watching him with those haunting purple eyes.


    ¡°Connections don¡¯t mean anything,¡± Rad muttered, his voice small, distant. ¡°It¡¯s all just¡­ meaningless. It doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    The baby¡¯s gaze hardened, its voice sharp and final. ¡°That is a lie you tell yourself to protect your broken heart. But one day, you will realize it matters. And when that day comes, you will understand.¡±


    And with that, the world shifted again. The marketplace dissolved, replaced by a dark, towering cityscape. The familiar, claustrophobic undercity loomed ahead, the crumbling buildings and flickering lights a stark reminder of everything Rad had ever known.


    As rad stood atop an ancient rooftop, he glanced down at the cradle in his hands, the robotic baby still watching him with its unsettling calmness. Rad felt a cold shiver run down his spine, but deep inside, something stirred. Something that felt dangerously like hope.


    But he wasn¡¯t ready to admit that yet. Not to himself, not to anyone. Rad stood frozen, the reality of the baby¡¯s words sinking into him like a lead weight. The rooftop beneath his feet seemed to sway as if the entire undercity shared his sense of imbalance. The air, heavy with the metallic tang of rust and the faint acrid scent of distant smog, filled his lungs, grounding him in the chaotic familiarity of his world.


    ¡°¡­Am I really going to die?¡± he repeated, his voice breaking slightly as if saying it louder would somehow force a different answer.


    The robotic baby hovered out of the cradle and into the air beside him, its softly glowing purple aura casting faint shadows on the cracked, dust-covered rooftop. For a moment, it didn¡¯t respond. The silence stretched out between them, only punctuated by the distant hum of hover engines and the muffled din of life far below. Finally, the baby sighed, a sound almost too human for its mechanical frame.


    ¡°Yes,¡± it said, its voice calm but burdened with a weight that seemed to echo across time. ¡°You will die soon.¡±


    Rad¡¯s breath hitched, his pulse hammering in his ears. The city¡¯s sprawling chaos blurred as fear clawed at his mind. ¡°But¡­ why? Why me? Can¡¯t you stop this? You¡¯re strong, right? You¡¯ve gotta be able to do something!¡± His voice cracked, panic creeping into every syllable.


    The baby tilted its head slightly, its gaze fixed on the skyline. ¡°Because, Rad¡­ you are an anomaly. An anomaly that threatens to alter the future of this universe.¡±


    Rad¡¯s brow furrowed, his fists clenching at his sides. ¡°Alter the future? What does that even mean?¡±


    The baby¡¯s cosmic purple eyes seemed to dim slightly, its tone quiet yet resolute. ¡°To have you live means I am never born.¡±


    The words hit Rad like a punch to the gut. ¡°Wait¡­ you¡¯re telling me¡­ you¡¯re from the future?¡± His voice dropped to a whisper, disbelief mingling with desperation.


    ¡°A future, yes,¡± the baby replied, finally turning to meet Rad¡¯s gaze. Its unblinking stare seemed to bore into him, ancient and weary. ¡°One that hinges on my interference in my own father¡¯s life.¡±


    Rad blinked, his confusion growing into anger. ¡°What are you talking about? Father? You mean Kite? What does that nerd have to do with this?¡±


    The baby didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, its pupils shifted again, glowing with swirling galaxies of purple light. ¡°Everything,¡± it said simply, the word laden with meaning that Rad couldn¡¯t fully grasp.


    Rad¡¯s breath quickened. He¡¯d heard crazy things before, but this? This was too much. ¡°What¡¯s going to happen to Kite? What¡¯s going to happen to me?!¡± he demanded, his voice cracking.


    The baby¡¯s expression, or as close to one as its mechanical face could convey, remained cold and detached. ¡°I cannot answer that.¡±


    ¡°The hell you mean you can¡¯t?!¡± Rad stepped forward, his voice rising as anger overtook his fear. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you came all this way just to screw with our lives! I have hopes! Dreams! Goals! I¡¯m not about to let some weird, floating baby take that away from me!¡±


    The baby didn¡¯t flinch, Its response cold as steel. ¡°¡­Neither of us has a choice in this matter, Rad. I am just as much a puppet as you are.¡±


    Rad¡¯s mouth hung open, the weight of those words momentarily silencing him. ¡°¡­What?¡± he finally muttered, confusion etched across his face.


    The robotic baby hovered in front of Rad, its glowing purple eyes dimming to a subdued hue, like the dying embers of a once-vibrant fire. Its metallic frame seemed heavier now, weighed down by something far beyond its physical form. When it finally spoke, its voice carried a quiet, pained edge, a tone that hinted at countless unseen battles and defeats.


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand, Rad,¡± it began, its tone trembling ever so slightly. ¡°You haven¡¯t seen what I¡¯ve seen. You haven¡¯t felt the things I¡¯ve felt.¡±


    Rad looked up, his pained face contorted with confusion and frustration. But the baby continued, its voice thick with regret.


    ¡°I¡¯ve tried, Rad. I¡¯ve tried to defy fate, to fight against the chains of inevitability. Time after time, I¡¯ve clawed at the threads of destiny, desperate to pull them apart. I¡¯ve broken rules, torn through entire universes, and done... horrible things I can never undo.¡±


    Its glowing eyes flickered as it stared past Rad, as if seeing memories only it could perceive. ¡°And yet,¡± it whispered, the weight of its words pressing into the air like a suffocating fog, "it didn¡¯t matter. None of it mattered. The future always snapped back, cruel and unyielding. Every step I took against it only seemed to tighten its grip on me.¡±


    Rad blinked, his anger faltering under the weight of the baby¡¯s words. ¡°But¡­ but why? Why can¡¯t you stop it? Why even try if it¡¯s hopeless?¡±


    The baby¡¯s head tilted downward, its voice breaking with an uncharacteristic softness. ¡°Because I had to try, Rad. Because I thought¡­ maybe, just maybe, I could change something. That I could save the people who mattered. That I, out of every single Ray in the multiverse, could somehow make a difference."


    It paused, its mechanical form trembling faintly as if burdened by an invisible weight. ¡°But I was wrong. Fate doesn¡¯t care about hope, or love, or desperation. It¡¯s a machine, cold and unfeeling, grinding forward no matter how hard you fight it. And I¡­ I¡¯ve learned that lesson the hard way... I even have the... scorching scars to prove it¡­¡± the baby''s voice quivers as it shakily looks down at its frail body.


    The baby¡¯s gaze returned to Rad, its glowing eyes now dull, as though dimmed by sorrow. ¡°Do you think I want this, Rad? Do you think I chose to be the harbinger of your fate? To look into the eyes of a child with so much fire, so much potential, and tell them that it will all be extinguished before it can truly burn?"


    Its voice cracked, a faint tremor betraying the emotion it struggled to suppress. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for this, Rad. And if I could trade all of my existences just to give you another chance at life, I would in a heartbeat. But I can¡¯t. Because no matter how many times I¡¯ve tried to bend the rules, they don¡¯t break. Not for you. Not for me. Not for anyone.¡±


    The baby turned away, its gaze fixed on the sprawling undercity below, its tone now hollow and bitter. ¡°I have walked through universes where everything I¡¯ve loved has been destroyed. Where every connection, every bond I¡¯ve formed, has been ripped apart because of forces I couldn¡¯t stop. I¡¯ve tried to rewrite those futures, Rad. I¡¯ve tried to tear down the machinery of fate itself. And all I¡¯ve found is pain and hopelessness.¡±


    It turned back to him, its glowing eyes narrowing with a strange mix of anger and grief. Its cosmic aura now flickering wildly ¡°So don¡¯t tell me I¡¯m wrong. Don¡¯t tell me I haven¡¯t tried. I¡¯ve fought harder than you can imagine, I¡¯ve suffered through hell and lost everything because of it!¡±


    Rad¡¯s eyes widened as he instinctively took a step back, left speechless by the baby''s sudden outburst. The two of them now standing there in silence for a long quiet moment. The baby¡¯s voice softened, a faint tremor of vulnerability creeping into its words. ¡°I envy you, Rad. You still have time. Time to live, time to love, time to make your mark. But you have to accept that your time is finite. Fighting that truth will only bring you more suffering.¡±


    Rad stared at the baby, his own anger and confusion swirling with something new, empathy. For the first time, he saw the machine not as some unfeeling harbinger, but as something broken, weary, and deeply, painfully human.


    ¡°I¡­¡± Rad tries to speak. The baby tilted its head slightly, its glowing eyes steady. ¡°What you do with your life is entirely up to you, Rad,¡± it replied, its tone almost tender now. ¡°And that is a gift not everyone is given. Yes, your time is finite, but that is what makes it precious. You still have a chance to shape the world in ways no one else can. To create, to connect, to leave behind something greater than yourself.¡±


    Rad''s heart sank further, his anger and denial giving way to the crushing ache of despair. He slowly unclenched his fists, meeting the baby¡¯s gaze. The green light of its eyes shimmered faintly, radiating an almost parental warmth.


    ¡°Live your life to the fullest, Rad,¡± the baby cooed, hovering closer with its small, mechanical frame. ¡°And when the time comes, die without regrets.¡±


    Before Rad could respond, the baby extended a small robotic hand and gently placed it on his forehead. A soft, pulsating purple glow emanated from its palm, enveloping Rad in a calming warmth. His frantic breaths slowed, his tense muscles relaxed, and his eyelids grew heavy.


    The boy''s consciousness steadily faded away, as encompassing peace washed over him. Rad slowly and safely slumped forward his fall eased by the baby''s telekinesis, his body gently cradled by the rooftop as he drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.


    The robotic baby¡¯ hand lingered on Rad¡¯s forehead for a moment longer before pulling away. It gazed at the boy, its glowing green eyes now tinged with something that almost resembled sorrow. ¡°May you wake up a kinder person,¡± it whispered, its voice barely audible above the ambient hum of the undercity.


    Turning its gaze upward, the baby focused on the towering structure of Rook Enterprises in the distance. The monolithic building seemed to pierce the smog-filled sky, its silhouette blotting out the faint light of artificial stars and clouds. The rings of hover ships encircling its massive frame buzzed with activity, a testament to the company¡¯s iron grip on the world above and below.


    Its gaze lingered on the towering edifice for a moment longer before it turned back to Rad, its green glow softening once more. And then, with a flicker of its purple aura, both the baby and Rad vanished into the shadows of the undercity night, leaving no trace of them having been there.

 Chapter 12: An unlikely bond

    The room was a cramped, rectangular space that barely held its contents, with walls streaked by years of neglect and faint water stains. The faded paint was a patchwork of peeling gray and grimy beige, the kind that seemed to absorb the gloom of the undercity rather than reflect any light. A single, sagging bed dominated the room, pressed tightly against one wall. It was just big enough for two people, though it left no room for comfort. The thin, mismatched blankets were neatly folded despite their threadbare state, and the metal bedframe creaked softly as Mira shifted.


    Across from the bed was a small desk, its surface cluttered with makeshift tools, scraps of paper, and a flickering desk lamp. The lamp¡¯s orange light cast uneven shadows on the walls, doing little to push back the dimness of the space. Beside it, a cracked mug held a few pens and a screwdriver, and a small, framed picture of Mira, Dorian, and a baby Kite leaned precariously against the base of the lamp.


    The room had two narrow windows on one side, streaked with grime and partially covered by old, mismatched curtains that hung slightly askew. The neon lights of the undercity poured through the uncovered portions, painting the walls and the bed with shifting hues of electric blue, toxic green, and pulsing red. A flickering neon sign advertising some forgotten diner threw its glow across the room every few seconds, creating the illusion of movement where there was none.


    In one corner stood a wobbly shelving unit that held a few faded books, a single, empty picture frame, and a haphazard stack of utility bills and repair manuals. The room¡¯s only other furniture was a battered wooden chair with one leg shorter than the others, shoved under the desk to keep it out of the way. The air was thick with the metallic tang of the city outside, mingling with the faint scent of oil and solder from Dorian¡¯s workbench.


    Dorian and Mira sat together on the bed, their bodies slightly turned toward one another. Mira¡¯s legs were crossed as she leaned against the wall, her eyes tired but focused on Dorian. He sat hunched forward, his elbows on his knees, hands clasped tightly as if trying to hold something invisible together. The bed frame groaned softly beneath their combined weight, a low, almost apologetic sound that underscored the heavy silence.


    Despite the small, suffocating space, the neon light streaming in through the windows painted the two of them in a momentary glow, making them seem like figures trapped in a portrait of endless fatigue and quiet perseverance.


    The room was heavy with the hum of distant machinery and the muffled noise of life in the undercity. The neon lights from outside painted fractured patterns of red and green across the cracked walls and the narrow bed, where Dorian and Mira sat together. The springs creaked beneath their weight as Mira leaned forward, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her face hidden in the shadows.


    Dorians broad shoulders slouched with exhaustion, his calloused hands resting on his knees. The room¡¯s single lamp cast a dim, flickering light over their tired faces. He watched Mira carefully, noticing the way her shoulders trembled just slightly.


    ¡°Every day feels harder,¡± she whispered finally, her voice breaking the silence. Her words carried the weight of countless sleepless nights and relentless shifts on the factory floor. ¡°They just keep asking for more, more hours, more output, more of everything.¡±


    Dorian didn¡¯t respond right away. Instead, he reached out, his hand finding hers and squeezing gently. ¡°I know,¡± he said, his voice low and rough. ¡°It¡¯s like they¡¯re squeezing us dry. They don¡¯t care how much we¡¯re breaking down.¡±


    Mira¡¯s breath hitched, and she wiped at her eyes quickly, but the tears kept coming. ¡°And Kite¡­¡± Her voice faltered. ¡°I¡¯m so worried about him, Dorian. He begged to stay home from school today, he begged. I let him stay, but¡­what if it hurts him? What If he falls behind because of us? Because we can¡¯t give him a better life?¡±


    Dorian sighed deeply, the sound of it full of frustration and guilt. He turned to her, his hand moving to her back in a slow, comforting motion. ¡°We¡¯re doing the best we can, Mira. Kite¡¯s smart, smarter than either of us. He¡¯ll make it through this, no matter what.¡±


    Mira shook her head, fresh tears sliding down her cheeks. ¡°But what if he doesn¡¯t? What if we don¡¯t? We can barely keep up as it is, Dorian. How long before¡­¡± She trailed off, unable to finish the thought.


    Dorian tightened his arm around her and pulled her closer, resting his chin gently on the top of her head. His voice was quiet but firm when he spoke. "Rook can¡¯t stay on top forever,¡± he said, his words heavy with conviction. ¡°Someone or something will bring him down. Nobody like him can hold power forever. People like him always fall.¡±


    Mira leaned into his chest, her tears soaking into his shirt as she clung to him. She sniffled and whispered, ¡°God, I hope so. That piece of shit needs to rot in hell.¡±


    For a long moment, they said nothing, letting the silence stretch between them. The noises of the undercity carried on outside, a dull reminder of the world that seemed determined to crush them. But in that moment, the world felt far away.


    Mira¡¯s breathing began to steady as Dorian continued to hold her, his strong arms wrapped securely around her. She lifted her face to look at him, her eyes red and puffy but still searching for reassurance. He met her gaze with quiet determination. ¡°We¡¯ll figure it out,¡± he said simply.


    She nodded, her head falling back against his shoulder as they sat together on the narrow bed. Despite the cramped space, the peeling paint, and the weight of their struggles, their embrace felt steady, a fragile piece of solace in a world that offered none.


    Hours later the day then gave way to night in the undercity, the hum of its machinery a constant, unchanging lullaby. Many of its inhabitants, whether human, chimera, or robot, succumbed to restless sleep, lulled by the ever-present grind of fans, motors, and distant industrial echoes. But Kite was not among them.


    His room reflected the meager existence he shared with his parents in the undercity. A cracked, grease-stained window let in faint beams of neon light from a blinking advertisement outside, bathing the room in erratic pulses of pink and green. A single, flickering bulb dangled from the ceiling by a frayed wire, its weak glow barely illuminating the clutter around him.


    The walls were lined with shelves made from scrap metal and salvaged wood, holding various tools, wires, and the skeletons of half-built devices. The floor was bare concrete, cold and unforgiving, and his bed, little more than a thin mattress and a threadbare blanket, sat unmade in the corner.


    Kite himself sat on the floor, his back pressed against the wall. In his trembling hands, he clutched a ray gun. The gun was crude but functional, its body fashioned from scavenged components with wires that still sparked faintly. He had built It the night before while his parents slept, driven by a mix of terror and determination. Now, it rested tightly in his grip, a fragile shield against his growing fear.


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    He hadn¡¯t slept in nearly two days. How could he? The encounter with that robotic baby haunted him, its glowing eyes and unnatural voice replaying in his mind over and over again. His watch beeped faintly every few moments, showing a readout of the baby¡¯s ¡°vitals¡± and location. But the data made no sense. Instead of the usual percentages, the vitals flickered wildly between 100% and 1,000,000%. The location readout wasn¡¯t any more helpful, displaying a constant ¡°Unknown¡± that made Kite¡¯s stomach churn with anxiety.


    His tired mind began to wander, his thoughts an incoherent jumble of fear, exhaustion, and questions he couldn¡¯t answer. Then, without warning, the shadows in the room shifted. Two piercing, purple glowing eyes emerged from the darkness, unblinking and fixed directly on him.


    Kite¡¯s breath caught in his throat. His heart raced as he raised the ray gun instinctively, his hands shaking. ¡°Stay back!¡± he shouted, his voice cracking.


    The robotic baby stepped forward, its form illuminated by a flickering, cosmic aura that clung to it like armor. Kite pulled the trigger, and the plasma blast shot toward the baby¡¯s head, the room lighting up in a searing blue flash.


    The baby didn¡¯t flinch. The plasma dissipated harmlessly against its aura, scattering like water against glass. Its glowing eyes remained locked on Kite, its expression calm and unreadable.


    ¡°I realize now,¡± the baby said, its voice even and soft, ¡°that I may have been a bit rash before.¡± Kite froze, his fear locking him in place. ¡°W-what do you want?¡± he stammered, a tear sliding down his cheek.


    The baby tilted its head slightly, almost curiously. ¡°To talk, father.¡±


    ¡°Father?¡± Kite echoed, his voice trembling. Before he could react further, the ray gun was gently pulled from his grip, encased in a violet glow. It floated in the air for a moment before drifting away, leaving Kite defenseless.


    The baby began to approach, its small form moving with an eerie grace. Above its head, a portal shimmered into existence, swirling with cosmic energy. From the portal, a candy bar fell neatly into the baby¡¯s hand before the portal closed with a faint pop.


    ¡°Where I¡¯m from,¡± the baby said, holding the candy bar out to Kite, ¡°this was your favorite food.¡± Kite stared at the baby in a mix of awe and horror. His mind screamed at him to run, to get away, but his body wouldn¡¯t move. Slowly, hesitantly, he reached out and took the candy bar from the baby¡¯s hand.


    The baby smiled, soft, gentle, almost human. It lowered itself to the ground, sitting cross-legged in front of Kite. Its glowing eyes dimmed slightly into an emerald, green hue, and the cosmic aura around it flickered faintly as if to make itself appear less threatening.


    Kite clutched the candy bar tightly, his breaths shallow and uneven as he stared at the strange being before him. The room was silent except for the distant hum of the city outside, and in that moment, the Impossible reality of the situation began to settle in.


    The silence stretched between them, heavy and taut. Kite gripped the candy bar tightly, his fingers shaking slightly as he tried to muster the courage to speak again. His voice came out in a whisper, barely audible above the faint hum of the neon light outside.


    ¡°Why do you keep calling me father? Who are you?¡±


    The baby, or rather the being before him, didn¡¯t answer immediately as its aura dimmed. Its glowing eyes seemed to flicker as it processed the question. Finally, it spoke, its voice calm but carrying an undertone of something deeper, something that sounded like pain.


    ¡°My name is Ray Cooper,¡± it said, its gaze fixed on the floor. ¡°Your future son.¡±


    Kite¡¯s brows furrowed in confusion, his mind racing to piece together the impossible claim. ¡°But¡­ you said that he was your creator, that you were just a-¡±


    ¡°It was a lie,¡± Ray interrupted bluntly, his voice carrying an edge of finality. He sat there cross-legged, his small frame almost lost in the dim light of the room. "This¡­ vessel,¡± he said, gesturing vaguely to his robotic body, ¡°is not my true form.¡±


    ¡°But then why take the form of a baby? Why not just stay as you were?¡± Kite asked, his tone tinged with confusion and frustration.


    Ray sighed, a sound that felt far too weary for someone claiming to be so young. He looked down, his glowing eyes dimming slightly. ¡°Let¡¯s just say, I¡¯m not supposed to be here. And If I¡¯m found out¡­¡± His voice trailed off as his gaze shifted, distant and haunted. ¡°Certain people¡­ beings¡­ will try to hunt me down.¡±


    ¡°Really? But then why take the risk?¡± Kite pressed, slowly unwrapping the candy bar, his hands trembling slightly.


    Ray¡¯s gaze snapped back to Kite, his voice quiet but firm. ¡°Because, Father, if this universe doesn¡¯t progress exactly how I need it to, I am never born.¡±


    The weight of his words hung in the air, oppressive and cold. Ray¡¯s shoulders seemed to sag, and he whispered as if to himself, ¡°And everything I will have endured, everything I will have done, will have been for nothing.¡±


    Kite froze, the candy bar halfway to his mouth. He stared at Ray, the weight of those words sinking into him like a stone. ¡°I¡­ I see,¡± Kite said softly, his voice barely more than a breath. After a moment of silence, he asked quietly, ¡°How old are you, actually, then?¡±


    Ray hesitated before answering, his voice dropping into a softer, more vulnerable tone. ¡°Sixteen.¡± He let out a bitter chuckle that sounded like it carried years of regret. ¡°My birthday was a month ago.¡±


    Kite¡¯s stomach churned at the thought. Fifteen. A child who had seen and endured more than he could fathom. He lowered the candy bar, unsure what to say. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ sorry to hear that,¡± he said nervously, his voice cracking. "It sounds like you¡¯ve been through a lot.¡±


    Ray looked up at him, his glowing eyes filled with an unreadable emotion. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± he said quietly, his tone carrying a sense of resignation. ¡°You being alive means that it¡¯s all worth it.¡±


    There was a calmness to Ray¡¯s words, but beneath that calmness was something deeper, an acceptance of a cruel fate. Kite could see it now, in the way Ray sat with his shoulders hunched slightly forward, in the faint flicker of pain in his glowing eyes. Whatever this being had endured, it had shaped him into someone far older than his years.


    Kite stared at him, his heart heavy. For the first time, he felt something more than fear toward the strange, impossible being before him. He felt pity.


    The quiet stretched between them, heavy yet no longer suffocating. Kite stared at the candy bar in his hand, lost in thought. After a moment, he broke it cleanly in half, the soft crack of chocolate breaking the silence.


    Ray¡¯s glowing eyes flickered upward, his expressionless face tilting slightly as if in confusion. ¡°Here,¡± Kite said, holding out one half of the candy bar in his hand. His lips curled into a tentative smile, faint but genuine. ¡°You can eat this, right?¡±


    Ray stared at the offering, his mechanical body eerily still. For a moment, he almost seemed unsure of what to do, as though the gesture was something foreign to him. Slowly, his small, articulated fingers reached out and gently took the piece from Kite¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I can,¡± Ray said quietly, his voice timid and almost hesitant, as if speaking the words might break the fragile connection forming between them. He brought the candy bar to his lips and took a small bite, chewing slowly, his glowing green eyes fixed on the piece in his hand.


    Kite¡¯s smile grew slightly as he watched Ray eat, the sight strangely heartwarming. He took a bite of his own half, savoring the bittersweet taste that now felt oddly significant. For the first time since Ray had appeared, the tension in his life eased.


    The two of them sat In silence, the soft sounds of chewing the only noise between them. The neon lights from outside flickered across the walls, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow that danced over their forms.


    As Kite glanced at Ray, he noticed something subtle, a faint change in the way the robotic baby sat. Ray¡¯s posture, though still rigid, seemed less guarded, less distant. The candy bar in his small hand almost looked too big, the incongruity of the moment striking Kite with an odd sense of tenderness.


    Ray took another bite, his movements slow and deliberate. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ good,¡± he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper, as if the act of admitting something so simple felt unfamiliar.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Kite replied, his tone warm. He took another bite of his own piece, savoring it with a quiet sense of companionship he hadn¡¯t expected to find.


    And so, they sat together, eating in silence. The once-overwhelming tension between them had shifted into something unspoken, a newfound understanding, fragile yet undeniable. For that brief moment, the chaos of the world outside and the inevitability of what lay ahead faded, leaving only the quiet companionship of two unlikely souls sharing a simple candy bar in the glow of neon light.

 Chapter 13: Trip through space

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 Chapter 14: A kinder person

    Scared? Of you? Please,¡± Mona shot back, rolling her eyes dramatically. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t know a good plan if it bit you in the ass.¡±


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    Why should I bother? He thought. It¡¯s not my problem if he¡¯s alone. But something tugged at him, a strange, nagging feeling he couldn¡¯t quite ignore.

 Chapter 15: Father son bonding

    The undercity¡¯s atmosphere was dense with smog, illuminated by the eerie orange haze of artificial lights reflecting off the polluted air. Kite¡¯s footsteps echoed faintly against the cracked pavement as he navigated through the labyrinthine streets shortly after school ended. The buildings surrounding him were a mix of decay and ingenuity, a patchwork of crumbling concrete structures reinforced with exposed steel beams and neon signage flickering erratically.


    Overhead, wires and cables formed chaotic webs, strung between buildings like veins feeding the lifeblood of the undercity¡¯s chaotic energy. The streets were alive with activity, despite their grimy appearance. Chimera children with mismatched features, fox tails, feathered arms, and scaled legs, darted between stalls peddling questionable wares.


    Cyborg vendors displayed mechanical limbs and spare parts on makeshift tables, their wares gleaming under the faint glow of neon signs advertising everything from illegal tech upgrades to black-market energy cells. Humans bustled about, some wearing masks to shield themselves from the stinging air, while others seemed indifferent to the pollution.


    Kite¡¯s eyes wandered to a mechanic¡¯s shop nestled between a rundown noodle bar and a pawnshop. Its sign, adorned with a fading gear emblem, flickered weakly, reading: ¡°Gearhead¡¯s Garage: We Fix Anything.¡± The garage was open, revealing sparks flying from a welding torch as a heavily augmented mechanic worked on a battered hover bike. The mechanic¡¯s assistant, a teenage chimera with feline ears and a robotic tail, scurried to retrieve tools from a cluttered workbench.


    Next door, the scent of sizzling oil and spices wafted from a street-side restaurant. Its owner, an elderly woman with cybernetic arms, flipped food on a sizzling griddle while shouting orders to her staff. A line of customers, a mix of species and augmentations, waited impatiently for their meals, their chatter blending into the cacophony of the street.


    As Kite walked further, his gaze was drawn to a sleek, high-end body modification shop. The storefront was encased in pristine glass, glowing advertisements displaying augmented models with gleaming, weaponized limbs or vivid cosmetic enhancements like luminescent skin and programmable tattoos. Inside, customers lounged in plush chairs while robotic arms whirred around them, installing upgrades with surgical precision. The shop¡¯s luxurious aesthetic clashed starkly with the gritty surroundings of the undercity.


    Outside the shop, two imposing bodyguards stood watch, their augmented physiques intimidating enough to dissuade any troublemakers. Their eyes scanned the crowd, a precaution after the violent incident days prior, where a confrontation had left several patrons dead. A faint scorch mark on the pavement nearby served as a grim reminder of the chaos that had unfolded.


    Ray, now nestled in Kite¡¯s arms, observed everything with his faintly glowing green pupils. The robotic baby¡¯s gaze lingered on the bodyguards, then shifted to the bustling streets, processing the juxtaposition of luxury and decay. Kite, feeling Ray¡¯s subtle movements, glanced down and muttered under his breath. ¡°This place is something else, huh?¡±


    The pair continued their journey, weaving through the crowded streets, each step taking them deeper into the tangled heart of the undercity. Awhile later of walking, Kite would then reach a street market. The street market was alive with noise and activity, a chaotic medley of sights, sounds, and smells.


    Makeshift stalls made of scrap metal, old wood, and glowing neon hovered above the cracked and uneven ground, each one selling a dizzying array of goods. Holographic signs flickered overhead, advertising everything from cybernetic implants to reprogrammed AI companions. Vendors shouted their wares to passersby, their voices competing with the hum of nearby machinery and the occasional burst of static from malfunctioning speakers.


    The air was thick with the aroma of fried food and metallic tang, mingling with the acrid scent of burning fuel. Crowds of chimeras, cyborgs, and humans weaved through the narrow pathways, their voices blending into an overwhelming murmur. Kite clutched Ray tightly in his arms, careful to shield the robotic baby from the jostling crowd as they navigated the bustling scene.


    Kite¡¯s eyes darted to the stalls as they passed. One displayed shimmering arrays of cybernetic eyes and hands, each piece more intricate than the last. Another vendor boasted fresh-cooked skewers of unknown meat, the sizzling sound making Kite¡¯s stomach rumble. A third sold handcrafted trinkets and tools, their surfaces polished to perfection.


    ¡°I always wanna buy something from these markets,¡± Kite muttered, his voice tinged with longing. ¡°But I never have enough Teca-bites.¡±


    Ray remained silent in Kite¡¯s arms, his faintly glowing green pupils scanning the market¡¯s vibrant chaos. His small robotic body was tucked snugly against Kite¡¯s chest, but his right hand slowly pressed against his own robotic torso. Purple light began to radiate faintly from both his palm and eyes, unnoticed by Kite.


    A moment later, Ray¡¯s soft voice broke the noise around them. ¡°Father.¡± Kite stopped mid-step, his eyes snapping to Ray in surprise. He barely had time to process the word before Ray lifted his small hand, now holding ten slim Teca-sticks. The metallic black sticks with gold edges shimmered faintly in the neon lights, each one worth a small fortune.


    ¡°Whoa!¡± Kite exclaimed, grabbing the Teca-sticks from Ray¡¯s outstretched hand with trembling fingers. He stared at the currency, his eyes wide in disbelief. ¡°I could buy a hover car with this much money!¡±


    Ray¡¯s lips curled into a small smile as he watched Kite¡¯s expression of pure astonishment and glee. ¡°You seemed¡­ in need,¡± Ray cooed softly, his voice calm and measured, as though the act was nothing extraordinary.


    Kite held the Teca-sticks tightly, his heart racing. ¡°How did you- wait, never mind. I don¡¯t even care!¡± His grin stretched across his face as he glanced back at Ray. ¡°You¡¯re amazing, you know that?¡±


    Ray tilted his head slightly, his glowing eyes gleaming with a gentle warmth. Kite¡¯s steps quickened as he darted toward a stall selling a bundle of fresh food and tools, the excitement bubbling within him. But even as he moved through the market, a small part of him couldn¡¯t shake the strange, powerful connection he felt to the little robotic baby in his arms, a bond that was growing stronger with every moment they spent together.


    The stall selling fresh food and tools was tucked into a corner of the market, its structure haphazardly built from mismatched metal panels and glowing with faint neon strips to draw attention. A hand-painted sign overhead read ¡°Bundles for Survival: Tools and Treats!¡± in blocky, smudged letters. On the stall¡¯s counter, several neatly arranged bundles of supplies rested, each one tied together with synthetic cord.


    The bundles varied in size and content. Some included tightly packed food rations, vacuum-sealed fruits, nutrient bars, and even a few small vials of purified water. Others contained basic tools like multi-purpose wrenches, small solar chargers, and compact utility knives. A few bundles combined both food and tools, making them the most expensive offerings.


    The vendor, a grizzled older man with a cybernetic arm that whirred softly as he moved, looked up from a data pad as Kite approached. His eyes, one human and one an artificial red lens, scanned the boy with mild disinterest.


    Kite hesitated for a moment, clutching the Teca-sticks in his hand as he glanced over the bundles. ¡°Uh, how much for that one?¡± he asked, pointing to a medium-sized bundle that included a mix of food rations and tools.


    The vendor raised an eyebrow, his cybernetic eye whirring as it focused on Kite. ¡°That one¡¯s four Teca-sticks, kid,¡± he said gruffly.


    Kite¡¯s face fell slightly, but he quickly brightened, holding up the ten Teca-sticks Ray had given him. ¡°What about just the food? How much for that bundle?¡±


    The vendor leaned forward, tapping the counter with his metal fingers. ¡°Two Teca-sticks for the food bundle. You sure you¡¯re not interested in the tools, though? Can¡¯t eat your way out of trouble, y¡¯know.¡±


    Kite chuckled nervously. ¡°Yeah, well, tools don¡¯t fill your stomach.¡±


    He handed over the two Teca-sticks, watching as the vendor inspected them with a practiced eye. Satisfied, the man nodded and reached for the food bundle, placing it on the counter with a heavy thud. ¡°All yours, kid. Good pick, those nutrient bars¡¯ll keep you going for days, and the fruit¡¯s fresh. Grown in one of the upper levels and said to massively increase one''s lifespan when part of a diet.¡±


    Kite grabbed the bundle eagerly, tucking it under one arm while still holding Ray with the other. He glanced down at Ray, who was watching the exchange silently with his glowing green pupils. ¡°You¡¯re the best, little guy,¡± Kite said with a grin.


    The vendor squinted at Ray, his expression shifting to mild suspicion. ¡°What¡¯s with the bot?¡± he asked.


    Kite stiffened slightly, his grip tightening on Ray. ¡°Uh, nothing. Just a project I¡¯m working on,¡± he lied quickly.


    The vendor shrugged, clearly not interested enough to press further. ¡°Just keep it out of trouble. I don¡¯t need any heat from the enforcers if it glitches out.¡±


    Kite nodded hurriedly and turned away, making his way back into the crowded market. As he walked, he glanced down at Ray, his grin returning. ¡°Can you believe it? Real fruit! I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever had anything from the upper levels before.¡±


    Ray tilted his head, his faint smile still in place. ¡°You deserve it,¡± he said simply, his voice soft and deliberate.


    Kite¡¯s heart swelled at the words, and he gave a big warm smile as he walked through the market. Thirty minutes would soon pass and the two of them now sat inside of a large mall. The mall was a sprawling, multi-leveled structure carved out of the undercity¡¯s industrial husk. Unlike the pristine malls of the ones in Horizon heights, this one had a grungy, makeshift feel.


    Bright neon signs in various colors flickered above storefronts selling everything from recycled clothing to cybernetic enhancements. The air smelled faintly of oil, fried food, and the occasional whiff of smoke from malfunctioning machinery. Rusted pipes snaked along the ceilings, dripping condensation onto the chipped tiles below.


    The central atrium featured a patchwork of vendor stalls, surrounded by worn benches and tables where people of all types, humans, chimeras, and cyborgs, sat eating or chatting. Kite and Ray had found a table tucked near the edge of the atrium, away from the heaviest foot traffic.


    Kite set the food bundle down and carefully unwrapped it, revealing a mix of nutrient bars, a small package of sliced fruit, and a tightly sealed drink pouch filled with purified water. ¡°Alright, little guy,¡± Kite said, his tone cheerful as he pulled out a nutrient bar. ¡°Let¡¯s see what the rich folks up top are eating.¡±


    He unwrapped the bar, revealing a dense, beige block that looked unimpressive but smelled faintly sweet. He broke it in half and handed a piece to Ray.


    Ray took the piece in his small robotic hand, tilting his head curiously. ¡°What is this?¡± he asked, his voice smooth and childlike, with an almost musical quality.


    ¡°looks like some kinda candy,¡± Kite replied with a grin, popping his half into his mouth and chewing thoughtfully. ¡°Not bad. Kinda tastes like¡­ honey and oats, maybe?¡± He glanced at Ray expectantly. ¡°Go on, try it.¡±


    Ray hesitated, then brought the bar to his mouth, which opened with a soft mechanical hum. He took a small bite, his glowing pupils flickering faintly as he processed the flavors. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ pleasant,¡± he said after a moment, his voice carrying a hint of wonder.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Kite laughed, leaning back in his chair. ¡°Pleasant, huh? You sound like one of those fancy AI assistants. Just say it¡¯s good, little guy.¡±


    Ray smiled softly, his eyes meeting Kite¡¯s. ¡°It¡¯s good,¡± he said, mimicking Kite¡¯s tone.


    They shared a laugh before Kite reached for the fruit. He opened the package and held up a piece of bright yellow mango. ¡°Now this,¡± he said, ¡°this is the real treasure. I¡¯ve only ever had canned fruit before.¡± He took a bite, and his eyes widened as the juicy sweetness hit his tongue. ¡°Oh, man. This is incredible.¡±


    Ray watched intently, then extended his hand. Kite handed him a piece, and Ray¡¯s mechanical jaw mimicked the motion of chewing. His glowing pupils shifted slightly, turning a deeper green as he spoke. ¡°Sweet. Juicy. Very good.¡±


    Kite chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°You¡¯re like a little food critic or something.¡± Ray tilted his head with a blank face in confusion before laughing. ¡°Food Critic? As if.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, who wouldn¡¯t want to be a food critic,¡± Kite said teasingly as he took another bite of mango. ¡°You¡¯d probably be a good one. You¡¯ve got that calm, fancy way of talking.¡±


    Ray¡¯s gaze softened as he smiled warmly. ¡°Thank you, you are kind,¡± he said quietly. Kite blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in Ray¡¯s voice. ¡°Well¡­ thanks, I guess,¡± he said, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. ¡°You¡¯re not so bad yourself, y¡¯know.¡±


    They continued sharing the food in comfortable silence for a while, the bustling noise of the mall fading into the background. As Kite sipped from the drink pouch, he glanced at Ray. ¡°Hey, where¡¯d you even get those Teca-sticks earlier?¡±


    Ray looked at Kite for a moment, his glowing eyes flickering faintly as though calculating his response. He took another bite of the food, chewing thoughtfully before finally answering, ¡°I¡­ found them.¡±


    Kite raised a brow, unconvinced. ¡°Found them? What, did you trip over a bag of money and decide, ¡®Hey, this is mine now?¡± He chuckled, but his curiosity lingered.


    Ray tilted his head, his small robotic fingers tapping lightly on the table. ¡°Something like that,¡± he said, his voice soft but tinged with an almost mischievous edge.


    Kite leaned forward, setting the drink pouch down. ¡°Okay, spill it, Ray. You¡¯re weird, yeah, but that was next level. Where¡¯d you actually get them?¡±


    Ray¡¯s glowing pupils briefly shifted from green to a faint purple, signaling hesitation. After a brief pause, he leaned closer to Kite and said sheepishly ¡°I¡­ teleported them.¡±


    Kite froze mid-drink, his eyebrow raised as he stared at Ray. ¡°You¡­ teleported them? Like, poof, out of nowhere?¡± His voice rising slightly.


    Ray nodded, his expression unreadable. ¡°Not ¡®nowhere.¡¯ They were in a vault¡­ somewhere. I knew you needed them, so I moved them.¡±


    Kite¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You mean you stole from a vault? Ray!¡± His voice was equal parts shock and awe. ¡°Do you have any idea how much trouble that could¡¯ve gotten us in? What if they track it back?¡±


    Ray¡¯s small shoulders straightened, and he placed his palm over his chest again, his tone calm but firm. ¡°They can''t track it, not with the technology they have now. My abilities leave almost no trace. I did it to help you.¡±


    Kite sighed, running a hand through his curly hair as he leaned back in his chair. ¡°Man, you¡¯re crazy. Seriously. Like, super crazy. But¡­¡± He looked at Ray, the initial wave of panic subsiding into a mix of gratitude and disbelief. ¡°¡­I guess it¡¯s kind of cool, too. Like, if I could do that, I¡¯d never go hungry again.¡±


    Ray smiled faintly, a flicker of pride crossing his face. ¡°You needed it, and I wanted to help. That¡¯s all.¡±


    Kite shook his head, laughing softly. ¡°You¡¯re something else, y¡¯know that? A teleporting, money-snatching, robot-baby genius. Never thought I¡¯d see the day.¡±


    Ray tilted his head, his eyes glowing brighter for a moment. ¡°And you are kind, resourceful, and brave. A good person.¡±


    Kite blinked, caught off guard by the compliment. ¡°Me? Brave? Nah, I can barely sit through a horror movie.¡± Kite says with a laugh.


    Ray¡¯s voice softened with a knowing smile before speaking. ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡± Kite stared at Ray for a moment, unsure how to respond. Finally, he let out a small laugh, though it lacked his usual edge. ¡°Well, Thanks, I guess. Maybe I don¡¯t give myself enough credit sometimes.¡±


    They sat in silence for a few moments, the bustling mall around them a blur of voices and footsteps. Kite reached for another piece of food, holding it up for Ray, who accepted it without hesitation.


    ¡°So¡­¡± Kite said, breaking the silence, ¡°if you can teleport stuff, what else can you do? Can you Like, shoot lasers out of your eyes?¡±


    Ray chuckled softly, a rare sound that made Kite grin. ¡°Maybe. But not here. It would attract too much attention.¡±


    Kite smirked, leaning back in his chair. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll have to wait find out, huh?¡±


    Ray nodded, his glowing eyes meeting Kite¡¯s with a small smile. ¡°Yea. you will.¡±


    But The mall grew quiet as a man''s voice boomed through the megaphone, his words cutting through the usual clamor of the Undercity¡¯s busiest marketplace. Kite paused mid-chew, turning his head toward the commotion. Across the open atrium, a lanky man stood on a makeshift platform, clutching a megaphone in one hand and gesturing passionately with the other.


    Ray¡¯s faintly glowing green eyes however, changed to a violet hue as locked onto the man with a sharp intensity, recognizing the man almost instantly. ¡°For too long,¡± Levi¡¯s voice echoed, ¡°this city has allowed corporations to oppress and enslave anyone they see as lesser! Whether you¡¯re human, chimera, or robot, we all deserve equality! We all deserve dignity!¡±


    Kite swallowed his bite and glanced at Ray. ¡°Whoa, he¡¯s really going for it, huh?¡± he said, a trace of admiration in his tone.


    But Ray didn¡¯t respond. He kept his focus squarely on the man. Levi continued, his voice gaining strength. ¡°I¡¯m Levi Allen, and I¡¯m running for mayor of the Undercity! If we unite, if we stand together, we can dismantle the systems of oppression that have chained us down for generations! No more corporate tyranny! No more automaton slavery!¡±


    The words seemed to ripple through the crowd. Some onlookers stopped to listen, curiosity and hope glimmering in their eyes. Others rolled their eyes or muttered under their breath, dismissing the fiery speech as the ramblings of another dreamer.


    Kite smiled softly and leaned in toward Ray. ¡°What do you think? He¡¯s got a point, doesn¡¯t he?¡±


    Ray finally tore his gaze from Levi to glance up at Kite, his robotic pupils glowing faintly. ¡°He¡­ is important,¡± Ray said quietly, his voice unusually thoughtful for someone so small.


    Kite blinked in surprise, tilting his head. ¡°Important? Like how?¡±


    Ray looked back toward Levi, his expression serious. ¡°His voice shapes the future.¡±


    Kite furrowed his brow, confused but intrigued. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t elaborate, his gaze fixed once again on Levi, who had now moved into the heart of his speech.


    ¡°I promise you,¡± Levi declared, his voice unwavering, ¡°that if you give me your trust, I will fight for every single one of you. I will bring justice to the Undercity. No one, human, chimera, or robot will ever be treated as less than again.¡±


    The crowd¡¯s reaction was mixed. A few cheered, their voices filled with hope. Others muttered cynically, shaking their heads as they walked away.


    Kite sighed, leaning back in his chair. ¡°Big dreams for a place like this. I hope he knows what he¡¯s getting into.¡±


    Ray, still focused on Levi, spoke with quiet conviction. ¡°He succeeds.¡±


    Kite¡¯s eyes widened slightly. ¡°You really think so?¡±


    Ray nodded once, his small hand gripping the table tighter. ¡°I¡¯ve seen it.¡±


    Kite stared at Ray, an odd feeling stirring in his chest. He didn¡¯t fully understand what the little guy meant, but there was something about the way he always spoke, something calm and certain, that made Kite believe him.


    As Levi continued his impassioned speech, Kite leaned back in his seat, his gaze flickering between the speaker and Ray. ¡°Guess we¡¯d better pay attention, huh? If what you¡¯re saying is true, this guy might actually change everything.¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he kept his focus on Levi, his faintly glowing eyes reflecting the fiery determination of the man before them.


    Levi¡¯s voice resonated through the crowded mall, his words like thunder as he neared the end of his speech. The crowd¡¯s reactions were a blur, some cheered, their voices rising in hopeful unity, while others sneered, dismissing him as just another dreamer trying to take on a world that didn¡¯t care.


    ¡°And I promise you,¡± Levi shouted, raising his fist in the air, ¡°if you trust me, if we stand together, we will tear down the systems that have held us down for too long! We will see justice, not just for the humans, but for the chimera¡¯s, and for the robots!" His words rang through the mall, striking something deep within the listeners. But for all the hope in the crowd, some still turned away, muttering in disbelief.


    Ray¡¯s eyes were still fixed on Levi as the man finished his speech, his words falling like a heavy silence across the room. ¡°We must unite,¡± Levi¡¯s voice softened as he reached the closing remarks. ¡°No one should be less than the other, regardless of their form. We are all worthy of freedom.¡±


    Kite¡¯s eyes had been glued to Levi but suddenly, his gaze shifted. He noticed something, a flicker of movement in the crowd. Several figures, humans dressed in heavy jackets, seemed to be adjusting something beneath their coats, subtle but deliberate. The hint of glowing weapons could be seen beneath the fabric.


    Kite furrowed his brow, a sinking feeling in his gut. ¡°Ray¡­ do you see that?¡±


    Ray¡¯s expression didn¡¯t shift. His focus sharpened. He had been silently watching the entire scene, his glowing eyes narrowing as he observed the thugs in the crowd. They were moving with purpose, heading toward the exits, their intentions as clear as day.


    Levi finished his speech, raising his arms in a final gesture of defiance, his words cutting through the air one last time. ¡°Together, we will rise!¡±


    The crowd responded with a mix of applause and uncertainty, but before anyone could even react fully, the men began moving in the same direction as Levi, following him outside the mall. Ray didn¡¯t say a word at first, but Kite noticed the intensity in his eyes. His robotic hand clenched the table in front of him, his whole-body tense with purpose.


    Then, suddenly, without warning, Ray¡¯s small form lifted off of the chair, the cosmic energy surrounding his body flaring to life. A faint purple aura surrounded him, pulsing like a heartbeat, as he began to hover in mid-air, his glowing eyes turning a bright cosmic hue, a reflection of the raw power now emanating from him.


    Kite¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Ray!¡± he started, but before he could say anything else, Ray shot forward, a blur of energy, darting after the thugs in the direction of the exit.


    Kite¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°Wait, Ray!¡± he called after Ray, scrambling to his feet. His legs burned as he dashed across the food court, pushing through the crowd of shoppers who barely noticed his hurried movements. ¡°Ray! Come back!¡± he shouted, his voice cracking with concern.


    But Ray was already out of sight, his small form flying through the mall¡¯s atrium like a comet, trailing cosmic energy behind him as he zipped toward the men. Kite didn¡¯t even think, he just ran. His shoes skidded on the polished floor as he sprinted, his eyes focused on the door where Ray had gone. His mind raced. What was going on? Why were these thugs following Levi? And why did Ray feel the need to follow them so urgently?


    Kite¡¯s shoes slapped against the slick tiles of the mall floor as he sprinted toward the exit, his breath coming in short, sharp gasps. The air around him seemed to grow heavier with every step, a rising tension knotting in his chest. Then, like a thunderclap, the sound of energy blasts cracked through the air, echoing through the mall.


    The sharp hum of ray guns was followed by terrified screams. Kite stumbled for a split second, his mind spinning. No. No, no, no. What¡¯s happening out there? His pulse quickened as dread clawed at his stomach. I should¡¯ve stopped him!


    ¡°Ray!¡± Kite shouted, his voice hoarse as panic overtook him. The screams grew louder, and the blasts reverberated like a drumbeat in his chest. He pushed himself harder, his legs burning as he ran toward the source of the chaos. What if he gets hurt? What if¡­? But he couldn¡¯t finish the thought.


    As he reached the mall doors, the chaos seemed to crescendo, every sound pressing down on him. The metallic taste of fear filled his mouth as he slammed through the doors, stumbling onto the street outside.


    The scene froze him in his tracks. The thugs, the same ones who had been charging their weapons inside, were now sprawled across the pavement, unconscious or incapacitated. Their ray guns lay scattered, some sparking feebly with spent energy. Civilians were huddled nearby, staring wide-eyed at the scene, whispering nervously but unharmed.


    Against the wall, Levi Allen sat on the ground, his chest heaving as he stared up at the figure before him. His face was pale, his hands gripping the pavement as if grounding himself from what had just happened. And then there was Ray.


    Floating a few feet above the ground, the tiny figure was surrounded by a swirling, cosmic aura that pulsed and glowed with hues of purple and violet. His eyes blazed like twin stars, their light almost too bright to look at. His robotic frame radiated energy, his small form exuding an impossible power that seemed to bend the very air around him.


    ¡°Ray!¡± Kite gasped, stumbling forward. His heart was pounding, but relief flooded him when he saw the thugs unmoving, the civilians untouched. ¡°What- what happened?¡±


    Ray turned his glowing eyes toward Kite, the aura around him gradually dimming. Slowly, he lowered himself to the ground, his feet touching the pavement as the energy dissipated like mist.


    ¡°I handled it,¡± Ray said simply, his tone calm, almost matter of fact. His gaze flickered toward the thugs. ¡°No one was hurt.¡±


    Kite blinked, trying to process what he was seeing. He glanced at the unconscious thugs, then at Levi, who still looked stunned but unharmed. Finally, he locked eyes with Ray. ¡°You¡­ you did this? All of this?¡± he asked, his voice trembling.


    Ray nodded, his expression unchanging. ¡°Yes. They were going to kill him.¡± He gestured toward Levi. ¡°I acted swiftly and mercifully. It was necessary.¡±


    Kite felt a mix of emotions swell in his chest, relief, awe, and something close to fear. ¡°Ray¡­¡± he started, then paused, trying to find the words. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re amazing, but-¡± He looked at the people around them, whispering and staring.


    Ray tilted his head, his glowing purple eyes dimming slightly. ¡°No one was hurt,¡± he repeated firmly, his voice unwavering. ¡°I made sure of it.¡±


    Kite swallowed hard, his heart still racing as he glanced at Levi, who was beginning to push himself to his feet, his hands trembling. The man looked at Ray with a mixture of shock and gratitude, his mouth opening as if to say something but no words coming out.


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know what you are,¡± Levi finally stammered, his voice shaky, ¡°but thank you. You saved my life. I¡¯ll remember this for as long as I live.¡±


    Ray gave a small nod but said nothing. Kite stepped closer to him, picking him up gently. ¡°We need to go,¡± he said quietly, his voice filled with urgency. ¡°Before anyone starts asking too many questions.¡±


    Ray looked up at Kite, his glowing eyes softening. ¡°Okay,¡± he said simply. As the crowd murmured and Levi struggled to gather himself, Kite held Ray close and turned toward the shadows of the undercity. But as they walked away, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that things had just gotten far more complicated than he ever imagined.

 Chapter 16: A near perfect world

    The sprawling metropolis of Horizon Heights now stood as a beacon of progress and unity in a world reshaped by the march of time. Towering spires of glass and steel pierced the heavens, their surfaces alive with the hum of energy and light, while the streets below thrummed with the vibrant tapestry of life. Humans now walked side by side with Chimera from every side of the world, their once-feared hybrid forms now a celebrated part of society, and automatons, no longer shackled by the chains of servitude, roamed freely, their sentient voices blending seamlessly with the city¡¯s symphony.


    In this era of enlightenment, prejudice had been cast into the annals of history. Automaton slavery was but a dark memory, and hatred against Chimera had withered away in the utopia Ray was born into. Horizon Heights thrived as a sanctuary for all, its borders open to the extraordinary and the mundane alike.


    Among its residents were the Ascendants, gifted individuals wielding powers beyond imagination. They had become the city¡¯s legends, some rising as noble heroes, others falling as fearsome villains, but all leaving their mark on its story.


    For those who called it home, whether demon, human, robot, or Chimera, Horizon Heights now offered more than safety. It offered a future, a place where everyone could find purpose and belonging in the sprawling heart of this luminous, ever-evolving city.


    Where the struggles of the past, slavery, hatred, and war, are but distant memories. Yet, beneath this tranquil surface, a dark undercurrent stirs, for this era of serenity is but the calm before the storm. The cosmic powers that will bind Ray to a life of misery are yet to come, and the golden age, though radiant, is but a fleeting prelude to the inevitable trials of fate.


    The outdoor dining terrace of Stellar Bites, a popular restaurant in Horizon Heights, bustles with activity. Transparent holographic menus floated above each table, while sleek, hovering servers glided through the crowd, delivering trays of steaming dishes to a mix of humans, robots, and Chimera. The skyline glimmered with neon lights, and vehicles zipped by in orderly lanes both above and below the streets. The air carried the scent of Sizzling spices, charred meat, and sweet desserts.


    At one of the tables, three kids sat together, laughing and digging into their food. Ray, who was ten years old, held a massive burger in hand, while gesturing animatedly, his emerald, green eyes sparkling with excitement.


    ¡°I¡¯m telling you,¡± Ray said between bites, ¡°Nexis had to literally yell at me to stop chasing that drone last night. It wasn¡¯t even the target! Just some poor delivery bot that happened to look suspicious.¡±


    Ray has pale white skin with a sprinkle of freckles across his nose and cheeks. His brown, curly hair is wild and untamed, complementing his bright, emerald, green eyes that seem to sparkle with curiosity and excitement. His youthful face is often full of energy, with an expression that shifts easily from intense focus to playful wonder. Ray¡¯s casual clothing is simple yet functional, consisting of a plain white t-shirt, beige cargo shorts, and sneakers.


    The girl next to him, Nova, nearly spat out her drink, a vibrant blue liquid that shimmered faintly in the light. ¡°You¡¯re kidding!¡± she said, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. ¡°Ray, again? How many drones have you scared off this month?¡±


    Nova is a ten-year-old African American girl with a vibrant curly afro that radiates her confident personality. She often wears colorful graphic tees or hoodies, paired with ripped jeans or joggers that allow her to move freely. Her sneakers are sleek and practical, accented with cosmic designs of various stars.


    Ray shrugged, his cheeks red. ¡°I dunno, five? Maybe six?¡± He grinned sheepishly. ¡°Look, they move so fast! How am I supposed to tell the difference?¡±


    The boy sitting in front of Ray, Conner, leaned back in his chair, a sly smirk spreading across his face. His short brown hair caught the neon glow from the city lights. ¡°Maybe if you listened to Nexis for once, you¡¯d stop making a fool of yourself. But hey, you¡¯re great entertainment for the rest of us.¡± He stabbed a piece of grilled meat with his fork and popped it into his mouth.


    Connor is a 10-year-old boy with short brown hair and piercing blue eyes, giving him a sharp and intense look. He wears a black training Gi paired with a black shirt, black pants, and running boots, which accentuate his focus on martial arts and his place as the star pupil of Sensei Ino. His confident yet bratty demeanor is reflected in his posture, always appearing ready for a challenge but often with a hint of irritation.


    ¡°Oh, please,¡± Ray shot back, pointing his burger at Connor like it was a weapon. ¡°You¡¯re one to talk, Mr. ¡®I-can-handle-it-alone.¡¯ Didn¡¯t you almost get flattened by that rogue mech last week because you refused to wait for backup?¡±


    Connor scowled, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward. ¡°I had it under control.¡±


    Nova snorted, her curly afro bouncing as she shook her head. ¡°Under control? Connor, you were practically screaming for help when Rad showed up to punch that thing into scrap metal.¡±


    ¡°Was not,¡± Connor muttered, crossing his arms. ¡°Besides, Rad loves showing off. I was just giving him an opportunity.¡±


    Ray and Nova burst into laughter, drawing a few curious glances from nearby tables. Nova leaned forward, a mischievous glint in her eyes. ¡°Speaking of showing off,¡± she said, ¡°what about you, Ray? How many times have you tried to ¡®accidentally¡¯ activate your exosuit in front of that reporter? What¡¯s her name again? Selena?¡±


    Ray¡¯s face turned crimson. ¡°That was- look, I wasn¡¯t trying to impress her, okay? It just¡­ happened!¡±


    Connor raised an eyebrow, his blue eyes gleaming with amusement. ¡°Right. And the fact that you just happened to strike a heroic pose every time she was nearby is a total coincidence?¡±


    ¡°Exactly!¡± Ray said quickly, then groaned when Nova and Connor dissolved into laughter again.


    Nova wiped a tear from her eye and reached for another bite of her starlight salad, a dish glowing faintly with edible bioluminescent plants. ¡°Honestly, you two are hopeless. How did we ever survive this long as a team?"


    Ray grinned, finally relaxing as the teasing subsided. ¡°Because we¡¯ve got you, Nova. You keep us in line.¡±


    Connor rolled his eyes but didn¡¯t argue. He glanced up at the hovering holographic screens displaying the news above the restaurant. A clip showed a masked villain causing chaos in one of the lower districts of Horizon Heights before being subdued by three familiar figures.


    ¡°Hey, look at that,¡± Connor said, nodding toward the screen. ¡°We made the news again. ¡®Young Heroes Save Market District from Chaos Bringer.¡¯¡±


    Nova smiled, her confidence shining through. ¡°Of course we did. That¡¯s what we do.¡±


    Ray raised his glass of fizzy green soda. ¡°Here¡¯s to us, the best, most chaotic hero team Horizon Heights has ever seen.¡±


    Nova and Connor clinked their glasses against his, and for a moment, the three of them sat in comfortable silence, enjoying the food, the laughter, and the bond they shared, not just as heroes, but as friends.


    But then, Ray¡¯s cybernetic ring, the sleek, silver band that glowed faintly on his finger, vibrated, pulling his attention away from the conversation. The soft chime of an incoming call echoed above the hum of the restaurant¡¯s atmosphere.


    Ray blinked, his face lighting up in a mix of surprise and annoyance. ¡°Ugh, always on our day off,¡± he muttered, swiping the ring to answer.


    A clear, authoritative voice filled the air around their table. It was Amanda Harris, the leader of their squad. ¡°Ray, Nova, Connor, listen up,¡± she said, her tone urgent but calm. ¡°We¡¯ve got a villain sighting at the central park. Possible escape route through the south alley, look alive, team.¡±


    Connor groaned loudly, slumping in his seat with a dramatic sigh. ¡°Of course. We were just about to take a break and now this. Who is it this time? Dr. Disru? Siren?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure yet,¡± Amanda replied, her voice sharp and professional. ¡°Just get there fast. I¡¯ll be waiting.¡±


    Ray stood up immediately, excitement and responsibility both coursing through him. He took one more bite of his half-eaten burger before tossing it back onto the plate. ¡°Got it. We¡¯ll handle it.¡±


    Nova let out a long, exasperated sigh. ¡°I swear, we can never catch a break. Every time we try to take a breather¡­¡± She shook her head, tossing a glance at Connor. ¡°And of course, we have to go to that stupid picture day at the academy after this. Can¡¯t we skip it for once?¡±


    Connor crossed his arms, frowning. ¡°I¡¯ll be so glad when this day is over. I hate those dumb school photos. Who even needs them? It¡¯s not like we¡¯re ever going to look back at them.¡±


    Ray smirked at his two friends, a playful gleam in his eyes despite the tense situation. ¡°Come on, it¡¯s not so bad. I mean, if I¡¯m gonna be in a picture, might as well be in my exosuit, right?¡±


    ¡°Not unless you want to be ¡®that¡¯ kid who looks like he¡¯s posing for a sci-fi movie,¡± Nova shot back with a roll of her eyes.


    Amanda¡¯s voice crackled through Ray¡¯s watch again, cutting through the banter. ¡°Just don¡¯t forget about the picture day later, alright? We need all of you there. I don¡¯t want to hear any excuses.¡±


    Ray turned his palm up toward the sky in a mock salute. ¡°Roger that, Captain Amanda. We¡¯ll make it quick. Promise.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Amanda replied, her tone softening slightly. ¡°Now, get to the park. Stay sharp.¡± The call ended with a faint click, leaving the trio in the momentary silence of their shared frustrations.


    Ray sighed, glancing back at his food, half of it now forgotten. ¡°I swear, every time I think we get a moment to ourselves, something happens. It¡¯s like the universe is conspiring against us having a peaceful lunch.¡±


    Nova picked up her drink, her expression weary but determined. ¡°You know, I bet that villain at the park is just a distraction for something worse. Maybe a bigger plan we don¡¯t know about yet.¡±


    Connor uncrossed his arms, looking up at the neon-lit skyline, his eyes narrowed. ¡°Let¡¯s hope it¡¯s nothing too crazy. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can get out of the picture day thing. But if it¡¯s some mindless thug causing trouble¡­ that¡¯ll be such a waste of time.¡±


    Ray grinned, his pulse quickening with the thrill of a new mission. ¡°Well, either way, we¡¯ll be the ones to stop them. Let¡¯s go make this quick, then. Once we¡¯re done, we¡¯ll have time to laugh about it.¡±


    Nova shot him a side-eye, her lips twitching into a smile. ¡°Only if you promise not to do that ridiculous pose in the photo.¡±


    Connor snorted, standing up and stretching. ¡°Yeah, I want to see how the camera can handle Ray¡¯s ¡®heroic¡¯ exosuit angle.¡±


    ¡°Hey, if the suit fits, I¡¯m wearing it,¡± Ray teased, tapping the ring on his finger. Within seconds, his exosuit materialized around him, the smooth, white armor shimmering under the midday sun. His helmet formed with a soft whoosh, and he adjusted it, grinning at his teammates from beneath its reflective visor.


    Nova stood beside Ray, her arms crossed as she watched him adjust his exosuit. She smirked, raising an eyebrow as she watched the process. ¡°Well, well, look at Mr. ¡®Heroic Exosuit¡¯ getting ready for the big show.¡± She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping into a teasing tone. ¡°Just remember, when you¡¯re flying with all that extra gear, try not to fall into any trees or light poles again, okay?¡±


    Ray turned to her, narrowing his eyes playfully. ¡°I¡¯ve got this under control. Besides, I don¡¯t think trees stand a chance against my suit¡¯s armor.¡±


    Nova¡¯s smile widened mischievously. ¡°I¡¯m sure they don¡¯t. But can it keep up with me?¡± She suddenly thrust her hands out to either side, the air around her vibrating with intense energy.


    Her curly afro lifted in the swirling wind, and her body began to radiate with a brilliant, yellow glow, her star form. The heat from her star-like aura shimmered around her, the golden light intensifying until it looked like she was wearing the surface of a blazing sun itself.


    Without missing a beat, Nova shot a wink at Ray. ¡°Race ya!¡± she called, her voice laced with playful challenge as she shot straight up into the sky, leaving a trail of warm, golden light in her wake.


    Ray stood frozen for a moment, his jaw slack in astonishment as he watched her soar effortlessly into the sky, the brightness of her star form almost blinding in its brilliance. His eyes widened. ¡°Wait! Hey! No fair! You got a head start!¡± he shouted, a grin spreading across his face as the competitive spark lit up inside him.


    With a burst of speed, Ray launched himself into the air, activating the thrusters in his exosuit with a loud whir. He zoomed after Nova, pushing himself harder to catch up, his form shooting through the sky in pursuit of her. ¡°I¡¯m catching you!¡± he shouted, laughing in the wind.


    Nova was already high above the city, looking back down at Ray with a mischievous smile. ¡°Better hurry up! You¡¯re falling behind, Ray!¡±


    The sound of her voice echoed in the distance as she soared higher, her golden glow leaving trails that lit up the sky, her laughter ringing out like the chime of a bell. Meanwhile, Connor stood still at the edge of the restaurant¡¯s outdoor patio, arms crossed and a frown tugging at his lips as he watched his two friends disappear into the sky. His hands moved to his hips as he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible. ¡°Looks like I¡¯m taking the taxi again.¡±


    He stood there for a moment longer, watching Ray and Nova dart in and out of the clouds, racing each other in the sky. Sighing heavily, Connor turned on his heel, his boots clicking against the pavement as he walked away from the scene, shaking his head. ¡°I swear, those two always leave me out of the fun,¡± he muttered, the glint of irritation in his blue eyes as he made his way toward the nearest transport station.


    The skies over Horizon Heights were a brilliant mix of neon colors as the city buzzed below, lights flickering like constellations beneath them. Ray and Nova streaked through the air at breathtaking speeds, their bodies cutting through the wind as they raced toward the park. The city sprawled out beneath them, a patchwork of towering skyscrapers, floating platforms, and illuminated streets. The clouds were scattered like cotton, tinged with the gold hues of the early afternoon sun.


    Ray¡¯s exosuit hummed with power, its thrusters glowing as they propelled him through the air, a blur of white and silver against the blue sky. His eyes locked on Nova ahead of him, her star form glowing like a miniature sun. He grinned, his pulse quickening as he pushed himself to catch up.


    ¡°You¡¯re not getting away that easy!¡± Ray shouted, his voice crackling through the coms as he zoomed after her. The wind whipped around him, but his suit kept him steady, and the feeling of the high-speed chase surged through his veins.


    Nova¡¯s laugh rang out like a melody, bright and confident. She didn¡¯t even look back at him, letting her starry aura illuminate the skyline behind her. "Keep dreaming, Ray!" she taunted, her voice laced with playful mockery. ¡°You¡¯re gonna need more than that fancy exosuit to catch me!¡±


    Her form flickered in the distance as she darted between two towering skyscrapers, leaving a trail of golden light in her wake. Ray narrowed his eyes, focusing as his thrusters flared to life again, pushing him forward with a burst of speed. He could feel the air resistance pressing against his body as he closed the distance between them.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s on now, Nova!¡± Ray called out, his grin widening beneath his helmet. He adjusted his suit¡¯s thrusters, aiming for a higher altitude, planning to swoop in from above.


    But Nova was ready. She swerved effortlessly, the heat of her body leaving trails of fire-like light as she spun around in midair. ¡°Catch me if you can!¡± she taunted, her voice full of energy as she shot down toward the lower levels of the city, gliding smoothly just above the rooftops.


    Ray¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°What the- hey, no fair! You¡¯re trying to lose me in the city!¡± he shouted as he banked hard to follow her, narrowly dodging a hover car that zipped by at high speed.


    ¡°You snooze, you lose!¡± Nova¡¯s laugh echoed through the air as she weaved between buildings, dipping low to avoid the hovering vehicles and tight alleyways. Ray wasn¡¯t far behind, but he had to make careful maneuvers to avoid obstacles, his exosuit¡¯s sensors lighting up with warnings.


    ¡°Watch out!¡± Ray shouted, barely missing a massive holographic billboard as it flickered to life right in his path. He veered sharply to the side, his heart pounding with excitement. ¡°This is crazy! You¡¯re really trying to make me crash, huh?¡±


    Nova glanced over her shoulder just long enough to wink. ¡°Should¡¯ve been faster!¡±


    Ray¡¯s eyes flashed, his competitive spirit kicking in. He pushed his suit to its limits, sending a surge of energy through the thrusters. With a roar of the engines, he shot forward, gaining ground on Nova as they neared the park. The horizon shifted as the towering buildings gave way to the wide-open spaces of the central park. Trees and playgrounds appeared below, and the path to the villain was now in clear view


    ¡°Alright, Nova, time to catch you!¡± Ray shouted, grinning despite himself.


    Nova¡¯s laughter echoed, but this time it was softer, less mocking. She slowed just enough to give him a glance, her glowing form flickering like a star in the ocean blue sky. ¡°You¡¯re close, but not close enough,¡± she said, her tone teasing but filled with that familiar warmth.


    As the park loomed ahead, the two of them adjusted their speed, focusing on their mission. The villain was undoubtedly nearby, the tension rising even as their playful race began to slow. The buildings of Horizon Heights fell away as the expansive green of the park stretched below them, and the faint sound of chaos reached their ears, the unmistakable hum of an enemy¡¯s presence. The time for fun was almost over.


    But for just a moment, they both lingered in the air, their competitive smiles fading into focused determination as they neared the park¡¯s edge. Ray glanced at Nova, a gleam in his eyes. ¡°We¡¯ll finish what we started after we catch this guy.¡±


    Nova nodded with a faint smile, her golden aura still flickering faintly around her. ¡°Just don¡¯t slow me down, Ray,¡± she said, her voice suddenly steady, her playful tone replaced with the focus of a true hero.


    Ray smirked, ready for whatever came next. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it.¡±


    Together, they dove toward the park, ready to face whatever villain awaited them. Ray and Nova descended through the air, their forms sleek and fast, cutting through the remaining clouds above Horizon Heights before landing softly on the lush grass of the park. But the area was now eerily quiet, the usual bustle of the city far off in the distance, but here, all was calm.


    The grass swayed gently in the breeze, birds chirped in the distance, and the trees stood tall as the early afternoon sun filtered through their leaves.Ray glanced around, eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger. The park seemed peaceful, almost too peaceful, as though nothing was amiss.


    ¡°What the, where¡¯s the bad guy?¡± Ray asked, his voice tinged with confusion. He looked around again, his helmet¡¯s visor reflecting the calm surroundings, and for a moment, it seemed almost too perfect. He frowned, hands on his hips as he turned to Nova. ¡°Maybe we got here too late?¡±


    Nova wasn¡¯t looking at him. She was focused on the empty park around them, her expression growing increasingly puzzled. ¡°Better yet, where¡¯s our captain?¡± She crossed her arms, scanning the area, her glowing star form flickering slightly as she hovered off the ground, searching the horizon. ¡°She¡¯d normally be here by now. Did we miss something?¡±


    Ray¡¯s brow furrowed as he took a few steps forward, his boots pressing lightly into the grass. There was no sign of Amanda or anyone else. It didn¡¯t make sense. They¡¯d gotten the call, rushed out here, and now they were left with¡­ nothing.


    But before either of them could speak further, a massive crack of thunder split the air with an earth-shattering force that made the very ground beneath them tremble. The sudden, violent sound echoed across the park as a massive vortex tore open in the sky above them. The swirling winds began to spiral rapidly, sucking up debris and shaking the ground beneath their feet.


    Ray¡¯s eyes widened in shock, his pulse racing. ¡°What the?!¡± He didn¡¯t even have time to finish his sentence before the park around them began to distort. Trees shook violently, their branches ripping apart as if they were paper in a storm. Park benches and fountains were torn from their places, thrown into the swirling chaos above them like toys caught in a child¡¯s tantrum.


    The force of the wind increased in an instant. A tornado of pure destruction spun from the vortex, sending chunks of metal, glass, and wood flying in all directions. The air was thick with dust and debris, the chaos escalating far faster than they could react.


    ¡°Nova!¡± Ray shouted, his voice barely audible over the cacophony of destruction. He reached out, his arm extended in an attempt to grab hold of her, but it was already too late. The powerful wind snatched them both from the ground with violent force, sending them tumbling through the air.


    Nova, caught off guard, struggled to steady herself as the gusts whipped her around. Her glowing star aura flickered, fighting against the pressure of the winds, but the vortex was far too strong. She let out a sharp cry as she was hurled into the air, her body spinning uncontrollably.


    Ray barely had time to react before the winds sent him flying, the world spinning around him in a blur of motion. His suit¡¯s thrusters activated desperately, trying to slow his fall, but it was like trying to fight the tide with a single hand. The pressure of the air forced him downward, and with no warning, he crashed into the park¡¯s gravel pathway with a loud thud.


    Dazed, Ray struggled to push himself up, his head spinning and his suit groaning from the impact. He blinked rapidly, trying to clear his vision, but the world was still spinning. His heart was racing, and his thoughts were clouded with confusion.


    ¡°What just happened¡­¡± he muttered, trying to regain his footing. The park, once calm and serene, was now a warzone, destroyed benches, uprooted trees, and fountains ripped apart, all swirling in the winds as if nature itself had turned against them.


    ¡°Ray!¡± Nova¡¯s voice called out from somewhere above him, but the wind was so deafening that her words were barely audible. Ray looked up, seeing Nova struggling to stay in the air. Her star form was flickering weakly, the golden glow dimming as the storm raged around her.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    The vortex above them intensified, and through the swirling chaos, a figure began to descend. Her presence cut through the storm like a blade through cloth. Azura, her pale blue skin glowing faintly in the turbulent winds, stood at the center of the vortex. Her silver hair whipped violently around her face, and her glowing white eyes locked onto Ray and Nova with an icy, calculating gaze.


    Ray¡¯s breath caught in his throat as he tried to stand. ¡°Azura¡­¡± he breathed, his voice tinged with both awe and dread. This was no random villain, his was someone with immense power, someone who could reshape reality with a thought.


    Azura¡¯s lips curled into a smile, her cold demeanor unshaken by the devastation she had caused. ¡°I was wondering when you two would show up,¡± she said, her voice carrying clearly through the storm. Her power was undeniable, radiating from her in waves that made Ray feel like he was drowning in a sea of energy. ¡°Welcome to my little storm. I trust you¡¯ll find it¡­ unpredictable.¡±


    Ray clenched his fists, trying to steady himself in the face of Azura¡¯s overwhelming force. His mind raced for a plan, but the storm around him was so disorienting that he could barely focus. Nova¡¯s voice cut through the noise again, but this time, it was filled with a determination that matched Ray¡¯s.


    ¡°Azura!¡± she shouted, her golden glow reigniting as she steadied herself in the air. ¡°You won¡¯t get away with this!¡±


    Ray nodded in agreement, pushing against the force of the winds as he prepared for the fight ahead. This wouldn¡¯t be easy. But they were heroes. And no matter how powerful Azura was, they would stand their ground.


    Azura¡¯s eyes glowed like burning stars, her presence dominating the park as she hovered within the vortex she had conjured. Her metallic suit shimmered in the chaos, and her silver hair whipped violently in the wind. The ground beneath her cracked and split as if the very earth feared her power. She raised her hand, the vortex intensifying, sending debris and trees spiraling violently around her.


    Ray stumbled to his feet, his exosuit¡¯s thrusters kicking into overdrive, stabilizing his form. His helmet¡¯s HUD flickered, scanning the chaotic environment and calculating his next move. Behind him, Nova¡¯s star form burned even brighter, her glowing body pushing against the wind as she attempted to center herself in the sky.


    Despite the overwhelming strength of the vortex, she refused to be swayed. Her body glistened, like molten gold under the storm¡¯s fury. Azura¡¯s voice cut through the roar of the wind. ¡°You think you can stop me? This is just the beginning.¡±


    Ray¡¯s grip tightened on his fists, his body flexing as he activated his thrusters, lifting himself into the air. His eyes narrowed behind his visor as he targeted Azura, energy crackling around him. ¡°We¡¯re not letting you destroy the city,¡± he said, his voice steady despite the rising tension.


    Nova shot forward, her body rocketing through the air like a comet. ¡°We¡¯re taking you down, Azura!¡± she yelled, her voice sharp and filled with defiance.


    Ray followed close behind, his suit¡¯s thrusters pushing him forward in pursuit of Nova. The wind whipped through the air, but he was determined. He wasn¡¯t going to let her get away this time. They needed to end this now.


    Azura, watching them approach with a cold, calculating gaze, smirked. Her hands raised, and the sky responded. The vortex expanded outward, flinging large chunks of debris at them, like deadly projectiles.


    Without hesitation, Ray activated his exosuit¡¯s defense mechanisms, deploying a holographic shield just in time to deflect a shard of metal that hurtled toward him. ¡°You think a little shield will stop me?¡± Azura taunted, flicking her wrist.


    The vortex¡¯s wind intensified, forcing Ray and Nova to split in midair to avoid being swallowed by the storm. As they separated, Azura launched herself forward, her energy blasts streaking through the sky like lightning.


    Ray was quick to respond. He banked sharply to the right, shooting forward with a burst of energy from his exosuit. His fists glowed with energy, charged and ready to strike.


    As he neared Azura, he swung at her, but she effortlessly dodged with a graceful twist, her body flickering in and out of view as she shifted through space using her powers. ¡°You¡¯ll have to do better than that,¡± Azura hissed, and with a flick of her fingers, she created a rift in the air, distorting gravity in an instant. Ray found himself thrown off balance, the ground beneath him warping as if he were standing on the surface of another world.


    His feet slipped, and before he could react, Azura¡¯s hands crackled with energy, sending a pulse of destructive force toward him. But Ray wasn¡¯t done. His exosuit¡¯s thrusters flared again, and with a burst of speed, he shot to the side, narrowly avoiding the blast. The shockwave sent debris flying around him, but his suit¡¯s sensors allowed him to track the trajectory of the attack.


    Meanwhile, Nova was engaging with the storm head-on, her star form glowing even brighter, almost blinding against the darkening sky. She maneuvered with incredible agility, weaving through the debris as if the wind itself was part of her being. She flew in a spiral, leaving behind a trail of golden stardust in her wake, before coming to a sudden halt in front of Azura.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going anywhere,¡± Nova said with fierce determination, her voice ringing out above the storm. She clenched her fists, and the energy in her body surged, coalescing into a powerful beam of starlight. She shot the beam at Azura, who immediately countered by twisting space again, distorting reality itself.


    The beam of light missed by inches, and Nova¡¯s body flickered with the aftershock of the distortion, thrown off course for a moment. But Nova wasn¡¯t giving up. She twisted in midair, landing lightly on the cracked ground, her feet sinking into the earth with a slight glow. Her star form flared to its maximum output, her body radiating intense heat as she soared upward again.


    Ray, recovering from the earlier attack, shot toward Azura with a renewed focus. Aiming his energy beams directly at the villain. The first shot was a powerful, concentrated burst of energy, aimed straight for her. Azura responded with a snap of her fingers, her energy field creating a barrier that absorbed the blast.


    Ray was ready for this. He pivoted mid-air, unleashing a rapid barrage of smaller energy pulses. Each blast crackled with energy, forcing Azura to block and dodge in rapid succession. But even as she deflected the energy, the ground beneath her feet began to crack, creating fissures. The shockwaves of the blasts were beginning to take their toll on her surroundings.


    Azura sneered, annoyed by the combined efforts of Ray and Nova. ¡°Enough of this,¡± she growled, raising her hands high into the air. She tore open a massive dimensional rift, and from it, hundreds of energy shards rained down, each shard crackling with destructive force.


    Ray¡¯s suit flared again as he shot toward Nova. ¡°Nova, look out!¡± he called, grabbing her and pulling her into a tight formation as they zipped away from the oncoming barrage. The shards slammed into the park, exploding with devastating force, sending shockwaves that tore up the earth and splintered nearby buildings.


    As the storm grew in intensity, the air itself seemed to shimmer with the power of the vortex. Azura was pushing them harder than they had ever been pushed before, but Ray and Nova weren¡¯t backing down. The battle was far from over, and they knew that it would take everything they had to stop her.


    ¡°Ray, we need to work together,¡± Nova shouted as she flipped around, gathering more energy from the sun. Her star form had reached its peak, and the heat emanating from her was enough to cause the air to distort. ¡°Let¡¯s finish this!¡±


    Ray nodded, his eyes locked onto Azura, who was floating higher now, her body surrounded by a pulsating aura of dark energy. ¡°Right!¡±


    With a sudden surge of energy, Ray and Nova combined their powers. Ray fired a concentrated energy beam straight for Azura, while Nova gathered the heat of a supernova within her body. Together, they launched their combined attack, the heat of the stars and the might of Ray¡¯s demonic exosuit¡¯s energy.


    As Ray and Nova¡¯s combined attack hurtled toward Azura, the sheer power of their efforts lit up the chaotic battlefield. The beam of energy, a fusion of starlight and pure power, roared through the air, shaking the very foundations of the park. Trees were uprooted, the grass was scorched, and debris was hurled skyward, caught in the maelstrom of their attack.


    Azura¡¯s cold, calculating smirk never wavered. Just as the energy was about to strike her, she extended her arms outward, her fingers twisting the very fabric of reality. A shimmering dimensional rift tore open before her, swallowing the combined attack whole. The raw energy disappeared into the void with a deafening roar, and for a moment, there was only silence.


    Then, without warning, the rift reappeared just behind Nova. ¡°What!¡± Nova barely had time to react as the powerful attack, their own devastating creation, struck her square in the chest with unrelenting force. The impact was instantaneous and catastrophic.


    A brilliant explosion of light engulfed her, and the shockwave propelled her upward with such velocity that she was launched into the sky, breaking through the atmosphere in a trail of golden stardust and flame. Ray¡¯s heart sank as he watched Nova vanish into the heavens, her figure becoming a distant speck against the void of space. The HUD in his helmet screamed warnings about the energy readings, but all he could focus on was the horrifying sight of his best friend being blasted away.


    ¡°Nova!¡± Ray shouted, his voice cracking with panic. He reached out instinctively, but she was already far beyond his grasp. His thrusters flared as if preparing to chase after her, but Azura¡¯s voice cut through the chaos, cold and mocking.


    ¡°Such predictable children,¡± Azura sneered, descending from the vortex she had conjured. The rift above her sealed with a snap of her fingers, and the winds began to calm slightly, though the air remained charged with her malevolent power. She hovered just above the shattered ground, her glowing eyes locked onto Ray. ¡°Your precious little friend is gone. Sent hurtling into the stars where she belongs. Fitting, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    Ray clenched his fists, his entire body trembling with a mix of fury and fear. ¡°You¡¯ll pay for that, Azura!¡± he roared, his exosuit responding to his emotions by intensifying its energy output.


    The glowing lines across the suit brightened, and his thrusters roared as he launched himself toward her. Azura merely laughed, a cold, hollow sound that echoed across the ruined park. ¡°Oh, please,¡± she taunted, dodging his incoming strike with effortless grace.


    ¡°Do you really think you stand a chance against me alone? Your suits powers are nothing compared to mine.¡±


    Ray swung again, this time unleashing a concentrated energy blast from his gauntlet. Azura flicked her wrist, creating a small rift that swallowed the beam before it could reach her. The rift reappeared to his side, releasing the energy in a harmless direction. She smirked as she watched him struggle, her movements deliberate and calculated.


    ¡°You¡¯re out of your depth, boy,¡± she hissed, her voice dripping with disdain. ¡°Without your little star-girl, you¡¯re just a child playing dress-up.¡±


    Ray gritted his teeth, refusing to let her words shake him. ¡°We¡¯re not done yet,¡± he growled, adjusting his stance midair. His exosuit¡¯s AI, Nexis, chimed in through his helmet, his tone calm but urgent.


    ¡°Warning: her spiritual output is at 90% and rising. I recommend tactical retreat or immediate reinforcements!¡±


    ¡°No way!¡± Ray muttered under his breath, his determination outweighing his suit¡¯s warnings. He charged forward again, his thrusters propelling him with renewed speed. Azura remained motionless, her arms crossed as If daring him to come closer.


    As Ray closed the distance, Azura raised her hand, summoning another dimensional rift. This one was larger, its edges crackling with unstable energy. The sheer force of it distorted the space around her, making her figure flicker like a mirage.


    ¡°You¡¯ll fall like the rest,¡± she declared, her voice resonating with an eerie finality. Ray¡¯s mind raced. He needed to think of something, anything, to counter her powers. But as the rift expanded, swallowing the light around it, he couldn¡¯t help but feel the weight of the battle pressing down on him.


    Ray surged forward, unwavering in his assault. ¡°Forgive me, Nexis!¡± he shouted as his suit emitted a blinding pulse of pure energy. The wave rippled outward, a shimmering dome of power that nullified everything it touched, technological and magical alike.


    The ground quaked beneath the force of his attack, sparks and distortion filling the air as streetlights flickered on and died, while Azura¡¯s vortex shattered into nonexistence. The ominous rift she had conjured sealed abruptly, leaving only silence in its wake.


    This is Ray¡¯s strongest ability, capable of leveling the playing field no matter how strong his opponent is for a short period. Its only caveat being the extreme toll it takes Nexis¡¯s soul, and over usage can cause the suit to shut off mid battle.


    Azura faltered in the air, her glowing aura fading as her powers momentarily failed. She gasped, her balance slipping. Before she could react, Ray was already there, his momentum unstoppable.


    He drove a devastating right jab into her stomach, the force reverberating through her body like a cannon blast. The impact sent her flying backward, her body tumbling across the ruined park ground before she skidded to a stop, panting and clutching her midsection.


    Ray didn¡¯t hesitate. His thrusters roared as he pursued her at breakneck speed. Azura, disoriented, tried to summon another rift, her fingers tracing the air in desperation. But nothing happened.


    Her powers, stripped away by Ray¡¯s pulse, left her defenseless. Before she could process her vulnerability, Ray closed the distance and delivered another bone-rattling punch, this time to her face. Blood sprayed from her nose as she cried out in pain, her head snapping back violently. She stumbled, trying to regain her footing, but Ray¡¯s relentless assault gave her no respite.


    Azura staggered, her eyes wild with frustration and fear. She raised a trembling hand, desperate to fire an energy blast at her opponent. Yet nothing came. Her expression contorted in rage and confusion. ¡°What is the meaning of this?!¡± she screamed, her voice raw with fury.


    Ray hovered midair, his reflective visor concealing the smug grin on his face. He shrugged wordlessly, taunting her with his calm demeanor. The sight enraged Azura even further, but her anger did nothing to restore her abilities.


    Before she could react, Ray darted forward again, delivering a crushing right hook to her jaw. The force spun her body sideways, blood spraying from her mouth as she was launched into the air. Her momentum carried her through the park like a ragdoll, and Ray chased after her without missing a beat.


    His thrusters screamed as he accelerated, closing the gap between them in mere seconds. With precision and brutal efficiency, he landed a powerful kick to her stomach, driving the air from her lungs and sending her hurtling skyward. Azura¡¯s mind raced, her thoughts fragmented as pain overwhelmed her senses. ¡°I can¡¯t-¡± she began to think, but her internal monologue was cut short by another punishing blow.


    Ray appeared above her, his fist slamming into her jaw and launching her even higher into the atmosphere. The relentless attack showed no signs of slowing. Ray soared above her again, grabbing her by the legs and spinning with dizzying speed.


    The centrifugal force blurred the world around them as he hurled Azura downward with all his might. Her body tore through the air like a meteor, the sheer velocity of her descent leaving a trail of turbulence in her wake.


    Azura hit the ground with an earth-shattering crash. The impact created a deep crater, fractured pieces of earth flying upward as shockwaves rippled through the park. Her body bounced upward from the force, limp and bloodied, but Ray wasn¡¯t finished.


    Descending like a comet, his thrusters at maximum output, Ray spun through the air, gaining momentum with each rotation. As Azura¡¯s body hung midair, suspended by the force of her fall, Ray delivered a final, devastating spin kick directly to her head. The blow connected with an explosive burst of energy, creating a shockwave so powerful it flattened nearby trees and sent debris hurtling outward.


    A thick cloud of dust and dirt enveloped the battlefield, obscuring both combatants from view. The park fell eerily silent, save for the faint hiss of Ray¡¯s thrusters as he hovered just above the ground. He peered into the swirling dust, his heart pounding as he waited to see if Azura would rise again.


    Ray hovered above the crater, his body tense and ready to deliver the final blow. But just as he prepared to descend and apprehend Azura, Nexis¡¯s voice erupted from his suit¡¯s speakers, urgent and terrified. ¡°Ray, get back! Now!¡± But the warning came too late.


    A massive explosion detonated from within the crater, a blinding light and deafening roar tearing through the air. The shockwave struck Ray like a freight train, sending him hurtling backward at incredible speed. He smashed through tree after tree, the impact splintering trunks and scattering debris like shrapnel. Finally, his body skidded across the park¡¯s torn-up ground, carving a deep trench into the earth before coming to an agonizing stop.


    Ray groaned, his suit sparking as he struggled to rise. His limbs felt like lead, his body battered and bruised. Through the cracked visor of his helmet, he saw it, an unholy figure emerging from the settling dust and fire.


    Azura¡¯s form had changed. Her once sleek, metallic suit was now fractured and warped, glowing with veins of radiant blue and white energy that pulsed like a living heartbeat. Her silver hair had transformed into a flowing, ethereal mist, drifting unnaturally around her. Her eyes, previously bright and calculating, were now blazing orbs of chaotic light, their intensity almost painful to look at. Her hands crackled with unstable energy, arcs of electricity leaping from her fingertips and scorching the ground with every step.


    The ground beneath her warped and fractured, as though reality itself buckled under her presence. Each step she took caused the earth to tremble, cracks spreading outward like a spider¡¯s web. The air around her shimmered with heat and static, distorting the world in her immediate vicinity. Leaves disintegrated into ash as they drifted too close, and the distant hum of her energy filled the air like the low growl of an oncoming storm.


    Azura stalked toward Ray, her movements jerky and unnatural, as if her body was struggling to contain the immense power within. Her lips twisted into a horrifying grin, and her voice, distorted and layered with an echoing, otherworldly resonance, screamed out her fury.


    ¡°You think you¡¯ve won, child?! You¡¯ve only delayed the inevitable!¡± she bellowed, her voice shaking the ground beneath them. ¡°You cannot comprehend the power I wield now! I¡¯ll tear you apart, piece by piece! And when I¡¯m done, I¡¯ll erase this pathetic city from existence!¡±


    Ray¡¯s heart pounded in his chest as he watched her approach. His HUD flickered erratically, struggling to process the overwhelming energy levels radiating from her body. A woman''s voice, Ashley''s, was now panicked and crackled through the suit¡¯s speakers. ¡°Ray, you¡¯re outmatched! Her power is off the charts! You need to regroup!¡±


    But Ray couldn¡¯t move. He was frozen, both by the pain coursing through his body and the sheer terror of the creature advancing toward him. Azura¡¯s distorted laughter filled the air, a chilling, bone-deep sound that echoed in his ears.


    ¡°You¡¯re finished,¡± she snarled, raising a hand that glowed with blinding energy, ready to unleash her wrath. ¡°Now die!¡± The mass of intense energy hurtled toward Ray, a glowing orb of destruction moving so fast it seemed inevitable. Ray, his body battered and unresponsive, could do nothing but close his eyes beneath his visor, bracing for the end. The air around him grew hotter, charged with Azura¡¯s chaotic power. But just as the energy blast was about to engulf him, everything went silent.


    Ray opened his eyes cautiously, expecting to see nothing but light and pain. Instead, the energy was frozen midair, suspended in place as if caught in an invisible grip. His visor''s HUD stuttered, struggling to comprehend the anomaly. Slowly, Ray turned his head, his eyes widening in shock beneath the helmet.


    Standing to his left, calm and unflinching, was Connor. His palm was outstretched, fingers splayed as raw telekinetic power radiated from him. In his other hand, he held an ancient staff. The staff gleamed with a deep golden hue, its surface etched with intricate carvings of coiling dragons and celestial patterns. With each of its two tips being adorned with gold rings, its length exuded a divine energy, as though it had been forged by gods for a purpose far beyond mortal comprehension.


    ¡°Connor!¡± Ray whispered in disbelief, his voice barely audible over the crackling energy surrounding them.


    Azura¡¯s anger erupted like a storm, her glowing eyes narrowing as she watched Connor effortlessly fling the frozen energy blast upward into the sky. The orb ascended rapidly, disappearing into the clouds before detonating in a distant, harmless explosion.


    ¡°Damn you!¡± Azura shrieked, her voice raw and filled with fury. Her claws crackled with unstable energy as she launched herself toward Connor at blinding speed, her body a blur of motion.


    Connor, however, remained calm, his eyes locked onto her with a cold determination. As Azura swung her claws in a frenzied assault, Connor moved with effortless precision. He weaved and swayed, his body flowing like water as he dodged each strike by the narrowest of margins. Her claws slashed at the air, tearing through the space around him, but they never found their mark.


    Then, with a single, calculated motion, Connor struck. The staff in his hand glowed brightly as he swung it with a swift, decisive arc. It connected with Azura¡¯s midsection, the impact resonating with a thunderous crack. Azura¡¯s body was hurled across the park like a ragdoll, smashing through shattered trees and debris before skidding to a stop.


    Connor lowered his staff, his expression unchanging as he stared at Azura¡¯s crumpled form in the distance. The air around them was tense, the ground trembling slightly from the lingering effects of Azura¡¯s overwhelming power.


    Ray, still on the ground, stared at Connor in awe, his mind racing to process what he¡¯d just witnessed. For the first time in their rivalry, Connor¡¯s presence felt¡­ heroic.


    Connor approached Ray with a quiet intensity, lifting him to his feet with a flick of his hand, his telekinesis effortlessly doing the work. Ray felt a gentle yet firm force pulls him upright, the strain on his Injured body eased momentarily. ¡°Focus, Ray,¡± Connor said, his voice calm but resolute.


    Ray nodded, shaking off the lingering shock. Together, they turned their attention to Azura. Her monstrous form loomed in the distance, slowly rising to her feet. The air around her shimmered and distorted with the raw, volatile energy radiating from her body. Each movement she made sent ripples of heat and static through the park, as if the world itself was struggling to contain her presence.


    ¡°Her Qi is unstable,¡± Connor observed, gripping his staff tightly. ¡°Her body will tear itself apart soon from the immense power she¡¯s exuding.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ we just stall her?¡± Ray asked, his voice still shaky as he tried to regain his bearings.


    Connor hesitated for a brief moment, his expression unreadable. He had different intentions, but for now, he kept them to himself. ¡°Yeah,¡± he replied, cracking a small grin. ¡°Try to keep up, Ray!¡±


    Without another word, Connor charged forward, his staff floating beside him, surrounded by a faint golden aura. Ray, emboldened by Connor¡¯s presence, reignited his thrusters and took to the air, following closely behind.


    Azura snarled as Connor approached, swinging a massive, clawed hand in a wide arc. Connor sidestepped the attack with fluid grace, his movements deliberate and measured. As he dodged, he willed his staff to strike her squarely under the chin, the impact snapping her head back. Azura stumbled, disoriented, and Ray took the opening, flying in low to deliver a powerful kick to her stomach. She lurched backward, letting out a guttural growl.


    The two fighters moved in perfect harmony, a barrage of coordinated strikes raining down on Azura. Ray darted through the air, his speed making him an elusive target, while Connor danced around her with precision, weaving past her wild swings. each time Azura tried to retaliate, Connor¡¯s staff struck her again and again, each blow sending her head snapping violently to one side or the other.


    Ray circled above them, firing energy blasts in quick succession. The glowing projectiles seared Azura¡¯s skin, leaving scorch marks on her already grotesque form. She shrieked in frustration, her monstrous voice reverberating through the park as she swung wildly, desperate to regain control.


    Connor saw his moment and closed in, delivering a flurry of punches to her midsection. Each strike forced her back a step, the sheer force rippling through her unstable body. Azura, furious, swung her claws in a deadly arc, aiming for Connor¡¯s head. But before her attack could connect, Connor summoned his staff back to his hand with a flick of his wrist. The divine weapon intercepted her strike with a loud crack, the collision sending sparks and debris flying as the ground beneath them fractured.


    Before Azura could recover, Connor delivered a sharp kick to her chest, sending her stumbling backward. She was wide open.


    Ray seized the opportunity, diving from the sky with his thrusters at full power. He landed a devastating right jab to her liver, the force sending her hurtling across the park. Azura crashed into the ground, rolling violently before trying to regain her footing. Ray pursued her, a determined fire in his eyes as he prepared to strike again.


    But as he closed in for the final blow, Connor¡¯s staff suddenly flew into him from the side, blindsiding him. The unexpected impact sent Ray hurtling through the air, spinning uncontrollably before disappearing into the distance.


    ¡°Sorry, Ray,¡± Connor muttered under his breath, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He turned his gaze back to Azura, who was slowly rising again, her monstrous form trembling with fury. ¡°But this ones mine.¡±


    Azura staggered forward, her monstrous form trembling with rage as she hissed through clenched teeth. ¡°You¡­ wretched-¡±


    Before she could finish her sentence, Connor¡¯s staff struck her chin with an audible crack, snapping her head back violently. ¡°Come on!¡± Connor taunted, his grin stretching into something unnervingly predatory. His eyes burned with exhilaration as he stared her down, daring her to come at him again.


    Azura¡¯s glare was soul-piercing, her glowing eyes alight with fury. She let out an earsplitting shriek as she lunged toward him with claws extended. Connor¡¯s smirk didn¡¯t waver. His movements became fluid, almost hypnotic, as he swayed and spun through her attacks. Her claws raked through empty air again and again, each miss only fueling her anger.


    Connor moved with the agility of a monkey, his body seemingly made of water as he ducked, weaved, and twisted through her flurry of swipes. Each time she missed, his staff punished her for it, striking her shoulders, ribs, or face with precision and growing ferocity. The blows landed with sickening thuds, her monstrous shrieks of pain echoing through the park.


    The battle Intensified, both combatants growing stronger with each passing second. But while Azura¡¯s power spiraled further into chaos, Connor remained unnervingly composed, his focus razor-sharp. Dodging a particularly vicious swipe and a spinning kick, Connor flipped backward, creating space between them.


    His staff, still glowing faintly, shot forward with telekinetic force, slamming into Azura¡¯s face repeatedly. Her head jerked left, then right, the relentless rhythm of the strikes amplifying her shrieks of pain and frustration.


    ¡°So pathetic!¡± Connor barked, his voice laced with venom. He dismissed his staff with a thought, sending it flying to the side. He spun through the air and delivered a powerful kick to her jaw.


    Azura retaliated instantly, throwing a punch with such force it sent a shockwave through the ground. But Connor dodged it with an effortless sway, his grin growing wider.


    The two of them became a blur of movement, their battle an exchange of punches and counterattacks at speeds too fast for the eye to follow. Connor dodged every one of Azura¡¯s strikes, weaving around her blows like a phantom. The upper hand was his, and he drove it home with a head-butt that smashed into Azura¡¯s nose. Blood spurted from the impact, and she staggered back from a push of Connor¡¯s telekinesis, sliding dozens of feet as the ground beneath her feet cracked.


    Connor didn¡¯t pursue her. Instead, his staff returned to his hand, shrinking to the size of a needle as he stood there silently, waiting. His grin never faltered. This was the moment he had been waiting for.


    Azura regained her footing, her form shaking with uncontained fury. She screamed a bloodcurdling screech, summoning a massive dimensional rift above her. The swirling vortex roared with power, lightning crackling and arcing outwards as its heat distorted the air around it.


    ¡°This is the end for you, brat!¡± Azura howled, her voice distorted and monstrous.


    Connor looked up, his grin widening as he noticed Nova¡¯s radiant star form slicing through the clouds above. I could redirect this blast upward, let Nova finish the job¡­¡± he thought to himself, his eyes glinting with mischief. ¡±¡­But why share the glory when I can have it all?


    The rift roared as it unleashed an enormous blast of energy, a beam of radiant destruction hurtling toward Connor. ¡°Die!¡± Azura screamed, her voice raw with desperation.


    Connor sidestepped at the last possible moment, the beam scorching the black fabric of his Gi as it narrowly missed him. Standing with both arms outstretched at is sides, his expression smug as he watched it fly by before catching the beam in his telekinetic grip.


    The energy shuddered in midair, crackling violently as Connor redirected it. The beam arced back toward Azura, moving impossibly fast. Her glowing eyes widened in horror. ¡°No!¡± she shrieked, but it was too late.


    The redirected energy struck Azura head-on. The intense heat and force consumed her monstrous form, her agonized screams echoing as her body was disintegrated within seconds.


    Connor stood in place, sweat dripping from his brow, his smirk triumphant as he willed the remaining energy upward. The beam shot into the sky, narrowly missing Nova, who twisted through the air to avoid it. She turned, awestruck, watching as the energy exploded above the clouds in a dazzling display of light, like celestial fireworks.


    The explosion changed the cities atmosphere in an instant. Rain began to pour from the heavens, the storm washing over the battle-scarred park.


    Connor tilted his head back, letting the rain hit his face as he admired his handiwork. The smug grin never left his lips. ¡°Now that,¡± he muttered to himself, ¡°was legendary.¡±

 Chapter 17: Ray Cooper

    Nova descended slowly from the sky, her radiant star form dimming until the shimmering energy surrounding her body dissipated entirely. Her curly afro settled softly, and her chocolate-brown skin glistened with rain as she hovered just above the ground before landing. Her expression was somber as she gazed at the remains of Azura, ashes drifting through the air before settling into a small pile, with a single cracked, glowing blue crystal nestled at its center.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to kill her, Connor,¡± Nova said quietly, her voice heavy with disappointment. Connor straightened his posture, brushing off the singed edges of his black gi with deliberate indifference. ¡°It was either her or the city,¡± he replied coldly, not sparing the ashes another glance. ¡°She was already unstable. The power she was exuding would have torn her apart soon enough. I just sped up the process.¡±


    Nova didn¡¯t respond, her gaze lifting to the turbulent sky as the rain continued to pour. Her sharp ears caught the faint sound of something cutting through the air. A scream, a woman¡¯s scream, echoed above the storm.


    ¡°You hear that?¡± she asked, her tone shifting slightly. Connor tilted his head, a sly grin spreading across his face as he recognized the sound. ¡°Captain¡¯s back.¡±


    A moment later, Amanda plummeted from the sky like a meteor, slamming into the ground before them with a thunderous crash. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the earth, forming a thick dust cloud that obscured her for a moment.


    As the dust began to settle, Amanda¡¯s silhouette emerged. Her crimson-red hair clung to her rain-soaked face, and her light brown skin contrasted sharply with the sleek, jet-black armor that encased her entire body. Faint streaks of glowing crimson light pulsed beneath the plating, giving her a menacing, otherworldly appearance.


    In her right hand, she carried a massive mechanical sword, its surface matte black with intricate streaks of red energy coursing through it like veins. The blade radiated faint heat, hissing as raindrops evaporated on contact.


    ¡°Long time no see, huh, Captain?¡± Connor called out casually, his grin unwavering.


    ¡°Are you okay, Captain?¡± Nova asked, concern evident in her voice.


    Amanda didn¡¯t answer immediately. She scanned the battlefield with sharp, calculating eyes before speaking. ¡°Where is Azura?¡± There was a trace of something uncharacteristic in her voice, concern.


    Connor¡¯s smirk didn¡¯t falter. He simply raised a hand and pointed toward the pile of ashes.


    Amanda¡¯s eyes widened slightly as she followed his gesture. She dropped her massive sword with a loud clang and walked slowly to the ash pile. Kneeling down, she reached out to the cracked blue crystal resting atop it, her gauntleted fingers trembling slightly as they closed around it.


    ¡°Oh, Nora¡­¡± Amanda whispered, her voice barely audible over the rain as she cradled the crystal in her hand.


    Nova and Connor exchanged confused glances, sensing something deeper beneath Amanda¡¯s reaction but hesitant to speak. Before either could ask, a familiar voice rang out in the distance, cutting through the sound of rain and tension. ¡°Connor!¡±


    Ray¡¯s angry shout grew louder as he rocketed through the air toward them. His suit¡¯s thrusters roared, propelling him forward with reckless speed. He landed heavily on the wet ground, skidding to a stop just inches from Connor, his fists clenched tightly.


    Connor crossed his arms, his grin morphing into a smug smirk. ¡°What?¡± he said nonchalantly. ¡°You could¡¯ve gotten in the way.¡±


    ¡°You hit me!¡± Ray barked, his emerald, green eyes blazing with fury beneath his visor.


    Connor shrugged, his tone dripping with mock innocence. ¡°You were too slow, Ray. I was just speeding things along.¡±


    Ray¡¯s glare hardened, and he took a threatening step closer, but Nova quickly stepped between them, placing a hand on Ray¡¯s chest to hold him back.


    ¡°Not now,¡± she said firmly, her tone brokering no argument. ¡°This isn¡¯t the time.¡±


    Ray hesitated, his breathing heavy, before stepping back reluctantly. His gaze shifted to Amanda, who was still crouched by the ashes, staring intently at the crystal in her hand.


    Ray hesitated, his breathing heavy, before stepping back reluctantly. His gaze shifted to Amanda, who was still crouched by the ashes, staring intently at the crystal in her hand.


    ¡°Captain?¡± Ray asked hesitantly, the anger in his voice replaced by uncertainty.


    Amanda didn¡¯t look up, her grip on the crystal tightening. ¡°We need to talk,¡± she said softly, her tone grave. She rose to her feet, the rain streaming down her armor as she turned to face the children.


    Connor¡¯s smirk finally faded as he met Amanda¡¯s serious gaze. Whatever she was about to say, it wasn¡¯t good.


    Amanda stood in silence for a moment, her crimson hair falling over her eyes as she tightly gripped the cracked blue crystal. The rain poured down around them, pattering against her black armor and the ash-covered ground. Her knuckles turned white as her grip tightened, the faint glow from the crystal reflecting in her solemn expression.


    ¡°This is¡­ Nora,¡± Amanda finally said, her voice breaking ever so slightly. Nova took a cautious step forward, her face full of concern. ¡°Who¡¯s Nora?¡±


    Amanda looked up, her brown eyes shimmering with a mix of anger and sorrow. ¡°Nora Ashcroft. A brilliant scientist. A friend. She wasn¡¯t always like this.¡± Amanda paused, her gaze shifting to the pile of ashes. ¡°She was a kind soul, someone who believed in a better future, no matter how dark things got. But an accident changed everything. That accident made her into¡­ Azura.¡±


    Ray, still nursing his injuries, limped closer, his emerald-green eyes wide with confusion. ¡°Wait, Azura was¡­ human?¡±


    ¡°More human than any of us,¡± Amanda said bitterly. ¡°She sacrificed everything for this world, her mind, her body, her soul. And when she needed us most, we failed her.¡± She glanced at Connor, her voice sharpening. ¡°You failed her.¡±


    Connor shrugged nonchalantly, twirling his staff. ¡°She was a threat. A danger to the city, to the world. I did what needed to be done.¡±


    Amanda¡¯s voice rose, the pain in it cutting through the rain. ¡°And what gave you the right to decide that?!¡± She stood, towering over the boy, the crystal clutched in her armored hand. ¡°Do you have any idea what you¡¯ve done? That wasn¡¯t just energy you redirected, it was her! Her essence! Her soul!¡±


    Connor smirked as he unshrunk his staff and leaned on it. ¡°She was tearing the park apart, Captain. If I hadn¡¯t acted, you¡¯d all be dead right now. So, you¡¯re welcome.¡±


    Ray clenched his fists, stepping between them. ¡°Connor, we could¡¯ve found another way!¡±


    Connor scoffed, his tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Oh, right. Because you two were doing such a great job before I showed up. Let¡¯s face it, Ray, you were outmatched.¡±


    Before Ray could retort, Nova raised her hand, her voice cutting through the tension. ¡°Stop it, both of you!¡± She looked at Amanda, then back to Connor, her expression a mix of frustration and sadness. ¡°Captain, what¡¯s done is done. We can¡¯t bring her back. But what do we do now?¡±


    Amanda exhaled deeply, her grip on the crystal loosening slightly. ¡°This¡­¡± she said, holding up the glowing fragment, ¡°isn¡¯t just a piece of her. It¡¯s unstable dimensional energy. If we don¡¯t contain it, we¡¯re looking at a rupture that could level this entire city, or worse.¡±


    Nova¡¯s eyes widened, and she looked at the crystal with new fear. ¡°Can we stabilize it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Amanda admitted. ¡°We need to get it to the academy, immediately. And pray it doesn¡¯t go haywire before then.¡±


    The rain intensified, and a low rumble of thunder echoed in the distance. Connor¡¯s grin faded, replaced with a flicker of unease. ¡°So, what, we¡¯re sitting on a bomb now?¡±


    ¡°Pretty much,¡± Amanda said curtly. She turned on her heel, heading toward her massive sword still embedded in the ground. As she hefted it over her shoulder, her gaze lingered on the horizon, her voice quieter. ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡±


    The team exchanged uncertain glances but followed her lead. The tension between Connor and the others hung in the air like a storm cloud, unspoken but palpable. As they walked, the rain continued to fall, washing away the remnants of the battle, but not the scars it had left behind.


    The four walked through the desolate park in heavy silence, the sound of the rain pattering against the ground and their armor the only noise accompanying them. Each step was deliberate, the weight of the battle and its aftermath pressing down on them. Amanda kept her gaze forward, the faint crimson glow from her armor reflecting in the puddles beneath their feet. Nova occasionally glanced at the blue crystal in Amanda¡¯s hand, her expression heavy with concern.


    Connor twirled his staff absentmindedly, his smirk long gone, replaced by a pensive look. Ray, however, seemed restless. He walked slightly behind the group, his head lowered, his green eyes flickering with unspoken thoughts.


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke, his voice quiet but firm. ¡°Captain¡­¡± Ray began hesitantly, breaking the silence. Amanda stopped walking, and the others paused, turning to look at him. Ray¡¯s gaze was downcast, his fingers clenching and unclenching nervously. ¡°I¡­ I need to catch up with you guys later. It won¡¯t take long, I promise.¡±


    Amanda¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change immediately. She stared at Ray for a moment, her face unreadable. The rain rolled off her crimson hair and armor as she studied him, her grip on the crystal tightening slightly. ¡°Where are you going?¡± she asked, her tone even but cautious.


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    Ray hesitated, glancing away. ¡°I¡­ just need to check on something,¡± he said vaguely. His voice softened as he added, ¡°Please, Captain. I¡¯ll be quick.¡±


    Amanda closed her eyes briefly, sighing through her nose. She knew exactly where he was planning to go. She turned her back to him, resuming her walk. ¡°Fine,¡± she said reluctantly, her tone curt but not unkind. ¡°Don¡¯t make me regret this, Ray.¡±


    Ray straightened slightly, his eyes shining with gratitude. ¡°Thank you, Captain,¡± he said quietly. Without another word, he ignited his suit¡¯s thrusters and shot up into the sky. His figure quickly disappeared into the gray clouds, leaving the group behind.


    Nova watched him go, her brows furrowed. ¡°Where do you think he¡¯s headed?¡±


    Amanda glanced over her shoulder, her expression softening briefly before hardening once more. ¡°To the edge of the city,¡± she said knowingly, her voice tinged with a faint sadness.


    Connor raised an eyebrow, spinning his staff lazily. ¡°What¡¯s out there? An early-afternoon snack cart?¡± he quipped, though his tone lacked its usual bite.


    Amanda didn¡¯t respond, her focus shifting back to the path ahead. ¡°Let¡¯s keep moving. We don¡¯t have time to waste.¡±


    Nova lingered for a moment, her gaze fixed on the sky where Ray had disappeared, before following Amanda. Connor shrugged and trailed behind them, his boots splashing lightly in the puddles.


    Meanwhile, high above the city, Ray soared through the rain, his thrusters humming softly. The bright lights of the city blurred below him, distorted by the falling droplets. His mind raced as he pushed himself faster, his suit¡¯s HUD guiding him toward his destination.


    Finally, he reached the outskirts of the city, where the towering skyscrapers gave way to quieter streets and abandoned industrial zones. Ray slowed down, landing softly on a large patch of grass.


    The graveyard stretched out before Ray in somber silence, shrouded in the cool mist of the rain. Worn cobblestone paths wove through the sprawling expanse of graves, their edges cracked and overtaken by creeping moss. The headstones stood in solemn rows, their gray and black surfaces weathered by time, many adorned with faded inscriptions that told stories of lives long passed.


    Some were tall and ornate, marked by angelic sculptures or crosses now chipped and covered in ivy, while others were simple slabs jutting out from the earth. Ancient oak trees bordered the cemetery, their twisted branches reaching out like skeletal arms, their leaves dripping with rain. Lanterns hanging from iron posts lined the walkways, their faint, flickering light barely holding its ground against the darkness of the overcast sky.


    Pools of water gathered in shallow depressions in the dirt and grass, reflecting the dim glow of the lanterns and the faint lightning flashes above. The air carried a distinct chill, the scent of wet earth mingling with the faint metallic tang of the rain. Fresh flowers lay at some graves, their vibrant colors muted in the gloom, while others were strewn with wilted petals and discolored wreaths, long forgotten by visitors.


    In the far corner of the cemetery, a crumbled stone mausoleum stood, its entrance sealed with rusted chains and an air of mystery. The only sound was the rhythmic patter of rain on stone and soil, broken occasionally by the distant rumble of thunder. This was a place of reverence, quiet and still, where the past lingered in the air like an unspoken whisper.


    As Ray stood amidst it all, his reflective visor gleamed faintly in the dim light, a stark contrast to the timeless atmosphere around him. Ray¡¯s suit slowly transformed back into the ring on his finger as Ray stood motionless before four graves. the rain streaming down his face and mixing with the droplets already gathered in the wet grass beneath his feet. The tombstones loomed like silent sentinels, all but one bearing the names of the family who he had never got to meet, while one having the name of his aunt, who had briefly managed to shape his past, yet all of their absences continued to haunt him.


    The grave of Laura Cooper, beloved Aunt and sister. Was marked by a weathered stone, its surface worn but still legible. A delicate angel¡¯s wing carved beside the inscription had lost its sharp edges to time, but its grace remained. Beside it stood the grave of Sarah Cooper, beloved wife and mother. The letters were faded, but the deep carvings still held their dignity, a symbol of her importance. Luna Cooper, beloved mother, had her name etched in a simple yet elegant font. Her grave was adorned with the remnants of a wreath, long fallen apart from neglect.


    But the center grave held a deeper weight, Henry Cooper, Husband, Father, Star of hope. The words were bold, a testament to the man who had sacrificed everything. A small star symbol was carved at the base, representing both his heroism and the light he had once been to those around him. It was a fitting tribute to Ray¡¯s father, a man whose legacy had been defined by sacrifice.


    Ray stood in the rain, staring at the names, his heart heavy with the weight of memories and unspoken words. He reached into his pocket, pulling out four delicate violet chrysanthemum flowers.


    Each of them, though vibrant in color, had been crushed and bent from the harshness of his recent battle. The petals were bruised, a reflection of his own body, which bore several signs of the fight: bruises along his limbs, small cuts decorating his face and arms, each one a reminder of the cost of his everyday struggles.


    He kneeled beside the first grave, his movements slow and deliberate. Gently, he placed the first flower at the base of Laura¡¯s stone. The petals seemed to sink into the wet earth, as if they were meant to become part of the soil itself.


    He moved to the next grave, Sarah¡¯s, and placed the second flower with equal care. Then, he placed the third by Luna¡¯s resting place, his hand trembling slightly as he did so. The fourth and final flower, the one that seemed the most damaged, he placed carefully atop Henry¡¯s grave.


    Ray lingered for a moment, kneeling silently in the rain. His eyes flickered between the graves, feeling the weight of the moment. His body was bruised and exhausted, but here, in the quiet solitude of the graveyard, he could still hear their voices, their love, and the echo of his own memories with them.


    With a deep breath, he stood slowly, his shoulders slumping under the burden of loss, but his chest rising and falling with each breath, as if drawing strength from the legacy they had left behind. The rain continued to pour, now soaking his clothes completely, but Ray remained, his face expressionless. The storm in the sky seemed to reflect the storm within him, the constant inner turmoil he felt every day without a family.


    Ray stood motionless, staring down at the grave of his Aunt Laura, his chest tight with emotion. The rain battered against his clothes, but it couldn¡¯t mask the heavy silence that hung in the air. Slowly, he took a step forward, his shoes squelching in the soaked earth.


    He reached out, placing his hand lightly on the cold stone, as if hoping for some connection to the woman who had been his guiding light. He took a deep, trembling breath, and then, barely above a whisper, he spoke.


    ¡°Aunt Laura,¡± his voice cracked, but he fought to keep it steady. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying¡­ I¡¯ve been trying to do what you said. To help others, to live for something greater than myself.¡± He exhaled softly, his breath fogging the air in the cold rain. ¡°But it¡¯s harder than you made it sound. I don¡¯t know how you did it so well when you were alive. I don¡¯t know how you stayed so strong, how you always had the right words to say, the right things to do. You were always there when I needed you.¡±


    Ray¡¯s hand tightened around the stone, and he looked down at the ground for a moment, his thoughts tangled in his grief. His body was battered, but it wasn¡¯t just the physical pain that made it hard to breathe; it was the emotional weight, the endless cycle of loss and failure, that he couldn¡¯t seem to escape.


    A tear slipped down his cheek, unnoticed at first by Ray. It trailed down to his chin before falling, mixing with the rainwater. As the memories of Aunt Laura flooded his mind, her laughter, her encouraging words, the gentle touch of her hand as she¡¯d comforted him during tough times, he found himself smiling softly, despite the ache in his chest. That familiar warmth in his chest was there again, as it always had been when she was around, but now it felt distant, like it belonged to a time he couldn¡¯t reach.


    ¡°You said helping others would make me happy,¡± he continued, his voice barely above a whisper as the words spilled from him, ¡°that it would bring me peace with your death, but¡­ I¡¯m starting to think that might have been a lie.¡± He chuckled weakly, but the sound was hollow, empty. ¡±It¡¯s not working, Aunt Laura. It¡¯s not enough. I don¡¯t feel at peace with it.¡±


    He wiped his tear, smearing the wetness across his face, still staring at the gravestone, trying to find solace in the words he couldn¡¯t seem to believe anymore. ¡°I just wish you were still here, Auntie.¡± Ray¡¯s voice faltered. ¡°All of you.¡± He looked over to Sarah¡¯s grave, then Henry¡¯s, his heart aching with an intensity that made his chest feel like it might crack open.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do without you all,¡± Ray said quietly, his words drifting into the rain. His head drooped, eyes closing as he struggled to hold it all together, to push away the overwhelming sadness threatening to drown him. "I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll ever figure out how to be the person you wanted me to be.¡±


    A deep breath, shaky and uncertain, escaped his lips. The weight of the past, of their loss, threatened to pull him under, but somehow, Ray remained standing, his gaze lingering on the gravestones as if waiting for something, some sign, some way forward.


    The rain continued to fall, washing over him, but nothing could wash away the pain of the emptiness he felt inside. Meanwhile, Ray didn¡¯t hear footsteps approach from behind, his mind too wrapped up in the storm of his own thoughts. The rain hammered down on him, each drop mingling with his tears, making it harder to tell where the sky ended, and his sorrow began. He stood still, transfixed by the graves of his family, lost in a storm of grief and frustration, wondering if he¡¯d ever find peace. The world felt quiet, a silence that only intensified the emotions swirling within him.


    But then, a soft, familiar voice cut through the quiet, warm and steady, like the sound of the sun pushing through dark clouds. ¡°Ray.¡±


    Ray flinched slightly, not expecting to hear that voice, but he didn¡¯t turn around. He knew it immediately. James. Henry¡¯s best friend, and Ray¡¯s Honorary uncle. Someone who had been there for him, time and time again.


    ¡°I thought you might need this,¡± James said, his voice gentle but filled with an unspoken strength. Ray felt the gentle nudge of an umbrella being placed above his head, shielding him from the relentless rain.


    Ray blinked and slowly lifted his gaze, looking over his shoulder at James, who stood just behind him. James¡¯s age was slowly catching up to him, his hair graying at the temples, his face a little more worn, but his hazel eyes were as kind as ever. The umbrella he held was large, dark, and sturdy, a quiet symbol of comfort in the storm.


    The rain beaded off the fabric, leaving the air thick with the scent of wet earth and damp grass. James didn¡¯t speak again, but his presence was enough, like a grounding force pulling Ray back from the edge.


    For a long moment, Ray stood there, letting the rain fall on the umbrella rather than on him, his thoughts a tangled mess. He didn¡¯t know what to say, and perhaps, in that moment, there was nothing to say. James had always been the quiet type, never forcing words where there didn¡¯t need to be any, but somehow always knowing what Ray needed, even when Ray didn¡¯t.


    Ray cleared his throat and wiped his eyes again, his voice thick as he spoke. ¡°I miss her, uncle. So much.¡± His words felt heavy, burdened with years of longing and loss. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to keep going without her. I don¡¯t know if I can live up to what Aunt Laura wanted for me, or if it even matters anymore.¡±


    James stood beside him, silent for a moment, allowing Ray the space to speak his pain. The umbrella seemed to protect Ray from more than just the rain. It was as if, in that small gesture, James was shielding him from the weight of the world.


    ¡°It matters,¡± James finally said, his voice low but firm. ¡°It always matters. What Laura wanted for you, what your parents hoped for you, it matters because it¡¯s a part of you now. You don¡¯t have to carry it all at once, Ray. It¡¯s okay to take it slow, to be unsure sometimes. You¡¯re human, and that¡¯s enough.¡±


    Ray felt a warmth spread through him, not from the umbrella, but from the quiet reassurance in James¡¯s voice. There was a strength there, quiet, steady, like the roots of a tree that had weathered storm after storm, still standing.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can do it alone,¡± Ray whispered, barely audible. James¡¯s expression softened as he nodded, his hand resting on Ray¡¯s shoulder in a gesture of comfort. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do it alone. We¡¯re all here, Ray. Always.¡±


    Ray exhaled shakily, his eyes finally lifting from the graves to meet James¡¯s steady gaze. His heart felt slightly lighter, not fully healed, but just a bit less burdened. For the first time in what felt like ages, Ray let himself believe that maybe, just maybe, he didn¡¯t have to bear the weight of it all by himself.


    ¡°Thanks, uncle,¡± Ray said quietly, his voice still rough. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d do without you.¡±


    James didn¡¯t reply with words, but his smile was enough. The rain continued to fall, but for a brief moment, it felt like the storm was beginning to ease.

 Chapter 18: Honoring the dead

    The futuristic lab was a marvel of sleek, cutting-edge design. Walls of polished steel reflected the soft glow of embedded blue and white LED panels, giving the room a sterile yet strangely calming ambiance. Holographic monitors floated in midair, displaying streams of data and three-dimensional projections of complex molecular structures. Rows of glass cabinets lined the walls, containing an array of scientific tools, glowing vials, and alien specimens, each labeled with meticulous precision. The hum of advanced machinery created a constant background noise, accompanied by the occasional soft beep of diagnostics being run.


    At the center of the room stood Ashley, the academy¡¯s Chief Scientist, her cybernetic glasses displaying cascading lines of data as she examined Azura¡¯s crystal with a sophisticated analytical device. The tool was sleek and compact, its silver surface etched with intricate glowing circuits. A faint beam of light projected from the device scanned the crystal, which hovered in a magnetic field, suspended and slowly rotating.


    Amanda stood nearby, her armored form partially illuminated by the lab¡¯s soft lights. She leaned heavily on a counter, her gauntleted hands gripping its edge tightly. Her crimson-red hair clung to her damp face, and her gaze was turned away from Ashley, fixed on the sterile floor. The room felt cold, the air thick with tension.


    Ashley straightened, removing her glasses and letting them hang around her neck. She tapped a few keys on the device, then looked at Amanda. ¡°There¡¯s no life force emanating from the crystal,¡± she said evenly. ¡°It¡¯s just a shell now. Whatever was left of Nora¡­ it¡¯s gone.¡±


    Amanda remained silent, her fingers tightening around the counter¡¯s edge until the faint creak of metal echoed through the lab. Her shoulders trembled slightly as she asked, her voice low and strained, ¡°Is there any way to bring her back?¡±


    Ashley paused, her expression softening. ¡°Once a soul fully leaves the body, when there is no body to return to, there¡¯s no way to bring it back,¡± she said gently. ¡°Not even with the best technology or magic we have.¡±


    The room fell into an oppressive silence, broken only by the faint whir of machines. Amanda¡¯s grip on the counter grew tighter, her knuckles whitening beneath her gloves. ¡°But you knew that, didn¡¯t you?¡± Ashley added quietly. ¡°Her crystal isn¡¯t volatile at all. You just wanted to know if she was really gone.¡±


    Amanda¡¯s head tilted downward, her breath hitching. ¡°Damn you, Ashley¡­¡± she whispered, her voice breaking as a single tear escaped, tracing a path down her cheek. The weight of her sorrow bore down on her, more crushing than any physical wound she had ever endured.


    Ashley didn¡¯t respond. Her knowing look carried the unspoken understanding of someone who had seen grief like this before. With the utmost care, she placed the crystal into a reinforced glass case and secured it with a soft hiss. The case locked onto the table, its surface glowing faintly, as though the crystal itself needed protection from the outside world.


    Ashley cast one last glance at Amanda before turning and walking out of the lab. The hiss of the automatic doors closing behind her left Amanda alone with her thoughts and the faint glow of the crystal, a silent witness to her grief.


    The lab was still, save for the faint hum of the machines and the muted glow of the crystal encased on the table. Amanda remained by the counter, her shoulders rising and falling with shallow, uneven breaths. Her hands, still gripping the counter¡¯s edge, began to tremble. The rain from the battlefield had long dried on her face, but fresh tears threatened to replace it, welling up in her eyes and blurring her vision.


    Nora¡­ timid, brilliant Nora. Always clutching her clipboard, her voice barely louder than a whisper when she spoke. She used to flinch whenever an explosion shook the ground during the war. Always talking about running away, about leaving it all behind.


    Amanda closed her eyes, memories surging to the surface like an unrelenting tide. She could still see Nora in her lab coat, her hands fidgeting nervously as she voiced her doubts.


    ¡°I don¡¯t belong here, Amanda,¡± Nora had said one night, her voice quivering. ¡°I¡¯m not cut out for this. I¡¯m not brave like you. I¡¯m just a scientist.¡±And Amanda had convinced her to stay. ¡°You¡¯re more important than you realize,¡± Amanda had said firmly, gripping Nora¡¯s shoulder. ¡°We need you, Nora. I need you. Without your inventions, without your ideas, we won¡¯t survive this war. You¡¯re stronger than you think. Please¡­ don¡¯t give up on us now.¡±


    Amanda¡¯s fingers slipped from the counter as her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the cold steel floor. Her armored gauntlets clanged against the surface, and her head bowed low as the weight of her guilt pressed down on her chest.


    She stayed because of me. She stayed, and she suffered. She stayed, and it destroyed her.


    A choked sob escaped her lips as her hands came up to cover her face. The sharp sting of tears burned her eyes, spilling down her cheeks in hot streams. Her voice was barely audible, muffled by her hands. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Nora¡­ I¡¯m so, so sorry¡­¡±


    The memories wouldn¡¯t stop. The way Nora had grown more withdrawn as the war dragged on. The nights she had stayed up, overworking herself to create weapons and shields for the resistance. The day Amanda had found her crying alone in the lab, staring at her trembling hands, her spirit breaking.


    And then the accident. That terrible day when everything had gone horrifically wrong. Amanda¡¯s voice cracked as she whispered into the silence, ¡°It¡¯s my fault¡­ it¡¯s all my fault. I pushed you to stay. I told you to keep going when you wanted to stop. I let you shoulder it all, and I didn¡¯t see how much it was killing you.¡±


    The image of Azura, the villain Nora had become, flashed through Amanda¡¯s mind. The cold, calculating gleam in her eyes. The way her voice had twisted, no longer the soft, hesitant tone Amanda had once known but a force of fury and despair.


    Amanda¡¯s sobs grew louder as she curled into herself on the floor, her hands gripping her hair. ¡°I wasn¡¯t strong enough to save you¡­ I wasn¡¯t strong enough to stop you from falling apart. And now-¡± her voice broke entirely, tears pouring freely, ¡°now you¡¯re dead because of me.¡±


    Her words turned to incoherent murmurs, her voice trembling as she apologized over and over again. Each sob felt like a dagger to her chest, and the guilt threatened to consume her.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Amanda whispered hoarsely, ¡°You deserved so much better, Nora. I should have been better¡­ stronger. Maybe then you wouldn¡¯t have turned into-¡±


    Her voice caught, and she couldn¡¯t bring herself to say the name. The sobs overtook her again as she slumped forward. The lab was silent save for her broken cries, the sound of a once unshakable leader unraveling in the face of her guilt and grief.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry¡­¡± she whispered one last time, her voice barely audible. And there, on the cold floor of the lab, Amanda let herself mourn, not just for the loss of Nora, but for her own failure to save the one person she had promised to protect.


    Meanwhile, Ray soared through the rain-soaked skies, his exosuit¡¯s thrusters propelling him like a meteor streaking over the vast expanse of ocean. The overcast sky above churned with storm clouds, their gray masses illuminated sporadically by flashes of lightning. Each rumble of thunder seemed to reverberate through his chest, but he barely noticed, his focus fixed on the horizon ahead.


    The white exosuit gleamed faintly, rainwater streaking across its sleek surface as the aerodynamic plates adjusted subtly to maximize his speed. Ray¡¯s emerald-green eyes flicked to the heads-up display within his visor, which highlighted distant objects in glowing red. Through the stormy haze, he could see the silhouettes of mechanical dragons soaring through the air, their long, serpentine forms glinting with the occasional flash of metal. Hover ships patrolled the skies nearby, their powerful engines emitting a low, thrumming hum.


    Below him, the ocean stretched endlessly, its surface shimmering with the raindrops that pelted it. The waves rolled and churned in the storm, but beneath the surface, there was a strange serenity. Through the advanced optics of his visor, Ray could see the marine life moving in harmony. Pods of dolphins leaped gracefully, their sleek bodies slicing through the water. Schools of brightly colored fish swirled like living rainbows, a stark contrast to the stormy skies above.


    A massive shadow passed beneath him, and Ray instinctively glanced down. A colossal whale glided just beneath the waves, its slow, majestic movements radiating a quiet power. For a moment, Ray allowed himself to feel awe, his troubles momentarily drowned out by the raw beauty of nature.


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful, isn¡¯t it? The ocean,¡± Nexis¡¯s voice chimed softly through the suit¡¯s speakers, a calm contrast to the roar of Ray¡¯s thrusters and the distant rumble of thunder. The words caught Ray off guard, his emerald-green eyes widening slightly in surprise before a small smile curved his lips.


    ¡°Yeah, it really is something,¡± Ray replied, his voice filled with quiet awe as he skimmed just above the ocean, the tips of the waves seeming to reach up to him as if in greeting. ¡°I used to go out to sea often with my wife,¡± Nexis continued, his tone soft and reflective. ¡°Though, I always hated getting wet.¡± A quiet chuckle followed, tinged with bittersweet nostalgia.


    Ray blinked, his curiosity piqued as he soared higher into the stormy sky, rain streaking across his visor. ¡°Your wife?¡± he repeated, his voice laced with disbelief and intrigue. ¡°Whoa, I didn¡¯t know you were married!¡± He laughed lightly, the sound momentarily cutting through the weight of the conversation as he ascended just below the swirling clouds.


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Nexis replied after a pause, his voice steadier but tinged with a melancholy that didn¡¯t escape Ray¡¯s notice. ¡°Eight whole years I spent with her.¡±


    Ray¡¯s smile faltered slightly as he caught the somber undertone. His thrusters adjusted, keeping him steady in the turbulent air. ¡°The happiest years of my life,¡± Nexis added quietly, the admission heavy with emotion.


    A flock of mechanical storks suddenly shot past, their metallic wings glinting as they glided through the rain-soaked air. The interruption drew Ray¡¯s attention briefly before he returned his gaze to the horizon.A silence stretched between them, the kind that wasn¡¯t uncomfortable but felt laden with unspoken thoughts. Finally, Ray spoke, his voice soft and sincere. ¡°I¡¯m sure they were the happiest years of her life too, Nexis.¡±


    As Ray approached his destination, the landscape below began to shift. Rising from a sprawling, tree-covered island was an awe-inspiring structure, a seamless fusion of ancient and futuristic design. The academy was a hybrid between a temple and a castle, the structure loomed atop a high, rocky hill, its base surrounded by lush greenery and waterfalls that cascaded into a crystal-clear lagoon below.


    The academy¡¯s foundation was crafted from polished stone, its design reminiscent of ancient temples with intricate carvings of mythical creatures and celestial patterns. Towering spires adorned with glowing runes rose high into the stormy sky, their tips crackling faintly with energy. The walls shimmered with a blend of old-world craftsmanship and advanced technology, glowing softly with an otherworldly light that pulsed rhythmically like a heartbeat.


    Massive arched gateways opened into the structure, their edges adorned with vines and flowering plants that hinted at the island¡¯s vibrant ecosystem. A series of terraced gardens cascaded down the hill, filled with exotic flora that seemed to thrive despite the storm overhead.


    Above it all, the central tower stood as the pinnacle of the structure, a proud sentinel watching over the land. At its zenith, a colossal crystal floated, suspended in a shimmering field of energy. Its glow was both serene and commanding, a beacon of light piercing through the storm, radiating warmth and power in equal measure.


    Ray slowed his flight as he neared the temple¡¯s entrance, the awe-inspiring sight stealing his breath once more. No matter how many times he visited, the grandeur of the place never ceased to amaze him. For a moment, the weight of his earlier emotions lifted, replaced by the wonder of the scene before him.


    ¡°Wow,¡± he murmured under his breath, his voice almost lost in the sound of the cascading waterfalls and the distant rumble of thunder. He hovered just above the grand archway, his visor reflecting the glowing crystal¡¯s light.


    Ray took a deep breath, steadying himself as he descended toward the arched gateway. His white exosuit shimmered faintly in the soft glow of the temple¡¯s ambient light. As his boots lightly touched the smooth stone platform before the entrance, the helmet surrounding his head emitted a soft hiss, retracting into the collar of his suit with a series of mechanical clicks. The cool air brushed against his face, carrying with it the faint scent of damp earth and flowering vines.


    The suit''s advanced design adjusted seamlessly to his movement, the gentle hum of its energy core barely audible over the distant crash of waves. And the faint sound of raised voices reached his ears, carried by the wind.


    His gaze fell upon the two figures stationed at the gateway, Agy¨­ and Ungy¨­, the twin guardians of the Academy¡¯s entrance. They stood out not only for their imposing physiques but for their striking contrast in demeanor.


    ¡°You¡¯re always breaking things, Agy¨­!¡± came a deep, exasperated voice, tinged with a dry sarcasm. ¡°You¡¯ve got the subtlety of a stampeding bull.¡±


    ¡°Oh, come on, Ungy¨­,¡± a more fiery voice retorted, echoing with mock indignation. ¡°At least I¡¯m doing something! Maybe if you didn¡¯t meditate so much, you¡¯d actually contribute to fixing these gates!¡±


    Ray slowed, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smile. Agy¨­ and Ungy¨­ were unmistakable, their contrasting tones making it clear who was who. He stepped lightly onto the stone pathway, the sound of his boots muffled by the rhythmic pulsing of the temple¡¯s energy.


    Ahead, just beyond the archway, the two Nio Guardians stood amidst scattered fragments of what looked like a broken energy panel. Agy¨­ was gesturing wildly, his broad, muscular frame nearly vibrating with frustrated energy. His red and gold armor gleamed even in the storm¡¯s gloom, the flame-like patterns on his chest glowing faintly. He held a massive energy hammer slung casually over one shoulder, though his animated movements made it swing precariously close to his brother.


    Ungy¨­ stood a few feet away, arms crossed over his slightly leaner frame, his blue and silver armor marked with intricate wave patterns that seemed to flow as he shifted. His expression was calm, but his narrowed eyes and the slight upward quirk of his lips betrayed his amusement. The staff he carried was planted firmly into the ground, Its sleek, morphing form resembling a polearm at the moment.


    A cool breeze of the storm brushed against Ray¡¯s face as he neared the two guards, ruffling his brown curls. While his emerald-green eyes glinted with curiosity as he silently approached the duo.


    ¡°Fixing the gates? You destroyed the gates!¡± Ungy¨­ continued, his voice dripping with mock patience. ¡°How do you even manage to turn an energy pulse into an explosion?¡±


    ¡°It was a controlled explosion,¡± Agy¨­ shot back, puffing out his chest. ¡°I had it under control. Besides, you weren¡¯t doing anything but standing there, criticizing!¡±


    ¡°Standing here watching you turn this into a disaster,¡± Ungy¨­ corrected with a wry smirk. ¡°Which, by the way, is becoming your specialty.¡±


    Ray stifled a laugh, not wanting to interrupt their banter too abruptly. Instead, he stepped forward silently, his boots barely making a sound against the smooth stone. The faint hum of his suit¡¯s power systems, however, caught Ungy¨­¡¯s attention first.


    Without uncrossing his arms, Ungy¨­ turned his head slightly toward Ray. ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve got company,¡± he said, his voice calm but tinged with the smallest hint of mischief.


    Agy¨­ spun around, his expression brightening as he saw Ray. ¡°Ah, the kid¡¯s back!¡± he said, grinning broadly. He leaned his hammer against the gate and strode forward. ¡°You¡¯re late, by the way. Ungy¨­ owes me five tecabites.¡±


    ¡°I never agreed to that bet,¡± Ungy¨­ replied, shaking his head but stepping forward as well, his staff folding neatly into a compact form and securing itself to his back. Ray gave a sheepish smile, running a hand through his curly brown hair. ¡°Sorry. There was a storm, and, well¡­ you know how it is.¡± He gestured toward the turbulent sky above.


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Agy¨­ laughed, clapping him on the shoulder with a hand that felt like it could crush stone but was surprisingly gentle. ¡°Storm or no storm, you¡¯re here now. Let¡¯s get you inside before you catch a cold, or worse, Ungy¨­ lectures you about time management.¡±


    Ungy¨­ raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t lecture. I¡¯d just point out how predictable his excuses are.¡±


    Ray chuckled, feeling the tension in his chest ease as the twins¡¯ playful energy enveloped him. The grand gates began to open, their mechanisms humming softly as the vines adorning their edges seemed to part gracefully. The glow from within spilled out, casting a warm, inviting light onto the trio.


    ¡°Welcome back,¡± Ungy¨­ said, stepping aside with a slight bow, his voice soft but sincere. ¡°Yeah,¡± Agy¨­ added, flashing Ray a thumbs-up. ¡°And don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll settle our little ¡®discussion¡¯ later. You¡¯re off the hook for now.¡±


    Ray nodded, his smile widening as he stepped past the bickering guardians and into the academy, the grandeur of the interior already pulling his focus forward. As Ray stepped through the grand arched gateway, the academy¡¯s interior unfolded before him, a breathtaking blend of ancient grandeur and futuristic elegance. The entrance hall was vast, with a ceiling that seemed to stretch endlessly upward, supported by towering columns carved from dark marble. Each column was inlaid with glowing veins of light, pulsating faintly like the lifeblood of the academy itself.


    The air was thick with the scent of aged wood, old parchment, and a faint trace of ozone, as if magic itself lingered in every corner. The polished stone floor beneath his feet reflected the ambient light from the glowing runes etched into the walls, casting intricate patterns onto the high, vaulted ceiling.


    Ray¡¯s suit began to transform as he walked further inside. The white exosuit emitted a soft hum as its panels seamlessly retracted, folding and condensing with mechanical precision. Within moments, the advanced armor had shrunk back into a sleek, silver cybernetic ring on his finger, leaving him in his casual clothes.


    The hallways were wide, lined with walls adorned with an eclectic mix of paintings and holographic displays. Each depicted sorcerers, warriors, and scholars from across various time periods. Some were rendered in oil, their frames ornate with gold and silver filigree, while others were captured in enchanted photographs or projected as holograms that shimmered and moved as Ray passed by.


    An oil painting of an elderly sorcerer with a flowing beard and piercing blue eyes caught Ray¡¯s attention. His hands were raised, conjuring a swirling galaxy between his fingers. Beside it, a modern hologram depicted a young warrior clad in sleek, futuristic armor, her sword glowing with ethereal light as she led a charge against shadowy creatures.


    Further along, a row of medieval warriors stared stoically from their portraits, their armor dented but their expressions proud. Beside them were sorcerers from more recent eras, some smiling warmly in photographs while others posed dramatically in their robes, surrounded by glowing sigils. The contrast between the past and present spoke of the academy¡¯s enduring legacy, a bridge between eras of magic and innovation.


    Ray¡¯s footsteps echoed softly as he moved deeper into the corridor. He paused by a particularly striking painting of a young sorceress surrounded by a constellation of glowing stars, her expression serene and confident. Her eyes seemed to follow him, an enchanting charm woven into the artwork.


    Above him, the high, arched ceiling bore intricate murals that depicted legendary battles and moments of discovery. Dragons, magical beasts, and celestial beings were interwoven with the imagery of powerful sorcerers and daring warriors. The interplay of light and shadow from the glowing runes on the walls made the murals appear alive, as if the stories they told were unfolding in real time.


    Ray let out a soft breath, feeling the weight of history pressing around him. Despite the grandeur and magic, the halls felt quiet, almost reverent, as if the walls themselves demanded respect for the countless souls who had walked here before him. The occasional flicker of a hologram or a soft hum from the rune-etched walls was the only sound accompanying his journey.


    He glanced down at the ring on his finger, its metallic surface cool against his skin. As he ventured deeper into the academy, a sense of purpose began to fill him. This place was more than just a school, it was a testament to all those who came before him.


    The quiet ambiance of the hallway was broken by the soft sound of a woman¡¯s voice, warm yet commanding, calling from out of sight. ¡°Ray!¡± Startled, Ray spun around, his emerald-green eyes wide, but his expression quickly softened into surprise and delight as he recognized the voice.


    Standing at the other end of the hall was Mary Mayweather. Her appearance was as striking as always. Her red hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders, catching the soft glow of the enchanted lighting, and her fair skin was lightly freckled.


    She wore a long, fitted coat the color of deep forest green, embroidered with silver and gold patterns that shimmered faintly like living vines. Beneath the coat, a cream-colored blouse was tucked into high-waisted brown trousers, paired with practical leather boots. A satchel hung over one shoulder, its straps worn but sturdy, and several small vials of mysterious liquids clinked softly as she moved.


    ¡°Miss Mayweather!¡± Ray exclaimed, his voice bright with surprise. A smile broke across his face as he took a step toward her.


    ¡°About time you showed up, Ray! I¡¯ve been looking all over for you,¡± Mary said as she strode forward, her expression shifting between relief and mild exasperation. ¡°The ceremony is about to start.¡±


    As she reached him, however, her eyes caught the faint bruises and small cuts on his arms and face. Her smile faltered, replaced by concern.


    ¡°Oh, Ray¡­¡± she murmured, kneeling in front of him. Her fingers hovered just above his injured arm, examining the fresh marks with practiced care. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I-¡± Ray began to say, only to be cut off gently.


    ¡°I told you to be more careful out there, Ray,¡± Mary said, her tone soft but firm. She raised her palm, and a glistening green gel began to form from her skin, its surface swirling with faint magical energy. The gel had a faint herbal scent, a mixture of mint and lavender. ¡°God, you¡¯re just like your father, always getting yourself hurt.¡±


    Ray froze for a moment, his earlier cheer dimming. He lowered his gaze, the words stirring something deeper within him. ¡°¡­Really?¡± he asked quietly, his voice hesitant.


    Mary¡¯s hand paused midair, the gel still shimmering in her palm as she considered her words. Her sharp gaze softened as she met his eyes, her lips forming a small, understanding smile.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± she said with a light laugh, brushing a lock of hair from his face and ruffling his hair slightly. ¡°Just as reckless and stubborn!¡± But her tone grew gentler as she added, ¡°But just as kind.¡± Her words hung in the air for a moment before she began applying the healing gel to his injuries, her touch careful and soothing.


    Ray¡¯s lips quirked into a sheepish smile as he tilted his head slightly, watching her work. ¡°Oh, come on, I spent all morning doing my hair!¡± he joked with a playful grin.


    Mary chuckled, continuing to ruffle his curly brown hair despite his protests. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you still look as stylish as ever,¡± she teased, standing up and brushing off her hands. Before Ray could respond, the distant murmur of voices echoed from around the corner, growing louder as footsteps approached.


    ¡°Come along now, Ray,¡± Mary said, straightening her satchel and glancing toward the sound of the gathering crowd. ¡°We don¡¯t want to be late.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡± Ray replied with a grin, the earlier tension forgotten as he followed her deeper into the academy. The warmth of Mary¡¯s presence made the grand halls feel a little less overwhelming as they walked side by side toward the ceremony.


    As Ray followed Mary through the halls, the sounds of the bustling crowd grew louder, and the walls of the academy began to open into a grand space. The grand doors swung inward, revealing a massive hall that took his breath away. The room was vast, with high, vaulted ceilings supported by towering stone columns. The stone walls were adorned with intricate tapestries depicting historical events and magical phenomena, some of the scenes almost seemed to move, their threads shimmering with enchanted life.


    A soft, ethereal light filtered through enormous stained-glass windows on either side, casting colorful patterns across the polished marble floor. The windows displayed the intricate designs of mythical creatures, celestial beings, and legendary warriors, all captured in the hues of blue, red, and gold. Long banners hung from the rafters, each representing a different faction, clan, family, or school of magic, some with symbols Ray recognized, others more mysterious.


    The air was filled with the murmur of conversation. Sorcerers of various species and ages moved through the room, exchanging words with friends, colleagues, and students. A mix of magical energies seemed to hum in the air, creating a vibrant atmosphere of excitement and anticipation.


    In one corner, a group of young students was nervously whispering, their robes marked with different schools of magic. In another, older figures in elegant robes discussed the latest breakthroughs in magical theory, their voices low but passionate.


    The central focus of the room, however, was a large, elevated podium that stood at the far end, overlooking the crowd. The podium was made of dark stone, its edges etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly in the dim light. Behind it was a large, magical tapestry displaying the academy¡¯s crest, a stylized representation of a phoenix rising from flames, wings outstretched, representing rebirth, knowledge, and the power of magic.


    On the podium, Ray spotted two figures. Connor, standing with his arms crossed, wore his usual serious expression as he talked to an elderly man, who stood beside him, a calming presence despite his mysterious aura. This is Ino Namikaze, the principal of this academy. he wears crimson robes that flow elegantly. While his long, silver hair is tied back neatly, and his eyes, though aged, carry a sharp, calculating gaze.


    His facial features are weathered, marked by centuries of experience and wisdom, yet his presence exudes a calm and collected demeanor. The crimson robes add an air of grandeur, making him look both regal and mysterious to all those around him.


    Connor¡¯s blue eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke to his mentor, while Ino remained composed, his elderly face thoughtful. The two of them having a close father and son bond, though neither would ever admit it. The sensei¡¯s long robes, a deep shade of crimson, rippled gently with the air currents of the room. His eyes, as always, held a mixture of warmth and something more elusive, something that Ray couldn¡¯t quite place.


    As Ray and Mary walked toward the center of the room, the crowd parted slightly to make way for them. The noise of casual chatter continued, but there was an unmistakable sense of anticipation in the air, everyone seemed to be waiting for something important to begin.


    ¡°Ah, Ray,¡± Mary said, her voice a soft whisper now as she guided him toward an empty spot in the crowd near the front. ¡°Looks like we¡¯re just in time.¡± Ray nodded, his attention shifting to the podium. He couldn¡¯t help but feel a little nervous seeing Connor and Sensei Ino standing there. Even though he was used to the ceremonies, there was something about this particular one that made him uneasy.


    As they found their place, Ray glanced at Mary, her smile offering him quiet reassurance. The room was alive with magical energy, the weight of the occasion palpable as the murmurs around them began to quiet.


    The room slowly quieted as Ino raised his hands, his calm but commanding presence silencing the murmurs and chattering of the crowd. The subtle hum of magic in the air softened, and the flicker of enchanted lights dimmed as everyone turned their attention to the podium. The anticipation was thick, and Ray could feel the weight of the moment in the room, the shared understanding of the solemnity of the occasion.


    As the last whispers faded, the large doors creaked open, and a group of robotic teenagers and adults entered, moving in sync with a sense of purpose. Their angular frames, composed of smooth metallic surfaces and glowing lines, reflected the ambient light, adding to the mechanical hum that followed them into the hall. They quietly integrated with the crowd, their faces emotionless but somehow adding to the gravity of the ceremony. Their presence only further amplified the quiet reverence in the air as they moved into place.


    Ino, his voice steady and full of a quiet wisdom, began his speech. ¡°As you know,¡± he said, his gaze sweeping over the gathered crowd, ¡°today is a very important day. It¡¯s the eighth anniversary of Henry Cooper¡¯s sacrifice for us, the day he gave his life so that we could continue living.¡±


    Ray¡¯s heart tightened at the mention of his father. He couldn¡¯t help but glance around the room, noticing the solemn expressions of the others as they absorbed Ino¡¯s words.


    Ino paused, his hand resting gently on Connor¡¯s shoulder. The young boy stood with his usual guarded expression, but there was an unmistakable hint of slight sadness in his eyes as he looked out at the crowd. Ray noticed how different he looked today, more serious, more pensive. He could sense that the day meant something to Connor, even if he didn¡¯t express it.


    ¡°And¡­¡± Ino continued, his voice taking on a more reflective tone, ¡°I know he and I didn¡¯t always get along. I know that he wasn¡¯t always the best person while he was alive, but he was one of the greatest men I have ever had the honor of meeting.¡±


    The crowd seemed to absorb the words with a deep, shared understanding. The silence deepened, and Ray could feel the collective grief of those who had known Henry, those whose lives had been touched by his actions. Ino¡¯s gaze moved slowly across the room, locking eyes with several people, each of them silently acknowledging the truth of his words. Some looked pained, others deeply moved, but all shared in the loss.


    Ray¡¯s attention shifted toward the back of the room, where a small group stood away from the crowd. They formed a quiet cluster, their presence commanding attention despite their subtle stance. There was Seraphina, her long black hair flowing down her back, her dark green dragon tattoos visible on her pale arms.


    Her expression was stoic, though her dark brown eyes flickered with something deeper, something that seemed to match the sadness in the air. She stood with her arms crossed, but her posture was less about defiance and more about holding something in. Beside her, Nyxen stood with his usual quiet demeanor, his pale features soft and distant as he stared ahead. His short black curly hair was neatly trimmed, and his deep blue eyes were calm, though there was an undeniable weight in his gaze.


    Namiah stood beside him, her twin braids resting atop her shoulders. Her eyes, sharp and observant, softened as she too took in the meaning of the ceremony. Her features were delicate yet strong, and though she had a quiet intensity about her, the sadness in her eyes was palpable.


    Zephyr, Charlie, as he was known, stood at the edge of the group, his expression serene but with an air of quiet sorrow. His one arm rested gently by his side, his brown eyes reflecting the shared grief of those around him. The light in his eyes seemed both distant and filled with a deep, unspoken understanding, as if he carried a piece of the burden of loss within himself.


    Roth, Ino''s right hand man, was hard to miss, his towering 8-foot frame standing out from the group. He was large and imposing, with long brown curly hair and a beard that matched his burly stature. Yet, despite his size, his expression was solemn and respectful, his hazel eyes focused on the podium, his massive hands clasped in front of him in quiet reflection. It was clear that he, too, had felt the sting of Henry¡¯s loss.


    Penelope, who had jet black hair, and Olivia, who had slightly glowing yellow hair, stood together at the back, their matching pale skin and contrasting hair colors giving them eerie yet elegant presences. Penelope¡¯s icy blue pupils shone faintly as she looked toward the stage, while Olivia, her twin, stood with a much more subdued expression. The two were quiet today, as there was an undeniable heaviness in their gaze as they silently honored the memory of the man who to them, had been both a calamity and a savior.


    As Ino¡¯s speech continued, Amanda stood somberly at the back with the rest of the group, her figure blending into the shadows yet radiating a quiet strength. Her arms were crossed, and her sharp eyes, hidden behind a stoic, composed expression, watched the ceremony with a mix of respect and sorrow. She wore her usual military gear, the fitted armor accentuating her tall frame, but today, her presence was more subdued. Beside her, the group of familiar faces stood in their own contemplation, but Amanda¡¯s gaze occasionally flicked to Ray, her quiet support evident. Despite the emotional weight of the occasion, there was an air of solidarity, as if her unspoken connection to the others anchored them all in this moment of shared loss and remembrance.


    Lastly, Mathew, the young redhead, stood at the farthest edge of the group. His freckles were more pronounced under the dim light, and his glasses gleamed as he surveyed the room. His usual playful demeanor was absent today, replaced by a rare solemnity. Though he stood slightly apart from the others, there was no mistaking the sadness in his eyes as he listened attentively to Ino¡¯s words.


    ¡°And I feel it¡¯s only right,¡± Ino continued, his voice thick with emotion, ¡°that we honor his memory, his legacy, by cherishing the lives we all still have because of him.¡±


    As Ino finished, the weight of his words hung in the air, and the entire room stood in complete silence. Each person, whether standing near the front or in the back, seemed to hold their breath, united in the quiet reverence for the man who had given up everything for them. Ray felt the sharp sting of his father¡¯s absence all over again, but he also felt the power of the shared bond that connected everyone here today.


    ¡°So, have fun today, all of you, in memory of Henry Cooper!¡± Ino proclaimed, his voice rising with fervor, his fist raised high into the air. The room, which had been still with reverence, erupted in an instant. A deafening roar of approval surged through the crowd, and the air seemed to vibrate with the collective energy. It was as if the entire academy had come alive in unison, a powerful wave of emotion that reverberated off the ancient stone walls.


    The sorcerers, teachers, and students all raised their fists to the sky, their faces now alight with enthusiasm, their features a mix of solemn respect and fiery determination. The robotic figures among them, with their glowing eyes and mechanical precision, raised their limbs in perfect synchronization, their motion a sharp contrast to the human passion surrounding them. The entire crowd moved like a single entity, bound together by the memory of Henry¡¯s sacrifice and the promise to carry on his legacy.


    ¡°For Henry!¡± they all shouted in one thunderous voice, the words echoing throughout the great hall. The noise filled every corner of the room, bouncing off the high vaulted ceilings, as if the very building itself was shaking with the force of their collective will.


    Some cheered so loudly their voices cracked, others let out war cries of exhilaration, their passion palpable in every syllable. A wave of energy swept through the crowd, charging the air with an electric sense of purpose.


    Ray¡¯s eyes widened in awe as he watched the scene unfold. The energy in the room was contagious, he could feel it too, the surge of pride, the intense love for the man they were honoring today. The rush of cheers, the fervor in every gesture, felt as though it was lifting them all up, pushing them forward. His chest swelled with pride, and he couldn¡¯t help but join in.


    ¡°For Father!¡± Ray shouted along with them, his fist raised high in the air, his voice a loud declaration among the sea of others. The rush of the moment swept through him, and his smile broke through as he watched the crowd''s enthusiasm swell even further, a wave that would not break until every last person here had paid their respects in this powerful, collective cry.


    Miss Mayweather, standing beside Ray, beamed at the display, her heart clearly moved by the strength of the unity in the room. She, too, raised her fist high, her eyes bright with pride for the legacy they were celebrating.


    In the back, the quiet group remained still but no less connected to the ceremony. Seraphina¡¯s stoic expression softened slightly, her lips curving into a faint, approving smile as she watched the enthusiasm spread like wildfire. Nyxen, with his usual reserved demeanor, looked on with a steady gaze, his hand resting lightly at his side, but his eyes filled with quiet respect and admiration.


    Namiah, always quick to embrace the energy of the room, threw her fist up with a spark in her eye, her lips parted in a fierce shout of affirmation. Zephyr¡¯s expression remained calm, yet there was a flicker of admiration in his eyes, an unspoken understanding that this moment was one of unity, of remembering what had been sacrificed for them all. Roth, towering over the crowd, raised both his massive fists with unbridled strength, his face a picture of passionate respect.


    Penelope and Olivia, the twins, both stood with their arms folded, their expressions unreadable, but even they couldn¡¯t quite mask the power of the moment. Mathew let out a laugh as he joined in, his voice filled with energy, his glasses flashing as he cheered with the rest.


    The energy of the moment filled the hall, and the cheers of the crowd echoed beyond the walls of the academy, carrying the memory of Henry Cooper into the very heart of the academy. Ray felt It deep within his chest, that sense of connection, of purpose. Today wasn¡¯t just about remembering a fallen hero; it was about living, honoring, and carrying on what Henry had given them all. And together, they would.

 Chapter 19: Trials Of The Academy Pt.1

    About thirty minutes later, Ray found himself standing in line inside the Academy¡¯s gymnasium, a vast and awe-inspiring space steeped in both history and magic. Massive stone walls rose high, engraved with glowing runes and murals that depicted legendary sorcerers and epic battles from centuries past. Tall, stained-glass windows allowed streams of multicolored light to spill across the polished stone floor, the images shifting subtly as if alive. Above, an arched ceiling crafted from dark oak beams was adorned with floating, enchanted candles that cast a warm, flickering glow.


    Banners representing different houses and magical disciplines hung proudly from the rafters, each embroidered with intricate symbols and shimmering thread. The room thrummed faintly with residual magical energy, making the air feel alive. At one end of the gym, a stage was set with a mystical backdrop of swirling lights, where students were taking their school photos. Magical cameras floated mid-air, operated by teachers who chanted soft incantations to adjust lighting and angles.


    All around them, students of various species and ages mingled, their robes and outfits reflecting their unique magical specialties. Some wore flowing robes inscribed with glyphs, while others sported enchanted armor or practical, spell-resistant attire. Teachers stood nearby, offering last-minute grooming charms or adjusting their students¡¯ postures with a wave of their hands.


    Ray stood in line beside Connor and Nova, all three of them engaged in a lively and animated exchange. ¡°Seriously, Ray, how do you always manage to show up looking like you wrestled a dragon?¡± Connor teased, smirking as he gestured at a small, faded bruise on Ray¡¯s cheek.


    Ray rolled his eyes, grinning. ¡°It¡¯s called style, Connor. You wouldn¡¯t get it.¡±


    Nova laughed, nudging Ray playfully. ¡°Oh, please. Style? You¡¯ve got a leaf stuck in your hair, ¡®Mr. Stylish.¡¯¡± She reached over to pluck it out, but Ray ducked away dramatically, holding his hands up in mock surrender.


    ¡°Hey! That¡¯s my lucky leaf!¡± Ray protested with a laugh. ¡°Touch it, and I¡¯m doomed for life!¡±


    Connor snorted. ¡°Lucky leaf? That¡¯s the lamest excuse I¡¯ve ever heard.¡± Nova chimed in, smirking. ¡°No kidding. Besides, you¡¯re already doomed, you¡¯re standing next to Connor.¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡± Connor exclaimed, feigning offense, but his grin betrayed his amusement.


    Their laughter echoed through the gym, drawing a few glances from other students, though most smiled at their camaraderie. The three of them continued to trade playful barbs and jokes, their bond clear even through their constant bickering.


    As the line moved forward, Ray glanced around at the grandeur of the gymnasium and the bustling students, a warmth settling over him despite the lively teasing. It felt like home, a chaotic, magical, and wonderfully unique home.


    But as the trio continued to banter, the sound of footsteps echoed from behind them. Just as they were about to exchange another playful insult, a voice cut through the air, teasing and booming with familiar confidence.


    ¡°Are you three trying to start a symphony, or are you just always this loud?¡± A boy¡¯s voice rang out, laced with mock irritation.


    Ray, Nova, and Connor all turned around at once, their faces lighting up at the sight of the new arrivals. Standing behind them was the sight of their rival trio, each kid looking just as lively and unique as ever.


    Rad, the first to speak, stood confidently with his arms crossed, his muscular build evident even through his casual, fitted black shirt and cargo pants. His spiky hair, a dark brown that caught the light in places, was slightly windswept, and his bright, almost fiery eyes gleamed with amusement. There was always something effortlessly powerful about Rad, even when he was just teasing his friends. His presence seemed to command attention, and yet his playful grin softened that commanding aura, making him approachable despite his strength.


    However, this Rad was not the same one you and I have come to know. This Rad was born much later on in this universe, where he grew up in the academy, free from the hardships of an abusive mother in a poverty filled undercity, living a life of happiness and training as a sorcerer.


    ¡°You¡¯re one to talk,¡± Connor said with a laugh, raising an eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯re always the loudest one in the group, Rad.¡±


    Rad chuckled. ¡°I can¡¯t help it if I¡¯m just so full of energy!¡± He shot them a wink, his grin broadening.


    Next to Rad stood Lucio, his lean and athletic frame glowing with vitality. Lucio¡¯s black tank top clung to his chiseled arms, while his vibrant green cargo shorts matched the vibrant energy that seemed to radiate from him. His short, dark hair had a natural bounce, and his brown eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. Lucio¡¯s constant smile made it hard for anyone to stay upset, and his energy was infectious. He bounced lightly on his feet, clearly ready for whatever was coming next.


    ¡°True that, Rad never stops talking.¡± Lucio quipped, his grin wide and his eyes twinkling with excitement. His aura of warmth made him instantly likeable, as always.


    Finally, Elara stood beside Lucio, her eyes scanning the group with a sharpness that seemed out of place in the midst of all the laughter. She was the quietest of the trio, yet there was a presence to her that drew attention. Her long, dark hair cascaded in gentle waves around her shoulders, contrasting with her pale skin, which seemed to almost glow against the darker surroundings. She wore a fitted jacket and dark jeans, and her expression, while calm, held an intensity that seemed to pierce through the jovial chatter.


    Her piercing, emerald, green eyes locked onto Ray¡¯s for a moment, her lips curling into a slight, knowing smile. ¡°Some of us prefer to actually listen to the conversation,¡± Elara remarked with a wry smile, though there was no malice in her voice. Her gaze softened as she turned to Nova. ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve been busy causing trouble again.¡±


    Nova rolled her eyes but grinned back at her. ¡°You know me too well.¡± Ray laughed. ¡°You all just can¡¯t resist making an entrance, can you?¡± he teased.


    ¡°We do our best,¡± Rad responded with a cheeky grin, nudging Lucio, who then playfully bumped him back. As the group continued to joke and laugh, Rad leaned forward, an impish grin spreading across his face. ¡°You know, I heard they¡¯ve got some pretty wild games today,¡± he began, his tone teasing. ¡°I¡¯m thinking the Flame & Song Challenge sounds like it¡¯s right up your alley, Nova.¡± He gestured playfully toward her, his eyes glinting with mischief. ¡°Maybe you¡¯ll finally be able to keep up with the flames.¡±


    Nova shot him a playful glare, her lips twitching into a smirk. ¡°Oh please, Rad, I¡¯ll have no trouble with that. Maybe you should focus on surviving the Roth¡¯s Feast Frenzy first.¡± She winked at him. ¡°Don¡¯t choke on all that food, big guy.¡±


    Rad laughed, his chest rumbling with amusement. ¡°I think I¡¯ll manage just fine. Besides, Lucio here can always lighten the mood with his endless energy," Rad said, nudging his friend with his elbow.


    Lucio, always the cheerful one, grinned widely. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m just here to have fun. Besides,¡± he added, raising an eyebrow at Ray and Connor, ¡°I¡¯ll leave you two in the dust during Sky Sprint. You¡¯re both too slow for my glider skills.¡±


    Connor rolled his eyes and threw an arm around Ray''s shoulder. ¡°Oh, really? I guess that¡¯s why you¡¯re always running around like a chicken with its head cut off.¡± He grinned mischievously. ¡°But don¡¯t worry, Lucio, I¡¯ll try to let you win so you can actually feel like a hero for once.¡±


    Ray snickered. ¡°Better yet, let¡¯s see how you fare in Mathew¡¯s Mind Maze,¡± he said, giving Lucio a challenging look. ¡°I bet those quick reflexes won¡¯t help you outsmart Mathew¡¯s riddles.¡±


    Lucio¡¯s smile didn¡¯t falter. ¡°I¡¯m good at everything, you know that. Besides, Mathew¡¯s brain games are no match for me,¡± he retorted with a wink.


    Elara, who had been quietly listening to the banter, spoke up with her characteristic dry wit. ¡°Let¡¯s just hope none of you forget to smile for the camera. After all, that¡¯s the real challenge today.¡±


    The group laughed, the playful teasing and competitive energy filling the air as they shuffled forward in line for their school photos. The tension of their friendly rivalry lingered, but beneath it all was a sense of camaraderie and excitement, making the day feel like more than just a routine event. It was another chance for them all to prove themselves, not only to each other but to the academy.


    Ray, Nova, and Connor were now standing together in a small, enchanted photo booth. The space was decorated with ornate silver arches that glowed faintly with magic, casting soft light on the three of them. Floating just above their heads was the camera, a sleek orb of enchanted crystal that hovered in place, adjusting itself with smooth, almost graceful movements. Its lens shimmered with golden light as it zoomed in and out, capturing the perfect angle.


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    Nova stood beside Ray, her arms crossed as she gave him a teasing look. ¡°So, no exosuit today?¡± she asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°I thought you were always trying to look heroic for the camera.¡±


    Ray grinned, shrugging casually. ¡°Nah, I¡¯m keeping it casual this year.¡± His voice was light, but there was a hint of pride in his choice to go without the exosuit today. The thought of the cybernetic ring and its astronaut-like exosuit crossed his mind, but he was content for this moment, embracing something simpler. ¡°Besides, who needs a suit when you¡¯ve got a smile like this?¡± he said, flashing a grin.


    Connor, standing a little to the side with a smirk on his face, rolled his eyes dramatically. ¡°Shame,¡± he said sarcastically, looking at Ray with mock disappointment. ¡°I really wanted to see that hero pose you¡¯ve been practicing lately.¡±


    Nova burst into a soft giggle, and Ray couldn¡¯t help but chuckle as well, the playful back-and-forth making the moment more lighthearted. ¡°Oh, you want to see it, Connor?¡± Ray responded with a mock seriousness, his arms crossing and his body striking an exaggerated stance as if ready to unleash an epic pose. ¡°Maybe next time I¡¯ll show you the full dramatic flair.¡±


    ¡°Please, no,¡± Connor replied dryly, rolling his eyes but clearly amused. ¡°I think the world is better off without it.¡±


    Ray laughed, lowering his arms and giving Connor a playful shove. ¡°Yeah, yeah, keep talking. But if you ever need a lesson in heroism, let me know,¡± he teased, his tone light and warm.


    As they exchanged playful banter, the air around them buzzed with the soft hum of magic as the sorceress behind the booth adjusted her position. With a flick of her fingers, the hovering camera shifted slightly to a more flattering angle. She gave the trio a nod, clearly awaiting them to settle for the photo.


    At that moment, Amanda stepped into the booth, her presence immediately shifting the energy in the small space. She was dressed in her usual military-style attire, but her expression was warm as she observed the trio. ¡°Well, well, looks like the squad¡¯s finally ready for their photo,¡± she said, a slight teasing tone in her voice as she surveyed their playful antics.


    Ray, Nova, and Connor all turned to look at her, still smiling. ¡°Hey, Captain!¡± Ray greeted her cheerfully, stepping aside for her to join them. ¡°We were just getting warmed up before the big moment.¡±


    Amanda smirked, her arms folding as she looked between them. ¡°I see that,¡± she said, raising an eyebrow. ¡°I thought I¡¯d need to break up a fight before this, but looks like you¡¯re all too busy throwing insults around instead.¡±


    Nova grinned. ¡°Oh, we¡¯re just getting started. You¡¯ve got no idea what you¡¯re in for, Captain.¡± Connor shot her a sarcastic look. ¡°Yeah, because you¡¯re totally not the one causing trouble, Nova.¡±


    Ray chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Let¡¯s just get this over with before someone actually starts a fight. Though I wouldn¡¯t mind showing off my heroic side one last time for the photo.¡± He winked at Amanda with a mischievous glint in his eyes.


    Amanda chuckled, shaking her head as she stepped behind the group. ¡°Alright, alright, just make sure to smile this time, okay? You know how photos are, no turning back.¡±


    With a flick of her wrist, the sorceress¡¯s camera hummed to life once more, capturing the group¡¯s candid smiles and lighthearted bickering. The moment was captured perfectly in the magical lens, immortalizing their friendship and playful rivalry as they posed for their school photo.


    Thirty minutes later Ray, Nova, and now Connor stood shoulder to shoulder in the massive clearing outside the Academy, surrounded by a sea of eager sorcerer students and their teachers. The crisp air buzzed with anticipation as murmurs rippled through the crowd. In the center of it all, A woman floated gracefully atop a shimmering ball of water, the orb glowing faintly as if imbued with celestial energy.


    Her appearance was breathtaking. Her dark blue skin seemed to ripple like the surface of a deep ocean, and her silver hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, sparkling as though droplets of starlight clung to it. Her flowing gown shimmered with hues of turquoise and azure, adorned with intricate wave-like patterns that shifted and swirled as she moved. Her eyes, glowing like twin pools of light, commanded both awe and respect. Around her floated tiny, translucent orbs of water, each reflecting the faces of those in the crowd.


    With a serene yet commanding presence, the woman, Sui, raised her hand to quiet the throng. Her voice, soothing and powerful, carried effortlessly over the gathering.


    ¡°Welcome, students and esteemed faculty, to this year¡¯s Trials of the Elemental Dawn! A celebration of skill, wit, and unity,¡± she began, her words punctuated by the gentle lapping sound of water emanating from her floating orb.


    She gestured with a delicate hand to the fiery Seraphina and the rhythmic Namiah, standing side by side on a raised platform of flame-wreathed stone.


    ¡°First, we have the Flame & Song Challenge, hosted by Seraphina and Namiah. Test your rhythm and reflexes in this dazzling display of fire and music. Victors shall receive the Phoenix Feather Medallions, a symbol of resilience and grace under pressure.¡±


    The crowd erupted into excited cheers as Namiah waved with an energetic grin, and Seraphina nodded solemnly as gentle green sparks of fire emanated from her body, her flames flickering with pride. Next, Sui¡¯s hand shifted to Roth, who stood next to an overflowing banquet table filled with fantastical foods.


    ¡°Prepare yourselves for Roth¡¯s Feast Frenzy, where the bravest among you will face a feast of ever-changing magical delicacies. The reward? The coveted Endless Appetite Token, perfect for any gastronome or adventurer.¡±


    Roth bellowed a hearty laugh, lifting a massive turkey leg into the air, eliciting laughter and applause. Her gaze turned to the tall, tranquil figure of Charlie, or Zephyr, who stood with his glider in hand atop a breezy platform.


    ¡°The Sky Sprint, a race through the heavens, will challenge your speed and precision. Those who prevail shall be gifted the Sky Dancer Boots, enhancing agility and grace.¡±


    Charlie gave the crowd a kind smile, adjusting his glider as a gust of wind swirled around him. Sui¡¯s hand moved to Mathew, whose freckled grin shone brightly as he stood beside a swirling portal leading to his labyrinth.


    ¡°Enter Mathew¡¯s Mind Maze, a challenge of logic and creativity. Winners will earn the Illusionist¡¯s Lens, granting them the power to see beyond and craft small realities of their own."


    Mathew tipped an imaginary hat, earning laughter and cheers from his fans in the crowd. Finally, Sui gestured to Penelope and Olivia, poised at opposite ends of a dazzling arena split by light and shadow.


    ¡°The Light & Shadow Duel, hosted by Penelope and Olivia, will test your teamwork, agility, and cunning. Triumph here, and claim the Twilight Amulet, a harmonious blend of light and shadow magic.¡±


    Penelope crossed her arms with a cool smirk, while Olivia raised her hand high, her commanding presence eliciting a wave of cheers. Sui turned her glowing gaze back to the crowd, her serene face breaking into a proud smile. ¡°These trials will push you to your limits. You will find strength, courage, and camaraderie within yourselves. And now¡­¡± She raised both arms, her gown flowing like a living tide.


    ¡°Let the trials begin!¡± The ground trembled as enormous sections of earth beneath the hosts began to rise, carried upward by colossal, trunk-like structures of swirling water. The platforms ascended high into the sky, glittering in the sunlight as water cascaded from their edges like waterfalls. Gasps of amazement filled the air as students and teachers alike stared in awe.


    Ray¡¯s emerald eyes widened as he nudged Nova. ¡°So cool!.¡± Nova grinned, her gaze locked on the spectacle. ¡°Yeah, no pressure, right?¡±


    Connor crossed his arms, feigning indifference. ¡°Just some fancy water tricks. I¡¯ve seen better.¡± But even he couldn¡¯t hide the awe in his eyes as he watched the platforms soar. The crowd erupted Into cheers, their excitement reaching a fever pitch as the sky became the stage for the epic trials to come.


    Nova¡¯s laughter rang through the air, her energy infectious as she teased Connor, ¡°Yeah, right!¡± Without missing a beat, she grabbed Ray and Connor¡¯s hands, her amber pupils gleaming with excitement.


    Before they could protest, her body shimmered, her star form enveloping everywhere but her hands. Her skin seemed to radiate starlight, and her curly afro sparkled like a star. A rush of heatless energy enveloped Ray and Connor, and in a dazzling burst, Nova launched them skyward.


    The three of them streaked through the air, trailing glowing stardust behind them as Nova soared with controlled precision. Connor let out a startled yelp, gripping her hand tightly, while Ray, his curls whipping in the wind, shouted, ¡°Nova! A little warning next time!¡±


    Nova only laughed in reply, the thrill of the flight carrying her excitement. Below, the crowd watching in awe as they watched the trio rise toward the platforms suspended high above.


    Nova descended in a graceful arc, her star form dimming as they landed on the massive floating platform hosting the Flame & Song Challenge. The platform rumbled slightly under their arrival, and Nova finally released Ray and Connor¡¯s hands.


    ¡°See?¡± she said triumphantly, dusting her hands as if the flight was the easiest thing in the world. ¡°Quick and stylish!¡±


    Ray straightened his shirt, still catching his breath. ¡°Stylish, sure, terrifying, also yes.¡± Connor, muttering under his breath, adjusted his training gi. ¡°You¡¯re lucky I didn¡¯t throw up. Next time, I¡¯ll fly myself, thanks.¡±


    The trio looked around in awe. The massive platform of unearthed ground seemed to defy gravity, held aloft by swirling water pillars that radiated a faint blue glow. Around its edges, enchanted braziers burned with flames that danced in every imaginable color, fiery reds, cool blues, radiant golds, and deep purples.


    Magical instruments floated in midair, each glowing softly as they emitted rhythmic beats or melodic tunes. The melodies seemed to synchronize with the flickering flames, the entire arena alive with movement and sound. The air pulsed with energy, the rhythm beckoning them to step forward.


    Seraphina stood near the edge of the platform, her arms crossed as she surveyed the arena with a calm intensity. Her long black hair was tied back, her dark green dragon tattoos glowing faintly in the light of the flames. Namiah was beside her, a stark contrast in demeanor. She leaned casually against a brazier, her braided hair swaying as she tapped her foot in time with the music. Her mischievous grin widened as she spotted the trio.


    ¡°Well, look who¡¯s eager,¡± Namiah teased, raising an eyebrow at Nova. ¡°Ready to show us your moves, star child?¡± Seraphina¡¯s sharp eyes landed on them, her voice steady but welcoming.


    ¡°If you¡¯re here, you know the rules. Rhythm, precision, and agility. Don¡¯t lose the beat, and don¡¯t lose your nerve.¡± Nova¡¯s grin was electric as she stepped forward, excitement rolling off her in waves. ¡°We were born ready,¡± she declared, her voice brimming with confidence.


    Ray nudged her with a smirk. ¡°Speak for yourself. Some of us might need a little warm-up.¡± Connor rolled his eyes. ¡°Yeah, like he ever warms up. Let¡¯s just hope he doesn¡¯t trip over his own feet again.¡±


    Namiah burst out laughing, her voice carrying over the music. ¡°Oh, I like this group. Seraphina, think they¡¯ll survive the trial?¡± Seraphina¡¯s lips twitched into the faintest hint of a smile. ¡°We¡¯ll see. The flames don¡¯t go easy, and neither does the music.¡±


    The challenge awaited, the rhythm intensifying as the magical instruments floated closer, and the flames began to pulse in time. The air was thick with anticipation, the trial about to begin.

 Chapter 20: Trials Of The Academy Pt.2

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 Chapter 21: The Cursed Labyrinth

    The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden hue over the Academy as Nova, Connor, and Ray stood atop a different raised platform, eyes focused on Mathew, who was standing beside a shimmering portal. The platform itself was surrounded by a group of excited sorcerer students, murmuring with anticipation.


    Mathew, ever the showman, adjusted his glasses and flashed a wide grin at the crowd before speaking, his voice carrying easily to everyone in the vicinity. ¡°Alright, everyone! Welcome to Mathew¡¯s Mind Maze, a game of wits, logic, and quick thinking!¡± His tone was lighthearted but with an edge of seriousness.


    He gestured toward the swirling portal beside him, which pulsed with magical energy. ¡°This maze is no ordinary labyrinth. It shifts constantly, full of traps and puzzles that will challenge your mind and agility. The objective is simple: navigate the maze, solve the riddles, and find your way to the exit with your full group. But¡­¡±


    He paused, letting the suspense build. ¡°You only have one hour to get out. Fail to reach the exit in time, and you¡¯ll be trapped inside until the maze releases you. And trust me, the maze is not a fan of visitors who can¡¯t keep up.¡±


    A shiver of excitement ran through the crowd as Mathew gestured to the portal again. ¡°Now, step forward if you dare, your path awaits!¡±


    Nova¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement as she grinned, her voice bright with confidence. ¡°Piece of cake! I love a good puzzle!¡± She twirled in place, her curly afro bouncing with her movements. While the glint in her eye radiated with excitement and anticipation.


    Connor, standing beside her, cracked his knuckles, his usual mischievous grin plastered on his face. ¡°Yeah, this¡¯ll be a breeze. Let¡¯s see if we can break this maze before it has a chance to catch up with us.¡± His blue eyes sparkled with a competitive glint, and he couldn¡¯t help but tease Ray. ¡°Hope you¡¯re ready, Ray. Don¡¯t want to leave you behind again, right?¡±


    Ray, however, didn¡¯t share the same level of confidence. He stood a little further back from the group, his arms crossed tightly as he stared at the portal. He still hadn¡¯t fully recovered from his earlier setback during the Sky Sprint challenge. His brow furrowed slightly as he glanced at his friends, a faint sense of demoralization in his posture. ¡°Can I really keep up with them this time?¡± he thought to himself, his mind clouded with self-doubt.


    Just then, a group of three other students stood nearby, observing the scene. Ray, Nova, and Connor hadn¡¯t noticed them at first, but their presence was undeniable as the crowd subtly parted. The trio was standing a few feet away, speaking quietly amongst themselves but still within earshot.


    The first of them was a tall girl with fiery red hair that contrasted strikingly against her amber eyes. She wore a practical utility belt filled with magical trinkets and a green, sleeveless tunic that allowed for free movement. This was Mara Oakenfeld, known for her sharp intellect and strategic mind. She crossed her arms over her chest, watching the platform with keen interest.


    ¡°Think they¡¯ll make it out?¡± Mara asked, raising an eyebrow as she observed Nova, Connor, and Ray.


    ¡°With Connor and Nova, no doubt,¡± Kai, the boy in the trio, said, his voice calm yet certain. ¡°Ray¡¯s a wildcard though. He¡¯s got the heart, but barely any firepower. I¡¯ll be keeping an eye on him.¡± His gaze lingered on Ray, noticing his more subdued posture.


    On the other side of Kai, a petite girl with lavender hair, soft green eyes, and a flowing cloak embroidered with constellations stood quietly. Elena Willow, the shy and soft-spoken member of their trio, gave a small, almost apologetic smile as she looked toward Ray.


    ¡°I think they¡¯ll all do their best,¡± Elena murmured, her voice gentle and full of empathy. ¡°The maze is tricky, but they seem like good friends. If they stick together, they¡¯ll find their way out.¡±


    As the group of three continued to converse, Mathew¡¯s voice once again cut through the chatter. ¡°Alright, alright! Enough distractions!¡±


    He gave a playful wink before continuing, ¡°All participants, prepare yourselves. Ill send you through the portal in groups of two. Once you step through the portal, the mazes each of you enter will test everything you¡¯ve got, wits, teamwork, and agility. Let¡¯s see who can conquer it!¡±


    Nova turned to Connor with a grin. ¡°Ready to show them how it¡¯s done?¡± she asked, her excitement bubbling over.


    Connor gave a smirk, his eyes sparkling. ¡°You bet I am.¡± Ray, however, hesitated for a moment, glancing back at the portal and then at his friends. He exhaled slowly, then gave a small nod.


    ¡°I can do this. I have to.¡± He adjusted the ring on his finger, feeling the exosuit¡¯s familiar hum under his skin. "Let¡¯s go."


    With that, the paired-up groups stepped forward toward the swirling portal, the maze awaiting them. As the groups of sorcerers moved towards the portal, Mathew waved them off with a cheeky grin, excited to see how the participants were about to face its unpredictable challenges.


    The air Inside the labyrinth was thick with a palpable tension, a quiet hum that echoed through the vast, ever-shifting corridors. Ray, Connor, and Nova stood in the heart of what could be described as a grand mansion¡¯s maze, though the walls were anything but ordinary. The space was an intricate web of shifting rooms, floating bookshelves, and twisting hallways. The stone beneath their feet was cool and smooth, but the air was warm with the scent of old parchment and mystery.


    The grand hallway they were in stretched on forever, vanishing into a series of archways that seemed to blink in and out of existence. Strange, ethereal light flickered from sconces that floated mid-air, casting shadows on the walls that seemed to move of their own accord. The ceiling was adorned with intricate, enchanted frescoes, depictions of stars and galaxies, some shimmering with starlight, while others seemed to pulse with hidden energy, as if they were alive.


    The walls themselves were lined with floating tomes, each inscribed with ancient runes and symbols that glowed faintly in the dim light. Books occasionally fluttered open, releasing soft whispers of old, forgotten knowledge.


    At the far end of the hallway, a pair of wooden double doors stood, half-open, beckoning them forward. The doors groaned with the sound of unseen wind, their surfaces etched with more of the same glowing runes, glowing softly as if awaiting their next move.


    Ray, still adjusting to the shifting surroundings, took a hesitant step forward, his exosuit hummed as it wrapped around his body. The sound of his footsteps echoed in the hallway, but the maze felt eerily silent otherwise. ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve got a long way to go,¡± Ray muttered, glancing around nervously.


    Connor grinned, his voice filled with confidence. ¡°This is nothing. We¡¯ll blaze through this maze in no time.¡± He bounced on his feet, clearly eager to get moving. ¡°Just gotta keep an eye out for those riddles, and we¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Nova, flying lightly above them, twirled in in the air while coated in her star-like aura, eyes sparkling with excitement. ¡°It¡¯s kinda beautiful in here, huh? It¡¯s like the walls are alive." She stretched her arms, the faint glow from her star-form illuminating her surroundings, causing the books on the shelves to flicker in response. ¡°Let¡¯s see what kind of puzzles we¡¯re up against.¡±


    As they ventured further into the maze, the landscape around them began to shift once again. The hallway¡¯s warm stone floor turned into a smooth, reflective surface, like glass. The walls stretched upward into towering spires that seemed to reach into a sky of endless stars.


    Yet despite the beauty, there was an unmistakable sense of unease, as if the walls themselves were watching their every movement. Without warning, the floor beneath them shifted, and a new corridor materialized before them, with doorways on either side. Each door had an inscription in an unknown language, but faint whispers seemed to emanate from each, drawing them closer.


    Nova hovered near one of the doors, squinting at the strange symbols, while Ray and Connor moved to examine the other side. Meanwhile, on a completely different side of the mansion, a different scene unfolded.


    Elena, Kai, and Mara stood at the entrance of their own maze section, their surroundings starkly different yet equally enigmatic. The maze they found themselves in was a stark contrast to Ray, Nova, and Connor¡¯s labyrinth. Instead of expansive hallways and towering spires, this part of the mansion was a vast, open room with polished marble floors. The space was illuminated by a soft, eerie light that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once.


    Towering statues lined the perimeter of the room, each carved from dark stone, frozen in mid-motion. Their eyes seemed to follow every movement. In the center of the room, a series of floating platforms drifted above a swirling pool of liquid light, casting reflections on the walls. The platforms were connected by narrow stone walkways, their edges glowing faintly with an otherworldly energy.


    Kai, always the one to take charge, stepped forward confidently, his eyes scanning the room with practiced focus. ¡°This feels different,¡± he muttered, his voice echoing in the quiet space. ¡°It¡¯s like we¡¯re being watched.¡± He adjusted his mage¡¯s jacket, his sharp blue eyes studying the room¡¯s intricate details.


    Mara was already stepping toward one of the platforms, her amber eyes narrowing as she analyzed the scene. ¡°No time to waste,¡± she said curtly. ¡°We¡¯ll have to cross those platforms. They¡¯re the only way to move forward.¡± She paused, looking at Kai. ¡°Be careful. Something feels off.¡±


    Elena stood a bit behind them, her lavender cloak trailing slightly behind her as she scanned the area with wide, cautious eyes. ¡°The statues¡­ they look like they¡¯re watching us,¡± she whispered, a shiver running down her spine. She tried to push the thought away, but the eerie stillness of the room was unsettling. ¡°I don¡¯t think we¡¯re alone here.¡±


    Kai turned back toward her with a reassuring smile. ¡°Stay close. We¡¯ve got this.¡± His eyes flickered toward the platforms. ¡°But let¡¯s keep our guard up. This maze could get tricky.¡±


    Their path forward was clearly marked, but there was an undeniable sense of isolation between their group and Ray, Nova, and Connor¡¯s. Neither group knew where the other was, nor that they were actually within the same maze. It felt as if each had been pulled into their own Isolated realm, and the true test was not only the challenges they faced, but also how each group would find their way back together. The maze stretched out before them, a twisting, unpredictable labyrinth where every turn could lead to something new, and potentially dangerous.


    Ray, Connor, and Nova moved cautiously through the labyrinth¡¯s ever-changing expanse, their surroundings constantly morphing in unsettling ways. The hallway they had entered seemed to stretch and contort, the walls bending as if made of liquid stone, constantly shifting in time with the soft hum that pulsed through the air.


    Nova hovered just above the floor, her glowing star-form illuminating the corridor with a gentle radiance, casting long shadows that seemed to twist in time with the pulsing light of the walls. She had her hands resting behind her head, a relaxed smirk on her face, as if this labyrinth were a mere playground rather than the maze of enchantments it truly was. Her voice rang out, teasing and light, ¡°You know, I think this place is trying to mess with us. The walls keep changing, but nothing really feels like it¡¯s in the right place. It¡¯s fun!¡± She spun in mid-air, her laughter echoing through the hall.


    Connor, on the other hand, was more focused. He had already darted forward, acrobatically flipping over a floating bookshelf that had appeared just ahead of him. He landed with precision, his muscles rippling beneath his black gi.


    ¡°I think I see the pattern,¡± he said, adjusting his stance as his gaze scanned the surrounding walls, which seemed to ripple in response to his movements. ¡°The more we move, the more things shift. We just have to keep our momentum.¡±


    Ray, trailing behind, was still trying to adjust to the surreal environment around them. The constant warping of the stone and books, the low murmur of hidden magic, and the odd, Invisible energy that filled the air was unsettling. His white exosuit glowed faintly as Nexis kept up a steady stream of updates in his ear.


    ¡°Stay focused, Ray. The maze won¡¯t let us escape easily,¡± Nexis said in his usual calm, collected tone. Ray gave a quick, forced nod. The suit¡¯s artificial limbs were beginning to feel heavier with each step, as if the magical atmosphere was pressing against him. He glanced over at Connor, who was already several meters ahead, and Nova, who was gliding effortlessly through the air.


    Nova zipped down in front of him, her voice cutting through his thoughts. ¡°Don¡¯t let the walls get to you! This maze can¡¯t beat us if we stick together!¡± She paused mid-air, her bright eyes flicking to Ray. ¡°You know, you look a little out of breath, Ray. You good?¡±


    Ray gave her a tight smile. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine. Just need to¡­ get used to this place.¡± He flexed his hand, activating the exosuit¡¯s enhanced grip as a bookshelf teetered dangerously above his head, shifting in and out of reality.


    Connor was ahead of them again, crouching low as he prepared to leap over a large gap that had opened up in the floor. His eyes locked on the path ahead, scanning for any signs of movement or hidden traps. ¡°Ray, Nova, keep your heads up! We¡¯ve got another jump coming!¡± He looked back at them, offering a grin. ¡°Try to keep up!¡±


    Nova¡¯s laugh rang through the air as she flew upward, effortlessly dodging a floating stack of books that swirled around her like a storm. Her and Connor¡¯s bodies seemingly unaffected by the Mazes magical atmosphere. ¡°You heard the man, Ray! No slacking!¡±


    Ray gritted his teeth, the words stinging more than he let on. He hated feeling like he was falling behind, but the truth was undeniable, Nova and Connor were light years ahead in terms of skill and reflexes. He was good with his cybernetic suit, but this¡­ this was different. His body felt stiff as he moved, almost like he was being weighed down by the maze Itself.


    The further they went, the more the walls shifted and the atmosphere seemed to grow thick with an ancient, unseen power. The air seemed to become heavier, as though the mansion itself were alive and watching them. The faint hum that had been accompanying their steps grew louder, the sound shifting into something more menacing, like the distant growl of a storm brewing.


    ¡°Watch out!¡± Connor suddenly called out, pulling Ray from his thoughts. A massive, shifting door appeared in front of them, the runes on its surface glowing a deep, fiery red. As it swung open, a dark mist poured from the cracks, and an eerie voice filled the air.


    ¡°The Maze will test your resolve,¡± it crooned, the voice dripping with otherworldly menace. ¡°Only those who solve its riddle may pass.¡±


    Ray blinked, the words resonating in his chest as the door slowly creaked open wider, revealing the misty darkness beyond. Nova let out a confident laugh as she darted forward, flying effortlessly into the mist. ¡°I think we¡¯re about to find out if we¡¯re ready for this.¡±


    But as Nova and Connor zipped ahead, Ray hesitated, his heart sinking. The dark fog swirled around them, and he could feel the weight of the maze pressing against him once again.


    With a deep breath, Ray activated the suit¡¯s boosters, pushing himself forward, but the gap between him and his friends only seemed to grow wider. His pace was slower. More strained.


    Inside the mist, the walls closed in, disorienting them, making it difficult to see what lay ahead. As he tried to catch up, the voices in his head, doubts, fears, insecurities, crept into his mind.


    ¡°You can¡¯t do this, child,¡± they whispered. ¡°You¡¯ll never keep up with them.¡±


    But as Ray gritted his teeth, focusing all his will on pushing through, he could hear Connor¡¯s and Nova¡¯s distant voices up ahead, full of excitement and teasing. Ray gave a weak smile to himself, the confidence and joy in they¡¯re voices somehow lifting his spirits. He wasn¡¯t going to quit. Not now, not after everything that had led him here. The suit hummed as he pushed forward, determined to close the distance between himself and his friends, no matter the odds.


    Elena, Mara, and Kai stepped cautiously through the shifting corridors of the maze, their senses heightened, aware that every corner they turned might bring a new challenge. The mansion¡¯s labyrinth was nothing like they had anticipated. The atmosphere was thick with magic, an almost oppressive energy that hummed beneath their feet, vibrating the very air they breathed. The walls around them were made of ancient stone, weathered and cracked, with ivy creeping up the sides, as though time itself was caught in a loop, unwilling to move forward.


    Elena, with her lavender hair cascading like a waterfall down her back, took the lead. Her green eyes darted from side to side, alert to every detail, every flicker of magic in the air. her small frame was a stark contrast to her intense concentration. Clutching the edge of her flowing cloak, which shimmered with constellation patterns, she was the most sensitive to the maze¡¯s secrets. The air around her seemed to ripple with a subtle light, her divination magic at the ready, attuned to the enchantments woven into the walls.


    ¡°This place feels alive,¡± Elena whispered, her voice barely audible over the low hum of magic. ¡°I can sense¡­ something moving in the walls. I think we¡¯re being watched.¡±


    Kai, ever the protector, stood beside her, his dark blue eyes scanning the surroundings with intense focus. The boy seemed unbothered by the eerie atmosphere. His old mage jacket fluttered slightly in the drafts of cool wind that seemed to blow from nowhere.


    He was an illusionist, and his sharp instincts had always kept him calm in the face of danger. His confidence radiated from him, standing tall and unmoved in the maze¡¯s twisting corridors.


    ¡°We¡¯re not alone, that¡¯s for sure,¡± Kai muttered, his voice a low growl. ¡°But don¡¯t worry, Elena. I¡¯ll keep us safe.¡± His hand twitched near the staff at his side, an unspoken promise to defend them from whatever may lurk in the shadows.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Behind them, Mara was already scanning the environment with a sharp, analytical gaze. Her fiery red hair framed her amber eyes, which glittered with intelligence. she was ready for anything. Unlike the others, Mara now exuded a no-nonsense attitude, her impatience and sharp mind pushing her forward.


    ¡°This place is a puzzle. I can feel it,¡± Mara said, her voice tinged with frustration as she adjusted a magical trinket on her belt. ¡°Every wall, every stone, it¡¯s designed to test us. But there¡¯s something else, something hidden. We need to find the pattern, or we¡¯ll get stuck.¡±


    As they moved deeper into the maze, the air grew colder, and the corridors became narrower, the walls pressing in on them like the jaws of a trap. The flickering light of torches seemed to waver, casting long, twisting shadows that seemed to move on their own. The maze was alive with magic, responding to their every step, forcing them to stay sharp.


    A low, rhythmic sound pulsed through the ground, like a heartbeat that synced with their own. Suddenly, a door appeared in front of them, its wooden surface carved with intricate symbols, glowing faintly with magical energy. The symbols pulsed in time with the hum of the maze, and as the trio approached, the door creaked open by itself.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ new,¡± Mara remarked, narrowing her eyes. Elena stepped forward hesitantly, her senses tingling. ¡°I don¡¯t trust it. It¡¯s too easy.¡±


    But Kai stepped forward with his usual confidence, his hand resting on the doorframe. ¡°Nothing is easy in this maze,¡± he said with a smirk, giving Elena an encouraging look. ¡°If it¡¯s a trap, we¡¯ll handle it.¡±


    Elena bit her lip but nodded. She didn¡¯t like the unknown, but she trusted her teammates.


    Mara raised an eyebrow, her amber eyes flicking to the glowing symbols. ¡°If we go through, we¡¯ll need to be quick. This door might only stay open for a few seconds.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s go,¡± Kai said, moving ahead and slipping through the doorway with ease. Without hesitation, Elena followed, her cloak swishing behind her as she passed through. Mara, always the strategist, took a quick glance at the symbols and then joined them, stepping through the threshold just before the door slammed shut with an eerie echo.


    The trio found themselves In a massive, circular chamber, its walls lined with dark, ancient stone. The floor was covered in an intricate pattern of runes, glowing faintly with an inner light. The center of the room was dominated by a large, open pit that seemed to stretch into an endless void.


    Strange, floating platforms hovered just above the pit, shifting and moving as though controlled by invisible forces. ¡°What now?¡± Elena asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She could feel the weight of the magic in the air, the oppressive energy that surrounded them, making her pulse quicken.


    Mara was already studying the runes, her hand tracing the symbols on the ground as she tried to decipher their meaning. ¡°This is a puzzle,¡± she said flatly. ¡°The platforms move in patterns, but we need to unlock the right sequence to make it across.¡±


    Kai nodded, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. ¡°I¡¯ve got this,¡± he said confidently, stepping onto one of the floating platforms. It wobbled slightly beneath his weight before stabilizing. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure the way is clear.¡±


    Elena glanced at the floating platforms, then back at her teammates. ¡°Be careful, Kai.¡±


    With a grin, Kai stepped forward, his body blending into a subtle illusion that made him appear as if he were multiple figures at once. He moved with a fluidity that allowed him to easily jump from one platform to the next, his illusions masking his movements as he adjusted his steps.


    Elena and Mara stood back, watching as Kai leapt from platform to platform with the precision of a master. The runes on the floor began to glow brighter, and the platforms shifted in response, creating a seemingly impossible path forward.


    Mara¡¯s fingers danced through the air, manipulating the trinkets on her belt to enchant the platforms, stabilizing their movements and ensuring they stayed in place long enough for Elena to follow.


    Elena closed her eyes, feeling the magical pulse of the maze surrounding her. ¡°Ready when you are,¡± she said quietly.


    With a nod from Kai, the path became clear. Elena took a deep breath, focusing her magic, her eyes glowing faintly as she reached out to sense the movements of the platforms.


    The group moved forward, navigating the maze¡¯s dangers, each of them relying on their strengths to overcome the obstacles that lay ahead. The maze was relentless, testing their resolve, but together, they were a formidable team, strategic, protective, and clever.


    As the trio moved deeper into the maze, the challenges became more complex, but they remained undeterred, focused on the task ahead. They didn¡¯t know how much further they had to go, but one thing was certain in they¡¯re minds, they were in this together. And they were going to win.


    The air in the labyrinth grew heavier as Ray, Connor, and Nova continued through the dimly lit corridors, the creaking walls seeming to whisper secrets of the mansion¡¯s enchanted history. Their footsteps echoed in the vastness, the maze seemingly shifting around them with every turn. The ground beneath them was made of worn stone, some parts covered in intricate mosaics that flickered faintly in the low light.


    Ivy clung to the walls, and above them, chandeliers of glowing orbs hovered, casting eerie shadows that flickered with the faintest movement. The path ahead of them suddenly narrowed, the stone walls closing in on either side until they found themselves in a small, circular room, dimly lit by the blue glow of the floating lights. At the center of the room stood a statue of an ancient sorcerer, a proud figure with a long flowing beard, a hooded cloak, and hands held out in an imposing gesture.


    His eyes, made of shimmering sapphire gems, glowed faintly, and his mouth curved into a mysterious smile. As they approached, the temperature in the room dropped, and a soft, ethereal voice echoed around them.


    ¡°To pass through, you must solve my riddle. Fail, and you will remain trapped in this chamber¡­ forever.¡±


    Ray instinctively took a step back, glancing at Nova and Connor. The tension in the room was palpable as the statue¡¯s eyes flickered to life, and the sorcerer¡¯s voice continued.


    ¡°Three keys lie within this section of the maze,¡± it said. ¡°But only one will guide you to the final gate. To earn the first, you must answer this:


    ¡°I have keys, but no locks. I have space, but no room. You can enter, but never leave. What am I?¡±


    The three of them exchanged looks, each trying to make sense of the riddle. Nova tapped her chin thoughtfully, her eyes glimmering with the faint twinkle of starlight.


    ¡°A piano,¡± she suggested after a moment, her voice full of confidence. Ray shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t think that fits the riddle exactly¡­ keys, no locks? Hmm.¡±


    Connor, ever the one to think quickly, stepped forward. ¡°I think I¡¯ve got it. It¡¯s a keyboard, right? It has keys but no locks, you can access it, but you can¡¯t leave it.¡±


    The spirit in the form of the statue seemed to pause, its sapphire eyes glowing brighter for a moment, as if considering the answer. Then, slowly, it nodded, the eerie smile still present on its face.


    ¡°Correct. You have answered well, young ones. This is the first of the three keys you will need to pass through the gate of the maze.¡±


    With a sudden, otherworldly motion, the statue¡¯s outstretched hand dropped, and from the air before them, a key formed, shimmering with a faint ethereal light. It hovered in front of Ray.


    ¡°Take it,¡± the spirit said, its voice soft and cold. ¡°This is but one key of many. You will need the others to unlock your way through.¡±


    Ray stepped forward and grasped the key, feeling its cool surface against his palm. It was intricate, with swirling patterns engraved into its silver surface. He felt a slight warmth emanating from it, as if the key itself held a secret.


    As soon as he touched it, the room shifted around them, the walls moving, the door behind them creaking open, and the soft echo of the spirit¡¯s voice rang out one final time.


    ¡°Three keys¡­ one gate. Good luck.¡± With the key now in their possession, the trio stood in the doorway that had appeared, preparing to leave the room and continue through the maze. Ray looked down at the key in his hand, feeling a mixture of relief and anticipation. He knew this was just the first step. But as they ventured further into the maze, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that the spirit¡¯s riddles weren¡¯t over yet.


    Nova shot Ray a bright smile, her voice filled with excitement. ¡°We got one! Only two more to go!¡± Ray smiled back at them, feeling a bit of his earlier nervousness fade away. ¡°Yea, we¡¯ll find them in no time!¡±


    Mara, Kai, and Elena moved cautiously through the labyrinth, their senses heightened by the growing sense of urgency. The walls of the maze here were different, rough-hewn stone, some covered with vines, others marked with ancient, faded runes that glowed faintly in the dim light. Their footsteps echoed through the narrow passageways, only the soft rustling of the wind from unseen sources accompanying them.


    The air was thick with the scent of moss and age-old wood, and the distant sound of a creaking door could be heard faintly, as though the mansion itself really was alive. The trio rounded a corner and found themselves standing at the entrance of a grand chamber, the walls lined with enormous, arched windows through which the light from outside barely filtered, casting the room in a soft, golden glow. The floor beneath them was a patchwork of intricate, ancient tiles, each one etched with strange symbols and patterns that seemed to move ever so slightly when they weren¡¯t looking directly at them.


    The ceiling arched high above, covered in faded murals of celestial events and mythical beasts, their once-vibrant colors now muted and worn with time. The ceiling stretched high above them, lost in shadows, while the floor was covered in soft, thick moss that seemed to absorb the sound of their movements. At the center of the room stood an immense stone pedestal, covered in ivy and faintly glowing with an ethereal light. Resting atop the pedestal was a large, ornate book, its pages flipping slowly on their own, as if caught in an invisible breeze.


    At the far side of the room was a large pedestal made of dark stone, upon which rested an ornate, golden box with a series of shimmering gemstones embedded into it. The gemstones pulsed with an inner light, casting shifting reflections on the walls. Surrounding the box was a series of four stone pillars, each inscribed with runes, and standing in a circle, facing inward toward the pedestal.


    The atmosphere was thick with tension, as though the very air around them held its breath. A soft, velvety voice echoed from nowhere and everywhere at once, filling the chamber.


    ¡°Only those who are wise in both heart and mind shall claim the prize,¡± it said. ¡°Answer me this, and the key will be yours. Fail, and you will be lost in this labyrinth forever.¡±


    The three of them exchanged glances, their minds already working together. Kai stood tall, his posture exuding confidence and calm determination. His dark brown hair fell in unruly waves, his sharp blue eyes scanning the room intently, searching for any sign of a clue. He adjusted the tattered mage¡¯s jacket he wore, his hand brushing the hilt of a dagger on his belt. He was always the first to act, his protectiveness over Elena and Mara never faltering.


    Mara stood to his right, while Elena stood at his left, the amber light of the room glinting off Mara¡¯s piercing eyes. Her arms were crossed, her brow furrowed in thought. As the strategist of the trio, her mind always worked faster than anyone else¡¯s, but it was often her bluntness and impatience that could lead to hasty decisions.


    ¡°Here is the riddle: ¡®I am not alive, but I grow; I do not have lungs, but I need air; I do not have a mouth, and yet I can consume. What am I?¡¯¡¯ The words seemed to linger in the air, their meaning swirling in the vast, echoing chamber. For a moment, there was silence, the weight of the riddle hanging over the trio.


    Elena stepped forward, her gaze focused intently on the pedestal. ¡°The answer is fire,¡± she said softly, her voice carrying the quiet certainty that only she could impart. ¡°Fire fits all the conditions, it grows, it needs air, and it consumes without a mouth.¡±


    Kai nodded in agreement, glancing over at Mara, who gave a brief, sharp nod as well. ¡°Yeah, that makes sense,¡± Kai said, his voice confident. ¡°But there¡¯s more to this place than just the riddle. I bet the answer opens something more than just the box. Let¡¯s move.¡±


    Mara¡¯s eyes narrowed as she studied the runes on the stone pillars more closely. Her fingers tapped her chin thoughtfully. ¡°If fire is the answer, then¡­ perhaps we need to activate something to reveal the key. These pillars might have something to do with it.¡±


    The voice echoed once more, almost as if it were anticipating their answer. ¡°You are correct. Speak the answer aloud and watch for the consequences.¡±


    Without hesitation, Elena stepped forward and addressed the pedestal. ¡°Fire.¡± As soon as she spoke, the gemstones on the box flared brightly, casting waves of heat through the room. The ground beneath them trembled as if the very foundation of the mansion itself was responding to their words.


    The four stone pillars surrounding the pedestal began to glow with a fiery light, each rune on their surfaces pulsing with energy. The once-muted paintings on the ceiling seemed to ignite with vivid color, as if reflecting the flames now growing around them.


    Then, slowly, with a low rumble, the golden box began to open. The lid creaked as it revealed an ancient, ornate key, its shaft a glowing red-orange, pulsing with the essence of fire itself. The key radiated heat and power, its intricate carvings shimmering with golden embers. It hovered in mid-air for a brief moment before dropping gently into Elena¡¯s outstretched hand.


    ¡°We did it,¡± Mara muttered under her breath, her usual blunt demeanor softened by the success. Elena smiled, her fingers closing around the key, the warmth of it spreading through her as if it was alive with energy. ¡°That¡¯s one down,¡± she said, her voice calm but filled with satisfaction. ¡°Two more to go.¡±


    Kai chuckled and gave Elena a gentle pat on the back. ¡°Nice job. Let¡¯s keep moving.¡±


    The trio took a moment to exchange glances, their bond strengthening with each puzzle solved, before they turned and headed deeper into the maze, one of the key¡¯s to their escape now safely in their possession. The room behind them began to shift, the air still heavy with magic, but now carrying the scent of warm embers and victory.


    Ray, Nova, and Connor navigated deeper into the twisting corridors of the labyrinth, the walls closing in with eerie precision. The dim lighting flickered as they entered another puzzle room, this one dominated by a large mural painted across the walls. The mural depicted a celestial battle between mythical creatures, with constellations connecting the figures. A riddle scrawled below read:


    ¡°In the sky, I soar, in the sea, I swim, in the land, I wander. Unite my forms, and I will guide your path. Who am I?¡±


    Connor grinned. ¡°Easy. It¡¯s a dragon, a species that can do all three.¡± Nova, however, scrutinized the mural more closely, tracing the stars with her fingers. "Wait, Connor. Look at the constellations, they¡¯re shaped like different creatures. We might have to piece them together.¡±


    Ray nodded, though his expression was hesitant. ¡°Yeah, but how? We can¡¯t just pull stars out of the sky.¡±


    Nova smirked, her eyes glowing faintly with starlight. ¡°Leave that to me.¡± She raised her hands, partially transforming back into her star form, and began connecting the constellations with beams of energy. The mural shifted, the celestial creatures merging to form the silhouette of a dragon.


    The room trembled, and a hidden compartment slid open, revealing a key shimmering with the essence of stars. Connor grabbed it triumphantly with telekenis, though not without giving Ray a teasing look. ¡°Try to keep up, Ray. Nova and I are doing all the work here.¡±


    Ray forced a grin, trying to shake off his earlier failures and hide his bodies current struggle to withstand the mansions suffocating atmosphere. ¡°I¡¯m just saving my strength for the hard part.¡± Meanwhile, in another wing of the mansion, Elena, Kai, and Mara found themselves in a circular chamber filled with floating orbs of light. The walls were lined with mirrors that reflected the orbs endlessly, making it impossible to tell which ones were real. In the center of the room stood a pedestal with three empty slots.


    A plaque near the pedestal read: ¡°Only the truest light can guide you. Three orbs must shine as one.¡± Kai rubbed the back of his neck, eyeing the floating lights. ¡°This one¡¯s tricky. How do we figure out which orbs are real?¡±


    Elena closed her eyes, her cloak of constellations shimmering faintly. ¡°I can sense the magic. Give me a moment.¡± She said as she walked through the room slowly, her fingers lightly brushing the orbs. After a tense silence, she stopped at three specific lights. ¡°These. They resonate with the same energy as the pedestal.¡±


    Mara nodded and quickly grabbed the orbs, placing them into the slots. The mirrors around them shattered like glass, revealing a glowing key suspended in mid-air. Mara snatched it with a smirk. ¡°Easy. Let¡¯s keep moving.¡±


    Kai chuckled, clapping Elena on the shoulder. ¡°Nice work. You¡¯re our secret weapon, Elena.¡±


    Both groups continued their separate journeys, unaware of each other¡¯s presence. As they pressed on, they found themselves entering identical large, stone-walled chambers. The rooms were barren except for a single, large stone door that slammed shut behind them with a deafening boom.


    Connor immediately began pounding on the door, his voice rising in frustration. ¡°What is this? Hey! Open up!¡±


    Nova flared her starlight, illuminating the room as she tried to find a hidden mechanism. ¡°There has to be a way out. Start looking!¡±


    Ray quickly raised his hand forward. ¡°I¡¯ll try blasting it open!¡± A pulse of energy shot from his palm, but the door remained unscathed, the magical barriers absorbing the impact.


    Then, a faint hissing sound filled the room. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Nova asked, her voice tense. Ray¡¯s eyes widened as he pointed toward the corners of the room. ¡°Gas vents¡­!¡±


    The three of them coughed as a pale, sweet-smelling mist began to fill the chamber. The ancient mist having been from an era of Sorcery that specialized in weaponized poison. Its potency strong enough to pass through even that of Nexis¡¯s suit defenses.


    The trio¡¯s movements grew sluggish, their limbs heavy. ¡°Damn¡­ not like this,¡± Connor mumbled, collapsing to his knees.


    Elena, Kai, and Mara faced a similar situation. Kai had tried using an illusion to bypass the door, but it had no effect. Mara inspected the walls for a hidden switch, her frustration growing as she failed to find anything.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t right,¡± Mara growled. ¡°We¡¯ve solved every puzzle. Why would they trap us now?¡±


    Elena¡¯s voice was faint as the gas began to seep into their chamber. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ a trap. The maze isn¡¯t just a trial¡­ it¡¯s alive.¡±


    Kai tried to lift Elena as her legs buckled, his own strength faltering. ¡°Stay awake! We¡¯ll figure something out-¡± His words were cut off as he sank to the ground beside her.


    In both chambers, as the gas overtook the groups, a chilling laughter echoed through the walls. It was deep, malevolent, and brimming with malice.


    ¡°Did you truly believe the labyrinth was yours to conquer? Foolish mortals. You may have found your keys, but the maze is mine! Sleep now, and dream of freedom¡­ if you dare.¡±


    The laughter faded as the gas filled the rooms completely. One by one, the sorcerers fell unconscious, their bodies crumpling to the ground. The chambers grew eerily silent, the only sound the faint hiss of the gas as it dissipated, leaving the rooms in darkness.


    Twenty minutes now remain before time runs out. The faint sound of a familiar voice echoed in Ray¡¯s ears as his consciousness stirred. ¡°It¡¯s time to wake up, Ray.¡±


    The voice was gentle but firm, cutting through the oppressive darkness that surrounded him. His emerald, green eyes fluttered open, and he groaned softly, his body aching from the gas and the mansion¡¯s suffocating atmosphere. He found himself lying on a cold, dark floor, separated from Connor and Nova. His surroundings were pitch-black, save for the faint glow emanating from his casual white clothing. The cybernetic ring on his finger pulsed softly, but Nexis remained silent.


    ¡°Aunt Laura?¡± Ray whispered, his voice shaky with disbelief as he slowly pushed himself into a sitting position. His mind raced, trying to comprehend what he was hearing. Stumbling to his feet, he coughed, his breath shallow in the dense magic filled air. ¡°Auntie¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re almost there, Ray,¡± the voice called out again, faint and distant. ¡°This can¡¯t be real,¡± Ray muttered, his voice trembling as he began walking toward the direction of the voice. Despite his doubts, he couldn¡¯t stop himself. His heart clung to the faint hope that somehow, impossibly, it really was her.


    ¡°Of course it¡¯s real, Ray.¡± The voice grew closer, and as he quickened his pace, a glowing figure appeared in the distance. It was Laura, radiant and whole, standing in the darkness as if untouched by time. Her blonde hair flowed gently, and her yellow jacket and casual blue jeans looked as vibrant as he remembered. She stood tall, fit, and healthy, the very image of her prime before sickness got to her.


    ¡°I never truly left you,¡± Laura said softly, her voice warm and reassuring. ¡°I¡¯ve always been watching.¡± Ray froze as tears welled up in his eyes. ¡°A-Auntie¡­¡± he choked out, a single tear streaming down his freckled cheek. He approached her hesitantly, his emotions in turmoil.


    She reached out and wiped the tear from his face with a gentle hand. ¡°And I¡¯ve gotta say, Ray¡­¡± Her tone shifted, losing its warmth. Her eyes narrowed as her hand dropped away. ¡°I am so disappointed in you.¡±


    Ray¡¯s heart sank, his breath catching in his throat. ¡°¡­What?¡± he whispered, confusion and fear flooding his expression. The gentleness vanished as Laura¡¯s voice rose to an unnatural shriek. ¡°I¡¯m dead because of you!¡±


    Before Ray could respond, her hand lashed out with inhuman speed, backhanding him hard across the face. The impact sent him flying into a towering wall of bookcases, which shuddered violently as he crashed against them and collapsed to the ground on his hands and knees.


    When Ray looked up, trembling, he saw Laura¡¯s form twisting and decaying. Her golden hair fell apart in clumps, and her skin withered, revealing bone beneath. Her once-kind face now stared at him with hollow, glowing red eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯re a disgrace to the family!¡± she shrieked, her voice warping into a guttural, demonic tone.


    Ray scrambled to his feet, stumbling backward as the skeletal figure charged at him with terrifying speed. ¡°Nexis!¡± he screamed in desperation, holding up his ring, but nothing happened. His heart sank as he realized Nexis was still unconscious .


    The skeletal Laura tackled him to the ground, pinning his arms with an iron grip. He struggled frantically, but her strength was far beyond his own. Her jaw opened unnaturally wide, and a piercing red light began to glow deep within her ribcage, illuminating the darkness.


    In a final act of desperation, Ray closed his eyes and shouted the words his father used countless times in his youth. ¡°?Tiempo Juego!¡± The ring on his finger responded, bursting to life. White energy erupted around him as the exosuit formed in a flash, encasing him in its protective armor.


    ¡°I¡¯m sick of this place!¡± Ray roared, the strength of the suit flowing through him. He head-butted the skeleton, the force of the blow cracking its skull and stunning it. Its grip loosened, and Ray pushed it off him with a burst of energy.


    Jumping to his feet, he saw the faintly glowing core pulsing within the creature¡¯s ribcage, a weak point. Without hesitation, Ray raised his palm, channeling the suit¡¯s energy into a concentrated beam.


    ¡°Take this!¡± he shouted, firing the blast directly into the core. The light tore through the skeleton, disintegrating it in an explosion of dust and ash. The oppressive darkness around him faded slightly, and the air grew less suffocating.


    Ray stood there, panting heavily, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked down at the faint remnants of the creature, his body trembling from the encounter. ¡°Nexis,¡± he said quietly, gripping his hand. ¡°Wake up¡­ I need you.¡±

 Chapter 22: A heros resolve Pt.1

    Connor now found himself standing inside Sensei Ino¡¯s dojo, but something feels off. The room is eerily quiet, with sunlight streaming through the windows in unnatural, golden beams. The air smells faintly of nature, yet it feels heavy.


    In the center of the dojo lies his staff, balanced upright, glowing faintly. It looks taller, more imposing than usual. Sensei Ino stands at the far end, his arms crossed, his face unreadable. Around them, blurry, faceless students train, their movements precise and elegant, their every strike echoing with perfection.


    ¡°You¡¯re falling behind, Connor,¡± Sensei Ino says, his voice calm but cutting. Connor¡¯s stomach knots as he stares at the staff. He picks it up, but it feels unusually heavy, almost as if it¡¯s resisting him. The other students stop their training and turn toward him, their faceless forms now watching in silence.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying!¡± Connor says, his voice small. ¡°I¡¯m doing my best!¡±


    ¡°Your best isn¡¯t enough,¡± Sensei Ino replies. His figure seems to grow taller, more distant. The dojo begins to stretch and expand, the walls pulling farther and farther away, making Connor feel impossibly small.


    The faceless students step closer, their forms warping and twisting. They begin whispering, their voices overlapping: ¡°He¡¯ll never be good enough.¡±


    ¡°Why does he get to be Ino¡¯s apprentice? He doesn¡¯t deserve to be.¡± ¡°He¡¯s going to let everyone down.¡±


    Connor shakes his head, gripping the staff tightly. ¡°That¡¯s not true! I can do this!¡±


    ¡°Then show me,¡± Sensei Ino says. He gestures to a wooden dummy in the corner, now surrounded by glowing red targets that shift and move unpredictably.


    Connor takes a deep breath and lunges forward, swinging the staff. But the weight slows him down, and he misses his mark. The targets move faster, and with each miss, the whispers grow louder.


    The dojo begins to crumble around him. The walls splinter, the floor cracks, and beams of light break through the collapsing roof. The faceless students vanish, but their voices remain, echoing in his ears.


    ¡°You¡¯re not strong enough,¡± Sensei Ino says, his figure now shrouded in shadows. ¡°No! I can be better!¡± Connor yells, tears stinging his eyes. He swings the staff with all his might, hitting one of the glowing targets. For a brief moment, the whispers stop, and a small, flickering light appears above him.


    But the staff slips from his hands, crashing to the ground. The light vanishes, and the dojo collapses entirely, leaving Connor standing alone in the rubble. He hears a new voice, softer, familiar. It¡¯s Nova.


    ¡°We¡¯re counting on you, Connor,¡± her voice says, distant but clear. Then Ray¡¯s voice follows: ¡°Don¡¯t screw this up.¡±


    Connor falls to his knees, gripping the staff tightly. ¡°I won¡¯t. I can¡¯t.¡± As the rubble around him begins to rise and swirl, he looks up to see the faint outline of Sensei Ino, now standing among the debris.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be perfect, Connor,¡± Sensei Ino says, his voice gentler this time. ¡°But you must always try.¡±


    And with that, the rubble stopped, and the world went quiet. Connor¡¯s eyes fluttered open, his chest heaving with every shallow breath. He could still feel the weight of the dream clinging to him, the fear of disappointing everyone, the crushing pressure of his own inadequacies. It felt like the darkness from the maze hadn¡¯t lifted, and the atmosphere was still thick with uncertainty.


    He slowly pushed himself to his feet, looking around. He was no longer in the gas chamber, but in a dimly lit corridor of the labyrinth, its walls closing in on him like the suffocating weight of expectations. The air was damp, and the floor beneath him creaked with every step he took. There was no sign of Ray or Nova.


    ¡°Ray? Nova?¡± Connor called out, his voice hoarse, still affected by the gas. The silence that followed only deepened the pit in his stomach. No response.


    He clenched his fists. ¡°Come on, don¡¯t leave me alone here.¡± He wasn¡¯t sure if he was speaking to Ray or to himself. He felt smaller in this place, unsure of his next move.


    Connor started walking down the hall, the darkness pressing against him as if the walls themselves were breathing. The labyrinth felt alive, mocking his sense of purpose. He glanced back toward the way he came, but there was no sign of the room they had been trapped in.


    It was as though the maze had shifted, or perhaps it was a trick of his mind, influenced by the lingering effects of the gas. His breath hitched as he remembered the dream. I¡¯ve got to be stronger than this.


    He thought of his sensei, Ino, what would he think if he knew how uncertain Connor was? The pressure of those expectations had always loomed over him like a shadow. Every time he¡¯d failed, it had felt like he was letting everyone down. If I¡¯m not good enough, what¡¯s the point?


    But there was something else that he had kept hidden to himself, something deeper, something that had fueled him all this time. The desire to protect. To be the one to make a difference. To not be the one left behind. To prove that he was worth the trust everyone had placed in him.


    His heart raced as he pushed forward, each step more determined than the last. ¡°I¡¯m not going to fail.¡± He muttered to himself, the words bitter on his tongue. He had to find his friends, and more than that, he had to find a way out.


    Suddenly, the walls around him shifted. A new path appeared ahead, its entrance flanked by glowing symbols carved into the stone. It wasn¡¯t a door, but a narrow gap between two columns that seemed to pulse with energy.


    A soft whisper drifted through the space, beckoning him forward. He hesitated for a moment but then forced himself to move, compelled by a mix of fear and determination.


    As he stepped through the gap, the passage opened up to a grander room, a cavernous hall lined with shelves of ancient books and glowing crystals. At the far end, a single pedestal stood, upon which rested what looked like another key.


    The key glowed faintly, Its surface covered in swirling runes that seemed to shift and change with the passage of time. The closer Connor got, the more the air seemed to hum, like the key was calling to him.


    This has to be it, he thought, his fingers itching to grasp it. But as he stepped closer, the room began to tremble, the ground beneath his feet shifting. The walls groaned as if in protest. He stopped just short of the pedestal, his eyes darting around.


    Before he could reach out, a voice echoed through the room, a low, menacing laugh that sent chills down his spine. ¡°Foolish child,¡± the voice growled, sending vibrations through the ground. ¡°You think you can claim the key so easily?¡±


    Connor¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± he demanded, his voice more forceful than he felt. He stood his ground, trying to steady his breathing, but his hands still trembled slightly at his sides.


    The laughter faded, and a shadow shifted in the corner of the room. It took shape, an imposing figure, cloaked in darkness, with glowing eyes that seemed to pierce through the air.


    ¡°You¡¯re not ready for this test,¡± the figure said, its voice deep and rumbling. ¡°This key is only for those worthy of it. You¡­ are not.¡±


    Connor¡¯s chest tightened. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of you!¡± He shouted, his voice breaking the silence. ¡°I won¡¯t let anyone down anymore. I¡¯ll protect them. I¡¯ll protect everyone!¡±


    The shadow smirked, stepping forward with unnerving grace. ¡°You think you can protect others when you cannot protect yourself from your own fear?¡± The figure raised a hand, and the ground trembled again, as if the maze itself was closing in on Connor.


    His heart raced, the weight of his past failures pressing down on him. For a moment, he almost felt like giving up. Maybe he was weak. Maybe he wasn¡¯t good enough. But then he remembered Ray and Nova, and the way they had always believed in him, even when he couldn¡¯t believe in himself.


    ¡°No,¡± Connor whispered, shaking his head as he clenched his fists. ¡°I¡¯m not giving up. Not again.¡±


    He charged forward, reaching for the key. The room seemed to fight against him, but Connor¡¯s resolve pushed through. He wasn¡¯t about to let his fears control him any longer.


    Just as his fingers brushed the key, the figure let out another laugh, a sound that vibrated through his bones. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you truly have the strength you claim to possess,¡± it sneered.


    Suddenly, the air around him grew cold, and the walls began to close in faster. Connor¡¯s heart pounded as he yanked the key from its pedestal, the runes glowing brightly in his hands.


    But the figure¡¯s voice echoed one last time. ¡°You may have the key, but the true test is still ahead.¡±


    Connor gritted his teeth, clutching the last key tightly. ¡°I don¡¯t care. I¡¯ll face it all.¡± With that, he turned and bolted toward the exit, the walls still shifting, but now he was focused. He wouldn¡¯t let fear dictate his future.


    And as he ran, the shadow¡¯s voice faded into the distance, replaced by the sound of his own determined footsteps. As Nova slept, she found herself now standing on a vast, dark ocean under a starry sky. As The water stretches out infinitely in all directions, and the only light comes from the stars above, which seem to twinkle as if alive. The air is still, and a deep silence surrounds her, broken only by the gentle lapping of waves. She can feel a strange pull in the distance, like something calling her, but she Isn''t sure what it is.


    She walks toward the source of the pull, her feet sinking into the wet sand beneath the water, and soon comes upon an island in the middle of the ocean. On the island is an enormous, glowing tree whose branches stretch far beyond the horizon. The tree seems to be alive, pulsing with energy, its bark shimmering in the moonlight.


    As Nova approaches the tree, the ground begins to quake beneath her feet. A shadowy figure steps out from behind the tree, an older, more powerful version of herself, her eyes glowing with the same starry light that Nova herself carries. The older version smiles warmly at Nova but then looks down at the ground, her expression growing serious.


    ¡°You¡¯ve always felt this pull,¡± the older Nova says softly. ¡°But do you understand why?¡± Nova shakes her head, confusion clouding her thoughts. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    The older Nova looks up, her eyes filled with an intensity that makes the air around them grow heavier. ¡°You¡¯ve always wanted to help, to protect those around you. But you don¡¯t see the cost. The more you give, the more you lose. That is the nature of the stars, you can¡¯t always shine without fading.¡±


    Nova feels the weight of the words pressing on her chest. She stares at her older self, a cold realization settling in. Her constant drive to protect others had always been a part of who she was, but now, looking ahead, she sees a future where the act of saving others might come at a far greater cost. She wonders, quietly, how long she can keep giving without losing herself along the way.


    But before she can respond, the island begins to crumble, the ground cracking beneath her feet. She looks back toward the ocean, but the water has turned black, and monstrous waves rise up like towering walls, threatening to engulf everything.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    ¡°You have to decide, Nova,¡± the older version warns, her voice barely audible over the roar of the waves. Her gaze Is heavy, filled with an unspoken sadness as she steps closer, her presence almost ethereal, as if the winds themselves are pulling her away. ¡°Their lives?¡± she continues, her voice trembling with a quiet urgency, ¡°Or ours?¡±


    Nova reaches out, but the waves come crashing toward her, and just before they engulf her, she wakes up, gasping for air, her body drenched in sweat. As Nova opened her eyes, her chest heaved, the cold stone floor beneath her felt both familiar and alien. The damp chill of the labyrinth clung to her skin, the faint scent of mold and dust filling her nostrils. Her head throbbed, the remnants of the gas still leaving her senses dull. Groaning softly, she pushed herself up onto shaky legs, her body feeling heavier than it ever had before.


    ¡°Ray? Connor?¡± she called out, her voice echoing faintly in the dark chamber. The silence that followed made her stomach twist. The walls around her loomed tall, carved with intricate patterns that seemed to writhe and shift when she looked at them too long. Her starlight flickered to life, casting a faint glow that pushed back the oppressive shadows, but it did little to comfort her.


    She stumbled forward, the labyrinth¡¯s unsettling architecture seeming to stretch and twist the space around her. Every step felt as though she were walking in circles.


    ¡°Come on, Nova, think,¡± she muttered under her breath, trying to shake off the dizziness. ¡°They have to be close. Ray¡¯s probably panicking, and Connor¡¯s¡­ probably yelling at him.¡± The thought almost made her smile, but it faded as quickly as it came.


    Suddenly, a voice echoed through the chamber, soft and familiar yet tinged with an otherworldly edge. ¡°Lost, are we?¡±


    Nova froze, spinning toward the sound. Her heart pounded as a shadow stepped forward from the gloom, its edges shimmering faintly like starlight caught in a mirror. It was her again, her older self, the one from the dream. ¡°You,¡± Nova whispered, her voice barely audible.


    The older Nova stepped closer, her presence both calming and unnerving. ¡°You¡¯re separated from them now,¡± she said, her tone neither cruel nor kind. ¡°This was always going to happen. You were always going to face this alone.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Nova said, shaking her head, her light flaring defiantly. ¡°They¡¯re here somewhere. I just need to find them.¡±


    The older Nova tilted her head, a faint, sad smile playing on her lips. ¡°And if you can¡¯t? What then? Will you keep giving all you have until there¡¯s nothing left of you? Or will you realize that some battles are meant to be fought alone?¡±


    Nova clenched her fists, anger bubbling in her chest. ¡°I don¡¯t need your riddles right now,¡± she snapped. ¡°I need to find my friends.¡±


    The older version regarded her for a moment, then stepped back, fading into the shadows. Her voice lingered, soft but piercing. ¡°You¡¯ll have to decide soon, Nova. Their lives or yours. The labyrinth doesn¡¯t make exceptions.¡±


    As the figure disappeared, the air grew colder, the silence pressing down on her like a weight. Nova clenched her jaw, forcing herself to move forward. The shadows seemed to deepen with every step, her starlight flickering uncertainly.


    ¡°Ray¡­ Connor¡­¡± she called again, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to stay strong.


    In the distance, faint laughter echoed through the halls. It wasn¡¯t her friends. It was the same voice from before. His deep, mocking voice filled the air, reverberating off the walls like a cruel symphony.


    ¡°You¡¯re all alone now, star-child,¡± he taunted. ¡°Your light is bright, yes, but even the brightest stars burn out when left to fend for themselves. Shall we see how long you last?¡±


    Nova¡¯s grip tightened, her glow intensifying. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of you,¡± she spat, her voice steady despite the chill crawling up her spine.


    The laughter only grew louder, fading into the distance as if inviting her to follow. Nova hesitated, her instincts screaming at her to turn back, but there was no other choice. Swallowing her fear, she pressed on, her determination burning as fiercely as her star form.


    Nova pushed forward, her footsteps echoing faintly against the uneven stone floor of the labyrinth. The faint starlight emanating from her hands barely illuminated the immediate area, casting long, flickering shadows against the twisting walls. Her breathing was steady now, but her mind raced. The labyrinth¡¯s oppressive silence was broken only by the occasional faint creak of stone, as if the maze itself was alive and shifting.


    The air grew colder, and Nova¡¯s skin prickled as the dark seemed to press in closer. Her thoughts turned to Ray and Connor. Ray¡¯s quiet determination and Connor¡¯s brazen confidence had always been their anchors in moments like this. Without them, the weight of the situation bore down on her harder.


    ¡°Keep it together, Nova,¡± she whispered to herself. ¡°You¡¯ve handled worse.¡±


    She rounded a corner and came to an open chamber. The room was circular, with an ornate design carved into the floor, concentric circles radiating outward, filled with strange, cryptic runes that pulsed faintly with light. At the center stood a pedestal, atop which rested a small, crystalline orb glowing faintly with the same starlight she carried.


    Nova approached cautiously, the faint hum of the runes vibrating under her feet. She reached out to the orb, her instincts screaming that it was important, though she couldn¡¯t explain why. As her fingers brushed the smooth surface, the room lit up with a blinding light.


    ¡°Nova,¡± a voice called out sharply. She spun around, startled. It wasn¡¯t the spirit¡¯s voice this time. The voice belonged to Connor, or at least it sounded like him. Yet when she turned, the room was empty.


    ¡°Connor?¡± she called, her voice echoing unnaturally.


    The light dimmed, and the walls around her seemed to ripple, the runes on the floor shifting into new patterns. The faint sound of footsteps echoed behind her, but every time she turned to look, no one was there.


    ¡°I¡¯m here!¡± Connor¡¯s voice shouted again, closer now. ¡°Nova, help me!¡±


    Her pulse quickened. ¡°Where are you? I¡¯m coming!¡± she called, running toward the sound.


    As she sprinted through the twisting corridors, the walls seemed to shift and warp, the labyrinth responding to her every move. The air grew thicker, almost suffocating, and the faint glow of her starlight began to flicker. The laughter of the spirit returned, weaving in between Connor¡¯s cries for help.


    ¡°Do you think you¡¯re running to save him, child?¡± The spirit''s voice coiled through the air like smoke, taunting and cold. ¡°Or are you running straight into my hands?¡±


    Nova ignored him, her focus razor-sharp on the faint, pleading calls ahead. She skidded to a stop in a new chamber, her eyes darting around. The room was empty except for a large mirror that stretched from floor to ceiling, its surface rippling like water.


    Her reflection stared back at her, but it wasn¡¯t right. The version of herself in the mirror was older, her face lined with exhaustion, her once-brilliant starlight dimmed to a faint glow. The older Nova stepped out of the mirror, her movements fluid and ghostlike, her gaze piercing.


    ¡°You¡¯re chasing death,¡± the older Nova said, her voice heavy with weariness. ¡°You think you¡¯re saving them, but this is where it ends.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Nova said, her voice firm despite the doubt creeping into her mind. ¡°Connor¡¯s here. Ray¡¯s here. I have to keep going.¡±


    The older Nova sighed, her form shimmering faintly. ¡°And when you lose them? What will be left of you?¡±


    Before Nova could respond, the room quaked violently. The mirror shattered into countless shards, each reflecting a fragment of Nova¡¯s terrified face. From the shards, dark tendrils of smoke emerged, swirling and converging into a humanoid figure.


    The spirit, stood before her now, his presence overwhelming. His eyes gleamed like molten gold, and his voice dripped with malice. ¡°You¡¯re fun to watch, star-child. Always so brave, so determined. But bravery doesn¡¯t save you here.¡±


    Nova took a step back, her starlight flaring instinctively. ¡°Get out of my way.¡±


    The spirit chuckled, his voice reverberating like a thousand whispers. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ll step aside. But only if you prove yourself worthy. Let¡¯s see how brightly you can shine¡­ before you fade!¡±


    The room erupted Into chaos as the shadows around the spirit lunged toward her, each one an inky, writhing mass of claws and teeth. Nova raised her hands, her light blazing as she fought back. The battle began, her movements fluid and fierce, but the weight of her earlier exhaustion made every strike a struggle.


    ¡°Connor¡­ Ray,¡± she whispered between breaths, gritting her teeth as she pushed back the shadows. ¡°Hold on. I¡¯m coming.¡±


    Elena now found herself standing in a void unlike anything she had ever seen. It wasn¡¯t empty, it was filled with countless shards of glass, floating and turning weightlessly in the air. Each shard held flickering, distorted images: moments of her life, her home, and her adventures with Kai and Mara. The fragments shimmered, their glow pulsating like dying stars. A cold wind swirled through the void, carrying a low, mournful hum that made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.


    She wrapped her arms around herself, her constellation-patterned cloak fluttering like it was caught in an unseen storm. ¡°Kai? Mara?¡± she called, her voice trembling. Only her echo responded, a hollow sound swallowed by the infinite space.


    A glimmer caught her eye, a massive shard ahead, larger than the others and glowing with an ominous red light. As if compelled, she took a hesitant step forward. The hum grew louder, resonating deep in her chest, making her stomach churn.


    When she reached the shard, her breath hitched. Inside, she saw Kai and Mara. They were trapped, pounding on the glass with desperate eyes, their mouths moving In silent screams. Cracks branched out from where their fists struck, but the glass held firm, unyielding.


    ¡°Kai! Mara!¡± Elena screamed, slamming her hands against the shard. It was ice-cold to the touch, sending a shiver through her. ¡°I¡¯m here! I¡¯ll get you out!¡±


    Her voice trembled, but before she could do anything more, the void began to shift. Shadows seeped from the edges of the shard, curling and twisting around her like living smoke. They whispered her name, their voices soft yet laced with venom.


    ¡°You¡¯ve always needed them, haven¡¯t you?¡± a voice hissed in her ear.


    Elena spun around, but no one was there. The shadows danced just out of reach, their whispers growing louder.


    ¡°They make the choices. They keep you safe. What do you do, Elena? Hide behind them? Cry for help?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true,¡± she whispered, shaking her head.


    The shadows coiled tighter, their words cutting deeper. ¡°You¡¯re weak. A burden. Always needing to be protected. Always afraid.¡±


    Her hands clenched into fists as she turned back to the shard. The reflections of Kai and Mara grew hazy, distorted as cracks webbed across the surface. She screamed and pounded on the glass, but it felt like striking solid stone.


    The shadows laughed, the sound cold and mocking. ¡°Save them, Elena. If you can.¡±


    Suddenly, a shape emerged from the darkness: a figure identical to her, cloaked in swirling shadows. Its eyes were empty voids, staring through her. ¡°But we both know you can¡¯t,¡± the doppelg?nger said, its voice low and cruel.


    Elena stumbled back, tears welling in her wide green eyes. ¡°Stop it! That¡¯s not true!¡±


    The doppelganger stepped closer, its presence oppressive. ¡°Isn¡¯t it? You let them lead. You let them fight. And when it comes to you? You freeze. You fail. You¡¯re afraid.¡±


    The void around her fractured. The shards of glass spiraled into a storm, the images within them shattering into stardust. The ground beneath her feet gave way, and she fell into the darkness.


    The last thing she heard was the voice of her shadow self, cold and final: ¡°You¡¯ll always be alone.¡± Elena jolted awake, her body trembling violently as she gasped for air. The cold stone floor of the labyrinth pressed against her back, a stark contrast to the infinite void of her dream. Her heart thundered in her chest as her wide eyes darted around, searching for her friends.


    ¡°Kai? Mara?¡± she called out, her voice hoarse and panicked. The only reply was the hollow echo of her own words bouncing off the labyrinth¡¯s walls. The silence was suffocating, the shadows stretching unnaturally in the dim light.


    Her hands clutched her cloak, her fingers shaking as she tried to steady herself. The dream clung to her, its cruel words still echoing in her mind. You¡¯re weak. A burden. Always afraid.


    She forced herself to her feet, her legs trembling beneath her weight. ¡°This isn¡¯t real,¡± she whispered to herself, her voice cracking. ¡°It¡¯s just the maze. Just another trick.¡±


    But the fear wouldn¡¯t leave her. Every shadow felt alive, every sound amplified in the deafening silence. She stumbled forward, clutching the wall for support, her mind racing. For the first time in a long while, she felt truly alone.


    Kai found himself standing in an open field under a twilight sky, the air tinged with a strange, unearthly stillness. The stars above were unusually bright, forming constellations that shimmered like they were alive. He looked around, calling out. ¡°Mara? Elena? Where are you?¡±


    His voice echoed back at him, distorted and hollow. The ground beneath his feet trembled, and the field began to change. The grass withered, replaced by jagged cracks that spread like veins. The stars above dimmed, and a cold wind swept past him, carrying faint, disembodied voices.


    ¡°Kai¡­¡± Elena¡¯s soft voice whispered, barely audible. He turned sharply, only to see her standing a few feet away. She looked pale, her eyes wide with fear. Her lavender hair was dull, and her body flickered like a weak flame. She reached out to him, her voice trembling. ¡°Help me¡­¡±


    Before he could move, shadows burst from the cracks in the ground, spiraling around her. Elena screamed as the darkness pulled her down, her form disappearing into the void. Kai lunged forward, but his hands met only air.


    A sharp scream echoed behind him. He turned, his breath catching as he saw Mara. She stood on the edge of a crumbling cliff, her fiery red hair whipping in the wind. Her amber eyes locked onto his, filled with pain and fear.


    ¡°Kai, don¡¯t let me go!¡± she yelled, her voice cracking. The cliff beneath her feet began to break apart. Kai sprinted toward her, his legs feeling like lead. ¡°Mara! Hold on!¡±


    But the distance between them stretched impossibly, no matter how fast he ran. The ground beneath Mara gave way, and she plummeted into the abyss. Her scream tore through the air, piercing and final.


    Kai dropped to his knees, staring into the void where his friends had disappeared. The shadows swirled around him, mocking laughter filling his ears. ¡°You can¡¯t protect them. You never could.¡±


    The stars above vanished entirely, plunging him into darkness. Kai jolted awake with a gasp, his chest heaving as sweat dripped down his face. The cold, damp air of the labyrinth hit him like a slap, and his surroundings came into focus. He was alone.


    The dim, flickering light of the maze cast long, twisting shadows across the stone walls. The distant sound of creaking wood and shifting stone filled the silence. Kai pushed himself up, his hands trembling as he realized neither Mara nor Elena were with him.


    ¡°No¡­¡± he whispered, his voice shaky. ¡°Not again.¡± Panic clawed at his chest as he frantically looked around. ¡°Mara! Elena!¡± His voice echoed through the labyrinth, but there was no response, only the eerie silence.


    He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he tried to steady his breathing. ¡°Think, Kai. They have to be close. They have to be.¡±


    But the dream¡¯s lingering weight pressed down on him, his worst fears now amplified by his isolation. Forcing himself to move, he started down the nearest corridor, his determination battling the gnawing dread that he might already be too late.

 Chapter 22.5: A Heros Resolve Pt.2

    Mara stood in a vast, endless workshop, the air filled with the hum of machinery and the glow of flickering lanterns. The walls were lined with shelves packed with tools, blueprints, and trinkets she¡¯d collected over the years. It was her sanctuary, a place of endless possibilities where problems were solved with precision and ingenuity.


    At the center of the workshop stood a large, unfinished contraption, a towering, intricate machine with gears and runes glowing faintly along its surface. Mara circled it, her mind racing as she adjusted components, her hands moving with practiced ease.


    ¡°This will fix everything,¡± she muttered to herself. The sound of footsteps broke her focus. She turned to see Kai leaning casually against a workbench, his sharp blue eyes scanning the room. ¡°Mara, are you seriously still working on this thing?¡±


    ¡°Obviously,¡± she shot back, though her tone held a playful edge. ¡°This machine could solve everything. If I just get it right¡­¡±


    Kai crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at his lips. ¡°You¡¯re always trying to fix everything. You ever stop to think that maybe some things don¡¯t need fixing?¡±


    Mara sighed, rolling her eyes but smiling despite herself. ¡°Typical Kai wisdom. Remind me how that worked out last time?¡±


    Before he could retort, a soft voice interrupted. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful, Mara.¡±


    Mara turned to see Elena standing nearby, her wide, amber eyes filled with wonder as she gazed at the machine. The glow of the runes reflected in her scarlet hair, giving her an ethereal appearance. ¡°What does it do?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s supposed to¡­¡± Mara hesitated, searching for the right words. ¡°¡­protect everyone. Keep us safe. Make sure no one gets left behind.¡± Her voice softened. ¡°It¡¯s for you guys.¡±


    Kai raised an eyebrow. ¡°For us? Mara, we¡¯re not some puzzle for you to solve.¡±


    Elena stepped closer, her expression gentle. ¡°But it¡¯s how she shows she cares, Kai. You know that.¡±


    Mara looked down, her usual confidence faltering. ¡°I just¡­ I don¡¯t want to lose you two. If I can make something that guarantees we stick together, why wouldn¡¯t I?¡±


    Kai stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. ¡°We¡¯re not going anywhere, Mara. You don¡¯t need some big invention to keep us together.¡±


    Elena smiled softly. ¡°We¡¯re a team. You¡¯ve already given us so much.¡±


    The workshop suddenly trembled, the hum of machinery turning into an ominous roar. The gears on the machine began to spin out of control, glowing brighter and brighter.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Mara shouted, her heart racing.


    Kai and Elena didn¡¯t answer. She turned to them, only to see their forms begin to flicker and fade, their reassuring presence slipping through her fingers.


    ¡°No! Stay with me!¡± Mara reached out, but her hands passed through them as if they were smoke.


    Elena¡¯s voice echoed faintly, almost like a memory. ¡°You can¡¯t fix everything, Mara¡­¡±


    Kai¡¯s voice followed, quieter but firm. ¡°Just don¡¯t give up on us.¡±


    The workshop crumbled around her, the machine collapsing into a heap of broken parts. The light dimmed until there was nothing but darkness.


    Mara woke with a start, her breath hitching as she sat up. The cold stone floor of the labyrinth was a harsh contrast to the warmth of her dream. She blinked, trying to adjust to the dim light of the twisting corridors.


    ¡°Kai? Elena?¡± Her voice wavered as she called out, the silence pressing down on her.


    Her hands clenched into fists as she stood, her heart sinking with the realization that she was alone. The memory of her dream lingered, the weight of her unspoken fears pressing against her chest.


    She exhaled sharply, forcing herself to focus. ¡°Alright, Mara. You¡¯ve gotten out of worse. Think. They¡¯re out there somewhere. You¡¯ll find them.¡± Her amber eyes hardened with determination as she picked a direction and started moving, her mind already racing with plans to reunite with her team.


    Ray¡¯s exosuit hummed as he flew, slicing through the twisted halls of the mansion¡¯s labyrinth, the walls a blur around him. His heart raced, and Nexis was still unconscious, remaining silent. The only sound was the powerful thrumming of his thrusters propelling him forward as his cape swished through the air. Ray¡¯s sharp green eyes scanned the darkness beneath the visor, each turn making the shadows feel more oppressive.


    He was pushing himself harder than ever, the weight of the maze, its atmosphere, and its tricks bore down in his body and psyche. Eventually, he descended into a large living room, the smooth marble floor gleaming under the dim, flickering light of the room¡¯s tall windows. The room was eerily silent, though Ray could feel something lurking, waiting to strike. He took a few cautious steps forward, his boots clanging softly against the stone as his exosuit powered down, and he landed with a soft thud.


    Before he could steady himself, a low, almost amused voice echoed through the air, slicing through the quiet. ¡°Is that¡­ A Tengu I sense? My¡­ it¡¯s been ages, and protecting a child no less, I see.¡±


    Ray¡¯s body stiffened, his posture immediately became defensive. His voice was laced with irritation. ¡°What are you?¡±


    ¡°So rude.¡± The voice chuckled darkly, and from the corner of Ray¡¯s vision, a shadow shifted. Before he could react, the figure materialized in front of him. A tall, gaunt figure, with dark robes that seemed to absorb the light around him. He was floating, his eyes glowing a chilling shade of gold as he spread his arms theatrically. ¡°I am the ghost of the labyrinth, Zytherion!¡± he announced grandly.


    Ray narrowed his eyes, instinctively stepping back and getting ready for a fight. His fists clenched inside the exosuit¡¯s gauntlets. ¡°Is that so? Then I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re looking for a fight, huh?¡±


    Zytherion laughed, a deep, chilling sound that echoed through the room like the wind through a graveyard. ¡°Oh, you misunderstand, Ray. I merely want to make a proposition!¡±


    The spirit began to circle Ray slowly, his voice lowering as if savoring each word. ¡°You¡¯re not like the others in this labyrinth. You¡¯re powerless, helpless even!¡± Zytherion¡¯s face twisted into a grin as he leaned in, his voice gaining an edge of malice. ¡°¡­And I sense a great hidden darkness within you.¡±


    Ray¡¯s breath quickened as his mind raced, the words unsettling him, but his resolve remained firm. ¡°You¡¯re wrong. I can-"


    Zytherion cut him off, his voice now low and mocking. ¡°Do just as much as the others can, yes, yes, I¡¯ve heard it all before, thought it all before, Ray.¡±


    The spirit hovered closer, his gold eyes boring into Ray¡¯s. ¡°¡­You and I are the same.¡±


    Ray¡¯s eyes narrowed, and his anger bubbled to the surface. ¡°I¡¯m nothing like you! You¡¯re¡­ you¡¯re not even human!¡±


    Zytherion rolled his eyes, a dismissive wave of his hand cutting through the tension. He began weaving an intricate magic circle in the air with a single finger. The room seemed to grow colder as the shadows danced around him, feeding off his energy. ¡°Maybe this will change your mind, Ray.¡±


    The instant the words left his mouth, the room was plunged into absolute darkness. The lights flickered and died, the shadows growing deeper, suffocating the space. Ray¡¯s heart began to pound harder, his breath shaky as his hands reached out, blindly searching for any sign of light or escape.


    Zytherion¡¯s voice rang out from every direction, echoing in the inky blackness. ¡°You truly perplex me, Ray. You¡¯re not like the others. You¡¯re tainted. Despite everything that¡¯s happened to you, everything you¡¯ve seen out there in the world, you still try to save those around you. It is a fool¡¯s game, that is.¡±


    Ray¡¯s breath caught in his throat as a lump formed in his chest. ¡°What are you-¡±


    Before he could finish, his words caught as a cold weight settled over his heart. His green eyes widened, the blood draining from his face as his heart dropped into his stomach.


    As his heart dropped into his stomach. And then, from the void, they appeared.


    In front of him, illuminated by a sickly, unnatural light, stood the figures of his family. His Aunt, Laura, and his father, Henry. The image was so real it made his heart ache, but something inside him screamed that it wasn¡¯t right. The light cast an eerie glow on their faces, their features soft but haunted. His father, Henry, stood tall and proud. His broad frame was dressed in a dark leather jacket, worn from years of use, his brown hair slightly tousled from the wind. His face had an older, more weathered look to it, but the kindness in his eyes still shone through. His clothes had a rugged, utilitarian air, more practical than ceremonial, but they fit him well, still holding a sense of family pride. The strong presence of his father made Ray¡¯s chest tighten as be stared at the man he never got a chance to know.


    His Aunt, Laura, stood beside him. Her long, elegant blonde hair framed her soft features, her pale skin glowing under the faint light. She wore her casual clothing, but the way she carried herself exuded grace and warmth. She smiled gently at him, her soft eyes glowing softly in the darkness.


    ¡°No, no, this is another illusion!¡± Ray gasped as his heart pounded in his chest. His mind screamed that this wasn¡¯t real, but the pain in his chest and the warmth he felt standing before them felt undeniable. He raised his palm, preparing to blast them away with the energy in his suit.


    But before he could fire, a soft, unfamiliar voice wrapped around him, gentle and soothing. ¡°Ray¡­¡± His breath hitched as his body froze.


    He turned slowly, and there she was. His mother, Sarah, kneeling behind him, her arms slowly wrapping around his shoulders in a comforting embrace. ¡°¡­Mom?¡± Ray whispered, his voice trembling as tears began to well up in his eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s me, Ray,¡± Sarah whispered into his ear. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry for leaving you.¡±


    The tears flooded his eyes, rolling down beneath his visor. His arm trembled as he lowered it, the energy crackling faintly at his fingertips, threatening to be released, but faltering in the face of this apparition.


    Zytherion¡¯s voice suddenly boomed from above, dark and tempting. ¡°You can bring them back, Ray. I can give you the strength, the power to do anything you want. No more losing, no more struggles! It can all be yours¡­ you just have to let me in.¡±


    ¡°Come on, son.¡± Henry¡¯s voice called out warmly, his hand extending toward Ray from the distance. ¡°Bring us back to life¡­¡± Laura says gently as she too extends her hand.


    Ray¡¯s throat tightened as his body shook, his chest burning with emotion. ¡°We love you, Ray,¡± Sarah whispered, holding him tighter, her embrace warm and comforting despite the dread creeping through his body.


    Ray¡¯s mind began to blur, the warmth of his mother and the words of Zytherion mixing in a twisted, painful confusion. Zytherion¡¯s form hovered above him, almost tenderly reaching out his hand, having a glint of pity in his eyes. ¡°They need you, Ray.¡±


    Ray¡¯s hand, shaking, slowly reached toward Zytherion¡¯s finger. Just a few centimeters away. But then, something inside him snapped. His breath caught as he suddenly pulled back, his hand outstretched and pushing forward instead, unleashing a powerful pulse of white energy from his palm.


    The energy shot forward with blinding speed, piercing through Zytherion¡¯s chest. The spirit screamed in agony as his form began to writhe and bubble, his body disintegrating into sickly black smoke.


    The blast having Caused the illusions of the family he never got the have to fade away, and the darkness to be dispelled. Ray quickly turned on his heels, activating the thrusters in his suit as he blasted off from the chaos, soaring through the labyrinth with one thing on his mind: escape.


    ¡°Foolish brat!¡± Zytherion¡¯s voice bellowed in fury, echoing through the corridors. ¡°If I can¡¯t have you, then no one can!¡±


    The ground trembled beneath Ray¡¯s feet as fire erupted beneath Zytherion¡¯s form, flames spreading across the floor and soon after, the labyrinth in a chain reaction. The fire bloomed like a ravenous beast, but Ray didn¡¯t stop. He didn¡¯t dare. Not now. Not after everything.


    The shadows around Zytherion¡¯s alternate spirit writhed and squirmed, but as they clashed with Nova¡¯s radiant starlight, they began to dissipate. The inky masses dissolved into nothingness, their haunting presence fading into the ether as Zytherion¡¯s ghostly form screamed in frustration, vanishing like smoke. The labyrinth trembled as the fire quickly spread, crackling and snapping, its orange and red tendrils licking at the walls, threatening to consume everything in its path.


    Nova¡¯s breaths came in ragged gasps as she staggered back, her body trembling from the weight of the battle and the exhaustion gnawing at her. She looked around, eyes wide, her starry glow flickering as she tried to steady herself. The fire was coming closer, its heat already further warming her skin, and the scent of burning wood filled the air. Her gaze shot to the walls, and then¡­ something caught her eye.


    At the far end of the room, she saw a figure, familiar yet distant. It was her older self, a reflection of a version of her she didn¡¯t yet understand. The older Nova stood there, silent and unwavering, her eyes meeting Nova¡¯s with a quiet intensity that stirred something deep inside her.


    For a moment, they stood frozen, locked in that gaze, and the world seemed to stop around them. The older Nova¡¯s expression was unreadable, almost resigned. She didn¡¯t speak, didn¡¯t move, only stared back with an enigmatic sorrow in her eyes.


    Then, as quickly as she appeared, the older Nova¡¯s form faded away, her silhouette dissolving into the smoke of the fire. Nova¡¯s heart clenched in her chest as the figure disappeared, leaving her alone with the encroaching blaze.


    With one last look at the smoldering remnants of the labyrinth, Nova pushed herself forward. Her legs ached, but she launched herself and flew into the burning maze. Her starlight burned brighter as she soared through the hallways of bookshelves, the warmth of the flames biting at her heels, the labyrinth''s halls twisting and turning, mocking her as it tried to hold her back.


    Her mind was set on one thing: escape. She had to get out.


    In the distance, she saw Connor standing in the middle of the corridor, panting heavily, his clothes singed and his hair wild. But his eyes were sharp, determined. He was holding something, a key. The last key.


    ¡°Nova!¡± he called, his voice urgent. ¡°We need to get to the gate. It¡¯s almost too late!¡±


    The intensity in his voice made Nova¡¯s chest tighten. She flew toward him, landing softly in front of him, her starlight fading slightly as she caught her breath.


    ¡°You¡­ you have the last key?¡± Nova asked, her voice shaky but filled with a new urgency.


    Connor nodded quickly, his face flushed and covered in sweat. ¡°Yeah, but we have to move fast. The fire¡¯s spreading, and we don¡¯t have much time. I saw the gate in the distance. We can make it if we go now.¡±


    Nova didn¡¯t hesitate. Her gaze flicked to the behind them, the flames that were now creeping closer, swallowing up everything in its path. The walls groaned under the pressure of the fire, and the air became thick with heat and smoke. But there was no turning back.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    ¡°Lead the way,¡± Nova said firmly, her voice steady despite the fear rising in her chest. She was ready. She couldn¡¯t wait any longer.


    Connor turned, the key tight in his hand, and began running. Nova followed closely behind him, both of them moving swiftly, dodging the remnants of crumbling shelves and the rapidly growing inferno as they made their way to the exit.


    The labyrinth was collapsing around them and the fire was relentless in its pursuit. But they wouldn¡¯t stop. Not now. Not after everything they had been through. Not when the gate was so close.


    Nova and Connor sprinted toward the glowing gate, the flames creeping behind them, but the gate was barely within reach. The air was thick with the acrid stench of smoke, and the sound of the labyrinth groaning and cracking under the pressure of the fire was deafening.


    But just as they neared the exit, Nova skidded to a halt. Her heart pounded in her chest as she turned to Connor, her breath shallow.


    ¡°Wait, what about Ray?¡± she asked, her voice trembling with desperation. The weight of the labyrinth¡¯s collapse and the fire¡¯s growing presence threatened to drown out her thoughts, but the one thing she knew for certain was that Ray couldn¡¯t be left behind.


    Connor stopped as well, his face hardening, brows furrowed with conflict. ¡°We don¡¯t have time, Nova,¡± he said, his voice taut with urgency. ¡°If we go searching for him now, we¡¯ll be trapped in here too. We can¡¯t afford that. We have to go!¡±


    Nova¡¯s chest tightened, her stomach churning as the words hit her like a physical blow. She could feel the world pulling apart at the seams, and her body screamed to turn back, to search for Ray no matter the cost.


    But Connor¡¯s face remained unwavering, his eyes filled with the same determination that had always been present, the same resolve he carried even in the most dire of situations. ¡°We need to trust Ray. He can take care of himself.¡±


    Nova¡¯s breath caught in her throat as panic threatened to break free. She glanced over her shoulder, feeling the flames licking the edge of the maze¡¯s walls, watching the fiery tendrils stretch closer, closer. Her mind raced through every possible scenario, every desperate thought, but it wasn¡¯t enough. She couldn¡¯t leave him.


    ¡°I can¡¯t just leave him!¡± Nova shouted, her voice rising with desperation. Her hands balled into fists as she turned back to the labyrinth¡¯s gates, eyes wild. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving without him!¡±


    But before she could take another step, Connor¡¯s telekinesis slammed into her chest, an invisible force locking her in place. ¡°No!¡± Connor shouted, his voice strained as he held her back with his mind. ¡°Let me go, Connor!¡± Nova screamed, fighting against his unyielding hold. She writhed and kicked in the air, but his telekinetic grip held her firm, keeping her in place despite her struggles.


    ¡°I can¡¯t risk it!¡± Connor yelled, his voice breaking as he glanced behind them at the inferno that was rapidly consuming the labyrinth. ¡°You have to have faith in Ray! We have to leave now!¡±


    ¡°Connor, please!¡± Nova cried, her heart breaking with every passing second. She could feel herself losing ground, her breath sharp in her throat as her desperation deepened. But Connor¡¯s grip didn¡¯t falter.


    With one last, agonizing glance at the burning labyrinth, Connor did what he had to. With one final burst of force, he propelled Nova forward, sending her flying through the gate, her body tumbling in the air as the world spun around her.


    She crashed onto the floating platform, the hard surface biting into her skin as she scrambled to her feet. Her hands were shaking, and the overwhelming roar of the fire, the cries of the labyrinth, and the thought of Ray, still trapped within its fiery grip, tore at her mind. She spun around, her breath ragged, and bolted toward the gate, slamming her hands against its glowing surface.


    ¡°Ray!¡± she shouted, her voice breaking. ¡°Ray! No!¡± She pounded the portal with frantic force, her hands bloody and bruised as she begged the gate to open. ¡°Let me back in!¡±


    But the portal wouldn¡¯t yield. It was solid, impenetrable, and the fire from the labyrinth beyond seemed to mock her. The heat radiated through the gate, but it was no help. The fire, the flames, the chaos of the labyrinth, all of it felt miles away, but so close that it suffocated her.


    She pounded harder, her fists hitting the portal with a sickening thud, her face twisted in anguish, eyes wide with panic. Her breath caught in her throat, and she fell to her knees, her tears mixing with the sweat and soot on her skin.


    Behind her, the other groups of sorcerers watched in silence, unsure of what to say or how to console her. But in that moment, Nova couldn¡¯t hear anything but the sound of her own frantic heartbeat, and all she could do was plead, plead for Ray to come back to her, to come back to them.


    The trio raced through the labyrinth, adrenaline pushing their bodies to the limit. Kai, Mara, and Elena, breathless and soaked in sweat, dodged debris, flames, and falling bookshelves as the labyrinth fell apart behind them. The air was thick with smoke, and every step was a gamble, every turn a peril. The fire was spreading too fast, and their escape felt like a fleeting dream.


    Mara¡¯s grip on the last key was tight, her fingers trembling from the heat and the pressure. She stole quick glances over her shoulder, her mind running through the worst-case scenarios, her heart beating louder than the roaring flames. Kai¡¯s face was set in grim determination, but even he couldn¡¯t keep the tension out of his voice as they ran.


    ¡°We¡¯re almost there,¡± Kai urged, his voice strained as he veered around a collapsing wall. The fire¡¯s heat intensified, threatening to overtake them. ¡°Just a little farther!¡±


    But somewhere along the way, Elena¡¯s pace slowed. The fire had caught up, its intense heat leeching away the strength from her limbs. She stumbled, her breath coming in gasps, but her companions were too far ahead to notice. With each step, the space between them grew.


    The gate was now in sight, just ahead. Kai pushed forward with renewed effort, his eyes locked on the exit, but the moment they passed through, he turned to check on Elena.


    Mara did too. Elena wasn¡¯t with them. Kai¡¯s heart skipped a beat as he glanced around frantically, his breath catching in his throat. His eyes locked with Mara¡¯s, and the realization hit them both at once.


    ¡°Elena!¡± Mara shouted, her voice cracking as she spun around, her eyes scanning the labyrinth¡¯s darkened horizon. ¡°She¡¯s still--she¡¯s still in there!¡±


    Kai¡¯s chest tightened, a sickening knot forming as he looked through the gate and into the distant inferno. ¡°No¡­ no, no, no,¡± he muttered, dread flooding his veins. ¡°We left her behind!¡±


    Mara¡¯s face went pale as she stared at the gate, the eerie calm of the floating platform around them only accentuating the weight of their failure. She had tried to count every head, but Elena¡¯s absence hit her harder than the flames ever could.


    On the platform, the chaos had settled for a moment. Sorcerers were already tending to Mathew, who was unconscious on the ground due to Zytherions spell, while others were trying to treat the minor injuries from, they had sustained from their far less lethal labyrinth¡¯s. Some murmured quietly among themselves, but all that could be heard were the sounds of strained breath and nervous conversation. Connor and Nova stood nearby, their faces etched with worry, their expressions drawn and heavy. Nova¡¯s hands were clenched into tight fists, her eyes distant, clouded with a whirlwind of emotion.


    Kai caught sight of her, his heart sinking further as the weight of the moment settled in. But he didn¡¯t say anything. He didn¡¯t have the words. Neither did Mara. Neither of them knew how to break the silence that hung between them, the horror of Elena¡¯s disappearance settling in the pit of their stomachs.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s a good thing we all made it out, at least, right, Elena?¡± Kai said with forced cheer, trying to keep things light, trying to avoid the gut-wrenching truth. He exhaled sharply, desperate to push past the crushing guilt that clawed at his chest.


    But there was no answer. Kai turned to look at Mara, her face frozen in shock. Her eyes were wide, her lips parted in disbelief. Her body stood still, unmoving, as if she had heard something that Kai hadn¡¯t.


    ¡°Elena¡­¡± she whispered softly, her voice barely audible over the distant crackling of the fire that still raged in the labyrinth. It was a simple word, but it carried the weight of a thousand unspoken fears.


    Kai¡¯s breath caught in his throat as he turned to the gate again, panic swirling inside him. ¡°No, she can¡¯t be¡­¡± He tried to speak the words, but they stuck in his throat, his heart racing too fast for him to process.


    Mara turned away, her face a mask of guilt. She knew they had made it out, they had survived, but Elena had been their responsibility. We should have been more careful. We should have paid more attention.


    But it was too late now. And they both knew it.


    In the distance, Connor and Nova exchanged a brief glance, the weight of the situation settling between them as well. They were too far to help. But seeing Nova¡¯s face, etched with quiet, simmering anger and frustration, only added to the pressure in the air.


    Her gaze flickered toward Kai and Mara, a silent question in her eyes. But there was nothing to say. Nothing that could change the truth of what had happened.


    The flames of the labyrinth¡¯s chaos still flickered in their memories, the burning maze just beyond the gate, alive, hungry, unforgiving. And Elena was still inside.


    Ray Could feel the heat intensifying as he sped through the towering hallways of bookshelves, narrowly dodging collapsing shelves and falling debris. His exosuit¡¯s sensors screamed warnings, alerting him to the rising temperature and the growing instability of the structure. The flames were relentless, turning the labyrinth into a living nightmare, its once seemingly invincible walls now weakened and vulnerable.


    He slammed Into a corner, barely avoiding a falling pillar of stone as it crumbled behind him. The sharp sting of smoke and ash seeped through his visor and burned his eyes, but he couldn¡¯t afford to stop. His heart hammered in his chest, fear mingling with the adrenaline coursing through his veins. The fire was closing in on him from every direction now, eating up the paths he had just flown through.


    Ray¡¯s breath was shallow inside the suit as he pushed forward, trying to outpace the destruction. His mind flashed back to Zytherion¡¯s haunting words: ¡°If I can¡¯t have you, then no one can!¡± That malevolent threat echoed in his mind like a cursed mantra, fueling the firestorm that raged around him. The labyrinth itself was changing, shifting to match Zytherion¡¯s fury. The walls began to move, twisting and rearranging in the wake of the blaze, as if the entire structure was alive, feeding on the chaos.


    A loud crash echoed behind him as a section of the floor caved in, and Ray¡¯s heart skipped a beat. His suit¡¯s thrusters flared again, lifting him higher, but the flames rose up to meet him, relentless and unpredictable. The fire spread across the ceiling, wrapping around pillars and walls, turning the once-grand mansion into a living furnace. His fists clutched even tighter as his determined to break free grew.


    Ray sweat profusely as scanned his surroundings for any sign of a way out. His exosuit was designed for combat and exploration, but even it wasn¡¯t built to withstand an inferno of this magnitude. The pressure was mounting, and Ray realized that staying in the labyrinth much longer would be a death sentence.


    He spotted an open doorway up ahead, barely visible through the haze of smoke. He aimed toward it, pushing his suit to its limits. The firestorm howled behind him, its destructive rage in hot pursuit. As he neared the door, the walls shifted again, threatening to close off his only escape route as the labyrinth¡¯s timer ticked down to just four minutes. Ray¡¯s pulse raced as he threw his body forward, his thrusters igniting with a burst of power, narrowly slipping through the gap just before the walls slammed shut behind him.


    For a brief moment, he felt a rush of relief, but it was short-lived. The fire had spread faster than he anticipated, and as he looked ahead, he saw another corridor filled with even more flames, twisting and writhing like a creature of pure rage.


    Ray¡¯s exosuit¡¯s systems whirred in protest as the fire continued to chase him, but he pushed forward, determined to escape Zytherion¡¯s clutches. His mind raced as he thought of his friends, Nova, Connor. He couldn¡¯t let Zytherion win. He wouldn¡¯t.


    His path was clear now. He had to survive. He had to escape. But as the flames continued to surge, Ray knew that no matter how fast he flew, the labyrinth¡¯s deadly embrace was tightening around him. And Zytherion? The ghost of the maze? He was still watching, waiting for his moment to strike.


    Ray¡¯s heart pounded fiercely in his chest as he raced toward the now unlocked exit, the shimmering gate only inches from his grasp. The heat from the labyrinth''s raging flames seared his back as he tore through the air at breakneck speed, his exosuit straining to keep up with the burning intensity behind him. His eyes were locked on the people beyond the gate: Kai, Mara, and his friends, his family, Nova and Connor, all standing on the other side, waiting for him to break through.


    But then, as if to freeze the moment entirely, Ray heard it. A bloodcurdling scream pierced through the air, a girl¡¯s scream, raw and filled with terror. The sound sliced through the tension, the firestorm, and the sound of his thrusters. It was a scream of agony, of someone in unimaginable pain. It was a scream that could only belong to someone who was trapped and fighting desperately for their life.


    Ray¡¯s breath caught in his throat, and without thinking, his fists clenching again. His flight wavered, his path faltering as he turned his head, searching desperately for the source of the scream. The flames roared louder, the labyrinth¡¯s dark magic surged in the distance, but there, amidst the chaos, he saw it: the heat of the fire outlining a figure, struggling, fighting to escape.


    And then, his eyes locked onto Nova. She was standing on the other side of the gate, her arm stretched toward him, her face twisted in fear like he had never seen before. Her eyes, wide with desperation, screamed his name, but the barrier was too thick, he couldn¡¯t hear her voice. Yet, the look in her eyes was enough. The anguish, the terror, the plea, it was all written across her face.


    Beside her, Connor¡¯s face was one of anger and fear, the kind of crack in his usually cocky demeanor that only appeared in the most extreme situations. For a moment, Ray could see the rawness of his emotions, his deep worry for his friend. The quiet vulnerability that Connor hid so well behind his bravado had fractured, and Ray could feel it.


    But the scream. The scream echoed in Ray¡¯s mind, growing louder and more frantic. His gaze shifted back, his heart sinking.


    There was no question about it. He couldn¡¯t leave, not yet. He couldn¡¯t just abandon whoever was still trapped in the labyrinth. He couldn¡¯t escape with his life knowing he let someone die.


    As the labyrinth continued to crumble and burn, Ray looked over his shoulder, locking eyes with Connor and Nova one last time through the gate. His chest tightened, a deep sense of guilt creeping in. It would¡¯ve been so easy to fly through, to leave all of this behind. But Ray wasn¡¯t just someone who ran from problems. Not anymore.


    I¡¯ll see you soon, Auntie. He thought to himself, his voice heavy with both sorrow and resolve, fully expecting to die here. The exit that could¡¯ve saved him now felt like an illusion, something out of reach, as though it was never meant for him to take.


    Without another moment¡¯s hesitation, Ray pushed his suit¡¯s thrusters into overdrive. The force of the speed snapped his body back against the suit, but it didn¡¯t matter. The wind whipped around him as he barreled through the air, a blur of motion in the ever-shifting flames. The labyrinth was alive with fury, its walls cracking and crumbling, but Ray didn¡¯t stop. His pulse raced as he zoomed back into the heart of the inferno, the burning maze now a suffocating presence all around him.


    I won¡¯t let you down. he thought, though a cold knot tightened in his stomach. Now heading back into the heart of the labyrinth, where the darkness and fire would try to swallow him whole.


    Ray¡¯s heart raced as he soared above the labyrinth, its towering shelves of books rising like jagged cliffs in the distance. His eyes scanned the chaos below, searching for the girl still trapped within the inferno. The heat from the raging fire below scorched the air as thick smoke swirled, blotting out the light. And then, there she was.


    Elena. She was struggling, her limbs stumbling and trembling as she tried to flee the encroaching flames. Her eyes were wide with terror, the despair evident in the way her body moved, trying to escape but finding no way out.


    She tripped and fell hard against the stone floor, her fingers grazing the rough surface in a desperate attempt to catch herself. Around her, a wall of fire began to close in, its fiery ring growing tighter with each passing second. There was nowhere left to run.


    ¡°Elena!¡± Ray¡¯s voice rang out, his words drowned by the roar of the flames, but his presence was unmistakable. She didn¡¯t hear him at first, her breath ragged as she scrambled to her feet, her face streaked with tears of fear.


    The fire crackled hungrily, licking at her skin, the heat intense enough to make her gasp for air. Elena¡¯s breath caught in her throat as the flames began to touch her, their fiery tendrils painfully caressing her arms. She screamed, the sound of it raw, full of panic. Her voice seemed to break against the suffocating heat, a final, desperate cry.


    And then, just as the wall of flames was about to consume her, something incredible happened. Elena felt two gentle, strong hands wrap around her body, lifting her from the ground with a force that seemed to defy the chaos surrounding her.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got you,¡± Ray¡¯s voice cut through the fiery storm, soft and reassuring, yet full of determination. His exosuit hummed around her, a protective shield forming around her body as he wrapped his arms securely around her. Elena opened her eyes slowly, her vision swimming as she looked up at him. There was only calm in his voice, and as her tears blurred her sight, she felt an overwhelming sense of relief wash over her. She had been saved.


    Ray¡¯s boots ignited with thrusters, and with a powerful thrust, he lifted off the ground. The labyrinth and the fire below seemed to shrink away as Ray shot upward, rising through the smoky, scorched air with Elena clutched tightly in his arms. His heart pounded in his chest, but the adrenaline coursing through him kept his focus sharp. Elena¡¯s fragile form was safe for now.


    But as Ray surged forward, the labyrinth was not done with them. Skeletons formed beneath him, crawling from the wreckage of shattered bookshelves. They reached out with bony hands, their eyes glowing with an eerie light, trying to drag him back into the inferno.


    Ray dodged their grasp with ease, twisting and weaving through the ever-expanding flames. The skeletons clutched desperately at the air, their outstretched fingers grazing the suit''s armor, but Ray was too fast. He weaved through the labyrinth¡¯s crumbling walls, dodging every fiery obstacle, every skeletal grasp with a fluidity that seemed almost effortless.


    The flames continued to rage behind him, their heat growing more oppressive as the labyrinth seemed to fight him at every turn. Then, as the labyrinth grew darker, and the danger seemed to close in, Ray¡¯s eyes locked onto something. A flicker of light in the distance, the exit. It was there. The gate. It was almost within reach.


    The timer in his suit¡¯s interface blinked with one minute remaining. ¡°Ray!¡± Zytherion¡¯s voice bellowed, low and threatening, echoing from the chaos behind. But Ray didn¡¯t care. He was focused on one thing, getting Elena to safety. Nothing else mattered in that moment.


    Ray pushed forward, thrusting himself and Elena with everything he had left. His mind screamed for speed, and his body followed, fueled by desperation and a will to protect. The gate grew closer, the air outside cooler, fresher. Just a little more¡­


    With the final burst of energy, Ray broke through the shimmering barrier of the gate, flying into the open air. His boots slid across the smooth, floating platform with a hiss, and the fresh air rushed into his suit, the burning heat of the labyrinth dissipating. The sounds of the outside world, the murmurs of sorcerers and the wind, replaced the roar of the inferno as Ray gently lowered Elena to the ground.


    She had fainted in his arms, her body limp and unconscious. Kai and Mara rushed to her side immediately, their faces filled with relief and worry as they knelt beside her. They gently cradled her head, murmuring words of comfort. The platform buzzed with quiet murmurs from the other sorcerers, their eyes wide with both shock and relief.


    ¡°T-thank you,¡± Kai said, his voice trembling with gratitude as he looked up at Ray. ¡°Thank you so much!¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t respond. He stood there, his chest heaving with exhaustion, but his mind still sharp. He scanned the platform, his gaze falling on the others, Mathew, who was unconscious, lying nearby, being tended to by others. And then, his gaze met Nova and Connor.


    Nova stepped forward, her eyes searching Ray¡¯s, concern clouding her face. ¡°Ray, are you-¡±


    But before she could finish her sentence, Ray¡¯s suit whined as it powered up again. Without a word, he blasted off into the sky, his thrusters propelling him into the afternoon air. His speed was blinding, leaving no time for anyone to follow or stop him.


    Connor and Nova stood frozen, watching him disappear into the distance, their voices lost on the wind. The platform was silent, save for the murmurs of those around them. Ray was gone. The feeling of his absence lingered in the air, leaving a tension behind, as his form slowly vanished into the horizon.

 Chapter 23: Light And Shadow Duel

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 Chapter 24: A miracle

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    Me, against Rad!? he thought, sweat beading on his forehead. This isn¡¯t good. He¡¯s stronger, faster, and he¡¯s not going to hold back.

 Chapter 25: The goddess and her imposter

    Nova and Elara were transported to a sprawling, enchanted forest bathed in a shimmering twilight. Towering trees with glowing, bioluminescent leaves formed a canopy overhead, casting dancing patterns of light across the moss-covered ground. Crystals jutted out of the earth and trees, pulsating softly in hues of blue and gold, while streams of sparkling water weaved through the landscape, flowing both on the ground and impossibly through the air.


    The terrain was dynamic and ever-changing, vines would twist and slither to create new paths, roots rose to form natural bridges, and patches of glowing flowers would bloom and fade within moments. Floating platforms made of intertwined branches drifted lazily in the air, each one glowing faintly and reacting to the players¡¯ presence.


    The magical ambiance was amplified by soft sounds: the hum of wind through the crystal trees, the distant calls of unseen, mystical creatures, and the faint crackle of energy coursing through the environment. Scattered throughout the area were radiant star-like orbs, their golden and silver hues shimmering with untold power.


    Nova and Elara stood on opposite sides of the forest, their figures dwarfed by the vastness of the terrain. Nova¡¯s aura burned brightly, her determination mirroring the stars themselves, while Elara¡¯s energy pulsed erratically, fueled by her amplified mimicry. They were two forces of nature in a mystical battleground, ready to collide amidst the forest¡¯s ever-shifting magic.


    The air crackled with tension as Nova and Elara stood beneath the glowing orb that hovered high above the enchanted forest. The orb, split evenly between golden radiance and shadowy darkness, pulsed with a steady rhythm, casting eerie shadows and light patterns across the ever-shifting terrain. Above them, the glowing canopy of bioluminescent leaves seemed to hold its breath, awaiting the outcome of their clash.


    The shadowy kites affixed to their backs began to smolder under the intensity of their auras, wisps of smoke curling upward and dissipating into the twilight. As the heat radiated off their bodies, the vines and flowers closest to them recoiled, their magical glow dimming in the face of their intense energy.


    Elara sighed, her expression laced with both reluctance and determination. She slid into a balanced fighting stance, her fingers crackling faintly with stolen starlight. ¡°So, it¡¯s really come to this, huh, Nova? I thought maybe we¡¯d save this for another day,¡± she said, her voice low but steady.


    Nova¡¯s eyes blazed with fiery resolve as she clenched her fists, her body surrounded by an aura that shimmered like the night sky. ¡°You¡¯re going down, Elara!¡± she shouted, anger boiling to the surface. With a burst of light, she launched herself forward at the speed of a comet, the space around her warping as reality itself bent under the force of her momentum.


    Elara barely had time to react as Nova¡¯s first strike came at her like a shooting star. She raised her arms to block, the impact sending a shockwave rippling through the forest and scattering nearby glowing petals into the air. Nova didn¡¯t let up, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks with blinding speed, each strike leaving trails of starlight in her wake.


    Fast, Elara thought, gritting her teeth as she deflected the onslaught. But I¡¯ve seen this before! With a deft twist of her body, she countered, stepping inside Nova¡¯s guard and landing a sharp elbow to her ribs. The blow forced Nova back, but she used the momentum to spin and deliver a powerful roundhouse kick that Elara narrowly dodged.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to have to do better than that, Nova,¡± Elara taunted, her voice tinged with confidence. She retaliated with a burst of star-forged energy, sending jagged beams of light toward her opponent. Nova twisted mid-air, dodging the beams with fluid grace as her aura flared brighter.


    ¡°You¡¯re one to talk!¡± Nova shot back, her voice seething with frustration. She slammed her fists together, creating an explosion of concentrated starlight that lit up the entire forest. Elara was forced to shield her eyes as the ground beneath her cracked and shifted.


    The two combatants clashed again, their movements a blur to anyone watching. Elara¡¯s attacks were sharp and calculated, mimicking Nova¡¯s powers but infused with her own unpredictable rhythm. Nova, on the other hand, fought with raw emotion, her strikes fueled by an unyielding determination to take Elara down.


    Their fists collided with such force that the surrounding air seemed to vibrate, sending waves of energy through the forest. The glowing orb above them flickered in response, its light and shadow twisting together as if reflecting their battle.


    ¡°You¡¯re just copying me!¡± Nova shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos as she parried a flurry of blows. ¡°You can¡¯t beat me with my own power!¡±


    Elara smirked, her eyes glinting with amusement. ¡°Maybe I don¡¯t have to beat you, Nova. Maybe I just have to keep you from getting that orb!¡± With a sudden burst of speed, she broke away from the fight and leaped toward the floating orb.


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    ¡°Oh, no, you don¡¯t!¡± Nova roared, her aura flaring as she shot after Elara like a meteor. The two collided mid-air, their powers exploding in a dazzling display of light and shadow.


    The two warriors continued their high-speed battle above the enchanted forest. Each clash of their powers sent ripples of energy cascading through the air, lighting up the twilight in bursts of brilliance.


    As the fight raged on, Nova¡¯s inner thoughts raced. She¡¯s strong, stronger than I thought. But I can¡¯t let her win. Everyone¡¯s counting on me! Ray and Connor¡¯s counting on me!


    Elara, meanwhile, gritted her teeth as she struggled to keep up with Nova¡¯s relentless energy. She¡¯s relentless¡­ but I¡¯ve come too far to lose now. I¡¯ve got to outthink her, or this is over!


    Their movements slowed for a brief moment as both combatants landed on opposite ends of a floating platform, breathing heavily, their eyes locked in a fierce glare. The glowing orb still hung tantalizingly above them, untouched.


    Elara wiped a bead of sweat from her brow, her smirk returning. ¡°Not bad, Nova. You¡¯re giving me a real workout.¡±


    Nova clenched her fists, her aura flickering like a raging fire. ¡°You haven¡¯t seen anything yet, Elara. This is just the beginning!¡± With that, she surged forward again, ready to continue the battle.


    The night sky above the glowing forest was alive with streaks of golden light and shadowy bursts as Nova and Elara clashed relentlessly. The intensity of their battle reached its peak, their movements so swift and forceful that the air rippled around them. Each strike echoed like a drumbeat through the magical forest below, the bioluminescent flora pulsing with the rhythm of their conflict.


    Nova darted forward, fists ablaze with starlight, throwing a barrage of rapid punches. ¡°You can¡¯t win, Elara!¡± she shouted, her voice sharp and determined. ¡°No matter how much you try to copy me, you¡¯re not me!¡±


    Elara blocked and countered with equal ferocity, her own energy crackling as she mirrored Nova¡¯s every move. ¡°You think this is just copying?¡± she retorted, ducking under a spinning kick and aiming a glowing palm strike at Nova¡¯s chest. ¡°I¡¯ve made your powers my own!¡±


    The strike connected, sending Nova hurtling backward, but she twisted mid-air, flipping gracefully before landing on her feet. The force of her landing cracked the platform beneath her, sending tiny shards of enchanted stone tumbling into the forest below. Her eyes burned with unyielding resolve. She¡¯s strong, but I¡¯ve got to be smarter. I can¡¯t let her get the better of me.


    Nova shot forward again, her speed bending the air around her as she closed the gap between them in an instant. Elara braced herself, but Nova feinted, vanishing just before impact. Elara¡¯s eyes widened in shock as Nova appeared behind her, landing a powerful kick to her side that sent her spiraling through the air.


    Recovering quickly, Elara gritted her teeth and retaliated with a massive wave of shadow-infused light energy, which tore through the night sky. Nova countered with her own beam of starlight, the two forces colliding in a dazzling explosion that lit up the entire forest.


    The two combatants surged toward each other again, exchanging a flurry of punches and kicks mid-air. Nova¡¯s movements were fluid and precise, her strikes blazing with raw power, while Elara¡¯s mirrored attacks were calculated and adaptive, her form a perfect reflection of Nova¡¯s.


    She¡¯s good, too good! Nova thought, her frustration mounting as Elara blocked or countered every move. If I don¡¯t end this now, she¡¯ll wear me down!


    Elara smirked as she dodged another strike, her confidence growing. She¡¯s getting desperate. I just need to outlast her, and that orb is mine!


    Nova suddenly darted upward, her body becoming a streak of light as she ascended into the starlit sky. Elara followed without hesitation, her form glowing as she channeled Nova¡¯s power to match her speed. The two streaked higher and higher, leaving the forest far below, until they were surrounded by a sea of stars.


    Elara surged forward, aiming a powerful strike at Nova, but as her fist connected, Nova¡¯s form shattered into glowing fragments and dissolved into the night. Elara¡¯s eyes widened in realization. ¡°An afterimage?!¡±


    From below, Nova¡¯s voice rang out, fierce and triumphant. ¡°Copy this!¡±


    Before Elara could react, Nova unleashed a devastating beam of concentrated starlight, the energy spiraling and roaring like a comet as it struck Elara head-on. The sheer force of the attack sent Elara hurtling through the atmosphere, her form becoming smaller and smaller until she disappeared into the infinite expanse of space.


    As the light from the beam faded, the golden-shadowy orb slowly drifted down toward Nova. She reached out and grabbed it, her hand trembling slightly as the orb¡¯s warmth surged through her. The moment her fingers closed around it, a blinding light enveloped her, and she felt herself being pulled back to the arena.


    When the light faded, Nova stood victorious atop the floating platform in the arena, the golden orb still in her hand. The crowd erupted into deafening cheers, the stands roaring with excitement as Penelope¡¯s voice echoed across the space. ¡°And the winner is¡­ Nova!¡±


    Olivia chimed in, her tone jubilant. ¡°A spectacular performance from both competitors, but Nova has claimed the victory!¡±


    Ray, still recovering on the platform, grinned and pumped his fist into the air. ¡°Way to go, Nova!¡± he shouted, his voice almost drowned out by the cheering sorcerers. The crowd began chanting Nova¡¯s name, their voices echoing through the massive arena.


    Nova smiled as she deactivated her powers, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. But her smile faded slightly as her gaze fell upon Elara, who lay on her back nearby, her aura extinguished and her powers no longer mimicking Nova¡¯s. Elara¡¯s eyes were open, staring at the sky, a look of quiet defeat on her face.


    Nova walked over, her boots echoing against the platform as the crowd continued to cheer. She stopped beside Elara and extended a hand, her expression softening. ¡°You put up a good fight, Elara,¡± she said, her voice steady but kind.


    Elara stared at Nova¡¯s hand for a moment, her eyes filled with conflicting emotions. Finally, she let out a small, defeated smile and reached up, taking Nova¡¯s hand. ¡°Yeah¡­ I guess I did,¡± she muttered as Nova pulled her to her feet.


    The crowd¡¯s cheers grew louder, the arena shaking with their excitement as the two stood together. Though Nova was the victor, the mutual respect between the two combatants was clear, and it only added to the spectacle of their battle.

 Chapter 26: Pride Vs. Humility

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 Chapter 27: Threads of connection

    The medical lab was a perfect blend of the arcane and the technological. Sleek metallic surfaces gleamed under soft, ethereal lighting, while holographic monitors displayed streams of data interspersed with glowing runes. Shelves stocked with vials of shimmering potions sat beside machines humming with magical energy. In the center of the room, a large, cylindrical healing pod hissed open as Mathew stirred awake.


    Groaning softly, Mathew blinked against the bright light above him. He squinted, his freckled face scrunching in confusion as familiar voices drifted toward him.


    ¡°Mathew!¡± Ashley¡¯s voice broke through the haze, warm and relieved. She adjusted her cybernetic glasses as she leaned over him, her blond hair catching the light. ¡°You¡¯re awake! Thank goodness. How are you feeling?¡±


    ¡°Wha¡­ what happened?¡± Mathew croaked, his voice hoarse. He pushed himself up slightly, only to feel a firm but gentle hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°Take it easy,¡± Mary Mayweather said, her tone soothing. Her crimson hair framed her face as she examined him, her freckled nose wrinkling in concern. ¡°You¡¯ve been out for hours. We brought you here as soon as we could.¡±


    Penelope stood at the foot of the bed, her icy blue eyes studying him with a quiet intensity. ¡°You collapsed during the maze,¡± she said softly, her voice as steady as her demeanor. ¡°What do you remember?¡±


    Mathew¡¯s brow furrowed as fragments of memory returned. ¡°I was¡­ in the library section of the maze,¡± he said slowly, rubbing his temples. ¡°There was a shadow¡­ no, a presence. I felt it in my mind. And then¡­¡± His voice trailed off as he shuddered. ¡°Everything went black.¡±


    Ino, standing off to the side, stroked his chin thoughtfully. The old sensei¡¯s wise eyes held a mix of concern and curiosity. ¡°A shadow, you say?¡± he asked, his voice measured. ¡°Did it speak to you? Try to influence you?¡±


    Mathew shook his head. ¡°No words. Just¡­ pressure. Like it was trying to crush my thoughts.¡± He looked at each of them in turn. ¡°Did anyone else encounter something like that?¡±


    Ashley exchanged a glance with Mary, who shook her head. ¡°No one reported anything similar,¡± Mary said, her hand glowing faintly as she conjured a small vial of shimmering liquid. ¡°Drink this. It¡¯ll help with the headache.¡±


    Mathew took the vial gratefully, wincing as he sipped the slightly bitter concoction. ¡°Thanks, Mary. You¡¯re a lifesaver.¡±


    ¡°Literally,¡± Ashley quipped, a playful smile on her face. ¡°So, does this mean we¡¯re blaming this on another one of the maze¡¯s quirks, or do we have a real problem on our hands?¡±


    Ino¡¯s expression darkened slightly. ¡°The maze has its challenges, but it should not have the power to attack someone¡¯s mind directly. This is¡­ troubling.¡±


    Penelope crossed her arms, her voice calm but firm. ¡°If it¡¯s a threat, we need to deal with it. We can¡¯t risk this happening to anyone else.¡±


    Mary nodded in agreement. ¡°And Mathew, you¡¯re not going back into the maze anytime soon. You need to recover fully first.¡±


    Mathew chuckled weakly, his trademark humor breaking through despite his exhaustion. ¡°What, you think I can¡¯t handle a little mind-melting shadow? I¡¯m tougher than I look, you know.¡±


    ¡°Maybe,¡± Ashley said with a grin, ¡°but you¡¯re also stubborn, and that¡¯s why we¡¯re here to keep you in check.¡±


    Ino stepped closer, his tone softening. ¡°Mathew, you¡¯ve been a trusted companion for years. We all have. If something is targeting you specifically, we need to know why. You¡¯re not just part of this team, you¡¯re family.¡±


    Mathew looked around the room, seeing the genuine concern in their faces. For a moment, his usual lightheartedness faded, replaced by a deep gratitude. ¡°Thanks, everyone. I mean it. You¡¯re the best group of misfits I could ask for.¡±


    Penelope rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. ¡°Don¡¯t get too sentimental. You¡¯re still on bed rest.¡±


    Mary chimed in with mock sternness. ¡°And no escaping. I¡¯ll know if you try.¡±


    Ashley laughed, giving Mathew a gentle pat on the arm. ¡°You¡¯ve got the dream team here. No getting rid of us.¡±


    Ino nodded, his expression softening. ¡°Rest for now, Mathew. We¡¯ll get to the bottom of this together.¡±


    As Mathew settled back against the pillows, the tension in the room eased slightly, the bonds between them stronger than ever. Whatever threats loomed ahead, they would overcome them.


    The golden sun began its slow descent toward the horizon, casting an orange glow across the vast grounds of the academy. The beams of the late afternoon light melted into the warm hues of the sunset, bathing the surroundings in a peaceful, almost magical radiance. Roth sat at the head of an enormous table laden with plates and platters, his massive frame leaning back in satisfaction, the evidence of his victory scattered around him.


    Dozens of empty plates lay before him, each one cleared with the ease of a ravenous titan. His large hand gripped the edge of the table, his thunderous burp echoing across the area as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.


    Beside him, his opponent, a young sorcerer boy, shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and overeating. The boy had messy dark hair and was dressed in simple but well-maintained academy robes, his soft, rounded face contorted in discomfort as he rubbed his bloated stomach. His eyes were glazed, and despite his best efforts to stay composed, it was clear he couldn¡¯t keep up with the thunderous appetite of Roth. The boy, a recent addition to the academy, was clearly outmatched in a battle of sheer willpower and appetite.


    Roth, his satisfied grin plastered on his face, glanced down at his opponent and sighed deeply, his thoughts briefly turning inward. ¡°I win,¡± Roth muttered, his voice deep and booming as he gazed up at the sky with an unsatisfied glint in his hazel eyes.


    The sun was dipping lower now, the golden hues of the afternoon slowly fading into the purples and pinks of twilight. A thought crossed his mind as he watched the last of the sun¡¯s rays slip away into the horizon: Will anyone ever best me like she did all those years ago?


    Roth¡¯s gaze shifted to the left, where his old friend Charlie, Zephyr, as he often went by, was playfully interacting with a group of young sorcerer children. The group giggled as Charlie effortlessly tossed them into the air using his wind powers, his gentle smile always close behind his acts of playfulness. Roth couldn¡¯t help but watch the scene with a bittersweet smile, remembering the old days, days filled with joy, camaraderie, and a sense of shared purpose. The sadness that lingered beneath his smile was evident, but the fondness for Charlie and the carefree children eased it, if only for a moment.


    His musings were Interrupted by the groaning of the boy beside him. Roth¡¯s eyes returned to the young sorcerer, who winced as he rubbed his now overstuffed belly. The boy let out an exaggerated sigh of discomfort, his body slouched as he tried to recover from the eating contest that had clearly been too much for him.


    Roth couldn¡¯t help but let out a hearty laugh, his booming voice filling the air with an infectious, deep rumble. ¡°Ha! You young ones can¡¯t keep up with me!¡± Roth exclaimed, chuckling to himself as he leaned forward, placing a hand on the boy¡¯s shoulder. ¡°But you did well,¡± he continued, his tone softening slightly, ¡°And for your bravery, few have challenged me today.¡±


    With a sincere smile, Roth reached into his pouch and produced a small, ornate medallion. The gold pendant sparkled faintly in the last rays of sunlight as he handed it to the boy. The boy, who was still rubbing his stomach, looked up at Roth in confusion before hesitantly accepting the medallion.


    As soon as his fingers touched the medallion, the boy¡¯s stomach seemed to deflate, the bloated feeling vanishing as energy surged back into his body. His cheeks flushed with a mixture of surprise and relief, and his eyes widened in astonishment.


    ¡°Whoa! Thanks!¡± the boy exclaimed, his energy renewed as he jumped up from his seat, grinning with excitement. The boy immediately dove back into the feast with newfound enthusiasm, taking another large bite of food, though this time with more restraint. He chuckled to himself, grateful for Roth¡¯s unexpected kindness.


    Roth watched the boy for a moment, chuckling softly to himself. He turned back to the horizon, allowing the last rays of sunlight to bathe his face. His mood lightened somewhat at the boy¡¯s excitement and the playful energy of the children nearby. The quiet, sincere joy of others always managed to warm his heart, even amidst the storm of his past.


    As the evening sky darkened into twilight, Roth¡¯s gaze softened, and he allowed himself to enjoy the moment. Despite the battles he had fought, the victories, and the losses, it was these small moments, these brief flashes of joy, that gave him peace.


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The academy''s towering walls loomed high above the sprawling grounds, the stonework ancient yet sturdy, worn smooth by the touch of time. A cool breeze drifted across the top of the structure, rustling the wild growth of ivy and moss that clung to the stones. It was late in the evening, the sky painted with shades of purple and pink as the sun sank beneath the horizon, and the sounds of celebration drifted upward from the academy grounds below.


    Laughter, music, and the hum of conversation filled the air as the academy¡¯s students and faculty celebrated the end of the day¡¯s trials. Fires burned brightly in several bonfires, casting flickering shadows over the stone surfaces. The gleaming lights of lanterns danced like stars in the dusk, and in the distance, the sound of a violin played a haunting melody, adding a touch of beauty to the evening. Despite the boisterousness below, the top of the academy¡¯s walls felt like a quiet, tranquil sanctuary.


    Penelope sat near the edge of the stone wall, her back resting against one of the taller turrets, her arms folded loosely across her chest. Her black tunic hugged her slender form, and the icy blue of her pupils shimmered under the moonlight, her face usually solemn now carrying a faint trace of contentment. Her long, black hair cascaded down her shoulders, flowing in the breeze. Beside her, sitting in a more relaxed posture, was Olivia, her twin sister.


    Olivia, in contrast, was dressed in a flowing white blouse and black pants, her golden hair swaying in the breeze. Her lively green eyes sparkled as she gazed down at the festivities below, an expression of amusement and joy playing on her lips. The moonlight glinted off the faintly glowing tattoos that marked her arms, giving her an ethereal quality. She leaned her head against the stone wall, her long hair spilling over her shoulder as she let out a small, contented sigh.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe it¡¯s already over,¡± Olivia said, her voice light and carefree. She turned her head slightly to glance at Penelope, her tone teasing. ¡°The night¡¯s still young, though. Maybe we should join them down there.¡±


    Penelope¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t shift from the scene below as she replied, her voice soft but carrying a weight of thought. ¡°We could¡­ But I think it¡¯s nice up here. Peaceful. No pressure.¡±


    Olivia let out a small laugh, a warm, melodic sound. ¡°I knew you¡¯d say that,¡± she teased. ¡°You¡¯re always content up here, in the quiet.


    But it¡¯s not like you don¡¯t enjoy it down there with the others, especially when things get¡­ interesting.¡± Penelope glanced at Olivia with a slight smirk, one corner of her mouth lifting. ¡°I don¡¯t mind the company. It¡¯s just¡­ easier up here.¡±


    Olivia raised an eyebrow, amusement glimmering in her eyes. ¡°You mean you like the quiet because it gives you more time to think about everything?¡±


    Penelope sighed softly, her gaze still focused on the crowd below. ¡°Maybe,¡± she admitted, her tone uncharacteristically soft. ¡°But mostly, it¡¯s just¡­ calming. Sometimes it¡¯s hard to escape everything. Being up here, watching them, it feels like the world is still turning, and I can breathe for a moment.¡±


    Olivia didn¡¯t say anything for a moment, the air between them filled with the distant sounds of celebration. She understood Penelope more than anyone else. The weight of responsibility, the inner struggles, Penelope had always carried them with grace, but Olivia knew her sister¡¯s heart. They were opposites in many ways, but that made their bond all the stronger.


    ¡°You know,¡± Olivia said quietly, her voice more serious now, ¡°I¡¯m glad we¡¯re here, together, like this. Even if you don¡¯t say it, I know you¡¯ve been carrying a lot lately."


    Penelope looked at Olivia, her expression softening as she gazed into her twin¡¯s eyes. Her gaze was full of understanding, but there was an unspoken depth between them that only they could fully comprehend. The bond between them was more than shared history, it was a silent promise to always stand by one another, to support and protect each other.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure I could do it without you,¡± Penelope said, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°You make everything easier, even when it¡¯s hard.¡±


    Olivia smiled, a wide and genuine smile that softened the edges of her usually mischievous demeanor. She reached out, placing a hand gently on Penelope¡¯s arm. ¡°And you make everything worth it, P. You¡¯ve always been my strength.¡±


    Penelope¡¯s eyes glistened for a brief moment before she nodded, a flicker of warmth crossing her usually stoic face. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re here,¡± she said simply.


    The two sisters sat In comfortable silence for a while, their gazes turning back to the scene below. They watched as a group of students cheered, a few of them lifting their glasses in celebration, and the flicker of light from the bonfires danced across their faces. Despite the noise and the chaos, it felt like time had slowed, like the world had given them a moment just to exist together.


    Olivia glanced at Penelope, her grin returning. ¡°We should head down there, you know. I can¡¯t have you staying up here forever like an old crow.¡±


    Penelope rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched upwards ever so slightly. ¡°I¡¯m not an old crow, Liv. But if it means you¡¯ll stop pestering me, I suppose we could join them for a little while.¡±


    Olivia¡¯s eyes lit up with delight. ¡°I knew you couldn¡¯t resist!¡± She jumped up with excitement, pulling Penelope to her feet. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go have some fun!¡±


    Penelope stood, allowing herself to be pulled along by her sister¡¯s energy. As they made their way down from the academy walls, they paused just for a moment to look back at the stars above, as if taking in the serenity one last time. Together, the twins descended toward the festivities below, side by side, knowing that no matter the challenges they faced, they would always have each other. And that, in the end, was enough for them.


    Lucio sat there, the hum of the celebration around him muted by his thoughts. The campfires flickered brightly, their warm light casting long shadows across the clearing where sorcerers danced, laughed, and shared stories of the day¡¯s victories. Yet, despite the laughter and the noise, a heavy silence hung over Lucio. His eyes were distant, staring at the shifting flames, the crackling fire seeming to echo the turbulence of his own thoughts.


    The memory of his fight with Connor was still fresh in his mind. The brutal slams, the taunts, and the sharp, stinging words that had felt like knives. He had never felt more powerless. But then came that moment, when Connor had stopped, when the orb had floated toward him instead of being claimed by his rival. That moment of hesitation, of self-doubt, he hadn¡¯t expected it.


    Lucio hadn¡¯t expected Connor to listen. He hadn¡¯t expected Connor to change, even for just a moment. But that was exactly what had happened.


    He turned his head, surprised to see Connor standing behind him, his posture relaxed, as though he belonged here just as much as the others. Lucio blinked in disbelief.


    ¡°Connor?¡± Lucio asked, his voice carrying a mix of confusion and disbelief. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    Connor didn¡¯t seem to flinch at Lucio¡¯s surprise. Instead, he casually walked over and sat down next to him on the wooden bench. He rested his arm along the back of the bench, his gaze still fixed on the lively crowd, but there was a strange quietness to him now. Lucio couldn¡¯t quite place it.


    ¡°Thought I¡¯d congratulate you is all,¡± Connor said after a beat, his tone low and casual. He didn¡¯t look directly at Lucio, still watching the scene unfold before them. It was almost as if he were lost in his own thoughts, just as Lucio had been.


    Lucio couldn¡¯t hide the bitter chuckle that escaped him. He turned slightly to face Connor, raising an eyebrow. ¡°The game was two to one. You beat us, remember?¡± Lucio¡¯s voice was sharp, though there was a sense of something deeper beneath it. ¡°Or did my lightning mess with your head?¡±


    Connor remained silent for a moment, his eyes still on the distant revelers. Lucio could tell his words had struck a chord, but whether it was irritation or something else, he couldn¡¯t tell. For a moment, Connor was just¡­ still.


    Then, slowly, Connor turned his head toward him. His blue eyes locked onto Lucio¡¯s, no malice there, but something else, something Lucio had never expected to see in those eyes. There was sincerity.


    ¡°You were more than a lap dog, Lucio,¡± Connor said softly, his voice carrying an uncharacteristic depth of meaning. The words were simple, but they hung in the air with an unspoken weight.


    Lucio¡¯s breath caught in his throat. He wasn¡¯t sure how to respond, and for a moment, it felt as if everything around him, the noise, the celebrations, even the firelight, faded away, leaving just the two of them on the bench, connected by something he couldn¡¯t quite explain.


    ¡°R-really?¡± Lucio asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.


    Connor gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, his gaze unwavering. The flickering firelight danced in his blue eyes, reflecting something raw and unguarded. Lucio wasn¡¯t sure what it was, but it made the words feel different, more real.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Connor said, his voice steady, almost softer than usual. ¡°You were more than just a guy who followed orders. You¡­ stood up for yourself out there. You didn¡¯t back down, even when I pushed you to your limits.¡±


    Lucio swallowed, the weight of Connor¡¯s words pressing down on him. His usual sharpness, his defensive armor, seemed to crumble under the sincerity in Connor¡¯s tone. It made him feel exposed, unsure of how to respond.


    His mind raced, trying to find the right words, but they didn¡¯t seem to come. Instead, he simply nodded, as if to acknowledge what Connor had said. The silence between them stretched, but it wasn¡¯t the uncomfortable kind. It was the kind that existed when something had shifted, when two people had changed without even realizing it.


    After a beat, Lucio let out a shaky breath, a small laugh escaping his lips, though it didn¡¯t feel bitter. ¡°Guess I was wrong about you, too,¡± he said quietly, the words tentative, almost reluctant. ¡°I thought you¡¯d never admit it. Thought you¡¯d always see me as¡­ I don¡¯t know, some guy to beat.¡±


    Connor¡¯s eyes flickered toward the crowd again, though his thoughts seemed far from the celebrations. ¡°I thought I had everything figured out,¡± he said, his voice distant. ¡°That I was always right, that I was the best. But I never really understood what it meant to fight for something more than just winning.¡±


    Lucio turned his head slightly, studying Connor, the boy who had once been his rival and the one who had pushed him to his limits. There was something different now, something that made Lucio see him less as an adversary and more as someone he could almost understand.


    ¡°And now?¡± Lucio asked, his voice soft but steady.


    Connor let out a long exhale, his gaze fixed on the flames ahead. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Maybe I¡¯m starting to realize there¡¯s more to this than just proving I¡¯m the strongest. Maybe it¡¯s about¡­ learning something from the people I¡¯ve fought, from those who keep standing up despite everything.¡±


    Lucio nodded slowly, his chest tightening slightly. ¡°Sounds like a lot of work,¡± he said with a small grin, his tone light despite the heaviness of the conversation. ¡°But¡­ maybe it¡¯s worth it.¡±


    Connor shot him a brief smile, the corners of his mouth twitching up. ¡°Yeah. Maybe.¡±


    The fire crackled, its warmth washing over them both, as the sounds of the celebration continued in the background. The laughter, the chatter, the clinking of cups, it all felt like a distant hum now, a backdrop to this quiet moment of shared understanding.


    Lucio turned his attention back to the crowd, but this time, it was different. He didn¡¯t feel as alone in the midst of all the noise. He could almost sense Connor¡¯s thoughts, as if they were both residing in the same head space, despite the physical distance between them.


    And with that, the two sat in silence, the fire between them crackling, the sounds of the celebration slowly fading into the background. It wasn¡¯t about the victory anymore. It wasn¡¯t about being the best.


    For once, Lucio didn¡¯t feel like he had to prove anything. And maybe, for the first time in his life, Connor didn¡¯t feel like he had to always win.

 Chapter 28: Echoes of the past

    ¡°Kaito¡­¡± A woman¡¯s voice softly called out, the words floating through the air like a gentle breeze. Kaito¡¯s eyes fluttered open, blinking against the softness of the sunlight, his vision hazy at first. As he adjusted, his gaze fell upon the woman kneeling beside him, a radiant figure bathed in the warm glow of the day.


    Her long, black hair cascaded down in soft waves, framed by delicate cherry blossom petals that seemed to dance around her. A gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of flowers as she gazed at him with a serene, affectionate smile. Her pale skin, luminous in the light, seemed almost ethereal, untouched by time.


    She wore a simple yet elegant kimono of soft white silk, the fabric embroidered with subtle patterns of Sakura blossoms and flowing vines, giving it a tranquil, natural beauty. The kimono was cinched at the waist with a pale pink obi, tying together the delicate design that mirrored the very surroundings of the cherry blossoms around them.


    Kaito, still disoriented, realized that he was lying in a vast field of flowers, their colors painting the ground in hues of lavender, pale pink, and white. Cherry blossom trees stood tall in the distance, their petals drifting like snowflakes, carpeting the earth with beauty. Behind him, the gentle outline of a small, serene monastery could be seen, its wooden structure blending harmoniously with the natural world.


    It was a peaceful, sacred place, a sanctuary for reflection and quietude. Kaito¡¯s appearance contrasted with the serenity of his surroundings. His face, once youthful, now bore the marks of time and regret.


    His dark, disheveled hair framed his pale face, the weight of years of sorrow and alcohol-induced numbness evident in his tired eyes. His clothes, a tattered monk¡¯s robe that had once been pristine, were now worn and frayed, the fabric hanging loosely around his thin frame. His robes were the color of faded earth, a symbol of his own decline, but even in his disheveled state, they still carried an air of spiritual dignity.


    As his gaze locked with the woman beside him, Kaito¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Aiko!¡± His voice caught in his throat, trembling with a mix of joy and sorrow. The sound of her name felt like a prayer, a plea for the impossible.


    Aiko giggled softly, her laughter like the tinkling of a gentle stream, and she sat back on her heels, her smile widening. Kaito, overwhelmed, quickly sat up, his heart pounding in his chest as he stared at her, completely speechless. His eyes roamed over her face, her expression, the soft curve of her lips, and the calmness in her eyes.


    She was just as beautiful as she had been before the accident, before the world had turned cold and empty. Time had not touched her; she was as vibrant, as alive, as he remembered, and it took everything within him to hold back the rush of emotions that flooded his heart.


    For a moment, it felt as if the world had paused, and he could do nothing but stare at the woman he thought he had lost forever. ¡°Aiko¡­¡± Kaito whispered under his breath, his voice cracking as the weight of the moment washed over him. His heart clenched, and he could no longer hold back the flood of emotions that had been building for so long. Tears began to stream down his face, hot and uncontrollable, as he reached out to her, his hands trembling. His vision blurred, but he didn¡¯t care, his eyes were fixed on her, the woman he had thought lost to him forever.


    Aiko¡¯s smile, once full of joy, faded, and a deep, understanding sadness filled her eyes. Her expression softened, the sorrow reflected in her gaze as she saw the pain that had never truly left him. Without a word, she gently moved closer, her delicate hands reaching for him. Her embrace was warm and tender, her arms wrapping around Kaito in a way that felt like the very breath of life returning to him. The soft scent of cherry blossoms surrounded them, mixing with the faint scent of Aiko¡¯s kimono, an earthy, floral fragrance that reminded Kaito of the peaceful days they had spent together before the accident, before everything fell apart.


    ¡°I know, Kaito, I know.¡± Aiko¡¯s voice was quiet, yet filled with such understanding, such compassion. Her words were a balm to his shattered heart, as if she had always known the grief that had consumed him, the guilt that had kept him locked in a cycle of self-destruction. She held him close, her fingers gently tracing the back of his head, her touch soothing in its simplicity.


    Kaito¡¯s body shook as he cried in her embrace, the sobs wracking his frame with such intensity that it felt like the world around him might crumble. For a moment, he could no longer tell where his sorrow ended and the feeling of her warmth began. His tears soaked the fabric of her kimono, but Aiko didn¡¯t pull away. Instead, she held him even tighter, as if she could somehow erase the years of suffering, the endless nights of solitude, the hollow, aching grief that had eaten him alive.


    ¡°How¡­ how is this possible?¡± Kaito managed to choke out, his voice muffled by her shoulder. He was no longer concerned with the hows or the whys. He didn¡¯t care about the impossibility of the situation. He simply needed to know that she was real, that this moment, this reunion, was not just a fleeting dream.


    Aiko¡¯s hands stroked his back in a gentle rhythm, grounding him in the reality of her presence. ¡°Kaito¡­¡± she began, her voice soft and calm, but there was an undeniable sadness there. ¡°I¡¯m not truly here. I¡¯m a part of your heart, your grief. But I¡¯ve never truly left you.¡±


    Kaito pulled back slightly, his tear-streaked face searching hers, his expression torn. ¡°I failed you, Aiko,¡± he whispered, his voice filled with guilt. ¡°I couldn¡¯t save you¡­ I couldn¡¯t do anything. I¡­ I let myself drown in my sorrow.¡±


    Aiko¡¯s eyes softened even more, and she cupped his cheek gently, wiping away a stray tear with the pad of her thumb. ¡°You didn¡¯t fail me, Kaito,¡± she said, her voice unwavering. ¡°I knew how much you loved me. I know you did everything you could, but sometimes¡­ sometimes, life takes things from us that we can¡¯t control.¡± She gave him a small, sad smile. ¡°But you must let go of the pain, Kaito. You have to forgive yourself. You¡¯ve carried it long enough.¡±


    The weight of her words seemed to sink deep into his soul, but the thought of truly letting go felt like an insurmountable mountain. He had been lost for so long, unable to see beyond the fog of grief. Yet, as Aiko continued to hold him, her presence surrounding him like a soft, comforting blanket, he felt a glimmer of something, hope, perhaps, or the possibility of peace.


    ¡°I can¡¯t¡­ I don¡¯t know how to,¡± Kaito whispered, his voice barely audible.


    Aiko¡¯s gaze softened with an understanding that only a soul so deeply connected could hold. She gently cupped his face with both hands, her touch warm and grounding. ¡°It¡¯s not something that happens all at once, Kaito. Healing takes time. But you must take the first step. You must allow yourself to live again.¡±


    The silence that followed her words was heavy, yet there was a gentle sense of release in it, as if a small, invisible weight had been lifted from his chest. Kaito stayed in her embrace for a long while, his heart slowly beginning to quiet as her words echoed in his mind. The cherry blossoms fluttered softly around them, as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for Kaito to find the strength to move forward, to begin again.


    Kaito¡¯s breath hitched as Aiko¡¯s words reached him. His tears flowed more freely now, his heart trembling with the weight of his grief. He pulled back slightly, his face twisted with anguish. ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± he whispered desperately, his voice thick with pain. ¡°I¡¯m not strong enough, Aiko. Every time I try to protect someone, they¡­ they die. I couldn¡¯t save you. I couldn¡¯t save Henry. I couldn¡¯t save anyone¡­ I failed them.¡± His words broke apart in his throat, choking on the unbearable weight of his self-loathing.


    Aiko¡¯s face softened with a sadness so profound that it seemed to resonate with the very air around them. She gently wiped away the tears from his face, her touch light, almost like a breath, as she cupped his cheek. The soft whisper of cherry blossoms fluttered around them as she spoke, her voice low and comforting, like a warm embrace. ¡°You made a promise, didn¡¯t you?¡± she said, her words not just a question but a reminder, one that seemed to echo in the stillness of their sacred moment.


    Kaito¡¯s breath stilled as he looked at her, his heart aching in response to her quiet, gentle words. His eyes widened in realization, and for a moment, It felt like the world itself had stopped. ¡°You promised that you would keep his son safe.¡± Her words were like a lifeline thrown to him, a connection to the purpose he had lost sight of in his grief.


    Sniffling, Kaito wiped his face, trying to steady his breath. His voice trembled as he responded, raw and vulnerable. ¡°I¡­ I promised. I swore to him¡­ to Henry. But I couldn¡¯t even keep you safe, Aiko¡­ how can I protect anyone else?¡± The pain in his chest felt like it might shatter him entirely. The weight of failure crushed him, and the silence of his world threatened to swallow him whole.


    Aiko leaned in closer, her eyes reflecting a soft, unwavering warmth as she placed a hand over his heart. ¡°You may not have been able to protect us,¡± she said gently, ¡°but that doesn¡¯t mean you can¡¯t protect what you have now, Kaito.¡± Her voice was filled with a quiet strength that reached deep into his soul, a beacon of hope amidst the storm of his emotions. ¡°You¡¯re not alone anymore.¡±


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    As she spoke, the world around them seemed to begin fading, slowly at first, like the soft edges of a dream slipping away. The vibrant cherry blossoms, the monastery, and even Kaito¡¯s own presence began to lose their clarity, replaced by an all-encompassing, radiant white light. Kaito¡¯s heart sank in terror, realizing that she was slipping away, just as she had before, leaving him in this eternal, empty moment.


    ¡°Aiko!¡± Kaito cried out, his voice thick with desperation as he reached for her, but she was already beginning to fade from his sight. His hands grasped at the air, futilely trying to hold onto her, to the love they had shared, to the moment they had found again. More tears streamed down his face, his chest tightening in anguish as the white light grew brighter and more intense.


    ¡°I love you, Kaito,¡± Aiko¡¯s voice broke through, soft and tender, her eyes glistening with tears of her own. She smiled at him one last time, her expression filled with a bittersweet love. ¡°But it¡¯s time to wake up now.¡±


    Kaito¡¯s heart shattered in that moment, as Aiko leaned forward and kissed him deeply, her lips soft against his, as if sealing their love in a final, unspoken promise. The warmth of the kiss lingered even as she began to fade further, leaving him aching with the unbearable weight of her absence. Tears fell from both of their faces, mingling in the air as they were enveloped in the pure white glow.


    In that moment, Kaito felt the quiet ache of goodbye, the soul-deep understanding that he would never see her again, not in this life. And yet, even as everything faded, a sense of peace washed over him, a fragile thread of hope. Her words remained with him, echoing in his heart as he felt his consciousness begin to drift.


    Ray stood on the edge of the academy castle¡¯s ledge, gazing out at the sprawling crowd of sorcerers below. The air was filled with the joyful sounds of music and laughter as the sorcerers partied, celebrating his father¡¯s sacrifice for them. The festivities seemed endless, a vibrant display of life and energy that seemed so distant from the quiet weight of Ray¡¯s thoughts. He looked down at the scene below, a feeling of both connection and isolation swelling in his chest.


    Ray¡¯s cybernetic ring faintly glowed with a soft blue hue, though he didn¡¯t notice it in the quiet moment of reflection. His gaze was lost in the sea of jubilant sorcerers below, his thoughts wrapped in the weight of his father¡¯s sacrifice and the strange, new feelings stirring within him. The sounds of laughter and music seemed far away, distant from the heaviness in his chest.


    Then, a woman¡¯s voice called to him from behind, soft and laced with a quiet understanding. ¡°Feeling down?¡±


    Ray blinked, startled, and turned toward the voice. Standing there, bathed in the soft light of the castle, was Penny Lennox. An Empyrean and the current imperfect vessel of the cosmic essence.


    She was effortlessly striking, though her presence carried an eerie calm, as if she were from another plane entirely. Her silky white hair cascaded in gentle waves around her shoulders, contrasting against the ethereal glow of her violet, galaxy-like eyes, which seemed to shimmer with a depth of untold secrets. Her skin was fair, almost alabaster, with an otherworldly radiance to it, a subtle luminescence that made her seem both fragile and infinitely ancient.


    Penny¡¯s clothing was simple, yet elegant. She wore a flowing, form-fitting tunic of deep midnight blue that shimmered faintly, like a starry sky itself, with silver threads woven throughout that caught the light. The edges of her sleeves and hem glowed softly, as if the garment itself held fragments of the cosmos. Around her neck, she wore a delicate pendant, a small, crystal-like orb that seemed to pulse with a faint, cosmic energy.


    She stepped closer, the soft fabric of her tunic fluttering in the breeze, and Ray could see the quiet intensity in her gaze. She held out something in her hand, a photo.


    ¡°Here,¡± she said gently, handing him his school photo, its edges pristine and recently laminated.


    Ray blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected gesture. ¡°My school photo?¡± he asked, his voice tinged with both surprise and curiosity.


    Her lips curved upward slightly, the faintest of smiles playing on her face. But there was something else in her eyes, a quiet sadness, as if she knew something Ray didn¡¯t, something beyond the moment that hung heavily in the air.


    With the slightest tilt of her head, Penny¡¯s gaze met his, and for a fleeting moment, Ray felt as though she was peering straight into his soul, seeing everything, his past, his future, and everything he feared to face. And she knew. She knew far more about him than he even knew about himself.


    Penny smiled weakly, her luminous violet eyes glimmering faintly as she stepped closer. She reached into her pocket. The movement was gentle, deliberate, as if she were handling something precious.


    ¡°Your parents are proud of you, Ray,¡± she said softly, her voice carrying a warmth that tugged at his heart. Slowly, she pulled out a delicate silver-chained necklace with a hazy, prismatic crystal as its pendant. The crystal shimmered faintly, catching the light in mesmerizing hues of blues, purples, and whites, as if the cosmos itself had been captured within.


    ¡°Not a day goes by that they don¡¯t miss you dearly,¡± she added, her tone tinged with both sorrow and reassurance. Ray¡¯s breath hitched as he stared at the necklace, the weight of her words sinking in. He opened his mouth to speak, to question, but no words came.


    He simply extended his hand, taking the necklace with a trembling grip. ¡°That crystal,¡± Penny explained, her gaze softening, ¡°contains the memories of your parents, from their very birth, all the way up to their¡­¡± She hesitated, her voice faltering slightly before she continued, ¡°¡­their passing.¡±


    Ray¡¯s fingers brushed over the pendant as he slowly wrapped the chain around his neck, letting it rest against his chest. The crystal felt warm against his skin, as though it pulsed with life, with love.


    ¡°Consider it a celebratory gift in Henry Cooper¡¯s honor,¡± Penny said with a faint smile. Ray looked up, his emerald eyes glinting with both gratitude and curiosity. ¡°Whoa, thanks, but, uh, how do I¡ªlike¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish, Penny interrupted, her voice firm but gentle. ¡°When the time comes, at your lowest point, the crystal will shatter and imbue you with their knowledge. Every high, every low, every single moment of their lives.¡±


    Ray frowned slightly, processing her words. He shifted awkwardly, attempting to mask his unease. ¡°A bit morbid, don¡¯t you think?¡± he quipped with a weak chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.


    Penny chuckled softly, the sound bittersweet. ¡°You¡¯ll be glad, Ray,¡± she said, her tone both cryptic and comforting. She stepped back, her form seeming to blend into the shadows that surrounded them. ¡°I¡¯ll be off now,¡± she added quietly, her voice fading as she turned away.


    Ray watched her go, her figure dissolving into the darkness as if she had never been there. He reached up, his fingers brushing against the pendant again, feeling its faint warmth. As he turned his gaze back to the bustling celebration below, he couldn¡¯t shake the weight of her words, or the crystal resting over his heart.


    Ray descended the spiraling stone staircase of the castle, the cool night air brushing against his skin. He absentmindedly stuffed the school photo into his pocket, though it stuck out slightly, its edges visible against the dim light of the stars. As he emerged from the castle gates, the sounds of celebration grew louder. The clearing before him came alive with flickering torches, glowing lanterns, and the laughter of sorcerers of all ages, their voices melding into a joyous harmony.


    Just as Ray stepped into the clearing, a sudden eruption of flame shot into the starry sky, illuminating the crowd in green fiery hues. The burst of light and heat silenced the crowd in an instant, leaving only the crackle of the dissipating flames. All eyes turned to the source of the display: Namiah and Seraphina, standing at the center of the gathering, their voices already locked in a heated argument.


    ¡°Your voice couldn¡¯t carry a tune even if it rode on dragon wings!¡± Namiah taunted, her hands on her hips, a confident smirk curling her lips.


    ¡°Oh, please,¡± Seraphina shot back, crossing her arms, her dark green dragon tattoos faintly glowing with residual heat. ¡°Your singing could wake the dead, and not in a good way!¡±


    Namiah¡¯s eyes lit up with a mischievous glint. ¡°Prove it! Let¡¯s settle this right here. Singing contest. Right now.¡±


    Seraphina¡¯s lips curled into a sly grin. ¡°Deal. But if you lose, you¡¯re feeding the entire academy for a week.¡± Namiah stepped closer, her smirk widening. ¡°You¡¯re on!¡±


    The crowd erupted in cheers, their earlier silence replaced by raucous excitement. The sorcerers quickly formed a circle around the two challengers, clapping and chanting as the contest began. Namiah¡¯s powerful voice filled the night, her melody commanding the attention of everyone present. Seraphina responded with a haunting, soulful tune that carried the weight of her fiery spirit. Their voices intertwined, creating a symphony that set the crowd alight with energy.


    Among the crowd, Charlie twirled with Penelope and Olivia, the trio laughing as they joined in the festivities. Connor and Lucio exchanged grins, now fully putting aside their past to clap along. Rad and Elara, moved in time with the music, their footsteps heavy yet rhythmic. Torrin, Kai, Delilah danced together gleefully as they laughed with huge smiles.


    While Elena, Mara, Kai, danced with abandon, their faces glowing with unrestrained joy. While Mary and sui danced together near them, their moves effortlessly synced with the other as they danced and laughed. Even Nyxen, typically reserved, danced in quiet rhythm with the others.


    The infectious energy finally reached Ray as he stood watching, a smile creeping onto his face. A tap on his shoulder drew his attention, and he turned to see Nova, her curly afro bouncing slightly as she grinned at him.


    ¡°Nova!¡± Ray exclaimed, his voice bright with surprise. ¡°Come on,¡± she urged, extending her hand toward him, her eyes shining with excitement. ¡°Dance with me!¡±


    Ray hesitated for only a moment before his smile widened. He took her hand, and the two of them stepped into the thrumming heart of the crowd. The world seemed to blur around them as they danced, their laughter mingling with the music. Time slowed, the worries of the past and the uncertainties of the future fading away in the glow of this moment.


    Unnoticed by Ray, the school photo in his pocket slipped free, caught by a sudden gust of wind. The image of Ray and his squad was whisked into the night, carried off into the unknown.


    Over the years, the photo found its way into different hands, each time leaving its mark. First, it landed in Nova¡¯s grasp during her darkest hour, a reminder of the bond that gave her strength to rise against a powerful villain who sought to shatter her spirit. Later, it fell to Connor, hours before his fateful confrontation with Ray, the boy he had once considered a brother.


    And now, years later, the photo rested in the hands of Rad Grove. Sitting atop a crumbled rooftop, Rad gazed out at the desolate ruins of Horizon Heights. The city, once vibrant, was now a wasteland. One section had been obliterated by the unimaginable heat of a dying star, while the rest lay in shambles, its streets silent and abandoned.


    Rad¡¯s now older, calloused fingers traced the edges of the photo, its once-crisp surface now weathered and aged. His eyes lingered on the image of Ray and his squad, their faces frozen in an innocent, youthful camaraderie. A deep ache settled in his chest as he whispered to himself, his shaky voice barely audible against the empty winds.


    ¡°What happened to you, Ray?¡±

 Chapter 29: End of an era

    The streets of Horizon Heights stretched endlessly before a now fifteen year old Rad, a ghostly maze of shattered buildings and fading memories. The once-vibrant city was now a desolate shell, its silence broken only by the occasional growl of lurking Chimera, once sane creatures who were now twisted by the chaos that had consumed the city. Rad moved through the ruins with purpose, his eerily pale skin seeming even starker against the gray, overcast sky.


    His dark bangs hung slightly over his tired eyes, casting faint shadows over his freckled face. He wore a snug white compression shirt beneath a crimson red jacket, its fabric stained and weathered, paired with gray jeans and scuffed shoes. His shoulders were broad, his tall, bulky frame commanding yet weighed down by unseen burdens.


    The road beneath his feet crumbled with every step, leading him to the outskirts of the city. There, sprawling across the horizon, was a massive graveyard. Rows upon rows of gravestones stretched as far as the eye could see.


    The older gravestones, worn by time, stood tall and firm, while newer makeshift markers, crafted from scrap metal, wood, or stone, added a grim and poignant touch. Some of these makeshift gravestones bore heartfelt carvings etched with trembling hands; others were adorned with photos or relics of the deceased. Many were hastily made, barely standing upright, yet each carried the weight of grief and remembrance.


    Rad¡¯s boots crunched softly against the gravel path as his eyes scanned the countless markers. His gaze lingered on some of the names, his chest tightening as memories resurfaced. Each step felt heavier than the last as he ventured deeper into the graveyard, where the gravestones became more personal, more haunting.


    Finally, he stopped before a larger gravestone surrounded by wilted flowers. Unlike the makeshift ones, this one was carefully crafted from polished stone, though it had begun to weather over time. The engraved text was still clear, its words imbued with reverence.


    ¡°Lucio Kekoa, Hero of the People.¡± A somber silence fell over Rad as he stared at the gravestone, the faint breeze stirring the faded petals of the flowers and brushing against small, forgotten gifts, a lightning bolt charm, a frayed ribbon, and a well-worn comic book, likely left by those who still clung to Lucio¡¯s memory.


    Rad¡¯s voice broke the quiet, low and heavy with emotion. ¡°Been awhile, huh, Lucio?¡± His words were barely audible, yet they carried the weight of years. His gaze dropped to the ground as his hands slipped into his pockets, his fingers brushing the edges of a crumpled, weathered photograph of people he once held dear.


    The photograph, weathered and torn at the edges, showed a snapshot of a simpler, happier time, a moment frozen in the golden glow of youth. In the image, a younger Rad stood tall and broad-shouldered even at just ten, his skin freckled with the faint marks of his childhood. His bangs were slightly disheveled, framing his face in a way that softened his expression. His gray shirt hung loosely on his lanky frame, and he had one arm casually draped over Elara¡¯s shoulder.


    Elara stood in the center of the group, her confidence evident even at that age. Her hair was slightly windswept, and her sharp eyes sparkled with mischief and determination. She wore a simple tunic and pants, her sleeves rolled up as if ready for action, and a playful smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.


    To her left, Lucio beamed brightly, his youthful exuberance radiating through the image. His curly hair framed his round, freckled face, and his dark eyes gleamed with unfiltered joy. His shirt was slightly too big for him, the sleeves falling over his wrists, giving him an endearing, carefree look. His arm was slung around Elara¡¯s other shoulder, the trio tightly huddled together in their shared happiness.


    Behind them stood Captain Jackson Cawthorn, a towering figure whose presence exuded warmth and humor despite his military attire. His neatly pressed uniform, adorned with medals and badges, contrasted sharply with his wide, goofy grin. His hands rested firmly on Rad¡¯s and Lucio¡¯s shoulders, his grip both supportive and affectionate. His hat sat slightly askew on his head, a hint of his playful nature breaking through the formality of his position.


    The backdrop of the photo was a lively carnival booth, its brightly colored banners and twinkling string lights blurred slightly, emphasizing the clarity of the group. The photo encapsulated a time of unity and joy, a now fleeting memory of innocence and camaraderie. Though time and hardship had faded and creased the photograph, the emotion it carried remained as vivid as ever.


    Rad¡¯s gaze sharpened as he caught the hulking silhouette at the corner of his vision. The figure moved with a slow, almost methodical purpose, the faint crunch of boots against dirt echoing in the stillness of the graveyard. Rad¡¯s breath hitched as recognition dawned on him. His eyes widened slightly, and he muttered under his breath, ¡°Roth?¡±


    The once-mighty lord of thunder was not the same towering figure Rad remembered. Roth¡¯s long, curly brown hair was now streaked with gray, his beard unkempt and tangled, his once-proud and powerful frame softened by time and sorrow. His leather tunic strained against his newfound weight, and his steps seemed heavier, as though the grief of countless years bore down on his very soul.


    He carried no weapon, no emblem of his old might, only himself, moving quietly through the endless rows of gravestones. Rad watched in silence as Roth moved deeper into the graveyard, his massive shoulders slumping slightly under the weight of memory. The older man walked with a slow, deliberate pace, his hazel eyes scanning the gravestones he passed.


    Each one told a story he already knew by heart. The clearing ahead came into view, an open expanse where the Heroes of Horizon Heights were honored, their legacies etched in stone.


    The clearing was breathtaking, even in its somber nature. The shrines were not ordinary gravestones but beautifully sculpted monuments, each adorned with carvings and inscriptions that spoke of the hero¡¯s deeds.


    Roth¡¯s gaze fell first on Charlie¡¯s shrine, the very first hero of Horizon Heights. The statue of Charlie stood tall, his wind-swept hair frozen in stone, his expression calm and resolute. Beside him was Yuki¡¯s shrine, her image delicate and graceful, standing forever beside the man she had loved and died for.


    Next was Seraphina¡¯s shrine, the flame wielder who had bridged the gap between humans and Corrhiza beings. Sentient organisms who identify as plantae or fungi. Her statue depicted her with her arms extended, flames curling delicately around her fingers, her eyes gazing upward with hope.


    Mary Mayweather¡¯s shrine followed, a soon to be mother, and the healer who had saved countless lives. Her statue was surrounded by sculpted vines and flowers, her hands clasped together in prayer, her expression serene.


    Nyxen Gravewalker¡¯s shrine stood tall and imposing, the sorcerer who had pioneered demon-slaying techniques. His robe was carved to billow dramatically, his scythe raised in defiance against unseen foes.


    Mathew¡¯s shrine came next, his statue frozen mid-laugh, his glasses slightly crooked, an eternal reminder of the selfless sacrifice he made alongside Charlie, to protect the academy¡¯s students against Ray¡¯s merciless onslaught. At the very end were the shrines of Penelope and Olivia, the twin sisters who had stood united in life and in death. Their statues were crafted to mirror one another, their hands clasped as they faced forward, their eyes captured in haunting detail.


    Roth stopped here, his chest rising and falling with a heavy sigh. He bowed his head, his broad frame casting a long shadow over the shrines as he stood in silence.


    But then Roth moved on, passing by the last of the shrines to a more humble marker, Ino Namikaze¡¯s makeshift gravestone. Unlike the grand monuments before it, this was a simple, cobbled-together piece of stone, marked by Roth himself shortly after Ino¡¯s fateful demise against Ray. The stone was rough and uneven, surrounded by a small collection of withered flowers and offerings left by those who still remembered.


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    Roth stood still, his massive form towering over the marker. His calloused hand reached out to touch the stone¡¯s surface lightly, his hazel eyes dimmed with sorrow. His voice, deep and gravelly, broke the silence, ¡°To think... you of all people would die.¡±


    There was no anger, no bitterness in his tone, only a profound sadness that seemed to shake him to his core. He closed his eyes, his expression a mix of disappointment and weariness, the weight of centuries pressing down on him as he let out a long, trembling sigh. ¡°You were supposed to be invincible.¡±


    The graveyard remained silent, the overcast sky above matching the somber mood below. Roth stood there, unmoving, the memories of his lifelong friend and their battles flooding his mind, as the desolate city of Horizon Heights lay crumbling around them.


    Rad stood motionless in the shadows, his sharp gaze locked on Roth as the elder man stood before the makeshift grave, consumed by grief. The heavy air around them seemed to hold its breath, the sorrow and weight of the past clinging to the both of them like a shroud. Rad¡¯s chest tightened, and for a brief moment, he felt a tug deep within him, an instinct to walk forward, to place a hand on Roth¡¯s shoulder, to share in the grief of their shared loss.


    But he hesitated, his mind warring with the impulse. Roth was not someone who sought comfort or company in moments like these. Rad knew that all too well. The man had always been solitary in his burdens, his heart a fortress built of centuries of loss and pain.


    Rad had never been close enough to him to bridge that distance. Even now, though their paths had crossed countless times, he could not bring himself to intrude upon the heavy silence Roth had wrapped around himself.


    Instead, Rad took a slow, deliberate step back, his shoes crunching against the dry earth. The wind, cool and melancholic, stirred the air around him, carrying with it the faint scent of decaying flowers from the nearby shrines. Rad stuffed his hands deep into the pockets of his weathered jacket, his fingers curling around the familiar, worn fabric as he turned away from the scene.


    His broad frame loomed over the gravestones, his steps steady but purposeful as he began to walk away from Lucio¡¯s grave. His silhouette, large and imposing, slowly shrank as the distance between him and the sorrowful monument grew. The mournful sky above seemed to stretch endlessly, the overcast clouds blending into a blur of gray, as if the world itself had fallen into a hushed reverence for the fallen heroes.


    Rad didn¡¯t look back. His gaze remained fixed ahead, the weight of the city¡¯s decay and the loss of so many heavy on his mind. He knew better than to linger, to show pity or affection when none was asked for. Roth would grieve in his own way, and Rad would continue walking down the long, lonely road ahead of him, burdened by memories that would never fade.


    The wind picked up, swirling around his legs and carrying with it the remnants of a world once alive with hope. As Rad¡¯s figure diminished into the distance, Lucio¡¯s grave was left behind, bathed in the quiet peace of a world that had moved on, leaving those who still remembered to carry the past forward.


    Elara sat on her knees, her body perfectly still, a sharp contrast to the turbulent waves crashing violently against the shore below. The towering hill she sat atop seemed to separate her from the world, a physical divide between her inner turmoil and the boundless ocean before her. The wind whipped through her hair, pushing it back from her face In waves of midnight-black strands. Her pale skin, almost ethereal in its starkness, was kissed by the salty air, giving her an almost ghostly appearance as she sat, isolated in her grief.


    Her eyes, a vibrant and intense green, stared unblinking at the horizon, though it seemed as if her mind and heart had long since drifted elsewhere, into a place of quiet, painful remembrance. Those eyes, once filled with a fiery resolve, were now clouded with sorrow, the weight of the past pressing heavily upon them. Her face, though still youthful, was marred by the quiet sorrow of someone who had seen too much loss.


    The long sleeves of her black, tattered cloak fluttered in the wind, the cloth clinging to her arms as though it too had been weighed down by grief. Her once strong posture, always ready to take on the next challenge, now seemed broken, slumped with the weight of her heartache.


    Before her, a small patch of earth lay disturbed, where the makeshift gravestone stood as Connor¡¯s quiet tribute to the loss of a loved one, Nova. The gravestone was simple but significant, etched with the words, Nova, demigoddess of the stars, at the top, a solemn reminder of the power and life the young girl had once held. At the base, a smaller inscription read: ¡°My best friend,¡± a poignant declaration from Connor that held more weight than any grand title could ever carry.


    Leaning against the gravestone, forsaken and abandoned by its previous owner, was Connor¡¯s mythical staff. It stood as a silent sentinel, a reminder of the countless battles fought, the friends lost, and the bonds that once held them all together. The staff was as elegant it had always been, a beautiful piece of craftsmanship now left to guard the resting place of Nova.


    Its presence seemed to echo the depth of Elara¡¯s pain, the unspoken bond between the three of them now only marked by silent tokens left in memory. As the waves crashed, louder now, the sound mingled with Elara¡¯s quiet sobs, soft, broken breaths escaping her lips as the tears continued to fall. Her shoulders shook ever so slightly, but her expression remained firm, the sorrow weighed down by a quiet resolve that seemed to both break and strengthen her all at once.


    The air around her seemed charged with the energy of a hundred storms, but it was as if she, too, had become a part of the landscape, an unmovable presence in the face of an unstoppable tide. Elara wasn¡¯t sure how long she had been there. Time seemed meaningless now.


    Her only connection to the world, and to Nova, was this moment, a sacred time of mourning that the world around her seemed to ignore. But deep down, she knew that Nova was still with her. In her heart, in the stars that glowed faintly in the sky, and in the endless sound of the crashing waves.


    As she sat there, quiet and still, Elara allowed herself to feel it all, knowing that, just as the tide receded, so too would her grief, eventually. But not today. Today, she mourned. And today, the ocean heard her sorrow.


    Elara knelt in silence, her tears falling steadily, a quiet release of the pain that had consumed her since Nova¡¯s death. The wind brushed past her, ruffling her dark cloak, but she paid it no mind. Her body trembled, though her face remained partially hidden as she wiped at her green, tear-streaked eyes with trembling fingers.


    But the faint crunch of shoes against the grass pulled her from her grief, and she turned her head slightly. ¡°Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m busy?¡± she said softly, her voice hoarse from crying. She wiped her face again with quick, frustrated motions, unwilling to show vulnerability.


    Rad stood a few steps behind her, tall and imposing, his pale features shadowed beneath the overcast sky. His silver-grey shirt clung to his broad chest as the wind pressed against him, and his hands rested heavily in the pockets of his jeans. He said nothing at first, his eyes locked on the makeshift grave in front of her, his expression somber and unreadable.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been here since morning,¡± he finally said, his tone low and measured, though there was a flicker of concern buried beneath his words. ¡°No shit,¡± Elara snapped, bitterness laced in her voice as she pushed herself to her feet. Her cloak swirled around her, and her black hair fell into her face before she tucked it behind her ear. ¡°It¡¯s only been a month since¡­ since she¡­¡± She faltered, her voice breaking, the weight of her words choking her before she could finish.


    Rad¡¯s gaze softened as he turned toward her. ¡°I understand,¡± he said, his voice calm and steady, an anchor amidst her storm. ¡°Take all the time you need.¡± He glanced once more at Nova¡¯s gravestone, his jaw tightening before he added quietly, ¡°We¡¯ll avenge her death one day.¡±


    The words hung in the air, heavy and unspoken, as the two stood side by side. The waves crashed in the distance, their rhythm relentless, like the passage of time itself. For a moment, all was silent save for the howling wind and the ceaseless tide.


    Then, suddenly, a voice broke through the stillness, a calm but urgent voice that resonated directly in their minds. ¡°Elara, Rad, we need you back up here.¡±


    Elara stiffened, her hands curling into fists at her sides as she scoffed angrily. ¡°Of course,¡± she muttered, her voice dripping with disdain. Rad raised an eyebrow, glancing up at the sky as if searching for the source of the telepathic call.


    ¡°What for?¡± Rad asked, his tone cautious but curious, his gaze still scanning the horizon.


    There was a moment of silence as if the speaker hesitated. Then the voice returned, steady but weighted with meaning. ¡°We¡¯ve located Ray Cooper.¡±


    The air grew heavy as the words settled between them. Elara¡¯s eyes widened, the green in them flashing like embers stoked to life. Her pulse quickened, hatred flooding her veins, fueling her already burning grief.


    Rad, meanwhile, froze. The words struck him like a blow, his breath catching in his throat. His hands instinctively clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms as memories of Ray¡¯s rampage¡¯s flickered across his mind.


    Elara¡¯s voice broke the silence, trembling with rage. ¡°Where is he?¡± she demanded, her tone sharp, like the edge of a blade. Rad said nothing, his jaw tightening as he stared into the horizon, the tide crashing louder, like the echoes of a costly battle that had yet to come.

 Chapter 30: The calm before another storm

    Rad and Elara stood in the expansive meeting room of the Eclipser, a massive starship that functioned as a mobile stronghold for its inhabitants. The room was illuminated by the soft blue glow of a holographic display that projected a three-dimensional map of the multiverse. The metallic walls, etched with ancient runes that pulsed faintly, gave off a cold, sterile ambiance, their surfaces reflecting the dim light of the monitors embedded within.


    The floor beneath them was a polished onyx, faintly shimmering with traces of starlight, creating the illusion of standing atop a cosmic void. The air was heavy with tension, a near-physical weight pressing down on everyone in the room.


    Rad stood rigid, his towering frame tense, his pale hands still clenched from the news they had just received. Beside him, Elara shifted uneasily, her sharp green eyes scanning the room, her black hair falling into her face as she nervously pushed it back. The faint hum of the ship¡¯s engine was the only sound, a steady reminder of their isolation in the void of space.


    To Rad¡¯s left stood Seridia Calwyn, the embodiment of poise and melancholy. Her appearance was ethereal: pale, alabaster skin seemed to glow faintly, and her deep blue eyes carried an unnatural depth, as though one could lose themselves in the oceans of time within them. Her silver hair cascaded like liquid mercury down her back, and the strands shimmered faintly as though infused with the essence of time itself.


    She wore a flowing gown of deep violet hues, embroidered with constellations that subtly shifted and glimmered with every movement. A faint aura of distortion surrounded her, the air bending subtly around her figure as though time refused to flow naturally in her presence.


    Seridia¡¯s face betrayed no emotion, but her posture was weighed down with grief. She had long since accepted the loss of her world and her family, trapped in eternal stasis, but the pain lingered like a scar across her soul. Her hands, folded neatly in front of her, trembled ever so slightly, betraying her inner turmoil.


    Beside Seridia stood Aurelius, a figure as imposing as he was resplendent. His tall, muscular frame was adorned with gilded armor, every inch of it ornately detailed with engravings of wealth and conquest. The armor gleamed brilliantly under the room¡¯s soft light, but its once-pristine surface was marred by scratches and cracks, remnants of battles long past.


    His golden eyes burned with a fierce intensity, and his chiseled jaw was set in a perpetual expression of determination and bitterness. Aurelius¡¯s long, flowing hair was the color of molten gold, cascading down his back like a lion¡¯s mane. Draped across his shoulders was a cloak of golden threads, tattered and frayed at the edges, a stark contrast to his otherwise regal appearance.


    Around his waist hung a golden chain, each link engraved with the names of his lost family and kingdom. Though his exterior exuded wealth and power, there was a hollowness to his gaze, the grief of his family¡¯s petrification etched into his soul.


    Next to Aurelius stood Aelith, an otherworldly beauty whose presence radiated both allure and danger. Her deep crimson hair flowed like silk, framing a face that seemed sculpted by the gods themselves. Her piercing violet eyes sparkled with an unnatural light, capable of piercing through the strongest of resolves. Her skin, smooth and flawless, was tinged with a faint, otherworldly glow, hinting at her succubus heritage.


    Aelith¡¯s attire was a mix of elegance and lethality: a form-fitting black dress laced with silver threads that shimmered like moonlight, accentuating her lithe, graceful figure. The dress was slit high on one side, revealing a dagger strapped to her thigh, its hilt encrusted with enchanted amethyst. Around her neck hung a delicate pendant containing a lock of Charlie¡¯s hair, her one true love, a reminder of the man she could never have.


    Despite her outward composure, her clenched fists and the slight quiver of her lips betrayed her simmering fury and grief. At the front of the room, standing before the holographic display, was Erydon, the Immortal King. His youthful appearance belied the centuries he had lived.


    His sharp features were framed by short, raven-black hair, streaked with silver at the temples. His piercing hazel eyes were both commanding and sorrowful, reflecting the burden of immortality. He wore a tailored black coat with silver trim, its high collar lending him an air of authority. Beneath it, his battle-worn armor gleamed faintly, its dark steel etched with runes of protection and power.


    The tension was suffocating. Each sorcerer carried the weight of personal tragedy, their shared grief and hatred for Ray Cooper uniting them in purpose. As Rad and Elara stood silently, they could feel the palpable anger and sorrow radiating from their comrades. It was a room of broken souls, bound together by loss and a singular, burning desire for vengeance.


    Erydon broke the silence, his voice calm but firm. ¡°As I said before, we have located him,¡± he said, gesturing to the holographic display. The image shifted to show a Horizon heights that was still thriving, hover cars flew above the city¡¯s streets at high speed and its inhabitants walked through the city happily, blissfully unaware of its grim future. ¡°Ray Cooper is here.¡±


    The words hung In the air like a storm cloud, and the room seemed to grow colder. Elara¡¯s green eyes burned with intensity as she clenched her fists, while Rad¡¯s expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he gazed at the image of their target. one by one, the others looked to Erydon, their resolve hardening.


    The hologram¡¯s view transitioned seamlessly, diving from the sunlit streets of Horizon Heights into the dimly lit, industrial undercity below. The coffee shop in question stood out like a patch of warmth amid the cold, metallic surroundings. Its exterior was constructed from polished steel and glowing neon lights, with a softly glowing sign reading ¡°Gear & Grind Caf¨¦¡±. The interior was modest but cozy, with metallic walls accented by holographic screens displaying serene beach landscapes.


    The tables and chairs were a mix of dark wood and sleek chrome, giving the place a fusion of rustic and futuristic charm. Chimeric workers, hybrids of human and animal DNA, moved gracefully between tables. A wolf-like chimera with silver fur and piercing blue eyes wore a neat black vest over a white shirt, paired with black trousers. A bird-like chimera, her feathers shimmering faintly under the warm light, wore a tailored navy-blue blouse and pencil skirt, completing her professional look. Meanwhile, robot waitstaff, sleek and humanoid in design with chrome exteriors and glowing eyes, navigated the floor with mechanical precision. Their attire was minimal but tasteful: metallic bow ties and aprons.


    The holographic feed zoomed in on a booth near the window. A curly-haired boy with warm brown locks and an innocent smile sat comfortably, wearing his favorite beige jacket over a simple white T-shirt and black jeans. He thanked a chimera waitress, who nodded warmly before placing a glass of apple juice in front of him.


    Beside the boy sat a diminutive, onyx-black robotic infant, its surface gleaming faintly under the caf¨¦¡¯s soft lighting. Its large, glowing green eyes flickered as it picked up a tiny cup of blueberry-flavored oil, lifting it to its mouth with small, dexterous hands.


    The room inside the starship grew tense as Erydon¡¯s voice broke the silence. ¡°This,¡± he began, his finger gesturing to the holographic boy, ¡°is Henry Cooper, when he was a child.¡±


    The revelation was met with a wave of disbelief. Rad and Elara¡¯s reactions were immediate, their widened eyes betraying their shock. ¡°Henry Cooper?¡± Elara echoed, her voice rising. ¡°But¡­ he looks so different.¡±


    Rad crossed his arms, shaking his head. ¡°Duh, he¡¯s just a kid. People look different when they¡¯re small.¡±


    Aelith, more reserved but equally intrigued, tilted her head as her gaze fixed on the robotic infant. ¡°Why is he taking care of a small robot?¡± she questioned, her voice laced with curiosity and suspicion.


    Seridia and Aurelius watched silently at first, but Aurelius¡¯s patience wore thin. He crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing in frustration as he awaited an explanation.


    Erydon let out a heavy breath, his expression darkening. His next words came slowly, deliberately: ¡°That robot¡­ is Ray.¡±


    The weight of his statement fell over the room like a hammer, leaving everyone speechless.


    Rad was the first to recover, his voice low and incredulous. ¡°He¡¯s¡­ spending time with his dad?¡± His tone carried a mix of disbelief and bitterness.


    Elara shook her head, her brows furrowed. ¡°What? But how? Why would he even be there?¡± she asked, her words tumbling out in quick succession.


    Aelith, despite her hatred for Ray, found herself softening at the sight. ¡°Well¡­ he did grow up without a father,¡± she murmured, almost as if reasoning with herself.


    Seridia spoke quietly, her voice laced with faint surprise. ¡°And here I thought that boy was heartless.¡±


    Aurelius, however, erupted with anger, slamming his fist onto the table, denting it. ¡°That bastard! He destroys my kingdom and kills my family, then fucks off someplace for some quality time with his dad!?¡±


    Erydon remained calm, though his voice carried a somber edge. ¡°No, Ray did not travel to this universe to bond with his father.¡±


    Rad¡¯s gaze snapped to him. ¡°But¡­ then why is he there?¡± he demanded.


    The holographic display shifted back to the boy and robot, the child laughing as he spoke to the infant-like machine. Erydon¡¯s expression grew graver. ¡°He is trying to alter this universe¡¯s timeline,¡± he said grimly.


    The revelation sent a ripple through the room. ¡°You know him as Henry Cooper,¡± Erydon continued, ¡°but his name was Kite Caulder before he was kidnapped and brainwashed. I trust you three are familiar with Victoria¡¯s in-depth articles on this?¡± His eyes flicked between Elara, Rad, and Aelith.


    The three nodded somberly. Elara¡¯s voice was quiet, almost pained. ¡°They were hard to read. What Rook did to those kids¡­ the experiments, the brainwashing, it was horrific.¡±


    A silence settled before Rad broke it. ¡°So what you¡¯re saying is¡­ Ray¡¯s trying to create another Henry?¡±


    Erydon nodded, his expression grim. ¡°I don¡¯t know why, but I do know this is his end goal.¡±


    Seridia shook her head, her voice a whisper. ¡°To think he¡¯d even go after his own father¡­¡±


    Aurelius growled in response, his voice dripping with venom. ¡°I¡¯d expect nothing less from that bastard.¡±


    Erydon stepped forward, his presence commanding as he rested his hands firmly on the metallic table before him. His voice, though calm, carried an undercurrent of urgency and a weight that silenced any lingering whispers in the room. ¡°Listen, everyone,¡± he began, his gaze sweeping across the room, locking eyes with each of them in turn. ¡°This could be our only chance to stop Ray, to avenge everyone he¡¯s killed.¡±


    The air in the room seemed heavier, the tension palpable as his words hung like a blade over their heads. Erydon straightened, his broad shoulders tensing as he glanced back at the hologram, the innocent, joyful image of Kite and the black robotic infant that was, impossibly, Ray.


    ¡°And if we fail¡­¡± His voice faltered for the briefest of moments, but the resolve returned quickly, hardening like steel. ¡°There¡¯s no telling how many more lives Ray will ruin, how much more devastation he¡¯ll leave in his wake.¡±


    The silence that followed was suffocating, the kind that forces everyone to confront the reality of the situation. Each person in the room carried their own pain, their own reasons for standing against Ray, but Erydon¡¯s words drew their disparate threads into a single, shared resolve.


    He broke the silence once more, his tone shifting into something more somber yet determined. ¡°So,¡± he said, his voice softer but no less commanding, ¡°prepare yourselves. Say your goodbyes. Whatever loose ends you have, tie them up now.¡± He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. ¡°Because we might not come out of this alive.¡±


    His gaze lingered on the holographic display, on the boy and the robotic infant, their laughter frozen in time. There was a flicker of something in his eyes, regret, perhaps, or even a fleeting hope that this wasn¡¯t the path they had to walk. But that hope had been extinguished long ago, and his expression hardened once more.


    ¡°But we sure as hell won¡¯t go down easy,¡± Erydon finished, his voice steady and unwavering. He turned to face the room fully, the light from the hologram casting shadows across his face. The fire in his eyes sparked something in the others, a determination to fight, no matter the cost.


    Seridia sat quietly on the edge of her small bed within the confines of her quarters on the starship. The room was dimly lit, a single overhead lamp casting a warm glow that barely reached the metallic walls. The d¨¦cor was minimal, as if the room was meant for function rather than comfort: a simple desk with scattered papers and notes, a shelf lined with old, worn books on temporal theory, and a holographic projection device that flickered intermittently, displaying a looping image of a serene landscape from her home world.


    The bed was neatly made, save for the spot where she now sat, her slender fingers clutching a small, weathered photograph encased in a fragile frame. The photo depicted a happy moment from what felt like a different lifetime, her family gathered in front of their modest home. Her parents stood arm in arm, their smiles radiant, while her younger brother sat cross-legged in front, holding a tiny clockwork toy that their father had built for him.


    Seridia herself was there too, standing tall and proud, her hair tied back in a simple braid, her eyes gleaming with hope and the promise of a bright future.


    But that future had been stolen. Her hands trembled slightly as she traced the edges of the photo, her pale skin stark against the dark frame. Her mind replayed the moment her life had unraveled, a memory she could never escape.


    Ray¡¯s reckless use of his cosmic powers had unleashed a surge that tore through her home world, warping time itself. Entire cities had been swallowed into temporal rifts, their inhabitants frozen in moments that would never end.


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    Her parents, caught in one such anomaly, were frozen mid-laugh, their faces forever etched with an expression of joy that twisted the knife in her heart every time she remembered it. Her brother¡¯s fate was even crueler; his temporal stasis had fractured, leaving him in an endless loop of agony. She could still hear his screams, echoing in her mind like a haunting melody.


    As she sat there, the weight of her grief pressed down on her chest, making it hard to breathe. Her internal thoughts swirled with a mix of sorrow and anger.


    Why? She asked herself for the thousandth time. Why did it have to be us? What did we do to deserve this? Her grip on the photo tightened. Ray Cooper¡­ you took everything from me. My family, my home, my future.


    The soft hum of the starship¡¯s engines was the only sound in the room, but to Seridia, it felt deafening against the silence of her thoughts. She leaned back slightly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears as she stared at the photo. I should have been able to save them. I should have been stronger, faster, smarter¡­


    But deep down, she knew there was no way to fight back against the sheer chaos of Ray¡¯s power. It wasn¡¯t just her family he had destroyed; it was her entire world. The once-thriving cities of her homeland were now ghostly remnants trapped in a state of perpetual flux. The vibrant skies she remembered as a child were now fractured, splintered by temporal rifts that bled light and darkness in equal measure.


    She placed the photo gently on the nightstand beside her bed, her fingers lingering on the frame for a moment longer before pulling away. Her heart burned with a quiet, smoldering hatred. It wasn¡¯t loud or fiery, but cold and calculated, like the ticking of a clock counting down to its final hour.


    Seridia wiped a single tear from her cheek, her resolve hardening. I couldn¡¯t save my family then, but I can make sure Ray pays for what he¡¯s done. He¡¯s taken enough lives, destroyed enough futures. This ends with me.


    The thought brought her a fleeting sense of purpose, but it was fleeting. As she lay back on the bed, staring at the cold, metallic ceiling, the weight of her loss settled over her once more. The fight ahead would be their most dangerous yet, but Seridia welcomed the risk. After all, she had nothing left to lose.


    Aelith sat in her quarters aboard the starship, her room dimly illuminated by a soft, pulsating blue light emanating from the ambient strips embedded in the walls. The air was thick with the scent of lavender incense burning gently on a small pedestal by the bed, a futile attempt to soothe the constant ache in her chest. The space itself was an odd mix of luxury and functionality: silk drapes hung loosely over the corners, their vibrant crimson color contrasting sharply against the cold, metallic walls.


    A vanity lined with cracked mirrors stood in one corner, its surface cluttered with old photographs, letters, and trinkets. At the center of the room was a circular bed draped in velvet sheets, its design speaking to her penchant for comfort and elegance.


    But today, none of the room¡¯s d¨¦cor could distract her from the storm inside. Aelith held a locket in her hands, the gold chain cold against her skin. Inside was a small, worn photograph of two men, Zephyr, known as Charlie to most, and Ino Namikaze. Zephyr stood tall, his brown hair catching the sunlight, his confident smile seeming to radiate warmth.


    Beside him, Ino¡¯s stern expression was softened by the faintest hint of a smirk, his eyes reflecting the wisdom and kindness that had drawn her to him in the first place.


    Her chest tightened as she stared at their faces, memories crashing over her like waves. Charlie had been her everything, her anchor in a chaotic world, the one person who saw her not just as the Velvet Siren, but as Aelith. His strength, his selflessness, his ability to bring light into the darkest of situations¡­ all of it had captivated her.


    She had loved him deeply, even though he hadn¡¯t returned her feelings in the same way. But that didn¡¯t matter. His presence had given her hope, a reason to believe that she could be more than the monster others painted her to be.


    And Ino¡­ Ino had been her mentor, her guiding star. He was the first person to truly see her potential, to push her beyond her limits without judgment. His wisdom had grounded her, and his belief in her had given her the courage to face her own insecurities. He had taught her to harness her powers, not as a weapon to manipulate others, but as a tool to protect and connect.


    But both of them were gone now. Ray had taken them from her.


    Her fingers tightened around the locket as a tear slipped down her cheek. Her mind replayed the moment she¡¯d watched Zephyr fall, his body crumpling to the ground in a lifeless heap during his battle with Ray.


    She could still hear the screaming, screaming of the academy¡¯s children ringing in her ears as if it were yesterday. And Ino¡­ he had fought valiantly, using every ounce of his power to try and stop Ray¡¯s rampage, only to be struck down without mercy.


    They didn¡¯t deserve that. They didn¡¯t deserve to die like that, she thought bitterly, her heart aching with a mix of grief and rage. And for what? For his sick, twisted games?


    Aelith stood abruptly, pacing the length of her room as her emotions boiled over. Her bare feet made soft thuds against the cold floor as she clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.


    He ruins everything he touches. Everyone he touches. Charlie, Ino, Nova¡­ She paused, her breath hitching. He even destroyed Horizon Heights, the city that gave so many of us hope. How could one person be so reckless, so cruel?


    Her gaze shifted to a small music box on the vanity. It had been a gift from Charlie, its delicate carvings depicting constellations and stars. She wound it slowly, the haunting melody filling the room as she sank back onto the edge of her bed.


    He¡¯s a monster, she thought, her jaw tightening. But monsters can be slain. And I swear, my friends¡­ I¡¯ll make sure he pays for what he¡¯s done to all of us.


    Aelith closed her eyes, the melody of the music box mixing with the memories of laughter and warmth that felt so far away now. As the music faded, she opened her eyes, her resolve burning brighter than ever.


    Ray had taken everything she held dear. She would see to it that he didn¡¯t get the chance to do that to anyone ever again.


    Aurelius sat alone in the center of his quarters, the room bathed in a soft, golden light that reflected off every surface. His chamber was an opulent display of wealth: gilded walls adorned with intricate carvings of his once-great kingdom, a massive chandelier crafted from diamond and gold, and furniture upholstered with the finest silks. The air smelled faintly of polish and metal, a constant reminder of his obsession with perfection.


    But amidst all the luxury, the room¡¯s centerpiece was the most striking, two life-sized golden statues. One depicted a boy of no more than ten, frozen mid-laugh as if he were playing a game only moments ago. The other was a woman, regal and poised, her features soft yet commanding, her arms reaching out as if to comfort.


    But These statues weren¡¯t mere ornaments; they were his son and wife, petrified in gold by the same power that had once brought him glory.


    Aurelius knelt before them, his large hands trembling as they hovered over his son¡¯s face. The smooth, cold surface of the golden visage offered no comfort, no warmth. His throat tightened as he tried to speak, but the words caught, his grief choking him like a noose.


    How did it come to this? His mind drifted back to happier times, the laughter that used to fill the halls of his castle, the way his son would tug at his robes, begging to see the golden constructs Aurelius could create with a wave of his hand. His wife¡¯s gentle smile as she watched them, her voice always soft but firm, grounding him when his ambitions began to cloud his judgment.


    They had been his world. He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms until they nearly drew blood. And I destroyed it all.


    Aurelius bowed his head, his voice a low, broken whisper. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said, his words cracking under the weight of his guilt. ¡°I failed you both. As a father, as a husband¡­ I let my greed consume me.¡±


    He looked up at the statues, his vision blurring with unshed tears. ¡°I thought I could give you everything, riches, power, a kingdom that would never fall. But none of that mattered, did it? You didn¡¯t care about the gold or the crown. You only wanted me. And I¡­ I was too blind to see it.¡±


    The memories played cruelly in his mind, the day Ray¡¯s catastrophic surge of cosmic energy had torn through his empire. The golden army Aurelius had summoned to protect his people had melted into slag. His riches had turned to ash in an instant. But worst of all, the uncontrolled surge had triggered Aurelius¡¯s own transmutation abilities, turning his family into lifeless statues before his eyes.


    He hadn¡¯t even been able to hold them, to say goodbye. All he had left were these frozen effigies, eternal reminders of his failure.


    ¡°It should¡¯ve been me,¡± he muttered, his voice shaking. ¡°If I¡¯d been stronger, if I¡¯d been wiser, maybe I could¡¯ve stopped him. Maybe I could¡¯ve saved you.¡±


    Aurelius pushed himself to his feet, his massive frame looming over the statues. He ran a hand through his hair, his expression hardening as his grief gave way to fury.


    ¡°And that¡­ that bastard,¡± he growled, his voice venomous. ¡°He took you from me. He destroyed everything I built, everything I loved. For what? A whim? A display of power?!¡±


    His hands clenched Into fists, golden sparks crackling around his knuckles. The weight of his anger pressed down on him like an unbearable burden, but beneath it was a hollowness, a void that could never be filled.


    ¡°Ray Cooper,¡± he spat the name like a curse. ¡°You think you¡¯re untouchable, don¡¯t you? That you can take and destroy without consequence. But you¡¯re wrong.¡±


    Aurelius turned to face the statues again, his voice softening, his tone filled with a desperate resolve. ¡°I swear to you, my loves, I will make him pay. I will make him suffer for what he¡¯s done to us.¡±


    He reached out, brushing his fingers against the golden cheek of his wife¡¯s statue. For a moment, his voice broke. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry¡­ I couldn¡¯t protect you. But I will avenge you. No matter what it takes.¡±


    As he stepped back, the light from the chandelier cast long shadows across the room, making the statues seem almost alive in their stillness. Aurelius took a deep breath, his jaw set, his resolve unshakable.


    He had lost his kingdom, his riches, his family. But he still had his vengeance. And he would see it through to the bitter end.


    Elara sat on her bed, her body tense but still, within the confines of her dimly lit quarters aboard the starship. The room, a simple yet functional space, was sparsely decorated, save for a few mementos scattered about, a reminder of her past life. A holographic image of her and Nova¡¯s smiling faces as they sat together in a restaurant booth flickered softly from the corner of the room, casting a warm, nostalgic glow.


    Elara¡¯s gaze lingered on it for a moment before her eyes fell to the small, hand-carved wooden box resting in her lap. Her fingers brushed gently over the smooth surface of the gift Nova had given her, one of the few things she still held onto from that time before everything fell apart. It was a simple box, with delicate etchings of stars and constellations on its lid, a reflection of Nova¡¯s radiant personality, and the power she wielded.


    It had been Nova¡¯s way of telling Elara she¡¯d always be with her, no matter the distance, no matter the storms ahead. But now, that gift felt like a cruel reminder of the absence she now felt so deeply.


    She closed her eyes, allowing herself a few moments to breathe, though the weight in her chest wouldn¡¯t lighten. Memories of Nova, their laughter, the late-night conversations, the adventures they shared, flashed before her eyes, vivid and painfully real. She could almost hear Nova¡¯s voice, her optimism, her sense of adventure. But those memories were slipping away, fading like stardust in the wind.


    Her thoughts shifted to Lucio, the friend who had always stood by her side, the one who¡¯d been there to laugh, to support, and to fight alongside her. His lightheartedness, the way he made everything seem possible even in the darkest times, and how fiercely he protected the people of Horizon Heights, it all felt like a dream now. The fact that Ray had taken him from her, taken him from the world, felt like a punch to her very soul.


    The hollow ache of loss was suffocating. Elara hated Ray. She hated him more than words could express. The anger that bubbled within her was fueled not just by the death of her friends, but by the way he had extinguished their light, their hope, their future.


    He had taken Nova¡¯s brilliance from the world, leaving only silence in her wake. He had stolen Lucio¡¯s energy, his warmth, his future, leaving nothing but a hollow void.


    Ray¡¯s reckless violence had torn apart the lives of so many. But for Elara, it was personal. He had taken what was hers, her friends, her family, her sense of peace. And now, she was left to pick up the pieces of a life that was no longer whole.


    With a choked breath, she set the box down, her fingers trembling. She stood and walked to the small window of her room, staring out into the cold, distant expanse of space. The stars outside seemed far away, indifferent to her pain.


    Her thoughts darkened with the memory of Ray¡¯s face, completely indifferent, when he had killed Lucio, when he had shattered what little semblance of normalcy she had left.


    The anger surged once more, sharper this time, and Elara¡¯s hands clenched into fists at her sides. Ray might have taken everything from her, but he hadn¡¯t taken her will to fight back. She would make him pay. She would make sure that no one else would suffer the way she had. Ray had made a mistake. And Elara wasn¡¯t going to let him get away with it.


    Her voice was a whisper to the emptiness of the room, but the conviction was there, stronger than ever. ¡°I¡¯ll make you regret this, Ray. I swear it.¡±


    Erydon sat alone in his quarters, the only sound the quiet rustling of ancient tomes and the soft flicker of candlelight. The room was a sanctuary of wisdom, filled with towering bookshelves laden with arcane texts, scrolls, and centuries-old spell books. At the center of the room stood a massive oak desk, its surface cluttered with various artifacts, enchanted objects, and half-finished incantations. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting the history of his kingdom, scenes of prosperity, of peace. Erydon¡¯s eyes scanned the shelves, but his mind was far from the books before him.


    His thoughts drifted back to the time when Ray had first entered his kingdom. Erydon had found him then, a young boy with immense, untapped potential. Ray had come to him, seeking guidance, his cosmic powers raw and unrefined.


    Erydon had seen the promise in him, the possibility of a force for good, someone who could reshape the world for the better. He had taken Ray in, believing that with discipline, mentorship, and patience, Ray could be the hero he once was, a protector of life, a beacon of hope.


    But that hope, that trust, had been shattered. The King¡¯s mind wandered further back, to the time before Ray¡¯s descent into chaos. Erydon remembered hearing stories of Ray¡¯s heroism, of the countless lives he saved, of his unwavering commitment to justice.


    Ray was once a symbol of hope, a shining star amidst worlds of turmoil. But now, looking at the ruins of his kingdom, the remnants of a once-thriving civilization, Erydon couldn¡¯t help but feel betrayed. The kingdom he had built, the people he had sworn to protect, were no more. Destroyed by Ray¡¯s reckless surge of cosmic power.


    Erydon could still see the burning skies, the collapsing spires, the screams of the innocent as Ray¡¯s power tore through the very fabric of their world. He had failed them. As a ruler, as a mentor, he had failed to protect his people. The memories of those lost, his subjects, his friends, his family, haunted him, their faces forever imprinted in his mind.


    Erydon stood up from his desk and walked to the window. The stars outside glimmered in the void, distant and indifferent. The same stars that had once symbolized hope now seemed cold and cruel. His hand tightened into a fist, his knuckles turning white as he gazed at the heavens.


    What went wrong with Ray? The question gnawed at him endlessly. What had caused the young hero to fall so far from grace? Erydon had watched Ray¡¯s transformation from the hopeful figure he once was to the destructive force he had become. But there were still pieces missing. Had Ray¡¯s power simply consumed him, or was there something deeper, something Erydon could not see? Something that made Ray feel justified in his destruction?


    The King¡¯s eyes hardened as he thought about Ray¡¯s lack of remorse. The boy had killed without hesitation, without compassion. Lives were shattered, cities razed, and dreams extinguished in an instant. Erydon had offered Ray a chance at redemption, had tried to guide him back to the path of righteousness. But Ray had rejected that offer, choosing instead to embrace his dark fate.


    The weight of his failure pressed down on Erydon¡¯s chest. He had allowed Ray to stay in his kingdom, had trusted him with the safety of his people, and In return, Ray had destroyed everything Erydon had ever worked for. He had taken Ray in to rehabilitate him, to teach him that great power came with even greater responsibility, and yet Ray had turned that power into a weapon of devastation.


    I should have seen it sooner. Erydon thought bitterly. I should have stopped him before it was too late.


    Now, all that remained of his kingdom was a wasteland, a graveyard of broken dreams and lost lives. And in that desolation, Erydon¡¯s hatred for Ray had grown like a fire that could not be extinguished. The boy he had once believed in, the boy he had hoped would lead the way to a brighter future, had become the very thing he had sworn to destroy.


    Erydon¡¯s mind flashed back to the destruction of his kingdom: the flickering of magic, the shifting of time, the collapse of walls. The people he had sworn to protect had been reduced to nothing. And there, amidst the devastation, Ray had stood, his indifferent eye¡¯s glowing with the violet cosmic hue¡¯s, his black gloves dripping with the blood of the innocent. Erydon had failed to stop it, and now all he could do was seek vengeance.


    I will kill him, Erydon thought coldly, his gaze fixed on the stars beyond. Ray Cooper will pay for what he has done. He will pay for every life he has destroyed. For every moment I failed to protect them.


    But the guilt, the endless guilt, clawed at Erydon¡¯s soul. He had failed as a ruler, as a mentor, and as a protector. Now, he was left with only one path, one final chance to rid the multiverse of Ray Cooper¡¯s existence, to make sure that no one else would have to suffer the way his people had. But even as he thought of revenge, a part of him still mourned the Ray that could have been.

 Chapter 31: Call for aid

    The survivors of Horizon Heights, ascendants, humans, automatons, and chimeras alike, lived scattered across the fractured remnants of their once-thriving city, with many forced to seek refuge in distant lands. The echoes of their broken city lingered in every ruined street, every abandoned building, and every scar etched into their hearts. In their makeshift shelters, whether beneath the cracked domes of ancient halls or within hastily constructed homes of salvaged materials, they carried the weight of grief like a suffocating shroud.


    Each survivor bore their own private torment: the loss of loved ones, the destruction of everything they had built, and the bitter hatred for the one responsible. Ray Cooper¡¯s name was etched in their memories like a brand, a constant reminder of the devastation he had wrought. Their sorrow was a shared bond, unspoken yet undeniable, a silent thread tying them together in their pain.


    And then, without warning, a voice echoed in their minds. It was not loud or intrusive, but it carried a presence that demanded their attention. It resonated deeply, weaving through their thoughts with a mixture of sorrow, empathy, and determination.


    It was Erydon. Through a powerful telepathic link, his words reached out to them, bridging the vast distances that separated them. His voice was somber, steady, and infused with a quiet strength born of his own grief and loss. In that moment, it was as if he was standing beside each of them, speaking directly to their souls, stirring memories of what they had lost and awakening the flickering embers of hope buried deep within them.


    ¡°Survivors of Horizon Heights¡­ citizens, fighters, builders, and dreamers¡­ I am Erydon. Some of you may know me, others may not, but I come to you today not as a leader, not as a stranger, but as a kindred soul who has also lost everything.


    I speak to you now because the time has come to make a choice, a choice we can no longer ignore. I know you have suffered. I know you carry the weight of loved ones who are no longer here to laugh, to hold, to live. The world you once called home was reduced to ashes by one boy. Ray Cooper.


    I know his name burns like fire in your hearts, and I know the despair that comes when we think of what he has done. He shattered our homes, tore apart our families, and left behind scars that will never fully heal. But today¡­ I ask you to stand with me. Not for revenge, but for survival. For justice. For those who no longer have voices to speak for themselves.¡±


    In a dim, candlelit room, a middle-aged man sat hunched over a photograph of his wife and daughter, tears began to stream down his face. He gripped the frame tightly as Erydon¡¯s words filled his mind. His wife had been among those vaporized in Nova¡¯s catastrophic explosion, and his daughter crippled in the aftermath.


    ¡°I will not lie to you,¡± Erydon continued, his voice tinged with raw emotion. ¡°What I am asking is no small thing. I am asking you to rise up against a force so powerful, so relentless, that it defies all reason. I am asking you to risk everything one more time, even as I know how much you have already given.


    But this is our only chance. Ray grows stronger with every passing day. If we do not stop him now, there will be no more cities to rebuild. No more families to protect. No more lives to save. Only endless destruction.¡±


    Near the outskirts of Horizon Heights, Delilah Greaves knelt before two simple headstones. Her thin frame shook as she clutched an old book tightly to her chest. It was the same one her trio had shared, a book full of enchantment notes and inside jokes scribbled in the margins. Her voice trembled as she whispered, ¡°Finnrick, Torrin¡­ I don¡¯t know if I can do this without you.¡±


    Erydon¡¯s voice interrupted her sorrow, filling the void around her. ¡°But I also ask you this,¡± Erydon said, a note of hope piercing through the despair. ¡°Would those we¡¯ve lost want us to lay down and let him win? Would they want us to let Ray¡¯s actions define us, or would they want us to rise, to fight for a future where no one else has to suffer like we have?


    This battle will not be easy. Many of us may not return. But if we do nothing, then everything we¡¯ve endured, every life lost, will be for nothing. Together, we are stronger than the fear he instills. Together, we can defy him.¡±


    In the vast, desolate graveyard, Roth knelt before Ino¡¯s gravestone. The mighty eight-foot giant sat there, his bulk hunched, shoulders trembling. A flask of mead hung limply from his hand as he stared at the name etched into the stone. His voice was barely a whisper.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, old friend,¡± he said, choking on the words. ¡°I wasn¡¯t there when you needed me most. I¡­ I should have been. You would¡¯ve found a way to stop him, wouldn¡¯t you? You always knew what to do.¡±


    Erydon¡¯s speech reached him, and for the first time in years, Roth looked up, his hazel eyes glinting with a faint spark of resolve. Elena Willow sat cross-legged in a secluded corner of the same graveyard. The constellation patterns on her cloak reflected the light from above as she stared at the graves of Kai and Mara. In her trembling hands, she held a small trinket Kai had crafted for her, a tiny illusionary device that made stars appear in the palm of her hand.


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    ¡°I miss you both so much,¡± she whispered, tears streaming down her pale cheeks. ¡°I¡¯m so scared¡­ I don¡¯t know if I can do this. But you always believed in me, didn¡¯t you? You always thought I was stronger than I knew.¡±


    Erydon¡¯s voice reached her, urging her to consider a path she never thought she could take. ¡°Look around you,¡± Erydon said, his tone resolute. ¡°You are all that remains of Horizon Heights. You are its last guardians. Its last hope.


    To those who still have strength, lend it to those who have none. To those who have courage, share it with the fearful. Together, we can be more than survivors. We can be the reason Ray Cooper falls.


    This is not just a fight for vengeance. It is a fight for the lives we can still save. For the futures we can still protect. So I ask you now, not as a leader or a king, but as one of you¡­ Will you stand with me? Will you fight for those who can no longer fight for themselves?¡±


    As the telepathic link faded, silence enveloped the survivors. For many, tears flowed freely as they processed the weight of Erydon¡¯s words. In the graveyard, Roth stood slowly, towering like a mountain against the overcast sky as thunder boomed in the distance. He downed the last of his mead and clenched his fists tightly.


    Delilah wiped her tears and stood, clutching the book as if it contained the courage she needed. Elena looked at the trinket in her hand one last time before carefully tucking it into her pocket. She closed her eyes and whispered, ¡°I¡¯ll try¡­ for you.¡± Across the remnants of Horizon Heights and beyond, the survivors began to move, united in their shared pain, their shared loss, and now, their shared purpose.


    The night hours after Nova''s death was oppressive, a deep, suffocating blackness that hung over the ruins of Horizon Heights, broken only by the cold shimmer of distant stars. The once-vibrant city had been reduced to a smoldering ruin, its broken buildings standing as hollow shells of their former selves. The air was thick with smoke, the acrid smell of destruction lingering in every breath. The distant cries and shouts of those still clinging to life echoed through the night, but none of it seemed to reach the two figures standing atop the highest rooftop, their faces hardened by the weight of the world.


    Connor, standing at the edge of the rooftop, his back turned to Rad, was a stark figure against the burning skyline. His pale skin seemed almost ghostly in the night, his blue eyes distant and unfocused as he stared out at the devastation. His medium length hair and The white gi he wore billowed lightly in the breeze, the black compression shirt beneath it a stark contrast to his skin.


    His white robe draped loosely around him, a symbol of the gentle spirit he had grown into. The white Bladeless hilt hung upside down from his white belt, its possessed shards within were held aloft by telekinesis. His white boots, worn and scuffed from countless battles, felt almost too heavy for his light steps.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to save him,¡± Connor¡¯s voice was a whisper, barely audible above the chaos. His tone was determined, yet laced with something that sounded like desperation.


    Rad stood frozen, his own body rigid with disbelief. His heart pounded in his chest, the anger and pain from everything that had happened surging like a violent tide. ¡°Save him?!¡± he shouted, his voice sharp and raw, his eyes wide with a mix of fury and confusion.


    ¡°He¡¯s brought down the whole city and killed nearly everyone we care about!¡± Rad¡¯s fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles white. His chest heaved with the weight of all they had lost, the city, their friends, even their mentor¡¯s.


    Connor didn¡¯t respond, his eyes still locked on the ruins. Rad¡¯s words hung in the air, heavy and accusing, but there was nothing from Connor to refute them.


    ¡°Connor¡­¡± Rad¡¯s voice wavered as he stepped closer, his frustration mounting. ¡°Ray murdered Nova¡­ He killed your sensei! Doesn¡¯t that mean anything to you?¡± Rad¡¯s voice cracked with the sting of grief, but the silence that followed was even worse.


    It tore through him, shattering his resolve. He watched as Connor turned slowly, his face unnaturally pale in the moonlight, a single tear tracing down his cheek, falling to the ground like a broken promise. ¡°I know what he''s done, Rad..."


    Connor''s voice was softer now, almost a whisper as he averted his gaze, his face filled with a sorrow so deep it threatened to consume him. ¡°But¡­ if I can just get through to him¡­ then maybe their deaths won¡¯t have been for nothing.¡±


    The words hit Rad like a punch to the gut. He staggered back, the anger in his chest boiling over. ¡°¡­Get through to him?¡± he spat, his words sharp and bitter. ¡°Connor, Ray¡¯s gone! I don¡¯t know what happened to him when he disappeared for two years, but whoever caused all of this, that¡¯s not him! The Ray we all grew up with is gone!¡±


    His voice shook with the weight of his anger, his disbelief, and his heartbreak. But as the last of his words faded into the night, there was only silence between them.


    Connor was silent for a moment, the faint glow of his aura casting a pale light around him, soft and ethereal in contrast to the grim scene before them. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he spoke again. ¡°Promise me, Rad¡­ if I fall to Ray¡­ you¡¯ll kill him.¡±


    Rad¡¯s breath caught in his throat. His chest tightened, the raw pain of what was being asked of him threatening to choke him. His fists clenched and unclenched in a painful rhythm, his heart torn between the friendship he once shared with Ray, and the reality that he was no longer the same person.


    He didn¡¯t speak for a long time. But finally, after what felt like an eternity, Rad gave a stiff nod, his voice tight with emotion. ¡°You have my word, Connor.¡±


    The faintest of smiles flickered across Connor¡¯s face, but it was weak, fragile, almost as if the act of smiling was too much for him in this moment. The tear on his cheek shimmered in the moonlight, an echo of the last shred of innocence he was holding onto. He closed his eyes briefly, offering a quiet, sincere ¡°Thank you, Rad.¡±


    And then, with a soft glow illuminating his body, Connor¡¯s form began to rise into the air, his body glowing with a faint white aura as he flew off into the night, disappearing into the endless expanse of darkness above. The wind whipped around Rad as he stood there, staring Into the void where Connor had once been, the finality of the moment settling heavily on his chest.


    It was the last time anyone here would see Connor. The night remained silent after that, the faint wails of the city below the only sounds left to echo through the ruins. Rad stood motionless for a long time, the promise he¡¯d made weighing heavily on him, his heart a storm of emotions, grief, anger, and a deep, gnawing fear.

 Bonus chapter: Advanced Sorcery Combat... simplified (and some lore)

    Awakening: When a living organism is in a highly tense situation, there is a possibility that they will awaken latent abilities within their soul. Hence why, despite being powerless and a slow learner, Ray as a child could briefly wield telekinesis at times when put under extreme pressure.


    Ascendant: Beings who can wield supernatural powers or have superhuman bodies, without the of aid of science. They are either born having these powers awakened or need a push later on in life.


    Sorcerers: Ascendants that are trained.


    Transcendent: These are beings who further evolved past that of an Ascendant. Or possess godly qi.


    Relevant Beings who fit these criteria: Ray, after becoming a vessel of the cosmic essence, Connor Namikaze, Penny Lennox, Henry Cooper, the true god, Empyreans, Kaori S¨¢nchez, Roth, Sui, and Ino Namikaze.


    Empyreans: They are incredibly powerful individuals bestowed with cosmic powers by the True God or other Empyreans. While Empyreans typically serve the True God, some resist their authority.


    Cosmic blows: A cosmic blow is landed if a being lands an attack powerful enough to briefly crack a fraction of that universe. (Sizes of the cracks vary) Landing cosmic blows causes the combatant to either enter the flow state, or near it. Strengthening the combatant physically and enhancing their focus greatly. (It stacks)


    The flow state: The flow state, often referred to as being "in the zone," is a mental state of deep focus and immersion in an activity where time seems to fade, and effort feels almost effortless. A sorcerer''s fighting capabilities is enhanced one hundredfold in this state. It occurs when the challenge of the task aligns perfectly with the individual¡¯s skills, creating a balance that keeps them fully engaged without feeling overwhelmed.


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    Appearance: Glowing hair, and or glowing eyes. The common signifying color is white, but it varies depending on that sorcerer''s qi. The color of a sorcerer''s aura may also change while in this state.


    Aura''s: Auras of qi enhance a sorcerer''s fighting and defensive capabilities thirtyfold. This includes enhanced vision, enhanced strength, and enhanced durability.


    Spiritual Contracts: Contracts that are formed with devils who reside outside of time. They are malevolent beings who serve the true god. Sorcerers in and out of battle typically offer up portions of their own souls in exchange for something they desire... or need. However, if the deal does not coincide with that devil''s interests, they may decline or alter the deal.


    Emotions and resolve: The stronger a sorcerer¡¯s emotions and resolve, the more powerful their capabilities become. This is one reason why sorcerers are often at their most dangerous when they are on the brink of death and driven by desperation. Two of the most infamous examples in history are the Prince of Devils¡¯ fateful battles, where he defeated both King Arthur and Sun Wukong separately. However, it is also possible for a sorcerer to become so distraught that they lose the ability to wield their powers entirely.


    Stamina: There is no limit to how often or long a sorcery can wield their powers. However, if they sustain enough damage overtime they will gradually weaken and eventually become incapable of sorcery. However, Hand to hand combat is always an option.


    Soul attacks: These attacks strike the soul directly, rendering even sorcerers who can heal themselves with enhanced cell regeneration vulnerable. These attacks are especially effective against spirits like Yokai and beings who have already died. Those who are struck down by soul attacks have their souls purged from existence.


    Races: Different races have different abilities and attributes. For example, Succubus''s and Incubuses can sense an individual''s qi. Certain qi is more attractive to Succubus''s and Incubus''s. Causing them to be drawn towards, or stalk certain individuals.


    Spiritual Blessings: Magical abilities that all living organisms are born with, though not everyone awakens them in a lifetime.


    Enhanced Cell Regeneration: Some sorcerers are capable of regenerating lost body parts by rapidly stimulating cell growth through the concentrated use of qi. This technique is considered to be incredibly difficult to master, and few can wield it effectively. However, when mastered, it transforms the practitioner into a walking powerhouse, growing physically stronger with each regenerated body part. Henry Cooper can proudly attest to this fact.


    Overexertion: As shown with Azura, exerting significantly more magical power than one''s body can handle initiates a process of physical decay, ultimately leading to death. Common external signs include glowing cracks that appear across the sorcerer''s body.


    Sanctuary: it is the manifestation of one''s own soul.


    Redacted:

 Chapter 32: The death of Ray

    The warm hum of the Gear & Grind Caf¨¦ created an odd sense of comfort amidst the stark reality of its workers¡¯ conditions. Kite leaned back in the booth, one arm resting on the polished chrome table, his other hand wrapped around his glass of apple juice. His innocent smile widened as he watched Ray, the small black robotic infant, delicately lift its cup of blueberry-flavored oil to its mouth with precise little hands.


    ¡°So, do you actually taste that, or is it more of a¡­ fuel thing?¡± Kite asked with a grin, tilting his head playfully.


    Ray¡¯s green pupils glimmered briefly before shifting to a curious purple, a subtle indication of his amusement. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ functional, but I can simulate flavor. Blueberry oil is¡­ pleasant.¡± His small, mechanical voice had a warmth to it, a subtle mimicry of emotion that made him seem more alive than artificial.


    Kite chuckled. ¡°Well, if you¡¯re ever curious, apple juice is top-tier. Best drink there is.¡± He pushed his glass across the table toward Ray, the golden liquid catching the caf¨¦¡¯s soft light. ¡°Here, try some.¡±


    Ray hesitated, his glowing pupils narrowing slightly as he calculated. ¡°I do not require it. You should keep your drink.¡±


    Kite waved him off. ¡°Nah, come on, just a sip. Friends share, don¡¯t they?¡±


    There was a pause before Ray extended his tiny black hand. The glass floated gently into the air, a faint purple aura surrounding it as Ray used his telekinesis. With careful precision, he tipped the glass slightly and mimicked drinking by touching it to his faceplate.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ different,¡± Ray said softly as he placed the glass back down, his voice contemplative.


    Kite raised an eyebrow. ¡°Different good or different bad?¡±


    ¡°Different good,¡± Ray replied, a faint green glow returning to his pupils. ¡°It is¡­ warm.¡± Kite beamed. ¡°Told you! Apple juice never fails.¡±


    As they shared a laugh, Ray¡¯s gaze drifted past Kite¡¯s shoulder to the caf¨¦¡¯s bustling workers. The wolf-like chimera waiter walked by, his black vest slightly frayed at the edges, his eyes tired despite his graceful demeanor. Nearby, a bird-like chimera carried a tray of drinks, her movements precise yet hurried, her navy-blue blouse patched in places.


    The robotic waitstaff were another matter entirely. Sleek and humanoid, their chrome bodies gleamed under the caf¨¦¡¯s soft lights, but their movements were mechanical, devoid of any autonomy. One carried a stack of plates too high for comfort, its servos whirring loudly as it struggled to maintain balance. Another polished tables endlessly, its dark blue glowing eyes dim with overuse.


    Ray¡¯s pupils flickered purple as he silently processed the inequality. The chimera workers were clearly overworked, their clothing and demeanor hinting at poverty. The robots, though efficient, were slaves in all but name, their existence reduced to endless servitude.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Kite said, snapping Ray out of his observations. ¡°You okay? You went all quiet on me.¡±


    Ray¡¯s pupils shifted back to green as he looked at Kite. ¡°I am fine,¡± he replied softly.


    Kite frowned, leaning forward on his elbows. ¡°You sure? You¡¯re not¡­ sad or something, are you?¡±


    ¡°I do not experience sadness,¡± Ray lied quietly. ¡°But I¡­ notice things.¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡± Kite asked with hesitation, his gaze flickering back to the workers. ¡°They work hard, but they do not seem happy. They¡­ deserve better.¡± Ray replies somberly.


    Kite followed Ray¡¯s gaze, his face falling slightly as he took in the scene. ¡°Yeah,¡± he said quietly. ¡°It¡¯s not fair, is it? The chimera workers, the robots¡­ I guess they don¡¯t really have a choice.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Ray said, his voice firmer than before. ¡°They do not.¡±


    Kite sat back, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°It sucks. But that¡¯s how things are around here. People do what they can to survive, I guess.¡±


    Ray¡¯s glowing pupils dimmed slightly, a subtle indication of his thoughtfulness. ¡°Survival should not require suffering,¡± he said.


    Kite gave him a sad smile. ¡°You¡¯re surprisingly kind, ya know? Most people don¡¯t even think about stuff like that.¡±


    Ray tilted his head, his voice softening. ¡°I was¡­ taught to notice. To care.¡±


    Kite raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡°Taught by who?¡± Ray didn¡¯t answer immediately, his gaze lowering to the table as painful memories flooded into his mind. ¡°It is¡­ difficult to explain,¡± he said finally.


    ¡°That¡¯s okay,¡± Kite said gently, reaching out to pat Ray¡¯s small, metal shoulder. His touch was warm, a reassuring contrast to the cool metallic surface. ¡°You don¡¯t have to explain. Not now.¡±


    As their conversation trailed off, the quiet bond between them settled like a fragile thread of light in the dim caf¨¦. Kite¡¯s laughter faded into the hum of activity, but the weight of the caf¨¦¡¯s inequality lingered heavily in Ray¡¯s mechanical mind. Because no matter how much he tried to focus on the present, a part of him, an indelible fragment of who he once was, refused to fade. It haunted him like a whisper, a reminder that deep down, he was more than the monster who had hurt so many.


    Kite adjusted his grip on the half-empty glass of apple juice as he walked alongside Ray, who hovered effortlessly in the air next to him. The faint shimmer of Ray¡¯s cosmic aura illuminated the path like a living nightlight, casting an ethereal glow over the dimly lit streets. Kite glanced up at him with a grin.


    ¡°Did I ever tell you about the time my mom tried teaching my dad how to bake cookies? It was a disaster!¡± Kite laughed, shaking his head at the memory.


    Ray tilted his head slightly, his glowing violet pupils narrowing in curiosity. ¡°What happened?¡±


    Kite¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Well, Mom, she¡¯s this amazing cook, you know? Always calm and precise. But Dad?¡± Kite snorted. ¡°He¡¯s¡­ let¡¯s just say he¡¯s more of a ¡®burn the toast while making coffee¡¯ kind of guy. Anyway, she was trying to teach him how to bake cookies for my eighth birthday. Everything was going fine until he accidentally added salt instead of sugar.¡±


    Ray¡¯s glowing eyes flickered, his version of a chuckle. ¡°Salt cookies? That sounds horrible.¡±


    ¡°It gets worse!¡± Kite said, his voice rising as he got into the story. ¡°When she caught him, he panicked and tried to fix it by adding way too much sugar. I mean, cups of it. By the time they came out of the oven, the cookies were basically bricks. You could¡¯ve used them as doorstops!¡±


    Ray¡¯s hover wavered slightly as he let out a genuine laugh, the cosmic shimmer around him pulsing faintly with his amusement. ¡°Did you try them?¡±


    Kite grimaced playfully. ¡°I was forced to. Mom insisted we appreciate the effort. I thought my teeth were gonna break! I¡¯ll never let him live it down.¡±


    Ray¡¯s laughter softened as they continued down the street, Kite¡¯s voice filling the air with warmth. For a moment, the boy¡¯s stories provided a sense of normalcy that Ray clung to, something human, something grounding.


    But as they turned down a narrow alleyway, the atmosphere shifted. The world around them seemed to darken, the soft echoes of Kite¡¯s footsteps growing louder in the confined space. Trash bins lined the walls, their contents spilling onto the cracked pavement, while faint graffiti glowed under the faint neon lights in the distance.


    Ray hovered closer to Kite, his cosmic aura pulsing faintly as he scanned the shadowy corners of the alley. His glowing eyes shifted from dim to bright, reflecting an unspoken unease.


    Kite glanced back at him, oblivious to the growing tension. ¡°You okay, buddy? You¡¯ve gone kinda quiet.¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t respond immediately. His eyes widened, the cosmic light within them intensifying as a thought gripped him. His gaze darted to the crumbling walls and abandoned debris scattered around the alley. The faintest flicker of energy rippled in the air, something only Ray could sense.


    "How long have they-" Ray¡¯s thought was cut off abruptly. A deafening crack tore through the air, followed by an intense blast of energy. The force struck with unrelenting power, hurling Ray and Kite backward like ragdolls.


    Ray¡¯s cosmic aura flared brightly, his body twisting mid-air as he tried to shield Kite with his powers, but the impact was too sudden, too overwhelming. Kite let out a choked cry as he and Ray were thrown through a portal like ragdolls, Kite¡¯s glass of apple juice shattering on the pavement.


    The space around him seemed to blur at high speed as Ray¡¯s glowing eyes flickered violently between green and purple, the cosmic light around him struggling to stabilize. Ray and Kite were hurled through the void at breakneck speeds, tumbling amidst a kaleidoscope of stars that streaked past like fleeting whispers of light. The expanse around them was a surreal tapestry of swirling nebulae in hues of deep indigo and fiery crimson, interspersed with glimmering constellations that seemed to stretch infinitely.


    Glowing shards of fragmented asteroids and shimmering clouds of cosmic dust spiraled around them, creating an otherworldly dance of beauty and chaos. Amid this chaotic journey, Ray¡¯s glowing eyes locked onto Kite with concern, now unconscious, his body drifting almost lifelessly in the turbulent currents of space. The boy¡¯s face was pale, his features slack, and his beige jacket fluttered weightlessly as he tumbled.


    Ray¡¯s cosmic aura flared brighter, pulsing with protective energy that clung to Kite like an invisible shield, sparing him from the void¡¯s devastating forces.


    Ray¡¯s eyes widened, his pupils shifting violently between green and purple as a fleeting wave of concern flashed across his expression. Father¡­ The thought whispered in his mind, fragile and vulnerable. But it was quickly smothered by an overwhelming surge of anger.


    His aura crackled with raw power as his concern transformed into determination. With a swift gesture, Ray extended his hand, sending a glowing ripple of energy to envelop Kite. The boy¡¯s unconscious form vanished in an instant, teleported far from danger to a place of safety.


    Left alone in the infinite expanse, Ray clenched his fists, the light around him intensifying. Without hesitation, he surged forward, streaking through the void like a comet, his aura leaving a blazing trail in his wake. The stars blurred around him as he tore open a portal with a forceful swipe of his hand.


    Ray emerged from the rift into a world bathed in twilight. The sky above was a swirling canvas of dark lavender clouds and golden streaks of light, casting an ethereal glow over the alien terrain. Towering crystalline structures jutted out from the ground like jagged shards of glass, refracting the ambient light into rainbow prisms that danced across the landscape.


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    The ground was a rich, dark brown, speckled with patches of luminous blue moss that pulsed faintly like a heartbeat. Rivers of glowing silver liquid carved winding paths through the terrain, reflecting the heavens above in perfect clarity.


    Ray¡¯s arrival was anything but subtle. He burst through the portal with explosive force, his feet and hand digging into the dirt to halt his momentum. Ray hit the ground hard, sparks flying from his small frame The ground beneath him cracked and splintered as he slid, leaving deep furrows in his wake.


    Ray¡¯s cosmic aura flickered violently as he straightened, scanning his surroundings with sharp, glowing eyes. And then, he saw them. Thousands of sorcerers surrounded him, a massive army that had anticipated his arrival.


    They hovered in the air like ominous specters, their robes fluttering in the faint breeze, illuminated by the glow of their magic. Their appearances were as varied as their abilities.


    Some wore ancient, tattered cloaks adorned with runes that shimmered faintly in the twilight. Others donned sleek, futuristic armor that pulsed with neon light, their staffs and weapons humming with energy.


    Many bore scars and battle-worn faces, their eyes burning with fury and grief. While the ground-bound sorcerers formed a massive circle around Ray, their formation precise and unyielding. Many clutched glowing staffs, spellbooks, or enchanted weapons, while others simply raised their hands, arcs of energy crackling between their fingertips.


    Above, those who hovered exuded an even greater menace, their silhouettes stark against the surreal sky. Some rode on platforms of pure energy, while others manipulated the air itself to keep them aloft. Their faces were twisted with rage and a singular, unrelenting desire: vengeance.


    Ray¡¯s glowing eyes darted across the legion, taking in the sheer magnitude of the force before him. Their hatred was palpable, an almost tangible weight pressing down on him. The air buzzed with the charged tension of unspoken spells, each sorcerer prepared to unleash their wrath at a moment¡¯s notice.


    Ray stood at the epicenter of their fury, his cosmic aura flaring defiantly as he planted his robotic feet firmly into the dirt. His expression was unreadable, but his body radiated an unshakable resolve.


    He knew this wasn¡¯t just a battle, it was retribution for a past he could never escape. The sorcerers roared in unison, their combined cries shaking the air as they surged toward Ray like a tidal wave of wrath and magic. Spells of every shape and color ignited the sky, bolts of lightning, searing fireballs, twisting torrents of water, and shimmering arcs of pure energy.


    The air crackled with intensity, the combined power of their assault painting the world in chaos. Ray¡¯s cosmic aura flared brighter, and in an instant, he shot upward like a streak of starlight, his tiny frame weaving effortlessly between the deadly projectiles. He flipped, rolled, and spiraled through the air, his movements impossibly fluid as if he were dancing through the carnage.


    His glowing eyes scanned the battlefield, calculating every threat, when he spotted her, a towering, muscular woman clad in intricate tribal garments, her body adorned with swirling tattoos that pulsed with raw magic. Her eyes burned with unbridled rage as she stomped forward, lifting a massive boulder over her head with ease before hurling it toward Ray with a deafening bellow.


    The rock was gargantuan, casting a dark shadow over Ray¡¯s diminutive form as it hurtled toward him like a meteor. But Ray didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, his robotic hand shot forward, his palm pressing against the surface of the rock just before it could crush him. With a burst of cosmic energy, the rock shattered into a shimmering cloud of tiny creatures.


    The air filled with the fluttering of millions of iridescent wings. Each fairy was no larger than a thumb, their translucent, shimmering bodies glowing in hues of emerald, sapphire, and gold. Their faces were sharp and angular, with wicked, fanged grins that belied their ethereal beauty. Tiny claws extended from their hands, and their glowing eyes gleamed with malice as they cackled in unison, their high-pitched voices like a haunting melody.


    The swarm coalesced Into a vicious horde, their laughter turning into bloodthirsty screeches as they surged toward the charging sorcerers. Like a living storm, the fairies dove and slashed through the air, targeting their enemies with unrelenting ferocity. Spells faltered as sorcerers cried out, struggling to fend off the swarm.


    Ray, meanwhile, darted backward through the sky, his glowing eyes narrowing as he opened a portal behind him. Before entering, he turned his gaze back to the giant woman. With a flick of his wrist, a massive portal materialized around her midsection.


    There was a brief moment of silence before Ray snapped the portal shut, severing her body cleanly in half. Her upper half fell forward with a thunderous crash, while her lower half collapsed like a felled tree.


    Ray shot through his portal at blinding speed, but his escape was far from clean. Five sorcerers, their resolve unshaken, leapt into the portal after him.


    Atrion, A tall, wiry man with fiery red hair, wielded a sword crackling with plasma energy. His sharp eyes burned with determination as he slashed at the air with precision.


    Camilla, A stocky woman clad in armor forged from obsidian, her hands encased in glowing gauntlets that crackled with kinetic energy. Her jaw was set, her mind focused on vengeance.


    Vyxe, A pale, ghostly figure with translucent skin and hollow eyes, wielding twin daggers that dripped with corrosive poison. Pietro, A heavily robed individual whose face was obscured by a mask, tendrils of dark magic swirling around their form. They floated weightlessly, their glowing staff radiating raw power.


    Along with Heisen, A youthful, golden-haired sorcerer whose confidence was evident in his smirk. He wielded an ornate rapier, its blade humming with enchanted energy. The group burst through the other side of the portal Into a sprawling futuristic city, the skyline dominated by glittering skyscrapers that stretched endlessly into the clouds. Ray and the sorcerers were falling at high speed down the side of a massive glass tower, its surface reflecting the neon glow of the city below.


    Ray twisted his body in mid-air, dodging a slash from the plasma sword as the fiery-haired sorcerer lunged at him. A quick blast of cosmic energy sent the attacker spiraling away, but the others were already closing in. The stocky woman with the gauntlets swung at Ray, the kinetic force of her blows creating shockwaves that shattered nearby windows.


    Ray flipped backward, narrowly avoiding the strikes, before countering with a burst of energy that sent her reeling. The pale, ghostly sorcerer darted toward Ray with inhuman speed, his daggers aiming for his joints. Ray spun, parrying with a telekinetic pulse that sent the sorcerer tumbling.


    The robed figure hurled a wave of dark magic, tendrils snaking through the air toward Ray. He dodged and wove through the assault, sending a concentrated beam of cosmic energy back at them.


    As they fell, the sorcerers¡¯ thoughts raced. He¡¯s too fast! how does something so small wield such power? Atrion thought to himself as he fell through the sky.


    I¡¯ll crush that machine into scrap with my own hands! Camille thought angrily, undeterred.


    No hesitation. One precise strike, and this nightmare will be over! Vyxe thought to himself as he tried to stay calm while falling through the sky.


    We must end him here, no matter the cost! Pietro¡¯s thoughts race as his eyes narrow in determination.


    This is my chance to prove my worth to mother! I won¡¯t let him escape! Heisen reminds himself gleefully with a huge, naive grin.


    Ray¡¯s aura flared brighter as he clashed with Heisen, the golden-haired sorcerer, their blades locking in a brilliant explosion of energy. With a sudden surge of power, Ray unleashed a massive wave of cosmic force. A force so powerful it sent all five sorcerers hurtling backward through the skyscraper¡¯s windows, and causing the entire building to topple into the city below.


    Before the group could recover, Ray opened another portal and darted through. On the other side, he emerged into a desolate, snowy wasteland under the cover of night. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a cold, silvery light over the frozen terrain.


    The wind howled, carrying with it a biting chill as snowflakes danced through the air. Ray hovered for a moment as thunder boomed loudly in the distance, his aura shimmering against the icy backdrop, before pressing onward through the endless white expanse.


    But Ray didn¡¯t fly very far before a deafening crack of thunder tore through the clouds in the sky, an explosion of sound that was quickly followed by the deep rumble of the storm that seemed to echo across the entire battlefield. The thunder roared in fury, matching the power and rage of the hulking figure that descended from the clouds. Roth, the Lord of Thunder, had arrived, his massive frame silhouetted against the storm¡¯s backdrop, his expression twisted with anguish and wrath.


    ¡°Ray!¡± Roth¡¯s voice bellowed like a war cry, the thunder in his tone resonating with grief and anger. In a single, earth-shaking moment, Roth collided with Ray, sending his robotic form flying through the air with devastating force. The impact was so brutal that Ray¡¯s body crashed into a massive glacier, the ice cracking and splintering beneath the force of his collision.


    Shaking off the disorientation, Ray quickly snapped his head upwards, gliding across the frozen waters as his body regained control. His glowing eyes narrowed as he saw Roth, a towering titan of power, soaring towards him with his great sword held high.


    The great sword was a monstrosity, an immense weapon forged from a strange, dark metal that pulsed with the raw power of lightning. The huge blade was jagged and jagged like jagged lightning bolts, its surface blackened as though it had been scorched by the very fury it harnessed. The weapon crackled with electric energy, a constant hum of power vibrating through the air as Roth brandished it with terrifying ease.


    Ray¡¯s eyes met Roth¡¯s as the two locked gazes, and in that split second, Roth¡¯s thoughts raged with vengeance and sorrow. You took everything from me, Ray! Now you¡¯ll pay! The thunder that crackled from Roth¡¯s sword was nothing compared to the storm building in his heart.


    As Roth swung the massive sword downward, a tremendous shockwave of thunder followed, ripping through the air. Ray swiftly darted to the side, his cosmic aura flaring to life around him, leaving a trail of shimmering light in his wake. But Roth¡¯s rage was unstoppable. He swung again, each strike cutting through the atmosphere like a blade of lightning.


    The energy surrounding the great sword pulsed with violent power, sending shockwaves through the glacier and causing the surrounding landscape to tremble. The two clashed In mid-air, their cosmic powers and elemental fury colliding with earth-shattering force. The glacier beneath them began to crack, splitting open as the battle between two gods unfolded above.


    Every blow from Roth¡¯s great sword seemed to crack the very air around them, sending bolts of electricity arcing through the ground. Ray retaliated with blasts of cosmic energy, streaking through the air with a brilliance that lit up the surrounding chaos.


    Roth¡¯s great sword came down in a powerful arc, and this time, Ray couldn¡¯t dodge fast enough. The blade slammed into Ray¡¯s midsection, the sheer force of the impact sending a shockwave that reverberated through the ground. Ray¡¯s cosmic aura flared to life in a desperate attempt to mitigate the blow, but even with his immense power, he could feel the breath leave his lungs. His body was sent hurtling backward, slamming into the side of the glacier with a crash.


    Before Ray could even catch his breath, the world around him began to twist as Erydon¡¯s portal opened in front of him. He was ripped through the dimensional rift, hurtling at breakneck speed through the sky. He could see the sunset skies painting the horizon in warm hues as he spiraled through the air.


    His vision blurred as the world spun around him, but his eyes quickly locked onto the sight of thousands of sorcerers skating across a vast lake below, their faces set with grim determination. The lake stretched endlessly beneath them, its surface dark and reflective like a mirror to the sky. Towering mountains surrounded the lake, their jagged peaks cutting into the sky like broken teeth. The sorcerers glided across the water effortlessly, their forms a seamless part of the landscape as they pursued Ray without mercy.


    Among them, Ray could spot familiar faces: Erydon, his icy demeanor cold as ever; Aelith, her ethereal form moving with grace; Seridia, a dark aura surrounding her; Rad, his posture tense and filled with rage; Elara, her hatred palpable even from this distance; and Aurelius, his golden armor gleaming as he moved forward with calculated purpose.


    In their minds, Erydon could sense the unified determination, each of them filled with an almost righteous confidence. Ray will fall, they all thought. He can¡¯t survive this!


    As they continued to skate across the water, a tiny human sorcerer, barely a speck in the distance, called out to the Plantae being beside him.


    The human was small, almost unnervingly so, his sharp, jagged teeth visible even from a distance. His skin was an ashen gray, his eyes gleaming with hunger and malice. ¡°Throw me, Corrizha!¡± he shouted.


    The Plantae being, a towering, vine-covered entity with flowing green limbs, looked down at the tiny human and nodded. With a swift movement, she elongated her massive green arm, curling it around the sorcerer and hurling him with tremendous force toward Ray, who had no time to react.


    Shit! Ray thought, his robotic body locking up in surprise. He barely managed to twist in mid-air, but it was too late. The tiny human latched onto him and wrapped around Ray¡¯s body, his teeth sinking through Ray¡¯s cosmic aura and piercing his plating. Ray¡¯s energy started to drain rapidly as the sorcerer¡¯s cursed bite tore through his defenses.


    Desperately, Ray tried to form a portal, his aura flickering wildly as he barely managed to create the towering gateway in front of him. But before he could escape, the tiny human¡¯s grip tightened. With one final cackle, the tiny human spat, ¡°See you in hell, Brat!¡±


    In that moment, Roth roared, his voice filled with pure rage as he rocketed through the air, an aura of lightning surrounding him as he held his greatsword raised high. With terrifying speed, he swung the blade down, cutting through the air with precision. The blade cleaved straight through half of Ray¡¯s robotic body as though it were nothing more than paper, sending sparks flying and pieces of his body scattering in every direction. Ray¡¯s vision flickered as his body parts tumbled through the portal, his consciousness dimming as his deformed face crashed onto the ground with a sickening thud.


    The sorcerers steadily gathered around his broken form as he lay there motionless, their faces filled with grim satisfaction as they watched his cosmic aura begin to flicker and die. And as his Aura began to fade, so too did the faint life in his eye¡¯s as his world turned to black. Ray Cooper had been defeated.

 Chapter 33: Slaughter of countless souls

    The celebration felt dreamlike, almost surreal in its brilliance. Elena Willow stood on the outskirts, her petite frame illuminated by the glowing lights that danced through the air. The laughter and cheers of the other sorcerers echoed, their voices full of triumph and relief. Yet, as she watched them revel in their victory, a gnawing emptiness sat in her chest.


    Her wide eyes scanned the scene before her. Seraphina twirled through the air, fiery trails following her every movement, illuminating the skies. While Mary Mayweather sang a hauntingly beautiful melody, her voice weaving through the crowd, drawing out even the most stoic of smiles. Sensei Ino nodded quietly, the ever-serene man watching over the scene with a rare look of acceptance. Even Rad, grim and heavy-hearted as he often was, leaned against a flickering pillar of light, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.


    Elena¡¯s voice trembled in her mind as she watched, her heart aching with each passing moment. They¡¯re so happy. So free, she thought, gripping the edges of her constellation-patterned cloak as though it might tether her to reality. I should feel the same, shouldn¡¯t I? After everything, Ray is finally gone, and yet¡­


    Her fingers traced an Invisible pattern over her chest, her breathing shallow. She wanted to join them, to laugh, to cry, to feel anything but this hollow ache. But something was wrong, terribly, undeniably wrong.


    The flickering started slowly, a shimmer in the edges of her vision. At first, she thought it was a trick of the light, a side effect of the magic that hung heavy in the air. But then, she saw Sensei Ino¡¯s hand fade, his calm expression softening into nothingness as his form dissolved into wisps of golden light.


    ¡°No,¡± she whispered, stepping forward, her voice barely audible over the celebration. ¡°No, this can¡¯t be happening¡­¡±


    Seraphina¡¯s flames dimmed, her wild laughter fading as her body crumbled into glowing green embers, scattering into the ether. Mary¡¯s haunting song faltered, her figure breaking apart like a fragile glass sculpture, each shard vanishing into the void. Rad turned his head toward Elena just before his stoic form disintegrated, his smirk lingering for a moment before it too was gone.


    Elena¡¯s knees buckled as she reached out, her hand trembling as though she could catch the fragments of her companions. They¡¯re all¡­ disappearing, she thought, tears welling in her wide eyes. This isn¡¯t right. It¡¯s not fair. We won. We were supposed to go home¡­


    Her breathing quickened, panic clawing at her throat as the realization began to set in. She pressed her hand to her chest, feeling her own heartbeat slow, her body growing lighter with every passing moment.


    We didn¡¯t survive. None of us did. Her inner voice whispered, trembling with bitter clarity.


    The lights dimmed around her, the laughter fading to a ghostly echo. She was alone now, the last lingering shadow of their ill-fated victory. Her lavender hair swayed in the cold breeze, her pale skin illuminated by the faint remnants of the celebration that was never truly real.


    Her legs wavered, but she didn¡¯t cry out. There was no point. I wanted to believe it, she thought bitterly. I wanted to believe we had done it, that we¡¯d made it out alive. But I was a fool. Elena thought to herself as she tilted her head up slowly in bitter sweet acceptance, wiping a single tear from her cheek. Forgive me, Kai, Mara¡­ I couldn¡¯t avenge you.


    And with those final thoughts, Her body dissolved into the void, the last flicker of light extinguished as silence fell over the ethereal plane. The celebration was gone, replaced by the cold, unyielding truth of the afterlife.


    The battlefield stretched endlessly, a desolate wasteland flattened by the sheer magnitude of unleashed cosmic power. The ground was no longer earth but an unbroken sea of white ash, the remains of countless sorcerers reduced to nothingness in an instant, their lives snuffed out before comprehension could dawn. Silence hung thick in the air, punctuated only by the faint whisper of ash carried on lifeless winds.


    Amidst the devastation, a few lone figures remained. Erydon stood trembling, his protective shield flickering weakly as if still absorbing the echoes of Ray¡¯s outburst. Beside him, Aelith and Elara huddled within the fragile sanctuary he had conjured, their faces pale with shock. Rad, his crimson-red aura swirling violently around him, had weathered the storm of destruction by sheer force of will, though his hardened expression betrayed the cracks forming beneath his stoic facade. Aurelius towered nearby, his gilded minions standing motionless, their fractured forms bearing the brunt of the annihilation. And Seridia, her body a testament to her resilience, leaned heavily on her mastery of enhanced cell regeneration, her labored breaths the only sound that marked her survival.


    They all stood transfixed, horror etched into their faces as the swirling smoke began to thin. From within the dissipating veil of destruction, a solitary figure emerged. The Cosmic Child.


    Once a beacon of salvation, a symbol of unyielding hope and unwavering determination, Ray Cooper now exuded an aura of profound despair. His black exosuit seemed to absorb the feeble light around him, its sleek surface broken only by the jagged edges of his tattered cape. The cape hung loosely at his back, fluttering in the directionless wind like a ghostly shroud. Onyx-black chains dangled ominously from his wrists, rattling faintly as he moved, their sinister weight serving as a chilling reminder of his past torment and the chains of his once-imprisoned soul.


    As Ray stood amidst the ashes of those who had dared to oppose him, his presence was suffocating. The boy who had once inspired relief and courage now loomed as an unstoppable force of destruction. His cosmic aura glimmered faintly, the dark glow radiating an undeniable finality, as if the universe itself mourned the boy it had lost.


    And still, the ashes fell like snow around him, blanketing the battlefield in their solemnity, as the six survivors watched in anguished disbelief. All hope seemed to dissolve into the desolation, leaving only despair in the wake of the Cosmic Child.


    But The six survivors barely had time to process the devastation around them. The oppressive silence of the battlefield was shattered by their frantic voices as Ray and Aurelius disappeared in an instant.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Aurelius?¡± Aelith shouted, her voice trembling as her eyes darted across the ash-covered expanse. ¡°He¡¯s gone¡­ And so is Ray,¡± Erydon muttered, his usual composure breaking as his mental focus flickered in and out of the chaotic remnants of Ray¡¯s presence.


    ¡°Find them, Erydon!¡± Rad bellowed, his crimson aura flaring violently as his fists clenched. His desperation mirrored the terror in Elara¡¯s wide eyes as she scanned the horizon, gripping her trembling hands tightly together.


    Meanwhile, a scene unfolded far beyond their perception. Ray had snatched Aurelius with terrifying precision, gripping his face tightly with one gloved hand. Having transported Aurelius to a different universe before anyone realized. Aurelius thrashed against the unrelenting grip, golden sparks flickering from his body as he tried desperately to free himself.


    His screams echoed through the cosmic void as Ray dragged him downward, crashing through portal after portal, each one leading to a different, bizarre universe. The first universe was a kaleidoscope of floating islands, each adorned with twisting, luminescent trees whose roots dangled into a swirling abyss below. Rays of color danced across the sky as if painted by unseen hands. Aurelius¡¯s frantic movements sent waves of golden energy rippling outward, briefly altering the vibrant hues of the landscape to muted gold.


    The second portal hurled them into a void of utter blackness, save for colossal, glowing white gears slowly rotating around a towering celestial being in the distance. The faint ticking of an unseen clock reverberated as Ray and Aurelius shot through, leaving streaks of gold and cosmic purple in their wake.


    Next came a universe of sprawling oceans suspended midair, each drop of water shimmering like diamonds in the dim light of a colossal dying star. Ray¡¯s unfathomable speed disrupted the suspended seas, shattering them into cascading waterfalls that Aurelius clawed at in vain.


    Aurelius screamed, his hands desperately grasping at Ray¡¯s arm, trying to activate his transmutation ability. Golden veins began to pulse through Ray¡¯s cosmic aura, but instead of succumbing, Ray¡¯s now golden energy absorbed the effect, glowing brighter and fiercer with every failed attempt.


    As Ray accelerated, the force of their descent began to tear at Aurelius¡¯s golden armor, his body burning as friction tore at his skin. His screams became more hysterical, more desperate, until they were nothing but guttural cries of agony.


    Finally, they emerged from the last portal into the atmosphere of an alien world. The sky was a blazing shade of orange, lit by two distant suns. Enormous yellow crystals rose like titans, piercing through the heavens and reflecting light in a kaleidoscope of blinding brilliance. Smaller shards littered the jagged terrain, creating a crystalline maze that glimmered ominously in the sunlit haze.


    Ray¡¯s speed didn¡¯t slow as he flung Aurelius with incredible force, sending him careening through the alien sky. ¡°Help me!¡± Aurelius screamed, his voice cracking in desperation as his golden aura flared one final time.


    The plea fell on deaf ears as his body slammed into a cluster of long, spiked crystals. On contact, the vibrant yellow structures turned to solid gold, their jagged edges impaling Aurelius. One shard punctured through his chest, another through his skull. His body twitched violently for a brief moment before going still, the once-mighty Gilded Tyrant reduced to a lifeless, golden effigy.


    Ray hovered above the scene, his tattered cape billowing in the wind as he stared impassively at the remnants of his victim. The massive golden crystals stood as a grim monument to Aurelius¡¯s demise, glittering ominously under the alien suns. Without a word, Ray turned, his cosmic aura dimming slightly as he vanished into the void, leaving behind only the eerie silence of a crystalline graveyard.


    Rad, Erydon, Seridia, Aelith, and Elara soared through the vast emptiness of space, their combined auras leaving shimmering trails in the void. Determination and fear etched their faces as they sped toward their destination, the silence of the stars broken only by the hum of energy surrounding them.


    ¡°We need to hurry!¡± Rad growled, his crimson aura flaring violently as his eyes darted toward Erydon.


    ¡°I¡¯m already working on it,¡± Erydon replied tersely, his brow furrowed in concentration as he conjured a swirling portal ahead. The fabric of space bent and twisted before them, a glowing rift opening to reveal the alien world on the other side.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Erydon commanded, his tone sharp, and the group shot through the portal without hesitation.


    They emerged onto the alien planet, their boots crunching against the crystal-laden terrain. The air was dense and heavy, illuminated by the light of two suns casting long shadows over the jagged yellow spires. The group spread out cautiously, their eyes scanning the alien horizon.


    ¡°Come on Aurelius,¡± Rad muttered, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. ¡°Don¡¯t die on us.¡±


    Minutes passed, the tension growing thicker with each step. ¡°Aurelius!¡± Aelith¡¯s scream shattered the silence, her voice echoing across the crystalline expanse.


    The group froze, then bolted toward her location. They found her standing at the edge of a small clearing, her hands trembling as she pointed ahead. There he was. Aurelius.


    Impaled on a massive spire of golden crystal, his once-magnificent form reduced to a grotesque statue of death. His body was riddled with jagged shards, his lifeless face frozen in an expression of agony. The surrounding crystals shimmered eerily, their golden hue a grim reminder of his power turned against him.


    Rad staggered back, his eyes wide with disbelief. ¡°No¡­ no, Aurelius!¡± Elara clutched at her cloak, her breathing quickened slightly as her eyes widened. ¡°He¡¯s¡­ gone?¡±


    ¡°Not yet,¡± Erydon said, his voice tight with urgency as he turned to Seridia. ¡°You can fix this, right? You can undo this?¡±


    Seridia hesitated, her usual confidence shaken as she stared at Aurelius¡¯s mangled body. Slowly, she nodded. ¡°It¡¯s possible¡­ but it¡¯ll take time. I¡¯ll need to focus.¡±


    ¡°Do it,¡± Erydon urged. ¡°We¡¯ll keep watch.¡± Seridia stepped forward, her hand trembling as she reached out toward Aurelius¡¯s golden form. Her fingers began to glow with a soft, white light, the energy radiating from her palm as she concentrated.


    But before she could channel her magic, her body stiffened. Her eyes widened in shock, and in an instant, Seridia vanished into thin air.


    ¡°What the hell?!¡± Rad roared, his aura flaring wildly as he whipped around, searching for any sign of her.


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    The icy planet loomed below, a barren wasteland of jagged glaciers and frozen plains bathed in pale, silvery light. The atmosphere shimmered faintly with an ethereal glow, casting long, ghostly shadows across the unyielding landscape. Seridia¡¯s body burned as Ray¡¯s black-gloved hand tightened mercilessly around her throat, the friction of their descent igniting her already charred skin. She gritted her teeth against the searing pain, her mind racing.


    I won¡¯t die like this! she thought fiercely, her fear battling against her indomitable will. I can¡¯t let him win!


    Through the rushing air and her haze of agony, Seridia mustered every ounce of her regenerative power, forcing her cells to repair faster than they were destroyed. Her pale fingers clawed at Ray¡¯s sleek, black helmet, managing to pierce through the blazing cosmic aura that surrounded him. For a brief moment, she slowed their descent, and permanently slowed down his maximum speed considerably.


    Ray, however, barely flinched. With a brutal, unrelenting motion, he gripped her arm with his free hand and tore it from her body.


    Her screams of anguish were drowned out by the roaring air currents and the crackle of fire consuming her. Pain shot through her like lightning, but Seridia¡¯s resolve did not waver. Through gritted teeth, she began chanting a spell, her voice hoarse and shaking but unwavering.


    ¡°Vitae Surge!¡± Seridia screamed out. The incantation culminated in a burst of brilliant energy, creating a powerful shockwave of life-force that blasted Ray backward and freed her from his grasp. Seridia plummeted to the planet''s frozen surface, landing with a deafening impact that left a crater in the unyielding ice. She clutched her gaping wound, panting heavily, her breath forming fleeting clouds in the frigid air.


    Ray rose from the crater where he had landed, his black exosuit unmarred, the smoke dissipating to reveal his ominous figure. His chains hung loosely from his wrists, scraping against the ice and igniting with flickering cosmic flames. His silence was deafening, his mere presence suffocating.


    Seridia struggled to push herself up, but the pain and terror paralyzed her. Her enhanced regeneration faltered under the crushing weight of her fear. Her mind screamed at her to move, but her body betrayed her.


    Ray began his relentless march toward her, his steps slow and deliberate, each one radiating an aura of unshakable finality. Seridia¡¯s breath hitched as she watched, paralyzed by a mix of terror and pain, unable to look away. Suddenly, Ray launched himself through the air with explosive speed, the sheer force igniting the ground beneath him in searing violet flames that scorched everything in their wake.


    But suddenly, a furious voice pierced the icy air. ¡°Ray!¡± Elara surged forward, mimicking Ray¡¯s own cosmic energy. Her radiant aura blazed with defiance as she intercepted his charge, delivering a devastating punch to his fist.


    The punch, fueled by seething malice, carried an unfathomable force that tore through the very fabric of the universe itself. The impact sent shockwaves rippling across existence, leaving massive, jagged cracks branching outward from the precise point of contact. Elara, a mortal with unyielding fury, had achieved the impossible, she had landed a cosmic blow on a god.


    The power of her punch sent Ray hurtling through a portal she conjured in the air. Without hesitation, she followed, her fury palpable. Rad hesitated only briefly, casting a concerned glance at Seridia. Seeing her weak but alive, he steeled himself and leaped through the portal after Elara.


    Erydon and Aelith rushed to Seridia¡¯s side, their faces etched with worry. ¡°Can you still heal yourself?¡± Erydon asked urgently.


    Seridia grimaced through the pain, nodding weakly. ¡°I can¡­ I¡¯ll catch up. Go. They need you.¡±


    Though reluctant, the pair obeyed, disappearing into the portal one after the other. Alone in the vast silence, Seridia exhaled shakily, her focus returning to the gaping wound where her arm had been. With slow, deliberate breaths, she began the arduous process of regrowing her limb, the shimmering glow of her regenerative magic faintly illuminating the icy crater.


    But then, a cold chill ran down her spine, one that had nothing to do with the planet¡¯s frozen winds. Her heart sank, her pulse quickening as a dreadful realization washed over her.


    Her newly forming fingers froze mid-healing. Slowly, she turned her wide, terrified eyes. Ray stood behind her, silent and unmoving, his onyx chains glowing faintly with cosmic fire.


    Meanwhile, Elara and Ray collided in the void of space, their bodies moving at incomprehensible speeds, leaving streaks of glowing light in their wake. The cosmic landscape around them blurred into streaks of starry motion, as they traded blows that seemed to ripple through the very fabric of reality.


    Each punch sent shockwaves through the universe, each blast of cosmic energy creating shockwaves that tore through distant planets, ripping them apart with terrifying precision. Stars flickered and exploded in the background, their violent deaths sending waves of debris and energy through the void, scattering across the cosmos like shattered glass.


    He¡¯s going to pay! Elara¡¯s thoughts seethed with rage, her focus sharpened to an impossible degree. She couldn¡¯t stop herself from thinking of Nova, and all of the lives that had been lost because of him. I¡¯ll kill him! I¡¯ll rip out his fucking heart!


    With that thought, Elara focused all her power into her next move. A blinding surge of energy shot from her hand, a beam of concentrated cosmic force aimed directly at Ray¡¯s chest. The impact sent him hurtling backward, tumbling through the stars as his body was thrown off course. But Ray was relentless. He was unfazed, as always, his black exosuit flickering with cosmic energy as he stabilized himself.


    The fury In Elara¡¯s eyes only intensified. She extended her hand upwards, and with a surge of psychic force, she grabbed hold of a massive, nearby white star. It flared to life in her grip, surrounded by her own cosmic energy, glowing brighter and brighter as she focused all her telekinetic power on it. With a shout she hurled the star downward, sending it careening toward the battlefield, aiming to crush Ray beneath its unimaginable heat and force.


    But Ray reacted instantly. With a flick of his wrist, a horizontal portal materialized in mid-air, forming a ring around the white star. Elara¡¯s heart skipped a beat as she watched Ray¡¯s hand curl into a fist, the cosmic aura around him pulsating as he clenched his grip. The portal collapsed in on the star, and in a split second, the massive celestial body exploded in a blinding flash of white light.


    The shockwave from the blast sent them all hurtling through space, tearing through the fabric of the cosmos itself. For a moment, everything was blinding, and then they were all sucked through Ray¡¯s portal. The violent force of the explosion sent Ray, Rad, and Elara crashing into the new reality, their feet slamming into the ground in a coordinated landing.


    The new planet was barren, its surface cracked and scarred by the shockwaves of their arrival. Jagged mountain ranges stretched high into the sky, their peaks wrapped in glowing cracks, evidence of the devastating forces at play. A vast, rocky desert sprawled in every direction, with the skies above streaked with violet and crimson hues, a result of the ongoing cosmic battle. The air was thick with the scent of ozone, and the ground beneath them hummed with the energy of the battle yet to unfold.


    Rad had caught up, appearing alongside Elara with an explosion of power that sent the ground beneath them rumbling. Together, the two of them began to move in perfect synchronization, launching a barrage of powerful, devastating attacks. Their years of camaraderie and teamwork became evident as they dodged and countered each other¡¯s moves, a seamless, deadly dance of energy and skill. Every punch, every energy blast they threw at Ray shook the very foundations of the planet beneath them, cracks splitting open the terrain with each blow.


    Ray, however, was a master of his own cosmic abilities. He dodged Elara¡¯s next blast with a fluid, almost casual motion, his body a blur as he twisted through the air. He countered instantly, his chains igniting with a fierce cosmic fire as they lashed out toward Rad and Elara.


    The chains cut through the mountains surrounding them with terrifying precision, sending massive rock formations crumbling into dust. But Elara and Rad were already in motion, ducking and weaving, their movements perfectly timed. Elara¡¯s cosmic aura flared as she summoned more energy for another attack, while Rad closed in, his eyes filled with determination.


    The two of them worked in tandem, covering each other¡¯s movements as Ray continued to block and dodge, his chains slashing through the air. With each collision, the ground trembled, sending shockwaves rippling through the rocky terrain. The very planet seemed to groan under the immense power of their battle.


    Ray¡¯s chains clashed against Elara¡¯s blasts, causing explosive impacts that echoed like thunder across the battlefield. Rad¡¯s powerful strikes, fueled by his amplified strength, hit with devastating force, forcing Ray to backpedal as the ground beneath him cracked and shattered.


    But Ray wasn¡¯t about to retreat. With a sharp motion, he swung his chains again, slashing through the air toward the two of them. The cosmic fire that erupted from the chains left scorch marks in the air as they sought their targets, yet Elara and Rad remained unyielding, dodging and weaving, relentlessly pursuing their enemy. The battle raged on, each of them pushing their limits, each blow reverberating through the cosmos itself.


    Elara¡¯s rage was like a feral beast, untamed and relentless. Her every movement was a blur of cosmic fury as she pummeled Ray with a series of devastating blows, her fists crackling with energy. The force of each punch reverberated through the very air, shaking the ground beneath her. She roared in frustration and fury as her fist collided with Ray¡¯s head, sending him sprawling through the air, his body crashing across the sky like a comet. The impact was so fierce that it sent him flying to the far side of the planet, his body skimming across the atmosphere before plummeting toward the surface.


    The world around Elara blurred as her speed intensified, her body tearing through the sky faster than light itself as she chased down Ray. Rad¡¯s voice called after her, faint and desperate. ¡°Elara!¡±


    But Elara didn¡¯t hear him. Her ears rang with fury, and her heart thundered in her chest as she screamed her rage into the void. She didn¡¯t care. She couldn¡¯t care. Rage was all she had left. In her mind, nothing else mattered but the destruction of the monster who had taken everything from her.


    ¡°Ray!¡± she bellowed, her voice laced with venom, as she rocketed toward him with unstoppable force. She was unstoppable, she told herself. There was no turning back. Not now.


    As she neared Ray, still tumbling through the air, she remembered the countless hours spent in his shadow, the burning jealousy that twisted inside her. It all boiled to the surface. She didn¡¯t just want to kill Ray, she wanted to obliterate him from existence.


    ¡°You took everything from me!¡± Elara¡¯s voice cracked as she screamed. ¡°Everything! You had everything I wanted!¡±


    Her fist collided with Ray¡¯s body once more, this time with such power that it sent him spiraling down toward the ground, plummeting into the heart of a dense forest. The trees splintered and exploded around him as he crashed into the earth below.


    But Elara wasn¡¯t finished. Her aura flared brighter, hotter, as she followed him down, her eyes wild with fury. She landed with a destructive force, sending shockwaves that shattered the trees around her. Her emotions surged, and with them, her power.


    ¡°You had it all!¡± she screamed again, her voice dripping with bitterness. ¡°Your powers! Your fame!¡±


    She stalked toward him, her body radiating heat so intense that the trees around her began to melt. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of envy and rage, memories of her dreams of being in his place, of having what he had. The bitterness gnawed at her, consuming her from within.


    ¡°I wanted to be you!¡± she shouted, her breath ragged with emotion. ¡°I wanted everything you had! Your power, your strength, your-¡± Her voice broke as she stared down at Ray, who was pretending in his struggle to rise. His movements were slow, pained, but unyielding. The sight only fueled Elara¡¯s fury.


    She quickly lifted her foot and kicked him through a dozen trees, sending him crashing across the forest floor like a ragdoll. But even as Ray struggled to push himself up, Elara wasn¡¯t done. Her eyes narrowed, and her fists clenched with a hatred that burned in her chest.


    ¡°Even Nova,¡± she spat, her voice laced with venom. ¡°She loved you, and you killed her!¡±


    Her voice cracked as the words poured out, each syllable thick with the agony of reality. Every moment with Nova, every quiet hesitation before a kiss, every time Nova turned her gaze away from hers, the painful way Nova¡¯s eyes would brighten only when Ray was mentioned, each memory pierced deeper than the last.


    ¡°No matter how hard I tried to win her over, it never mattered!¡± The rawness of her pain surged through her like a tidal wave, and Elara¡¯s powers erupted violently around her in one final, desperate burst. The force of it shook the air, but it couldn¡¯t quiet the suffocating emptiness inside her.


    With a fierce, concentrated surge of power, Elara¡¯s telekinetic grip seized Ray, lifting him effortlessly into the air. She could feel the undercurrent of malice that pulsed from him, a dark, seething hatred for her that he tried to mask, but she could sense all too clearly. It burned through their connection, a mirror of her own fury.


    Her eyes narrowed with a primal instinct and with a deafening roar she hurled him downwards, his body colliding with the earth. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the ground, splitting the soil and leaving a deep crater where he had fallen, the very planet trembling beneath their violent clash.


    She loomed over him, her body trembling with the force of her anger, her heart aching with the weight of everything she had lost. ¡°Because whenever she looked into my eyes¡­¡± her voice faltered, catching in her throat. She stared down at Ray, her anger flickering, but her pain bleeding through. ¡°She only ever saw you.¡±


    Ray¡¯s starry eyes remained cold and impassive beneath the visor, his silence was like salt on an already deep wound. Elara stood there, trembling with rage and hurt, her breath coming in jagged gasps. There was no acknowledgment, no apology, just a bitter, empty silence that consumed her.


    Ray¡¯s starry eyes locked onto hers, the only sound between them the crackling of energy in the air. She couldn¡¯t take it anymore.


    ¡°No final words?¡± Elara screamed, her voice cracking with frustration and fury. ¡°Fine then!¡± She conjured a spear of cosmic energy, pure and blinding, and prepared to strike.


    But as she raised the spear to deliver the final blow, the opportunity Ray had been waiting for arrived. Elara screamed in an instant as her mind was assaulted by an overwhelming surge of memories, memories that weren¡¯t her own.


    For despite all of Elara¡¯s raw power, her one weakness was that she not only copied the Sorcerers powers, but their memories as well. A side effect of her powers that took a heavy toll on her already damaged psyche.


    Flashes of images, of moments she hadn¡¯t lived rushed through her mind at high speed. She saw every single bit of Ray¡¯s life, his laughter, the joy in his eyes, the innocence of the boy he once was. Along with the pain, the loneliness, the isolation, the brokenness that had shaped him.


    The images flooded her mind, faster than she could process them, each memory more vivid than the last. The agony was unbearable. It wasn¡¯t just Ray¡¯s memories, it was his life, his emotions, his struggles. She could feel his pain, his fears, his hopes.


    The sheer volume of It, the rapid influx of memories, sent Elara into a frenzy. Her powers faltered, her grip on the spear loosening as the memories overwhelmed her. She screamed in agony, clutching her head as the Images flashed through her mind like an uncontrollable storm.


    ¡°No!¡± she shrieked, her knees buckling as the intense pain ripped through her. Ray stood silently, his cold gaze never leaving her. And then, amidst the chaos, it happened.


    Ray¡¯s fist pierced her chest. The impact was swift and brutal, as though time itself had frozen in that instant. Elara¡¯s breath caught in her throat as the world seemed to slow, her vision clouding with pain. She felt the deep, searing agony of his fist driving through her heart, her body going numb as the life drained from her.


    The forest fell silent. The storm of memories faded, leaving only a crushing weight in her chest. Ray stood in front of her, his voice breaking through the stillness. His words were quiet, bitter, and final.


    ¡°She never loved you.¡± The words cut through her like a blade, and Elara¡¯s will to fight, to live, shattered in that moment. The memories of Ray¡¯s life, his final words, and the agony of her heart left her paralyzed, as though the weight of it all was too much to bear.


    Her body, weakened from the mental assault, slumped backward. Time seemed to slow as she fell, her body hitting the ground with a defeated thud, the last vestiges of her strength fading away. The rain fell around her, and the forest seemed to mourn her loss.


    Elara stared into the grey sky as blood slowly spilled from her mouth, her vision darkening as her consciousness slipped away. Ray¡¯s words echoed in her mind, a haunting reminder of everything she could never have.

 Chapter 34: Pandemonium of sin

    Rad darted through the forest, his amplified speed carving a desperate path through the underbrush. His mind raced even faster than his legs, each heartbeat pounding louder in his ears. Dammit, Elara, where are you!? He thought, panic gripping him like an iron vice. The trees blurred into dark streaks as his crimson aura faintly flickered around him, feeding on his growing anguish.


    The forest suddenly opened into a clearing, and Rad skidded to a stop, his breath catching in his throat. Time seemed to freeze as his wide eyes landed on the gruesome scene before him. Elara lay sprawled on the ground, her once-vivid energy extinguished, blood pooling beneath her lifeless body. Ray stood over her, motionless, his black-gloved hand stained with her blood. The chains around his wrists glimmered faintly, like snakes basking in the aftermath of their strike.


    Rad¡¯s vision blurred as tears welled in his eyes. ¡°Elara¡­¡± he whispered, his voice trembling, barely audible. Memories flooded his mind, each one hitting him like a dagger to the chest. He saw Elara¡¯s smirk as they teased each other during training, Lucio¡¯s laughter as the three of them raced through the streets of Horizon Heights, Nova¡¯s energetic voice calling out to them at the academy. The warmth of their shared bond seemed so distant now, a cruel echo of a time when they were whole.


    His breathing grew ragged, his sorrow bubbling into fury. His trembling hands clenched into fists so tightly that his nails drew blood. His teeth ground together, the veins in his forehead pulsing visibly as his crimson aura erupted like wildfire. The tears streaming down his face only fueled the storm within him.


    ¡°RAY!¡± he roared, his voice cracking with raw anguish. The name tore from his throat like a wounded animal¡¯s cry. His aura exploded outward as he shot into the air, his vampiric fangs bared and his glowing crimson eyes locked onto the silent figure before him.


    Ray turned slightly, his helmeted head tilting with an eerie calmness. He sidestepped Rad¡¯s initial claw swipe with effortless precision, his movements almost languid. Rad flew past him, rage blinding his senses.


    Before Rad could recover, Ray¡¯s arm flicked out, his black chain snaking around Rad¡¯s ankle like a serpent. Cosmic fire erupted along its length, searing Rad¡¯s flesh. A guttural scream of pain and fury tore from Rad¡¯s throat as the flames bit into him. With a casual tug, Ray hurled Rad through a shimmering portal that tore open behind him, its swirling darkness swallowing him whole.


    Rad emerged into a strange, desolate dimension. The air was heavy, oppressive, as if it carried the weight of countless tragedies. The faint light of an unseen source illuminated the vast platform he now stood upon.


    Around him, enormous grey stone pillars stretched endlessly upward, their surfaces etched with ancient runes that pulsed faintly with an ominous glow. The platform itself was cracked and scarred, bearing the marks of countless battles fought long before his arrival.


    Rad crashed into the ground with devastating force, creating a massive crater. Dust and debris rained down around him as he struggled to his feet, his breaths coming in sharp, shallow gasps. His crimson aura flared wildly, mirroring the chaos inside him.


    Ray descended gracefully a few feet away, his tattered cape billowing behind him. He landed with an eerie stillness, his chains clinking softly as they settled. He said nothing, his silence cutting deeper than any insult.


    Rad¡¯s rage boiled over. He slammed his fists into the ground, shattering the stone beneath him, and let out a guttural roar that echoed across the empty expanse. He launched himself at Ray with unbridled fury, the platform trembling beneath the force of his charge.


    As their blows collided, the air around them rippled with energy. Rad¡¯s fists crackled with raw vampiric power, while Ray¡¯s counters were precise, each strike laced with cosmic energy. The ground beneath them fractured with every exchange, ancient runes flickering in protest.


    Between punches, memories clawed at Rad¡¯s mind. He saw Ray as a child, the two of them laughing together at the academy. He remembered their late-night talks, their shared dreams of heroism. And then the darker memories came, the betrayal, the bloodshed, the friends they had lost because of Ray¡¯s descent into madness.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you realize how many people you¡¯ve hurt!?¡± Rad shouted, his voice hoarse with emotion. His fist collided with Ray¡¯s helmet, sending him skidding back.


    Ray straightened, silent as ever, his cosmic energy pulsating faintly. The emptiness in his demeanor only enraged Rad further. ¡°Don¡¯t you care!?¡± Rad roared, launching himself at Ray again.


    The two clashed relentlessly, the sound of their battle echoing across the desolate realm. Rad¡¯s blows grew more ferocious, each one fueled by the faces of the friends Ray had taken from him: Lucio¡¯s infectious smile, Elara¡¯s fierce determination, Nova¡¯s radiant hope, and Mary¡¯s sincere smile.


    Finally, with a roar that shook the air, Rad¡¯s fist connected with Ray¡¯s helmet in a devastating uppercut. The force of the blow shattered a portion of the helmet, revealing a part of Ray¡¯s scarred face, or what remained of it. A single starry eye burned with furious intensity, its violet glow almost unbearable to look at.


    Ray¡¯s body staggered and fell to the ground, the impact sending cracks branching out across the platform. Rad stood over him, his chest heaving, his knuckles bloody. Tears streamed down his face as he stared at Ray, his voice trembling. ¡°You had a family, Ray¡­ we were your family! And you destroyed us!¡±


    For a brief moment, silence hung between them, the weight of their shared history palpable. Then Ray began to stir, the burning eye fixed on Rad, its cosmic fury promising that the fight was far from over. With a surge of cosmic energy from his palm, Ray propelled himself backward, shooting through a portal and sealing it shut before Rad could make a move to follow.


    The scene unfolded in an almost surreal moment, as the stars streaked past Erydon and Aelith, the cosmic expanse around them twisting with endless speed. The distant shimmer of galaxies blurred, like distant embers across the dark expanse. Aelith, her aura bright with fury, twisted her face in impatience.


    ¡°What¡¯s taking so long, Erydon?!¡± Aelith¡¯s voice sliced through the quiet chaos of their cosmic flight.


    Erydon¡¯s brow furrowed, sweat streaking down his face, his focus stretching thin. ¡°I keep losing track of Rad and Elara!¡± His voice was sharp, tinged with frustration. He pressed his finger to his temple, trying to stabilize his senses. ¡°I cant locate them!¡±


    The air between them was thick with urgency. Erydon¡¯s telepathic call sliced through the space between them.


    ¡°Elara, Seridia, Rad, answer me, where are you?¡± Erydon sent out the desperate thought. The response that echoed in his mind was from Rad.


    ¡°Elara¡¯s dead! Ray killed her and stranded me here!¡± Rad¡¯s voice was wild, filled with grief and desperation.


    Aelith¡¯s face drained of color as the weight of the words hit her. Her heart skipped a beat, a deep ache in her chest. Erydon¡¯s expression hardened, the sharp sting of reality setting in.


    Aelith snapped her head back, her eyes widening as a realization struck her with terrifying clarity. ¡°Seridia!¡± She called out, her voice cracking with sudden fear. ¡°I can¡¯t sense her qi anymore!"


    Erydon¡¯s grimace deepened as he clenched his fists. He forced his mind to focus, shutting out the horror that gripped him. His hand moved, forming the ancient hand signs to summon a portal. ¡°Hold on, Rad, I¡¯m-¡±


    But before he could finish his sentence, something erupted through the cosmos at blinding speed, a streak of darkness and cosmic fire. Erydon¡¯s heart skipped a beat as he saw the being of pure malice hurtling toward him, his starry, furious eye gleaming through the cracked helmet. Ray was enveloped in a storm of cosmic energy, his presence radiating pure malice.


    Erydon barely had time to react as Ray¡¯s fist shot out, slamming into his chest with such force that it sent Erydon crashing through a portal, his body tumbling onto the surface of an abandoned planet. The world he found himself on was a hollow shell of its former self, vast, empty plains where once vibrant cities stood, their ruins littered with ancient stone pillars. The sky above was muted, a dull gray that hinted at the once-thriving atmosphere. The lifeless ground beneath Erydon¡¯s feet cracked with every movement as he skidded to his feet, and eerie silence prevailed, as though the world itself had been abandoned by the very stars.


    Before Erydon could even collect himself, Ray appeared above him, descending with a predatory grace. The air crackled with cosmic energy as Ray¡¯s eyes burned with wrath.


    Erydon narrowly managed to block the crushing blow. The punch that Ray threw sent shockwaves through the dead world, the ground trembling beneath them. But Erydon wouldn¡¯t be fast enough to avoid Ray¡¯s fury. The two combatants locked eyes for a split second, Erydon trying to find some kind of opening. But Ray, with his furious gaze fixed on Erydon, moved with terrifying precision and threw a powerful punch.


    Erydon weaved and quickly retaliated, throwing his own punch aimed at Ray¡¯s face. Ray weaved around it effortlessly, his movements fluid and calculated, anticipating Erydon¡¯s every move. But Erydon pressed on, launching a flurry of attacks, each one met with Ray¡¯s near-perfect counter.


    Then, with a sickening thud, Ray¡¯s fist slammed into Erydon¡¯s gut, sending a wave of shock and agony coursing through his body. Erydon gasped, stumbling backward, the wind knocked out of him. Desperation flooded his thoughts, but Ray was relentless.


    Before Erydon could react and form hand signs, Ray backhanded him with brutal force, sending him sprawling across the cracked ground. Erydon¡¯s lips parted in a grunt of pain, a tooth flying from his mouth as he struggled to keep his focus.


    Ray¡¯s eye was dark and cruel as he moved in for the kill. Erydon was bleeding, staggering, but he still fought back as he rolled to his feet, his attacks growing more erratic as the fight went on. But Ray dodged each blow with ease, stepping aside as if Erydon were nothing more than an annoyance. Ray¡¯s cosmic fire crackled in the air, igniting the very ground underfoot as he side-stepped into Erydon¡¯s blind spot.


    I have to- Erydon thought, but before the thought could fully form, the very fabric of reality seemed to fracture around him. Large, jagged cracks tore through the air, followed by a deafening shockwave that rattled the very bones of the planet. Ray¡¯s cosmic blow struck Erydon¡¯s liver with an earth-shattering force. Blood erupted from Erydon¡¯s mouth in torrents, his body sent soaring through the air like a lifeless ragdoll. The impact was so devastating, it felt as though the air itself screamed in pain, trembling with the weight of the destruction.


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    Ray was upon him in an instant as Erydon crashed through the air, his fists raining down with relentless cosmic blows, each strike landing with bone-shattering force. The impacts reverberated through the planet, causing the very fabric of reality to tremble under their weight. Erydon¡¯s body grew limp, overwhelmed by the sheer ferocity of Ray¡¯s onslaught.


    Each cosmic blow twisted the laws of nature itself, tearing him apart, breaking him down piece by piece with an unyielding, otherworldly power. The barren wasteland around them seemed to tremble as Ray¡¯s fury consumed the atmosphere. With a final cosmic blow, Ray sent Erydon crashing into a towering mountain, the earth shaking as if in response to the destruction. A deep rumble echoed as the mountain wall crumbled upon impact.


    Erydon struggled to his feet, his body aching, bruised beyond recognition. Blood dripped from his mouth as he gasped for air, but he was not given time to recover. Ray stalked toward him, his chains glowing with an ominous cosmic fire that singed the ground beneath him.


    Erydon, his trembling hands now weaving intricate hand signs for a spell, tried to fight back. But Ray was faster. With a swift flick of his wrist, two slashes of cosmic energy shot out, slicing through Erydon¡¯s arms before he could even react. The pain was excruciating as Erydon screamed, his arms falling uselessly to the ground.


    Ray¡¯s grip tightened around Erydon¡¯s throat, lifting him off the ground as Erydon¡¯s legs flailed helplessly, gasping for air. With each passing second, Ray¡¯s hold became suffocating, his hand radiating a violent violet hue as he readied the cosmic blast that would obliterate Erydon¡¯s head. The light in Erydon¡¯s eyes flickered and dimmed, his pupils beginning to fade to a ghostly white color, as Ray¡¯s furious gaze pierced deep into his very soul.


    But before Ray could finish him off, a sudden burst of speed came from the side. Aelith. Her claws swiped through the air with a feral screech of rage, her aura blazing with fury. But she was quickly frozen in mid-air, caught by Ray¡¯s overwhelming cosmic energy.


    Erydon¡¯s heart pounded with desperate resolve, each beat echoing through his veins as his world spun into chaos. His vision blurred, the edges fading into a hollow void. With what little strength remained, he forced his gaze upward, a flicker of determination lingering in his ghostly white eyes. ¡°By the binding of my soul¡­¡± His faint voice faltered as the darkness crept in, swallowing him whole.


    Erydon now stood within the twisted, malevolent sanctuary of a devil, a space where light and time dared not tread. The very air felt thick, suffocating with an oppressive weight, and the shadows seemed to pulse and breathe, as if alive. Massive, jagged pillars of obsidian stretched high into a pitch-black sky, their tops vanishing into an endless void.


    The ground beneath him was cracked and uneven, glowing with faint, sickly veins of yellow light that seemed to pulse in rhythm with his heartbeat. Eerie, unnatural whispers echoed from the shadows, an unsettling chorus that seemed to crawl under his skin. The atmosphere was heavy with an ancient, malicious presence, as if this place itself were a living nightmare.


    Before him loomed a devil, a massive being cloaked entirely in shadow, its true form hidden in the depths of darkness. Its glowing yellow eyes pierced through the void, seething with malice as it stared down at him. A massive, gaping mouth adorned its form, glowing a bright, hellish yellow, its jagged teeth gleaming with menace. The devil crouched low, its enormous form nearly swallowing the platform upon which Erydon stood.


    It cackled maniacally, the sound vibrating through the very air, sending shivers down his spine. Erydon stood trembling, sweat soaking his brow as his body slowly healed, but his fear overshadowed the physical recovery. ¡°Look at you,¡± the devil¡¯s voice boomed, cruel amusement lacing its words. ¡°Supposed royalty, crawling back for another deal with me, like the pitiful wretch you are.¡±


    ¡°Please!¡± Erydon gasped, his voice desperate. ¡°I offer you everything I have left! Grant me the strength to kill Ray Cooper!¡± His eyes were wide with desperation, a man on the edge of ruin.


    The devil¡¯s smile faltered as It eyed him, the glowing yellow eyes narrowing in disdain. After a long pause, it slowly raised one clawed, shadowy hand to its chin, tapping it thoughtfully. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± The devil murmured, amusement flashing in its eyes.


    Erydon watched in growing dread as the devil¡¯s malevolent gaze bore into him. ¡°I reject your offer,¡± it said at last, its voice laced with mocking delight.


    Erydon¡¯s heart sank. ¡°What?¡± His voice trembled as his hope crumbled away.


    ¡°You have nothing left I desire¡­¡± The devil¡¯s tone turned cold and condescending. ¡°¡­and my lord wishes that variant live for a while longer.¡±


    Erydon¡¯s resolve wavered, his knees almost buckling beneath him as fear gripped his chest. But the devil wasn¡¯t finished.


    ¡°But!¡± it snarled, the sudden shift in its voice sharp as a blade. ¡°I offer you an alternative¡­¡±


    Erydon¡¯s head snapped up, eyes wide with a mix of dread and curiosity. The devil¡¯s grin widened, sickeningly slow, as its voice dropped to a whisper, ¡°So entertain us a bit longer¡­¡±


    Before Erydon could react, the entire space around him erupted in a blinding white light, engulfing him entirely, blurring the edges of reality as the world seemed to twist and distort around him. Back in the mortal realm, Ray whipped his head to the left, his visible eye widening in disbelief. He dropped Erydon to the ground as the man gasped for air.


    ¡°Ray!¡± Rad¡¯s voice boomed as he lunged through a portal, crashing into Ray and sending both of them hurtling through the air, tumbling into the distance.


    Aelith fell to the ground, now free from Ray¡¯s telekinesis, her chest heaving as she too gasped for air. ¡°Aelith!¡± Erydon called out, his voice strained.


    Aelith turned her gaze toward him, visibly shaken. ¡°This is our last chance!¡± Erydon said, struggling to his feet.


    ¡°We need to weaken Ray and combine our sanctuaries!¡± Erydon declared, urgency in his voice. Aelith wobbled to her feet, nodding. ¡°Right!¡± she replied, and together they took to the skies, chasing after Ray and Rad.


    Rad and Ray¡¯s auras blazed with renewed resolve, an electric surge of power that illuminated the skies around them. Rad¡¯s crimson aura, filled with raw, unbridled fury, crackled like a storm on the verge of explosion. Ray¡¯s violet cosmic aura shimmered with an ethereal, almost otherworldly glow, ripples of dark energy spreading outward with every movement. The air around them thickened with intensity, as though the atmosphere itself trembled at their confrontation.


    Rad¡¯s muscular frame surged with power as he propelled himself forward, his fist colliding with Ray¡¯s chest in a brutal strike that echoed across the battlefield. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, the force of the blow causing a trail of turbulence in its wake. Ray twisted midair, his violet aura flaring, and retaliated with a spinning kick that connected sharply with Rad¡¯s side, sending him careening through the sky.


    The two warriors, locked in an unstoppable force against an immovable object, continued their relentless exchange, their bodies twisting and turning in perfect synchronicity as they plummeted through the heavens. Each punch and kick reverberated with explosive force, their power threatening to tear the very fabric of the world apart. Rad¡¯s fury-fueled punches were like sledgehammers, while Ray¡¯s strikes were precise, calculated, and deadly, each one imbued with his cosmic essence.


    Their auras flickered wildly, flashes of crimson and violet intertwining in a dance of light and shadow. Every time their fists met, the sky shuddered, the force of the blows ripping through the atmosphere like thunderclaps. Rad¡¯s aura burned with violent intensity, matching Ray¡¯s destructive power, while Ray¡¯s aura seemed to pulse with a mysterious, swirling energy that defied the laws of reality itself.


    They were unstoppable forces, two warriors locked in a cataclysmic struggle, falling through the skies with unstoppable momentum. The intensity of their battle threatened to tear the very air apart, their auras clashing like titans in the sky.


    Ray¡¯s violet cosmic aura collided with Rad¡¯s crimson, wrathful aura, sparks flying with every impact. Ray then unleashed a devastating cosmic blast, sending Rad flying away. Both of them slammed into the ground, their feet skidding across the dirt. But they didn¡¯t pause; they lunged at each other once more, clashing in a deadly dance.


    Erydon from above, Weaved hand signs mid-flight, casting a rain of fireballs from above, with Aelith beside him. Ray swiftly kicked Rad away, narrowly dodging Erydon¡¯s incoming spell. He weaved through more blasts, rising into the sky, but the group followed close behind. Before Ray could fly out of earshot, Aelith¡¯s voice rang out: ¡°Psychic Dominion!¡±


    In seconds, Ray shot past a now older Nova, her face frozen in betrayal, shock, and disbelief. Her chest bore a gaping hole, and her wide eyes, so full of hurt and surprise, stared directly at him, just as they had the day she died. The day Ray killed her.


    But Ray barely spared the hallucination a thought, his focus on dodging Erydon¡¯s spells. He retaliated with a burst of cosmic energy that Erydon barely managed to avoid, as Aelith, chanting and weaving hand signs, and Rad, sprinting alongside, surged forward.


    Ray, underestimating Aelith, was already preparing a volley of cosmic blasts. ¡°Now, Aelith!¡± Erydon shouted as the group closed in on Ray.


    Aelith¡¯s eyes glowed with a fierce light as she completed the chant and formed a final hand sign. ¡°Cerebral Eclipse!¡± The world around Ray plunged into pitch darkness just as he tried to react.


    What!? Ray¡¯s mind raced as the hue of his violet eye dimmed, his gaze darting around in the overwhelming black void. He hovered motionless, completely suspended in the abyss.


    Then, through the darkness, a familiar figure emerged, Nova. Her gentle arms wrapped around Ray, pulling him into an embrace. ¡°...I love you, Ray¡­¡± she whispered in his ear, causing Ray¡¯s eye to water up and rapidly flicker between green and violet colors.


    ¡°Don¡¯t leave me again¡­¡± she murmured, a tear slipping down her face.


    ¡°Spiritual Projection!¡± The trio, Rad, Aelith, and Erydon, shouted in unison. Their voices reverberated through the very fabric of reality. As they formed hand seals, their combined power surged and merged into an overwhelming force.


    The air crackled with tension as Aelith raised her hands, her voice carrying a dangerous melody. Erydon slammed his fists together, sparks of violent energy spilling from his hands. Rad, on the far left, thrust his arm forward with explosive force.


    The ground beneath their feet shattered, and the sky splintered into jagged shards as their sanctuary erupted into existence, an all-encompassing sphere of kaleidoscopic light and shadow. Massive, swirling vortexes materialized, their gaping mouths devouring chunks of reality itself. The vortexes grew larger, their hunger insatiable.


    Meanwhile, some sections of the sanctuary froze in eerie stillness, while others accelerated at dizzying speeds. One giant rock was hurled forward, only to be caught mid-motion in a stasis bubble, its form frozen in time.


    Golden treasures gleamed, alluring and distracting, as piles of jewels and gold formed intricate, deceptive mazes. Then, the ground erupted in violent energy. Rivers of molten lava surged upward, crashing into torrential rain and roaring winds. Lightning danced across the fractured sky.


    The landscape continued to shatter, creating a thousand mirrors that reflected the battlefield and the combatants. At the center of it all, a massive golden throne erupted from the earth, radiating untouchable power. Ray was motionless within the hallucination, staring into the abyss as Nova continued to hold him tightly.


    ¡­I can¡¯t move¡­ Ray thought, a sense of helplessness washing over him as his heart twisted with emotions he could no longer suppress. A single tear, born of regret and longing, slipped from his now-green eye, tracing a path down his face as Nova¡¯s warm embrace tightened around him.


    ¡°Pandemonium of Sin!¡± The trio shouted once more, their voices filled with fury and determination. The very air trembled as the seven layers of sin began to collapse inward, fusing into a chaotic maelstrom of destructive energy. The apocalyptic convergence unfolded before them.


    The fractured world of the sanctuary spiraled inward, each layer folding into itself, merging into a singular vortex that hovered above the battlefield like a gaping wound in reality. The air turned into a vacuum, pulling Ray¡¯s limp body toward the center of the storm.


    Time itself seemed to distort as Seridia¡¯s temporal powers seeped into the vortex, remnants of her lost powers summoned by Erydon¡¯s spell. The vortex exploded into a cataclysmic wave, pulling Ray deep into its depths.


    Greed¡¯s hunger devoured his energy. Lust¡¯s illusions drained his will. Wrath¡¯s fury tore through his body. Sloth¡¯s stagnation further slowed him down. Pride¡¯s crushing presence shattered his confidence, leaving him hollow.


    The vortex reached its peak, a blinding surge of light and shadow as nearly all seven sins converged into a single, destructive pulse. With a deafening roar, the energy erupted outward, annihilating Ray in an instant.


    The sanctuary slowly dissolved, its purpose fulfilled. The fractured landscape returned to its original state, though the scars of destruction remained. Rad, Aelith, and Erydon stood together, breathless and silent, their power still lingering in the air.


    Aelith and Erydon collapsed to their knees, while Rad leaned forward, pressing his hands to his knees, exhausted. The sanctuary had taken nearly everything they had to conjure, but it was all worth it in the end. They had survived Ray''s variant.

 Chapter 35: A broken promise

    Rad¡¯s chest heaved as he straightened himself, his body trembling with exhaustion. ¡°We did it¡­¡± Aelith whispered, her voice weak and unsteady, barely audible between gasps for air.


    Erydon managed a faint smile, but it wasn¡¯t one of relief or triumph, it was hollow, heavy with the losses of the battle. Rad¡¯s body began to relax for the first time in weeks, his heart slowing as the tension melted away. But the fragile calm shattered as a cold, raspy voice pierced the silence like a dagger.


    ¡°Spiritual Projection¡­¡± The trio¡¯s eyes widened in unison, their hearts plummeting into despair. Rad spun around to look skyward, dread gripping him like a vice.


    There, high above them, stood Ray, his dark figure hovering effortlessly in the sky. His black exosuit was completely unscathed, the tattered cape flowing behind him like a shadow. He clasped his hands together tightly, his presence oppressive and unyielding.


    ¡°Sovereign Sanctuary,¡± Ray intoned. Rad opened his mouth to scream, to warn the others, but no sound came. Darkness erupted outward, engulfing everything in its path. The trio was swallowed whole by the void, their surroundings replaced by an endless expanse of pitch-black space dotted with faint, distant stars.


    This... is Ray¡¯s ultimate ability, his sanctuary. By projecting the godly qi within his body, Ray extends his will, his soul, across the very fabric of the universe and time itself. Within this void, the stars seem like memories of a forgotten past, and any being trapped within is utterly powerless against Ray¡¯s cruel judgment.


    No¡­ Rad thought desperately, his body suspended in the infinite abyss. Panic surged through him as he struggled in vain against the overwhelming force.


    Aelith¡¯s wide, terrified eyes met Rad¡¯s, pleading for a hope that didn¡¯t exist. While Erydon, for the first time in his life, looked utterly defeated. His shoulders sagged as if he had already resigned to their fate.


    And then, without warning, Aelith and Erydon began to disintegrate. Their bodies crumbled into dust in seconds, swept away by the void as if they had never existed. Rad¡¯s breath caught in his throat as he watched, helpless and horrified, the image of his comrades vanishing burned into his mind.


    No¡­ no, no, no! Rad¡¯s thoughts screamed, but his voice never found its way out.


    Ray¡¯s voice echoed through the sanctuary, calm and cold, yet laced with an undertone of quiet finality. ¡°I once admired you, Rad¡­¡±


    Before Rad could react, Ray materialized beside him, his presence suffocating and inescapable. Rad¡¯s crimson eyes burned with fury as he struggled against the void, but Ray remained unmoved.


    ¡°So I will grant you an honorable death.¡± With that, Ray disappeared into the darkness, leaving Rad alone. The sanctuary began to crack and splinter around him, fragments of the void collapsing as cosmic energy surged outward.


    Rad¡¯s hatred boiled over, his anger and despair reaching a fever pitch as Aelith and Erydon¡¯s final moments played over and over in his mind. Their expressions of helplessness and fear were seared into his memory, a relentless reminder of his failure.


    The sanctuary shattered completely, and Rad fell, his feet finding solid ground once more. As he slowly lifted his gaze, he saw Ray standing in the distance, waiting silently. Ray¡¯s posture was casual, almost dismissive, like a predator toying with its prey.


    To Rad, it seemed Ray had saw him as nothing more than a tool, a plaything to manipulate and discard. That realization gnawed at Rad¡¯s very soul, tearing at his psyche. His fists clenched, his crimson aura flaring wildly as his grief and fury fused into an unrelenting resolve. He knew he was now the last hope the dead had for justice.


    Rad let out a thunderous roar of fury, the ground fracturing beneath his feet as he launched himself at Ray. The air rippled with raw power as the two clashed, Rad unleashing a relentless flurry of attacks. Ray, however, moved with a chilling precision, effortlessly weaving through the onslaught and countering with swift, calculated strikes.


    Rad, blinded by rage and grief, seemed unfazed by the blows Ray landed, his focus consumed by the need to destroy the one who had taken everything from him. His anguished roars reverberated across the barren, lifeless planet, each bellow carrying the weight of his hatred.


    Ray ducked beneath a devastating punch from Rad that sent shockwaves tearing through the landscape, the force obliterating nearby debris. In one fluid motion, Ray flipped backward, creating a safe distance. For a moment, the battlefield fell silent, an oppressive calm before the storm.


    Then, as if in perfect synchronicity, Rad and Ray lunged at each other, their fists colliding in a cataclysmic impact. The sheer force of their clash unleashed a cosmic blow, fracturing the very fabric of the universe around them. A massive crack radiated from the point of contact, its jagged edges glowing with raw cosmic energy, as an intense white flash consumed them both, obliterating the darkness momentarily.


    The clash between Rad and Ray left cracks in the barren ground of the desolate planet, but for a moment, the scene dissolved into a haze of white, replaced by the warm, golden sunlight of the past. At the sprawling courtyard of the ancient magical academy, a playful sparring match was underway. A ten-year-old Ray, clad in his white exosuit, stood across from Rad, who wore a training Gi. Ray¡¯s pale skin glowed faintly under the sun, the freckles on his nose and cheeks accentuated by the light.


    His wild, curly brown hair bounced as he shifted his stance, emerald green eyes alight with excitement. Rad grinned, his stance firm and confident as he lunged forward. His footwork was precise, and his punches came in quick, calculated bursts. ¡°You¡¯ve got to keep up, Ray!¡± he teased as their fists clashed with bursts of magical energy.


    Ray smirked as his helmet formed over his face. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m just getting started!¡± He ducked under one of Rad¡¯s strikes and countered with a spinning kick, which Rad blocked with ease.


    On the sidelines, their friends watched eagerly. A younger Connor stood with his arms crossed, a fake look of disinterest plastered on his face, though his sharp blue eyes betrayed his interest. ¡°He¡¯s going to lose again,¡± he muttered with an exaggerated sigh.


    Elara and Lucio, however, were far from composed. ¡°Come on, Rad! You¡¯ve got this!¡± Elara shouted, her voice brimming with excitement.


    Lucio cheered even louder, nearly bouncing on his heels. ¡°Rad! Finish him!¡±


    Nova, meanwhile, had her fists clenched, her cosmic-patterned sneakers tapping with nervous energy. ¡°No way! Ray¡¯s got this! Show him what you¡¯ve got, Ray!¡± Her curly afro seemed to bounce with her enthusiasm, her bright smile radiating confidence in her friend.


    The sparring continued, the clash of fists and boots growing fiercer. Despite Ray¡¯s agile movements and attempts to counter, Rad was clearly in control. His strikes were sharper, his movements more precise, forcing Ray on the defensive.


    With a sudden feint, Rad ducked low and swept Ray¡¯s legs out from under him. Ray crashed to the ground with a grunt as his helmet retracted into his suit, revealing his flushed and freckled face.


    Lucio and Elara erupted into cheers. ¡°Rad wins again!¡± Lucio laughed, pumping a fist in the air.


    Connor scoffed, rolling his eyes. ¡°Predictable,¡± he muttered, though a hint of amusement tugged at his lips.


    Nova¡¯s cheers faltered as concern crossed her face. She hurried over to Ray, crouching down beside him. ¡°Ray, are you okay?¡± she asked softly, her bright smile replaced with worry.


    Ray blinked up at her and managed a sheepish grin. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Nova. Just a little dirt on my pride.¡±


    Rad walked over, towering over Ray as he chuckled. ¡°Oh, come on, Ray. You¡¯ve taken harder hits than that!¡±


    Nova shot Rad a playful glare, crossing her arms. ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean you have to hit him so hard, Rad!¡± she quipped, her mock anger making the group chuckle.


    Before anyone could say more, Mary Mayweather walked onto the scene. Her fiery red hair glowed in the sunlight, and her pale, freckled face turned serious as her gaze landed on Ray¡¯s bruised cheek. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± she asked, her tone both motherly and stern.


    She rushed over, kneeling beside Ray. Concern flickered in her amber eyes as she gently touched his cheek. ¡°Ray, you¡¯re bruised! And you-¡± she turned to Rad, her voice sharp. ¡°You know better than to go all out during sparring!¡±


    Rad scratched the back of his head sheepishly. ¡°Sorry, Miss Mayweather. I didn¡¯t mean to hit him that hard.¡±


    Mary sighed, shaking her head. She conjured a soft, golden light in her palm and pressed it gently against Ray¡¯s cheek. The bruise faded almost instantly as a soothing warmth spread through his skin. ¡°You boys need to learn to be careful. Sparring is about practice, not breaking each other!¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± Ray and Rad said in unison, their voices tinged with guilt. As Mary stood and gave them one last look of admonishment, Rad extended a hand to Ray. His smile was warm and encouraging. ¡°Good match, Ray. You¡¯re getting better.¡±


    Ray looked at the hand for a moment, his green eyes narrowing as if weighing the gesture. Then, a smirk spread across his face. ¡°You got lucky.¡± He clasped Rad¡¯s hand and let himself be pulled up.


    As they stood side by side, the golden sunlight seemed to freeze the moment in time, their young faces brimming with potential and camaraderie. Slowly, the children and their surroundings began to fade to white, the laughter and cheers of their friends echoing into the void.


    Rad and Ray¡¯s battle was a storm of pure destruction, their movements a blur as they struck with raw power that shook the planet to its core. Each clash of their fists sent shockwaves rippling through the desolate landscape, tearing apart the ground beneath them. Rad lunged forward with a guttural roar, his vampiric claws slashing through the air in a deadly arc, but Ray¡¯s reflexes were faster.


    In a precise motion, Ray dodged and retaliated, slashing Rad¡¯s hand clean off with a flick of his chain. Rad didn¡¯t even flinch as his severed hand regrew almost instantly, his crimson aura blazing brighter than ever. ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got, Ray?!¡± Rad bellowed, his voice dripping with anger and a deep-seated pain.


    They collided again, their fists meeting with such force that the fabric of reality itself cracked, creating fractures in the sky that radiated outward like a shattered mirror. The two of them were swallowed by a flash of brilliant white light, their silhouettes barely visible as the echoes of their battle faded into silence.


    The light gave way to a peaceful memory, a fragment of a time long before they were consumed by hatred and tragedy. The bright white light dissolved into a warm, golden glow that bathed a small, bustling restaurant in the heart of Horizon Heights two years ago. The scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling food lingered in the air, mingling with the soft hum of conversation.


    Seated at a long wooden table by the window, a group of five friends shared laughter and companionship. Ray, his younger freckled face alight with a rare, carefree smile, sat between Nova and Connor on one side of the table. His curly brown hair was slightly messy, a few strands falling over his bright emerald eyes as he wore a grey shirt and black jeans.


    He tapped idly on the surface of the table with the black cybernetic ring on his finger, the rhythmic sound punctuating the animated chatter around him. Nova leaned forward, her cosmic-patterned hoodie catching the light. Her vibrant afro framed her glowing face as she spoke with excitement, her hands gesturing wildly. ¡±No way, Ray! You really fought Apollo by yourself!?¡±


    Ray chuckled, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly. ¡°In my defense, you went missing. What else was I supposed to do?¡±


    Connor, sitting beside Ray with his arms crossed and a smirk on his face, rolled his piercing blue eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve always been reckless. Honestly, it¡¯s a miracle you¡¯ve made it this far in one piece.¡± His tone was teasing but carried a hint of affection, the kind that only close friends could decipher.


    Across from them, Lucio was doubled over with laughter, his curly hair bouncing as he struggled to catch his breath. ¡°Man, Ray¡¯s always going in by himself! The hero of the week reward isn¡¯t that important ya know!¡± His laughter was infectious, prompting even Elara, who usually maintained a more reserved demeanor, to crack a smile.


    Elara, her sharp green eyes observing the group with quiet fondness, adjusted the silver bracelet on her wrist before speaking. ¡°Honestly, its no wonder Nova got caught.¡± She says as she turns her gaze to Nova with a smirk. ¡°You¡¯re just as impulsive, you know.¡±


    Nova gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. ¡°Excuse me, Elara, I am not impulsive. I¡¯m¡­ adventurous!¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure,¡± Lucio teased, popping a fry into his mouth. ¡°Adventurous is just a nicer word for ¡®troublemaker.¡¯¡±


    The group burst into laughter, the sound drawing a few curious glances from other patrons. It was the kind of laughter that felt endless, filling the space with warmth and a sense of belonging.


    As the moments passed, the conversation softened, and the group found themselves reminiscing. ¡°Do you guys remember the first time we all met?¡± Lucio asked, leaning back in his chair with a wistful smile.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Ray said, his voice quieter now. ¡°It was at the academy. We were all just kids, trying to figure out who we were.¡±


    Connor smirked. ¡°And you were the kid who thought he could fight a training dummy with his bare hands.¡±


    Ray laughed, shaking his head. ¡°Hey, I learned my lesson¡­ eventually.¡±


    Nova nudged Ray¡¯s shoulder playfully, her eyes softening. ¡°You¡¯ve come a long way since then, Ray. We all have.¡±


    Elara nodded, her gaze distant. ¡°Back then, everything seemed so simple. We were just little kids, dreaming about becoming heroes.¡±


    The table fell Into a brief silence, not out of sadness, but in shared acknowledgment of how precious those memories were. Ray looked around at his friends, his emerald eyes glistening with something unspoken. For a moment, he allowed himself to simply be, no cosmic powers, no battles, no weight of the universe, just a boy surrounded by the people who made him feel whole.


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    Nova broke the silence, her voice light and teasing. ¡°Alright, enough of this sappy stuff. Who¡¯s ready for dessert? My treat!¡±


    ¡°Wait, your treat?¡± Lucio exclaimed, feigning shock. ¡°What¡¯s the catch?¡±


    Nova stuck out her tongue. ¡°No catch! Just a little thank you for putting up with me.¡±


    The group erupted into laughter once more, their voices weaving together like a melody that filled the room. The golden light of the restaurant seemed to shine brighter, as if the universe itself was cherishing this fleeting moment of joy.


    And then, slowly, the memory began to fade. The warm light of the restaurant blurred into a soft white glow, the laughter echoing faintly as it was carried away by the passage of time.


    The friends, the table, the restaurant, all dissolved into white, leaving behind only the echoes of their bond, a bittersweet reminder of what once was. Rad roared in anguish, his voice a raw symphony of pain and fury as tears poured down his face, tracing lines of grief across his bloodied cheeks. Each drop carried the weight of countless battles, of dreams shattered and bonds broken, of the unbearable truth of what his once close friend had become. His crimson aura burned like wildfire, flickering erratically with his surging emotions.


    With a guttural cry, Rad launched himself forward, his fist tearing through the air with such force that the ground beneath him splintered. The punch carried all the agony, the betrayal, and the rage within him, but Ray sidestepped effortlessly, his movements fluid and calculated. The missed strike sent a shockwave rippling outward, bending the air and uprooting the already shattered landscape.


    Ray countered instantly, his starry eyes narrowing beneath the visor as his black exosuit glimmered with cosmic energy. His aura flared to life, a brilliant storm of cosmic fire that seemed to consume him, illuminating the battlefield like a star. For a fleeting moment, his glowing form mirrored Nova¡¯s radiance, a haunting echo of what once was.


    With precision and speed, Ray unleashed a devastating flurry of kicks and punches, each strike accompanied by bursts of blinding light and searing heat. The sheer intensity of his attacks painted streaks of light across the darkened horizon. Rad gritted his teeth, his body absorbing blow after blow as his crimson energy surged outward in a desperate attempt to keep him standing.


    Then, with a spinning kick that connected with a bone-cracking impact, Ray struck Rad squarely on the jaw, sending him hurtling backward. The force of the blow created a shockwave that scattered debris across the battlefield, carving scars into the ground. Rad crashed into the dirt but rose almost instantly, crimson energy erupting from his form like a feral beast unleashed. His fury was unrelenting, his eyes glowing with a deep, vengeful crimson.


    Ray hovered several dozen feet away, his aura flickering with an otherworldly brilliance as he steadied himself in the air. The two locked eyes, their gazes charged with years of history and pain. Neither spoke, but their silence screamed louder than words ever could.


    With a deafening roar, Rad launched himself upward, the ground beneath him cratering from the force of his leap. Ray mirrored the motion, his chains trailing behind him as he lunged forward. The two titans collided in midair, their fists meeting in a thunderous impact that cracked the very fabric of reality.


    The sky itself fractured like glass, the edges of the cracks glowing with a chaotic energy that pulsed outward. Time seemed to hold its breath as the sheer force of their clash swallowed the battlefield in a brilliant white light, engulfing the combatants in its radiant, all-consuming glow.


    The blinding white glow gradually dissipated, revealing Ray one month ago in his black exosuit, the onyx chains around his wrists dragging along the shattered ground with a grating scrape. He moved forward silently, his shadow looming over the desolate ruins of the academy. The once vibrant grounds were now a graveyard of broken dreams, littered with lifeless bodies, students and teachers alike.


    Smoke curled off some of the corpses, their charred remains a haunting reminder of the destruction he had unleashed. Ray¡¯s gaze beneath the visor was cold, distant, as he stepped past the lifeless forms of Charlie and Matthew, their faces frozen in shock. His movements were mechanical, like a boy weighed down by invisible chains of his own making. Each step echoed with finality, breaking the deafening silence of the ruined battlefield.


    Then, cutting through the stillness, her voice pierced the air like a cry from the heavens. ¡°Ray!¡± Mary Mayweather¡¯s voice rang out, laced with desperation and anguish. It was the kind of plea that could shatter even the hardest of hearts.


    Ray stopped. Slowly, he turned to face her.


    Mary stood in the distance, her red hair tangled and windswept, her green robe flapping against her body. Her white shirt and black jeans were stained with soot and ash, but it was her face that told the true story, eyes red and swollen from tears, a deep sorrow etched into her features. Her hands instinctively rested over her swollen belly, cradling the unborn child, a symbol of her love with Sui, the goddess who Ray had banished to another universe.


    Beside Mary, Rad and Lucio stood frozen in disbelief. Rad¡¯s body trembled with fury, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned bone white. Lucio¡¯s glowing pupils flickered as his eyes darted between the lifeless forms of Charlie and Matthew and Ray¡¯s motionless figure.


    ¡°¡­Ray¡­¡± Lucio whispered, his voice barely audible, shaking with emotion.


    Mary stepped forward, her movements shaky but resolute. ¡°Ray, please!¡± she cried, her voice breaking as she ran toward him. ¡°Whatever this is, whatever happened to you! We can help you!¡±


    Ray tilted his head downward, his helmet hiding the turmoil beneath. ¡°¡­You can¡¯t,¡± he replied, his voice quiet yet heavy with pain, muffled by his visor.


    Mary¡¯s breath hitched, and tears spilled down her cheeks as her legs buckled beneath the weight of his words. ¡°Ray¡­¡± she said softly, her voice trembling as she closed the gap between them. Ignoring the danger, ignoring the destruction, she wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace, her body shaking against his. ¡°Please, Ray. It¡¯s not too late. Stop this, come back to us.¡±


    Rad and Lucio watched tensely from a distance, their bodies poised to act. Mary had warned them not to interfere, trusting her maternal love to reach him.


    For a moment, Ray hesitated. Slowly, his arms lifted and encircled Mary, holding her tightly. It was almost tender, almost human.


    ¡°Goodbye, Mrs. Mayweather,¡± he whispered, his voice cracking under the weight of his words. Beneath his visor, a single tear slid down his freckled cheek, shimmering in the dim light.


    ¡°Mary!¡± Rad screamed, his voice breaking as he lunged forward, his eyes wide with desperation. Lucio surged forward in a blur of lightning, streaking across the ruins with everything he had, but it wasn¡¯t fast enough.


    Ray¡¯s palms ignited with a blinding violet hue, cosmic fire swirling around them. Time seemed to slow as the beams of cosmic energy erupted from his hands and pierced through Mary¡¯s back. Her body jolted, her eyes widening in shock as the breath was stolen from her lungs.


    Her trembling hands brushed against Ray¡¯s visor, as if trying to find the boy she once knew beneath the armor. Her lips quivered as she struggled to speak, but no words came. The betrayal and pain in her gaze were unbearable, as if her own son had taken her life.


    ¡°No!¡± Lucio¡¯s anguished scream tore through the ruins as he collided with Ray, lightning erupting in a violent flash.


    Mary¡¯s lifeless body crumpled to the ground, her hands falling away as her presence faded. Her expression lingered in the air, a haunting image of love and grief etched forever into Ray¡¯s memory. The flash of light swallowed them all, erasing the moment in an explosion of sorrow and rage.


    The desolate planet quaked violently as Ray¡¯s body was hurled through the air like a meteor, crashing into the jagged terrain with a thunderous impact. The ground beneath him splintered and cracked, evidence of the immense power Rad had unleashed. Standing amidst the chaos, Rad¡¯s form was a tempest of fury and grief. Tears streaked his face, but they evaporated almost instantly against the searing heat of his crimson aura.


    Each droplet carried the weight of his memories, of friends lost and a bond broken beyond repair. His heart, heavy with the pain of betrayal, fueled the volcanic energy surging within him.


    Rad roared, the sound reverberating across the cosmos, a chilling symphony of anguish and rage. His hair flickered like a dying flame, shifting rapidly between its natural brown and an ethereal ghostly white. His pupils narrowed into predatory slits, a vampiric transformation that mirrored the primal storm raging inside him. The very planet trembled beneath the raw power he emanated, mountains crumbling and rivers boiling under the oppressive force of his ghastly aura.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to pay!¡± Rad bellowed, his voice cracking with the weight of emotions that had simmered for far too long. His aura erupted in a blinding surge of white energy, his grief and rage transcending mortal limits. The ground beneath him shattered as he lunged forward, his speed bending reality itself. Shockwaves rippled through the air as Rad¡¯s form became a streak of molten white fury, a comet aimed directly at Ray.


    Ray, still reeling from the force of Rad¡¯s devastating blow, rolled to his feet just in time to see the towering behemoth barreling toward him. His starry eyes widened behind the black visor, and for a fleeting moment, the facade of his unshakable confidence crumbled. His heart sank, a cold dread washing over him as his thoughts spiraled back to the sole sorcerer who had bested him, the boy who defied fate itself. Connor Namikaze.


    Rad¡¯s fist tore through the air with devastating force, distorting space itself. Ray narrowly evaded the blow, but the shockwave alone shattered the surrounding mountains, sending debris raining down like meteors. The sheer force of the missed punch cracked Ray¡¯s visor, the fractures splintering outward like a spider web.


    Rad gave him no time to recover. With relentless speed, he closed the distance, kicking Ray with enough power to send him hurtling across the planet like a bullet. The impact ruptured the surface, leaving a fiery crater in its wake. Rad chased after him, his glowing white hair blazing like a star at its zenith, his form now fully immersed in the flow state. His every movement was a masterstroke of precision and ferocity, bending the environment to his will.


    Ray barely managed to regain his footing, countering Rad¡¯s onslaught with a flurry of his own cosmic infused strikes. Their auras clashed violently, shimmering like colliding galaxies as they traded cosmic blow after cosmic blow. Each strike sent tremors through the atmosphere, their combat fracturing the very fabric of reality.


    The two of them rocketed through the sky, moving in a blur faster than the speed of light itself. Their sheer velocity bent time, propelling them backward into the past.


    As they streaked across the desolate planet, its barren surface began to flourish, regenerating in mere seconds. In the distance, alien structures and entire kingdoms rose to their former glory, towering majestically for a fleeting moment before crumbling back into oblivion as Ray and Rad streaked past them.


    The two foes then crashed back to the ground, their feet carving trenches into the scorched earth. Their voices echoed in unison, a chilling harmony of battle cries. ¡°Spiritual Projection!¡± they roared, their hands moving in a blur as they each formed their signature hand sign.


    The world around them erupted in chaotic energy, splitting in two as their sanctuaries manifested. ¡°Infernal Crucible of Wrath!¡± Rad¡¯s voice thundered, his aura flaring with unrelenting rage.


    The battlefield was engulfed in a hellish landscape, rivers of molten lava snaked across the ground, jagged obsidian spikes jutted upward like the teeth of a beast, and the sky burned crimson, illuminated by constant volcanic eruptions. The oppressive heat distorted the air, suffocating and disorienting Ray.


    ¡°Sovereign Sanctuary!¡± Ray¡¯s voice came a moment later, and half of the infernal realm was overtaken by the cold, vast emptiness of space. Stars twinkled in the distance, and icy winds carried the whispers of the cosmos.


    The clash of the two sanctuaries was cataclysmic, their opposing energies tearing at each other as the two combatants dove toward each other. Fighting within the deadly fusion of their lethal sanctuaries.


    Ray dodged a massive wave of magma, his movements precise and calculated, while Rad used his own sanctuary to shield himself from an immediate death by Ray¡¯s. The two of them collided repeatedly, each cosmic blow fracturing their sanctuaries further. The environment itself seemed to rebel against their presence, cracking and breaking apart under the sheer force of their power.


    With a final clash of their fists, the sanctuaries shattered like glass, the fragments dissolving into the void. But neither combatant slowed. They clashed again and again, their determination unyielding.


    Rad¡¯s strikes grew heavier, more brutal, his body now covered in glowing white cracks that pulsed with raw energy. His aura burned so intensely that the ground beneath him melted into molten pools with every step.


    From a distance, Rad appeared more monster than man. His hulking form radiated pure malice, his glowing aura distorting the air around him like a mirage. But for all his monstrous appearance, the countless souls of the dead that flickered behind him spoke of his purpose: justice, vengeance, and the unbearable pain of loss.


    Rad roared, charging at Ray once more with unimaginable speed. Ray barely managed to backflip over a slash of Rad¡¯s claws, retaliating with a chain ignited in cosmic fire that slashed across Rad¡¯s torso. The strike left a glowing violet scar, but Rad didn¡¯t falter as he healed in milliseconds. He roared in defiance, his aura flaring brighter like a dying star, his strength seeming to grow endlessly as the glowing cracks along his body seared into his flesh.


    But even the brightest of star¡¯s fade. And then, with a final, devastating punch, Ray struck Rad¡¯s chest with a cosmic blow. Reality itself cracked and warped, the force of the strike ripping through the battlefield like a tidal wave. Rad stumbled back, the glow in his hair and eyes dimming as he fell to one knee, his breaths ragged and labored.


    He groaned in agony, his body trembling as the flow state abandoned him. Ray didn¡¯t waste a moment. He kicked Rad hard in the face, sending him sprawling onto his back with a bloody nose.


    Standing over his fallen foe, Ray extended his hand upwards, opening a small portal above his palm. From the portal, a katana descended into his grip. The Spirit Slasher Katana.


    Fully reformed after Ray¡¯s Fateful battle against Connor Namikaze. Its cursed blade is capable of slaughtering all lifeforms. For the Spirit Slasher Katana does not slice through only the body, but the soul within it, rendering all demons, y¨­kai, gods, and immortals alike, susceptible to the bite of its accursed blade.


    Rad¡¯s trembling hand shot up in a desperate attempt to shield himself from the incoming blade, but it was futile. The Spirit Slasher Katana pierced clean through his palm with an unforgiving force, pinning his hand to the shattered ground. A guttural scream tore from Rad¡¯s throat, raw with pain and anguish, as blood pooled beneath him.


    Ray, unmoved, pressed his boot down hard on Rad¡¯s other arm, trapping him completely. The weight was suffocating, and Rad, now too broken to fight back, could only writhe beneath his captor.


    Ray¡¯s gloved palm hovered ominously over Rad¡¯s face, glowing with the fiery intensity of a cosmic inferno. In an instant, a torrent of blazing energy erupted from Ray¡¯s hand, engulfing Rad¡¯s head in searing light. The beam¡¯s heat was unbearable, distorting the air around it as Rad¡¯s agonized screams filled the battlefield, reverberating off the fractured earth. It was a sound that could shake the soul, a harrowing symphony of pain that dragged on for what felt like an eternity.


    Rad¡¯s flesh sizzled and melted, his bones cracking under the unrelenting heat. What little embers remained of his glowing white aura flickered faintly before fading entirely, consumed by the overwhelming power of Ray¡¯s cosmic onslaught. The screams grew weaker, softer, until finally, they ceased.


    Silence fell over the battlefield, broken only by the distant rumble of collapsing mountains. Ray stepped back, his katana still in hand, staring down at Rad¡¯s charred corpse. The lifeless body lay twisted and broken, the once-mighty warrior now reduced to ashes and remnants.


    Ray¡¯s gaze lingered, his expression hidden behind the fractured visor of his helmet. The silence was suffocating, heavy with the weight of what had just transpired. But then, a weak, raspy voice broke through the stillness.


    ¡°¡­Why¡­ Ray¡­¡± Erydon¡¯s voice trembled as he crawled toward Ray, his immortal body still struggling to recover from the devastation of Ray¡¯s sanctuary. Yet his curse still forced him to live beyond his comrades deaths. His clothing was scorched, and his flesh was riddled with burns that refused to heal completely. ¡°¡­H-how many lives¡­ m-must you destroy? When will it be enough?¡±


    Erydon¡¯s words hung in the air, his tone carrying the weight of centuries of sorrow. The curse of his immortality forced him to endure what no one else could, a life of endless loss, watching his comrades fall one by one. His single remaining eye, filled with both despair and defiance, locked onto Ray as a tear streamed down his face.


    Ray¡¯s helmet tilted slightly as he glanced down at Rad¡¯s lifeless form one last time before turning his cold, emotionless gaze to Erydon. His voice, heavy and distant, cut through the tension. ¡°You never should have come after me, Erydon¡­¡± he muttered, each word laced with finality as he began to stalk toward the fallen immortal.


    Erydon¡¯s one good eye widened slightly, a second tear trailing down his scarred cheek. ¡°Answer me¡­¡± he whispered, his voice barely audible.


    But Ray offered no reply. Instead, he raised his heavy black boot and pressed it down on Erydon¡¯s slowly regenerating skull, the pressure forcing the immortal warrior to the ground. The weight of Ray¡¯s presence was suffocating, his shadow stretching across the battlefield like death itself.


    ¡°This is the end for you,¡± Ray declared, his voice cold and unyielding as he preyed on the man¡¯s inescapable fear of death. The Spirit Slasher Katana gleamed in the dim light as he raised it high, its cursed blade humming with the power to sever not just flesh but the very essence of a soul.


    With a swift, merciless strike, the blade plunged into Erydon¡¯s chest, piercing through his heart and soul in one devastating motion. The immortal¡¯s body convulsed briefly, his final, desperate gasp escaping into the hollow air. The katana¡¯s curse worked instantly, purging his spirit from existence.


    Erydon¡¯s life, his pain, his memories, his very essence, was erased entirely, leaving behind only a lifeless husk. The battlefield was now silent, utterly devoid of life. The rumbling of distant crumbling mountains was the only sound that remained, a haunting echo in a world torn apart by violence.


    The air hung heavy with the stench of ash and the weight of countless souls, their presence lingering like shadows over the desolation. The Cosmic Child stood victorious amidst the carnage. The faint glow of his katana dimmed as he lowered it, the cursed blade dripping with the residue of annihilated souls.


    For a moment, he stood still, a solitary figure surrounded by ruin, his tattered black cape billowing in the scorched winds. His breathing was steady, his posture calm, but his silence spoke louder than any words ever could.


    Without looking back, Ray turned and began to walk away, his form fading into the ash-filled horizon. The battlefield, now a graveyard, stood as a testament to his wrath, a hollow reminder of the destruction he had wrought across countless worlds.

 Chapter 36: Reunions with the dead

    Elara¡¯s green eyes fluttered open, heavy with exhaustion yet brimming with an unshakable weight. She blinked slowly, disoriented, as her gaze settled on the endless field of shimmering stardust stretching far beyond her comprehension. The air felt lighter than a whisper, but it carried a deep hum of emotions, sorrow, hope, longing.


    Her head rested on someone¡¯s lap, the warmth of it startlingly familiar. ¡°Elara¡­¡±


    A soft voice cut through the ethereal silence, freezing her in place. It was a voice she had never thought she¡¯d hear again, one that could stop her heart with just a single word.


    ¡°You¡¯re finally awake,¡± Nova said gently, her tone laced with both relief and sadness. Elara¡¯s breath hitched as her eyes widened. She tilted her head up slowly, her vision meeting Nova¡¯s.


    Her curls, radiant and glowing faintly like the stars above them, framed a face that bore a soft, melancholic smile. Nova wore a yellow jacket over a black tank top, paired with ripped black jeans and yellow sneakers marked with faint cosmic star designs. She looked just as she had in life, radiant, confident, but now, tinged with a quiet sorrow.


    ¡°Nova¡­?¡± Elara whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of disbelief.


    ¡°It¡¯s me,¡± Nova replied, her head nodding softly. Elara¡¯s lips quivered as her hands trembled, tears welling up in her eyes before spilling down her cheeks. She sat up suddenly, her chest tightening as emotions overwhelmed her. ¡°I¡­ I tried. I tried to make things right¡­ I thought-¡±


    Nova leaned back slightly, her gaze steady yet sorrowful. ¡°You thought avenging me would bring you peace? That it would fix everything Ray broke?¡± she asked softly, her tone calm but knowing.


    Elara¡¯s voice rose, her words desperate, as tears streamed freely. ¡°I had to, Nova! He took you from me! He took everything! I thought if I killed him, if I made him suffer like we did, it would mean something! I couldn¡¯t just let him get away with it! I couldn¡¯t just¡­ just sit by and do nothing after he killed you!¡±


    Nova listened in silence, her expression softening further as she let Elara¡¯s anguish pour out. Elara¡¯s voice cracked as she continued, her head bowing under the weight of her words. ¡°I thought¡­ maybe if I did it¡­ maybe then I¡¯d finally be good enough for you.¡±


    At that, Nova¡¯s lips parted slightly, a tear slipping from her own eye. Her voice was soft but unwavering. ¡°Elara¡­ you were always enough.¡±


    Elara froze, her breath caught in her throat as her eyes locked onto Nova¡¯s. ¡°But Ray said¡­¡± Her voice trembled as she hesitated, her body visibly shaking. ¡°He said you never loved me. That I was just¡­ a replacement.¡±


    Nova exhaled a deep, shaky breath as she reached out, gently taking Elara¡¯s trembling hands in hers. Her thumbs brushed lightly over Elara¡¯s knuckles, grounding her. ¡°Elara, I won¡¯t lie to you. I did love Ray once, and I still do care about him.


    He was my best friend, my anchor when everything else seemed uncertain. And I did always hope he¡¯d find his way back to the boy I used to know.¡± She said quietly with a shaky voice full of pain. ¡°The Ray that I grew up with, but that doesn¡¯t mean I didn¡¯t love you.¡±


    Elara¡¯s voice was a whisper, barely audible. ¡°Then¡­ why did it feel like I was chasing a shadow? Like no matter what I did, I could never be enough for you?¡±


    Nova reached up, cupping Elara¡¯s face gently with her hands. Her own tears glistened, mirroring the stars around them. ¡°Because you let yourself believe you were in someone else¡¯s shadow. You let that fear plant itself in your heart, and it poisoned the love we had. But it was never true.¡±


    She paused, her voice softening, overflowing with warmth. ¡°You made me laugh when the world felt dark. You gave me hope when I thought the stars had abandoned me. You made me feel alive, Elara. I loved you, and I still do.¡±


    Elara broke down, her sobs loud and unrestrained as she clutched onto Nova tightly, burying her face into her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± she choked out. ¡°For everything. For not trusting you. For letting my jealousy ruin what we had. For failing you-¡±


    Nova shook her head, pulling Elara even closer. ¡°No. Stop blaming yourself. None of this was your fault. What happened to me, to us, to everyone, that was Ray¡¯s doing. You don¡¯t have to carry that weight anymore, Elara. You¡¯ve held onto it for too long.¡±


    Elara¡¯s voice cracked as she whispered, her sobs quieting but her pain still evident. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to let go¡­ I don¡¯t know how to move on without you.¡±


    Nova leaned back slightly, her hands moving to hold Elara¡¯s tear-streaked face. Her gaze was steady, glowing with tenderness. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do it alone anymore. I¡¯m here. We don¡¯t have to fight, or run, or hurt. We can just be. Together. Like we always dreamed.¡±


    Elara sniffled, her voice breaking as she whispered, ¡°Do you¡­ do you forgive me?¡±


    Nova smiled, her expression radiant, her voice full of love. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to forgive, Elara. You¡¯ve always had my heart.¡±


    A deep breath escaped Elara¡¯s lips as the crushing weight on her chest finally lifted. Her trembling hands steadied as she smiled, a small, genuine smile breaking through the flood of emotions. ¡°I missed you so much¡­¡±


    Nova¡¯s arms wrapped around her again, pulling her close, her chin resting gently on Elara¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I missed you too. But we have all the time in the universe now.¡±


    The shimmering stardust around them glowed brighter, forming constellations that flickered with memories, of laughter, love, and even pain. All of it swirled together, blending into the serene peace of the afterlife. As they held each other tightly, the pain of the past began to fade, leaving only the quiet promise of eternity together.


    Rad¡¯s eyes shot open, and he gasped, his breath catching as he sat up abruptly. The searing pain that had gripped every inch of his body only moments ago was gone. Instinctively, his hands roamed over his chest, arms, and legs, expecting to feel charred flesh or broken bones.


    Instead, his skin was whole, smooth, and unscarred, as though his battle against Ray had never happened. His fingers trembled as they traced over his face, expecting burns, cracks, something to remind him of the agony he had endured. But there was nothing.


    Rad¡¯s breathing slowed, and he glanced around. The landscape was otherworldly, a serene expanse of shimmering silver mist stretching into infinity. Soft, warm light illuminated the ground beneath him, which seemed to be made of swirling, liquid stardust.


    He reached down and scooped a handful, watching it flow through his fingers like glowing sand. There was no sound, no wind, no echo of the devastation he¡¯d left behind.


    ¡°Is this¡­ it?¡± he muttered under his breath, his voice breaking. The last thing he remembered was Ray¡¯s foot on his arm, the unbearable heat of the cosmic beam, and the hollowing pain as his strength, his will, his very life, was burned away.


    Rad clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. ¡°I¡¯m dead,¡± he whispered, the words sticking in his throat. He turned his hands over again, staring at them. ¡°I failed¡­¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t fail, Rad.¡± The familiar voice froze him in place. He slowly turned his head, his heart pounding. There they were, standing a few feet away.


    Lucio, his curly hair catching the soft light, his kind smile as radiant as ever. And Mary, her auburn hair flowing gently, her green robe catching faint flecks of stardust as she cradled her baby in her arms.


    Rad¡¯s breath hitched as he stumbled to his feet, his knees threatening to buckle. ¡°L-Lucio? Mary?¡± His voice cracked as his mind struggled to process the sight before him. ¡°Is it really¡­ you?¡±


    Lucio stepped forward, his smile warm and reassuring. ¡°It¡¯s us, Rad. We¡¯ve been waiting for you.¡±


    Rad staggered back, his eyes darting between them. Tears welled up, and his lips quivered. ¡°But¡­ how? You¡¯re both gone. ¡°Ray¡ªhe¡ªhe¡ª¡± His voice broke, and he dropped to his knees, his hands clutching his head. ¡°I couldn¡¯t avenge you. Either of you. I tried, but I wasn¡¯t strong enough.¡±


    Mary¡¯s soft voice carried over the silence, her tone gentle and comforting. ¡°Rad, stop.¡± She approached him, her baby cooing softly in her arms. She knelt beside him, her hand resting on his shoulder. ¡°You carried so much for so long. Too much. None of this was your fault.¡±


    Rad¡¯s head shot up, his tear-filled eyes locking onto hers. ¡°How can you say that? You¡¯re here, dead, because I wasn¡¯t able to protect you. Both of you!¡± He turned to Lucio, his voice growing desperate. ¡°I should¡¯ve done more. I should¡¯ve stopped him before he could-¡±


    ¡°Rad.¡± Lucio¡¯s voice was firm but kind, his hands resting on his hips. ¡°You¡¯re not a god. You can¡¯t blame yourself for everything Ray¡¯s done. You fought harder than anyone else. You gave everything you had. But it wasn¡¯t your burden to bear alone.¡±


    Rad¡¯s chest heaved as sobs wracked his body. He looked down at the stardust-covered ground, his tears falling freely. ¡°I wanted to save everyone. I wanted to make it right. But I lost¡­ I lost everything.¡±


    Mary shifted her baby in her arms, the child reaching out a tiny hand toward Rad. ¡°You didn¡¯t lose us, Rad,¡± she said softly. ¡°We¡¯re here. And we¡¯re okay. You don¡¯t have to fight anymore.¡±


    Lucio knelt beside him, placing a hand on Rad¡¯s shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ve missed you, man. I know it¡¯s hard to let go, but you don¡¯t have to carry all that pain anymore. You¡¯ve done enough. More than enough.¡±


    Rad looked between the two of them, his vision blurred by tears. ¡°I don¡¯t deserve this. I don¡¯t deserve to be with you. Not after all my mistakes.¡±


    Mary cupped his face, her touch warm and soothing. ¡°Rad, none of that matters here. What matters is that we¡¯re together now. That we can finally have peace.¡±


    Rad¡¯s shoulders slumped as the weight he had carried for so long began to lift. The guilt, the anger, the sorrow, it all started to fade, replaced by an overwhelming sense of bittersweet relief. He reached out, his hands trembling as he touched Lucio¡¯s shoulder and Mary¡¯s arm. They were real. They were here.


    A small, broken laugh escaped him, followed by a deep, shuddering sigh. ¡°I missed you both so much.¡±


    Lucio grinned, his usual playful demeanor shining through. ¡°We missed you too, big guy.¡±


    Mary smiled, her baby giggling softly in her arms. ¡°And now we have all the time in the world.¡±


    Rad closed his eyes, letting out a breath he didn¡¯t realize he¡¯d been holding. When he opened them again, the stardust around them shimmered more brightly, enveloping the three of them in its gentle glow. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Rad smiled, a genuine, peaceful smile.


    ¡°I guess¡­ this isn¡¯t so bad,¡± he said quietly, his voice steady but tinged with emotion.


    Mary and Lucio exchanged a knowing look, their expressions full of warmth. ¡°It¡¯s not bad at all,¡± Lucio replied.


    And as they sat together in the endless field of stardust, Rad finally allowed himself to accept his death. It was bittersweet, but it was also freeing. He was home.


    Aurelius walked alone through the abyssal void of the afterlife, the darkness pressing in on him from all sides. His footsteps echoed through the silence, each sound amplified in the vast, empty space. He didn¡¯t know how he had gotten here, but the absence of any warmth, any light, was overwhelming.


    His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and his breath came in slow, steady inhales as his eyes scanned the void before him. The familiar golden structures, his creations, towered in the darkness, lifeless statues that once held so much power and pride. His golden army.


    His empire. Now, just hollow monuments of a past he had lost.


    He stopped, his heart heavy, the weight of what he¡¯d lost sinking in with every passing moment. His family, his precious wife and son, frozen, lifeless, encased in gold, were all that remained of his once-thriving world. He could still feel the anger and the hurt from when Ray¡¯s cosmic powers had shattered his empire, the feeling of helplessness when his loved ones had been turned to statues.


    His golden fingers reached out towards the nearest statue, a familiar one, his son¡¯s likeness frozen in time. He slowly closed his eyes, the image of his family haunting him, their loss gnawing at him like an endless ache. He wanted to scream, to rail against the darkness, but it was futile. Nothing would bring them back. Nothing could undo what Ray had done.


    And yet, as he stood there, surrounded by the familiar stillness of his golden creations, a voice pierced the silence. ¡°Aurelius¡­¡±


    His heart skipped a beat, his pulse quickening. The voice was soft, faint, but unmistakable. His wife. Nora?


    He turned toward the sound, searching through the darkness, his breath caught in his throat.


    ¡°Father, come back to us¡­¡± Another voice, his son¡¯s. His pulse quickened, his feet moving of their own accord. George! He thought to himself as he took a hesitant step forward, then another, the calls growing louder, more urgent. My family. Alive? No. It cant be. It has to be a trick! A cruel illusion! Aurelius thought to himself, unable to believe the situation he was in.


    ¡°Aurelius¡­ please¡­¡± the voices echoed. Aurelius began sprinting faster with every step as the voices grew clearer, closer. As if they were right in front of him. ¡°Nora! George!¡± His mind screamed with desperation, his body moving faster, propelled by the need to reach them.


    The darkness around him seemed to stretch, the emptiness pressing in on him as he sprinted through it. And then, in an instant, a bright flash of light enveloped him. It was blinding, pure, untainted light that pierced through the darkness and consumed him. Aurelius quickly closed his eyes, his body going tense with the intensity of the light, unsure of where he was or what was happening.


    When he opened his eyes again, he found himself standing in the middle of a lush field, the sun shining brightly above him. The air was warm and rich with the scent of grass. The landscape was peaceful, quiet, and so achingly familiar. A field outside his kingdom, the one he had often walked with his family when the kingdom was still whole.


    And there, standing in front of him, were his wife and son. Not statues. Not golden husks. They were seemingly alive, their faces full of joy, their eyes shining with warmth.


    ¡°Aurelius¡­¡± His wife, Nora, whispered, her voice like a soft melody in the wind. She reached out to him, her eyes glistening with love, the familiar warmth of her presence washing over him.


    His son, once a cold, unyielding statue, smiled at him¡ªa smile so full of life and joy that Aurelius couldn¡¯t breathe for a moment.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    ¡°Father¡­¡± His son¡¯s voice cracked with emotion as he rushed towards Aurelius before hugging him tightly. ¡°We¡¯ve been waiting for you!¡±


    Tears sprang to Aurelius¡¯s eyes, his heart swelling in his chest. For the first time since his death, he felt a warmth that he hadn¡¯t known since before the fall of his empire. It was them. His family. His wife, his son, animate, real, and standing before him.


    He dropped to his knees, his hands shaking as he hugged George back, the golden armor he once wore now nothing but a distant memory.


    ¡°I¡¯ve failed you,¡± he choked out, his voice thick with emotion. ¡°I lost everything. I let my greed¡­ my hunger for power¡­ take everything from me.¡±


    His wife knelt down beside him, taking his trembling hands in hers. ¡°No, Aurelius. You didn¡¯t fail us. You fought for us. For our sake. Your love for us is all that matters.¡±


    Aurelius looked up at her, tears streaming down his face. He could hardly believe it. After everything, after all the pain, all the loss, he had his family back. They were here, with him, in this peaceful place where the echoes of greed and vengeance no longer haunted him.


    His son wrapped his arms around him even tighter. ¡°We¡¯re here, Father. We never left you.¡±


    Aurelius sobbed, his shoulders shaking with the weight of it all. The love he felt for them was overwhelming, pure, and untainted by the darkness of his past. For all the bloodshed, all the destruction, this moment, was everything he had ever truly wanted in life.


    ¡°I love you both so much,¡± he whispered hoarsely, his arms wrapping around them as he clung to them with every ounce of his being. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m so sorry for everything.¡±


    ¡°We forgive you, Aurelius,¡± his wife murmured, her voice full of tenderness. ¡°We always have.


    As he embraced them, his heart full, he allowed himself to accept this bittersweet end. There was no empire left to reclaim, no gold to hoard. But he had them. And that was enough.


    Aurelius closed his eyes contently, his body finally at peace, as he held his family close, surrounded by the warmth of their love. In the afterlife, amidst the serenity of the fields, he found his salvation, not in wealth, but in the embrace of the ones he had loved and lost.


    Aelith awoke with a sharp gasp, her chest heaving as if she had been holding her breath for an eternity. Her eyes fluttered open, greeted by the golden light of the sun piercing through a canopy of towering trees. The forest was alive with a tranquil hum; the rustling of leaves danced in harmony with the distant chirping of birds.


    Shadows stretched and swayed beneath the foliage, painting a mosaic of light and darkness on the soft, dew-kissed grass beneath her. Her hands trembled as she pushed herself upright, her fingers brushing against the cool, damp earth. Aelith¡¯s heart raced as her gaze darted around the clearing, her senses disoriented.


    She hesitantly glanced down at her body, her hands running over her arms and torso, confirming she was whole. Her clothing was intact, though dirt and faint smudges marred its surface. Her breath caught as she whispered to herself, ¡°What happened to me¡­ Where am I?¡±


    Her legs felt unsteady, as if they belonged to someone else, but she forced herself to rise. Each movement was slow, deliberate, as though the forest itself might shatter around her. She took a tentative step forward, her boots sinking slightly into the soft earth.


    The air was heavy with an eerie familiarity, the scent of pine and wildflowers tugging at the corners of her memory. ¡°I know this place,¡± she murmured under her breath, her voice barely audible over the gentle rustling of the leaves. ¡°But how?¡±


    She wandered deeper into the forest, her steps becoming steadier as the unease in her chest grew. The trees seemed to loom closer with every step, their towering forms casting elongated shadows that stretched across her path. Despite the tranquility around her, a strange sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu gnawed at her. I¡¯ve been here before¡­ but when?


    Shaking her head, she pressed on. I¡¯ve got to regroup with the others. Aelith thought, her focus narrowing to the task at hand.


    But just as resolve began to steel her nerves, a sudden noise halted her in her tracks, a cacophony of voices carried by the breeze. Laughter, shouting, and¡­ music? Her blood ran cold. The sound was distant but unmistakable, a symphony of celebration that felt as alien as it did familiar.


    Aelith¡¯s body tensed as she whipped her head toward the direction of the noise. Her sharp eyes scanned the dense forest, her heart hammering in her chest. No... that can¡¯t be. That music¡­ Her thoughts raced, disbelief creeping in. It was a melody she hadn¡¯t heard in what felt like ages, bright, joyous, and impossibly nostalgic.


    Her pace quickened, then turned into a full sprint as she pushed past branches and leaped over roots, her breaths growing ragged. The closer she got, the louder the sounds became: cheers, clinking glasses, and jubilant music that seemed to wrap around her like an embrace. Her mind reeled.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t real. It can¡¯t be real!¡± she thought, but her legs moved on their own, driven by a desperate need to see the truth for herself.


    Bursting through the final line of trees, Aelith skidded to a halt, her boots digging into the ground as she gasped at the sight before her. Her wide eyes darted across the sprawling scene: hundreds of sorcerers gathered in a vast courtyard, laughing, dancing, and reveling as though no time had passed. Tables laden with food and drink lined the area, their surfaces gleaming under the sunlight.


    Vibrant banners fluttered in the breeze, bearing the phoenix emblem of the academy. And there it was, the academy itself, standing tall and untouched, its once-ruined towers now restored to their former glory.


    Aelith¡¯s breath hitched as she staggered forward, her mind struggling to comprehend what she was seeing. Her gaze darted from one familiar face to another, each one a ghost of her past made flesh. These were her comrades, her peers, sorcerers she had thought lost forever.


    They looked as alive as the day she had last seen them. Her knees nearly buckled as she took in the scene, her voice a whisper carried away by the wind. ¡°How¡­ how is this possible?¡±


    Aelith¡¯s breath came in short, shallow gasps as she stood frozen at the edge of the courtyard, the joyful scene playing out before her like a dream she was terrified to wake from. Her eyes darted across the sea of familiar faces, but they locked onto one pair in particular. Charlie, her dependable, selfless friend, stood in the center of it all, spinning and laughing as he danced with a vibrant green humanoid figure. Yuki the slime.


    Aelith¡¯s chest tightened at the sight of the two, their movements fluid and carefree, as though they had no burdens, no grief weighing them down. It was the happiest she had seen Charlie in years, his boyish grin was radiant, his blue eyes alive with joy that had once been buried beneath sorrow. Yuki giggled as she playfully twirled around him, her translucent form catching the light like emerald glass.


    The immense love between them was palpable, almost tangible, and Aelith felt her heart ache with longing and confusion. Her attention shifted to another corner of the courtyard, where Seraphina stood, her dark green dragon tattoos glowing faintly as she juggled spheres of green flame with practiced ease. She moved with graceful precision, her calm demeanor replaced by a playful smirk as the younger sorcerer students watched in awe.


    Their laughter rang out as one of the flames burst into harmless sparks, scattering like fireworks in the air. Seraphina¡¯s temper, once so tightly restrained, was nowhere to be seen, only warmth and patience radiated from her now.


    Near a long table adorned with steaming dishes and overflowing drinks, Nyxen and Mathew worked side by side. Nyxen¡¯s quiet, reserved nature contrasted with Mathew¡¯s lively, comedic commentary as they served plates of food to sorcerers of all ages. Mathew cracked jokes with every plate he handed out, his freckled face lighting up with each laugh he earned. Nyxen offered soft smiles, his calm presence grounding the otherwise chaotic scene.


    The two of them worked in harmony, an unlikely pair whose camaraderie seemed unshakable. At a nearby table, Aelith spotted Penelope and Olivia, their contrasting energies somehow perfectly balanced. Olivia¡¯s radiant golden hair seemed to shimmer in the sunlight as she leaned over the table, laughing heartily at something Penelope said.


    Penelope¡¯s icy blue pupils sparkled with rare mirth, her typically quiet nature softened by the warm presence of the woman sitting with them. This woman, with dark green hair, piercing green eyes, and freckles dusting her pale skin, wore black robes over a black tunic and dark green undershirt. She exuded an air of familiarity, as though she had always belonged here, sharing in the laughter and camaraderie.


    Aelith¡¯s stomach churned. These were people she had mourned, people whose losses she had felt like daggers to her heart. And yet, here they were, alive, whole, and happy. This can¡¯t be real. She thought, her mind spiraling. I¡¯m dreaming. I have to be. This isn¡¯t possible¡­ right?


    Her thoughts were interrupted by a gentle but firm voice behind her. ¡°You¡¯ve come a long way, Aelith.¡±


    She spun around, her heart pounding, and there he was, Sensei Ino. His wizened face was calm, his softened eyes filled with an understanding that sent a chill down her spine. His presence was as commanding as ever, but there was a softness to him now, an unspoken weight lifted from his shoulders.


    ¡°Sensei?¡± Aelith¡¯s voice cracked, her disbelief evident. ¡°You¡­ I thought you were dead.¡±


    A shadow crossed his face as he nodded solemnly. ¡°I am, Aelith. And it seems you are too.¡±


    The words hit her like a physical blow. She staggered backward, her hands trembling. ¡°No¡­ no, that¡¯s not possible. I was just¡­ I was just fighting against Ray, I was alive-¡± Her voice broke as panic clawed at her chest.


    Ino stepped closer, his presence steady and grounding. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. ¡°I know it¡¯s hard to accept, but it¡¯s the truth. You¡¯re here now, with us.¡±


    Tears welled in Aelith¡¯s eyes as her mind raced, grasping for answers, for something to deny the reality he was presenting. But as her gaze swept over the courtyard once more, Charlie and Yuki, Seraphina, Nyxen and Mathew, Penelope and Olivia, everything fell into place. This was the afterlife, and she was among the dead.


    Ino¡¯s voice softened. ¡°It¡¯s not the end, Aelith. Look around you. We¡¯re all here, together. There¡¯s no more pain, no more loss. Just this.¡±


    Aelith¡¯s knees buckled, and she sank to the ground, her tears falling freely now. Ino knelt beside her, his presence unwavering. Slowly, she let his words sink in. She was dead, but so were they. The people she had lost, the pain she had carried, the battles she had fought, they were all behind her now.


    Her tears slowed as she looked up at Ino, a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ beautiful,¡± she whispered.


    Ino smiled gently. ¡°It is. And now, it¡¯s yours too.¡± Aelith closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her heart heavy but no longer burdened. Her soul had been given peace.


    Seridia¡¯s eyes fluttered open, her breath catching as she found herself lying atop an endless expanse of water. The surface rippled beneath her but refused to let her sink, as though cradling her gently. She sat up slowly, her hands trembling as she instinctively felt her body and face for wounds, but there were none.


    Her gaze lifted to the sky, where heavy storm clouds loomed, spilling a soft, steady rain onto the eerily calm ocean. The air was thick with a quiet melancholy, broken only by the rhythmic patter of raindrops. ¡°Where¡­ am I?¡± she whispered, her quiet voice lost to the vastness around her.


    She rose to her feet unsteadily, her reflection shimmering faintly below her. ¡°The last thing I remember, I¡­¡± she whispered, her voice trailing off as a sickening realization gripped her.


    A cold knot formed in her stomach, twisting tighter with every passing second. ¡°Oh, gods,¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible as her eyes widened with dawning horror.


    Then, cutting through the desolate quiet, came a voice, gentle and familiar, like a warm breeze brushing against her soul. ¡°Seridia?¡±


    Her breath hitched. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat resonating with a mixture of hope and fear. She froze, her body stiff with hesitation, before slowly turning around.


    And there he was, Aero. Her little brother stood there, no longer writhing in torment, no longer caught in the fractured loops of agony that had haunted her nightmares. He wore the simple white tunic and pants he had donned the day he was trapped, now unstained and unmarred. His face was soft, his expression one of tentative relief.


    Seridia¡¯s lips parted, trembling as her vision blurred with tears. She took a hesitant step forward, her knees threatening to buckle. Then another, quicker this time. Then one more. And before she knew it, she was sprinting toward him, her heart shattering and mending all at once.


    ¡°Aero!¡± she cried, her voice cracking as tears streamed freely down her cheeks. She threw her arms around him, clutching him with all the strength she had.


    Aero sobbed into her shoulder, his grip just as fierce. ¡°Seridia!¡± he choked out, his voice breaking. ¡°It¡¯s been so lonely here! I thought I¡¯d never see you again!¡±


    She pressed her face into his hair, her hands trembling as she stroked his head. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± she whispered, her voice shaking but gentle. ¡°I¡¯m here now. You don¡¯t have to be alone anymore. I promise.¡±


    They stayed locked in that embrace, the sound of their sobs mingling with the rain. For a moment, it felt as though the world had stilled just for them.


    Finally, Seridia pulled back, her hands tenderly brushing the tears from Aero¡¯s face. Her own tears continued to fall as she gave him a soft, bittersweet smile. ¡°Aero,¡± she began hesitantly, her voice fragile. ¡°Where are Mom and Dad? Are they here too?¡±


    Her question hung In the air like a fragile thread, one that she feared might snap under the weight of the answer. Aero¡¯s expression faltered, his gaze dropping as his lips pressed together. He sniffled, struggling to form the words.


    When he finally looked her in the eyes, his own were brimming with fresh tears. ¡°No,¡± he whispered, his voice breaking. ¡°They¡­ They never came, Seridia.¡± His voice cracked as he shook his head, his grief spilling out in choked sobs.


    The words hit her like a tidal wave, leaving her breathless. Her heart felt like it was being crushed in a vice. More tears spilled down her cheeks as she tried to speak, but the words refused to come. Her lips quivered, her voice lost amidst her anguish.


    Aero reached for her, and she pulled him close again, clinging to him as though he might vanish if she let go. They held each other tightly, their shared grief pouring out in waves. They cried for their parents, for the loss of a family that would never be whole again.


    The rain continued to fall, soft and steady, as the siblings stood together in their sorrow, bound by their pain but comforted by the fragile solace of reunion. But not all reunions with the dead were joyful or bittersweet ones.


    Some were nothing but echoes of pain and fury, wounds too deep to heal. Ray, like the others, found himself in the spirit realm, seated in a small wooden chair across from the woman who had once been his guardian, his family, his source of light.


    Her blonde hair cascaded like a golden waterfall over her yellow jacket, a picture of life so vivid it almost mocked him. She wore a white shirt and casual blue jeans, just as vibrant as they had been in life. She sat across from him, somber and calm, her skin glowing faintly with an ethereal hue.


    The setting sun poured through the window of the modest room, casting her in soft, golden light, while Ray sat in the encroaching shadows. The light never reached him. It never dared.


    Ray¡¯s face and body were swallowed entirely by the darkness, only his piercing violet eyes cutting through the void. They glowed faintly, burning with a quiet but unrelenting fire. ¡°Laura¡­¡± he muttered under his breath.


    The word was sharp, not tender, not even surprised, a name he hadn¡¯t allowed himself to speak out loud in years. Laura gave him a sad, fragile smile. ¡°I made you blueberry pancakes,¡± she said softly, her voice trembling with emotion. ¡°I remember how much you loved them when you were little. I even shaped them like stars¡­ just like you liked.¡±


    Her voice cracked, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Ray¡¯s cold gaze shifted briefly to the table between them, to the plate of perfectly shaped pancakes and the glass of apple juice beside it. For a fleeting moment, the sight tugged at a buried part of him, but the moment passed like a whisper, leaving nothing.


    He raised his violet glowing eyes back to hers, his tone sharp as a dagger. ¡°So, this is it, huh? Trying to bribe me? Sweet-talk me into sparing your brother? That¡¯s why you¡¯re here?¡±


    Laura flinched at his words, the weight of his accusation hitting like a hammer. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair, her hands trembling in her lap. ¡°Ray¡­ I-I just wanted to talk,¡± she replied, her voice shaky and pleading. ¡°I wanted to see you. To understand.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to talk about,¡± Ray snapped, his voice as cold as ice. ¡°Nothing you say will change anything.¡± His words cut deep, and Laura¡¯s heart sank under the weight of his rejection.


    Her mind flashed, unbidden, to the boy she once knew, the boy who had fought tooth and nail to bring her life saving medicine when she was on her deathbed. The boy who had begged and cried for her to live. That boy was gone. Swallowed whole by something far darker.


    ¡°Ray¡­¡± Laura whispered, a tear rolling down her cheek. ¡°I know what happened to you. I know what Zelena did-"


    She didn¡¯t get to finish. The table between them flew across the room with a deafening crash, slamming into the wall and shattering pictures of a younger Ray and Laura. Smiling. Happy. The glass splintered like fragile memories.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know a damn thing!¡± Ray roared, his voice thunderous as he stepped out of the shadows, his cosmic eyes blazing like dying stars.


    ¡°Ray!¡± Laura pleaded, rising to her feet, but he stalked closer, his face twisted in fury.


    ¡°I¡¯m like this because of you!¡± he bellowed, stepping into the light. His heavily scarred face was illuminated, his battered and broken onyx exosuit barely holding together. Wires spilled from the seams, and his rusted necklace, the one holding the shattered crystal Penny had gifted him, hung limply against his chest. Shattered open.


    ¡°Ever since you told me to spend my life helping others¡­¡± he rasped, his voice breaking as he raised his trembling, chained wrists. His breath came in ragged gasps. ¡°Every single day since I got these powers has been hell!¡±


    ¡°Ray, that¡¯s not-¡± Laura tried to interject, but he cut her off, his voice rising to a crescendo of pain. ¡°No! You don¡¯t get to talk! You don¡¯t get to act like you understand!¡±


    His voice cracked, raw and anguished. ¡°You didn¡¯t spend two years being tortured day and night! You didn¡¯t have your limbs cut off or your eyes gouged out for some sick fuck¡¯s entertainment! You didn¡¯t have to kill everyone you¡¯ve ever loved just for a slim chance, just a slim chance¡­ that maybe, maybe, you could escape a fate you never asked for!¡±


    His voice broke Into a sob, tears streaming freely down his face. ¡°I spent my whole life helping others¡­ And where did that get me? I had to sell my soul just to survive!¡±


    Laura stood frozen, her own tears falling as she watched the shattered boy she had once known release years of pent-up torment. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for my father¡­¡± Ray hissed, his voice dripping with venom. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you dying of a fucking cold, I might¡¯ve had a chance to be a normal kid!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ray,¡± Laura whispered, her voice trembling. Her hands balled into fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry-"


    ¡°I don¡¯t care anymore!¡± Ray snarled, cutting her off as he summoned a swirling portal. From it, he drew the Spirit Slasher katana, its cursed blade glowing ominously.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about you. I don¡¯t care about anyone. Not even myself. It¡¯s too late to stop me,¡± he said, his voice cold with bitter resolve. ¡°I¡¯ve killed everyone who could, and I¡¯ll kill any damn thing that tries!'''' Ray yelled, his voice filled with malice as he raised the cursed katana above Laura''s head. ''''All that matters now¡­ is breaking the cycle that brought me here.¡±


    Laura¡¯s face crumpled in despair as she watched the nephew she had loved, the boy she had raised like her own son, stand before her as a monster. ¡°Then¡­¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible. ¡°My nephew is truly dead.¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t flinch. His face remained hard, though the tears on his cheeks glistened in the fading light.


    ¡°Zelena killed him,¡± Ray said, his voice quiet but heavy with finality. And with a single, fluid motion, he brought the katana down, its edge slicing through the air with an eerie hum.


    Laura¡¯s form flickered and faded, her soul purged from existence. And as the light in the room dimmed to nothing, Ray stood alone in the darkness, the weight of his choices heavy in the silence.

 Chapter 37: To save a son

    The room was dimly lit, with peeling wallpaper clinging stubbornly to the cracked walls. The faint sound of a leaky faucet echoed from somewhere in the apartment, blending with the distant hum of traffic outside. A small table in the corner was cluttered with old magazines, a half-filled cup of coffee, and a dim lamp that cast long, uneven shadows across the room.


    The sofa, though worn and patched in places, provided a soft resting place for Mira, who sat cradling Kite tightly in her lap. Kite¡¯s eyes fluttered open slowly, the faint throbbing in his head making him groan softly. His cheek rested against Mira¡¯s shoulder, and he could feel the warmth of her trembling body.


    She held him as If he might disappear at any moment, her quiet sobs the only sound in the room. ¡°M-Mom?¡± Kite whispered weakly, his voice barely audible.


    Mira¡¯s tear-streaked face came into view as he pulled back slightly, her dark brown hair loose and messy, cascading over her shoulders. Her green eyes, filled with a mixture of relief and worry, were puffy and red from crying. Her lips trembled as she gasped softly, her breath hitching.


    ¡°Kite!¡± she exclaimed, her voice shaking with concern. She cupped his face gently, her hands warm but trembling. ¡°Are you okay? Does anything hurt?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I think I¡¯m okay,¡± Kite replied, his voice hoarse. He winced as he tried to move his head, a sharp pain stopping him mid-motion. ¡°Ow¡­¡±


    Mira¡¯s arms tightened around him protectively. ¡°Don¡¯t move too much, sweetheart. You have a big bruise on your head,¡± she said softly, her voice breaking. ¡°You scared us so much¡­¡±


    Kite leaned against her again, resting his head lightly on her shoulder. The two of them sat in silence, Mira holding him as if trying to shield him from the world outside. Her tears dampened the bandages on his head, but kite didn¡¯t mind. The quiet comfort of her presence was enough for now.


    The door creaked open, and Dorian stepped inside carrying a small tray of medical supplies. He was tall and lean, with pale skin and short, dark brown hair that framed his reserved but kind face. His grey eyes scanned the room with worry before settling on Kite.


    Dorian set the tray on the rickety table beside the sofa and approached, his gaze softening as he saw Kite awake. ¡°Son¡­ are you okay?¡± he asked, his voice calm but thick with concern.


    Kite nodded weakly. ¡°I think so¡­ but I don¡¯t remember much. I was walking in the alleyway with Ray¡­ and then everything went bright.¡±


    Dorian and Mira exchanged a look, their unease evident. Mira gently stroked Kite¡¯s hair. ¡°Kite¡­ who¡¯s Ray?¡± she asked softly.


    ¡°He¡¯s¡­ he¡¯s a robotic baby I got for a school project,¡± Kite explained, his voice faltering. ¡°He¡¯s¡­ he¡¯s my friend.¡±


    Mira¡¯s expression shifted as realization dawned. She bit her lip, her voice tender but heavy with sorrow. ¡°Kite¡­¡± She hesitated, then spoke. ¡°I don¡¯t think Ray made it.¡±


    Kite blinked, pulling back slightly to look at her, confusion and dread mingling in his eyes. ¡°What do you mean?¡± he asked, his voice trembling.


    Mira gestured toward the cushion chair nearby, where Ray¡¯s broken body rested, lifeless and shattered. What little remained of his cybernetic black frame was dented and scorched, wires spilling out from his body like unraveling threads.


    Kite¡¯s heart sank. ¡°Ray!¡± he cried, scrambling out of Mira¡¯s lap before she could stop him. He stumbled toward the chair, ignoring the sharp pain in his head as he grabbed Ray¡¯s body in his small hands.


    ¡°Kite, don¡¯t move so much,¡± Dorian said firmly, stepping forward. ¡°We don¡¯t know how bad your condition is.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ I can¡¯t just leave him like this!¡± Kite exclaimed, his voice cracking as tears welled in his eyes. He cradled Ray¡¯s lifeless form as if trying to will him back to life.


    Mira knelt beside him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ll fix him, Kite. I promise. But you need to rest first. Please.¡±


    Dorian nodded, his voice steady and reassuring. ¡°She¡¯s right, son. Let us take care of this. You¡¯re more important right now.¡±


    Kite wanted to argue, but his strength was fading. He clung to Ray¡¯s body for a moment longer before nodding reluctantly. ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    Dorian bent down, lifting Kite gently into his arms. ¡°We¡¯ll fix him, I promise,¡± he said softly, his voice filled with certainty as he carried Kite toward his room. ¡°But right now, you need to rest.¡±


    As they left the room, Mira glanced back at Ray¡¯s broken form, determination flickering in her eyes. For now, her son came first, but she silently vowed to keep her promise.


    Kite tossed and turned in his bed that night, unable to find even a moment of peace. The dim glow of his lamp cast long, flickering shadows on the walls, barely illuminating the family portraits hanging nearby. They seemed to watch him, silent witnesses to the turmoil boiling inside him.


    ¡°Dang it¡­¡± Kite whispered, his voice trembling as he stared at the ceiling. No matter how hard he tried, his mind kept circling back to Ray. The thought of his broken form sent sharp pangs of guilt through his chest, leaving him breathless. Finally, with a shaky sigh, he sat up, his hair disheveled and his hands trembling.


    Reaching for his watch, Kite hesitated. His fingers hovered above the screen, knowing what he might see. With a deep breath, he turned it on. The soft beep of activation felt deafening in the stillness. His heart plummeted as he stared at the screen: Baby¡¯s vitals: 0%.


    ¡°Ray¡­¡± he whispered, his voice cracking. Tears welled in his eyes as he stared at the cold, lifeless reading. Kite¡¯s shoulders slumped, and for a moment, all he could do was sit there, numb. But then, a spark of resolve flickered inside him. He couldn¡¯t leave things like this. He wouldn¡¯t.


    He slid out of bed, his movements slow and deliberate in his pajamas. His bare feet barely made a sound on the floor as he grabbed a pair of clothes from the nearby chair. He pulled on his black shirt and jeans, slipping into his beige hoodie and matching shoes.


    His silver chain necklace glinted faintly in the lamplight as he clutched it tightly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mom, Dad,¡± he whispered, guilt weighing heavily in his tone. ¡°But I have to help him.¡±


    Grabbing the last four Tecasticks he had left, Kite steeled himself. The weight of his resolve pressed down on his small frame, but he pushed forward, his heart pounding as he slipped out of his room. The hallway was quiet, save for the faint creaks of the wooden floor beneath his steps.


    He clutched his white backpack close, careful not to make a sound as he approached the room where Ray¡¯s body lay. The door creaked softly as Kite pushed it open, the sound echoing like a scream in the oppressive silence. He stepped inside, his breath hitching as his gaze fell on Ray¡¯s ruined form.


    The sight of the shattered, lifeless body made his stomach twist with guilt and sorrow. He knelt down beside Ray, his hands trembling as he gently cradled the cold cybernetic frame.


    ¡°This is my fault,¡± Kite whispered, his voice barely audible. His green eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he looked at Ray¡¯s dented face. ¡°I wasn¡¯t strong enough to protect you. But¡­ I¡¯ll make it right. I promise.¡± His voice carried a quiet determination as he carefully placed Ray¡¯s body into his backpack, zipping it shut with care as if afraid of causing further harm.


    His heart heavy but resolute, Kite made his way to the garage. The door creaked open, revealing the dimly lit space where he kept his creations. Tools and unfinished gadgets were scattered across the workbench, a chaotic reflection of his mind.


    His gaze fell on the hover board he had built with Ava, its sleek surface gleaming faintly in the dim light. Beside it stood his white prototype exosuit, its polished parts resting on a stand.


    Kite wasted no time. He began strapping the exosuit¡¯s parts onto his small frame, fastening the chest piece and securing the gauntlets. The cape attached to the back flowed gently above his backpack as he moved, the faint hum of the suit¡¯s internal mechanisms filling the air. It wasn¡¯t perfect, parts of his body were still exposed, but it would have to do.


    Taking a deep breath, Kite pressed the button on his wrist, and the garage door began to open with a quiet groan. Cool air rushed in, carrying with it the faint sounds of the undercity. The streets below stretched out in an endless maze of neon lights and shadows, a world both dangerous and full of possibility.


    Kite stepped onto the hover board, his movements hesitant but determined. The board hummed to life beneath him, hovering a few inches off the ground. He clenched his fists tightly his knuckles turning white beneath the gloves as he stared out at the vast, sprawling city before him.


    Without looking back, Kite whispered, ¡°Hold on, Ray. I¡¯ll bring you back.¡±


    The hover board lifted higher, and with a faint whir, Kite soared into the dark sky of the undercity. The wind whipped past him, carrying away the remnants of his fear. His resolve beneath the visor burned brighter than the neon signs below as he raced forward, determined to defy the odds and bring his son back to life.


    Kite weaved through the crumbling labyrinth of the Undercity, his hover board slicing effortlessly through the thick, stagnant air. The neon glow of flickering street signs cast eerie shadows along the towering ruins, their broken windows staring like hollow eyes into the desolate night. He scanned the streets below, searching for any shop that might still be open at this late hour, but the alleyways were near empty.


    The Undercity was a dangerous place once night time came. Chimera patrols lurked in the dark, their bestial forms shifting under dim streetlights. Automatons clanked and whirred as they shambled between derelict buildings, their metal limbs rusted from years of neglect. Wandering bounty hunters leaned against graffiti-scarred walls, their sharp eyes watching for easy prey.


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Kite knew he shouldn¡¯t be out this late. A kid like him, alone in the Undercity, was just another target. But as he zipped past a narrow alley, a burst of angry voices cut through the night, halting his thoughts in their tracks.


    ¡°Give us our damn money back already, you witch!¡± A deep, guttural voice thundered through the alley, punctuated by the sickening thud of a boot colliding with flesh. Kite twisted midair, slowing his hover board to a stop as he turned toward the sound. His green eyes narrowed beneath his visor.


    Below, a group of heavily armored Chimeras stood in a rough circle, their sharp, animalistic features illuminated by the cold, flickering light of a malfunctioning streetlamp. At the center of their aggression lay a teenage girl, doubled over from the impact of the kick.


    Her appearance was a stark contrast to her surroundings. Her hair was ghostly white, cascading over her frail frame like a veil of mist. Her skin, almost luminescent, was so pale it seemed ethereal, as if she didn¡¯t quite belong to this universe.


    She wore flowing white robes over a simple tunic, the pristine fabric now smudged with dirt from the alley floor. Her feet, oddly enough, were bare, resting on the cold concrete as if she were immune to its chill.


    But what stood out the most were her ghostly white eyes, completely void of color, as if light itself had abandoned them. ¡°Yeah!¡± the Chimeras roared in unison, their claws flexing as they loomed over her.


    Kite tilted his head as he descended silently behind them, his movements so fluid that the gang remained oblivious to his arrival. Unbeknownst to them, nearly invisible threads of silk-thin wire had already draped across their bodies, weaving them into an unseen web.


    ¡°Excuse me, please!¡± Kite called out, his voice lighthearted and polite, a stark contrast to the tension crackling through the air.


    The Chimeras froze. They exchanged confused glances before slowly turning around, their predatory eyes landing on the figure hovering upside-down just behind them. Suspended from his hover board by the soles of his armored boots, Kite¡¯s pristine white suit gleamed under the dim streetlights, reflecting the faint glow like a fallen star.


    His visor shimmered as he casually folded his arms, his posture entirely relaxed. For a moment, silence reigned. The gang of Chimeras simply stared, processing the bizarre sight before them.


    ¡°¡­The hell?¡± One of them finally muttered. Below them, the girl shifted. She lifted her head from where she had been shielding herself, her eerie white eyes locking onto Kite¡¯s form. A flicker of amusement passed over her features as she tilted her head ever so slightly.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to know of any scrap shops that are still open, would you?¡± Kite asked, his tone as casual as if he were asking for directions to a bakery.


    The Chimeras turned to each other again, their initial confusion giving way to dark amusement. Laughter erupted among them, echoing through the alley.


    ¡°Scrap shops?¡± One of them repeated with a smirk, wiping a tear from his eye. ¡°Ain¡¯t no shopkeepers dumb enough to stay open in these parts, kid!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but don¡¯t worry, you won¡¯t be needing a scrap shop where you¡¯re going.¡± Another sneered, unsheathing a jagged blade. The rest followed suit, weapons gleaming under the flickering light as they began to close in.


    Kite barely reacted, only casting a glance at the teenage girl below. ¡°Aw man,¡± he sighed dramatically, shifting his position. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll have to keep looking.¡±


    With a smooth motion, he spun midair and began gliding away, still upside down, his hover board humming softly as he lazily floated back toward the main street.


    ¡°Catch the Hatchling!¡± One of the Chimeras bellowed. With a feral snarl, the gang lunged forward, but the moment they moved, their bodies jerked to a sudden halt.


    ¡°What the?!¡± One of them gasped, struggling against an unseen force.


    Kite grinned as he turned back around. ¡°Really? Hatchling? I¡¯m not a chicken, y¡¯know!¡± He called out, pulling his fingers slightly.


    The nearly invisible wires tightened in response, constricting around the Chimeras like a spider¡¯s web. The more they struggled, the more entangled they became.


    The girl, now on her knees, giggled softly as she watched them thrash. Without warning, she rose to her feet and approached the nearest Chimera. Despite their snarls and roars, they were helplessly ensnared. She reached out, her fingertips barely grazing the sides of one Chimera¡¯s head.


    A faint glow emanated from her body as she whispered in an airy, melodic voice. ¡°Slumberthorn¡­¡±


    The spell took hold instantly. A ripple of pale light pulsed outward, traveling along the thin wires like veins of energy. One by one, the Chimeras¡¯ bodies slackened, their weapons clattering to the ground as sleep overtook them. Within moments, they collapsed in an unconscious heap.


    Kite blinked, his visor reflecting the fading glow. ¡°Whoa, did I-¡± He began, quickly descending to the ground and righting himself.


    ¡°You did nothing,¡± the girl interjected before he could finish. ¡°This was my doing.¡±


    Kite removed his helmet, revealing his mop of curly brown hair and bright green eyes. ¡°Really?¡± He asked, still in disbelief as he studied the pile of unconscious bodies.


    The girl merely nodded, watching him with a knowing gaze. It was an intense stare, not of hostility, but curiosity, as though she were peering into something far beyond his physical form.


    ¡°Do you have a name, traveler?¡± she asked softly. Kite tensed slightly but forced a smile. ¡°It¡¯s Kite. Kite Caulder.¡±


    The girl tilted her head, then smiled faintly. ¡°I am Lorna the Sloth, but my friends call me Olive.¡±


    Kite grinned. ¡°Nice to meet you, Olive!¡± He extended a hand toward her, but before she could react, she stepped forward and promptly tripped over an unconscious Chimera.


    With a startled ¡°Oof!¡± she tumbled face-first into a puddle with a loud splash. Kite¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion as he rushed to help. ¡°Uh¡­ Are you okay?¡± He asked, offering a hand.


    Olive sat up, soaked but unfazed. ¡°Yes, yes, do not fret, Kite. This is a regular occurrence for me.¡±


    Kite tried to suppress a laugh but failed. ¡°A regular occurrence? What?¡±


    She giggled, brushing wet strands of white hair from her face. ¡°Mhm. I am blind, so it is hard for me to get around, you know?¡±


    Kite¡¯s laughter quickly faded. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorr-" ¡°Do not worry,¡± Olive interrupted with a smile, standing. ¡°Now, would you like me to lead you to the nearest scrap shop? I know the way.¡±


    Kite hesitated, then glanced at his backpack. ¡°Oh yeah, sure! My son and I could really use the help.¡±


    Olive¡¯s white eyes widened briefly before her brows furrowed in feigned confusion, a flicker of disbelief crossing her face. ¡°Your¡­ son?¡± she asked quietly, her voice tinged with skepticism as her gaze shifted toward Kite. Despite the boy¡¯s confident demeanor, he still had the unmistakable roundness of youth, soft cheeks, wide, eager eyes, and a frame too small to be anyone¡¯s father.


    Kite simply nodded with a nonchalant smile, his balance effortless as he glided beside her on his hover board. He swung his backpack forward, the worn fabric shifting as he carefully unzipped it. With practiced care, he reached inside and pulled out the battered remains of Ray¡¯s small and broken humanoid form, cracked and dented as wires frayed and flickered dimly.


    ¡°He keeps calling me his dad for some reason,¡± Kite said with a chuckle, cradling the tiny machine in his arms. ¡°Although, I guess it could just be part of his programming. I did get him for a school project, after all.¡±


    His fingers brushed across the fractured black plating, adjusting a few loose components with an almost instinctive precision. Ray¡¯s lifeless eyes, once filled with synthetic life, now remained dark, his form limp.


    ¡°Kinda weird, to be honest,¡± Kite admitted, though his voice was soft with affection. ¡°Still love the little guy, though.¡±


    Olive tilted her head, watching Kite¡¯s interaction with the tiny machine. ¡°School project? How long have you had him?¡± she asked curiously, eyes narrowing in mild amusement.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Kite trailed off, glancing up in thought as his hover board drifted smoothly over a cracked section of pavement. ¡°Like¡­ two days?¡± he finally said, as if he himself wasn¡¯t sure.


    Olive blinked, then let out a short laugh. ¡°Really? Just two days? You seem awfully fond of the fella already.¡±


    Kite joined in her laughter, his expression easy and light despite the gloom of the city around them. ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know how to explain it,¡± he admitted, shifting Ray¡¯s frame in his arms before carefully returning the robot to his bag. He lingered for a second, looking down at it before zipping it closed. ¡°I guess I just get attached easily.¡±


    Olive¡¯s smirk softened into something more understanding. ¡°I get it,¡± she said simply.


    For a while, neither of them spoke. The only sounds were the distant hum of neon signs, the buzz of malfunctioning streetlights, and the occasional mechanical hiss of passing automatons. The undercity sprawled around them, a patchwork of rusted steel, flickering holograms, and streets lined with makeshift vendors. Chimera hybrids and androids lurked in the alleys, some wearing scavenged armor, others gripping weapons with tired familiarity.


    It was Kite who eventually broke the silence. ¡°So¡­ why were those Chimera beating you up, Olive?¡± he asked, curiosity lacing his voice.


    Olive winced slightly, rubbing the back of her head. ¡°Well¡­¡± she trailed off before reluctantly reaching into her pocket. With a sheepish grin, she pulled out four slim, metallic bars, Tecasticks, glimmering with stored tecabites. ¡°I may have snagged a bit of money from those guys.¡±


    Kite gasped dramatically, his mouth dropping open. ¡°Olive!¡± he exclaimed, his voice dripping with exaggerated horror.


    Olive burst into laughter, unbothered by his theatrics. ¡°Oh, come on! It¡¯s not like those jerks need it. They already get paid enough by Rook.¡±


    At that, Kite furrowed his brow. ¡°Rook? Who¡¯s that?¡± Olive¡¯s amused expression faltered, her gaze shifting toward him with mild surprise. ¡°You don¡¯t know who Rook is?¡±


    Kite shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t really watch the news much. My parents say it¡¯s too stressful.¡±


    Olive chuckled, but when she spoke again, her tone had changed, serious, edged with something darker. ¡°Rook Sanchez. He is the devil of the undercity.¡±


    They continued walking, passing through streets littered with remnants of a forgotten era. Abandoned shops lined the pathways, their neon signs flickering intermittently. The storefronts, once vibrant, now stood as hollowed-out shells, their glass windows shattered or covered in grime.


    ¡°You see all these shops and restaurants?¡± Olive asked, gesturing around them.


    Kite looked around curiously. ¡°Yeah, what about them?¡± Olive exhaled slowly, her fingers tightening around the Tecasticks. ¡°These buildings, this whole section of the undercity, used to be a thriving utopia before Rook Enterprises came into power.¡±


    Kite¡¯s gaze flickered to the people around them, ragged humans huddled in corners, Chimera hybrids limping through the streets, automatons with flickering visors scanning their surroundings with hollow expressions. The weight of it all settled into his chest.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ horrible,¡± he muttered. Olive nodded solemnly. ¡°Everything Rook touches turns to ruin. It doesn¡¯t matter if you¡¯re human, automaton, or Chimera. Under Rook, no one is safe from his sadistic influence.¡±


    Kite clenched his fists at his sides silently. Olivia¡¯s expression darkened as she spoke ¡°And those Chimera back there¡­ when they called you a hatchling? They work for Rook, the fourth Monarch of the undercity.¡±


    ¡°Monarch?¡± Kite repeated. Olive nodded grimly. ¡°The four Monarchs each control a faction of the undercity. They send out their low rank hunters to kidnap helpless children. They call them hatchlings.¡±


    A chill ran down Kite¡¯s spine before he spoke. ¡±What the heck?! Why would they do that?¡±


    Olive sighed, her shoulders tensing. ¡°Experiments. Most are turned into Chimera hybrids, while a select few are molded into elite soldiers. If they survive the brutal conditioning, that is.¡±


    Kite felt his stomach churn. ¡°And if they don¡¯t?¡± Olive¡¯s voice was steady but hollow. ¡°Then they die. Their remains harvested to sell off.¡±


    The words hung between them, heavy and unshakable as Kite¡¯s face paled. ¡°But why doesn¡¯t anyone stop them? Why do people just¡­ let this happen?¡± Kite asked, his voice small.


    Olive hesitated before answering, her tone softer now. ¡°They can¡¯t. Everyone who tries¡­ disappears without a trace. And those who are found¡­ are echoes of their past selves.¡±


    A long silence followed before Olive continued. ¡°There was this family, years ago. They stood up to Rook. They formed a rebellion against him, tried to make a difference.¡±


    Kite swallowed hard before speaking. ¡°W-what happened to them?¡± ¡°They were all killed,¡± Olive answered, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°The parents, the rebels¡­ even their kids.¡±


    Kite¡¯s hands trembled slightly. His heart felt like it had sunk to the pit of his stomach. ¡°But¡­¡± Olive added quietly, ¡°there was one survivor.¡±


    Kite looked up as he spoke. ¡°One? Who?¡± Olive tilted her head slightly before responding as she walked. ¡°A girl. Amelia, I think her name was.¡±


    Kite¡¯s eyes widened slightly. ¡°So she survived? Did she escape?¡±


    Olive slowly shook her head. ¡°No. After the death of her family¡­ she was kidnapped, never to be seen again.¡±


    They stopped in front of a dimly lit scrap shop, the neon sign buzzing weakly above the entrance. The weight of their conversation settled in the air, thick and suffocating.


    Kite stared at the ground, his mind racing with everything he had just learned. ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± He struggled to find the right word.


    ¡°Horrifying?¡± Olive offered her voice laced with quiet understanding. Kite swallowed, nodding numbly. ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    And with that, the two of them stepped forward into the flickering light. The weight of their conversation lingered between them, thick and unshakable. Without another word, they stepped forward, their silhouettes swallowed by the flickering neon glow of the lone scrap shop.

 Chapter 38: Guardian angel

    The interior of the scrap shop was a chaotic mess, a stark contrast to the sleek and pristine establishments of Horizon Heights. Rusted workbenches lined the stained walls, cluttered with scattered blueprints, half-dismantled machines, and piles of scrap metal. Faint traces of oil and burnt circuits clung to the air, mixing with the scent of dust and old copper.


    Above them, chalkboards were covered in hastily scribbled equations and faded schematics, some of which had long been smudged beyond recognition. A lone ceiling fan, its blades barely hanging on by layers of peeling duct tape, creaked weakly as it spun, struggling against years of neglect.


    Kite and Olive approached the worn-out makeshift counter at the end of the dimly lit room. Their footsteps echoed against the metal flooring, filling the shop with the rhythmic tapping of soles against steel. The eerie silence only made the place feel even more abandoned.


    ¡°Hello?¡± Kite called out, his voice breaking the quiet as he reached for a small golden bell on the counter and gave it a firm ring. The chime barely had time to fade before the silence returned, thick and unyielding.


    The two of them waited. Olive tilted her head, eyes drifting up toward the dusty, grease-stained menu hanging overhead. ¡°Maybe they¡¯re busy tonight?¡± she mused, her voice light with curiosity.


    Kite glanced around at the empty shop, noting the thick layers of dust settled over untouched tools and machinery. He let out a small chuckle. ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know about that.¡±


    Before Olive could reply, a sudden, deafening BOOM shattered the silence. The walls trembled slightly, sending loose bolts and screws clattering to the floor.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Kite yelped, stumbling backward in alarm. Olive, however, remained completely unfazed. Instead, she let out a lighthearted laugh, amused by Kite¡¯s reaction. ¡°Jumpier than I expected,¡± she teased.


    Before Kite could muster a retort, hurried footsteps echoed from the back of the shop. An old, frail man emerged from the smoke-filled doorway, frantically batting at a small flame that had ignited in his wild, unkempt white hair. His thick, round glasses were lopsided, their cracked lenses reflecting the dim glow of the shop¡¯s flickering lights.


    His wrinkled face bore oil stains, and he wore a battered brown trench coat with multiple scorch marks, layered over a grease-streaked mechanic¡¯s jumpsuit. Fingerless gloves covered his calloused hands, the fabric worn thin from years of tinkering with scrap.


    ¡°Oh¡­ come on, Rose¡­¡± he groaned, still trying to catch his breath. ¡°I told you not to touch that button!¡± His voice carried a mix of exasperation and resignation as he turned toward the smoke-filled room behind him.


    A mischievous giggle echoed from the back. Then¡ªBOOM! Another explosion rocked the shop, this time accompanied by the sharp whistle of something launching at high speed.


    ¡°Whoa!¡± Kite barely had time to duck before a small rocket whizzed past him, nearly taking off a chunk of his hair.


    Olive, still utterly unbothered, simply watched with an amused smirk as the chaos unfolded. ¡°Coming through, old man!¡± a gleeful voice rang out.


    From the smoke, a little girl shot into the room, riding atop a tiny rocket. Her crimson-red hair stood out against her pale, freckled skin, the strands whipping wildly in the wind. Her large, oversized goggles sat lopsided on her face, their thick green lenses glowing faintly from some unknown mechanism inside.


    She wore a worn-out brown aviator jacket, its sleeves slightly too big for her small frame, along with patched-up cargo pants stuffed with tools, gears, and spare parts. Her boots were scuffed and covered in soot, showing clear signs of countless reckless experiments.


    As she zipped across the room at ridiculous speed, she spun wildly, leaving behind a dazzling trail of crackling fireworks that lit up the dim workshop like a festival gone wrong. ¡°Rose!¡± the old man pleaded, but it was no use. She was unstoppable.


    Cackling wildly, Rose leaped off the rocket at the last second, flipping through the air like a gymnast. The second she landed, her abandoned rocket exploded into a dense cloud of black smoke, sending a rain of scorched gears and debris clattering onto the floor.


    And yet, Rose¡¯s landing was nothing short of flawless. With a perfect aerial twist, she landed gracefully onto the counter, arms spread wide in an exaggerated pose, as if she had just performed a grand act on stage.


    The fireworks behind her erupted in a final burst of golden sparks, illuminating the workshop in a dazzling glow, making her entrance even more dramatic. Kite and Olive stood frozen, their expressions caught somewhere between amazement and disbelief.


    Rose laughed gleefully before speaking, her voice brimming with confidence. ¡°Have no fear, customers, Blackbird is here!¡± She declared, standing tall atop the counter and striking a dramatic pose, her oversized goggles slightly slipping down her nose. The flickering shop lights reflected off the soot-streaked lenses, giving her a theatrical glow.


    Behind her, her grandpa, an old, wiry man with a hunched back, a scruffy white beard, and a pair of thick, cracked glasses, was already preparing his counterattack. His tattered brown overalls were covered in oil stains, and a well-worn tool belt hung loosely around his waist. Without hesitation, he hoisted up a rusty net gun, his calloused fingers tightening around the trigger.


    ¡°Pipe down, child!¡± he bellowed before firing.


    With a loud whump, the net launched, ensnaring Rose mid-pose. She barely had time to react before she was tangled in a heap of wires and reinforced mesh, her limbs flailing wildly as she thrashed on the counter like a caught fish.


    ¡°Gah! Let me go, Gramps! You can¡¯t hold me forever!¡± Rose shouted, her voice muffled slightly by the netting as she kicked and wriggled in protest.


    Kite and Olive stood frozen for a moment before struggling to contain their laughter. Olive clapped a hand over her mouth, her ghostly white eyes gleaming with amusement, while Kite had to bite his lip to keep from bursting into giggles.


    ¡°Enough of this nonsense, Rose!¡± The old man barked, adjusting his glasses. ¡°Lest I take your gadgets away a second time!¡±


    Rose gasped dramatically, halting her struggle. She turned her freckled face toward him, eyes wide with exaggerated betrayal. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± she accused, her voice laced with mock horror.


    ¡°I would too dare!¡± The old man shot back, crossing his arms defiantly.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Would not!¡± Rose shrieked, flailing harder against the net. ¡°Would too!¡± Her grandpa slammed his palm against the counter with dramatic finality.


    ¡°Would no-¡± Rose started, but Kite and Olive¡¯s laughter finally broke through the ridiculous argument, their laughter ringing through the scrap shop.


    Both Rose and her grandpa turned their heads in unison, momentarily stunned by the interruption. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry!¡± Kite wheezed, clutching his stomach, his curly brown hair bouncing slightly as he tried in vain to regain composure.


    The old man straightened up immediately, clearing his throat and smoothing out his oil-stained overalls as if trying to reclaim his dignity. His gruff exterior melted into a welcoming warmth as he turned back to the kids.


    ¡°Ah, don¡¯t worry, young man,¡± he said, his voice now gentler. ¡°What brings you to our shop tonight?¡±


    Rose, still tangled in the net, twisted her body around so she could face Kite and Olive properly, her goggles slipping further down her nose.


    Kite hesitated for a moment before he reached behind him, unzipping his backpack with careful hands. Slowly, he pulled out Ray¡¯s lifeless robotic body, his movements filled with a quiet reverence. The dim light of the shop cast faint glimmers off Ray¡¯s black metal shell, his normally vibrant violet eyes dark and unresponsive.


    Kite held Ray up slightly as he spoke. ¡°It¡¯s my son,¡± he said softly, the weight of his words evident in his tone. ¡°I need materials to save him. Do you have any?¡±


    The old man paused, his bushy brows raising in mild confusion before he gave a small shrug. ¡°Sure! But it¡¯ll cost ya!¡± He grinned, rubbing his hands together.


    Kite and Olive exchanged a look before both reached into their pockets, each pulling out four Tecasticks. They held them up for inspection.


    ¡°This is most I have,¡± Kite admitted. ¡°Same here,¡± Olive added in an nonchalant tone, acting as if she too were another casual customer.


    The old man¡¯s eyes practically lit up at the sight of the Tecasticks, his greedy excitement barely concealed. ¡°Oho! You¡¯re in luck, then!¡± He declared with enthusiasm. ¡°That¡¯s exactly how much the materials will cost!¡± He reached out a weathered hand.


    But before he could snatch the Tecasticks, Rose¡¯s muffled voice shot through the netting. ¡°Greedy liar!¡± she accused, her voice filled with knowing mischief. ¡°The materials only cost two Tecasticks!¡±


    The old man froze, his smile faltering as a visible cringe overtook his face. Slowly, he retracted his outstretched hand, his shoulders tensing as irritation settled in. He turned on his heel, throwing his arms up dramatically.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m trying to run a business here, Rose?!¡± he bellowed in frustration.


    Still trapped in the net, Rose only huffed before shouting back. ¡°We got a motto, Grampa!¡±


    At this, the old man¡¯s bluster faded. His weathered face softened, his grumpy exterior cracking slightly as a long sigh escaped him. He muttered under his breath before shaking his head.


    ¡°Yes, yes,¡± he grumbled in reluctant defeat, ¡°how could I forget¡­¡± With a gruff wave of his hand, he bent down and undid the netting, letting Rose tumble free onto the countertop. She landed on her feet like a cat, brushing soot from her clothes as if nothing had happened.


    Kite and Olive exchanged glances, still utterly confused. Finally, Olive tilted her head and asked the question lingering in both their minds. ¡°What is the motto?¡±


    The old man let out a long sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose before turning back to Kite and Olive with a reluctant smile. ¡°Ahh¡­ the motto, huh? You got me there, Rose.¡± He crossed his arms and looked down at the counter for a moment before straightening up, as if preparing for a grand recital.


    Then, with a gruff but proud voice, he spoke: ¡°Honest hands build, honest deals stand.¡± His words carried the weight of tradition, a solemnity that even the chaotic energy of the shop couldn¡¯t drown out. The flickering light overhead seemed to still for a moment, as if paying its respects for the dead.


    Rose, now freed from the netting, sat cross-legged on the counter, her arms folded proudly. ¡°That¡¯s right! Mom and Dad always said that! A real craftsman doesn¡¯t scam people!¡± she shot her grandpa a look, ¡°They build things with skill, and they make deals with honor!¡±


    The old man huffed, scratching at his messy white hair, still singed at the tips from the earlier explosion. ¡°Aye, aye, I hear ya, kid.¡± He gave her a half-hearted scowl before sighing and turning back to Kite and Olive. ¡°Your little friend¡¯s right. We don¡¯t overcharge, no matter how tempting it might be for an old man tryin¡¯ to keep the lights on.¡±


    Kite and Olive exchanged a glance, the sincerity in the old man¡¯s voice catching them off guard. Even Olive, who usually carried an air of aloof amusement, seemed to regard him with a newfound respect.


    The old man waved a hand dismissively. ¡°Alright, alright. Two Tecasticks, like the kid said. That¡¯s the real price for the parts you need.¡±


    Rose grinned smugly. ¡°Hah! You were gonna scam them, weren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Maybe! But only a little!¡± the old man grumbled before shaking his head and reaching beneath the counter. He rummaged through old compartments filled with various bits of scrap and machinery, muttering to himself. ¡°Now, let¡¯s see¡­ you¡¯re tryin¡¯ to fix up your¡­ uh, son, right?¡± He gave Kite an odd look again but didn¡¯t press the matter further.


    Kite nodded and carefully set Ray¡¯s lifeless robotic body on the counter. ¡°Yeah¡­ he¡¯s really important to me.¡± His voice was soft but firm.


    The old man squinted at the small robotic figure before giving a low whistle. ¡°Hoo, boy. This ain¡¯t just some toy, is it?¡± He ran a wrinkled hand over Ray¡¯s frame, inspecting the damage with a trained eye. ¡°This is some advanced stuff¡­ compact power core, reinforced plating, neural processors¡­ where in the scrap did you get this, boy?¡±


    Kite hesitated before speaking. ¡°Got him for a school project.¡±


    The old man gave him a long, knowing look before shrugging. ¡°Fair enough.¡± He pulled out a small crate of white materials, various micro-circuitry, conductive wiring, and a few high-quality power cells. He set them on the counter with a loud thunk.


    ¡°There you go. Two tecasticks, please.¡± He extended a hand, palm open.


    Kite and Olive each placed a tecastick in his hand, and the old man gave a satisfied nod. ¡°Pleasure doin¡¯ business with ya.¡±


    Rose, still perched on the counter, grinned and gave a thumbs-up. ¡°See? Honest deals stand!¡±


    The old man chuckled. ¡°Yeah, yeah. Now get off my counter before you set somethin¡¯ else on fire, you little menace.¡±


    Rose laughed as she flipped off the counter in one swift motion, landing beside Kite and Olive with effortless grace. Kite gathered the materials carefully, glancing at Ray with determination in his eyes. Olive, watching quietly, smirked. ¡°So, what now?¡±


    Kite exhaled, tightening his grip on the crate tucked under his arm. ¡°Now¡­ I fix him.¡± His voice was firm with determination. He and Olive turned toward the exit, but after a few steps, Kite let out a nervous chuckle, glancing down at the heavy crate with a sheepish smile. ¡°¡­After I get home, that is.¡±


    Olive smirked before bursting into laughter. ¡°Yeah, good plan.¡± With that, the two of them stepped out of the shop, the warm glow of the flickering lights behind them fading into the cool night of the undercity.


    Kite and Olive walked side by side through the dimly lit streets of the undercity, their footsteps barely making a sound against the worn pavement. The towering buildings loomed over them, casting long shadows under the scattered streetlights. The air was thick with the distant hum of machinery, and flickering neon signs illuminated the cracked walls with eerie colors.


    As they reached a lone streetlight at the edge of an open alleyway, Kite adjusted the crate beneath his arm and set his hover board down onto the ground. "Well," he sighed, shifting his weight. "Guess I¡¯ll be off now.¡±


    Olive¡¯s lips curled into a slight pout as she tilted her head. ¡°So soon?¡± she asked, her voice carrying a playful yet melancholic lilt.


    Kite hesitated for a moment, guilt gnawing at him. ¡°Yeah¡­¡± He forced a chuckle, though the weight of his words settled heavily in his chest. ¡°If my parents found out I snuck out, they¡¯d give me the longest lecture ever.¡± His tone was lighthearted, but the sadness in his eyes betrayed him as his hover board hummed to life.


    Olive chuckled, masking any deeper emotion. ¡°Very well then,¡± she mused, stepping back with a graceful sway. ¡°So long, friend.¡±


    Kite smiled, nodding in appreciation before kicking off into the air. The rush of wind carried his white silhouette into the night, leaving only the faint hum of his hover board and the soft echoes of his departure.


    Olive stood beneath the streetlight, her expression warm yet unreadable as she watched him disappear into the sky. The dim light of the undercity finally revealed the long trail behind her, dozens of unconscious feral Chimeras and bounty hunters, each one carefully subdued with magic before they could so much as lay their malice filled eyes on Kite.


    Her now starry eyes shimmered, a faint violet hue tracing the edges of her irises in cosmic energy. A gentle whisper, laced with an almost celestial fondness, left her lips.


    ¡°Until we meet again, Henry Cooper.¡±

 Chapter 39: Unresolved Trauma

    The morning wind howled as Kite soared above the undercity, its chill brushing against his skin and rustling his curly brown hair. The faint morning glow from above cast long shadows through the massive opening leading up to Horizon Heights, barely piercing the industrial gloom of the world below. Shop owners pulled up their rusted shutters, chimera stretched their limbs after a long night, and humans and automatons alike moved through the streets, their chatter blending with the mechanical whirs of machinery coming to life. It was the sound of a new day, indifferent yet constant.


    ¡°Almost there.¡± Kite exhaled, tightening his grip on the crate as his apartment came into view. His heart pounded, not from the flight, but from the weight of the crate he held, the weight of what lay inside.


    His descent was careful, deliberate, as he angled his board downward, allowing the garage¡¯s familiar sight to ground him. With a quiet hum, he pressed a button on his exosuit, the garage door quietly groaning as it slid open, welcoming him home.


    The moment his feet touched the concrete floor, exhaustion settled into his bones. He shut off his hover board, placing it gently next to the suit stand before moving with quiet efficiency, placing the crate onto a workbench, stripping off his exosuit, and grabbing his toolbox. But it was when he unzipped his backpack and pulled out Ray¡¯s ruined, lifeless body that his movements finally slowed.


    Kite stared down at his robotic son, the damage far worse than he had initially thought. His fingers trembled slightly as they hovered over the deep cracks in Ray¡¯s sleek black plating, over the wires that had been severed, the once-vibrant violet glow of his eyes now dark and empty. His throat tightened, an ache blooming in his chest.


    ¡°Come on, Kite¡­ you¡¯ve fixed worse.¡± His voice was barely above a whisper, a feeble attempt to steady himself. He swallowed hard, pushing aside the suffocating fear that whispered of failure, of loss.


    And then, he got to work. Hours passed in silence, the rhythmic clinking of metal against metal, the soft buzz of welding, and the occasional frustrated sigh the only sounds in the dimly lit garage. The morning glow filtering through the cracks cast a warm, orange hue across the space, illuminating old, worn-out pictures pinned to the walls.


    Photos of Kite as a toddler, grinning wide as he held up a makeshift gadget. A younger Mira and Dorian standing behind him, beaming with pride. Other snapshots of unfinished projects cluttered the space, reminders of time spent with his parents, of their shared dreams and endless tinkering.


    His gaze landed on a particular relic of their past, a miniature rocket ship, its once-polished surface now coated in dust. The project had been ambitious, meant to shape-shift into any form. But no matter how hard they worked, the solution had always eluded them. A failure.


    Yet, as Kite looked at it now, he didn¡¯t see failure. He saw something else entirely.


    He saw proof of their bond, of the love poured into every bolt and wire, of the countless nights spent theorizing, laughing, and problem-solving together. A deep breath steadied him, his resolve hardening as he turned his gaze back to Ray. He wasn¡¯t just fixing a robot. He was holding onto something precious, something irreplaceable.


    And he wouldn¡¯t lose it. Not ever.


    Ray¡¯s eyes slowly flickered open, his vision adjusting to the dimly lit garage as he sat on the workbench . The faint glow of overhead lights reflected off the metallic surfaces around him, casting soft shadows that danced with each flicker of movement. His newly reformed body felt¡­ different. Lighter, yet undeniably whole.


    What¡­? The thought drifted through his processors as his gaze swept the garage, taking in the familiar sight of scattered tools, unfinished projects, and the warm hues of the morning light trickling through cracks in the walls. His fingers twitched before he slowly lifted his right robotic arm. White. A stark contrast to the black plating that once fully covered him. His fingers curled into a fist, flexing effortlessly. It was stronger, smoother, rebuilt from the ground up.


    Half of his body, from the right side of his face down to his torso, gleamed a pristine white, while the other remained the deep, shadowy black of his original design. His eyes reflected the duality, his left eye, nestled in the black plating, pulsed with a faint violet glow, while his right, embedded in the white, shone an eerie green.


    Strange¡­ but functional. Ray thought to himself. ¡°Ray?¡± A soft voice cut through the stillness. Ray¡¯s glowing eyes drifted upward, locking onto Kite¡¯s tired yet gentle gaze.


    Kite stood before him, barely holding himself upright, exhaustion evident in his slumped shoulders and the dark circles under his eyes. And yet, despite the fatigue, there was warmth in his expression, an unmistakable relief that made Ray pause.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Ray murmured, his voice carrying a mechanical whir, his tone laced with something unspoken, something almost dangerous. There was a flicker of something deep within him, a remnant of his past, a quiet malice that threatened to surface.


    But then, ¡°Are you okay?¡± Kite¡¯s words were simple, but they cut through Ray¡¯s lingering hostility like a blade through fog. Ray blinked, momentarily stunned.


    Kite, his father, this younger variant of him, had spent tireless hours repairing his broken form, pouring effort and care into every delicate wire and plate. And now, here he was, asking him If he was okay. The irony of it was not lost on Ray.


    Slowly, Ray flexed his fingers again, testing the seamless integration of his new parts before shifting his gaze back to Kite. ¡°Yes, I am fine.¡± His voice was steadier now, devoid of malice, though still carrying its usual robotic edge.


    A flicker of something unreadable crossed his features as his gaze lingered on Kite. ¡°But are you?¡±


    Kite blinked, taken aback by the sudden question. It wasn¡¯t until he followed Ray¡¯s eyes that he realized what had caught his attention. The bruise. A dull mark just above his temple, a grim reminder of his near death experience.


    ¡°Oh, yeah,¡± Kite chuckled, rubbing the sore spot absentmindedly. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, really.¡± His attempt at nonchalance was quickly betrayed by the small wince that followed.


    Ray¡¯s expression hardened, the faintest frown forming on his half-white face. There was a trace of both irritation and concern in his mechanical eyes, subtle, but there. Without a word, he outstretched his tiny robotic hand.


    ¡°Come here, Father.¡± His voice was quiet, but there was no mistaking the command in it.


    Kite hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, lowering his head to meet Ray¡¯s small yet precise touch. The black palm of Ray¡¯s robotic hand pressed gently against the bruise, and immediately, a faint violet hue pulsed from his fingertips, spreading a soothing warmth through Kite¡¯s skin.


    To think father was always so reckless, even as a child. The thought came to Ray begrudgingly, accompanied by an exasperated sigh that only Ray could hear.


    Kite giggled, shifting slightly under Ray¡¯s touch. ¡°That tickles, ya know!¡± His laughter was light, carefree, a stark contrast to the grim intensity Ray exuded.


    Ray, however, remained focused. ¡°You went alone into the undercity during the night?¡± His voice was quiet, but there was a weight to it, a question that was not really a question. He already knew the answer.


    Kite¡¯s smile faltered slightly. ¡°Uh, yeah¡­ how¡¯d you know?¡± he asked, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish chuckle.


    Ray withdrew his hand, his violet glow fading as he stared blankly at Kite. ¡°Lucky guess,¡± he replied bluntly.


    Kite straightened immediately, reaching up to rub at his forehead, his eyes widening as he realized the pain had completely vanished. ¡°Whoa, thanks!¡± His grin was wide, full of genuine excitement.


    Ray merely grunted in response as he shifted, pushing himself into a standing position. His body moved fluidly, perfectly balanced, the fusion of white and black plating adapting effortlessly to his form.


    Kite watched him, still grinning, the exhaustion momentarily forgotten. Ray, despite everything, was here. Fixed. Alive. And for Kite, that was enough.


    But then, a familiar voice cut through the calm silence of the garage. ¡°Kite! Where are you?¡±


    The sound of Mira¡¯s hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway, growing louder with each passing second. There was urgency in her voice, a sharp edge of concern that made Kite¡¯s heart skip a beat. He barely had time to react before she appeared in the doorway, her green eyes scanning the dimly lit space.


    ¡°I¡¯m in here, Mom.¡± Kite called out instinctively.


    Mira stepped forward, her eyes quickly landing on him, her tense expression softening momentarily at the sight of her son safe and sound. But then, her gaze shifted to the workbench.


    To Ray. Her movements slowed as she took in the sight before her, the small robotic figure sitting upright on the workbench, his body now a stark fusion of black and white, his mechanical eyes glowing with an unnatural contrast of violet and green. Her lips parted slightly as realization set in.


    ¡°Is that¡­¡± she trailed off, her voice barely above a whisper. But the moment her mind pieced it all together, her expression darkened, her jaw tightening as she turned back to Kite.


    ¡°Kite,¡± she said, her voice stern now, a mother¡¯s voice laced with both frustration and deep concern. Kite stiffened. He knew that tone all too well.


    Mira took a step closer, crossing her arms as she looked down at him. ¡°Tell me you didn¡¯t sneak out of the house.¡±


    Kite opened his mouth to respond, but Mira continued before he could get a word in. ¡°Do you have any idea how dangerous the undercity is at night?!¡± Her voice rose slightly, not in anger, but in pure worry. ¡°Kite, there are people down there who would hurt you without a second thought. Gangs, mercenaries, traffickers-¡±


    ¡°I know, Mom, but-" Kite says as he tries to defend himself. ¡°No, you don¡¯t know!¡± Mira cut in, her frustration evident as she ran a hand through her dark brown hair. ¡°You¡¯re just a child, Kite! You shouldn¡¯t be going down there alone, especially not in the middle of the night!¡±


    Kite clenched his fists. ¡°I had to, Mom!¡± he argued, his voice rising slightly in desperation. ¡°Ray was broken, I had to fix him!¡±


    Ray remained silent on the workbench, watching the exchange with unreadable eyes, his small robotic form eerily still as the two continued. Mira inhaled sharply, her expression conflicted. ¡°Kite¡­¡± Her voice wavered for a moment, but the sternness quickly returned. ¡°That doesn¡¯t justify risking your life! What if something had happened to you? What if you got hurt, or worse?¡±


    Kite flinched, his mind flashing back to the blast of light he had narrowly survived. The bruises and faint burns on his body still ached, but he refused to back down. ¡°I was careful,¡± he insisted, though the slight tremor in his voice betrayed his confidence. "I-I made it back, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    But before he could say another word, Mira suddenly stepped forward and pulled him into a tight embrace. Kite¡¯s breath hitched as he felt his mother¡¯s arms wrap securely around him, her warmth instantly engulfing him. He could feel the way her body trembled slightly, how her hands clutched onto the fabric of his beige jacket as if afraid he¡¯d slip away.


    ¡°That¡¯s not the point,¡± she whispered, her voice softer now, laced with a depth of emotion Kite wasn¡¯t expecting. ¡°You scared me, Kite. I woke up, and you were just gone.¡± She pulled back just enough to cup his face, her green eyes searching his with desperation. ¡°You¡¯re all we have. If something happened to you¡­¡± Her voice cracked, and she swallowed hard.


    Kite¡¯s chest tightened. The fight drained out of him in an instant. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mom,¡± he murmured, his own voice barely audible.


    Mira exhaled shakily before nodding, hugging him once more, tighter this time. Mira exhaled shakily before nodding, hugging him once more, tighter this time.


    Ray, still silent, simply observed from the workbench, his mechanical fingers lightly tapping against the cold surface. His glowing eyes flickered slightly, something unreadable passing through them.


    For the first time since waking up, Ray wasn¡¯t analyzing his new body. He wasn¡¯t calculating his next move or assessing anything.


    He was silently, longingly, watching something he had never truly experienced before. Something he never got to have. A mother¡¯s love.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Mira slowly loosened her embrace, her hands lingering for a moment on Kite¡¯s shoulders as if reluctant to fully let go. She studied his face, her green pupils filled with warmth despite the lingering worry in them.


    She took a deep breath, exhaling as she gave him a small, tired smile. ¡°Breakfast will be ready soon,¡± she said softly. ¡°I¡¯ll make your favorite.¡±


    Kite¡¯s eyes brightened slightly, the tension from the argument easing. ¡°Really?¡± Mira chuckled, stroking his curly brown hair with a tenderness only a mother could possess. ¡°Of course. I know you barely ate yesterday. You need something good in your stomach.¡±


    Kite nodded, his lips twitching into a grateful smile. ¡°Thanks, Mom.¡±


    Mira gave him one last gentle pat on the head before stepping back. ¡°Don¡¯t take too long, alright?¡± she reminded him as she turned towards the door.


    ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Kite promised. With a final glance at both Kite and Ray, Mira exited the garage, her footsteps fading down the hallway. The soft hum of morning life within the house took over, muffled sounds of the kitchen, the faint clatter of dishes, and the distant hum of city life beyond their walls.


    For a moment, everything felt still. Kite let out a breath he hadn¡¯t realized he was holding before shifting his gaze toward Ray. His robotic son remained seated on the workbench, eerily quiet, his small hands resting on the cold surface as he stared ahead.


    Something was off. Kite tilted his head, narrowing his eyes slightly. ¡°You¡¯re being unusually quiet,¡± he observed.


    Ray¡¯s violet and green eyes flickered as he turned his head slightly toward Kite. ¡°I do not understand what you mean,¡± he replied in his usual robotic monotone, though something about his voice lacked its usual sharpness.


    Kite wasn¡¯t convinced. He could see it, an almost imperceptible stiffness in Ray¡¯s posture, the way his fingers twitched slightly against the workbench, as if unsure of their place.


    Kite was tempted to push further, to ask what was on his mind, but he decided against it. Instead, he let out a soft chuckle and put on a warm smile.


    ¡°Well, if you say so,¡± Kite said lightly before extending his hand toward Ray. ¡°Come on. My mom makes great breakfast.¡±


    Ray¡¯s gaze slowly lowered to Kite¡¯s outstretched hand. He stared at it, unmoving, his glowing eyes flickering faintly. There was hesitation, uncertainty, even.


    Kite noticed. He kept his hand steady but softened his tone. ¡°Come on, son.¡±


    Ray¡¯s eyes widened slightly. His fingers twitched as the word echoed in his mind, reverberating through the hollow spaces of his memories. Son.


    It was a word he had never heard directed at him before. A word that once held no meaning, something distant, something always meant for others. But now, as Kite stood before him, hand outstretched, voice so casual yet so full of warmth, it struck something deep within him.


    Ray had spent his whole life without a father. He never had parents to hold his hand, to guide him, to look at him with care instead of duty. His childhood had almost always been defined by loneliness, by longing, by survival. He had been grown up as a hero, but not raised like a son. He had learned, not been taught. He had lived, but he had never truly belonged.


    And while there would be those who would fill in the void left behind in the wake of his parents deaths, they could never replace the family he never got to have. A long moment of silence stretched between Ray and Kite. Then, slowly, hesitantly, Ray lifted his small, white mechanical hand and placed it in Kite¡¯s.


    His touch was cold, artificial, so unlike Kite¡¯s warm, calloused fingers. But Kite held onto him anyway, as if he had never been anything less than real.


    Kite smiled, gently wrapping his fingers around Ray¡¯s cold cybernetic ones before carefully lifting him off the workbench. He held Ray close, cradling him in his arms as he turned toward the door.


    Ray didn¡¯t protest. He remained silent as Kite carried him out of the garage, through the dimly lit hallway, and into the warmth of their home.


    The living room of the apartment was small and worn, its faded walls carrying the marks of time and life within them. The couch was frayed at the edges, the table scratched from years of use, and the flickering overhead light cast a dim glow over the room. Despite its rundown state, it carried the warmth of home, especially as the smell of fresh breakfast filled the air.


    Kite sat at the table, barely able to keep his eyes open as he sluggishly ate his food. Across from him, his father, Dorian, quietly sipped his coffee while Mira sat beside Kite, holding Ray in her arms as she carefully balanced a small spoonful of food.


    ¡°Here, sweetie, try this,¡± Mira cooed as she brought the spoon to Ray¡¯s mouth. Ray hesitated, his mechanical eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°I do not require sustenance,¡± he stated flatly, his robotic tone laced with reluctance.


    Mira raised an eyebrow, undeterred. ¡°You don¡¯t require it, but you can eat, right?¡±


    Ray frowned slightly but gave a reluctant nod. Before he could protest further, Mira gently pressed the spoon to his lips, and with a small sigh, Ray opened his mouth. He chewed experimentally, his expression unreadable.


    Kite snickered as he watched. ¡°See? Not so bad, right?¡±


    Ray merely blinked and swallowed, clearly unimpressed. Mira smiled in amusement before turning her attention to Kite.


    ¡°So, where exactly did you find Ray?¡± she asked, glancing between the two of them.


    Kite blinked, suppressing a yawn as he rubbed his eyes. ¡°Got him for a school project,¡± he mumbled sleepily.


    Dorian, who had been silently observing, took another sip of his coffee before speaking. ¡°How much sleep did you get last night?¡±


    Before Kite could answer, Mira turned to Dorian with a knowing look. ¡°He snuck out.¡±


    Dorian¡¯s face immediately grew stern as he set his cup down, his grey eyes locking onto Kite with that unmistakable Dad Look. Kite shrank slightly under his father¡¯s gaze, his exhaustion making it harder to come up with an excuse. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said, his voice small.


    Mira sighed. ¡°I already gave him a good scolding.¡±


    Dorian exhaled through his nose, his expression softening. He leaned back in his chair, looking at his son thoughtfully before nodding. ¡°Alright,¡± he said. ¡°You can stay home today. Get some rest.¡±


    Kite blinked in surprise. ¡°Wait¡­ really?¡± Dorian nodded. ¡°But don¡¯t make it a habit,¡± he added with a pointed look.


    Kite grinned. ¡°Oh, yeah, of course!¡± he said, audibly agreeing before letting out another yawn. He then stood up, grabbing his empty plate and bringing it to the sink.


    Mira, still holding Ray, gently stroked his cheek with her thumb as she cradled him in her arms. ¡°You know, he¡¯s actually kind of cute,¡± she said with a fond smile. ¡°He looks a little like you, Kite.¡±


    Kite turned back, tilting his head. ¡°Huh. I guess he does.¡± He smirked. ¡°Must be the undeniable good looks.¡±


    Mira chuckled before handing Ray back to Kite. ¡°Go get some rest,¡± she said softly.


    Kite took Ray into his arms, holding him close as he gave his mother a sleepy smile. ¡°Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad.¡±


    Dorian simply nodded as Mira smiled warmly. With that, Kite carried Ray out of the living room and toward his bedroom, his steps sluggish but content. Ray, nestled in his arms, remained unusually quiet, but he didn¡¯t resist.


    He simply stared up at Kite with unreadable eyes as they disappeared into the hallway. Kite¡¯s room was dim, bathed in the soft neon glow from the outside world. The flickering violet and green lights from distant signs cast shifting shadows along the walls, contrasting against the quiet hum of the rundown apartment. Kite lay on his bed, exhausted yet unable to sleep, his gaze lingering on the ceiling as Ray sat stiffly on a small cabinet beside him.


    Despite insisting he didn¡¯t need to rest, Ray¡¯s posture was tense, rigid, like he was bracing for something that never came. The silence stretched between them, but Kite¡¯s quiet voice broke through, his curiosity outweighing the quiet.


    ¡°Ray?¡± Ray¡¯s mechanical eyes dimly flickered as he turned his head ever so slightly, though he kept his gaze locked on the wall. ¡°¡­Yes?¡±


    Kite hesitated before speaking again, his fingers idly tracing circles on his blanket. ¡°Do you¡­ remember when you said you were from the future?¡± He turned to look at Ray, his voice light but filled with unspoken questions. ¡°That you were my future son?¡±


    Ray hesitated, just for a moment, before answering. ¡°¡­Yes. I remember.¡±


    Kite took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. ¡°¡­Can you tell me what I was like? Did I do a bunch of cool stuff?¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t immediately respond. His robotic lips parted slightly, then pressed into a thin line as something flickered in his glowing eyes. Finally, a small, almost wistful smile formed.


    ¡°You were¡­¡± Ray paused, as if grasping for the right words, before speaking again. ¡°You were a hero to many in my future. A legend. You saved lives when no one else would, and you gave hope to those who had lost everything.¡±


    His voice was quiet and slightly pained as he spoke. Kite¡¯s eyes widened with excitement. He propped himself up on his elbows, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. ¡°Whoa, really?¡±


    Ray gave a solemn nod. ¡°You grew up to do great things, Father.¡±


    Kite beamed, his chest swelling with pride. ¡°So cool! I can¡¯t wait!¡± He let out a sigh of contentment. ¡°My parents must have been so proud of me in that future.¡±


    The words made Ray shift uncomfortably. His grip on the edge of the cabinet tightened, his fingers pressing hard into the metal. His gaze dropped slightly.


    ¡°¡­Yes.¡± His voice was barely above a whisper.


    Kite, still caught up in his excitement, gave a small chuckle. ¡°Hey, Ray?¡± Ray forced himself to tilt his head toward Kite, who was smiling fondly at him. ¡°Yes?¡±


    Kite took a moment before speaking, his voice softer this time. ¡°¡­Was I a good dad?¡± The question struck Ray like a knife to the chest. His mechanical fingers twitched. His breathing hitched. His mind, his thoughts, froze.


    ¡°I¡­¡± His voice came out barely steady, shaking in a way that wasn¡¯t like him. His body, normally composed and cold, suddenly felt unbearably heavy. The weight of something unseen pressed against him, suffocating.


    Kite¡¯s own smile faltered as he noticed the way Ray tensed, how his glowing eyes dimmed, how his fingers dug into the metal of the cabinet hard enough to dent it.


    Ray swallowed. His throat was dry. His voice wavered. ¡°¡­I¡­¡±


    But Kite, with an almost knowing sadness in his eyes, simply smiled. A small, somber thing. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Ray,¡± he said quietly. ¡°I¡¯m sure I would have loved to meet you.¡±


    Ray clenched his jaw. His grip tightened. The cabinet beneath his fingers cracked with a faint cosmic shimmer, the fractures branching out like veins of light.


    ¡°¡­Y-you should rest now, Kite,¡± Ray finally managed to say, his voice so soft it barely reached the boy¡¯s ears. Kite frowned. ¡°But what about you?¡± He sat up slightly, tilting his head. ¡°Do you even sleep?¡±


    Ray¡¯s hands trembled. ¡°I don¡¯t sleep, Kite. Not anymore.¡± Kite frowned deeper. ¡°¡­Why not?¡±


    That question. That simple question. Something inside Ray shattered upon hearing it.


    His fingers dug deeper into the cabinet as his entire body twitched violently. A faint cosmic aura flickered around him like static, barely contained. The air around them grew heavier, colder. His breaths came in ragged, uneven gasps as his vision blurred, not from malfunction, but from something deeper, something deeply human.


    Something inside him twisted, tightened, as the walls of reality cracked open, forcing him to relive it all. Then he saw her, Zelena.


    His abuser looming over him. Her sadistic red eyes piercing through the shadows, eyeing him as if he were nothing more than food to toy with. her crimson face was partially obscured but not fully, he could still see her demonic grin as if it were yesterday, even when he closed his eyes. Even after her death, it haunted him.


    Then he heard her deranged cackles, ones that only a true demon could conjure. He felt the ice cold chains that bound his mutilated body to that blood stained wall for years. Even her crimson arms that once held him so tenderly, now ripping at his flesh with claws. Her voice, once smooth and alluring, now filled with malice and glee as she mocked him relentlessly. The warmth that had lured Ray into her grasp now replaced by the suffocating cold of isolation and despair.


    The blood. The screams. The sheer helplessness as the world crashed down around him. His childhood, his innocence, ripped from him.


    Ray¡¯s body jolted with a gasp, his aura pulsing erratically as his mind drowned in memories. The world around him warped, flickering between the past and present in a disorienting swirl of colors. His stomach twisted violently. His chest felt like it was being crushed under the weight of a collapsing star.


    His past bled into the present. The horrors clawed at him. Kite¡¯s voice barely reached him, distant and muffled. ¡°Ray¡­?¡±


    Ray¡¯s aura violently flickered, his body shaking as objects around the room slowly lifted into the air, caught in the gravitational pull of his unstable energy. His breathing became erratic, a choked, mechanical whimper escaping his throat. His mind, his consciousness, was slipping, spiraling into the endless void of the past.


    The cabinet beneath him cracked further, glowing fractures crawling up its surface like creeping ivy. Kite¡¯s heart pounded as he watched Ray¡¯s powers on full display. But unlike before, unlike the first time, Kite didn¡¯t back down. He didn¡¯t flinch. He no longer feared Ray.


    With slow, careful steps, Kite approached. ¡°Ray,¡± he called softly, his voice unwavering.


    Ray¡¯s head jerked up instantly as if preparing to defend himself. His eyes glowed wildly like burning embers, but there was something broken in them, something lost. His gaze flickered between the present and the past, unable to ground himself.


    Kite took another step. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± he murmured. ¡°I¡¯m here.¡±


    Ray clenched his hands into fists, his body trembling violently as the weight of his trauma threatened to consume him. But then, a small, warm hand reached out. Kite, standing right in front of him, held out his hand, not afraid, not hesitant. Just there. A lifeline.


    ¡°Come back to me, Ray.¡± Kite said softly. Ray¡¯s breath hitched. His glowing eyes flickered.


    And for the first time in a long, long time¡­ The storm inside him began to quiet.


    Ray¡¯s glowing eyes locked onto Kite¡¯s outstretched hand. He stared at it, motionless, as if the simple gesture was something foreign, something distant and unattainable.


    The silence between them stretched, heavy and unbroken, yet the world around them slowly began to stabilize. The floating objects in the room trembled before gently lowering back into place. The glowing cosmic cracks along the cabinet dulled, shrinking back into faint, almost imperceptible scars.


    The pulsing light of Ray¡¯s cosmic aura flickered one last time before fading, leaving behind only the faintest shimmer in the air. But Ray remained still. His trembling fingers twitched at his sides, his body paralyzed by the weight of everything he had bottled up, everything he had endured, everything he had lost.


    Kite didn¡¯t move either. He just waited, hand still outstretched, unwavering. While his eyes, so much softer than Ray had ever known, no longer held any of the fear that they did when the two first met.


    Then, in the heat of the moment, in a pure and unguarded instant of desperation, Ray flew into Kite¡¯s arms. A choked gasp escaped Ray¡¯s lips as he gripped Kite tightly, his mechanical fingers clutching onto the fabric of Kite¡¯s shirt like he was afraid to let go. His frame, usually so composed, so rigid, so cold, now shook violently as his breath hitched.


    Kite barely had time to react before instinct took over, his arms wrapping around Ray in return, holding him as if to anchor him to reality. He could feel the trembling in Ray¡¯s frame, the way his fingers clenched like a drowning boy grasping for something, anything, to keep him from slipping away again.


    Then, in a voice so quiet, so broken, Ray began to sob. The sound wasn¡¯t loud. It wasn¡¯t wailing or frantic. It was quiet, barely more than a whisper, like the last, fragile piece of a shattered soul giving in.


    His shoulders shook with each uneven breath, his face buried into Kite¡¯s shoulder as the weight of years, years of pain, loss, guilt, and loneliness, finally overflowed. For the first time since he could remember, he let himself break.


    Kite held him tighter, one hand gently resting against Ray¡¯s back as if to remind him that he was still here, that he wasn¡¯t alone.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Kite murmured, his voice steady, reassuring. ¡°I got you.¡±


    Ray¡¯s fingers curled tighter into Kite¡¯s shirt. His sobs came in uneven, breathless gasps, as if his soul didn¡¯t even know how to cry anymore.


    Kite didn¡¯t let go. He didn¡¯t tell Ray to stop, didn¡¯t try to hush him. He just held him, as steady as he could, letting Ray fall apart in his arms.


    For minutes, they stayed like that. Ray, the cosmic-wielding force of destruction, the monster who had taken countless lives, reduced to nothing but a broken, grieving child.


    And Kite, the very father he had lost, held him with a warmth Ray had never known. Eventually, Ray¡¯s sobs quieted, his breathing still shaky but slowing. His grip loosened slightly, but he still clung to Kite as if letting go would pull him back into the void.


    Then, barely above a whisper, so soft that it was almost lost in the quiet hum of the room, Ray muttered under his breath: ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry...¡±


    His voice was raw, filled with an unfathomable guilt so deep it could have swallowed him whole. A guilt he had carried alone for far too long.


    Kite¡¯s arms tightened around him, his voice just as soft in return. ¡°I know.¡± And he held him just a little closer.

 Chapter 40: A musical witch hunt

    Kite blinked awake to the soft glow of neon lights filtering through the blinds. The room was quiet, except for the faint, rhythmic hum of Ray¡¯s systems beside him. He turned his head slightly, finding Ray resting peacefully, his body still, his usually glowing eyes dimmed.


    Kite smiled. It was the first time he saw Ray so at ease. Moving carefully, Kite slipped out of bed, making sure not to wake Ray. He stretched his arms, then quietly changed out of his pajamas, replacing them with his usual outfit. With one last glance at Ray, he tiptoed toward the door and gently closed it behind him.


    Stepping into the small kitchen, Kite¡¯s eyes landed on a note stuck to the fridge, written in Mira¡¯s neat handwriting: ¡°Went to work early. We made lunch for you. Love you!¡±


    Kite grinned and eagerly opened the fridge. Photos of him and his parents covered the surface, him as a toddler on Dorian¡¯s shoulders, a picture of Mira laughing while holding a cake, and a blurry one of the three of them, arms wrapped around each other, taken in a rush before Dorian had to run out the door.


    With a hum of excitement, Kite grabbed the lunchbox and pulled it out. He was just about to open it when a faint mechanical whirr filled the room.


    Floating into the kitchen with a soft, violet glow, Ray hovered near the ceiling, his usual stoic expression in place. His cybernetic eyes adjusted as he looked around before settling on Kite.


    ¡°You snore in your sleep,¡± Kite teased, glancing up at Ray with a smirk. Ray frowned. ¡°I do not.¡±


    Kite snickered. ¡°You totally do. All mechanical and stuff. It¡¯s like a weird little hum.¡±


    Ray¡¯s frown deepened, but there was a flicker of doubt in his expression. ¡°That¡¯s impossible.¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure.¡± Kite rolled his eyes playfully as he sat down at the table, placing the lunchbox in front of him. Ray, still floating, moved closer, his curiosity piqued.


    ¡°What¡¯s inside?¡± Ray asked, hovering just above the table as Kite slowly unlatched the lunchbox.


    Kite¡¯s grin faltered the moment he pulled out the meal. His shoulders slumped as he recognized the familiar, questionable presentation of his dad¡¯s cooking.


    Dorian¡¯s lunch, as usual, was a haphazard yet somehow endearing attempt at home-cooked comfort food. The lunchbox contained a messy, yet familiar, assortment of dishes. The main item was a large portion of scrambled eggs, which were slightly overcooked and clumped together in a way that made them look almost like a block of yellow mush. They had a tinge of burnt crisp on the edges, a clear sign of Dorian¡¯s hurried, yet well-intentioned, effort.


    Next to the eggs was a heap of burnt toast, with the edges blackened beyond recognition. Despite the charred appearance, the toast was still oddly crunchy, and if you squinted, you could almost taste the butter that had been spread on it, though it was mostly just the remnants of a once-soft spread that now clung to the bread in clumps.


    To complete the meal was a mishmash of vegetables, mainly wilted spinach, a few limp carrots, and some cold, half-wilted potato cubes that had likely been part of a larger dish the night before. The vegetables were clearly meant to balance out the meal, but they were forgotten in Dorian¡¯s rush, ending up cold and rubbery, almost as if they had been tossed together in haste rather than love.


    The smell of the lunch was a mix of burnt toast, slightly overcooked eggs, and the faint scent of reheated vegetables, a far cry from the comforting aromas Dorian usually tried to evoke with his cooking. Despite the imperfect execution, Kite recognized it instantly as Dorian¡¯s attempt to feed him, a gesture of care, even if it wasn¡¯t the most appetizing meal.


    Kite couldn¡¯t help but smile slightly at the sight of it, the familiar chaos of his dad¡¯s cooking bringing a sense of warmth to his chest, even if it was a little more than he bargained for in terms of flavor.


    ¡°¡­It¡¯s my dad¡¯s cooking,¡± Kite said flatly. A long silence passed before Kite dramatically shuddered and fake gagged. ¡°Ugh, I can already taste the regret.¡±


    Ray blinked before letting out a small, barely audible chuckle. Kite perked up at that and laughed a little more before pushing the lunch aside and standing up. ¡°Welp, time to grab my backpack,¡± he said as he turned toward the other room.


    But before he could leave, Ray¡¯s voice stopped him. ¡°If I died¡­¡± Ray hesitated, his usually confident tone dipping into something uncertain. ¡°Doesn¡¯t that mean you failed your project?¡±


    Kite stopped in his tracks. He stood still for a long moment, staring at the floor as the weight of Ray¡¯s words settled over him. Then, slowly, he turned his head slightly and smiled.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he admitted softly. ¡°But¡­ I¡¯m just glad you¡¯re okay.¡± He started walking again, raising a hand in a lazy wave. ¡°I¡¯ll pass the next one for sure!¡±


    Ray remained in the kitchen, his gaze lingering on Kite as he disappeared down the hallway. The hum of the fridge, the flickering of the old neon light above the stove, everything felt oddly still. Floating there, alone with his thoughts, Ray silently processed Kite¡¯s words, his fingers lightly twitching at his sides.


    The undercity sprawled beneath the world above, a vast maze of neon-lit streets, crumbling buildings, and towering structures that clawed at the sky, struggling for space among the tangled web of pipes and support beams. The air was thick with the scent of burning fuel, damp concrete, and the faint metallic tang of ozone from the countless hovering vehicles zipping through the air.


    Kite weaved effortlessly through the chaos on his hoverboard, his body tilting with expert precision as he dodged incoming drones, darting past blinking red sensors and various hover cars. His free arm held Ray securely against his chest, the small robotic boy emitting a faint hum as his systems adjusted to the rapid movement. Below them, the streets teemed with life, a melting pot of species and machines working, bartering, and surviving in the only way they knew how.


    A group of chimera children played near a rusted-out hover car, their animalistic features twitching with excitement as they kicked around a makeshift ball made of scraps. A towering automaton vendor stood at a street corner, his body plated with dull bronze, his synthetic voice echoing through the alleyway as he advertised cheap cybernetic repairs. A pair of humans in patchwork coats haggled with a rat-faced chimera over the price of black-market energy cells, their voices rising in frustration.


    Above them, massive holographic billboards flickered against the smog-choked sky, their bright colors bleeding through the perpetual gloom. One displayed a flashing list of wanted criminals, their faces shifting in and out of view with bold rewards stamped beneath their names. Another showed a looping ad for cybernetic implants, a beautiful model smiling as she activated her glowing mechanical eyes.


    There were even large holographic billboards displaying the faces of many undercity inhabitants of various ages who had recently gone missing. A futile attempt by the victims'' families, who had desperately paid corporations to spread awareness and find them.


    But the largest and most striking of them all was the towering image of Rook, his pale face and piercing gaze staring down at the city like a god surveying his domain. ¡°Innovation is the future. I create the future.¡± The words scrolled beneath his sharp, calculating smirk, a tagline that sent a chill through Kite despite his adrenaline-fueled flight.


    Despite fact he had just recently learned about his existence, Kite had already begun to feel a great instinctual pang of weariness about him. Everyone else in the undercity knew Rook wasn¡¯t a benevolent businessman, he was a tyrant wrapped in a suit, controlling vast industries worldwide and playing puppet master to those desperate enough to sell their freedom for a chance at survival.


    Kite exhaled sharply and pushed his board faster, leaving the eerie billboard behind as he zipped through a narrow alleyway, the walls so close they nearly clipped his shoulders. He grinned as he burst out into the open again, narrowly avoiding an oncoming hover car whose driver yelled something obscene at him.


    ¡°Sorry, sir!¡± Kite called back with a laugh, adjusting his grip on Ray as he spiraled downward, descending toward the street level.


    At last, his destination came into view, a worn-down, graffiti-covered school building, its metal doors rusted at the edges, its cracked windows barely holding together. A few students loitered outside, some leaning against the walls, others sitting on the steps, dreading the start of the day.


    Kite landed smoothly, stepping off his hoverboard as it automatically retracted and attached itself to the newly made magnetic clamp on his backpack with a faint click. He adjusted the straps and took a breath, rolling his shoulders.


    Kite chuckled nervously as he stood in front of the rundown school, stuffing a hand into his pocket. ¡°Hope Rad takes the news well.¡± With that, he took a step forward, ready to face another day.


    The classroom was a chaotic blend of noise, laughter, and the occasional mechanical whirr of robotic babies in their cradles. The walls were lined with outdated educational posters, some curling at the edges, featuring diagrams of human and chimera anatomy, basic robotics, and city maps. Holo-screens flickered occasionally, projecting assignments that most students ignored.


    The desks were arranged in haphazard clusters, some covered in doodles and etchings from years of bored students. The overhead lights flickered slightly, casting a dim, uneven glow over the room.


    Lira sat comfortably on a desk near the middle of the classroom, her legs casually swinging as she held the small white robotic baby in her arms. Her black and white fur contrasted against her soft gray sleeveless hoodie, the cat-ear details on the hood folded slightly. The paw-print design on her tunic was partially covered by the baby¡¯s tiny arms as it remained still in sleep mode.


    Her black leggings hugged her legs, reinforced knee patches subtly marked with claw-like patterns. Around her neck, her black-and-white scarf swayed gently as she laughed, her tail flicking playfully behind her.


    Ava, sitting beside her with her elbows propped up on the desk, smirked with her usual mischievous energy. Her messy brown hair, complete with uneven bangs, looked like she¡¯d just rolled out of bed. Her pink Irises gleamed with amusement as she grinned, revealing the small gap where her missing front tooth used to be.


    Her ragged clothes, a torn oversized shirt that barely fit her frame, loosely wrapped bandages around her arms and legs, gave her the usual scrappy look. Lira giggled as she recalled last night. ¡°So, get this, Dad tries to act all smooth, right? Like, ¡®Mara, my love, let me handle dinner tonight.¡¯¡± Lira mimicked her father Theo¡¯s voice dramatically, pushing up an imaginary pair of glasses that kept slipping down.


    Ava snorted, already knowing where this was going. ¡°Oh no, what did he do?¡±


    Lira leaned in with a grin. ¡°So, he¡¯s chopping onions, and he¡¯s doing okay at first. Then Mom walks by, looks at the absolute mess he¡¯s making, and just¡ª¡± she smacked her hands together for emphasis, ¡°¡ªgently takes the knife away like, ¡®Sweetheart, go set the table.¡¯¡±


    Ava burst out laughing. ¡°She kicked him out of the kitchen?¡±


    ¡°Yep!¡± Lira grinned. ¡°And then she made the best roasted fish with garlic sauce! Seriously, you should¡¯ve stayed for dinner.¡±


    Ava sighed dramatically. ¡°Ugh, you¡¯re just rubbing it in now. I had to eat stale bread and¡ª¡± She paused, glancing down at their shared robotic baby. ¡°¡ªtechnically, our ¡®kid¡¯ here did too.¡± She poked the robot¡¯s belly, causing it to let out a tiny, automated coo.


    Lira smirked and chuckled. ¡°Yeah, well, I¡¯m sure the little guy didn¡¯t mind.¡± The two giggled, unaware of the growing tension on the other side of the classroom.


    Near the front of the room, Bryce and Mona were¡ªunsurprisingly¡ªbickering again. Bryce sat back in his chair with his boots propped up on the desk, his burgundy leather jacket slightly unzipped over his fitted black t-shirt. His messy brown hair was in its usual disarray, a few strands falling over his hazel eyes as he smirked. The Moon Hawks'' white crescent emblem stood out against the worn fabric of his jacket¡¯s backside.


    His ripped black jeans and rugged boots completed his effortlessly rebellious look, his grey-accented black headphones resting around his neck. Mona, standing beside him with arms crossed, looked absolutely furious. Her iridescent high-collared jacket shimmered with deep emerald and sapphire hues under the flickering classroom lights.


    The golden filigree along the seams caught the light, only emphasizing the way she radiated barely contained rage. Her black outfit hugged her athletic frame, gold-threaded patterns running along the arms and legs like ancient scarab markings. A wide belt with a golden scarab emblem cinched her waist, and her sleek boots barely touched the floor as she loomed over Bryce, practically vibrating with irritation.


    Bryce nonchalantly examined his fingernails. ¡°I¡¯m just saying, Mona, you can¡¯t blame me if you didn¡¯t read the instructions.¡±


    Mona¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°Oh, I did read them. Unlike you, I actually care about this project.¡±


    Bryce grinned. ¡°Oh yeah? Then why is our ¡®kid¡¯ screaming like it¡¯s in a horror movie?¡±


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Mona snapped her head toward the robotic baby in the cradle beside them¡ªonly now noticing its glowing blue eyes and the ear-piercing wail coming from its mouth.


    Her jaw dropped as she gasped. ¡°Bryce!¡± But Bryce remained unfazed as he replied calmly. ¡°Oops.¡±


    The robotic baby flailed its arms as it continued its mechanical cries, but neither of them moved to comfort it, too caught up in their argument. ¡°You forgot to feed it, didn¡¯t you!?¡± Mona accused.


    Bryce held up his hands. ¡°Listen, I had important things to do¡ª¡±


    ¡°Like what?!¡± Mona screeched, baring her fangs as the veins in her face became visible. Bryce leaned back with a proud smirk. ¡°Winning an argument with you.¡±


    Mona let out a low, guttural growl, barely restraining the urge to claw his face off. But before she could tend to the baby, a boy¡¯s voice cut through the classroom buzz.


    ¡°You did what!?¡± Rad¡¯s voice cut through the noise of the classroom like a gunshot. The entire room fell into momentary silence as all heads turned toward the back.


    Rad sat at his usual spot, his chubby arms pressed against the desk, fists clenched in disbelief. His dark red hoodie was slightly wrinkled from the way he hunched over, his brown bangs messily hanging over his dark brown eyes. His worn-out boots were planted firmly on the floor as he stared at Kite like he¡¯d just announced the end of the world.


    Kite, sitting beside him, looked unbothered as he held Ray, their robotic baby, in his arms. His black shirt and pants contrasted against the beige of his open jacket, the silver chain necklace around his neck glinting slightly. His green pupils flickered slightly in the dim light as he stared at Rad, unfazed by the reaction.


    The silence stretched, the entire class waiting for an explanation. Rad¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°¡­You got him blown up?¡±


    Kite blinked with a straight face. ¡°Then fixed him.¡± Rad gasped at him before yelling. ¡°That doesn¡¯t make it any better!¡±


    The classroom erupted into laughter and chatter once more, the moment of silence broken. Kite simply shrugged, rocking Ray gently in his arms, as if getting blasted through space was a minor inconvenience.


    Bryce, hearing the commotion, turned to Mona with a smirk. ¡°See? And you thought I was irresponsible.¡±


    Mona face palmed with an audible sigh. Meanwhile, Lira and Ava were practically wheezing with laughter, Lira wiping a tear from her eye as she gasped, ¡°Oh my god, Kite¡ª¡±


    And so, the chaos of the classroom continued. The noise of the classroom continued to rise as students chatted and laughed, the sound of robotic babies cooing, crying, or beeping filling the air. As Kite held Ray securely in his arms, a small group of kids approached, their curious eyes locked onto the robotic baby he was cradling.


    ¡°Whoa,¡± one of them, a freckled boy with wide, eager eyes, murmured. ¡°Yours looks way cooler than ours.¡±


    A girl with short, spiky hair nodded in agreement. ¡°Yeah! Ours are just plain white, but this¡ª¡± she leaned in, inspecting Ray¡¯s sleek black-and-white exterior, ¡°¡ªthis thing looks so advanced. And the cybernetic eyes? That¡¯s so unfair.¡±


    Another kid tilted their head. ¡°Wait, how¡¯d you guys even get one that looks like this?¡±


    Kite shrugged casually with a small smile. ¡°Dunno. He just showed up like this when we got assigned, mostly¡± He smiled at Ray as he spoke. ¡°He¡¯s kinda special.¡±


    Ray internally sighed. Special? Guess you could say that. ¡°Can we hold him?¡± the freckled boy suddenly asked, eyes shining with anticipation.


    Kite blinked before glancing down at Ray. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Ray¡¯s glowing violet and green eyes flickered as he hesitated. He had half a mind to refuse, but Kite was looking at him with that soft, trusting expression, and the kids did seem genuinely fascinated.


    ¡°¡­Fine,¡± Ray muttered reluctantly. Kite grinned. ¡°Alright, be careful with him.¡± He gently handed Ray over to the freckled boy, who took him with a careful grip, as if holding something truly precious.


    The other kids immediately crowded around. ¡°Whoa, he¡¯s heavier than I thought.¡± The boy stated as he held Ray.


    ¡°Look at his little arms, wait, can he move them on his own?¡± Another Kid asked. ¡°This is so much better than the boring models we got.¡± The girl in the group said, her voice laced with envy.


    Ray, meanwhile, sat stiffly in the boy¡¯s grasp, seemingly powerless as he was passed from one set of arms to another. His inner thoughts dripped with exasperation.


    I have slain gods, toppled kingdoms, and yet here I am, being toyed with by a group of children. Another kid turned Ray in their hands slightly before lifting him up into the air. ¡°His eyes glow! That¡¯s so cool.¡±


    Ray let out another internal sigh. Can this end already? Ray thought to himself as he frowned slightly.


    But just as Rad was about to step in, his patience worn thin, a woman¡¯s voice cut through the classroom. ¡°Kite. Rad.¡± The chatter immediately died down as all eyes turned toward the front of the room.


    Miss Lena stood near the doorway, arms crossed, her tired amber eyes fixed on the two boys. Strands of her long, messy brown curly hair had slipped out of place, framing her freckled face as she adjusted her cybernetic glasses with a slow, deliberate motion. The faint lines of stress creased her forehead, making her look older than she truly was.


    She wore a dark green turtleneck sweater, slightly oversized but still fitted neatly under the long white trench coat draped over her shoulders. Along with an old necklace that had once belonged to her deceased father before his passing. While below the waist she wore black jeans and well-worn boots that completed her look, practical yet professional, though the exhaustion in her posture hinted at just how much patience she had left for the day.


    Rad grimaced. Kite winced slightly as he spoke quietly ¡°Ah¡­ yeah.¡± The group of kids holding Ray groaned collectively. ¡°Aww, come on.¡±


    ¡°Guess playtime¡¯s over,¡± one of them sighed as they carefully set Ray back onto the table. Ray¡¯s internal relief was palpable. At last, my suffering ends.


    Kite picked Ray up once more, adjusting him in his arms as he stood. As soon as he did, he noticed Rad glaring at him silently.


    Kite let out a small, sheepish chuckle. ¡°Sorry, Rad¡­¡± Rad let out a deep grunt, rubbing his temple before standing. ¡°Of all the people I had to be paired up with¡­¡± he muttered under his breath.


    Kite smiled awkwardly. ¡°C¡¯mon, it won¡¯t be that bad.¡± Rad shot him a deadpan look.


    Together, they trudged toward the front of the classroom, the eyes of their classmates following them with interest as Miss Lena waited, unimpressed. Kite and Rad stood stiffly before Miss Lena, the weight of her gaze pressing down on them. The classroom noise had dulled, students still watching the unfolding conversation with varying levels of interest. Ray remained in Kite¡¯s arms, his cybernetic eyes now closed as Miss Lena¡¯s amber eyes landed on him.


    She exhaled through her nose, crossing her arms. ¡°That baby didn¡¯t look like that when I assigned it to you.¡±


    Kite stiffened, gripping Ray a little tighter. ¡°W-Well, see, Miss Lena¡­ uh¡­¡± He let out a nervous chuckle. ¡°We kinda got into¡­ an accident.¡±


    Miss Lena raised a brow. ¡°An accident?¡± Her voice was flat, unconvinced. Kite nodded quickly. ¡°Y-Yeah! Nothing crazy, just¡ªuh, you know, stuff happens!¡±


    Miss Lena wasn¡¯t having it. She pinched the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes for a brief moment before speaking. ¡°It is your responsibility, both of you, to keep the baby safe from harm and to watch over it.¡±


    Kite¡¯s mouth opened as if to protest, but the way Miss Lena¡¯s tired eyes bore into him made him second-guess himself. He hesitated, then lowered his head, mumbling, ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    Her gaze then shifted to Rad, who stood with his hands jammed in the pocket of his dark red hoodie, his boots planted firmly on the ground. ¡°This is a group project,¡± she continued, her tone firm. ¡°You and Kite should be working together on this.¡±


    Rad scoffed. ¡°Yeah? Tell that to him.¡± He gestured toward Kite without looking. ¡°He keeps missing school and takes Ray with him home.¡±


    Kite winced slightly, but Miss Lena wasn¡¯t interested in Rad¡¯s complaints. She merely raised a brow and said, ¡°Then help him outside of school as well.¡±


    Rad groaned loudly, rubbing his temple. ¡°Oh, come on¡­¡±


    Miss Lena ignored his frustration, her focus shifting back to Ray. She stared at the robotic baby in Kite¡¯s arms, her sharp eyes studying his black-and-white plating, the subtle shifts in his glowing cybernetic eyes, and the refined joints that hadn¡¯t been there before.


    Her mind worked quickly, piecing things together. The model was already different to begin with, but now¡­


    She could tell something had changed. The delicate modifications, the polished repairs, it was clear that Kite had done them himself. A part of her wanted to press for answers, but another part of her simply marveled at the boy¡¯s ingenuity.


    He¡¯s incredibly smart. Smarter than he lets on.


    A long silence stretched between them, the only sound in the classroom coming from the occasional beep or whirr of other robotic babies. Finally, Miss Lena straightened and spoke.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be giving you two one last chance.¡± Kite and Rad both blinked, heads tilting slightly in confusion.


    Rad narrowed his eyes. ¡°Why?¡± Miss Lena let out a tired sigh, waving a hand dismissively. ¡°Because I don¡¯t feel like grading.¡±


    Kite brightened immediately, his shoulders relaxing. ¡°Oh! Well, uh, thanks, Miss Lena!¡± Without wasting another second, he turned, carrying Ray back to his desk.


    Rad lingered for a moment before nodding, a silent thank you, then stuffed his hands back into his hoodie pockets and followed.


    Miss Lena watched the two boys walk off, her expression unreadable. Slowly, she reached up and adjusted the silver necklace resting against her turtleneck, her fingers brushing the old, worn pendant. Then, with a sigh, she turned toward the front of the room, settling at her desk. ¡°Alright,¡± she called out, ¡°class is starting. Everyone, focus.¡±


    The lunchroom was a chaotic mess of chatter, laughter, and clattering trays. The scent of warm food mixed with the faint metallic tang of the aging cafeteria. Kids, both human and chimera, packed the various tables, eating, talking, or goofing off with their robotic babies.


    Rad walked through the crowded space, his tray held steady in his hands, his dark brown eyes flicking over the various groups of students. He spotted Kite, Ava, and Lira sitting together, laughing at something as Kite held Ray in his arms. Ava cradled her own robotic baby, occasionally rocking it as she snickered at whatever Lira had said.


    Rad barely spared them a glance, letting out a low grunt as he looked away. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted someone else.


    Kay sat alone at one of the smaller tables, a quiet presence amidst the chaos of the cafeteria. His floppy rabbit ears drooped slightly, his small frame curled in on itself as he absently picked at his food. His light grey hair was unkempt, and his oversized beige sweater, slightly worn at the edges, hung loosely off his shoulders. His dark gray pants looked a bit too big for him, as if they had once belonged to someone else.


    As Rad approached, Kay¡¯s face lit up, just a little, as he noticed him coming over. Rad hesitated for a moment before sighing and sitting down across from him.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Kay greeted with a small, hesitant smile. Rad forced himself to return it, though it barely lasted a second. ¡°Hey.¡±


    Kay¡¯s ears twitched slightly as he glanced at Rad¡¯s tray. ¡°So, uh, W-what¡¯d you do yesterday?¡±


    Rad let out a long groan, stabbing his spork into his mashed potatoes. ¡°Mom just kept yelling at me and made me do chores all day after school. Even threatened to kick me out like usual.¡±


    Kay nodded solemnly. ¡°Same¡­¡± His fingers fidgeted with the edge of his tray. ¡°Mine made me clean the whole apartment.¡± Kay spoke quietly. ¡°And while I was cleaning the kitchen I accidentally dropped an old plate and she yelled at me for it.¡±


    Rad arched a brow. ¡°You broke a plate?¡± Kay shrank a little as he nervously responded. ¡°I-It was an accident. It just slipped out of my hands.¡±


    He lowered his gaze, his voice growing quieter as he rubbed the mark on his cheek. ¡°I tried to tell her that, but she wouldn¡¯t listen. Just smacked me for ¡®talking back.¡¯¡± Kay said before going silent before speaking again with a shaky voice. ¡°It really hurt.¡±


    A brief silence followed. Rad didn¡¯t know what to say. He just sat there, idly poking at his food with his spork, his mind running in circles. Kay poked at his own food as well, his movements small and uncertain.


    After a long moment, Rad finally spoke, his voice quiet. ¡°Well¡­ don¡¯t you have a dad? Why doesn¡¯t he do anything about it?¡±


    Kay¡¯s fidgeting stopped. His ears drooped lower. ¡°I¡­ I do,¡± he murmured. ¡°But mom says he left when I was a baby.¡±


    Rad felt a lump form in his throat. He hadn¡¯t expected that. He shifted uncomfortably, searching for something, anything to say, but nothing came to mind.


    Finally, he just grunted awkwardly. ¡°Oh.¡± Another silence fell over them, the cafeteria noise blurring into the background as they sat there, barely touching their food.


    The lunchroom buzzed with the usual chaos of children chatting, laughing, and clattering their trays. The sound bounced off the cracked tile floors and the aging walls, remnants of a time when the ancient cafeteria had been more than just a barely functional mess hall.


    Then, suddenly, the lights flickered. A hush spread through the room as five figures stepped onto the old stage at the far end of the cafeteria. They were clad in sleek black suits beneath onyx trench coats with glowing orange accents tracing the seams, giving them an almost digital appearance.


    Each wore a distinctively designed mask, one had a jagged, toothy grin, another a smooth, expressionless surface with glowing eyes, and one bore an intricate design resembling a cracked chessboard. The last two had sharper, angular masks that looked almost avian. On their backs, emblazoned in striking orange, was the unmistakable orange accented logo of a rook inside an orange ringed circle.


    One of them, the tallest, stepped forward, gripping a microphone as their distorted voice echoed through the cafeteria. ¡°Attention, young musicians and thrill-seekers alike!¡± the speaker¡¯s voice boomed, full of enthusiasm. ¡°Today, we bring you a Musical Witch Hunt!¡±


    A murmur swept through the crowd. Kids glanced at each other in confusion, some already intrigued. The speaker grinned beneath their mask. ¡°And what¡¯s a hunt without a prize?¡±


    From their side, they lifted a small robotic pet, sleek and metallic, with shifting plates and glowing blue eyes. The creature let out a series of excited chirps before leaping from the speaker¡¯s hands. It landed on a nearby table, its body morphing fluidly between shapes, a small fox, a tiny bird, a sleek feline, as it darted across trays and through gaps between students.


    Gasps and laughter erupted as the pet bounded past children, its form shifting with each movement. ¡°This¡ª¡± the speaker gestured toward the robotic pet ¡°¡ªis the grand prize! It will belong to whoever can find all the pieces of the legendary guitar!¡±


    The cafeteria roared with excitement. The speaker continued, their voice laced with amusement. ¡°The guitar is said to have once belonged to a legendary musician a century ago, a master of sound and rebellion. But now, it lies shattered, its pieces scattered throughout the Undercity and¡­¡± They paused for dramatic effect, then smirked. ¡°¡­Horizon Heights.¡±


    The reaction was Immediate. A collective gasp rippled through the cafeteria. Even the most unruly kids fell silent. Horizon Heights, the utopian city above, reserved only for the wealthy, was untouchable for people like them. The very idea of setting foot there was practically unthinkable for those in the undercity.


    The speaker chuckled heartily at their stunned expressions. ¡°Ahhh, I see we have some dreamers here. Well, you¡¯ll need more than just dreams to win this.¡± They glanced around the room. ¡°Good luck, and may the best musicians rise to the challenge.¡±


    With that, the masked figures turned and exited the cafeteria, disappearing through the back doors. For a moment, the silence lingered. Then¡ªBOOM.


    The cafeteria exploded into chatter and excitement. Kids jumped up from their seats, forming groups, shouting over one another about strategies and plans. Some were already pulling up maps on their outdated school-issued tablets and watches.


    At one of the tables, Kite, Lira, and Ava turned to each other, eyes wide with exhilaration. ¡°Are we seriously gonna do this?¡± Lira asked, practically bouncing in her seat.


    ¡°Uh, yes!¡± Ava shot back, grinning as she cradled her robotic baby. ¡°That thing is adorable, and I want it.¡±


    Kite, holding Ray in his arms, smirked but remained more thoughtful. ¡°You guys sure about this? Horizon Heights is¡­ well...¡±


    Lira waved him off. ¡°Yeah, yeah, but come on. The prize is too good to pass up! And besides, my mom always says, ¡®Fortune favors the bold!¡¯¡±


    Ray, however, remained silent. His robotic body tensed, his glowing eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion as he watched the room erupt around him.


    A few tables away, Kay giggled softly, watching the excited students around him. ¡°This sounds kinda fun,¡± he murmured, glancing at Rad. ¡°Maybe we should try it.¡±


    Rad, still poking at his food, grunted. ¡°I dunno.¡± But Kay persisted. ¡°But pets are the best kind of friends!¡± His ears twitched as he smiled hopefully.


    Rad didn¡¯t immediately respond. His attention flicked to Kite, Lira, and Ava, watching them as they excitedly planned in the distance. Something about it made his jaw tighten.


    ¡°Rad?¡± Kay asked after a moment of silence his voice now small and uncertain. Rad groaned and pushed his tray aside before standing up. ¡°Come on then.¡±


    Kay blinked, his ears perking up. ¡°W-Wait up!¡± he stammered, scrambling to his feet and hurrying after Rad.


    Still lost in their conversation, Kite, Lira, and Ava hadn¡¯t noticed the two approaching until Rad stopped right in front of their table. Their conversation dying out immediately as they turned their perplexed eyes to the unlikely duo that stood before them.


    Rad crossed his arms, staring them down silently, while Kay fidgeted nervously beside him. Kay gave a small, awkward wave. ¡°H-hello there?¡±

 Chapter 41: The hunt for the legendary guitar

    The streets of the undercity stretched before them, a tangled web of cracked pavement and rusting metal. Neon signs flickered weakly overhead, their dying hum blending into the distant whir of machinery from the industrial sector. Buildings, some leaning precariously, loomed over the streets like silent watchers, their graffiti-covered walls telling stories of those who had passed through before.


    The air carried the faint scent of oil and damp concrete, mixing with the ever-present smog that rolled through the alleyways like a ghostly tide. Few people wandered these streets, mostly scavengers, off-duty workers, and the occasional gang member lingering in the shadows. But amidst the lifelessness of the city, Kite, Ava, and Lira moved with an infectious energy, their laughter cutting through the gloom like a beacon.


    Ava smirked, hands on her hips as she walked alongside her friends. ¡°Hey, so like, which one of us should get the pet once we find all the pieces?¡± she asked, her voice laced with confidence. ¡°I call dibs.¡±


    Kite chuckled, adjusting his grip on Ray. ¡°Hold on now, we don¡¯t even know where to start!¡± His tone was light, amusement dancing in his green eyes.


    Lira grinned as she cradled her white robotic baby in her arms. ¡°Yeah, Ava, we don¡¯t even know who the musician is yet.¡±


    Ava groaned dramatically, tossing her head back. ¡°Fine, fine, we¡¯ll decide afterwards then.¡± But her grin never faded, her enthusiasm as unshakable as ever.


    A short distance behind them, Rad and Kay trailed in silence. The dim glow of neon lights reflected off the sheen of Kay¡¯s floppy rabbit ears as he walked, his small frame appearing even smaller next to Rad¡¯s. Kay¡¯s oversized sweater hung loosely on him, the sleeves covering his hands as he clutched them together.


    His baggy pants, slightly too big, had been rolled at the cuffs so they wouldn¡¯t drag. The boy had an almost delicate presence, as if a strong enough wind could carry him away.


    Rad, on the other hand, was a stark contrast. His dark red hoodie, worn and slightly torn at the sleeves, hung over his broad shoulders. His boots clunked against the pavement with each step, his posture rigid, arms folded across his chest.


    His eyes remained locked on the group ahead, expression unreadable. Eventually, Kay broke the silence. ¡°Say, Rad? What are you gonna do if you get the pet?¡± He tilted his head slightly, ears twitching.


    Rad mulled over the question for a moment before a mischievous smirk tugged at his lips. ¡°Hmm, I don¡¯t know. Probably have it make like a suit of armor or something.¡± His eyes gleamed with excitement. ¡°Or a big greatsword. That¡¯d be sick.¡±


    Kay¡¯s face lit up, admiration sparkling in his eyes. ¡°Ooh, so cool!¡± he beamed. Rad chuckled and nodded, knowing full well how cool his ideas were. ¡°What about you? What if you get the prize?¡± He asked, genuinely curious as Kay¡¯s presence eased his mind.


    Kay¡¯s smile faltered slightly, his gaze shifting away. Rad immediately noticed. ¡°Hm?¡±


    Kay quickly snapped his attention back to Rad, forcing a small laugh. ¡°O-oh! Sorry! Uh, well¡­¡± He fidgeted, rubbing his arm. His smile, though still present, carried a nervous edge.


    ¡°If I get the pet,¡± Kay started softly, ¡°I think I¡¯ll give it to my mom as a gift, you know? I think she¡¯d really like it.¡±


    Rad¡¯s steps faltered. He stared at Kay, thrown off by the answer. Of all the things he had expected, that wasn¡¯t one of them. His brows furrowed.


    ¡°But¡­ why?¡± he asked, genuine confusion lacing his voice. ¡°Isn¡¯t she abusive to you? From what I heard, it doesn¡¯t seem like she likes you at all.¡±


    Kay didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, he took a deep breath, kicking a small rock ahead of them as they walked. His expression, normally shy and hesitant, became oddly calm and stoic. ¡°Yeah, she does hit me constantly and yells at me for the littlest things but¡­"


    his voice was quiet, almost lost in the distant sounds of the city. ¡°She¡¯s still my mom, and I love her.¡± Rad immediately fell silent.


    He didn¡¯t know how to respond. His mind churned, trying to make sense of it. Kay¡¯s words defied everything Rad believed. His mere existence challenged Rad¡¯s philosophy. Rad had spent his whole life wanting to escape his mother¡¯s grasp, wanting to prove that she had no control over him, that he didn¡¯t care.


    And yet, here was Kay, kind, timid, small, yet still offering love to someone who had only ever given him pain. It didn¡¯t make any sense at all.


    It was Incomprehensible. It was¡­ admirable. Rad had never thought about it that way. Even now he couldn¡¯t possibly imagine how someone like Kay could exist. How someone so hurt could still be so kind, despite all the pain. It perplexed Rad deeply and struck his very soul.


    Rad shifted uncomfortably, eyes glued to the pavement. A newfound respect bubbling within him. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he muttered, ¡°¡­I see.¡±


    The words felt hollow, but they were all he had. All he could muster.


    Kay smiled softly, as if Rad¡¯s reaction had been enough. And with that, the two different groups continued further into the undercity, their paths unknowingly intertwined. Bonds, unspoken yet growing, strengthened with each step.


    The group moved deeper into the undercity, their footsteps echoing off the worn pavement as they entered a narrow alleyway wedged between two rusted buildings. The walls were lined with graffiti, some of it just chaotic scribbles, but others held symbols of old gangs or ancient messages from the past. The alley smelled of damp metal and stale air, the only light coming from a flickering neon sign above a broken-down shop.


    Trash littered the ground, and the occasional distant clang of pipes echoed through the alley, making the space feel even more claustrophobic. Rad exhaled sharply, his arms still folded. ¡°You know,¡± he muttered, ¡°we don¡¯t even know where we¡¯re going.¡±


    His brown eyes flicked to the others, a skeptical frown settling on his face. ¡°Like, are we just wandering until we bump into some magic guitar piece or something?¡±


    Ava groaned, throwing her arms up. ¡°Right? That speaker didn¡¯t even tell us where to start!¡± She scowled, kicking a discarded can. ¡°You¡¯d think if they wanted kids to find this thing, they¡¯d at least give us a clue!¡±


    Lira crossed her arms, her tail flicking behind her in irritation. ¡°Yeah, this is kinda dumb. How are we supposed to find pieces of something that broke a hundred years ago?¡±


    Kite sighed, rubbing his forehead with his free hand. ¡°Okay, okay, let¡¯s not get all worked up. Maybe if we¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish, a loud chime cut through the alley. The group immediately fell silent, their eyes snapping toward Kite. He froze, his heart skipping a beat as he felt the vibration against his wrist.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Rad asked, his brows furrowing. Ava leaned in slightly, eyeing Kite¡¯s arm. ¡°Yeah, dude, was that your watch?¡±


    Kite lifted his wrist, staring at the black device strapped around it. It was an advanced watch that was given to him by the school. a simple yet sleek piece of tech, that had never once acted up like this before. Kite swallowed. "I¡­ think so?"


    Before anyone could respond, the watch let out a deafening BEEP. Then, suddenly, Thick, black gas erupted from the device, pouring out in dense waves. Within seconds, the alley was consumed by darkness, the world around them vanishing into an inky void.


    ¡°What the¡ª?!¡± Lira gasped, her tail bristling as she instinctively took a step back. ¡°Kite, what did you do?!¡± Ava yelled, her voice sharp with panic.


    ¡°I¡ªI don¡¯t know!¡± Kite stammered, his fingers desperately fumbling with the watch as Ray now silently hovered in the air beside him, but the gas wouldn¡¯t stop. Rad cursed under his breath, his body tensing. ¡°I can¡¯t see a damn thing!¡±


    Kay whimpered softly, his hands clenching at the fabric of his sweater as he stepped closer to Rad. ¡°Where¡­ where are we?¡±


    The darkness around them swirled like living smoke, shifting, pulsing, almost as if it were breathing. The air grew thick, heavy with something unexplainable. It wasn¡¯t just the absence of light. It was deeper than that.


    And as they stood there, surrounded by the suffocating blackness, an eerie silence fell upon them. A silence that felt¡­ wrong. The group held their breath, their eyes darting around blindly.


    Then, all at once, a holographic figure emerged from Kite¡¯s watch, their flickering glow illuminating the surroundings. The tall figure was clad in a sleek black suit beneath an onyx trench coat with glowing orange accents tracing the seams, giving them an almost digital appearance.


    On their back, emblazoned in striking orange, was the unmistakable orange accented logo of a rook inside an orange ringed circle. While their helmet is a smooth, expressionless surface with expressive glowing eyes.


    Rad¡¯s breath came out slow and measured as his eyes remained locked on the towering holographic figure before them. The eerie orange glow from its glowing seams reflected in his dark eyes, making the smog-filled alley seem even more surreal.


    ¡°What the¡­¡± he muttered under his breath. He felt a prickle of unease along his skin, though he refused to let it show. His arms remained firmly crossed, an instinctual defense as the figure¡¯s glowing eyes suddenly curved into exaggerated upside-down D¡¯s, imitating a joyful expression.


    ¡°Congrats!¡± the figure declared, its voice unnervingly enthusiastic. ¡°Out of thousands of kids¡ª¡± it gestured grandly with its hands, a holographic shimmer trailing its movement ¡°¡ªyou were chosen to find the fabled guitar of legend!¡±


    The group exchanged skeptical glances, processing the words. While Lira furrowed her brow in cautious curiosity. Ava, never one to let something slide, stepped forward with her hands on her hips.


    ¡°But what about the other kids?¡± she asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Aren¡¯t they in the witch hunt too?¡±


    For a split second, so fast it was barely noticeable, the figure¡¯s expression wavered, the glowing eyes twitching before seamlessly reforming into their cheerful fa?ade.


    ¡°Oh, do not worry about them,¡± it reassured, its voice light, almost dismissive. ¡°They were all notified and should be back at their homes shortly.¡±


    Ray, still hovering beside Kite, narrowed his eyes and scowled silently. He said nothing, but his fingers twitched ever so slightly, the faintest flicker of cosmic energy crackling around them. His aura pulsed for a brief moment, a violet hue briefly cutting through the darkness.


    The lie was so blatant, so forced, that it made Ray¡¯s circuits hum with intense frustration. He knew that there was more to this, and the horrific truth absolutely disgusted him. He could barely contain the blazing rage bubbling within him, threatening to break free at any moment. But he remained still, silent, watching passively despite it all.


    The others, however, seemed to accept the answer. The holographic figure continued, raising a sleek, gloved hand. In an instant, a new projection materialized, an intricate, glowing map, its luminescent blue lines tracing across the air like veins of energy.


    ¡°On this map,¡± the figure explained, its voice dripping with a false sense of encouragement, ¡°lies the location of all the pieces you must find to piece back together the guitar.¡± The shimmering map slowly drifted toward Kite, stopping just above his hands. He hesitated before grabbing it, his green pupils scanning the glowing lines and highlighted locations scattered across the undercity, and, more strikingly, Horizon Heights.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t be too hard,¡± the figure continued in a sing-song tone, its eyes shifting once more into a crescent-like mimicry of amusement. ¡°I¡¯m sure you kids will ace this.¡±


    The cheerfulness In its voice felt mocking. The false encouragement barely concealed the dark, repulsive undertone beneath its words. Rad felt a shiver of unease crawl down his spine, but he bit his tongue.


    Kite, now fully immersed in analyzing the map, barely noticed as the figure spoke again, this time, its tone dropping into something more serious. ¡°Return the guitar to Rook Enterprises once you retrieve it,¡± the figure stated, its voice now devoid of its earlier amusement. ¡°Then you will receive your reward. Goodbye, for now.¡±


    And with that, the projection flickered. The black gas surrounding them dissipated like smoke in the wind, revealing the usual dull haze of the undercity once more.


    Silence. The air felt thick, the tension lingering even after the strange encounter had ended. No one spoke. No one moved. They were all still processing what had just happened.


    Then, finally, a soft, hesitant voice broke the quiet. ¡°Why is that baby flying?¡±


    All eyes turned toward Kay, who stood a few steps behind the group, pointing at Ray, still hovering mid-air beside Kite. His glowing violet aura flickered slightly, illuminating the narrow alleyway.


    Kite turned his head slightly, glanced at Ray, then gave the most deadpan response possible. ¡°Magic trick.¡±


    Without waiting for a reaction, he turned and began walking forward, the holographic map shrinking into his watch as Ray floated after him in silence. The others exchanged puzzled looks. ¡°I¡¯ve seen weirder things, honestly,¡± Ava finally said, shrugging before falling into step behind Kite.


    ¡°Same here,¡± Lira added, as if Kite¡¯s nonchalant attitude was contagious. Rad slightly smirked and gave Kay a pat on the back. ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it.¡±


    Kay, still visibly confused, hesitated before nodding, though the uncertainty in his eyes remained. ¡°Oh, uh¡­ okay then.¡±


    And with that, the group moved forward, weaving through the labyrinthine streets of the undercity. The neon lights flickered above them, the distant hum of machinery droning on. Their goal was set, their mission clear.


    But lurking just beyond the corners of their perception, hidden in the shadows of the undercity, was a darkness that none of them could ever hope to fathom. The antique scrap shop was a maze of forgotten history, filled with relics spanning centuries. Every surface seemed to carry the weight of time, from the rusted metal panels to the dim, flickering lights overhead.


    Artifacts of unknown origin sat secured in reinforced glass cases, their surfaces coated in a thin layer of dust. Tiny security drones hovered silently, their red optical lenses scanning for any sign of disturbance, a stark contrast to the ancient atmosphere of the shop. The air smelled of aged metal, old paper, and faint traces of machine oil, making every breath feel like inhaling the past.


    As Kite and his group stepped inside, the rusted bell above the door gave a weak chime before the door shut behind them with a creak. ¡°Whoa, this place looks so old!¡± Lira exclaimed, her ears perking up as she stepped beside Ava.


    ¡°I know, right?¡± Ava responded, her pink irises shimmering with curiosity as she marveled at the relics. The two girls exchanged glances before drifting away from the group, drawn in by the peculiar objects encased in glass.


    ¡°Where are you guys going?¡± Kite called out, noticing their departure.


    ¡°We¡¯ll catch up with you!¡± Ava shouted back over her shoulder, laughing as she and Lira disappeared between the rows of cases, their excited chatter echoing through the vast shop.


    Kite, Kay, Ray, and Rad came to a stop at the old counter near the back of the store. The surface was covered in layers of dust and grime, the wood beneath barely visible. A small cybernetic spider twitched in the corner, its metallic legs clicking softly as it spun a synthetic web between the shelves.


    Rad wrinkled his nose. ¡°The housekeeping here sucks.¡±


    Kay gulped as he spotted the spider. His fluffy rabbit ears twitched slightly, and he took an uneasy step back. ¡°Y-yeah, I doubt they get many customers here¡­¡±


    Kite and Rad chuckled at his reaction, but their amusement was cut short by a gruff voice from the back room. ¡°I heard that.¡±


    A figure stepped out from behind a dusty curtain, his footsteps slow but steady. The elderly man had a stocky build with broad shoulders that suggested he had once been much stronger in his youth. His face was deeply lined, with wrinkles carved into his tanned skin like the rings of an ancient tree.


    His graying beard was unkempt, thick but trimmed just enough to keep it from becoming unruly. A pair of old, wire-rimmed cybernetic glasses rested on his nose, their left lens flickering slightly as if the circuitry inside had seen better days. His eyes, sharp and gray like weathered steel, studied the group with a knowing glance.


    He wore a faded brown work vest over a simple black shirt, the fabric worn thin in places. A thick leather belt sat around his waist, carrying an assortment of old tools and a holstered data pad. His pants were reinforced with patches, and his heavy boots clunked against the floor with every step.


    Kay visibly jumped at the sudden voice, letting out a quiet yelp. His wide eyes darted to the man as he quickly blurted out, ¡°Sorry, sir! I didn¡¯t mean it!¡±


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Yeah, right! You little twerp,¡± the man scoffed with a laugh, shaking his head as he approached the counter. ¡°You the owner?¡± Kite asked, glancing at the mess around them.


    The old man rubbed the back of his neck with a sigh. ¡°Sorta, yeah. Me and my wife run the business.¡±


    Rad frowned, crossing his arms. ¡°What kind of business lets dust pile up everywhere? This place looks like it¡¯ll fall apart any second now.¡±


    The man let out another sigh but didn¡¯t seem offended. ¡°Well, it ain¡¯t cheap runnin¡¯ an antique shop, ya know. And besides¡­¡± His lips curled into a smirk as he gestured to the clutter around him. ¡°I think it adds to the charm, honestly.¡±


    Before anyone could respond, movement from the far side of the store caught their attention. Ava and Lira reappeared, now walking alongside an elderly woman and two small girls who clung close to her sides.


    The elderly woman had a soft but strong presence, the kind that only came from years of endurance. Her silver hair was neatly braided and tied up into a bun, with a few loose strands framing her warm, yet tired-looking hazel eyes. Though her face was marked with age, her expression held a gentle kindness.


    She wore a faded burgundy shawl draped over her shoulders, the fabric embroidered with intricate golden thread. Beneath it, she had on a simple long-sleeved beige dress that reached her ankles, along with scuffed but well-kept brown boots. A delicate silver chain necklace with an old, rusted pendant hung around her neck.


    The two little girls by her side were no older than eight. They looked nearly identical, suggesting they were twins, though subtle differences set them apart.


    The first girl had wavy auburn hair tied into two messy pigtails, with freckles dotting her round cheeks. She wore a patched-up green dress with a brown cardigan, her small hands gripping the elderly woman¡¯s shawl. Her brown boots were slightly oversized, making her movements clumsy.


    The second girl had straight dark brown hair that fell to her shoulders, her expression more serious than her sister¡¯s. She wore a faded blue jumpsuit with a small tool pouch clipped to her belt, her boots scuffed from wear. Unlike her sister, she stood with a more cautious posture, eyeing the newcomers with quiet curiosity.


    As the group took in the new arrivals, the elderly woman gave them a gentle smile. ¡°So,¡± she said in a smooth, knowing voice, ¡°you¡¯re the ones stirring up trouble in my husband¡¯s shop.¡±


    Kite¡¯s soft smile lingered as he watched Ava and Lira play with the two little girls, their laughter filling the otherwise dusty, quiet shop as they walked off into the distance. His gaze shifted back to the elderly couple, his tone respectful as he spoke. ¡°Sorry, ma¡¯am, we didn¡¯t mean to bother you guys.¡±


    Kay, still shaken from the earlier fright, nodded quickly. ¡°Y-yeah! We just came here for an old relic,¡± he stammered, rubbing his hands together anxiously.


    The old man and woman furrowed their brows at the mention of a relic. The man, Richard, crossed his arms as his gaze sharpened. ¡°An old relic, you say?¡±


    ¡°Mhm,¡± Kite confirmed with a nod. ¡°It¡¯s like a piece of an old guitar, said to belong to a legendary guitarist. You know anything about it?¡±


    At that, the elderly woman¡¯s expression shifted, her eyes flickering with recognition. ¡°A legendary guitarist?¡± she repeated, turning toward Richard. ¡°Richard, do you think he means Orion?¡±


    Richard stroked his chin, deep in thought. His brows knitted together as he hummed. ¡°Nah, can¡¯t be,¡± he muttered. ¡°I haven¡¯t heard that name in ages. No way these squirts know about him.¡±


    Rad raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his dark eyes. ¡°Who is Orion, exactly?¡±


    At that, Richard let out a heavy sigh, his expression hardening as if the weight of the past had settled onto his shoulders. He pulled out an old stool from behind the counter and sank onto it, his fingers absentmindedly rubbing the worn leather of his vest. The room seemed to darken with his silence before he finally spoke.


    ¡°Orion Vance¡­ now that¡¯s a name I thought I¡¯d never speak of again.¡± His voice was rough, burdened by time. ¡°He wasn¡¯t just some guitarist, kids. He was a legend. A man who could make the world stop with just the sound of his strings. His music wasn¡¯t just sound, it was rebellion, hope, fire. People followed him not just ¡®cause he played like no one else, but ¡®cause he believed in something greater.¡±


    Richard¡¯s eyes took on a distant, haunted look. ¡°Orion was a family man first, though. Had a wife, Clara, and two little girls he loved more than anything.


    They say you¡¯d never see him without one of ¡®em clingin¡¯ to his leg or sittin¡¯ on his shoulders. He¡¯d play ¡®em songs at night, tell ¡®em stories ¡®bout a world where people weren¡¯t livin¡¯ under Rook¡¯s damn boot. He wanted more for ¡®em.¡±


    He let out a breath, shaking his head. ¡°That¡¯s why he did what he did.¡±


    Kite and the others leaned in slightly, hanging onto every word as Richard¡¯s voice dropped lower. ¡°He led a rebellion against Rook. Not just a protest, not just words, an uprising. Orion believed music could spark somethin¡¯ real, that if people saw they weren¡¯t alone, they¡¯d fight. And for a while? It worked. He lit the undercity up like a damn wildfire, had folks standin¡¯ up, refusin¡¯ to bow. It scared Rook. Made him mad.¡±


    Richard¡¯s jaw clenched as he stared at the ground. ¡°So Rook snuffed it out. Quick. Brutal. Orion¡¯s rebellion failed, and anyone even whispered to be a part of it? They were wiped out.¡±


    The room went deathly silent. The weight of history pressed down on them, thick and suffocating. Dust swirled lazily in the dim light, as if even the air was reluctant to disturb the moment.


    Rad was the first to break the silence, his voice skeptical yet uneasy. ¡°But¡­ that was a century ago. If Rook was around then, how the hell is he still alive now?¡±


    Richard exhaled sharply, shaking his head. His next words were grim, carrying the chill of something unnatural.


    ¡°You see, Rook found a way to cheat death. No one knows how, some say he¡¯s got cybernetics replacin¡¯ every inch of him, others say he¡¯s somethin¡¯ else now, somethin¡¯ not even human. But he ain¡¯t aged. Not a damn wrinkle. He¡¯s still here, still watching.¡±


    Kite swallowed hard, his fingers clenching into fists at his sides. He hesitated before speaking, his voice quieter now, uncertain. ¡°What¡­ what happened to Orion?¡±


    Richard took a slow breath before answering. ¡°They got him. Public execution.¡± His tone was hollow, devoid of the pride that once colored his earlier words. ¡°Rook made sure it was a message. Made everyone watch. Then, one by one, they started takin¡¯ out anyone tied to him. His friends, his allies, didn¡¯t matter if you carried a weapon or not. If you stood with Orion, you died.¡±


    A deep, crushing silence followed. But Kite wasn¡¯t done. A sick feeling coiled in his stomach, his thoughts racing. His heart thumped violently against his ribs as a dark realization dawned on him.


    His voice was barely above a whisper. ¡°And Orion¡¯s family?¡±


    The old woman, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. Her voice was softer than Richard¡¯s, but no less burdened by sorrow.


    ¡°Killed,¡± she murmured. ¡°All of them. No one really knows how they died, but¡­ one day, they just disappeared. Gone, like they never existed.¡±


    Kite¡¯s breath hitched. His stomach twisted painfully as his mind recalled a single name. Olive, the one who had told him a story eerily similar to this one.


    His voice trembled as it cut through the silence. ¡°Was one of the kids named¡­ Amelia?¡±


    Richard and his wife froze. Their eyes went wide, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The shock on their faces was answer enough.


    The old woman finally found her voice. ¡°Yes,¡± she whispered. ¡°That¡¯s correct. How¡­ how do you know that name?¡±


    Kite¡¯s breath came slow and shaky. His throat tightened, his hands trembling slightly as he forced himself to speak.


    ¡°Because¡­ I met a girl in the undercity,¡± he admitted, his voice barely above a breath. ¡°She told me a similar story. She said Amelia was kidnapped by Rook.¡±


    The air In the room felt heavier than ever, as if the weight of Orion¡¯s ghost had settled upon them all. Richard and his wife exchanged another uncertain glance, the weight of the revelation still pressing heavily upon them. They had lived long enough to know when fate had already played its cruel hand.


    ¡°I see¡­¡± Richard finally said, his voice laden with quiet resignation. ¡°Well, there¡¯s nothing we can do about it now.¡± Though his words were firm, they carried the heavy burden of helplessness, the kind that settles into the bones after a lifetime of loss.


    A brief silence fell over the room, thick and uneasy, before the old woman finally spoke. Her voice was gentle, like the whisper of dust settling on forgotten relics.


    ¡°You know, Richard,¡± she murmured, turning her soft gaze toward him. ¡°It¡¯s not like we have much use for that guitar piece. We don¡¯t get many customers anymore, anyway.¡±


    Richard pressed his lips together, his brow furrowing in thought. His fingers drummed lightly against the counter, the rhythmic tapping the only sound in the quiet shop. The children, barely breathing, leaned in slightly, their anticipation hanging in the air like a held breath.


    With a heavy sigh, Richard gave a slow nod. ¡°Yes¡­ you¡¯re right, my dear.¡± His eyes flickered over the eager faces in front of him. ¡°Maybe these kids can make some use of it.¡± He pushed himself up from his seat with a soft grunt, stretching his stiff joints as he stood.


    Kite¡¯s face lit up slightly at the response, the corners of his lips tugging into a small, appreciative smile. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll take good care of it, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    But Richard only gave a somber smile in return, one that didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes. His gaze lingered on the children for a moment before shifting toward something, or someone, else.


    The old woman had already begun leading the group deeper into the shop when Richard¡¯s voice stopped them. ¡°¡­But in return, I¡¯d like a moment with that boy you¡¯re so fond of.¡±


    The statement was casual, but the way Richard¡¯s eyes locked onto Ray was anything but. His gaze was sharp, studying the floating robotic child with an Intensity that sent an unnatural stillness through the room.


    Ray hovered past him, his glowing optics glowing dimly as he made no effort to acknowledge the man. But when their eyes finally met, a silent battle seemed to unfold between them, neither willing to be the first to break away.


    Ray stopped mid-air immediately. The group halted, Rad raising an eyebrow in curiosity. Kay clutched at his sleeves, sensing the sudden shift in atmosphere.


    A faint irritation laced Ray¡¯s voice when he finally spoke. ¡°I have no interest in conversing with you, old man.¡± His tone was mechanical, yet the disinterest on his face was purely human.


    Kite furrowed his brows in surprise, not used to hearing Ray respond so¡­ bitterly. But before he could question it, Richard let out a low chuckle. It was short-lived, and the weight behind it made it clear that whatever amusement he found was overshadowed by something much heavier.


    ¡°Oh, but I insist¡­¡± Richard murmured. Then, with a deliberate slowness, he added, ¡°Empyrean.¡± The word fell like a stone into a deep, silent lake.


    Ray¡¯s glowing eyes widened, just barely, but the shift was noticeable. Then, just as quickly, they narrowed again, his entire posture shifting into something tenser, something dangerous.


    The room suddenly felt colder, heavier, as if the very space between them had bent under unseen pressure. Rad¡¯s expression darkened in confusion, but it was the old woman who spoke next, her voice filled with worry. ¡°Richard? What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Richard didn¡¯t take his eyes off Ray, his stance unwavering. His wife knew better than to press further.


    Ray averted his gaze briefly to speak to the group. His voice was flat, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. ¡°Go on without me. I will be fine.¡±


    ¡°Wait, but¡ª¡± Kite started, but his words faltered when Ray turned to look at him. His expression was unreadable, but something in his stare almost seemed¡­ pleading.


    Kite clenched his jaw, hesitating, but eventually nodded. The old woman glanced between them before finally sighing and leading the children away.


    Ray and Richard stood in suffocating silence as the group disappeared behind the antique shelves, leaving behind only the faintest echoes of their footsteps. Then, in an instant, Ray snapped his head toward Richard with unnatural speed, his violet aura flaring just slightly.


    ¡°Choose your next words carefully.¡± His voice, while calm, carried an undeniable warning. Richard exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple as he finally moved from behind the counter. ¡°I¡¯m not lookin¡¯ for a fight, kid,¡± he muttered, walking around the counter. ¡°Not that I¡¯d win one against you.¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t relax. He hovered forward slightly, his fingers twitching at his sides. ¡°What are you?¡± he asked bluntly as his glowing eyes bore Richard down.


    Richard let out a dry chuckle. ¡°Nothin¡¯ special, really,¡± he admitted. ¡°I just see what others can¡¯t. I can see other peoples memories.¡±


    Ray¡¯s eyes remained locked on him. ¡°Sorcerer?¡± he asked, voice clipped.


    ¡°Nah. Not trained,¡± Richard replied, shoving his hands into his pockets. He sighed again, this time more weary than anything. ¡°I just know things.¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t respond immediately, merely floating there, calculating. Then, after a pause, he finally spoke. ¡°What do you want from me?¡±


    Richard didn¡¯t answer. Not at first. Instead, he turned slightly, glancing toward the far end of the shop.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take a walk,¡± he said instead, voice softer. ¡°An old man¡¯s gotta get his exercise.¡±


    Ray hesitated. His eyes flickered toward the path Kite and the others had gone.


    Richard noticed and quickly added, ¡°It¡¯s not a trap, Ray. I promise.¡± He turned, beginning to walk. ¡°Your father will be safe.¡±


    Ray¡¯s expression darkened slightly at the mention of his father, but he didn¡¯t correct him. Instead, he watched Richard walk a few steps ahead, debating whether to follow.


    Finally, cautiously, Ray floated after him, keeping a careful distance. The two walked, or hovered, in Ray¡¯s case, past rows of display cases filled with ancient relics. Artifacts of long-forgotten histories gathered dust beneath glass, untouched and unnoticed by time itself.


    Neither of them spoke at first. Richard walked at a leisurely pace, his old boots making soft taps against the aged wooden floor. Then, after a long, weighted silence, Richard smiled slightly as he gazed upon the various artifacts around him. But it wasn¡¯t a smug smile, nor a teasing one. It was tired.


    He let his fingers graze over the glass of a nearby display case, dust streaking beneath his touch as he peered at the relics inside. Ray hovered beside him in silence, his cosmic aura pulsing faintly with each movement. His expression was unreadable, his violet eye glowing dimly as he observed Richard without a word.


    The old man eventually stopped, tapping a wrinkled finger against the glass. Inside lay an old, rusted mechanical gauntlet, its intricate gears frozen in time, the once-brilliant silver dulled by age.


    ¡°This belonged to a woman named Lysara Vex,¡± Richard began, his voice thick with nostalgia. ¡°She was a mechanic back in the early days of the undercity¡¯s formation. Built weapons and armor for the defenseless.


    She stood up to slavers, fought against oppression, and made a difference where she could. This gauntlet was the last thing she ever forged before she died protecting a group of automaton orphans from being sold off to the highest bidder.¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t react. His gaze flickered to the gauntlet, then back to Richard, his expression still as cold as ever.


    Richard sighed but continued walking. He stopped at another case, this one containing an old, faded coat, stitched together with patches of different fabrics. It was frayed at the edges, the once-dark colors now dull and lifeless.


    ¡°Ever heard of Gale Oden?¡± Richard asked, not expecting an answer. ¡°He was just a wanderer, a man with no home to call his own. But everywhere he went, he left things better than he found them. Gave food to the starving, fought for the weak, and never once asked for anything in return.


    This coat was his only possession, something he gave up in a heartbeat to keep a freezing child warm during the worst winter the undercity had ever seen.¡± Ray¡¯s response was only silence. His glowing eyes barely even flickered with interest. He floated beside Richard, arms crossed, posture relaxed but closed off.


    Richard exhaled slowly, glancing at him from the corner of his eye before turning forward again. ¡°Funny thing about people like that,¡± he murmured, running his hand along another case as he walked. ¡°They don¡¯t always make it into history books. No statues, no songs sung about ¡®em. But the lives they touched? Those people remember. Their kindness ripples through time, like a stone thrown into a lake.¡±


    Ray¡¯s expression remained neutral. If those words affected him in any way, he didn¡¯t show it. The two of them turned a corner.


    Ahead of them, in the dim glow of old overhead lights, was a small open space filled with laughter and the sound of tiny feet scuffling against the floor. Lira was crouched low, tail swishing as she grinned mischievously. ¡°Alright, you two better be ready!¡± she declared, her black-and-white fur bristling with playful energy.


    One of the little girls, brown haired with big, curious eyes, giggled as she clutched Ava¡¯s arm. ¡°She¡¯s gonna pounce!¡±


    Ava laughed, hands on her hips. ¡°Yeah, yeah, Lira, you think you¡¯re all stealthy, but I got eyes everywhere!¡± She tapped her temple with a smirk.


    The second little girl, a bit shyer but no less entertained, pointed at Lira. ¡°She¡¯s right there, though,¡± she said matter-of-factly, her tiny finger giving away Lira¡¯s position.


    Lira gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. ¡°You traitor!¡± she cried, making the children burst into uncontrollable laughter.


    Ava took the opportunity to suddenly scoop up the brown-haired girl and spin her around in the air. ¡°Victory is mine!¡± she cackled playfully, while the girl shrieked with laughter.


    Lira, unwilling to be outdone, lunged forward and scooped up the other child, holding her up as if she were a prized trophy. ¡°Oh yeah? Well, I¡¯ve got this one!¡±


    The laughter that followed was unfiltered, the kind of innocent joy that was pure and untainted by the weight of the world. Richard watched the scene with a warm, knowing smile, his old eyes glimmering with something deep and nostalgic.


    Ray, however, remained eerily still. His glowing expressionless eyes rested on the group of children, but there was no discernible reaction, no softening of his features, no flicker of emotion. His unreadable expression remained, detached and indifferent, as if he were observing something foreign, something he could no longer understand.


    Richard¡¯s smile lingered as he folded his arms across his chest. His gaze, filled with warmth, never left the children. ¡°I remember holding them in my arms for the first time,¡± he murmured, his voice touched with nostalgia. ¡°They were so much smaller back then¡­ so fragile. Felt like if I so much as breathed wrong, they¡¯d just disappear.¡±


    Ray remained silent, his mechanical joints shifting slightly as he hovered beside the old man. His gaze flickered between Richard and the playing children, but his face betrayed nothing.


    Richard chuckled softly. ¡°You know, for the longest time, they wouldn¡¯t go to sleep unless I sat beside them. Said there was a monster in the closet.¡± He shook his head, a fond amusement in his tone. ¡°Every night, I¡¯d sit there and wait until they finally drifted off. Even after they stopped believing in the monster, they still wanted me there¡­ just in case.¡±


    The laughter of the children continued to fill the air, carefree and oblivious to the weight hanging over Ray and Richard. Then, Richard¡¯s expression changed, just slightly. The smile faded at the edges, replaced by something more somber. ¡°Their parents died when they were young,¡± he said quietly. ¡°It was¡­ hard on them. But my wife and I? We were there for them. We¡¯re practically their family now.¡±


    Ray¡¯s patience wavered. His cold, unreadable expression shifted just enough to show the smallest flicker of frustration. ¡°What is the point of all this?¡± he asked, his voice flat, but edged with irritation.


    Richard exhaled slowly. His shoulders sagged, the warmth in his face giving way to something heavier. He didn¡¯t respond immediately. Instead, he let his gaze linger on the children, his lips pressing together in a tight line.


    Then, finally, he spoke. ¡°My family is going to be on that space station,¡± he said, his voice quieter now, filled with a grim knowingness. His eyes shimmered, his emotions barely held at bay.


    Ray didn¡¯t react. His cold, detached stare remained unwavering. ¡°Yes, I am aware,¡± he stated indifferently. ¡°They die brutally at the hands of my father.¡±


    The words landed like a punch to the gut. Richard visibly winced, his body tensing, his breath catching in his throat. He turned his head slightly, but he didn¡¯t look at Ray. He didn¡¯t have to. The weight of those words alone was enough.


    Ray, however, remained unfazed, his tone still as hollow as ever. ¡°If you read my memories, if you¡¯ve seen my past, then you know that this is inevitable.¡±


    Richard clenched his jaw, his hands curling into fists at his sides. His gaze flickered downward for a moment, toward the floor, toward nothing at all.


    Ray turned his head, looking at the children again. Their laughter continued, unaware of the grim conversation happening a distance away. His voice, when it came, was quieter this time. Almost like he was speaking more to himself than to Richard.


    ¡°There is no other way.¡± A tense silence followed his words.


    Richard sniffled, rubbing his eye roughly with the heel of his hand. His voice hitched slightly when he finally spoke. ¡°No. What I do know is that you can only predict the future.¡± His words were quiet, almost desperate. ¡°You don¡¯t know for sure that this needs to happen.¡±


    Ray remained unmoved but his fingers twitched slightly. ¡°If that were true, do you really believe I would be here now?¡± His tone was colder now, sharper. ¡°That I would willingly throw everything away, everything I¡¯ve ever cared about, because of a fucking prediction?¡±


    Richard didn¡¯t answer immediately. He simply stared at Ray, all the warmth from before drained from his face.


    Then, softly, he said, ¡°I do.¡± Ray¡¯s brows furrowed slightly in confusion, the first real shift in his expression.


    ¡°You¡¯re deeply hurt, Ray,¡± Richard continued, his voice steady, but heavy. ¡°Hopeless, even.¡± Ray¡¯s cybernetic mouth opened slightly, his confusion deepening.


    ¡°And I know that the old you would have done everything he could to prevent this. To save my family.¡±


    Something inside Ray snapped as he heard this. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear a word I said!?¡± His voice thundered through the antique shop, his cosmic aura flaring violently. The air around them crackled with energy, the floor trembling beneath the force of it.


    The laughter stopped. The children nearby quickly turned, startled, their eyes wide as they looked toward the source of the outburst. Ava and Lira¡¯s ears perked up in alarm, their playful grins vanishing in an instant.


    But Richard didn¡¯t so much as flinch. He stood firm, staring at Ray with an expression that was not fearful, but¡­ pitying.


    ¡°¡­There¡¯s always another way, Ray,¡± Richard murmured. His voice was quiet, but resolute. ¡°You knew that better than anyone.¡±


    He turned away then, walking past Ray without another word. Ray¡¯s entire body tensed in anger, his cosmic aura flickering violently around him. His mechanical fingers clenched into a shaking fist, his violet cybernetic eye burning like a dying star.


    He quickly lifted his hand. A heartbeat passed. His trembling palm pointed toward Richard¡¯s back, his fingers spread wide, cosmic energy crackling at his fingertips.


    He could end this now. Blow this entire shop to oblivion. Leave behind no trace of his own existence.


    A single blast. A single moment could end it all. But his arm¡­ It wouldn¡¯t move.


    The energy slowly faded. His black palm slowly lowered to his side, fingers curling in on themselves. His aura dimmed, flickering before vanishing entirely.


    Richard kept walking. While Ray remained where he was, shaking, his gaze locked onto the floor, his entire being etched with turmoil. completely alone.

 Chapter 42: The Crimson Cavern

    The deeper Kite and his group descended into the undercity, the more oppressive the environment became. The towering structures above them cast long, jagged shadows, their metal frames rusted and worn from centuries of neglect. Dim neon signs flickered intermittently, barely illuminating the cracked concrete paths and corroded pipes that lined the walls.


    The air smelled of damp metal and something faintly acrid, a scent that clung to their clothes the further they walked. Graffiti stretched across every surface, some of it gang tags, some of it old warnings from those who had ventured too far into the depths. Above them, the occasional spark from malfunctioning cables sent eerie flashes of blue light into the darkness.


    The echoes of dripping water and the scurrying of unseen creatures filled the silence between their words. Despite the unsettling atmosphere, the group¡¯s conversation remained lighthearted, though a certain tension still lingered from their last encounter.


    Ray hovered close to Kite, fists clenched tightly, his mechanical fingers occasionally twitching as he listened. His glowing violet eye flickered, but he said nothing, merely observing.


    ¡°So, where are we going now, Kite?¡± Ava asked, walking beside him with a wary glance at Ray.


    ¡°For real,¡± Lira added, adjusting the straps of her backpack, ¡°and how many pieces are left? I¡¯m getting hungry.¡±


    Kite didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, he raised his wrist, activating his black watch. A holographic map projected outward, its neon-blue lines forming a detailed three-dimensional representation of the undercity. The glowing display pulsed slightly as it highlighted their current location and the remaining guitar fragments.


    ¡°Should only be two more pieces,¡± Kite replied, his voice carrying a note of unease. He zoomed in on the nearest marked location. ¡°The closest one is deep in the undercity.¡± He hesitated before continuing, his expression darkening. ¡°In a place called The Crimson Cavern.¡±


    Ava¡¯s eyes widened immediately. ¡°The what?¡± She leaned in closer, as if she hadn¡¯t heard him right. But she had. She knew exactly what he had just said.


    Rad groaned, rubbing the back of his head as he walked beside Kay. ¡°He said The Crimson Cavern.¡±


    ¡°I heard him,¡± Ava snapped back, her voice sharper than intended. Her demeanor subtly changing from that of a carefree girl to a being who knew far more than the children around her.


    Kite noticed the shift in her demeanor and frowned. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked, his unease growing.


    Ava sighed, crossing her arms. ¡°Dude,¡± she said, her tone darkening, ¡°that part of the undercity is where the monsters reside.¡±


    Rad let out a skeptical laugh. ¡°Monsters? What could be down there that¡¯s worse than what¡¯s up here?¡± His smirk was laced with doubt.


    ¡°Yeah, Ava,¡± Lira chimed in, gripping her backpack straps a little tighter. ¡°What could be worse than feral chimeras?¡± She glanced down at the robotic baby inside her bag, its small, mechanical limbs twitching slightly in its sleep.


    Ava shot them both a serious look. ¡°I¡¯m not talking about gangsters, or ferals, or even those crazy cultists. I mean monsters. Things that shouldn¡¯t exist. Things that even the worst of the worst won¡¯t go near.¡±


    The group fell silent for a moment, the ambient sounds of the undercity filling the void. A distant metal groan reverberated through the tunnels, followed by a distant, inhuman wail that quickly faded into the abyss as they reached the deadliest part of the undercity.


    The air grew thick as the group pressed deeper into the undercity. The metal pathways beneath their feet groaned with age, rusted and worn by years of decay. Faint neon lights flickered overhead, casting eerie shadows along the cracked walls, their once-bright colors reduced to dim, dying embers. The scent of damp metal, oil, and something more foul, something rotting, hung in the air like a warning.


    Ava crossed her arms, her pink irises dimming as the group walked. Rad scoffed, shoving his hands in his hoodie pockets. ¡°Pff, monsters? What, like spooky bedtime stories? You actually believe that crap?¡±


    Ava didn¡¯t look at him. Instead, her gaze drifted to the shadows beyond their path, her tone unwavering. ¡°They¡¯re real, Rad. Down here, in the deepest parts of the undercity, there are things that don¡¯t belong in this world. Most of them don¡¯t even talk, they don¡¯t think like we do. They just¡­ feed.¡±


    A cold shiver ran through Kay, who instinctively stepped closer to Rad. ¡°Feed on what?¡± he asked quietly as he began shaking slightly.


    Ava let the question hang in the air for a moment before answering. ¡°Humans.¡± A sudden silence fell over the group. Even Lira, who had been shifting restlessly, stayed still.


    ¡°They go after the weak first,¡± Ava continued. ¡°Kids, the sick, people with nowhere to run. The ones who live on the edges of society, the ones no one would notice if they disappeared. And when they take you, you don¡¯t just die.¡± Her voice dropped to a whisper. ¡°They tear you apart. Mind, body, and soul.¡±


    Rad¡¯s smirk faltered slightly, but he quickly shook it off, raising an eyebrow at Ava. ¡°And how exactly do you know all this?¡±


    Ava froze for a split second before she forced a scoff, rolling her eyes. ¡°Because I¡¯m not an idiot, Rad. People talk. You hear things when you know where to listen. Or do you think everyone who vanishes in the undercity just tripped and fell into a hole?¡±


    Rad narrowed his eyes in suspicion, but Ava met his gaze with her usual defiant smirk. He didn¡¯t push further, though something in her tone left him unsettled.


    Kite glanced at his watch again, checking their coordinates. The Crimson Cavern was still a long way down. He exhaled sharply but forced a small smile before speaking. ¡°Well, on the bright side, we¡¯ve got Ray here if anything happens.¡±


    But unbeknownst to Kite and the others, Ray was no longer among them. The moment they had stepped foot into this forsaken part of the undercity, he had vanished without a sound. Now, he sat atop a grotesque throne of the dead, watching from above.


    His perch, a crumbling rooftop of an old, half-collapsed structure, overlooked the group as they trudged deeper into the abyss. His glowing eyes, one green and one violet, burned like eerie beacons in the suffocating darkness, casting a faint, unnatural glow against his sleek, black-and-white cybernetic body that was covered by the shadows.


    Beneath him, the mound of corpses was a horrific display of death and decay. The bodies, twisted and contorted, bore the marks of unspeakable violence. Some were half-consumed, their flesh shredded and gnawed upon, exposing jagged bones and hollowed ribcages.


    Others looked as if their very essence had been drained, their skin sunken and gray, their faces frozen in expressions of agony. The smell of blood and rot clung to the air, thick and pungent, seeping into the very walls of the crumbling ruin.


    Ray was still as he observed the group, his silhouette blending into the surrounding shadows, his presence more like an omen than a being of flesh or machine. The only movement came from his fingers, which idly tapped against a corpse, the faint clinking noise lost to the howling winds that whispered through the ruins.


    ¡°Stupid kids,¡± he whispered, his voice flat, devoid of warmth, yet carrying the faintest edge of irritation. His cosmic aura pulsed dimly, the violet energy in his left eye flaring slightly before fading once more.


    He had no interest in playing hero. No interest in this ridiculous quest Kite was on. Yet time and time again he was forced him into this position of a protector like fates puppet.


    But despite the grim situation, something about it¡­ it stirred something deep within him. Not fondness. Nor unease. Just a sense of old familiarity. And he hated it.


    The inside of the cavern was a world of its own, a twisted sanctuary bathed in dim crimson light. Chandeliers of bone and iron hung from the jagged ceiling, their flickering candles casting eerie shadows across the damp stone walls. The floor was uneven, slick in places with something dark and viscous, the scent of aged blood and decay clinging to the air like a thick fog.


    Rows of wooden tables, some polished and others barely holding together, stretched across the space, each occupied by a variety of patrons, some human, others¡­ not. Hooded figures whispered in hushed tones, their glowing eyes peeking out from beneath their cloaks. Pale-skinned nobles dressed in dark velvet and silks lounged lazily, sipping from goblets filled with thick, red liquid.


    In the far corner, a hunched creature with elongated fingers scratched something into the table, its lips moving silently in a fevered chant. The waiters moved with an unsettling grace, gliding rather than walking, their crimson and black uniforms immaculate despite their surroundings. Some were young, appearing no older than children, their eyes hollow yet ancient, their smiles sharp and knowing.


    Others were elderly, their wrinkled skin stretched too tightly over their bones, yet their movements betrayed no weakness. Every one of them bore the same distinguishing feature, fangs, long and glistening in the low light.


    As Kite and his group stepped inside, a wave of nausea hit them. ¡°God¡­ what is that smell?¡± Lira coughed, pulling her hoodie over her nose in a futile attempt to block out the overwhelming stench of blood and rot.


    Kay, standing frozen beside her, trembled violently, his wide eyes darting between the many entities surrounding them. His small hands clenched the sides of his sweater, his breath coming in short, fearful bursts.


    ¡°I-Is that blood?¡± he asked, his voice barely above a whisper as one of the waiters passed by.


    The waiter, a slender woman with deep red eyes and skin as pale as the moon, paused mid-step and turned toward him with an unnervingly warm smile. She wore a pristine black vest over a crimson dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal faint, vein-like patterns crawling up her arms. A golden brooch in the shape of a bat pinned her high-collared uniform together.


    ¡°Why, yes it is,¡± she answered smoothly, her voice velvety and rich. ¡°Blood wine, a delicacy in our establishment.¡±


    She extended a delicate hand, offering Kay a crystal glass filled with thick, dark red liquid. Kay hesitated but took it with shaking fingers, his stomach twisting into knots. His reflection stared back at him in the bloodied surface of the wine, his expression one of sheer horror.


    ¡°Try some,¡± the waiter encouraged, her grin widening ever so slightly, her razor-sharp fangs glinting. ¡°It¡¯s to die for.¡±


    Kay stared at the glass in his hands, the dark red liquid within swirling ever so slightly. His grip on the cup was unsteady, the scent of the ¡°wine¡± making his stomach churn. He forced a small, trembling smile, trying to suppress the fear creeping up his spine.


    ¡°W-Well, I-I guess it can¡¯t be t-too bad, right guys?¡± he stammered, beginning to lift the glass to his lips.


    But before the drink could touch his mouth, a blur of movement shot past him. ¡°Don¡¯t drink that!¡± Ava¡¯s voice rang out, sharp and urgent.


    In an instant, her hand struck the glass from Kay¡¯s grasp, sending it tumbling to the stone floor. The crystal shattered on impact, and the thick blood splattered outward, staining the ground a deep crimson.


    The cavern fell Into an eerie silence. Every vampire in the establishment stopped what they were doing and slowly turned their attention toward the group. Dozens of glowing red eyes fixed on them, their collective gaze heavy with unspoken menace.


    Even the waiters, who had been moving gracefully between tables, now stood eerily still, their expressions unreadable. Rad sighed and muttered under his breath as he crossed his arms, ¡°Great going, Ava. Now we¡¯re the center of attention.¡±


    Suddenly, the candles lining the cavern walls flared, casting flickering shadows across the space. A booming, hearty laugh echoed from above, snapping the group¡¯s attention toward the stage at the far end of the room.


    Standing atop the elevated platform, surrounded by elegantly dressed vampire dancers, was Chiro Ashencroft. This being, this ancient entity, is a highly dangerous predator who has complete and total control over every single vampire in the undercity. No matter how strong ones willpower is, all souls crumble and buckle to the influence of the White Bat.


    Chiro cut an imposing yet strangely charming figure, his presence effortlessly commanding the entire room. His lean, tall frame was adorned in a well-tailored black vest over a crisp white long-sleeve shirt, the fabric slightly unbuttoned at the top to reveal a hint of his collarbone.


    A black tie hung loosely around his neck, complementing the dark trousers and polished black leather boots that clicked lightly against the wooden stage. Draped over his broad shoulders was a sleek black coat, its inner lining a deep crimson that shimmered in the candlelight.


    His black cowboy hat, tilted just slightly forward, cast a shadow over his pale white eyes and long hair, making him appear even more haunting. His pale lips curled into a sharp grin, his ivory fangs flashing as he leaned toward the microphone in front of him.


    ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve got some tourists with us!¡± he announced, his voice smooth and dripping with amusement. He spread his arms wide. ¡°Show ¡®em some love!¡±


    The moment the words left his lips, the entire cavern erupted into chaotic revelry. The vampires cheered and laughed, their prior tension vanishing as they broke into wild, rhythmic dancing. Music blasted from unseen speakers, a fast-paced, lively tune that filled the space with a hypnotic beat.


    On stage, Chiro and his dancers began moving in perfect synchronization, their performance both mesmerizing and unnerving. From the cavern ceiling, white bats swooped and spiraled through the air, their movements eerily coordinated with the music as if they, too, were part of the dance.


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


    The sheer force of the crowd''s movement sent Kite and his group sprawling in different directions. Kay, caught in the frenzy, stumbled backward before crashing into a tall figure. He barely had time to turn before two strong hands caught his shoulders, steadying him. He looked up, and immediately froze.


    A beautiful female vampire loomed over him, her pale skin illuminated by the crimson glow of the cavern. She was draped in a flowing black dress with intricate lace detailing, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders like silk. Her ruby-red lips curled into a playful smile, her sharp fangs poking just slightly above her lip.


    Kay¡¯s eyes widened in terror. ¡°I-I¡¯m so sorry!¡± he stammered, taking a step back.


    But before he could escape, the vampire twirled him into her arms, effortlessly leading him into the rhythm of the music. Kay let out a muffled scream, but his voice was drowned out by the overwhelming noise. The vampire merely giggled, spinning him around the floor with inhuman grace.


    Meanwhile, Ava and Lira were also swallowed by the crowd, their frantic attempts to navigate the chaos sending them stumbling straight into each other. Lira barely managed to regain her footing, her ears twitching as she looked around in confusion. ¡°What the heck is going on?¡± she demanded.


    Ava, her pink eyes darting warily across the room, grimaced. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she admitted. Then, with a resigned sigh, she added, ¡°But we should probably play along.¡±


    Lira groaned but nodded. Without much choice, the two girls awkwardly started moving with the music, blending into the madness around them.


    On stage, Chiro grinned wider, his white fangs glinting beneath the stage lights as he led his dancers through a masterful, choreographed performance. The vampires surrounding him twirled and swayed, their movements seamless and entrancing, their dark silhouettes shifting like shadows in a dream.


    With a flick of his wrist, Chiro snatched his mic from the stand, his voice rich and intoxicating as he sang with an effortless charm. The cavern was alive, a world of music, fangs, and chaos, and Kite¡¯s group had no choice but to be swept away in its rhythm.


    Kite stumbled out of the writhing mass of vampires, his heart pounding as he gasped for breath. The overwhelming scent of blood, sweat, and perfume clung to the air, making his head spin. He forced his way toward a small booth tucked away in the dimly lit corner of the cavern, finally allowing himself a moment to catch his breath.


    The booth¡¯s table was adorned with an array of elegant but unsettling dishes. A plate of raw, marbled meat sat next to a silver goblet filled with thick, dark red liquid. Another dish held what looked like dark, glistening fruit, their surfaces dripping with a syrupy glaze. A smaller plate contained what resembled finger-shaped pastries, but the uncanny resemblance to actual fingers made Kite avert his gaze.


    Across the table, a couple sat, watching the chaos of the dance floor with mild amusement. Unlike the rest of the vampires, they remained seated, seemingly uninterested in the revelry.


    The man was tall and gaunt, his sharp features accentuated by the dim candlelight. His slicked-back black hair was dusted with streaks of gray, and his piercing golden eyes reflected a quiet intelligence. He wore a dark, high-collared coat with silver embroidery, a style reminiscent of a bygone era. His hands, resting on the table, were long and skeletal, his nails meticulously manicured.


    The woman was strikingly beautiful, with long, wavy auburn hair that cascaded over her shoulders. Her pale skin seemed almost luminescent, and her deep crimson eyes held an air of ancient wisdom. She wore a form-fitting, elegant dark red gown, its fabric shimmering subtly with her movements. A delicate, ornate choker with a blood-red gemstone adorned her neck.


    As Kite collapsed onto the seat across from them, the man let out a low chuckle. ¡°Not a dancer?¡± he mused, his voice smooth and velvety.


    Kite gave a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°Nah, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s really my thing, honestly.¡±


    The couple chuckled in unison, their fangs briefly visible in the flickering candlelight. Kite noticed but forced himself to stay calm. It was normal here. No big deal.


    The woman leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand as she studied him. ¡°Most humans fear vampires,¡± she noted, her tone unreadable.


    Kite hesitated for only a second before nodding. ¡°Yeah, I mean¡­ I guess I¡¯m a little scared,¡± he admitted. ¡°But I try not to judge based on appearances. Everyone¡¯s different, right?¡±


    The couple exchanged glances, their expressions softening ever so slightly. The man nodded approvingly. ¡°That¡¯s good. If only there were more humans like you.¡±


    Kite furrowed his brows. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    The woman sighed, swirling the crimson liquid in her goblet before speaking. ¡°Vampires, demons, all creatures like us¡­ We¡¯ve been hunted for over a millennia,¡± she said quietly. ¡°Forced into the lower depths of the undercity, away from the surface world that once belonged to all of us.¡±


    Kite swallowed, his hands tightening slightly around the table¡¯s edge. He didn¡¯t know what to say, but after a brief pause, he settled on honesty.


    ¡°Oh¡­ I¡¯m sorry to hear that.¡± The couple exchanged another look before offering him sad, knowing smiles.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± the man said as they both slowly rose from their seats. ¡°I¡¯m sure the day will come when we¡¯re accepted.¡±


    The woman gave a faint chuckle, adjusting the folds of her gown. ¡°After all, we¡¯ve only waited a couple hundred years.¡±


    With that, the couple turned and disappeared into the crowd, their figures swallowed by the flickering lights and swirling dancers. Kite remained sitting there, alone with his thoughts, the music pounding in his ears.


    Rad groggily pushed his way through the sea of dancing vampires, his head pounding like a war drum inside his skull. The music, the laughter, the clinking goblets, it all blurred together into an overwhelming cacophony that made his stomach churn. He barely registered when his legs gave out, collapsing into a booth on the edge of the room.


    The leather seat felt cool against his burning skin, but the relief was fleeting. He groaned, rubbing his temples, his vision swimming. His body felt heavy, sluggish. Something was wrong.


    Only then did he notice the presence beside him. A man sat there, legs crossed, arms lazily draped along the booth¡¯s backrest, watching the chaos unfold with an amused smirk. His crisp white shirt and black vest were immaculate, the candlelight catching on the silver rings on his fingers. His black cowboy hat cast a slight shadow over his face, but his ghostly white eyes gleamed in the dimness, fixated on Rad with an eerie amusement.


    Rad sighed, his headache making it impossible to even feel fear. ¡°What do you want, man?¡± he groaned, leaning forward and resting his arms on the table.


    Chiro chuckled, a deep, velvety sound that sent a chill down Rad¡¯s spine. ¡°My apologies, boy,¡± he drawled, shifting slightly, ¡°I just couldn¡¯t help but notice you in the distance. Why not dance with your friends?¡±


    Rad exhaled sharply, shaking his head. ¡°Not a dancer,¡± he muttered, rubbing his sweaty face. ¡°And they¡¯re not my friends.¡±


    Chiro let out a genuine laugh, flashing his perfectly sharp teeth. ¡°Now that is truly bizarre,¡± he mused. ¡°A lone wolf who willingly sticks with a pack he doesn¡¯t even like.¡±


    Rad groaned in response, his exhaustion deepening. His limbs felt heavier, his eyelids drooping slightly.


    Chiro finally shifted, planting both feet firmly on the ground as he leaned forward, closer to Rad. The amused glint in his eyes didn¡¯t fade, but something darker lurked beneath it now, something predatory.


    ¡°You know, boy,¡± he murmured, his voice dropping to a near whisper, ¡°I can see it in your eyes. You crave power, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Rad furrowed his brows, turning his head sluggishly toward the vampire. ¡°What are you on about?¡±


    Chiro turned his gaze toward the crowd, watching the vampires move like shadows, wild and free, their laughter and music filling the cavern like a symphony of the damned. He lifted a hand and gestured to them, his fingers moving fluidly, as if painting a masterpiece in the air.


    ¡°Look at them,¡± he said, his tone smooth, almost hypnotic. ¡°I gave them strength. I gave them a family. A place where they are feared and revered, never again cast aside like vermin.¡± He turned back to Rad, his grin widening. ¡°And I can do the same for you.¡±


    Rad¡¯s body felt impossibly heavy now, his mind slipping. He wanted to respond, to scoff, to tell Chiro to shove it, but the words wouldn¡¯t come. His vision wavered, darkness creeping at the edges, swallowing everything piece by piece.


    He slumped forward, his body finally betraying him as his consciousness faded. Chiro smirked, licking his lips as his fangs caught the dim candlelight, gleaming like daggers carved from moonlight. He leaned in slowly, his mouth hovering just above Rad¡¯s neck.


    ¡°And make you mine,¡± he whispered hungrily, his breath ghosting over the boy¡¯s skin. A single drop of saliva, thick and venomous, dripped from his fangs as his lips slowly parted.


    A cold, mechanical voice sliced through the thick tension like a blade. ¡°This boy is under my protection.¡±


    Chiro froze. His fangs hovered just inches from Rad¡¯s exposed neck, the hunger thrumming through his veins momentarily interrupted by the unshakable presence that now loomed over him. He slowly turned his head, his slit-like pupils narrowing as his gaze landed on the figure now perched casually atop the table.


    A baby. Or something pretending to be one.


    Ray sat there, legs crossed, an eerie, unnatural stillness in his posture. His robotic body gleamed under the dim, flickering lights of the vampire den, half black, half white, as if divided between two warring forces. But what drew Chiro¡¯s attention most were his eyes, one green, one violet, both glowing with an intensity that seemed to peer straight into his soul, past the centuries of bloodshed and into the very essence of his corruption.


    A heavy exhale left Chiro¡¯s lips, not out of fear, but annoyance. Slowly, he straightened, his hunger momentarily forgotten, though his irritation lingered.


    ¡°And who might you be?¡± he asked, his voice smooth but laced with venom. His fingers twitched beneath the table, his sharpened claws growing ever so slightly, prepared to strike if necessary.


    Ray didn¡¯t blink. He simply swiped his white cybernetic hand through the air, an effortless movement that sent a pulse of violet energy crackling through the booth.


    In an instant, Rad¡¯s unconscious body vanished. Chiro¡¯s eyes widened just a fraction, not in fear, but in intrigue. That wasn¡¯t just teleportation; that was something far more advanced, something that sent his instincts screaming. Whoever, or whatever, Ray was, he was not to be underestimated.


    Ray¡¯s gaze never wavered. ¡°That does not concern you. Though I do offer a proposal.¡± His voice was as lifeless as a machine¡¯s, but there was something lurking beneath it, something foreign and dangerous. Then, without another word, he lifted his black cybernetic hand, and a swirling portal of violet and black energy split open above it. From its depths, something dropped into his cybernetic palm with a sickening, wet splatter.


    A bloodstained envelope. Chiro¡¯s eyebrows twitched at the sight of it. Blood, fresh. The scent was unmistakable.


    Ray held the envelope out before casually tossing it across the table. Chiro caught it without effort, his pale fingers brushing against the still-warm stain. His expression barely changed, but the tension between them thickened.


    ¡°A proposal, you say?¡± Chiro mused, leaning back, his gaze never leaving Ray¡¯s. His fingers tapped idly against the envelope¡¯s surface. ¡°And what might that be?¡±


    Ray¡¯s next words shattered the quiet air between them. ¡°In about fifteen years, Ino Namikaze will take in a student. His name will be Connor.¡±


    Silence. A beat passed. Then, Chiro¡¯s smug demeanor broke.


    His white eyes widened slightly, just enough for Ray to notice. The White Bat, the deadliest vampire in the undercity, was caught off guard.


    ¡°¡­Him?¡± Chiro¡¯s voice was quieter, almost disbelieving. His claws retracted slightly. ¡°You mean to tell me that he, of all people, would take in a student?¡±


    There was something in his tone, not fear, not excitement¡­ but disbelief. Then, the disbelief cracked into laughter.


    Chiro¡¯s laugh was sharp, almost mocking, but there was something hollow in it, something that suggested he was still processing the absurdity of it all.


    ¡°No way,¡± he chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°That damn vampire ate whole families for breakfast in our heyday, and now you¡¯re telling me he¡¯s going to raise a kid?¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t blink. ¡°That is exactly what I¡¯m saying.¡±


    His tone was still void of emotion, but this time, something simmered beneath it. Not fear, not disgust, but slight hatred.


    Chiro narrowed his eyes slightly. ¡°And why should I care about some orphan?¡±


    Ray¡¯s next words hit like a hammer. ¡°Because that boy... is the reincarnation of Sun Wukong.¡±


    The air turned to ice. The world around them seemed to dull, the sound of music and laughter muffling in Chiro¡¯s ears. For the first time in a very, very long time¡­ he felt true fear.


    His already pale skin somehow paled further as he spoke. ¡°N-no way¡­¡± His mind raced, grasping at memories, at stories, at legends long buried in time. Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, the Trickster King, the Immortal Rebel.


    The one who defied gods. The one who tore apart endless armies. The one who vanished over a hundred thousand years ago.


    Chiro¡¯s breath hitched as an old rumor resurfaced in his mind. ¡°Last I heard of that damn monkey, the Prince of Devils had burned his ass to a crisp!¡±


    Ray said nothing. He simply raised his hand again.


    Another portal. Something heavy crashed through the table, splintering the wood.


    Chiro took a step back on instinct, his fangs glinting as his eyes fell upon the artifact before him.


    A staff. The legendary staff. Long, black, rimmed with gold. Celestial engravings spiraled across its flawless metal, pulsing faintly with ancient power. The moment it touched the air, the entire den seemed to shudder.


    Ray¡¯s voice was a quiet command. ¡°Pick it up.¡± Chiro hesitated. His instincts screamed at him not to touch it. Not to test the weight of legends.


    But he couldn¡¯t resist. He reached down, wrapping his fingers around the staff¡¯s impossibly smooth surface.


    And then¡ªNothing. No shift. No movement. Not even an inch.


    Chiro¡¯s arms flexed, his supernatural strength surging through his body. His feet dug into the floor. His breath hitched as he pulled with everything he had.


    But it didn¡¯t budge. A cold sweat trickled down his temple. "I¡­ I can¡¯t lift it.¡± Chiro whispered.


    His mind screamed against it. A vampire of his power should be able to lift anything. He had crushed bones, torn through steel, ripped through the strongest of prey.


    But this? It rejected him. Chiro let go, his fingers trembling as he straightened.


    Ray watched him. His eyes unblinking, unreadable. ¡°It¡¯s the real deal,¡± he said simply. ¡°Left lying around in Horizon Heights.¡±


    Chiro stared at the staff for a long moment, his mind whirling. Then, he laughed, a breathless, disbelieving chuckle. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it¡­¡± he murmured.


    ¡°What I want you to do¡­¡± Ray uttered, his voice barely above a whisper, yet it carried the weight of an unshakable command. His glowing eyes flickered like dying stars, shadows dancing across his black-and-white cybernetic frame. ¡°Is to claim Connor as your own. Mark him with those vile fangs of yours.¡±


    Chiro¡¯s breath hitched, his clawed fingers instinctively curling against the table. His pale, elegant face turned toward Ray for a brief moment before he quickly averted his gaze. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was out of hesitation or something else, something dangerously close to fear. ¡°You sure?¡± His tone was lighter than usual, a rare uncertainty slipping through. ¡°If you know of Ino Namikaze, then you know how truly powerful he is.¡±


    For the first time in their exchange, Ray¡¯s expression flickered. A ghost of something, pain, rage, exhaustion, briefly crossed his face before vanishing behind his usual cold veneer. His gaze locked onto the empty wall ahead, but it was clear he wasn¡¯t seeing it. In his mind, he was somewhere else. Somewhere far worse.


    Flashes of the gruesome battle, god versus god, a glowing white storm of fangs and claws, a crimson sky painted in the blood of his countless fallen variants. It was a brutal fight that he had nearly lost.


    Even after all of his extensive planning beforehand. It was a grueling battle that had left a deep impression, one burned into the core of his very being.


    Ray¡¯s voice, when it finally came, was dry as dust. ¡°¡­I do.¡± The two simple words held a depth of bitterness only someone who had faced Ino Namikaze and survived could understand.


    He exhaled sharply, a sound almost mechanical. ¡°But if you claim Connor as your own, then the Prince of Devils will stand no chance against you.¡±


    A long silence followed, thick with unspoken thoughts. Chiro drummed his claws against the table, his sharp nails clicking in rhythm with his rapidly working mind. Then, finally, he gave a slow nod. ¡°Very well, then.¡± His lips curled into a thin smile, fangs glinting faintly in the dim light. ¡°But what¡¯s in it for you?¡±


    Ray¡¯s cosmic energy shimmered around him, crackling like a dying star on the verge of collapse. He hovered effortlessly, the sheer pressure of his presence warping the air around him.


    ¡°Nothing that will affect you,¡± he said simply. ¡°Just think of it as a long-term investment.¡±


    And then, in an instant, he was gone. The air where he once hovered hummed with residual energy, a whisper of violet light fading into nothingness.


    Chiro remained still for a moment, his keen eyes locked on the empty space where Ray had been. Then, slowly, he looked down at the bloodstained envelope in his hands. With a flick of his claw, he sliced it open, revealing a worn, slightly crumpled photograph inside.


    His smirk faltered as he pulled it out. The image was old, but the moment it captured was vivid. Standing within the academy grounds, bathed in soft golden light, was a ten-year-old Connor. Beside him, towering and regal, stood his sensei¡ªIno Namikaze.


    Connor, dressed in a black training gi, compression shirt, and boots, beamed up at the camera, his short brown hair neatly cut, a job undoubtedly done by his sensei, despite Mary¡¯s persistent nagging to do it herself.


    Beside him, Ino was a figure of quiet power, draped in a crimson robe over a black tunic and pants, his black boots worn but polished. His white hair cascaded past his shoulders like a river of silk, and his silver beard gleamed in the dim academy light. His arm rested casually around Connor¡¯s shoulder, an unmistakable gesture of care, of fatherhood.


    The warmth between them was undeniable. Even through the photograph, it bled through. The kind of bond that was forged not from mere obligation, but something far deeper.


    Chiro found himself staring, his thumb absently tracing the edges of the photo. ¡°To think that the Prince of Devils would take in a student¡­¡± He muttered, the disbelief still lingering in his voice, though softer now, tinged with something else.


    His smirk returned, but It was smaller, more thoughtful. ¡°How deeply human.¡±

 Chapter 43: The Possessed Guitar

    The group staggered out of the cavern, ears still ringing from the pounding bass and unrelenting melodies of the vampire-infested cavern. The flashing lights and hypnotic rhythms had left their senses overloaded. Lira rubbed her temples, her cat-like ears twitching as if still trying to process the onslaught of sound.


    ¡°That was horrible,¡± she groaned. ¡°Why did they have to play it that loud?¡±


    Ava rolled her eyes. ¡°I told you guys this part of the undercity was a nightmare. But noooo, we just had to check it out.¡±


    Kite let out a nervous chuckle, adjusting his jacket. ¡°Yeah, uh¡­ I think I¡¯ll be avoiding this place from now on.¡±


    ¡°No kidding,¡± Ava snorted. Lira nodded in agreement, and even Kay, though quiet, gave a slow nod. However, unlike the rest of them, he wasn¡¯t complaining or laughing, he was eerily silent, his gaze downcast as he lagged behind. He rubbed his neck absentmindedly, fingers brushing against it lightly.


    The group walked on until they spotted something in the distance. Rad¡¯s unconscious body lay sprawled on the ground, and sitting atop him, as casually as if he were on a throne, was Ray. In his cybernetic fingers, he held a jagged piece of a guitar, its surface gleaming under the dim lights of the undercity.


    ¡°Ray?¡± Kite called out, his brows furrowing. ¡°What happened to Rad?¡±


    Ray¡¯s glowing eyes met Kite¡¯s. ¡°He fell asleep,¡± he stated flatly.


    Ava placed her hands on her hips, frowning. ¡°Oh, really? You expect us to believe that?¡±


    Kite stepped in before she could press further. ¡°Hey, come on, Ray was probably just keeping him safe,¡± he said, shooting Ava a look.


    Ray gave a small nod but didn¡¯t elaborate, instead lifting the guitar piece higher for them to see. The fragment was old, but its craftsmanship was undeniable, its surface was dark, infused with metallic threads that pulsed faintly like circuitry. Ancient engravings ran along its edges, glowing dimly with residual energy, and there was a faint hum, almost as if the piece was alive, waiting to be whole again.


    Kite¡¯s expression shifted from curiosity to excitement. ¡°Whoa¡­¡± He reached for it, taking it carefully before looking at Ray with a grin. ¡°You actually got it¡­ Thanks, man.¡± He slid the piece into his backpack, making sure it was secure.


    Meanwhile, Ava¡¯s frown deepened. She crossed her arms, her eyes flicking between Ray and Rad. Something wasn¡¯t right.


    Lira, noticing her expression, tilted her head. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Ava quickly shook her head. ¡°Nothing,¡± she muttered, though her suspicion lingered.


    Kite, oblivious to Ava¡¯s unease, checked the holographic display on his watch. As he scrolled through the information, Kay knelt beside Rad, his hand still rubbing his neck. A dull throbbing had started in his head, and his body felt¡­ strange. Off.


    Ray¡¯s gaze snapped to Kay, his robotic eyes analyzing him in an instant. His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. ¡°Rad will be fine. Worry about yourself for now.¡±


    Kay froze. His breath hitched as his eyes widened slightly. He looked up at Ray, who stared back at him knowingly, then quickly averted his gaze. ¡°O-okay¡­¡± he murmured, voice shaky. His headache worsened.


    Kite, oblivious to the moment between them, looked up from his watch. ¡°Alright, last piece is in Horizon Heights.¡±


    Ava¡¯s demeanor changed instantly, her smirk returning. ¡°Quickest way up there is by hover board, ya know.¡±


    Kite grinned, already unclamping his own board from his backpack. With a flick of his wrist, it expanded into full size. ¡°You don¡¯t say,¡± he said, his tone carrying a hint of competition.


    Lira blinked at them. ¡°Wait, how are the rest of us getting up there?¡±


    Ava, already a step ahead, reached into her pocket and pulled out a miniature hover board, tossing it upward. It expanded mid-air before she caught it with ease.


    Ray finally spoke. ¡°I will take care of the rest.¡±


    Lira squinted at him, skepticism clear in her expression. ¡°You will?¡±


    Kite grinned. ¡°Ray¡¯s got a couple tricks up his sleeve. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    Lira didn¡¯t look entirely convinced, but she let it slide. Ava then turned to Kite, a glint of mischief in her eyes. ¡°Alright, nerd, how about a race?¡±


    Kite¡¯s grin widened as he and Ava quickly stepped onto their hover boards. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re on, Ava! I¡¯ve had practice since last time!¡±


    Ava let out a laugh. ¡°Yeah, right!¡± Without another word, the two of them launched into the air, their hover boards igniting as they shot toward Horizon Heights, leaving the others to watch.


    Lira sighed, shaking her head but forming a small smile. ¡°They¡¯re like little gremlins.¡±


    Ray, however, wasn¡¯t watching them. His gaze lingered on Kay, whose fingers were still trembling slightly as they pressed against his neck. Ray knew. And Kay knew that he knew.


    Kite and Ava rocketed above the undercity, their hover boards humming as they cut through the smog-filled air. Their matched speeds made the race even more exhilarating as they wove effortlessly between hover cars and around the skeletal remains of crumbling buildings.


    The onlookers below, a mix of chimeras and humans, glanced up in awe. Some pointed, others cheered, while a few street vendors paused their business to watch the dazzling streaks of emerald green and neon pink trail across the sky.


    Ava grinned as she twisted her body, shifting her weight to make a sharp turn around a collapsing scaffold. ¡°Gotta admit, Kite, you¡¯ve gotten way better!¡± she shouted over the wind.


    Kite smirked, matching her pace. ¡°You sound surprised!¡±


    Ava laughed, her voice ringing through the air. ¡°I am! But it still won¡¯t be enough to beat me!¡± She leaned forward, accelerating even further as the two of them climbed higher and higher.


    Then, through the haze of the undercity, the massive hole in its ceiling came into view. A gaping maw in the darkness, leading to a world far brighter than the one they knew. The two of them streaked toward it like twin shooting stars, Ava¡¯s hover board leaving a dazzling pink trail while Kite¡¯s burned an emerald green.


    As they shot through the breach, the grim shadows of the undercity melted away, replaced by a burst of golden light and crisp, clean air. The warmth of Horizon Heights bathed their faces, a stark contrast to the cold, artificial glow of the depths below.


    Beneath them, the citizens of Horizon Heights strolled along pristine walkways. The people here were clean, well-dressed, their outfits tailored from high-end fabrics, sleek suits, designer jackets, and elegant dresses that shimmered under the natural sunlight.


    Their accessories gleamed with embedded technology, from smart jewelry to augmented reality visors. Unlike the undercity, where grime and struggle stained every face, the people here moved with effortless confidence, their conversations unbothered by the harsh realities lurking below.


    Kite and Ava weaved between luxury hover cars, their polished surfaces reflecting the bright blue sky. Unlike the rusted and jury-rigged vehicles of the undercity, these hovered effortlessly, their designs sleek and aerodynamic.


    The architecture around them was breathtaking, skyscrapers of glass and steel stretched toward the heavens, their surfaces displaying digital murals that shifted and changed like living paintings. Floating gardens lined the walkways between buildings, filled with exotic flora that shimmered with bio-luminescence. Suspended bridges connected towers, with citizens casually strolling high above the city streets as if walking through the sky itself.


    The two kids sped past towering billboards, each one showcasing expensive advertisements that flickered with high-definition holograms.


    One being a woman in a sleek cybernetic suit who winked as text scrolled across: ¡°GenovaScience: The Future is Now.¡±


    Next, a massive screen displayed a luxurious hover car gliding across a neon highway. ¡°Drive the New Aeris-9: The Ultimate Ride for the Elite.¡±


    With the last one displaying a celebrity with glowing cybernetic tattoos who held a designer drink, smiling. ¡°Only the Best¡ªDiamond Brew.¡±


    Kite let out a breath of amazement as they streaked through the cityscape, the sun warming their faces, the wind whipping through their hair. He and Ava laughed freely, the exhilaration of speed and freedom sending an electric thrill through their veins.


    Then, in the distance, Kite spotted it. Suspended high above a sprawling park, the final guitar piece floated within a glowing containment orb. The park below was lush, filled with greenery that the undercity could never dream of, trees so tall they nearly reached the skyline, fountains that glowed with cascading streams of light, and walking paths that stretched endlessly through fields of impossibly vibrant flowers.


    Kite¡¯s eyes locked onto the prize. A cocky grin spread across his face. ¡°Looks like I win this one, Ava!¡± he taunted, tilting his board downward as he shot toward the piece.


    ¡°As if!¡± Ava barked back, instantly matching his speed.


    The two of them streaked through the sky like comets, closing in on the orb in perfect unison. At the last moment, their hands shot forward¡ªSnap!


    They both had grabbed it at the same time. For a moment, neither of them moved. They hovered in the air, each holding the piece aloft in triumph, grinning wildly. Then, realization struck.


    ¡°¡­Wait,¡± Kite said, looking at Ava. His grin faltering.


    ¡°¡­Did we just tie?¡± Ava blinked. Her proud demeanor fading.


    They both stared at each other before bursting into laughter. ¡°You seriously had to grab it at the same time as me?¡± Kite huffed dramatically.


    Ava shrugged, smirking. ¡°Guess we¡¯re just that good.¡±


    They bickered playfully for a moment before Ava finally let go, waving a dismissive hand. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll settle for a draw.¡±


    Kite gave a satisfied nod, tucking the guitar piece into his pack. ¡°Good call.¡±


    Then, for a brief moment, they both fell silent. Hovering high above the city, they looked down at the world beneath them. Horizon Heights stretched endlessly, a utopia of wealth, luxury, and pristine beauty. It was a place that had always felt unreachable, a peaceful world that existed in stark contrast to the one they had grown up in.


    Kite swallowed hard, his hands clenching ever so slightly. ¡°¡­Crazy, isn¡¯t it?¡± Ava murmured.


    Kite nodded slowly. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    They weren¡¯t supposed to be here. This city wasn¡¯t for people like them. And yet, here they were, soaring above it, free.


    Kite and Ava hovered in silence for a long moment, the wind gently tugging at their clothes and hair as they watched the citizens of Horizon Heights below. The distant hum of hover cars, the soft chatter of the well-dressed elite, and the faint laughter of children playing in the lush parks all blended into an ambient murmur.


    Then, Ava finally broke the silence. ¡°¡­It¡¯s been a while since we last hung out,¡± she said, her voice softer than usual.


    Kite glanced at her before nodding. ¡°Yeah. A lot¡¯s happened.¡±


    Ava gave a small nod, then reached into the pocket of her ragged clothing, pulling out a small device. She held it between her fingers for a second before tossing it to him. Kite caught it with ease, turning it over in his palm. It was sleek but a little worn, a small holographic interface flickering to life as he touched it.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°What is this?¡± he asked, raising an eyebrow.


    Ava smirked. ¡°It¡¯s kinda like a phone. If you ever wanna hang out, just call me.¡±


    Kite stared at the device for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, a small smile formed on his lips. A teasing glint entered his eyes. ¡°What, did you get lonely?¡±


    Ava¡¯s face immediately turned a shade darker as she briefly averted her gaze. ¡°W-Well, it¡¯s not like that or anything,¡± she muttered, crossing her arms. ¡°I-Its just that¡­¡± She took a deep breath, steadying herself before looking back at him. ¡°Lira¡¯s fun and all, but she¡¯s not as smart as you, ya know? It just ain¡¯t the same is all.¡±


    Kite¡¯s eyes widened slightly in surprise. He hadn¡¯t expected that. After a moment, he nodded, tucking the device into his pocket. ¡°I understand,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ll call you sometime then.¡±


    Ava smirked mischievously. ¡°Yeah, you better, Kite. I¡¯ve got a lot of ideas for us to work on.¡±


    The two of them laughed together, the moment feeling natural and lighthearted¡­ until an irritated voice cut through the speaker of Kite¡¯s watch.


    ¡°Can you guys get any louder?¡± Rad groaned on the other end.


    Kite and Ava immediately stopped laughing, both turning their attention to the watch on Kite¡¯s wrist. Kite lifted it, and the small screen lit up, revealing Rad sitting inside a vibrant, neon-lit restaurant. Lira and Kay sat beside him at a booth, while Ray hovered slightly behind them.


    The restaurant was lively, bursting with color. The walls glowed with shifting neon hues, casting a kaleidoscope of blues, purples, and reds across the metallic surfaces. Digital menu boards floated above the counter, displaying a variety of expensive-looking drinks and snacks.


    The patrons were a mix of well-dressed Horizon Heights citizens and a few rougher-looking individuals who didn¡¯t quite fit the pristine aesthetic of the city. Holographic projections danced lazily in the air, advertising high-end brands and upcoming performances. A smooth, electronic jazz tune hummed in the background, blending with the murmur of conversation and the clinking of glasses.


    Kite blinked in confusion. ¡°How did you even do that?¡±


    Rad lazily rolled his eyes. ¡°They gave me a watch for the project too, doofus,¡± he muttered, taking a sip from a drink in front of him. ¡°You¡¯re so slow sometimes.¡±


    Ava hovered closer to Kite, peering at the screen. Her eyes immediately landed on Lira, who was pouting playfully at the camera, resting her chin in her hands as she leaned forward on the table.


    Ava sighed dramatically. ¡°Alright, alright, my bad, Lira. Didn¡¯t mean to leave you out.¡±


    Lira¡¯s ears twitched, and she stuck out her tongue. ¡°Mmm¡­ nah. Apology not accepted.¡± She then smirked, eyes glinting mischievously. ¡°Besides, you¡¯re always talking about Kite when you¡¯re at my house anyway.¡±


    Ava¡¯s face instantly turned bright red. ¡°What!?!¡± she sputtered, her voice cracking slightly as she let out a nervous laugh. ¡°T-That¡¯s not¡ª I mean¡ª Lira, what are you even talking about? That¡¯s¡ª that¡¯s crazy!¡±


    Kite and the rest of the group burst into laughter. Even Ray, typically quiet and reserved, let out a low mechanical chuckle.


    Ava¡¯s face only reddened further as she clenched her fists. ¡°I swear, Lira, I¡¯m gonna get you back for this,¡± she grumbled, but her flustered expression completely betrayed her tough words.


    Lira giggled, tail flicking behind her. ¡°I¡¯m waiting~.¡±


    Kite wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling as ava fumed. Ava groaned, covering her face with one hand. ¡°You all suck.¡±


    But despite her embarrassment, there was a warmth in her chest, a reminder that, for all the chaos, these close bonds were what she had always wanted in her life. Ava and Lira now sat together on high stools in front of the sleek bar counter, their voices rising as they bickered over Lira¡¯s earlier betrayal.


    The neon-lit shelves behind the counter displayed bottles of vibrantly colored liquids, arranged in an artistic cascade of blues, purples, and reds. The restaurant itself pulsed faintly with light, responding to the mood and noise of the establishment.


    ¡°You so did that on purpose!¡± Ava huffed, pointing an accusatory finger at Lira.


    Lira lazily licked at her ice cream, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. ¡°Oh, please, Ava. It¡¯s not my fault you¡¯re so easy to mess with.¡±


    Ava¡¯s eyes glowed brighter as she clenched her fists. ¡°You¡ª! Ugh! You¡¯re the worst!¡±


    Lira giggled, twirling her spoon in her dessert. ¡°Gosh, you¡¯re such a crybaby.¡± She then gestured to the empty bowl in front of Ava. ¡°I bought you noodles as an apology. Isn¡¯t that enough?¡±


    Ava shot her arms up in exasperation, her pink irises glowing vibrantly. ¡°NO!¡±


    The empty bowl in front of her, clearly furiously eaten, was all the evidence needed that she had devoured the peace offering despite her protests.


    Nearby waiters stifled their laughter as they walked past, serving dishes to other patrons. Kite, sitting next to Rad, chuckled softly at their antics as Ray silently sat on the counter nearby.


    Rad, still recovering from his earlier headache, groaned and rubbed his temples. ¡°Too loud¡­¡±


    Kite smirked, then turned his attention to a holographic menu hovering in front of him. The menu displayed a dazzling selection of food items, each illustrated with high-resolution, rotating holographic projections.


    The dishes included: Nebula Noodles ¨C A bowl of glowing, shifting-color noodles infused with artificial starlight. Solar-Fried Dumplings ¨C Crispy dumplings with a golden glaze, served with a spicy plasma sauce.


    Cyber Wings ¨C Chicken wings coated in an electric blue glaze that tingled on the tongue. Stellar Sushi Platter ¨C Rolls arranged in the shape of constellations, with a side of glowing wasabi.


    Chocolate Swirl Milkshake ¨C A rich, creamy swirl of dark and white chocolate, topped with edible silver flakes.


    Kite pressed on the image of the Chocolate Swirl Milkshake, and within seconds, a robotic bird, sleek and metallic with glowing blue eyes, swooped down from a delivery chute above. It flapped gracefully toward him, holding a cold glass in its clawed feet.


    Kite watched in amazement as it landed lightly on the counter and released the milkshake in front of him. He smiled and reached for it. ¡°Thanks,¡± he said.


    The bird chirped happily in response before fluttering off to resume its routine. Kite turned to Rad, who still had his head resting on his arms. Without a word, Kite slid the milkshake in front of him. ¡°You okay?¡± he asked.


    Rad exhaled heavily before slowly lifting his head. His dark brown eyes looked tired, but he gave a small nod. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Kite smiled. ¡°Glad to hear it.¡±


    Rad let out a grunt and, without meeting Kite¡¯s gaze, took a sip of the milkshake. He swallowed, pausing briefly before muttering, ¡°¡­Thanks.¡±


    Kite blinked in mild surprise. Rad rarely expressed gratitude so plainly. After a beat, Kite gave a small smile. ¡°No problem.¡±


    Meanwhile, away from the laughter and warmth of his friends, Kay sat against the bathroom door, knees pulled up to his chest, arms wrapped tightly around his legs. The peaceful music humming through the speakers only seemed to mock his suffering.


    The bathroom was clean and pristine, a far cry from the places Kay was used to. The walls were sleek white with soft gold lighting lining the corners.


    A holographic interface hovered above the sinks, offering various temperature settings, scented water options, and self-cleaning mechanisms. The floor, smooth and reflective, was made of an advanced alloy that resisted stains. Even the air smelled faintly of citrus and lavender.


    But Kay noticed none of it. His body ached. His heartbeat pounded furiously in his chest, faster than a drummer in a frenzy. His breathing came in short, uneven gasps as sweat dripped from his forehead. His nails had grown, sharp, unnatural. His teeth pressed into his lips painfully.


    Breathe¡­ He wiped his tears with a shaky, furred hand, staring at the dampness on his fingers. His headache pulsed, worsening with every second. He clenched his jaw, but the sharp pain in his gums made him wince.


    Kay forced himself up slowly, legs trembling beneath him. He rubbed at his neck where the vampire¡¯s bite had scarred him, his fingers coming away sticky with blood. His heart sank as he brought them in front of his face. The crimson liquid glistened under the soft bathroom lights.


    No¡­ Swallowing hard, Kay turned his gaze toward the mirror. Hesitation weighed down his movements as he stepped forward.


    His reflection stared back at him. For a brief moment, his eyes flickered, shifting from crimson to gray, from slitted pupils to soft rabbit-like ones. His breath caught in his throat.


    This isn¡¯t happening. This isn¡¯t real. It can¡¯t be real.


    Slowly, he leaned forward, lips parting slightly. His stomach twisted into a cold knot as he looked closer.


    Then¡ªPlink. A tooth fell from his mouth.


    Kay¡¯s breath hitched as he gagged ever so slightly. Then another fell. And another.


    His old, soft, bloody, rabbit-like teeth clattered into the sink below. His hands trembled as he raised them to his mouth, shaky fingers brushing over the new ones growing in their place.


    Razor-sharp. Bloody. His reflection was unmistakable.


    No¡­ No, no, no¡­ His pulse roared in his ears as the horrifying truth settled deep into his bones. He was turning into a vampire.


    Ray still sat atop the counter, his small robotic frame still as his gaze flickered between the two pairs before him. On one side, Lira and Ava sat close together, now laughing between bites of their rapidly melting ice cream.


    Ava¡¯s prior anger had now completely dissipated after Lira offered to share her ice cream. Ava¡¯s missing front tooth made her giggles all the more mischievous, while Lira¡¯s feline tail swayed lazily behind her, her sharp eyes glimmering with amusement. Their voices blended into an effortless rhythm, light, unbothered, as if the weight of the world hadn¡¯t chased them here.


    On the other side, Rad and Kite sat in relative silence, the quiet stretching between them. Rad slouched in his seat, arms crossed, his dark red hoodie pulled up slightly at the sleeves. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes, dark and tired, occasionally flicked toward Kite while drinking his milkshake.


    Kite meanwhile, was staring at nothing in particular, lost in thought. Ray¡¯s cybernetic eyes flickered between the two duos before finally settling on Kite. ¡°When are you going to piece the guitar back together?¡±


    Kite blinked, as if pulled out of a daze. ¡°Huh?¡± His brow furrowed before his expression shifted to mild panic. ¡°Oh, right¡­ the guitar.¡± He had momentarily forgotten about it amidst everything. Scrambling, he pulled his backpack onto his lap and unzipped it, retrieving the ancient, broken instrument pieces with a careful grip.


    With a quiet determination, he placed the guitar¡¯s pieces onto the counter. The wood was cracked, the strings missing or frayed, but there was still something eerily alive about it. The instrument had endured decades of time, dust, and abandonment, yet even in its fractured state, it held an undeniable presence.


    Kite rolled his sleeves up slightly, then reached into the inner pockets of his beige jacket. One by one, he pulled out a series of tools, small, compact, and well-worn, their handles bearing the faint imprint of his fingers from countless hours of work.


    Rad raised an eyebrow. ¡°You brought your tools with you?¡±


    Kite smirked, his confidence returning. ¡°Duh.¡± He slipped a screwdriver between his fingers with practiced ease before patting down his pants. ¡°Even my ray guns.¡±


    But all he felt was air. His smirk faded as his fingers swept through empty pockets. Confused, he patted himself down again, checking each one. Nothing. His brows knit together as he finally glanced down, pulling his pockets open in desperation to confirm what he already suspected.


    Rad watched in silence, his arms still crossed, before lifting a brow.


    Ray sighed, his small form shifting slightly. ¡°Didn¡¯t you realize already? They were destroyed in that blast,¡± he stated flatly, his glowing eyes unmoving. ¡°When we were attacked.¡±


    Kite froze. His lips parted slightly, the memory clicking into place. The attack. The explosion. The last thing he¡¯d seen of his ray guns before they were swallowed by a beam of light.


    A heavy groan left him as he slumped forward. ¡°Dang it, I spent hours making those.¡±


    Rad, still watching the exchange with mild intrigue, finally spoke up. ¡°Wait¡­ attacked?¡± His eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°What blast?¡±


    Kite and Ray exchanged a glance. Then, without hesitation, they both said in perfect unison, ¡°It¡¯s a long story.¡±


    Rad¡¯s eyebrow twitched at the eerie synchronization. They had even moved the same way, heads tilting, shoulders shifting, the mechanical rhythm of Ray mirroring the human reflex of Kite.


    Kite, ever the opportunist, smirked. ¡°Jinx.¡±


    Ray merely rolled his cybernetic eyes, folding his small arms across his chest. But if one looked closely, a faint smile tugged at the edge of his otherwise impassive face.


    With that, Kite got to work. Several minutes passed as he worked with a hyper-focus, carefully repairing the ancient guitar. His fingers moved with precise familiarity, weaving in and out of the delicate process as if he had been made for it.


    The restaurant around them carried on, the distant hum of conversation and the clinking of dishes a quiet backdrop to the rhythmic motion of tools against wood and metal. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Kite sat back, wiping his forehead dramatically despite not breaking a sweat. ¡°Finally,¡± he announced, stuffing his tools back into his jacket¡¯s inner pockets.


    Rad yawned, stretching his arms behind his head. ¡°Took you long enough.¡±


    Kite shot him a playful look before smirking. ¡°Hey, you can¡¯t rush art.¡±


    He lifted the now-restored guitar into the air. Its form now faintly glowed, the once-faded wood now eerily glistening beneath the dim lights of the establishment.


    The cracks had been mended, the strings replaced, and yet¡­ something about it felt beyond physical restoration. It thrummed with an energy that hadn¡¯t been there before, as if awakening from a long slumber.


    Kite looked to Rad and Ray. ¡°Now all we gotta do is take it to¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish, the entire building was swallowed by darkness. The lights went out in an instant, plunging the establishment into near-total blackness. The low hum of electronics died, leaving only the distant murmurs of confused patrons and the shuffling of feet.


    ¡°The heck?¡± Lira muttered, tensing slightly as she shifted closer to Ava. The latter, surprisingly unbothered, blinked, her pink irises glowing in the dark like embers as she licked the ice cream off her lips.


    Ray sat perfectly still, his glowing cybernetic eyes cutting through the darkness like twin beams. He turned his head, scanning the room with careful precision before his gaze landed back on the guitar.


    It was glowing brightly. Not just a faint shimmer like before, but a full, radiant light, as if the very essence of music itself had been reignited. The glow pulsed in rhythm, like a heartbeat.


    Rad opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, the light expanded. A figure emerged.


    A massive, holographic projection burst from the guitar, illuminating the entire establishment in an eerie, ethereal glow. It was a man, a tall, broad-shouldered legend brought back to life through flickering light.


    His bright blue eyes were sharp, piercing, filled with unspoken truths. His wild, jet-black hair was streaked with silver, strands framing his rugged, battle-worn face. Across his neck, a constellation-shaped tattoo gleamed faintly, like stars trapped beneath his skin.


    He wore a sleeveless high-collared synth-leather coat with glowing blue circuitry running through the seams. Beneath it, an armored vest hugged his torso, etched with the scars of past battles.


    Metallic bracers adorned his arms, engraved with ancient symbols, and his hands, strong, calloused, were clad in fingerless gloves. Tactical pants and heavy boots completed his imposing figure, but the most striking detail was the tattered crimson sash wrapped around his waist, a relic of a failed rebellion.


    The restaurant fell into complete silence. Nearby, an elderly janitor, frozen mid-motion, dropped his mop. It clattered against the floor, but he didn¡¯t move to retrieve It. His mouth hung open, his wrinkled eyes wide as they gazed upon the legendary man.


    ¡°Is that¡­?¡± Kite whispered, his voice barely audible.


    The holographic figure shifted, scanning the room before his gaze settled on Kite. There was no hesitation, no confusion, just quiet understanding. His face, though serene, held the weight of a man who had suffered an unimaginable fate.


    ¡°Kite¡­¡± Orion Vance¡¯s voice echoed through the room, layered with an ethereal reverberation. His eyes softened as he looked down at the boy, as if seeing a younger version of himself. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    And then, like shattered glass, his form broke apart, pieces of his holographic essence drifting away as if caught in an unseen wind. The shards of light spiraled, flickering, before vanishing completely.


    A second later, the power returned. The lights buzzed back to life, casting the room in its usual artificial glow. The janitor wiped at his eyes, a single tear falling as he stared at the spot where the legend had stood. Waiters exchanged nervous glances, their hands gripping trays with white knuckles.


    But at the center of it all, Kite was still staring at the guitar. His voice, when it finally came, was barely above a whisper.


    ¡°¡­He knew my name?¡±

 Chapter 44: Victims of abuse

    Kite and his group now stood before Rook Enterprises, the towering corporate fortress that loomed over the undercity like a mechanical monolith. The air hummed with the distant thrumming of drones circling the upper levels, their red optical sensors scanning for any signs of intrusion.


    Sleek black security ships patrolled the sky, their sharp angles cutting through the thick smog that perpetually blanketed the city below. The neon-lit streets flickered unpredictably, casting long, distorted shadows across the cracked pavement where Kite, Lira, Rad, and Kay stood before a reinforced glass window, its dark tint making it impossible to see inside.


    Ray hovered behind them, his cybernetic eyes quietly observing their surroundings while Kay, now bundled under a black umbrella and oversized sunglasses given to him by Ray, clutched the handle of his umbrella tighter. His transformation was still progressing, and being around the others now made him uneasy.


    Rad groaned, shifting impatiently as he crossed his arms. ¡°This is taking forever,¡± he complained.


    Kite, standing at the front, clicked the doorbell again, its soft chime barely audible over the distant hum of machinery. Ava leaned forward slightly. ¡°Maybe those weird people from before didn¡¯t expect us to find all the pieces¡± she commented, rolling her eyes.


    Lira crossed her arms. ¡°Yeah, feels like a setup now.¡±


    Kite sighed, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t surprise me.¡± But before he could dwell on the thought, the window abruptly slid open, revealing a rugged chimera peering at them with sharp, yellowed eyes.


    The chimera¡¯s face was partially covered in old, metallic plating, suggesting it had been through several augmentations, some definitely not voluntary. His fur was a patchwork of faded brown and black, one of his ears was clipped, and his left eye flickered between organic and cybernetic as if the implant was glitching.


    His posture was relaxed, but his muscular arms and clawed fingers hinted at past battles. The chimera¡¯s gaze immediately locked onto Ray, his expression unreadable before shifting his attention to the rest of the group. His scarred lip curled slightly in amusement.


    ¡°What do you kids want?¡± he asked, his voice rough, like static over an old speaker.


    Kite lifted the reformed guitar, its surface gleaming faintly under the dim streetlights. ¡°We were told we¡¯d get a reward for bringing this back,¡± he said, holding it up so the chimera could get a better look.


    The chimera¡¯s brows furrowed as he studied the instrument, his eyes scanning the intricate craftsmanship, the way the strings shimmered faintly as if imbued with something beyond the physical. Then, realization dawned on his face.


    His demeanor shifted subtly, shoulders straightening as he disappeared behind the counter for a moment. When he returned, he held a small robotic pet in his hand. The pet, a sleek, metallic creature with shifting plates that gleamed like liquid metal, immediately sprang to life, jumping out of his palm and onto Kite.


    Kite giggled as he caught it, the pet already nuzzling against him in excitement. ¡°Whoa! No way!¡± Kite exclaimed as he cradled the shifting creature in his arms.


    The chimera gave a toothy, sheepish grin. ¡°Pleasure doin¡¯ business with you kids,¡± he said, then, without another word, shut the window with a quiet thunk.


    The robotic pet chirped softly, its form morphing and reshaping as it adjusted to its new surroundings. Its eyes, bright and expressive, flickered between colors as it took in each of the kids.


    Ava grinned. ¡°Alright, so¡­ who¡¯s keeping it?¡±


    Lira gently scratched under the pet¡¯s metallic chin. ¡°Yeah, we gotta figure that out.¡±


    Kite, still mesmerized by the pet¡¯s fluid movements, grinned. ¡°I say we let them decide.¡±


    Ava groaned dramatically. ¡°Ugh, fine.¡±


    Kite carefully placed the pet onto the ground, and the group immediately burst into chaotic calls, each trying to coax it toward them.


    ¡°C¡¯mere, buddy!¡± Lira cooed.


    ¡°I got food!¡± Ava lied.


    Ray simply watched in silence, his arms folded in slight amusement. Meanwhile, Rad stood off to the side, arms crossed, staring at the passing hover cars, seemingly uninterested.


    The robotic pet twitched its ears, stepping hesitantly in different directions, its processors clearly struggling with the decision. After a few moments of consideration, it turned and walked straight toward Rad.


    Then, without hesitation, it nudged its head against his leg. Rad blinked, caught completely off guard. He stared down at the creature, momentarily speechless as it affectionately pressed itself against him before climbing up onto his shoulder.


    The rest of the kids erupted in collective shock. ¡°Rad?!¡± they all shouted in unison.


    Lira and Ava both threw their hands up in exasperation. ¡°Oh, come on!¡±


    Kite and Ray, though surprised, simply smiled quietly at the unexpected choice.


    Rad, still stunned, hesitantly reached up and scratched the pet behind its metallic ear. The pet let out a soft whirring purr, settling comfortably against his shoulder.


    Rad finally sighed in defeat. ¡°Guess I¡¯m stuck with you, huh?¡±


    The pet nuzzled into his neck. Ava groaned in irritation. ¡°Unbelievable.¡±


    The apartment was a cramped, dimly lit space that carried the weight of neglect. The couch Rad sat on was old and sagging, its fabric worn thin and stained from years of disrepair. A single flickering light overhead cast a sickly yellow glow over the room, barely illuminating the peeling wallpaper, cracked tiles, and scattered junk.


    Empty cans, discarded wrappers, and piles of unwashed clothes littered the floor. The faint hum of a malfunctioning ventilation unit was the only sound besides the occasional distant shouting from neighbors through the thin apartment walls.


    Despite the bleak setting, the tiny robotic pet brought an almost surreal contrast to the space, shifting its form with boundless energy. It transformed into a sleek, metallic falcon, its wings glimmering as it soared through the dusty air before seamlessly shifting into a small monkey, playfully flipping off the couch¡¯s armrest.


    It then darted across the room as a neon-lit fox, its fluid movements mesmerizing, before leaping into the air and shifting mid-fall into a small dog. It landed with a soft thump directly onto Rad¡¯s lap, its synthetic fur feeling surprisingly real beneath his fingers.


    Rad watched in silent amazement, his breath catching slightly as he hesitated, his hand trembling before he slowly reached out. His fingers brushed against the robotic dog¡¯s head, feeling the warmth of its smooth metallic surface blended with something eerily lifelike.


    It felt soft, gentle, comforting. The sensation was unfamiliar, almost foreign, yet¡­ nice. ¡°So cool¡­¡± he whispered, his voice barely audible. He began petting the dog more firmly, his touch growing steadier as the tension in his body loosened, bit by bit.


    After a long, quiet moment, Rad hesitated before finally asking, ¡°¡­Do you talk?¡± The robotic dog perked up, its ears twitching before it let out an adorable, soft bark.


    The sound was so pure, so full of life, that it caught Rad off guard. His heart skipped a beat, and before he even realized it, a small, genuine smile formed on his face, one he hadn''t worn in a long time.


    His hand, which had been shaking moments before, was now steady as he gently stroked the robotic pet¡¯s head. The tension in his shoulders eased even more, the quiet comfort of the moment settling deep in his chest.


    Then, without warning, Kay¡¯s words echoed in his mind again. ¡°If I get the pet, I think I¡¯ll give it to my mom as a gift, you know? I think she¡¯d really like it.¡±


    Rad¡¯s smile faded slightly as those words settled in, heavier than before. His mother¡­ What would she even think of this thing? Would she like it? Could she?


    His body slouched slightly as he glanced down at the robotic dog resting peacefully on his lap. He hesitated, the thought feeling strange, almost laughable, but it left his mouth before he could stop himself.


    ¡°I think my mom would really like you too,¡± he murmured softly. The robotic dog let out a gentle, content sigh in response, as if it understood. Its small body relaxed, its expression resembling a peaceful, happy smile.


    Rad chuckled quietly, his smile returning, though more subdued. He continued petting the robotic dog, his fingers no longer trembling, his heart no longer racing. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt something close to peace.


    But the peace didn¡¯t last long as the door burst open with a violent force, the hinges groaning under the pressure before it slammed shut with a deafening bang. The walls of the cramped apartment seemed to shake from the impact.


    The once-peaceful silence was shattered, and Rad instinctively flinched at the sound, his body tensing as his breath hitched. He forced himself to stay still, gripping the couch beneath him with stiff fingers.


    The robotic dog reacted instantly, its body twisting mid-air as it let out a shrill metallic shriek, morphing into a sleek robotic cat. Its claws extended as it scrambled up the wall, latching onto the ceiling with an unnatural grip. It hung there, Its synthetic fur bristling, wide glowing eyes locked on the doorway.


    From the dimly lit entrance, Rad¡¯s mother stepped into view. She was a ghost of a woman, her figure gaunt yet muscular, her arms littered with old scars. Her jet-black hair was a tangled mess, barely held together in a haphazard tie at the nape of her neck.


    The deep-set blue of her eyes held no warmth, just exhaustion, bitterness, and something unreadable. Her black tank top, once fresh, was now stained with splotches of dark red, the dried liquids blending into the worn fabric. Loose grey sweatpants hung off her frame, the material thin and wrinkled from neglect.


    Her posture screamed of someone who had long since stopped caring, about herself, about anything. Her sharp gaze flickered over the room before snapping to the robotic cat still clinging to the ceiling.


    ¡°The fuck is that?¡± she muttered, her voice low and scratchy, like someone who smoked too much and slept too little.


    Rad swallowed the lump in his throat. ¡°¡­It¡¯s my new pet,¡± he answered, voice steady but soft. ¡°Me and my friends found it while in the undercity.¡±


    The robotic cat tensed, its mechanical pupils dilating as it stared directly into Rad¡¯s mother¡¯s deadened eyes. At first, its gaze held pure fear, but then¡­ something changed. It didn¡¯t look scared anymore.


    Rad¡¯s mother raised a skeptical brow, exhaling sharply through her nose. ¡°Friends?¡± She scoffed, folding her arms. ¡°Since when?¡±


    Rad hesitated, shifting uncomfortably. ¡°¡­Well, it¡¯s only been a couple days.¡±


    She let out a slow, heavy sigh, as if just speaking to him was exhausting. Without another word, she stalked across the room, dropping onto the far end of the couch, as far from Rad as possible.


    She pulled a cybernetic cigarette from her pocket, flicked it on, and took a long, slow drag, the tip glowing faintly. A heavy silence settled between them.


    Rad watched her from the corner of his eye, his fingers digging into the cushions beneath him. His mother¡¯s face was unreadable, her gaze locked on the wall ahead as if he wasn¡¯t even there. The air in the room felt suffocating.


    Rad took a breath. ¡°You know, I¡­¡± His voice faltered for a moment. He gritted his teeth and tried again. ¡°I wanted to give it to you. As a gift.¡± His voice had softened to barely a whisper. His grip on the couch tightened until his knuckles turned white.


    But she didn¡¯t care. ¡°Did you clean the dishes?¡± she asked flatly, not even glancing at him.


    Rad¡¯s chest tightened. His stomach twisted. The slight shine in his eyes dulled as they widened in quiet pain.


    ¡°¡­No,¡± he admitted after a long pause, his voice barely above a breath. He lowered his head, his shoulders curling inward.


    His mother took another drag before exhaling through her nose. ¡°Did you pick up the trash around the house?¡± she asked, her tone just as disinterested, her dead gaze still locked on the wall.


    Rad hesitated, his throat dry. ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­¡±


    Her eye twitched. And then¡ªsnap.


    She turned sharply, her piercing blue eyes locking onto him with a burning intensity. ¡°Then why the fuck are you in here?¡±


    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know, I just¡ª"


    ¡°Exactly,¡± she cut him off, her voice rising. ¡°You had all fucking day to do this shit, yet instead, you goofed off with your ¡®friends.¡¯¡±


    Her lip curled in disdain. ¡°Every damn day, it¡¯s the same thing. I come home to a dirty house. Trash and wrappers all over the floor like we don¡¯t own a damn trash can.¡±


    She gestured to the mess surrounding them before glaring toward the kitchen, where dishes were piled high in the sink, untouched. ¡°Not to mention the fucking mountain of dishes from your constant late-night snack heists!¡±


    Rad¡¯s breath caught in his throat. He hadn¡¯t expected her to notice. His eyes widened slightly, giving him away.


    His mother¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°Oh, you think I don¡¯t know?¡± she sneered. ¡°Yeah, I notice your sneaky little ass creeping out of your room every night. Your heavy-ass footsteps damn near wake me up!¡±


    ¡°Wait, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Like, God,¡± she interrupted, throwing her head back in frustration. ¡°If I wanted an alarm clock for a son, I¡¯d have bought an automaton instead, at least they aren¡¯t fucking useless!¡±


    Something inside Rad shattered as he heard this. His breath stilled. His vision blurred slightly as his eyes welled with moisture. His lips trembling as he spoke. ¡°Useless?¡± he asked just under his breath, already on the brink of breaking apart.


    His mother noticed the reaction immediately. She tilted her head, mocking. ¡°Useless?¡± she echoed, her voice dripping with condescension and mockery.


    Rad¡¯s heart pounded in his chest, his stomach twisting so violently it hurt. ¡°Useless.¡± she repeated, her tone crueler this time, sharper, louder. ¡°All you ever do is sit around and cry like a little brat! Every day, I curse myself for giving birth to such a fucking disappointment!¡±


    Rad sucked in a shaky breath. The words hit like a blade straight through his chest.


    His mother finally acknowledged the robotic cat, now cautiously pressing against her leg, purring softly as if trying to soothe the growing storm in the room.


    Her expression darkened further. ¡±And now, you bring in a pet? As if we can afford to keep one?!¡±


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Before Rad could react, she lifted her foot and kicked the robotic cat hard.


    The force of the impact sent it flying across the room, its small metallic body slamming into the wall with a sickening crack. A crater formed where it hit, shards of its synthetic plating breaking apart as sparks burst from its ruined frame.


    ¡°Mom!¡± Rad cried out, leaping to his feet. His breathing was sharp, uneven.


    His mother snapped her gaze to him, her expression eerily calm, but her eyes were seething with something ugly. Something vile.


    ¡°I¡¯m done with you, Rad.¡± Her voice was final, like a slammed door. ¡°You better find a new place to stay, ¡®cause I¡¯m sick of your shit.¡±


    Rad¡¯s breath hitched. He felt like he¡¯d just been doused in ice water.


    She wasn¡¯t just mad. She meant it. Every last word.


    Tears now flooded Rad¡¯s face, hot and endless, streaking down his bruised cheeks as his whole body trembled. His breath came in ragged gasps, choked and shallow, his ribs aching with each inhale. His wide, terror-stricken eyes darted between the ruined remains of his robotic pet, its shattered body still twitching with fading sparks, and the looming figure of his mother, the monster who had just destroyed it.


    ¡°M-Mom, please!¡± Rad sobbed, his voice cracking under the weight of desperation. He staggered forward, reaching for her, clinging to the last slivers of hope that she would relent, that somewhere beneath that seething rage, she still had love for him.


    But there was nothing. No warmth, no hesitation. Just a cold, empty fury.


    ¡°Shut up!¡± she spat, her face twisting into something monstrous, something barely human. Before Rad could react, her hand lashed out, striking him with a force that sent him hurtling backward.


    The sharp, explosive pain of the impact was immediate, ringing through his skull as his body slammed into the couch. The world blurred for a split second, his ears ringing as the couch overturned, spilling him onto the hard floor.


    Rad barely had time to breathe before she was on him again, a towering, shadowy figure against the dim light of the apartment. Her piercing blue eyes glowed with unbridled fury, cold and lifeless, like the eyes of a predator.


    Rad opened his mouth to plead, to beg, but no words came fast enough. The first punch drove into his face like a hammer, splitting his lip open.


    Then another. And another.


    Pain exploded through his body, each blow rattling his bones, his mind spiraling into a fog of agony. The taste of blood filled his mouth, metallic and warm, dripping down his chin as his screams tore through the apartment.


    Outside, a few passersby had stopped, their faces flickering with vague discomfort. But that was all. No one stepped forward. No one knocked on the door. No one cared.


    ¡°Mom!¡± Rad choked out between sobs, his voice breaking, his words reduced to a helpless wail.


    But his mother didn¡¯t stop. Her fists rained down like a storm, each one landing harder than the last, battering not only his fragile body but his very soul.


    Time lost meaning. Seconds stretched into eternity as the assault continued, grinding away at whatever was left of Rad¡¯s spirit. His sobs grew weaker, his struggles feeble.


    The world shrank to the pain, the suffocating weight of betrayal pressing down on him like an iron vice. How could a mother hate her own child so much?


    How could she hurt the boy she had once cradled in her arms? Was there nothing left of that love, or had it been swallowed whole by the bitterness of her life?


    Rad couldn¡¯t understand. And then, finally, mercifully, the blows began to slow. His mother¡¯s breathing was ragged now, her shoulders heaving as if she had exhausted all the rage inside her. Her fists trembled mid-air, hovering over his battered form.


    Something changed in her expression. Her eyes, once alight with fury, now flickered with something else, something raw. Something broken.


    Rad lay there, sobbing violently, curling in on himself, his body wracked with pain. His soul screamed louder than his voice ever could, but his mother wasn¡¯t looking at him anymore.


    She was looking at her own hands. They shook, bloodied and bruised, marked by the violence she had unleashed. Her breath hitched, and then, as if all at once, the weight of what she had done crashed down on her.


    Tears welled in her eyes. Her lips quivered. And then, a sob ripped from her throat, a sound of pure, unfiltered grief.


    She fell apart completely. Rad flinched at the sound of her wailing, his entire being too drained, too shattered to comprehend what was happening.


    His mother clutched her head tightly, her cries growing louder, as though she were being torn apart from the inside. Her body shook violently, her screams mingling with Rad¡¯s own, filling the apartment with a raw, agonizing symphony of pain.


    Rad gasped, shakily rolling onto his stomach, dragging himself away from her, his entire frame convulsing with sobs. He didn¡¯t want to be near her. He couldn¡¯t.


    Behind him, his mother wept, her cries desperate, unrelenting. But Rad didn¡¯t turn back.


    He crawled forward, leaving her alone in the wreckage of their ruined home, her broken sobs echoing behind him like a ghost of what could have been. Hours dragged by in suffocating silence as Rad now lay curled atop his filthy bed, his legs dangling over the edge, the mattress sagging beneath him.


    His ragged breath hitched every so often, his chest rising and falling in uneven gasps as he stared blankly at the locked door. His red, swollen eyes stung with every slow blink, fresh tears brimming at the edges but refusing to fall. Every inch of him ached, his face throbbing, his ribs sore, but none of it compared to the hollow, gnawing pain inside his chest.


    He shuddered, wrapping his arms around himself, his blood-stained fingers gripping his own sides like he was trying to hold himself together. His sniffles, the occasional shaky sigh, these were the only sounds in the dimly lit room, a lonely rhythm to his suffering.


    But then, the silence shifted. Rad felt it before he saw it, a familiar presence beside him, small yet steady, like an anchor in the storm. His guardian angel.


    Slowly, Rad turned his head, his vision blurred from exhaustion and tears. And there, sitting next to him, was Ray.


    Rad¡¯s breath hitched. He hurriedly wiped at his tear-streaked cheeks with his trembling hands, his voice a broken whisper. ¡°¡­R-Ray?¡±


    Ray nodded once, his black-and-white form still against the dim glow of the room. In his lap, he cradled the shattered remains of Rad¡¯s robotic pet, its tiny frame no longer sparking, its wires limp and lifeless.


    Rad¡¯s lips trembled as he gazed upon the broken machine. His chest tightened, his voice barely escaping. ¡°W-why are you here?¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, he slowly reached out with his white cybernetic hand, placing it gently on Rad¡¯s shoulder.


    Rad flinched at the touch, his body tensing on instinct. But Ray didn¡¯t move away. He only whispered, his voice quiet, yet certain.


    ¡°Because¡­ I know what it¡¯s like to be alone.¡±


    A strange warmth spread from Ray¡¯s white palm, seeping into Rad¡¯s bruised skin. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before, soothing, weightless, like the warmth of the sun on a cold day.


    He barely noticed the violet glow pulsing from Ray¡¯s hand as the pain in his body slowly dulled. Wounds knitted back together. Bruises faded. Scars softened.


    Rad shuddered, another tear slipping down his cheek as he took a long, shaky breath. His voice cracked as he whispered into the quiet air. ¡°¡­It¡¯s not fair.¡±


    Ray slowly pulled his hand away, his violet glow fading into the darkness. ¡°What¡¯s not fair?¡± he asked gently.


    Rad wiped his face roughly, frustration bleeding into his sadness. ¡°T-that everyone else gets to be loved¡­¡± His voice wavered, years of unspoken pain unraveling all at once. ¡°Why can¡¯t it be me?¡±


    Ray blinked, his cybernetic eyes widening ever so slightly at Rad¡¯s words. Something in them flickered, emotions, memories, but it they were gone in an instant. His gaze softened, but his voice remained steady.


    ¡°Sometimes, Rad¡­¡± Ray said quietly, tilting his head ever so slightly toward him. ¡°To be loved, you must love others.¡±


    And then, without another word, the ruined remains of Rad¡¯s robotic pet began to rise. Rad gasped, his breath catching as a cosmic glow surrounded the tiny wreckage, lifting it into the air. The soft violet light pulsed like a heartbeat, radiating warmth as the fractured metal and torn wires twisted and reformed, reshaping into something new.


    For the first time in a long time, Ray wasn¡¯t using his power to destroy. He was using it to mend.


    The broken machine trembled as it shifted, its metallic form rippling like liquid stardust. It flickered through a series of shapes, a sleek black wolf with luminous eyes, a shimmering silver fox with a flowing tail, a small glowing rabbit with gentle ears, each one forming and dissolving in a breath before finally settling.


    A radiant violet phoenix. Its metallic feathers gleamed with cosmic energy, each one shedding tiny embers of light that cascaded through the air like falling stars.


    It let out a soft, melodic chirp before flapping its wings, sending a ripple of glowing energy through the room as it soared in a graceful arc. Rad stared, utterly mesmerized, his lips parting as the celestial creature circled above them, a living ember of something beautiful, something impossible.


    Ray¡¯s voice was quiet, almost distant. ¡°That is what my aunt taught me.¡±


    Rad glanced at him, catching the fleeting sadness in Ray¡¯s gaze, the pain buried beneath his robotic monotone. Whatever memories he was reliving, whatever ghosts haunted him, Rad could see them lingering in the edges of his expression.


    The cosmic phoenix let out another chirp before swooping down, perching itself on Rad¡¯s shoulder. It nuzzled against him gently, its warmth spreading through his skin, a feeling so foreign yet so¡­ comforting.


    Rad let out a small, breathy laugh, the first one in what felt like forever. The bird¡¯s soft feathers tickled, and for a moment, just a moment, the weight on his chest felt lighter.


    Ray watched him, a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. It was subtle, but it was there.


    But then, Rad¡¯s laughter faded, replaced by something quieter, something heavier. He lowered his gaze, his voice soft. ¡°I want to change.¡±


    Ray¡¯s cybernetic eyes locked onto him, unreadable, yet patient.


    ¡°I want to become a better person,¡± Rad whispered. ¡°Someone others can love.¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t hesitate to speak. ¡°You will.¡±


    He placed his white hand on Rad¡¯s shoulder once more, this time, Rad didn¡¯t flinch. And there, in the dim glow of the violet phoenix¡¯s light, the two sat in quiet understanding, the warmth of each other¡¯s presence filling the spaces where loneliness used to be.


    But then, a bloodcurdling scream tore through the fragile peace, slicing through the silence like a blade. The sheer rawness of it sent a jolt of fear through Rad¡¯s chest, his body tensing as his breath hitched.


    The sound was primal, agonized, desperate, and filled with something far worse than mere pain. It was suffering. A loud crash followed, making Rad flinch violently, his fingers digging into the mattress as his heartbeat thundered in his ears.


    The robotic phoenix perched on his shoulder cawed sharply in alarm, its cosmic energy flickering like a dying star. Rad¡¯s wide, tear-streaked eyes darted toward the door, panic flooding into his expression.


    Ray, however, did not react with surprise. His warm smile faded, his glowing eyes dimming with quiet, solemn understanding. The echoes of the future had already whispered their warning to him, painting a picture far more terrifying than Rad could imagine.


    Ray knew what was happening. He had seen it.


    Rad¡¯s voice wavered as he swallowed past the lump in his throat. ¡°What¡ª¡± He barely managed to get the words out, his breath shaky. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±


    Ray hesitated, his gaze shifting, flickering with something almost human¡ªpity, perhaps? For a fleeting moment, his fingers curled slightly, his cybernetic form betraying an unnatural stillness. And then, with careful precision, he lied.


    ¡°Your mom¡­¡± Ray said, his voice quieter now, laced with a softness that almost felt like mourning. He averted his gaze as if ashamed. ¡°She is not well.¡±


    Rad¡¯s breath caught, his pulse pounding against his ribs. Concern overtook his fear, overriding every ounce of self-preservation that should have been keeping him frozen In place. Without thinking, he began to move, pushing himself up off the bed, his hands trembling as he steadied himself. ¡°I have to¡ª¡±


    But a firm, small white hand pressed against his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. Rad looked down, startled by the unexpected pressure. His gaze snapped up to meet Ray¡¯s, only to find himself staring into those unblinking glowing eyes, eyes that, despite their mechanical nature, seemed to hold something human, something infinitely tired.


    ¡°What?¡± Rad¡¯s voice was growing more frantic. ¡°Why are you stopping me?¡±


    Ray said nothing at first, simply watching him with that same knowing, sorrowful look. And then, finally, he spoke.


    ¡°I need you to trust me, Rad.¡± His voice was barely above a whisper.


    Rad¡¯s lips parted, his breathing uneven as he processed those words. The second scream rang out, more raw, more broken. It sent an icy bolt of terror straight through his chest.


    His mind screamed at him to run, to help her. But another part of him, the part that knew his mother, that knew the violence she was capable of, kept him rooted in place. Something was wrong.


    ¡°What are you talking about?!¡± Rad turned his head toward the sound, his movements jerky, panicked. ¡°She¡¯s hurt, isn¡¯t she? I have to¡ª¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t respond. He merely closed his eyes for a brief moment before opening them again, his expression unreadable. Slowly, he extended his white cybernetic hand toward Rad, his palm open in silent offering.


    ¡°Let me handle this, Rad.¡± His voice was steady, but there was something else beneath it, something unspoken. Something fragile. ¡°Hold my hand.¡±


    Rad hesitated. Another bloodcurdling scream tore through the apartment, this one even more guttural, more inhuman. The sheer agony in it made his stomach churn. His body trembled with indecision, his mind waging war against itself.


    Go. Stay. Move. Don¡¯t.


    Rad clenched his fists, his breath ragged. Ray¡¯s eyes softened further as he spoke gently. ¡°Please, Rad¡­¡± That voice, Ray¡¯s voice. A pained voice that should no longer be capable of pleading, of shaking, of feeling, and yet, it did.


    Rad took a shaky breath, his vision blurring again as he turned toward Ray. His large, chubby hand hovered over the robotic boy¡¯s palm, fingers trembling as he made his choice. With a final, shuddering exhale, he placed his hand into Ray¡¯s. The contrast was stark, his warm, flesh-and-blood hand completely enveloping Ray¡¯s smaller, smooth cybernetic white one.


    Ray gave a slight nod of approval, though his expression didn¡¯t change. But if one looked closely, if one really looked, they would see the pity etched into the fine details of his face. The sorrow buried within his tired eyes.


    Slowly, Ray¡¯s grip loosened, his fingers barely holding on as his glowing eyes dimmed. Rad felt his body tremble as silent tears slipped down his face once more.


    His free hand clenched the mattress, his nails digging in as another sob threatened to rise. But his voice, when it finally escaped his lips, was not filled with anger.


    Not for himself. Not for his own suffering. But for her.


    ¡°Please be okay¡­¡± His voice was barely a whisper, shaky and raw, filled with a desperation no child should ever have to feel. His chest heaved, his heart aching. ¡°Please be okay¡­ please be okay¡­ please be okay¡­¡±


    The room was a void of darkness, suffocating and heavy, pressing against the walls like a living thing. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, blood, and something far worse, something wrong. And in the center of it all, she lay upon the bed, her body writhing and jerking as if something unseen was tearing her apart from the inside out.


    Rad¡¯s mother¡¯s screams were a raw, jagged thing, bursting from her throat with a force that sent shivers through the very walls. They were not just screams of pain.


    They were filled with something deeper, more visceral, regret, shame, despair. A chorus of suffering that had long since lost its rhythm, unraveling into a discordant wail of a tortured woman who no longer belonged to herself.


    But the screaming never stopped as she thrashed violently atop her bed. Her body contorted unnaturally, her muscles jerking as if being torn apart by unseen hands.


    Her nails, jagged and cracked from years of abuse, dug into the mattress beneath her, piercing the fabric like claws. While the walls bore the scars of countless internal battles, craters, cracks, the remnants of every time she had held herself back from ending the life of yet another child.


    But now, the battle was reaching its end. And she was losing it.


    And above it all, a single ancient window cast an eerie, sterile glow into the room. The cold white light slashed through the darkness, illuminating the woman¡¯s contorted form, giving her a ghostly, almost unreal presence.


    She did not look like she belonged here, in this time, in this world. She was something else entirely, something lost, something displaced, a relic of a past that no longer fit within the present.


    A tortured soul who was forced to exist in a body that no longer belonged to her. Her shrieks no longer fully human. But now the cries of something far worse, something broken beyond repair.


    And in the shadows, watching with unblinking violet eyes, stood Ray. No longer in his childlike form, he was something else now, taller, heavier, his onyx-black exosuit blending seamlessly into the darkness. His tattered black cape hanging completely still over his backside.


    Black chains dangled from his wrists, their cold metal links barely making a sound as they scraped against the dusty floor. But his expression beneath the visor was not one of malice. There was no hatred, no anger. Only pity.


    Ray stared at the woman before him as one would stare at a deeply broken child, one long beyond saving, one that should have been put out of their misery long ago. But he knew the grim truth.


    She plans to kill Rad. Ray¡¯s fingers curled slightly as he thought to himself. I won¡¯t let her.


    He took a slow step forward, his movements utterly silent. But it didn¡¯t matter, she still heard him.


    The woman¡¯s body seized immediately, her head snapping up with a sickening crack as her almost lifeless, haunted blue eyes flared to life.


    And then she lunged. Her body soaring through the air like a predator. A bloodcurdling shriek ripped from her throat, raw and inhuman, her body moving with terrifying speed. The artificial light caught her midair, illuminating her in an eerie, almost ethereal glow.


    ¡°Tiempo Jue¡ª¡± The woman screamed out, her cybernetic black bracelets flaring to life with a crimson red glow.


    But Ray was faster. With mechanical precision, he caught her mid-flight, his grip unyielding as he slammed her back into the mattress. The entire bedframe groaned under the force, but Ray did not falter.


    The pale light streaming in from above now bathed his exosuit in white, distorting his silhouette, turning him into something that almost¡ªalmost¡ªresembled the hero he once was.


    But he was not a hero. Not anymore.


    The woman shrieked, thrashed, her nails clawing at his exosuit, striking at him with everything she had. But it wasn¡¯t enough. It would never be enough. The suit did not dent. The force did not faze him. She was powerless.


    Ray didn¡¯t even flinch. Instead, he reached out, his black-gloved hand settling atop her head, his fingers threading through the tangled strands of her jet-black hair.


    The woman sobbed violently, her body trembling beneath him. Tears¡ªhot, fast, relentless¡ªspilled down her pale cheeks as she choked out the words, her voice cracking under the weight of everything she had been forced to endure.


    ¡°Kill me!¡± she wailed. ¡°Kill me, please!¡±


    Her voice broke completely as her chest heaved up and down rapidly. Her willpower crumbling. But Ray remained still.


    His grip did not tighten, did not falter. Instead, his palm began to glow, a soft, sorrowful violet, pulsing gently against her skull.


    ¡°I know,¡± he murmured. His voice was quiet, almost tender, filled with something that should not have been possible for someone like him. Understanding. Empathy. Sorrow.


    His starry violet eyes softened beneath the visor. ¡°I know, Amelia¡­¡±


    Amelia¡¯s bloodcurdling screams of anguish continued for a long while. But not forever.


    Bit by bit, her shrieks grew weaker. Her thrashing slowed. Her body, once taut with agony, began to relax. And then, at last, silence.


    Amelia now lay still. Her chest rose and fell in steady, even breaths. Her face, twisted in torment just moments ago, was now peaceful. She looked as if she were merely sleeping, as if the horrors of her existence had never touched her.


    Ray did not move. He remained there, hand still resting atop her head, his gaze fixed on her with an unreadable expression. The pale white light shone down upon them both, casting long shadows across the broken walls.


    And then, at last, he spoke. His voice shaking ever so slightly. His spirit now on the verge of shattering completely. ¡°Im sorry¡­¡±


    His voice wavered beneath the unimaginable weight of what he¡¯s done. Of what he has now indirectly allowed to happen. The silence that followed was deafening.


    Ray¡¯s violet starry eyes flickered, his fingers twitching as he finally, finally pulled away. His head dipped slightly, his shaky breath became barely audible.


    This¡­ this¡­ is the result of Rook¡¯s brainwashing experiments.


    A process so vile, so inhuman, that it leaves its victims completely hollow. Left fully incapable of love or empathy. The brutal conditioning doesn¡¯t just break them, it erases them completely. Their souls, rung out over and over and over again, until there is nothing left.


    What now lies before Ray is not a person. Not anymore. That girl¡¯s light had been snuffed out a century ago.


    This is a husk. A tragedy. A warning.


    This¡­ is what Kite will become.

 Chapter 45: Star Of Hope

    The school¡¯s lunchroom pulsed with the usual midday chaos, a cacophony of clattering trays, muffled conversations, and bursts of laughter echoing off the worn walls. Human students, chimera hybrids, and automaton children intermingled in a lively, disordered rhythm, their voices blending into the vibrant, ever-changing tapestry of the school¡¯s diverse population.


    High above, fluorescent lights flickered sporadically, casting a harsh glow over the worn tables and scuffed linoleum floors that told stories of countless previous lunches. Kite, Ava, and Lira were huddled around one of the less rickety tables, their laughter ringing out as they recounted the latest classroom drama between Mona and Bryce.


    Kite gently cradled Ray, who was nestled comfortably in his arms, feigning sleep but occasionally peeking with one eye to stay in tune with the conversation. On the table, Ava and Lira¡¯s white robotic baby lay on its back, emitting soft coos, its tiny mechanical limbs twitching in a dreamy dance.


    From the corner of the cafeteria, Rad entered, his new attire casual yet somewhat rugged, a loose white t-shirt, faded jeans, and a light grey jacket with the sleeves pushed up. All the while his cybernetic Phoenix perched on his shoulder, its cosmic infused feathers shimmering softly under the cafeteria lights.


    Rad scanned the room, his gaze landing on Kite''s group, but a wave of nervousness washed over him, and he continued walking. Near the far end of the room, Kay sat isolated, his new all-black ensemble stark against the bright cafeteria.


    His black fedora, customized for his lop rabbit ears, sat snugly on his head, while dark sunglasses concealed the changes his eyes had undergone. He appeared detached, staring blankly at his untouched lunch tray, lost in a world far from the lively cafeteria around him.


    Rad hesitated only for a moment before joining Kay, offering a tentative smile as he sat down. ¡°Hey,¡± Rad greeted, trying to pierce Kay¡¯s withdrawn demeanor. Kay¡¯s response was a faint, distracted ¡°hello,¡± his voice barely above a whisper.


    The awkward silence between them stretched, with Rad fidgeting under the weight of concern. ¡°Are you okay? You¡¯ve been quieter than usual,¡± Rad finally broke the silence, his tone laced with worry.


    Kay¡¯s response was immediate, a slight widening of his crimson eyes beneath his sunglasses as he briefly met Rad¡¯s gaze. ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± he replied, his voice trembling despite his words.


    Before Rad could press further, their solitude was interrupted by Kite, Ava, and Lira approaching with wide, inviting smiles. Ray, still cradled in Kite¡¯s arms, sneaked a quick glance at Rad before resuming his pretense of sleep.


    While Lira balanced her and Ava¡¯s robotic baby in her arms, sharing a warm grin. Ava playfully chided, ¡°Kite was worried you two would be lonely without us,¡± her hands planted firmly on her hips.


    Kite laughed awkwardly, a sheepish smile spreading across his face. ¡°Sorry, Rad, I wasn¡¯t trying to be mean,¡± he said, rubbing the back of his neck.


    Lira added, ¡°Yeah, we just wanted to check up on you two.¡±


    Rad looked at them, his initial surprise fading into a grateful smile. ¡°Thanks, guys,¡± he said, his voice now carrying a newfound warmth.


    Kita, Ava, and Lira briefly exchanged glances as their smiles wavered in surprise at the warm reaction. But the collective surprise quickly turned back into smiles as they joined him and Kay at the table.


    The conversation resumed between the three kids, laughter and playful banter filling the air, blending into the cacophony of the lunchroom as they settled into the rhythm of their friendship. Rad smiled slightly as he listened, the weight of the world now seeming a little lighter, if only for the moment.


    Kite, Ava, and Lira huddled around the now cluttered table as they chatted, their laughter echoing over the din of chattering students and clattering trays. The air was thick with the smell of cafeteria food, overcooked vegetables and under-seasoned entrees, that somehow added a nostalgic charm to their gathering.


    ¡°You should¡¯ve seen it,¡± Kite chuckled, shaking his head in amusement as he cradled Ray, who continued his charade of sleeping peacefully in his arms. ¡°Mona was like, ¡®If you say one more word, Bryce, I swear¡ª¡®¡±


    Ava interjected with a dramatic flair, mimicking Mona¡¯s fierce tone, ¡°¡¯I¡¯ll turn this classroom into a battle ring!¡¯ Honestly, her face was all red; I thought she was going to fight Bryce right then!¡±


    Lira, holding the robotic baby which made soft cooing sounds, laughed and added, ¡°And Bryce! He just stood there like always with that stupid grin, like he was the king of the world. You know, the kind that says, ¡®Come at me, bro.¡¯¡±


    Kite nodded, his eyes twinkling with mischief. ¡°Yeah, and then Mrs. Lena came storming in like a hurricane. She was like, ¡®If you two don¡¯t stop this instant, you¡¯ll both be spending your afternoons with me for the next month!¡¯¡±


    The group burst Into laughter, imagining the horror on Bryce and Mona¡¯s faces at the threat of extra time with the stern Mrs. Lena. Even Rad, who had been quietly listening, couldn¡¯t help but crack a smile.


    As their laughter subsided, Ava leaned back in her chair, glancing around at the diverse crowd of their schoolmates, chimeras chatting animatedly with automatons, human kids trading snacks. ¡°You know,¡± she said thoughtfully, ¡°it¡¯s moments like these that make me forget about all the crazy stuff going on outside.¡±


    Kite nodded, setting Ray gently down on the table where the little robot continued to pretend sleep. ¡°It¡¯s good to laugh about these things, isn¡¯t it? Keeps us happy.¡±


    Lira agreed, gently bouncing the robotic baby in her arms. ¡°Totally. And hey, at least we¡¯re not the only drama addicts in school, right?¡±


    Rad, now feeling more included and lighter than ever, turned to Kay, trying to draw him more into the conversation with a small smile. ¡°Kay, you¡¯ve been pretty quiet, man. What do you think about the Mona and Bryce show?¡±


    Kay, who had been silently battling his own dark thoughts under his sunglasses and fedora, managed a weak smile. His voice was low but he made an effort to engage. ¡±It¡¯s¡­ entertaining,¡± he said hesitantly. ¡°Keeps things interesting around here.¡±


    His cryptic response hung In the air for a moment, but the others, sensing his discomfort, didn¡¯t press further. Instead, Ava changed the subject to a lighter topic.


    The trio then continued to chat and laugh, the earlier tension dissolving into the background noise of the lively lunchroom. Though Rad sat at the edge of the conversation, his eyes flicking between the laughing trio across from him and the tiny, starry creature perched on his shoulder.


    His cybernetic phoenix, its plumage shimmering with cosmic embers, nestled into his neck with a soft, comforting weight. The light of its violet eyes pulsed in sync with Rad¡¯s uneven breaths.


    Rad smiled faintly at the sight, but his heart weighed heavily in his chest. He turned his gaze toward Kay, who sat stiffly beside him. Kay¡¯s usually wide and curious eyes, hidden behind dark sunglasses, were glued to the scratched metal surface of the table. His small hands fidgeted with the hem of his dark hoodie, his breathing shallow and shaky.


    The sight hit Rad like a punch to the gut. He recognized that look all too well: the hollow stillness, the silent plea for the world to go away.


    ¡°Hey, Kay?¡± Rad¡¯s voice was gentle as it cut through the surrounding noise. Kay flinched slightly, his shoulders tensing before he raised his head just enough to show he was listening.


    Rad smiled softly, trying to summon the warmth he wished he felt more of these days. ¡°You know¡­ I think the birdy here would be happier with you.¡±


    Kay¡¯s head snapped up. His mouth opened slightly, his lips parting with surprise. ¡°Wait¡­ what?¡± he asked, voice trembling with disbelief as he gazed upon the cybernetic Phoenix. ¡°You sure?¡± he muttered hesitantly.


    Rad gave a slow nod, his hand moving to the phoenix on his shoulder. It cooed softly, its cosmic eyes blinking with confusion. As Rad¡¯s fingers stroked the smooth, metallic feathers, glowing violet embers scattered through the air like miniature stars fading into nothing.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure,¡± Rad said, voice cracking slightly. He forced a sad chuckle and glanced at Kay. ¡°Tell your mom I said hi, will you?¡±


    Kay¡¯s crimson eyes widened beneath the sunglasses. His breath caught, and his heart pounded in his chest. The casual sentence hit him like ice water, and his smile faltered. ¡°Yeah,¡± Kay whispered after a long moment. ¡°Of course¡­ I will.¡±


    Rad looked back down at the phoenix. Its small chest rose and fell as it stared at him with those glowing, trusting eyes. The creature seemed to know. It leaned into Rad''s touch with a soft whimper.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°Hey, buddy,¡± Rad whispered, voice trembling now. His vision blurred with unshed tears as he stroked the phoenix¡¯s head. ¡°Keep him company, okay? He¡¯s gonna need someone¡­ like you.¡± He hesitated for a moment, fingers lingering in the creature¡¯s cosmic feathers. ¡°I¡¯ll visit sometime¡­ promise.¡±


    The phoenix gave a long, sorrowful coo as if pleading with Rad to change his mind. But it obeyed. With a final nuzzle against Rad¡¯s hand, it spread its wings and took to the air, trailing glowing embers behind like a comet. The group fell silent immediately watching the bird circle gracefully through the stale cafeteria air.


    ¡°Whoa!¡± Kite gasped, leaning forward with wide eyes. ¡°That¡¯s so cool!¡±


    ¡°I know, right?¡± Lira added, clutching her backpack straps as she grinned.


    Ava pouted slightly, crossing her arms. ¡°Pfft. Whatever. Stupid birdy.¡± Her voice was strained beneath the act, and her eyes betrayed the envy she tried to suppress.


    The phoenix made a final pass overhead before descending. It landed delicately on Kay¡¯s shoulder, tucking its wings as it nestled into the crook of his neck. Kay froze. His breath caught as the warmth of the creature seeped into his cold skin.


    Slowly, almost disbelievingly, he reached up and let his fingers trail over the phoenix¡¯s glowing feathers. ¡°Whoa¡­¡± he whispered.


    ¡°See?¡± Rad said softly, forcing a smile despite the ache in his chest. ¡°It likes you already.¡±


    Kay turned toward Rad, his lips quivering. ¡°Thanks¡­ Rad,¡± he said softly, the weight of those two simple words laden with unspoken gratitude.


    Rad nodded, swallowing hard. ¡°No problem,¡± he said. Then he quickly averted his eyes, his throat constricting as his emotions fought to break free. His voice dropped to a whisper, almost too soft to hear. ¡°It¡¯s what friends do.¡±


    Kay¡¯s enhanced hearing caught the words, and his smile faltered. For a heartbeat, his mask of forced cheer threatened to shatter. But he pressed it back into place with a shaky, hopeful grin.


    ¡°Y-yeah!¡± Kay responded, louder than intended. He reached up and stroked the phoenix¡¯s warm feathers again, clinging to the fragile comfort it provided.


    The phoenix cooed softly and closed its eyes on his shoulder, its warmth easing the chill that had taken root deep inside Kay¡¯s chest. And for the first time in what felt like forever, he felt something other than fear and hopelessness.


    But Rad didn¡¯t look up. His fists were clenched beneath the table, his nails digging into his palms. The warmth of the phoenix¡¯s feathers still lingered faintly on his skin, like a phantom whisper of comfort.


    He thought of his mom. He thought of Kay¡¯s mom. And deep in his heart, he prayed that Kay¡¯s mom would appreciate the gift more than his own ever had.


    Rad¡¯s footsteps echoed against the cracked pavement, each one heavier than the last as he trudged forward. The ringing of the school¡¯s dismissal bell fading as he walked further and further away. Rad¡¯s fingers clutched his backpack straps so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His shoulders slumped, his body weighed down by an invisible force pressing against his chest.


    The school¡¯s graffiti-stained walls faded behind him, swallowed by the thick, oppressive smog of the undercity. The air was thick with the scent of burning metal and oil, the ceaseless hum of machinery filling the silence that stretched inside his mind. It was a cacophony of grinding gears, electric whirs, and distant clanking, relentless, chaotic, and merciless. Just like his own thoughts.


    His vision blurred as he stared blankly ahead, his feet moving on instinct. Where am I even going? The thought gnawed at him as the weight in his stomach grew heavier, as if an iron fist clenched his insides.


    I¡¯ve got nowhere to go now. The realization sank deep, cutting through him like a jagged knife. His pace faltered for a moment as the words echoed in his mind, hollow and cruel. No home. No family. Not even a scrap of food to get me through the night.


    A burst of laughter rang out, sharp and carefree, pulling him from his spiraling thoughts. Rad turned his head slightly, his tired and sunken eyes landing on a group of chimera kids playing near a rusted-out vending machine. Their tails swayed in excitement, their ears twitching as they giggled and shoved at one another, blissfully unaware of the boy walking past them, of the storm raging inside him.


    Their joy was a painful contrast to his own misery. His lips curled slightly, pressing together to keep them from trembling. He forced himself to look away, his teeth sinking into his lower lip hard enough to taste copper.


    Then, the image of his mother, her still, almost lifeless form, flashed behind his eyes. Rad¡¯s steps faltered. His throat tightened, his breath catching as an invisible hand wrapped around his chest and squeezed. The ache in his heart was unbearable, gnawing at him like a wound that would never close.


    She had been so quiet. So peaceful.


    He had never seen her like that before. Not once in his entire life.


    Not when she slept. Not when she drank. Not when she sat in silence, chain-smoking with vacant eyes. But in that moment, when he had found her, her body motionless, her breath calm, it was the first time she didn¡¯t look like a woman suffocating in her own misery.


    She looked¡­ free. Rad¡¯s breath hitched violently as his chest rose and fell in uneven, shallow gasps. His vision blurred again, but this time, he didn¡¯t try to blink the tears away. They came, warm and unrelenting, rolling down his cheeks before falling to the cracked pavement below.


    I¡¯m going to die out here. The thought came without hesitation, not in fear, but in bitter acceptance. His lips parted slightly, but no words came. There was nothing to say.


    Because it was true. The realization settled into him like a cold, numbing weight, pressing down on his shoulders, his spine, his ribs, an unbearable gravity that pulled him deeper and deeper into the abyss of his own despair.


    His hands trembled as they clenched around the straps of his backpack, his nails digging into the fabric. The smog thickened, suffocating him, filling his lungs with something heavy and toxic.


    And yet, no one noticed. No one cared enough to. Rad was now just one of many orphans wandering the desolate streets. His pained spirit now just one of countless souls who walked through a crumbling city of broken dreams and hopelessness.


    The undercity moved around him, machines whirring, neon signs flickering, people passing by without a glance in his direction. The world didn¡¯t stop for him. It never would.


    Rad took another step forward, his tear-streaked face tilted downward. His chest ached with an emptiness that felt too vast to ever be filled. And for the first time in his life, he wondered if maybe, just maybe, disappearing wouldn¡¯t be so bad after all.


    Rad¡¯s feet felt heavier with every step, dragging through the cracked, filthy streets of the undercity. His heart pounded dully in his chest, not from exertion, but from a growing hollowness that gnawed at him like a beast with endless hunger.


    The weight of everything pressed down on him, his mother¡¯s final heart wrenching words, the shattered remains of his home, and the unbearable loneliness that had always wrapped around him like iron chains.


    His fingers clenched his backpack straps until his knuckles turned white. He barely noticed the flickering neon signs above him, advertising bars, cybernetic enhancements, and illegal dealings. The occasional hover car zipped overhead, casting brief flashes of light across his tear-streaked face, but none of it mattered.


    He was a ghost in his own life, walking forward with nowhere to go, no place to belong. But then, like a knife cutting through the deafening silence of his despair, it came.


    ¡°Rad!¡± His name rang out, piercing through the suffocating smog, a beacon of light cutting through the endless gloom. The voice carried with it a warmth, a clarity that shattered the weight of his spiraling thoughts, sweeping them away like an angel¡¯s whisper in the dark.


    Rad froze mid-step, his blood running cold. His breath hitched as he slowly turned, his tired, sunken eyes widening slightly as he saw a figure sprinting toward him at full speed.


    Kite Caulder. The boy nearly crashed into him, skidding to a halt just inches away. Kite bent over, hands on his knees, chest heaving as he gasped for breath. His curly brown hair was a mess, sticking to his forehead, his green pupils flickering with worry.


    Rad opened his mouth to speak, but no words came. For the first time in his life, he was speechless, not out of anger, not out of stubbornness, but out of sheer disbelief.


    Kite had run after him. Why?


    He didn¡¯t have to. He shouldn¡¯t have. Yet here he was.


    ¡°Kite?¡± Rad finally managed, his voice raw from crying, from exhaustion, from everything.


    Kite lifted his head, his expression filled with urgency. ¡°I¡ªI heard what happened!¡± he blurted out between breaths. ¡°Ray told me you got kicked out!¡±


    Rad flinched slightly at the reminder, his hands tightening into fists. His gaze flickered past Kite, landing on Ray hovering a short distance away. The small, robotic boy had his arms crossed, watching hover cars pass by in the distance, but it was clear he was listening. He had told Kite.


    Rad swallowed hard, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°He did?¡± His fingers swiped at his damp cheeks, as if trying to erase the evidence of his suffering.


    Kite straightened, his breathing finally slowing. His bright, genuine green eyes locked onto Rad¡¯s. ¡°Are¡­ are you okay?¡± he asked hesitantly, as if he already knew the answer. ¡°Do you have a place to go?¡±


    Rad¡¯s breath caught in his throat. He had expected questions, accusations, pitying glances, someone telling him he¡¯d figure it out. But Kite¡­ he just asked, without judgment, without pity, just genuine concern.


    Rad hesitated, his mind scrambling for an answer, for a way to push Kite away like he always did. But he couldn¡¯t. Not this time. The weight of his situation was suffocating, and there was no point in lying.


    ¡°I¡­¡± He swallowed hard, forcing himself to meet Kite¡¯s gaze. ¡°No, I don¡¯t. Why?¡±


    Kite didn¡¯t hesitate. His face lit up with a warm smile, a hopeful one, like he had already made up his mind before he even found Rad.


    ¡°Well, you could always stay at my place if you want,¡± he offered casually, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. ¡°My parents have a guest room.¡±


    Rad blinked, his lips parting in shock. ¡°Stay at your place?¡± he echoed, disbelief creeping into his voice.


    Kite nodded, his smile never fading. ¡°It¡¯s cold out here at night, ya know?¡± he added with a little shrug. ¡°And don¡¯t worry, my mom makes great food!¡±


    Rad stared at him, his mind struggling to process the offer. For so long, he had been convinced that no one wanted him, that he was just a burden, something to be cast aside. And yet, here Kite was, inviting him in without hesitation.


    Rad¡¯s throat tightened. He took a slow, shaky breath and glanced back at the undercity, the only home he had ever known. The crumbling streets, the suffocating smog, the loneliness that clung to him like a second skin.


    And then, Kite¡¯s laughter broke through his thoughts. ¡°Come on, Rad!¡± Kite called over his shoulder, already walking ahead. ¡°Ray¡¯s gonna be lonely if you don¡¯t come!¡±


    Ray rolled his cybernetic eyes, but there was the smallest hint of a smirk on his otherwise expressionless face. He lightly punched Kite¡¯s shoulder in a silent reprimand, but it was easy to see the close bond between them.


    Rad lingered for a moment longer. He had spent so much time hating Kite, resenting him for his kindness, his optimism, his light. But now, standing here, watching him and Ray, something inside him softened.


    For the first time in his life, someone had chosen him. Rad took a slow step forward, then another. He clenched his fists, then released them. A smile, small, hesitant, but real, formed on his lips.


    ¡°Sure,¡± he said, picking up his pace. ¡°Who wouldn¡¯t want me around?¡±


    Kite turned back to look at him, grinning, and suddenly Rad found himself laughing too. Not a forced laugh, not one filled with sarcasm or bitterness, but a real, genuine laugh.


    The sound of their laughter echoed through the smog-filled streets of the undercity, mixing with the hum of machinery and the neon glow of the city lights. And just like that, the weight Rad had been carrying for so long¡­ felt just a little bit lighter.

 Chapter 46: A broken family Pt.1

    The fluorescent lights of Rook¡¯s Bargain Outlet buzzed overhead, casting a dull yellow glow over the store¡¯s stained tile floor. The air smelled of old metal and cheap artificial goods, a staple scent of the undercity¡¯s commercial districts.


    The aisles were crammed with mismatched products, prepackaged foods stacked haphazardly beside outdated tech parts, alongside crates of low-quality clothing and bootleg pharmaceuticals. Scattered around the store were the ever-present symbols of Rook Enterprises, his infamous rook chess emblem painted onto the walls, stamped onto price tags, and glowing faintly from the store¡¯s rusting security drones that hovered silently above.


    Though the man himself was nowhere to be seen, his mark was an inescapable reminder of who really owned this place. At the front of the store, hunched behind an aging cash register, sat Leya. Kay¡¯s mother.


    Her rabbit ears twitched every time a customer spoke too loudly, and her slender, scarred fingers trembled slightly as they tapped against the register¡¯s worn-out touch screen. She wore the store¡¯s mandatory uniform, a dull red polo shirt with the Rook emblem stitched over her heart, along with black cargo pants and scuffed sneakers that had seen better days.


    Her once-pristine white and gray fur had become slightly unkempt from long shifts, and stray wisps of dark hair stuck out from the messy ponytail she had tied hastily that morning. Deep circles rested under her weary eyes, though she kept her expression locked into a practiced, polite smile.


    This was the routine, smile, scan, bag, repeat. Even when exhaustion threatened to break her. Even when her mind wandered to Kay and how she hadn¡¯t checked on him in hours. Even when her pulse quickened with the creeping feeling that everything inside her was on the verge of snapping.


    The first few customers were manageable. A tired-looking chimera mother with two rowdy hybrid children who kept tugging on each other¡¯s ears as they ran circles around the register.


    ¡°Sorry about them, they¡¯re a handful,¡± the mother said apologetically as she handed over a handful of tecabites.


    Leya forced a timid chuckle and shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s fine, really!¡± she reassured, though her fingers trembled as she tried to count out the woman¡¯s change.


    The next few were worse. A grizzled undercity worker dumped a pile of prepackaged meals onto the counter. He reeked of sweat and old machine oil.


    ¡°Hurry it up, rabbit, I ain¡¯t got all day,¡± he grunted, barely glancing at her as he leaned against the counter.


    Leya flinched slightly but nodded quickly, forcing her hands to move faster even as her heart pounded in irritation.


    Smile. Scan. Bag. Repeat.


    Then came the usual sleazy types. A man with cybernetic implants leaned forward with a smirk as she rang up his purchase. His sharp yellow teeth gleamed under the fluorescent lights.


    ¡°Hey, sweetheart, why don¡¯t you smile for real, huh? Bet you¡¯d look even cuter,¡± he crooned.


    Leya clenched her jaw but still forced a polite grin. ¡°That¡¯ll be 34 credits.¡±


    ¡°Aw, come on, what¡¯s with the attitude? Someone as pretty as you should be a little friendlier.¡±


    Leya¡¯s fingers dug into the counter. Her ears flattened slightly as her tail stiffened behind her. ¡°Sir, please¡ª¡±


    The man chuckled darkly, tossing a few tecabites onto the counter before grabbing his purchase and walking off. ¡°No need to be so cold, sweetheart. I¡¯ll see you around.¡± The man warned with a dirty grin.


    Leya barely swallowed down the lump in her throat as she began her mechanical routine. A few more customers would pass by as her fake smile steadily faded more and more. By the time the next customer arrived, Leya was teetering on the edge of something volatile.


    An elderly man, hunched over a cane, shuffled forward shakily with a warm smile. His smile filled with care and kindness despite his recent struggles in the undercity. His fur was aged and speckled with gray, his movements slow and gentle.


    ¡°Oh, dearie, I think this one rang up wrong. It says 12 tecabites, but I could¡¯ve sworn the sign said 10.¡±


    Leya barely heard him. Her pulse was hammering in her ears.


    ¡°Uh, ma¡¯am? Is there a discount today?¡± the old man asked again, his tone genuinely polite. ¡°Its fine either way I can-¡°


    But something inside Leya snapped as she cut him off. ¡°I¡ª¡± Her voice spiked with frustration. ¡°I don¡¯t know, okay?!¡± she snapped, her tone sharper than she intended. ¡°I didn¡¯t make the damn thing!¡±


    The entire store seemed to go silent around her. The elderly man blinked in shock, his ears drooping slightly as his smile faltered. ¡°Oh¡­ I¡¯m sorry, dear, I didn¡¯t mean to be a bother.¡±


    Leya stared at him, the heat still bubbling under her skin, but now met with a crushing wave of shame. ¡°No, wait¡ª¡± Leya reached out, panic setting in, her voice suddenly trembling with regret. ¡°I¡ªI didn¡¯t mean it like that, I just¡ª¡±


    But the damage was done. The old man¡¯s eyes watered, his wrinkled hands trembling as he clutched his cane. ¡°Its okay, mam¡­¡± The man whispered as he tried to maintain his composure. The few customers nearby turned toward the scene, their whispers growing louder. ¡°Poor guy¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s her problem?¡±


    ¡°It was just a question, geez.¡±


    A small crowd began forming, their expressions shifting between disapproval and sympathy for the old man. Leya felt suffocated. Her ears pressed flat against her skull, her tail curling inward as she instinctively shrunk in on herself.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡ª¡± her voice cracked, her hands trembling as she tried to bow her head in apology. ¡°I swear, I didn¡¯t mean¡ª¡±


    But her apology was swiftly cut off as that dreaded voice rang out from the intercom. ¡°Leya. Office. Now.¡±


    Leya went rigid. A few customers murmured quietly, their judgmental stares burning into her.


    The old man wiped his eyes with shaking hands as a younger chimera came to comfort him.


    Leya bit her lip, her chest tightening painfully. She wanted to disappear.


    With shaky, heavy steps, she turned from the mess she made and began walking toward the back office. As she stepped past the crowd, she could feel the weight of their gazes, their unspoken condemnation pressing down on her.


    Her throat tightened, her vision blurred, but she forced her trembling legs forward. Before she disappeared behind the door, she whispered under her breath, barely audible over the chatter.


    ¡°Damn it¡­¡± And with that, the door shut behind her.


    Leya sat rigidly in the cramped, dimly lit office of Rook¡¯s Bargain Outlet, her hands clenched into fists on her lap. The room reeked of cigarette smoke and stale coffee, the kind of stagnant, suffocating atmosphere that made it clear this was a place where bad news was delivered frequently.


    Stacks of untouched paperwork were shoved into metal drawers, the cheap plastic desk cluttered with half-empty energy drink cans and a blinking holo-screen displaying sales data. The air purifier in the corner sputtered weakly, struggling against the overwhelming musk of the undercity¡¯s pollution that seeped in through the vents.


    At the other side of the desk sat Ms. Sylvia Caine, Leya¡¯s boss, a tall, broad-shouldered cyborg woman with sharp features, dark skin, and piercing amber eyes that always seemed to be judging everyone around her. Her short, curly hair was tightly cropped, and she wore the standard black and orange business suit issued to all managerial staff under Rook Enterprises, pressed, polished, and utterly lifeless.


    Her nails were perfectly manicured, her tie adjusted flawlessly, and her demeanor cold as steel. She didn¡¯t even look up when Leya walked in¡ªjust tapped at the holoscreen with a metallic fingertip, her cybernetic hand clicking softly as she flipped through data.


    Then, without looking up, she spoke. ¡°Leya, do you have any idea how many times we¡¯ve had this conversation?¡± Sylvia¡¯s tone was measured, professional, but laced with an unmistakable edge of irritation.


    Leya swallowed hard, her ears flattening against her skull. She forced herself to sit still, even though her body screamed for her to run, to fight, to do anything but endure another scolding. She¡¯d had a long day. She was tired. She was sick of this place.


    Still, she tried to play along. ¡°Ms. Caine, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Six times,¡± Sylvia cut her off, finally looking up. Her cold amber gaze locked onto Leya¡¯s, her expression unreadable. ¡°Six different times, Leya. Six reports. Six warnings. Six separate occasions where you either yelled at, threatened, or¡ªon two occasions¡ªphysically attacked a customer.¡±


    Leya¡¯s jaw tightened, and she fought the rising pressure in her chest. ¡°They provoked me,¡± she said through gritted teeth, forcing a tight-lipped smile to cover her frustration. ¡°No one ever says anything when they treat me like garbage, but the second I fight back¡ª¡±


    Sylvia sighed, she¡¯d heard this excuse a thousand times before. She gestured lazily to the large framed portrait hanging on the office wall, a polished, lifeless image of Rook himself. His vivid orange hair was neatly slicked back, his pale skin unnervingly smooth, and his cybernetic orange eyes glowed faintly with an artificial intensity. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, the Rook emblem pinned proudly to his chest.


    Beneath his picture, a plaque displayed the store¡¯s slogan in bold, capital letters: ¡°CUSTOMERS FIRST. EMPLOYEES SECOND. PROFITS ALWAYS.¡±


    Sylvia tapped the plaque once, then leaned forward slightly, fixing Leya with a mocking smirk. ¡°This? This is the only thing that matters, Leya. Not your feelings. Not your pride. Not your excuses.¡±


    Leya¡¯s eye twitched. Her claws dug into the fabric of her black cargo pants. The anger she had been shoving down all day finally snapped.


    ¡°That¡¯s bullshit!¡± Leya suddenly roared, her ears standing upright, her tail bristling.


    Sylvia didn¡¯t even flinch. She just shook her head, as if she had expected this, before folding her hands together neatly on the desk.


    ¡°And your opinion doesn¡¯t matter,¡± she said coolly, tilting her head. ¡°Because as of this moment, Leya, you¡¯re fired.¡±


    Silence. Leya¡¯s breath caught in her throat. Her chest heaved as she processed those words. Fired? No. No, this couldn¡¯t be happening. I got had bills to pay. Rents due.


    And most importantly¡ª Kay. Shock quickly gave way to rage. She slammed her hands on the desk, ears flattened in pure fury. ¡°You can¡¯t do this! I have a kid at home!¡±


    Sylvia¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. If anything, she looked bored. ¡°Then maybe you should¡¯ve thought about that before you lost your temper.¡±


    Leya¡¯s claws flexed, her breathing ragged. She was shaking, her vision blurring with frustration.


    Sylvia stood slowly, straightening her tie with calm precision. ¡°Now,¡± she said evenly, ¡°I suggest you leave before I have security throw you out.¡±


    But Leya didn¡¯t move. She couldn¡¯t move. Something in her snapped.


    With a furious snarl, she lunged over the desk, her claws outstretched. She was incredibly fast, but Sylvia was faster.


    With a fluid, practiced motion, Sylvia ducked, then threw a brutal punch into Leya¡¯s gut, the impact so powerful that it sent Leya flying backwards, crashing through the office door and skidding across the store floor.


    The entire store fell silent as they watched Leya¡¯s soaring body. Customers turned to watch with wide eyes as Leya now lay sprawled across the tile, gasping for air. The pain was unbearable, her ribs throbbed, her vision swam, and the world spun around her.


    Guards were on her instantly, grabbing her arms before she could stand. Sylvia calmly stepped out of the office, straightening her sleeves and adjusting her tie as she looked down at Leya with a detached expression.


    ¡°If I ever see you in this store again, you¡¯ll be shot on the spot,¡± she said flatly. Leya thrashed violently, screaming in pure fury, but the guards tightened their grip. She kicked, she flailed, she cursed, but it was no use.


    They dragged her through the aisles, past the watching customers, past the shelves lined with cheap goods, past the storefront decorated with Rook¡¯s emblem, before finally hurling her onto the cold cracked pavement outside.


    The door quickly slammed shut behind her. The undercity¡¯s acidic rain drizzled softly from above, soaking her clothes as she lay there, trembling, breathing hard, her face twisted in pain and fury.


    She curled her fingers into fists, her claws scraping against the wet pavement as a choked sob ripped from her throat. Everything hurt. Everything was falling apart. And she had almost nowhere to go.


    Leya now sat hunched over on a torn, stained couch, its stuffing poking through the worn-out fabric. The entire room smelled of damp rot and old cigarette smoke, the air thick with the scent of something stale and long abandoned.


    The walls were yellowed, the once-white paint now cracked and peeling, revealing the rusted metal framework beneath. The single overhead light flickered, barely illuminating the room beyond a dull, sickly glow.


    In the corner, an old analog clock ticked relentlessly, each mechanical click slicing through the silence like a blade.


    Leya¡¯s clothes were still wet, having discarded her employee work shirt during the long walk, her black tank top and cargo pants were completely soaked from the acidic rain that had drizzled upon her as she made her way here. Her fur clung to her skin, the black-and-white patches of it matted with a mixture of rainwater and dirt.


    She held a bottle of cheap alcohol in her shaking hands, her fingers twitching around the glass as she fidgeted restlessly. The amber liquid inside sloshed slightly with her every movement.


    Leya had been sitting there for what felt like hours, her mind spiraling downward into the abyss of her problems. No job. No income.


    No way to pay rent. How the hell am I supposed to take care of Kay now? Leya thought to herself as she shook lightly.


    Leya had already been barely scraping by, surviving on the crumbs of whatever jobs she could get. But now?


    Now she had nothing. Leya clenched her jaw, squeezing the bottle so tight she thought it might shatter in her grip.


    The clock ticked. She hated that sound.


    It reminded her of how little time she had left before everything collapses. Before she loses him too.


    But just as another wave of dread threatened to suffocate her, the door creaked open. Soft, deliberate metal footsteps echoed through the silence, each step precise and rhythmic.


    Leya slowly lifted her head, her tired, sunken eyes locking onto the figure that entered the room. A robotic boy stood in the doorway, his body sleek and well-maintained, though his posture carried a certain unnerving stillness, as if he were designed to observe, rather than exist.


    His glowing dark blue eyes flickered slightly, set within a smooth onyx-black faceplate, a faint outline of human-like features molded into the synthetic metal. His frame was slender yet sturdy, built with an efficiency that suggested he was more than just a simple machine. He wore a dark navy hoodie, slightly oversized, with sleeves that covered part of his mechanical hands.


    The hood was pulled back, revealing the intricate network of circuits and plates that made up his head. ¡°My mother will see you now,¡± he said, his voice calm, too calm, lacking any hint of real emotion, yet somehow eerily human in its cadence. As if he too were alive.


    Leya blinked slowly, as if it took a second for her to process the words. She swallowed thickly, nodding stiffly as she shifted forward, gripping the bottle one last time before setting it down with a soft clink against the floor.


    ¡°Right¡­¡± Her voice cracked slightly before she cleared her throat. ¡°Thanks, kid.¡±


    The robotic boy didn¡¯t respond, just took a step back, allowing her to pass. Leya hesitated for a split second before forcing herself to stand.


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    Her legs felt weak, as if they didn¡¯t want to support her anymore, but she pushed forward. She walked past the boy and into the dimly lit hallway, the air colder here, the walls narrowing as if they were closing in.


    Each step felt heavier than the last. And for the first time in a long while, Leya struggled to hold back her tears.


    Leya sat stiffly in a worn-out leather chair, her fingers gripping the armrests tightly, her claws digging into the faded material. The room was dimly lit, illuminated only by the soft glow of a small artificial lamp resting atop the old, metal desk between her and the therapist.


    The walls were a dull, muted gray, the faint hum of ventilation the only sound filling the space besides the distant ticking of an analog clock. There were no personal decorations, nothing warm or inviting, just a sterile, mechanical coldness that mirrored the joyless city outside.


    Across from her, the therapist sat calmly, her polished silver hands resting lightly atop the desk. She was a robotic woman, though unlike most automatons in the undercity, she had been built with strikingly human features.


    Her face was made of a smooth, synthetic material, sculpted with delicate precision to resemble a woman in her late 30s. Her dark copper and blue eyes flickered with soft, artificial intelligence, her movements precise yet eerily fluid. Long, platinum-white fibers cascaded down her back, designed to mimic hair, framing her elegant yet emotionless face.


    She wore a deep blue high-collared blazer, formal and pressed, paired with a matching pencil skirt. A subtle emblem of Rook¡¯s insignia was imprinted onto the lapel, a reminder of who funded these therapy sessions.


    For a long moment, neither woman spoke. The silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating.


    Then, the therapist finally broke it. ¡°How have you been, Leya?¡± she asked, her voice gentle yet devoid of true warmth.


    Leya let out a hollow, bitter laugh, leaning forward and rubbing her temples. ¡°Well¡­ I got fired. Again.¡±


    The therapist nodded, not surprised. ¡°I see. And how are you feeling about that?¡±


    Leya scoffed, shaking her head. ¡°Like shit.¡±


    She exhaled sharply, glancing at the bottle of cheap alcohol sitting on the nearby table, condensation forming on the glass from the cold. ¡°It¡¯s not like it matters, though. I¡¯ll find another one, right?¡±


    Leya continued, her voice laced with exhaustion. ¡°Just like last time. And the time before that. And the time before that.¡±


    The therapist watched her carefully before speaking. ¡°You always do.¡±


    Leya¡¯s fingers twitched slightly against the armrest. ¡°Yeah, and that¡¯s the problem.¡±


    She hesitated before finally saying the words aloud. ¡°I started hitting Kay again.¡±


    A flicker of something passed through the therapist¡¯s artificial eyes, not quite shock, but an acknowledgment of something deeply troubling.


    She remained silent, waiting. Leya swallowed hard, feeling her hands start to shake. ¡°The other day¡­ he dropped a plate while cleaning. It was an accident, but I was already pissed off from work, and when I scolded him, we started arguing.¡±


    She clenched her jaw, forcing herself to continue. ¡°And before I knew it, I¡­¡± Her voice cracked, her claws digging lightly into her palm. ¡°I hit him.¡±


    The weight of the confession made the room feel even smaller. ¡°I didn¡¯t even realize what I¡¯d done until after it happened.¡±


    The therapist¡¯s expression remained neutral, but her voice softened just slightly. ¡°Does Kay know it was an accident?¡±


    Leya gave a bitter laugh, her ears twitching with agitation as tears began to well in her eyes. ¡°No. I stormed off right after. Didn¡¯t even give him a chance to talk.¡±


    She exhaled sharply through her nose, shifting in her chair, her body tense and restless. ¡°He probably hates me,¡± she muttered, her voice trembling. ¡°Probably wishes he had a better mom. A better home.¡±


    The therapist let the silence linger for a moment before speaking again. Her voice gentle yet laced with hesitation. ¡°Leya¡­ are these outbursts because of the anniversary?¡±


    Leya froze immediately. The room became unbearably still.


    The ticking of the clock filled the void, growing louder, more intrusive, digging into her like a relentless drumbeat.


    She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. A minute passed. Then another.


    Her shoulders began to shake. Her breathing grew uneven.


    And then, the floodgates broke. A ragged sob tore its way from her throat as her body collapsed inward, shaking violently as she buried her face in her hands.


    The overwhelming pressure, the years of suppressed grief, rage, self-loathing, all of it shattered in an instant. Tears streamed down her face, soaking her fur as her sobs grew louder, raw and unfiltered in their pain.


    The therapist leaned forward slightly, her metallic hands clasped together before she stood up to console Leya.


    ¡°Take your time, Leya,¡± she said softly as she placed a gentle hand on Leya¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Let it out.¡±


    Leya couldn¡¯t stop the tears. She clutched at her chest, her cries broken, anguished, as if she were trying to claw the pain out of her own body.


    She hated herself. For everything. For Kay. For the life she had built. For the life she had lost.


    And standing just outside the doorway, the robotic boy watched silently, his dark blue eyes flickering as he processed what he was seeing.


    His fingers twitched slightly, his expression unreadable. But he didn¡¯t move. He simply listened. All the while Leya wept, shattered and exhausted, the weight of everything finally too much to bear.


    An hour would soon pass as Leya staggered through a graveyard, her footsteps uneven, the weight of her grief pressing down on her like an unbearable chain. The cold air bit at her fur, damp with tears, as the wind carried the scent of distant rain and damp earth.


    The hover cars above cast fleeting beams of artificial light, their engines humming softly in the distance, indifferent to the broken woman below. She barely registered their presence, her vision blurred not just from the alcohol that still coursed through her system, but from the raw grief that twisted and clawed at her insides.


    In her shaking grip, she clutched her half-empty bottle of cheap alcohol, the glass slick from where her fingers trembled. Each sip had done nothing to dull the pain, if anything, it had only made it worse, amplifying the hollowness within her chest until it felt like she was caving in.


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity of walking, Leya came to a stop. Her breath hitched, her pulse erratic as she stood before a simple, makeshift gravestone, its surface worn by time. She had built it herself a decade ago, a poor excuse for a memorial, yet it was all she could give. A monument of guilt.


    Her knees threatened to buckle, her body swaying slightly from the alcohol and exhaustion, but she forced herself to remain standing. ¡°Deacon¡­¡± She whispered, her voice barely more than a breath, lost in the wind.


    Her ears flattened against her head, and her lips trembled as she spoke. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry¡­¡±


    A fresh wave of tears welled up, slipping down her cheeks and darkening the fur beneath her eyes. The overwhelming shame, the years of mistakes, the self-hatred that gnawed at her like a parasite, it all came rushing back, consuming her whole.


    ¡°I can¡¯t do anything right¡­¡± The words came out in a breathless sob, her chest heaving, her body convulsing with every sharp inhale.


    She took a shaky step forward, her grip tightening around the bottle as her emotions swelled into something unbearable. ¡°All I ever do is fuck things up!¡± she suddenly shrieked, her voice raw and broken.


    The pain was too much. The weight of her existence too unbearable. Her hand clenched too hard, the bottle shattered, jagged shards slicing into her palm as the sting barely even registered through her hysteria. Scarlet droplets fell onto the dry, barren dirt, staining it red.


    ¡°I can¡¯t keep a job¡­ can barely even cook a meal¡­ I can¡¯t even fucking drive!¡± she raged, her voice cracking, her body trembling uncontrollably.


    Her breathing came in erratic, broken sobs, her shoulders shaking as she hurled the shattered remains of the bottle across the graveyard, watching the pieces scatter like the fragments of her shattered life.


    She dropped to her knees, her strength completely failing her as she buried her face in her bloodied hands.


    ¡°I¡¯m such a fuckup¡­¡± Her voice was barely more than a whisper now, broken and exhausted.


    ¡°All I ever do is hurt people. It¡¯s all I¡¯ve ever been able to do, and now I¡¯m supposed to raise a kid?¡±


    Her body curled inward, as if trying to make herself smaller, as if she could disappear completely. Her voice became softer, weaker, as she wiped at her tear-stained face, her fingers leaving smudges of crimson from her wounded hand.


    ¡°I can¡¯t do this without you, Deacon¡­¡± The name felt like a knife against her tongue, an ache so deep she thought she might choke on it.


    She sucked in a shaky breath, her fingers gripping the cold dirt beneath her, grounding her, anchoring her to something, anything, because she felt like she was drifting away. ¡°I¡¯m not good enough¡­ I¡¯ll never be good enough¡­¡±


    She lifted her head, her watery eyes gazing up at the distant hover cars, their lights flickering against the gloom of the undercity sky. The world had moved on without him.


    Without her. Without Kay. Everything had kept turning, and yet, here she was, stuck in the past, drowning in her own failures and misery.


    Her voice was nothing more than a whisper, carried away by the wind. ¡°I just wish you were still here instead of me¡­¡±


    Her ears twitched slightly as the wind howled in response, an empty answer to a prayer that would never be answered. Her gaze slowly lowered to the makeshift gravestone again, her expression softening, less consumed by rage, but instead¡­ something aching, longing.


    A love that had never faded, even after all this time. ¡°I just miss you so much, Deacon¡­¡±


    Her fingers brushed against the rough, weathered surface of the makeshift gravestone, her touch gentle, reverent despite her trembling hands. ¡°You were everything to me.¡±


    Kay sat atop his worn-out bed, his small frame dwarfed by the weight of the reality settling in around him. The dim glow of streetlights filtering through the cracked blinds barely illuminated his neat but rundown room, casting long, jagged shadows against the peeling walls.


    Old posters of superheroes and action stars, their colors faded and edges curled, decorated the walls, remnants of his late father¡¯s past. A collection of dusty action figures lined a crooked shelf, standing as silent sentinels from a life that was slipping further and further from his grasp.


    Among the relics of childhood, a few photographs rested on his nightstand, capturing a time long before he was born. A younger, happier, Leya and her partner, Deacon, standing side by side in crisp police uniforms, their eyes bright with determination, their smiles genuine.


    Kay¡¯s eyes lingered on them for a long moment, his heart aching in ways he couldn¡¯t put into words. The parents in those photographs felt like strangers, people he had only heard of in stories, never truly known.


    Above him, the cybernetic phoenix soared effortlessly, its metallic wings leaving behind a trail of shimmering cosmic embers that flickered in the dim light like dying stars in an infinite sky. The soft hum of its cybernetic body filled the room, a gentle, soothing sound that contrasted against the quiet agony clawing at Kay¡¯s rotting insides.


    A small smile ghosted over Kay¡¯s lips as he watched the mechanical phoenix dance through the air, free, unburdened, untouched by the cruel hand of fate. How he envied it.


    Its joy. Its cheer. And most of all, its freedom.


    The Phoenix took one final cycle around the room before gracefully descending, perching itself on his frail shoulder, its warmth pressing against his ice-cold skin.


    Kay giggled weakly at the sensation, though his breath came out ragged, his voice barely above a whisper. As he laughed, his fangs glinted in the dim light, his crimson eyes glowing softly in the darkness.


    ¡°You¡¯re a cute fella¡­ aren¡¯t you?¡± Kay murmured, his voice tinged with exhaustion as he gently ran a trembling hand over the phoenix¡¯s sleek metal feathers.


    The Phoenix let out a light, soothing caw, nudging its head against his cheek. Kay let out a breathy chuckle, though it wavered slightly. He barely had the strength to hold his own hand steady.


    ¡°¡­I¡­ I think I¡¯ll name you Skippy¡­¡± His voice was barely more than a whisper, as if saying the name alone required effort.


    His vision flickered, the edges blurring, darkening, the weight of exhaustion pressing down like a suffocating blanket. The Phoenix tilted its head, sensing the shift. Kay barely noticed the way his body swayed, his strength slipping through his fingers like sand.


    Then, without warning, a violent cough tore through his chest, rattling his frail frame. Dark crimson splattered onto his trembling hands.


    Kay stared at the warm blood pooling in his palm, his expression unreadable. The sight should have terrified him. But instead, he simply sighed, wiping it off onto the fabric of his pants as if it were nothing more than a stain.


    Above him, Skippy cawed frantically, its wings flaring as it hovered in front of him, its metallic eyes filled with artificial but undeniable concern. But Kay only gave a weak, tired smile, his voice soft, as fragile as glass.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡­ Skippy.¡± His breath came in ragged gasps, his chest rising and falling unevenly. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine¡­¡±


    The Phoenix let out another distressed chirp, but Kay knew it saw through the lie. He felt the weight of its gaze, its silent plea, but before he could do anything, the garage door groaned open in the distance, the mechanical grind slicing through the heavy silence.


    Kay let out a small, weak chuckle, forcing himself upright as he slid off the bed, his legs shaky beneath him. ¡°Looks like Mom¡¯s home¡­¡± He muttered, reaching blindly for his black sunglasses, slipping them over his glowing crimson eyes.


    Skippy didn¡¯t move. It hovered in place, its gaze never leaving him, as if it knew, as if it could feel the inevitable approaching. Kay turned, offering the Phoenix one last glance. His smile was small, tired¡­ forced.


    ¡°She¡¯ll love to meet you.¡± With that, he stepped out of the room, leaving behind the warmth of Skippy¡¯s light in the darkness.


    Kay¡¯s feet felt like lead as he trudged down the dark, narrow hallway, his body weak, trembling, the edges of his vision blurring with each step. His fingertips ghosted along the cracked walls, the tips of his razor-sharp claws scratching faint grooves into the surface, leaving behind silent echoes of his passing.


    The air was heavy, thick with the suffocating weight of memories, pressing down on him like chains wrapped around his chest. As he walked, his dull, crimson eyes caught a glimpse of something familiar, an old, dusty photo, its glass covered in a thin film of neglect.


    Kay stopped for just a second, his unsteady breath hitching in his throat as he gazed upon the image. A younger version of himself, barely a toddler, sat perched on Leya¡¯s shoulders, his tiny hands clutching onto her messy hair for balance.


    Leya had been so much younger then, but her eyes¡­ they were already so tired. Her gaze, even as she held her son close, was hollow, burdened, the kind of exhaustion that sank deeper than the flesh, something woven into the very fabric of her soul.


    It was a photo taken shortly after she had been relieved of duty, shortly after the world had ripped away the last shred of stability she had left. Even then, long before her spiral began, the pain had already been there, waiting, festering.


    Kay swallowed hard, forcing himself to move on. He passed more photos, each one a relic of a different, fading time.


    Another one caught his attention. A more recent one, this time, not of him.


    Leya sat at a restaurant table, wearing a white dress and heels, her bruises expertly hidden beneath layers of fabric and makeup. She was smiling. Laughing.


    Beside her, her then-boyfriend, a man dressed in a black suit with an orange tie, grinned as he leaned toward her, his expression seemingly warm, affectionate. But Kay knew better.


    Kay knew how that relationship had ended. Knew the bruises that the fabric couldn¡¯t hide.


    He exhaled shakily, his body visibly trembling now, but he didn¡¯t stop. He couldn¡¯t.


    His steps eventually led him to the living room, where Leya sat slumped on the old couch, staring blankly at the ceiling. Her watery, sunken eyes were unfocused, her face drawn with exhaustion, her frail body seemingly held together by nothing more than sheer willpower.


    She looked just as lost as he felt. Kay swallowed down the lump in his throat and quietly stepped in front of her, though she didn¡¯t acknowledge him at first, her gaze remaining fixed upward, as if she were staring into something far beyond the cracked ceiling above.


    Only after a long, achingly silent moment, did her dull, weary eyes finally shift toward him. And then, toward Skippy, who hovered close behind.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Leya¡¯s voice was hushed, fragile, as if she barely had the energy to speak. Kay turned his head slightly, glancing at Skippy before looking back at her.


    ¡°It¡¯s Skippy.¡± His voice was weak, shaky, but laced with something soft, something raw. ¡°My friend gave them to me as a gift.¡±


    A small, wet cough sputtered from his lips mid-sentence, but he was quick to cover his mouth, his hand coming away red. He Ignored it. He had to.


    ¡°A-and I¡­¡± He hesitated, gripping the fabric of his shirt to steady himself. ¡°I wanted to give them to you as a gift.¡±


    Skippy hesitated at first, its glowing violet eyes flickering between Kay and Leya, almost sensing the delicate atmosphere. But eventually, it drifted forward, its mechanical wings folding in as it landed gently atop Leya¡¯s lap.


    It let out a soft, metallic chirp, its warm frame pressing against her stomach, settling in as if it belonged there. Leya didn¡¯t move at first.


    She simply stared at the phoenix, her expression unreadable. Her mouth opened slightly, as if she were about to say something, but nothing came.


    Nothing could. Her hands trembled as she slowly, hesitantly, reached out and ran her fingers across Skippy¡¯s sleek, cybernetic feathers.


    The tiny, mechanical bird leaned into her touch, nuzzling against her with a warmth she hadn¡¯t felt in years. And then¡ªher breath hitched.


    A crack formed in the fragile dam she had spent years fortifying. Her lips quivered violently, and before she could stop herself, her voice broke.


    ¡°Thank you¡­¡± It was nothing more than a whisper, fragile, raw, trembling with barely-contained emotion. Her hand cupped Skippy¡¯s small frame tightly, as if holding onto the bird was the only thing keeping her from unraveling completely.


    ¡°Thank you, Kay.¡± Her voice cracked, her throat tight, her body shaking uncontrollably as she whispered it again.


    Kay took a slow, shaky step back. He didn¡¯t know how to respond.


    Didn¡¯t know how to comfort her when he was barely holding himself together. His fingers curled into fists at his sides, gripping onto the last remnants of his composure as he turned away, his movements sluggish, weak.


    ¡°O-of course¡­¡± His voice was barely audible as he stumbled toward the doorway, his vision swimming, his body fighting to keep moving. Leya didn¡¯t stop him.


    She simply sat there, curled around the small phoenix, as silent tears spilled down her cheeks, soaking into its feathers. And for the first time in a long, long time¡­ she held onto something without fear of breaking it.


    Agonizing hours passed. The world outside remained indifferent, oblivious to the slow, steady drain of life from Kay¡¯s trembling body.


    He lay curled on the cold, blood-slicked floor, his frail form barely more than a shadow now, a husk, lost in the tide of pain and resignation. His once-vibrant clothing was now soaked through with dark crimson, the dark fabric clinging to his frail, shaking frame.


    The air was thick with the sickly scent of iron, the puddle beneath him spreading inch by inch, seeping into the cracks of the floor like a final, unspoken confession. But Kay barely noticed the agony.


    The world around him had dulled, his body growing colder, his fingers twitching as he stared blankly ahead, his half-lidded, dimming crimson eyes reflecting the flickering overhead light. A weak breath rattled in his chest, barely escaping past his trembling lips, his mind drifting further and further into the abyss of solitude.


    And yet¡­ despite everything, despite his body failing, despite death tightening its grip around him, his thoughts weren¡¯t of himself.


    They were of her. Will she even notice I¡¯m gone? A silent tear slid down his cheek, mixing with the blood that had pooled beneath his face.


    ¡°Will she care?¡± His lips parted in a soundless plea, his voice long since stolen by the weight of exhaustion.


    ¡°Will anyone?¡± But then¡ªA glimmer of movement. From beneath the door, a ripple of liquid metal slithered through the tiny crack, gleaming faintly under the dim lighting. The fluid-like shape shuddered and pulsed, then shifted, taking form, solidifying into the familiar figure of Skippy.


    The small cybernetic dog stood before him, its sleek, reflective plating tinged with a cosmic violet hue, faint embers of stardust-like energy flickering from its metallic frame. Its ears twitched, lined with a soft glow, and its bright, expressive, violet eyes brimmed with distress, glowing like twin nebulae in the darkness.


    Kay¡¯s breath hitched as he tried to focus on the small creature before him. His voice was barely more than a whisper, weak, fleeting.


    ¡°Skippy¡­¡± The robotic dog whimpered at the sound of his name, its synthetic tail tucking between its legs as it rushed toward Kay, its tiny paws splashing into the pool of blood that surrounded the boy.


    Skippy let out a soft, pained whine, licking Kay¡¯s frail, trembling arm, trying, desperately trying, to wake him up, to bring warmth back into the coldness creeping through him.


    Kay smiled weakly, the effort taking nearly all that remained in him, his fingers twitching as he struggled to lift his arm. His icy touch barely grazed Skippy¡¯s head, but the moment was gentle, filled with something so achingly warm despite the overwhelming cold surrounding him.


    His voice was little more than a ghost of sound, but his words carried the weight of his final resolve. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Skippy¡­¡± Kay whispered weakly.


    The cybernetic dog whimpered, pressing its head harder against his palm, but Kay¡¯s touch was already fading, his fingers losing their grip, slipping away. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter anymore¡­¡± Kay murmured as his weak smile transformed from that of fear and despair, to acceptance and content.


    Skippy whined softly as he felt Kay¡¯s gentle touch. Skippy could see it in his eyes, the acceptance, the peace, the way his breath had finally steadied, even as his heartbeat slowed. Kay took one final, trembling breath, his lips parting in a soft, quiet murmur.


    ¡°Now that you¡¯re here¡­ To keep her company¡­¡± And then¡ªHis chest stilled.


    His fingers, once lightly curled against Skippy¡¯s metallic fur, went limp. His lifeless hand fell from the robotic dog¡¯s head, hitting the bloodstained floor with a soft, final thud. His limp hand now rested atop the soaked carpet in front of his soulless gaze


    Kay¡¯s crimson eyes, once flickering with so much fear, so much longing, and despair, now held nothing at all. All the while Skippy watched in horror as the last embers of Kay¡¯s soul faded into the night, swallowed by the silence. And then¡ªSkippy howled.


    A noise filled with pure grief, a raw, desperate wail that pierced through the heavy stillness like shattered glass. The small cybernetic dog quickly nudged Kay¡¯s motionless arm, whimpered, nudged again, his cries becoming more frantic, more desperate, but Kay never moved again.


    Realization crashed over Skippy like a tidal wave of sorrow. Kay was gone. Truly, irreversibly gone.


    And in the face of that loss, Skippy did the only thing it could. It turned, shuddering, shifting, its metallic body morphing, twisting, until it took the shape of a small, sleek silver snake.


    With one final glance at Kay¡¯s still body, Skippy quickly slipped beneath the door, vanishing into the shadows beyond. Leaving behind nothing but the echo of Kay¡¯s final breath. And the deafening silence that followed.

 Chapter 46.5: A broken family Pt.2

    The quiet, suffocating darkness of the apartment was broken only by the desperate, frantic movements of Skippy. The small cybernetic snake slithered at breakneck speed, weaving through the dim, narrow hallway, past old, faded photos that lined the cracked walls. Each frozen memory a cruel mockery of the present.


    There, in the dim glow of artificial light, was Kay, smiling, laughing as a toddler in Leya¡¯s arms, his face radiant with innocence. A birthday cake with half-melted candles, his tiny hands grasping at Leya¡¯s cheeks, the two of them laughing, happy, content.


    Now? That joy was a ghost.


    Skippy¡¯s metallic body pulsed, shifting, reshaping mid-motion. As it reached the end of the hallway, it coalesced into its final form, a cosmic cybernetic phoenix, its gleaming wings flaring open in a burst of violet embers.


    And then¡ªIt screamed. A sharp, piercing cry, cutting through the heavy silence like a dagger through flesh.


    The room was a mess. Old clothes were strewn across the floor, tangled with half-empty bottles of cheap liquor. The scent of stale alcohol and exhaustion clung to the air, mixing with the faintest traces of acidic rain from when she had stumbled in hours ago.


    Her nightstand was cluttered, a framed photo of Deacon lay facedown, as if she couldn¡¯t bear to look at it anymore. And atop her massive king-sized bed, wrapped in twisted, tear-soaked sheets, lay Leya. The exhaustion from a day of regret, of drinking, of loss had finally pulled her into sleep, a restless, shallow abyss, her face still damp with the evidence of recent sobbing.


    Until¡ªSkippy screeched. Leya jolted upright, her breath ragged, uneven, her eyes darting wildly.


    Her heart slammed against her ribs, disoriented by the sudden sound. Her ears twitched, still adjusting, still trying to parse what was real and what was just another nightmare.


    And then she saw it. A strange, glowing bird, hovering midair, its mechanical feathers shedding violet light that danced along the walls.


    ¡°What the hell?!¡± she snarled, her voice hoarse, angry.


    Skippy ignored her completely, flapping wildly before darting toward the door, cawing again.


    Frantic. Desperate. Urging.


    Leya rubbed her temples in irritation as she walked out of the bedroom and into the hallway. Her mind still groggy as she fought off the weight of exhaustion and alcohol in her system. Her ears flicked in irritation.


    ¡°This better be good, or I swear I¡¯ll¡ª¡± But she didn¡¯t finish. Because suddenly, Skippy stopped flapping.


    Stopped moving. And simply hovered outside Kay¡¯s door.


    And then, the realization hit. Leya¡¯s body tensed, her mind catching up in an instant.


    She stumbled forward, her breath hitching violently as she reached for the doorknob, her hand trembling, her claws digging into the metal. It wouldn¡¯t budge.


    Her chest tightened, ice flooding her veins as her thoughts races. It¡¯s locked!


    Her heart pounded so hard it hurt, panic surging like wildfire through her veins. A second later¡ªThe door was gone.


    With a guttural scream, she threw her full inhuman strength into it, sending the heavy metal door flying off its hinges, crashing into the bedroom wall with a sickening boom that rattled the entire apartment.


    ¡°Kay!¡± Her voice broke, frantic, desperate, raw. The panic in her chest morphed into something worse as she rushed inside, scanning the room in a wild frenzy.


    And then¡ªHer world fell apart. Her breath caught in her throat, the ground beneath her feet collapsing into nothingness.


    She saw him. Lying motionless in a dark crimson pool, his small body still, too still.


    His fur drenched in blood, his tiny fingers slightly curled, as if he had been reaching for someone who never came. His mouth was slightly open, his lips stained red, the remnants of his final breath lingering in the air like a whisper of what once was.


    His lifeless eyes, once filled with curiosity, with fear, with quiet hope, now stared at nothing. Leya¡¯s legs nearly gave out beneath her.


    This isn¡¯t real. It couldn¡¯t be real.


    She stood there, her vision blurred by the flood of hot, burning tears, her mind unable to process, to comprehend, to accept. Her breath came in sharp, ragged gasps, her chest tightening so painfully it felt like her ribs were breaking.


    ¡°No¡­¡± A small, pitiful whimper of denial.


    Then¡ªa step forward. Then another. And another.


    And then she collapsed to her knees beside him, gathering his tiny, lifeless body into her trembling arms. The warmth was already fading from him.


    His fragile frame limp, broken, gone. A horrible, aching sob tore through her throat as she clutched him tighter, her body shaking violently.


    ¡°No, no, no, no¡ªplease, no!¡± Her voice cracked, shattered, her mind spiraling into pure, unfiltered agony.


    She rocked back and forth, her ears pinned back, her claws digging into his back as if holding him tighter would somehow pull him back from the abyss. But there was nothing.


    No heartbeat. No warmth. No breath. Just silence. Just cold.


    Her screams rang throughout the apartment, a howl of grief so raw, so animalistic, it didn¡¯t even sound human anymore. Her body shook, her lungs burning, gasping for air that wouldn¡¯t come.


    And still¡ªshe held onto him. Held onto what was left of him.


    As if she could somehow shield him from the reality she refused to face. The reality that she had failed him.


    That her baby was gone. That she would never, never, see him smile again.


    A celestial forest stretched endlessly in every direction, bathed in a soft, ethereal glow. Towering trees, their trunks ancient and wise, reached up into a sky that seemed to blend into an infinite ocean of swirling stars.


    From their massive, outstretched branches, glowing leaves drifted down like embers from a dying fire, coating the ground in a sea of luminescent energy. The very air shimmered with warmth, a hum of gentle spiritual energy vibrating beneath the surface, like a pulse that connected all things.


    Despite the breathtaking beauty surrounding him, Kay lay still, his small form curled up in the bed of glowing leaves. His crimson eyes fluttered open, hazy at first, his vision adjusting to the otherworldly light. The warmth of the afterlife embraced him, yet his body felt heavy, almost numb.


    Slowly, he sat upright, his ears flicking slightly as he took in his surroundings. ¡°Where¡­ am I?¡±


    His voice, though barely above a whisper, echoed softly, as if the forest itself was listening. Then¡ªA voice. Gentle. Familiar. Calling his name. ¡°Kay?¡±


    Kay¡¯s breath caught in his throat. His entire body tensed as he slowly turned toward the voice, his heart pounding so violently that he swore he could hear it in the silence. And there, standing among the falling celestial leaves, was Deacon.


    For a moment, Kay couldn¡¯t breathe. The man before him, the father he had never known, was exactly as he had seen in old, grainy photos. A chimera hybrid, a mix of rabbit and cat, his feline-shaped ears, tall and alert, twitched ever so slightly. His fur, a blend of light brown, white, and black, was just as Kay had imagined it.


    But his uniform, the unmistakable dark blue of the police force, was riddled with bullet holes and bloodstains, some of which weren¡¯t even his own. A tragic testament to his final moments.


    Deacon¡¯s golden eyes softened as he gave a small, forced smile. ¡°It¡¯s me, son.¡±


    Kay¡¯s lips trembled, his mind racing too fast to process what he was seeing. What he was feeling.


    He had spent his entire life staring at photographs, trying to imagine what it would feel like to stand before his father, to speak to him, to hear his voice. But no fantasy had ever come close to this moment.


    ¡°D-Dad?¡± Kay uttered in disbelief with wide eyes. Deacon nodded somberly.


    Kay¡¯s entire body felt light and heavy all at once, his breath coming in shaky gasps. This couldn¡¯t be real.


    Deacon took a slow step forward, chuckling weakly. ¡°Though, I was hoping you wouldn¡¯t be here so soon.¡±


    Kay blinked, his mind struggling to comprehend the words. ¡°¡­Mom said you left,¡± Kay murmured, his voice barely above a breath. ¡°How are you¡­¡±


    His crimson gaze dropped, landing on the countless bloody holes littering his father¡¯s uniform. Deacon¡¯s somber expression tightened, his jaw clenching slightly as he knelt in front of Kay.


    He hesitated. Then, softly spoke. ¡°Listen, Kay¡­ I¡ª¡± His voice caught. He swallowed hard before trying again.


    ¡°I passed away a long time ago. Do you understand?¡±


    Kay nodded slowly, his body going still. A few moments of silence stretched between them before Kay¡¯s lips parted again.


    ¡°W-what happened to you? Why did Mom lie?¡±


    Deacon¡¯s golden eyes glossed over, his gaze distant as if the memories themselves weighed too heavy.


    ¡°Kay¡­¡± He took a slow, deliberate breath before speaking. ¡°There are bad people in this world. People who hurt others for even the littlest of things.¡±


    His voice shook slightly as he closed his eyes, the weight of his past pressing down on his shoulders. ¡°Your mom just wanted to protect you.¡±


    Kay¡¯s crimson eyes widened, a flicker of anger flashing through them. His fingers brushed the faint bruise still lingering on his cheek, a reminder of his mother¡¯s rage.


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    ¡°P-protect me?¡± His voice wavered, rising with raw emotion and pain. ¡°She doesn¡¯t even care!¡±


    Deacon winced, but Kay wasn¡¯t done. ¡°All she ever did was yell at me and hit me!¡±


    His voice cracked. His chest heaved with every choked sob, every ounce of pain he had buried deep inside now unraveling all at once.


    Deacon reached out, his eyes pleading. ¡°Kay, listen to me¡ª¡±


    ¡°How can you say she wanted to protect me when she didn¡¯t even notice me dying?!¡±


    Kay¡¯s entire body shook, his breaths coming in ragged, broken gasps as he took a step back, away from his father. Deacon¡¯s eyes darkened with sorrow. His ears flicked slightly, but he said nothing.


    Because he knew. He knew Kay was right. She hadn¡¯t noticed.


    She hadn¡¯t noticed the way he was wasting away, the way his body grew colder, the way he had been slowly dying before her very eyes.


    Kay¡¯s legs finally gave out beneath him, and he collapsed onto his knees in the glowing leaves.


    His small hands clenched into fists, trembling violently as the words spilled from his lips like shattered glass. ¡°She probably hasn¡¯t even noticed yet¡­¡±


    His voice was so soft, so fragile, barely above a whisper. But then¡ªA bitter, broken laugh tore from his throat.


    ¡°She¡¯ll probably be glad I¡¯m gone, won¡¯t she?¡± His ears drooped, his crimson eyes glossed over, his entire body trembling as he sobbed into the glowing leaves below.


    ¡°I was just a burden on everyone¡­¡± The words were so quiet, so filled with aching, gut-wrenching despair, that they barely left his lips.


    But Deacon heard them. And his heart shattered.


    For the first time since his death, Deacon felt helpless. His son, his baby boy, had spent his entire life believing he was unloved.


    Believing that his own mother didn¡¯t want him.


    Believing that he was a mistake. The pain in Deacon¡¯s chest was unbearable.


    His vision blurred with unshed tears, his hands trembling as he slowly reached out, wrapping his warm, calloused arms around Kay¡¯s trembling form.


    And, for the first time in his short life, Kay felt the warmth of his father¡¯s embrace. And it broke him all over again.


    Kay sobs harder, burying his face into Deacon¡¯s chest, his small fingers clutching desperately at his uniform as if terrified he would disappear too.


    Deacon¡¯s arms tightened, his own breath shaky, uneven as he gently rocked his son back and forth. ¡°You¡¯re not a burden, Kay.¡±


    His voice trembled, raw with pain and love. ¡°You were never a burden.¡±


    And Kay cried and cried, grieving for the life he had lost, for the love he had never felt, for the future he had never been given. And all Deacon could do was hold him. Hold him, as the glowing leaves of the afterlife fell around them, whispering secrets of a world he had left behind.


    Deacon held Kay close, his strong arms wrapped around the fragile boy, rocking him gently as if trying to cradle away all the years of pain. Kay¡¯s sobs had softened, turning into weak sniffles as his small hands clung desperately to his father¡¯s uniform.


    The warmth, the comfort, the feeling of finally being held, finally being loved, made every broken piece of his heart ache even more. But then, slowly, the rocking stopped.


    Deacon sighed softly, a mixture of sadness and deep, unwavering love filling his golden eyes as he gently cupped Kay¡¯s cheek. ¡°You know, I¡¯m glad I got to meet you, son.¡±


    Kay blinked, lifting his tear-streaked face to look at him. ¡°You¡¯re a lot like your mom.¡±


    Kay furrowed his brows, confusion flickering in his crimson eyes. ¡°What? What do you mean?¡±


    Before Deacon could answer, the world around them shifted. Kay¡¯s breath caught in his throat as he looked around, his stomach twisting into a knot.


    The towering celestial trees that had once stretched into infinity began to dissolve. The glowing leaves that had blanketed the ground faded into nothingness, leaving behind an eerie, encroaching whiteness that swallowed everything in sight.


    Kay¡¯s chest tightened. ¡°No¡­¡± He whispered, his voice trembling as he whipped his head back toward his father.


    And that¡¯s when he saw it, Deacon¡¯s eyes were filled with tears. ¡°No, no, no!¡± Kay shook his head violently, his body trembling with panic as he gripped onto Deacon even tighter.


    ¡°W-wait! Please! I don¡¯t wanna go back!¡± His voice cracked, his plea dripping with raw, desperate fear.


    His fingers dug into his father¡¯s uniform, his small hands shaking uncontrollably as he sobbed against Deacon¡¯s chest. ¡°Please! Don¡¯t make me go back!¡±


    Deacon¡¯s expression remained warm yet devastatingly sorrowful as he wrapped his arms tighter around Kay, as if trying to memorize the feeling of holding his son one last time. He ran a gentle, calloused hand through Kay¡¯s messy hair, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I love you, son¡­ but your mom needs you.¡±


    Kay¡¯s sobs grew more frantic, his arms locking around Deacon¡¯s waist like a lifeline. ¡°No! Please! I don¡¯t want to go back!¡± His voice was barely coherent, swallowed by his choked cries. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be alone again! I don¡¯t¡ªI don¡¯t¡ª"


    But Deacon never let go. Not until the very last moment. Kay felt the warmth of his father¡¯s embrace fade, felt his fingers slip through the fabric of Deacon¡¯s ruined uniform, felt the world around him dissolve into nothingness¡ªAnd then¡ªDarkness.


    A steady, rhythmic beep. Then another. Then another.


    Kay¡¯s mind drifted between the waking world and the void, his consciousness sluggish, heavy, like he was wading through thick water, unable to reach the surface. But that sound, that incessant beeping, it was pulling him back, grounding him in a reality he wasn¡¯t sure he wanted to return to.


    Slowly, painfully, his crimson eyes fluttered open. A bright, artificial light flooded his vision, the sterile white walls and metallic furniture of the hospital room coming into focus. The air smelled of antiseptic and faint traces of iron, the unmistakable scent of blood.


    His own. His body ached, a dull, persistent pain thrumming through every fiber of his being. He tried to move his arm, nothing. His fingers, nothing. His body was weak, drained, tethered to wires and tubes that snaked around him like vines.


    The steady hiss of oxygen. The drip of intravenous fluids. The soft, mechanical whir of transfusion equipment pumping new blood into his veins.


    And then¡ªhe heard her. Soft, broken sobs.


    Kay¡¯s gaze slowly drifted to the shaking figure beside him, her face buried in the sterile white sheets of his bed, her hands gripping the fabric as if holding on for dear life. His mom.


    Leya¡¯s dark, messy hair fell around her hunched shoulders, her entire body trembling as she cried into the covers. Her usual cold, distant demeanor was nowhere to be seen, in its place was a woman completely shattered, completely ruined, suffocating under the weight of her own grief.


    Her muffled voice cracked through the silence. ¡°I should have noticed sooner¡­ I should have seen it¡­¡± she whispered through her sobs. ¡°I-I should have been paying attention to you, Kay¡ªI should have¡­ I should have¡­¡±


    Kay¡¯s breath hitched. She blamed herself.


    Leya¡¯s fingers clenched tighter into the sheets as she shook her head violently, tears dripping down onto the bedspread. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± she choked out. ¡°I¡ª I failed you.¡±


    Kay¡¯s throat tightened. He wanted to speak, to tell her he was there, that he was alive, but his voice refused to come out. His lips barely parted, but nothing more than a dry, strained breath escaped.


    She thought he was dead. Leya¡¯s body shuddered with every breath as she sobbed. ¡°You probably hated me, didn¡¯t you?¡± she whispered, her voice so painfully fragile. ¡°I¡ª I deserve it.¡±


    Kay felt his heart sink. Mom¡­ he thought weakly, his crimson eyes glistening.


    She sniffled, wiping at her tear-streaked face, though it did nothing to stop the flow of guilt-ridden sobs. ¡°I was a horrible mom, Kay¡­¡± she whimpered, her voice almost inaudible. ¡°I hurt you. I pushed you away. I made you feel like¡­ like you were alone. Like I didn¡¯t love you.¡±


    She gritted her teeth as another wave of sobs overtook her, shaking her entire frame. ¡°But I did. I always did.¡±


    Kay¡¯s breathing hitched, his eyes widening slightly. She loved him.


    Even after all of it. After the bruises, the yelling, the distance, she had always loved him. And in that moment, everything shifted.


    Kay had spent years believing his mother was incapable of love, that she had long since stopped caring about him. That she wanted nothing to do with him.


    But now? Here she was¡­ Completely falling apart, grieving for him like he was the most precious thing in the world.


    ¡°I love you, Kay¡­¡± she sobbed into the sheets. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±


    Kay¡¯s vision blurred, a single tear rolling down the side of his face.


    She loved him. Even if she was broken, damaged, lost in her own suffering, she still loved him.


    His eyelids grew heavier, his body succumbing to the weight of exhaustion, of blood loss, of grief. The last thing he saw before the darkness swallowed him again, was the sight of his mother, still crying into the sheets of his bed, holding onto him like she was afraid of letting go.


    A couple of hours would soon pass before Kay¡¯s consciousness flickered back to life, though his body still felt like it was weighed down by iron chains. A dull, sluggish ache pulsed in his limbs, as if his very bones were resisting his return.


    His breath was shallow, his throat raw from the ordeal, and the sterile scent of antiseptic filled his nose, mingling with the faint metallic tang of blood transfusion equipment nearby. His crimson gaze groggily swept across the dim hospital room, his vision hazy at first before sharpening slightly under the sterile glow of overhead lights.


    The room was cold, almost unnaturally so, with smooth, white walls that felt too clean, too artificial. The rhythmic beeping of machines filled the silence, each pulse a reminder that he was still tethered to life. To his right, the soft rise and fall of another¡¯s breathing caught his attention.


    There, slumped over the side of his hospital bed, was his mother. Leya¡¯s body was curled into itself, her arms folded tightly against the bed as though shielding something fragile.


    The dark mess of her hair obscured her face, but Kay could see the tremble in her shoulders, the way her grip on the sheets remained tight even in sleep. Her clothes were still damp from earlier, clinging uncomfortably to her thin frame, and the deep lines beneath her closed eyes spoke of exhaustion beyond the physical. She had cried herself to sleep.


    A sharp pang of guilt twisted in Kay¡¯s chest, but before he could even think of moving, a voice, gentle, quiet, cut through the silence. ¡°Kay?¡±


    Kay¡¯s body stiffened instantly. A cold dread slithered down his spine as his breath caught in his throat. He turned his head ever so slowly, his heart pounding weakly in his chest.


    It was her. The vampire woman from the cavern loomed over him like a ghost, her silhouette framed in the soft, artificial glow of the room. Her pale skin nearly glowed under the fluorescent light, and her long, flowing black dress moved ever so slightly, as if caught in an unseen breeze.


    Intricate lace detailing ran along the edges of her sleeves and neckline, the patterns resembling old, noble craftsmanship. Her dark hair cascaded like liquid silk over her shoulders, strands of it framing her delicate yet sorrowful face.


    But it was her eyes, deep crimson, gleaming with regret, that sent a shiver down Kay¡¯s spine. Her ruby lips parted slightly, her fangs barely visible as she exhaled.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± she murmured, her voice like the whisper of a dying ember.


    Kay¡¯s breath hitched as he instinctively tensed, his body still too weak to react properly. ¡°Y-you¡­¡± he rasped, his throat burning as he forced the word out.


    The woman gave a somber nod, her gaze flickering briefly to the bite mark on his neck. It was barely visible under the gauze, but she saw it nonetheless, the evidence of her mistake.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to cause you so much harm,¡± she said softly, her tone laced with genuine regret. Her cold, delicate fingers reached toward him, but Kay flinched at the movement, a primal fear bubbling inside him.


    Yet, his body was too weak to recoil fully, leaving him trapped between fight and helplessness. ¡°I meant to find you sooner,¡± she continued as her palm hovered just above his stomach.


    A faint, eerie white glow pulsed from her palm, the energy soothing yet unfamiliar. The moment it touched him, a strange warmth spread through his body, not burning, not painful, but light, like a distant sun slowly melting away the frost that clung to him.


    Kay gasped softly as the sensation spread, his strength steadily returning. The cold in his limbs faded, the tremors in his fingers easing. His crimson eyes dulled to their natural brown. His fangs retracted, the sharp points smoothing back into normal teeth.


    ¡°W-what are you doing?¡± Kay croaked, his voice thick with disbelief.


    The woman smiled, small, fleeting, but filled with something bittersweet. ¡°It¡¯s an old technique I learned from someone years ago,¡± she explained gently, her fingers pressing lightly to his stomach as she continued the spell. ¡°His name was Ino Namikaze, I believe¡­¡±


    Her voice carried a strange fondness as she spoke the name, like she was recalling an old friend, a distant yet cherished memory. ¡°Basically, this technique was created by sorcerers to cure vampires and return them fully back to human,¡± she continued, her voice steady but quiet. The glow pulsed stronger for a brief moment before settling again. ¡°However¡­¡±


    Kay swallowed thickly, his breath still uneven as he slowly met her gaze. ¡°However what?¡±


    Her smile remained, but there was something knowing in her expression now. ¡°If one is skilled enough, they can modify the spell, to make it so that the subject retains their vampiric abilities, minus the¡­ downsides.¡±


    Kay¡¯s eyes widened, the implications sinking in. She was offering him a choice.


    The woman let him process her words, watching the emotions flicker across his face before her gaze softened. She turned briefly to Leya, who still lay slumped over, lost in her exhaustion.


    ¡°I know I¡¯ve caused you two a lot of trouble,¡± she murmured, a flicker of guilt crossing her features. She then turned back to Kay, her eyes steady and patient. ¡°So the choice is yours... would you like to be my apprentice?¡±


    Kay furrowed his brow, his thoughts racing as he struggled to keep up. ¡°Your¡­ apprentice?¡± he asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. There had to be a catch.


    The woman gave a slow, solemn nod. ¡°I can teach you how to use your powers,¡± she said, gesturing lightly. ¡°Give you the strength to protect your loved ones¡­¡±


    Her gaze flickered briefly to Leya again before she continued. ¡°Or, I can turn you back to how you were before. Cure you completely.¡±


    She leaned back slightly, folding her hands in front of her as she offered a small, patient smile. ¡°What do you say?¡±


    Kay¡¯s fingers gripped the sheets beneath him as his mind swirled in turmoil. His mother¡¯s sleeping form. His friends. His future.


    For the first time in days, he felt control over his own fate. He swallowed hard, his chest rising and falling with deep, measured breaths. Slowly, after what felt like an eternity, he turned his gaze to the woman.


    His mouth opened slowly and hesitantly to speak. ¡°I¡­¡±

 Chapter 47: Powerup?

    The streets of the undercity stretched before them, bathed in the dim neon glow of flickering signs, their buzzing hum barely audible over the distant whirring of machinery. The air was thick with the familiar metallic scent of oil and rust, but for the first time in forever, Rad didn¡¯t feel like he was suffocating.


    Kite walked beside him, hands casually tucked into his jacket pockets, his laughter bright against the dull backdrop of the city. ¡°And then,¡± Kite said between chuckles, ¡°my mom tripped over the picnic blanket and dropped her ice cream right onto my dad¡¯s lap! You should¡¯ve seen the look on his face, man. He just kinda¡­ sat there, frozen, like he was contemplating his entire life.¡±


    Rad snorted, shaking his head. ¡°Sounds like a nightmare.¡±


    ¡°It was hilarious!¡± Kite grinned, his green pupils glinting under the streetlights as he laughed. ¡°I tried not to laugh, but then my dad just sighed, picked up the ice cream with his bare hands and took a bite like it was no big deal. My mom was so grossed out!¡±


    Rad chuckled, a little softer this time, the warmth of Kite¡¯s story settling in his chest. He listened as Kite continued, his voice animated as he reminisced about his parents.


    ¡°You know,¡± Kite mused, ¡°we used to build things together a lot. Just little projects here and there. Once, we made this like tiny solar-powered car for a neighborhood kid who¡¯s toy broke. We worked on it for weeks, and when we finally gave it to him, man, the way his eyes lit up. It was so worth it.¡±


    Rad turned his head slightly, watching the way Kite¡¯s expression softened as he spoke, the nostalgia clear in his eyes. There was something about it, about the ease in which Kite spoke of his family, the warmth in his voice, that felt¡­ unfamiliar. Alien, almost.


    Rad had never known what that kind of love felt like. The idea of parents who actually cared, who laughed and built things with their kid, who stuck around, it was strange. He should¡¯ve felt bitter, jealous even, but somehow, listening to Kite talk, he didn¡¯t.


    Eventually, their path led them to a squat, run-down apartment, its walls lined with rusting pipes and faded graffiti. A few dim lights flickered along the stairwell leading up to Kite¡¯s home, and the buzzing of an old neon sign hummed faintly above them.


    Kite jogged up the first few steps, but as he reached for the door, he paused. He turned back, his brows furrowing slightly as he noticed Rad still standing at the bottom of the staircase, his feet firmly planted on the cracked pavement.


    ¡°You coming?¡± Kite asked, tilting his head.


    Rad hesitated, gripping the straps of his backpack tightly. His lips parted, but the words felt heavy in his throat. ¡°¡­Are you sure about this?¡±


    Kite blinked, then gave him a reassuring smile. ¡°Of course. Friends look out for each other, right?¡±


    Rad opened his mouth again, ready to argue, to say that this was the first time they talked so casually, that he barely even knew Kite, but before he could get the words out, Kite simply turned on his heel and disappeared inside. Rad stood there, frozen, his fingers curling around the worn fabric of his backpack straps.


    From the corner of his eye, he saw Ray hovering beside him, his small frame illuminated by the soft violet and green hue¡¯s of his cybernetic eyes. There was something faintly amused in his expression, something almost¡­ fond.


    Ray smirked slightly, crossing his arms. ¡°No point in arguing,¡± he said, his voice quiet but tinged with something that almost sounded like pride. ¡°My father is quite stubborn."


    And with that, Ray floated up the staircase, following Kite inside, leaving Rad standing at the bottom. For a long moment, Rad simply stood there, staring at the entrance. His mind raced with uncertainty, with hesitation, but deep down, something in him wanted to follow.


    The weight on his chest felt a little lighter. The crushing loneliness that had followed him for as long as he could remember wasn¡¯t quite as suffocating. Rad let out a quiet, almost disbelieving chuckle as he shook his head. Then, slowly, he took a step forward.


    And then another. And then, with the faintest trace of a smile curling at his lips, Rad climbed the stairs.


    Rad stepped cautiously into the apartment, the door clicking shut behind him as he followed Kite through the dimly lit hallway. His hands instinctively gripped the straps of his backpack as his eyes drifted over the framed photos that lined the walls. Each one captured a moment frozen in time, a glimpse into a life so drastically different from his own.


    In one picture, a younger Kite sat on his dad¡¯s shoulders, grinning ear to ear while Mira stood beside them, holding a melting ice cream cone with an exasperated yet amused smile. Another photo showed Kite and his parents standing in front of a half-built robotic contraption, their faces smeared with grease and dirt, their eyes alight with excitement and shared joy.


    There was even a candid shot of Mira laughing, her hand on Dorian¡¯s chest while Kite clung to his dad¡¯s leg, his face scrunched up in mock protest. Rad stared at the images in silence, something unidentifiable twisting in his chest. The warmth, the love, it was so foreign to him, yet It was here, surrounding him in every frame.


    Before he could dwell on the feeling, Kite¡¯s voice echoed from the other end of the hall. ¡°Mom?¡± Kite called out as he stepped into the kitchen. ¡°You¡¯re home early!¡±


    From the kitchen, the sound of soft humming stopped, followed by the clatter of utensils. Mira Caulder, Kite¡¯s mother, peeked out from behind the fridge, her long brown curls tied back loosely, a tired but warm expression crossing her face.


    ¡°Yeah, there was an accident at the plant,¡± she said, rubbing her temple. ¡°Nothing serious, but they sent a bunch of us home early. Your dad came to pick me up.¡±


    As she turned to grab something from the counter, her eyes suddenly landed on Rad, who had just stepped hesitantly into the kitchen. Ray hovered quietly beside him, his glowing cybernetic eyes gleaming faintly in the kitchen¡¯s warm lighting.


    Mira¡¯s brows furrowed slightly as she wiped her hands on a dish towel. ¡°And who¡¯s this?¡± she asked, her tone neutral but curious.


    Kite grinned and gestured toward Rad. ¡°This is Rad! My new friend!¡± he said, brimming with enthusiasm.


    At the name, Mira¡¯s expression shifted slightly, a flicker of recognition flashing in her eyes. ¡°Wait a second,¡± she said, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow. ¡°Isn¡¯t this the same kid who shoved you a few weeks ago?¡±


    Rad¡¯s stomach dropped. His fingers twitched around the straps of his backpack as guilt settled heavily in his gut. His throat felt dry, and he forced himself to mumble, ¡°Yeah¡­ I, uh¡ªI¡¯m sorry about that.¡±


    Mira¡¯s sharp gaze didn¡¯t waver, her maternal instincts still on alert. But before she could say anything else, Kite quickly stepped forward, his hands raised in a reassuring gesture. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mom. That¡¯s in the past. We¡¯re friends now.¡± His voice was confident, as if there was no room for argument.


    Mira studied Rad for a long moment, skepticism still lingering in her expression. But after a deep breath, she decided not to press further. She could see the nervous tension in Rad¡¯s posture, the way he kept his gaze low, the subtle way his shoulders hunched like he was used to bracing for something. Whatever had happened between them, Kite had clearly forgiven him.


    She sighed. ¡°Alright,¡± she relented, rubbing the back of her neck. ¡°If you say so.¡±


    Kite beamed, but the moment was short-lived as he turned serious again. ¡°Rad got kicked out,¡± he said bluntly. ¡°By his mom. He doesn¡¯t have anywhere to go.¡±


    Mira¡¯s eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, she was quiet, as if processing the weight of those words. Her arms folded as she glanced toward Rad, studying him more closely now. There was something in the way he held himself, hesitant, worn down, like a kid who had been through far too much in too little time.


    Before she could respond, footsteps echoed from the stairway, and moments later, Dorian stepped into the kitchen. His broad frame filled the doorway, his dark, slightly unkempt hair bouncing as he walked. His grey eyes, warm but observant, instantly focused on Kite, who wasted no time in rushing toward him.


    ¡°Dad!¡± Kite grinned as he practically launched himself at his father, wrapping his arms tightly around Dorian¡¯s waist.


    Dorian let out a soft chuckle as he ruffled Kite¡¯s hair. ¡°Hey, bud,¡± he said, his voice deep but gentle. His gaze then shifted over to Rad and Ray, who¡¯s expressions were unreadable as Dorian held his son close.


    Mira gestured toward Rad, her voice softer now. ¡°Kite brought a friend home,¡± she said simply, then exhaled. ¡°And¡­ he got kicked out.¡±


    Dorian¡¯s body tensed slightly, his hand momentarily pausing on Kite¡¯s back. He looked at Rad, his eyes flickering with something deeper, understanding.


    For a long moment, he was quiet. And then, slowly, he nodded. ¡°He can stay,¡± Dorian said, his voice steady but firm.


    Rad¡¯s breath caught in his throat. His eyes widened slightly in disbelief. It had been that easy? No hesitation? No questioning whether he was worth the trouble?


    Kite practically bounced on his heels with excitement. ¡°Yes!¡± he cheered.


    Rad, still in mild shock, gave a small, hesitant smile, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Thanks¡­¡± he murmured, unsure of what else to say.


    Mira exhaled through her nose before nodding. ¡°Alright,¡± she said, relenting fully now. ¡°Then I guess we should get dinner started.¡±


    Dorian nodded in agreement. ¡°We¡¯ll need a good meal for tonight.¡± He smiled at Kite. ¡°How about you help out?¡±


    Kite perked up immediately. ¡°Really?¡± His voice was brimming with excitement.


    Dorian chuckled, placing him down gently. ¡°Yeah. But we¡¯re gonna need some extra ingredients first.¡± He turned, grabbed a notepad from the fridge, and quickly scribbled down a list. Tearing off the page, he handed it to Kite along with a few tecabites from his pocket.


    Kite grinned as he pocketed the money and took the note. ¡°I won¡¯t let you down!¡± he declared before jogging toward Rad and Ray.


    Dorian smirked, watching them for a second before calling out playfully, ¡°Try not to buy too much candy!¡± Kite waved him off as he and Rad disappeared around the corner, Ray hovering close behind.


    As their laughter faded into the distance, Mira leaned against the counter, arms folded, her gaze still lingering on the hallway. ¡°¡­Are you sure about this?¡± she asked softly.


    Dorian was quiet for a moment before nodding. ¡°They¡¯ll be fine,¡± he assured her. Then, with a chuckle, he added, ¡°Besides, Kite wouldn¡¯t have let us say no anyway.¡±


    Mira huffed out a small, knowing laugh, shaking her head. ¡°Yeah,¡± she murmured. ¡°That kid is way too stubborn.¡±


    A fond smile played on Dorian¡¯s lips as he turned toward the stove. ¡°Just like his parents.¡±


    The garage door¡¯s hinges groaned as it opened, revealing a dimly lit space cluttered with half-finished projects, rusted metal parts, and an array of tools strewn across workbenches and shelves. The air was thick with the scent of machine oil and scorched metal, mingled with the faint static hum of dormant electronics.


    Fluorescent lights flickered intermittently overhead, casting shifting shadows across the mess of innovation and chaos. Kite stepped inside with an easy familiarity, his shoes clicking against the concrete floor.


    Rad hesitated before following, his gaze sweeping over the countless gadgets, wires, and prototype devices scattered across the garage. His eyes widened in amazement, taking in the sheer volume of homemade tech, some pieces resembling drones, others mechanical limbs or tools in various stages of completion.


    ¡°You made all of this?¡± Rad muttered in disbelief, his fingers ghosting over a half-built cybernetic arm resting atop a cluttered workbench.


    Kite grinned, setting his backpack down with a thud. ¡°Yeah, most of them were me,¡± he said proudly, dusting off a small, rust-covered robot with a flick of his wrist. ¡°Though sometimes my dad would help out, or he¡¯d make some of his own stuff.¡±


    Kite removed his hover board from its clamp, gave it a casual toss into the air, and watched as it expanded, the compact frame unfolding into its full-sized form before stopping just inches above the ground. It hovered silently, waiting.


    Rad barely noticed, still overwhelmed by the sheer creativity surrounding him. His eyes finally locked onto something across the room, a sleek but rugged white exosuit resting on a reinforced stand. Its plating was uneven, clearly still a work in progress, with exposed circuits lining its joints. It looked as though it had been pieced together from scrap, but despite its unfinished state, it had an undeniable presence.


    ¡°And that?¡± Rad asked after a long silence, pointing toward the exosuit.


    Kite glanced over before stepping onto his hover board, letting it lift him effortlessly across the room. ¡°Oh, that?¡± He smirked, floating up beside the exosuit and patting its shoulder. ¡°That¡¯s my exosuit. Still a work in progress...¡± Kite said before his emerald green eyes glinted mischievously. ¡°Until I add some firepower to it.¡±


    Rad took a step closer, eyes narrowing in curiosity. ¡°Why¡­?¡± He hesitated, then let out a nervous chuckle. ¡°Did something happen? Why the need for a suit of armor?¡±


    Kite¡¯s face darkened slightly, but instead of answering right away, he spun toward Ray with an exaggerated glare, pointing an accusatory finger. ¡°Because someone just had to be a possessed baby and scare the crap outta me!¡±


    Ray arched a single eyebrow, folding his arms as he hovered in the air, his violet and green cybernetic eyes gleaming in amusement. ¡°It¡¯s not my fault you kids got scared so easily,¡± he said, voice dripping with mock innocence. A taunting smirk tugged at the corners of his lips before he rolled his eyes playfully. ¡°And here I thought my dad was supposed to be some fearless hero.¡±


    Rad furrowed his brow. ¡°Fearless hero?¡± His gaze darted between the two of them.


    Kite let out a confident laugh as he pressed a button on the exosuit¡¯s wrist panel. With a deep mechanical hum, the garage door rumbled open, allowing the neon-lit undercity to spill in, casting an eerie glow across the scattered tools and unfinished projects.


    ¡°Yeah, well, I¡¯m not some helpless kid anymore!¡± Kite declared, puffing out his chest. ¡°Just you wait and see!¡±


    Ray drifted past Rad, still smirking smugly. Rad blinked, still reeling from the bizarre conversation. ¡°The hell¡¯s going on?¡± he finally muttered, more to himself than anyone else.


    Kite¡¯s laughter rang through the streets as he soared out of the garage, his hover board kicking up dust in his wake. Rad shook his head in bewilderment before following after him, the chaotic energy of their trio blending into the hum of the undercity as they disappeared into the neon glow.


    The rundown store bustled with activity, the hum of flickering neon lights overhead casting a sickly glow over cracked tile floors and dust-caked shelves. The aisles were narrow, packed tightly with mismatched products, some brand new, others clearly past their prime. The faint scent of stale bread, metal, and artificial preservatives lingered in the air, mixing with the occasional whiff of something burning from the back kitchen where an ancient stove sputtered to life.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    The checkout line stretched toward the door, an impatient crowd of chimeras, humans, and automatons waiting with overstuffed baskets of canned goods, instant noodles, and cheap protein supplements. As Kite and Rad weaved through the crowded aisles, their shoes lightly scuffing against the grimy floor, their surroundings shifted from neatly stacked non-perishables to chaotic displays of snack foods, brightly colored bags half-toppled over one another, some torn open by previous customers, their contents spilled onto the lower shelves.


    A few dented cans rolled against Kite¡¯s foot, kicked aside absentmindedly as he walked. Behind them, Ray hovered in silent observation, his cybernetic eyes flicking from shelf to shelf, scanning the store¡¯s disarray.


    He wasn¡¯t interested in the snacks themselves, his mechanical body didn¡¯t require sustenance, but something else caught his attention. A box perched precariously on the top shelf, its faded logo still somewhat recognizable beneath the layers of dust and neglect.


    The packaging was adorned with the smug, chiseled face of an older man, his sharp features framed by a salt-and-pepper beard and slicked-back silver hair. He wore a tailored chef¡¯s coat, pristine white with golden embroidery, his arms crossed confidently as he stared down at the potential buyers with an air of superiority.


    A small, cursive signature near the bottom of the box read Gilbert Escoffier, a name who currently, is spoken with reverence in the culinary world. Ray¡¯s expression shifted into a bemused smirk as he hovered closer, brushing a finger over the box¡¯s faded surface.


    Gilbert¡¯s Flakes? he mused internally, the memory of a certain arrogant chef surfacing. His mind replayed countless moments of bickering, Gilbert berating him for his lack of ¡°refined taste¡± while a younger Ray smugly reminded the man that he was once a professional taste tester for his aunt. ¡°I remember when he went out of business.¡±


    Ray chuckled under his breath, a soft, almost nostalgic sound, before shaking his head and letting the box fall back into place with a gentle thud. Some legacies, no matter how grand, always end up abandoned.


    Meanwhile, a few steps ahead, Rad strolled beside Kite, his hands shoved into his jacket pockets as his eyes flicked between the store¡¯s many questionable products. ¡°So, what are all the ingredients?¡± Rad asked, breaking the brief silence as he turned to Kite.


    Kite glanced down at the slightly crumpled note in his hands, his green pupils scanning the scribbled list in his dad¡¯s familiar handwriting. ¡°Hm, let¡¯s see¡­ we need some fresh vegetables, peppers, onions, tomatoes. Some kinda protein, doesn¡¯t have to be fancy, just something that won¡¯t poison us.¡±


    Kite smirked at that before continuing. ¡°Rice, eggs, cooking oil, spices, and¡­ oh! Butter. Real butter, not that fake synth crap.¡±


    Rad raised an eyebrow. ¡°Real butter? You guys rich or something?¡±


    Kite laughed, shaking his head. ¡°Nah, Dad just says ¡®if we¡¯re gonna eat, we might as well eat right.¡¯¡±


    Rad scoffed but couldn¡¯t help a small smirk forming. ¡°Guess that¡¯s fair.¡±


    Ray, still hovering silently behind them, glanced at the list briefly, then back to the shelves. They¡¯re gonna have a hard time finding real butter in this dump. He thought dryly.


    With their list in hand, the trio continued down the aisle, navigating the chaotic maze of stacked goods, broken displays, and impatient shoppers, one step closer to gathering the ingredients for their meal. Kite maneuvered through the narrow aisles, the rickety wheels of the shopping cart squeaking under the weight of their haul.


    Ray sat calmly inside, his small robotic frame barely taking up space amidst the stacked groceries. His cybernetic eyes flickered as he silently observed their surroundings, ever the watchful sentinel.


    Rad walked lazily beside them, his hands stuffed into his pockets, letting out a long yawn. The fluorescent lights above flickered slightly, bathing the rundown store in a cold, artificial glow. ¡°I think we¡¯ve got everything now,¡± Kite said, glancing over the collection of ingredients piled high in the cart.


    ¡°About time,¡± Rad mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck as they turned the corner of an aisle. But just as they stepped out, the air was shattered by a deafening crash.


    The entire store fell into momentary silence before a wave of murmurs and gasps filled the space. Kite and Rad immediately snapped their heads toward the source of the noise, their eyes widening at the scene unfolding ahead.


    Ray, however, remained unfazed. Without a word, he hovered upward, his glowing cybernetic eyes narrowing slightly as he processed the situation.


    ¡°What was that!?¡± Kite exclaimed, gripping the cart as he took a hesitant step forward.


    The sight before them was pure bedlam. Several metal shelves lay toppled over, their contents strewn across the floor. Boxes of canned goods rolled aimlessly, bags of rice had burst open, and shattered jars leaked sauces and condiments into a messy pool of debris.


    At the heart of the destruction stood two figures, both brimming with tension. One was a thirteen-year-old boy, his stance wide, his entire body practically vibrating with pent-up energy. He wore a yellow and black varsity jacket with scuffed sleeves, a plain white shirt, and ripped black jeans that had seen better days.


    His white running shoes were smeared with grime, but the real standout feature was the ancient black bracelets on his wrists, both faintly glowing with their own yellow hue, pulsating with barely contained power. The boy¡¯s Kenyan features were sharp with defiance, his jaw clenched tightly, his expression a blend of anger and determination.


    His buzz cut had stylish lines etched through the sides, adding to his bold appearance. But his most striking feature of all were his glowing yellow pupils, burning with intensity as they locked onto his opponent. Standing across from him was something far less human.


    The onyx-black automaton stood tall, its sleek, metallic frame both ancient and impossibly advanced. Its glowing blue cybernetic eyes pierced through the air like twin icy beacons, their depths revealing no emotion, only calculation, observation, and an unshakable resolve.


    Intricate ancient tattoos, formed from a network of glowing ethereal blue energy, pulsed across its body like the lifeblood of a forgotten civilization. The patterns stretched from its broad chest, down its arms, and coiled around its mechanical fingers like circuits woven by gods.


    It was dressed In monk-like attire, a flowing deep-blue sash draped over one shoulder, fastened with metallic clasps that shimmered under the store¡¯s flickering lights. Loose black pants were bound at the ankles with silver metallic cuffs, and a series of floating metallic rings hovered gently behind its back in a perfect vertical alignment, a feigned symbol of balance, wisdom, and restraint.


    Despite the chaos, the automaton exuded an unshakable calm, an aura of stillness in stark contrast to the boiling rage of the boy before it. ¡°I had that pack of meat first, you damn circuit freak!¡± The kid spat, pointing an accusing finger at the automaton. His cybernetic bracelets flared, reacting to his emotions, crackling with golden light, as if preparing for battle.


    ¡°You should have kept a firmer grip on it,¡± the automaton responded, its voice cold and precise, like a sharpened blade cutting through ice. The kid¡¯s expression darkened further, his glowing eyes flaring even brighter with raw energy. His muscles tensed, his breath steadying as he prepared himself for what was to come.


    And then, the words erupted from his throat like a war cry. ¡°Tuko Pamoja!¡±


    The very air around him crackled with energy as his body was engulfed in a blazing yellow aura, radiating heat like a miniature sun. Then, in an instant, dozens of clones burst forth from his form, each identical, each brimming with the same pulsating power.


    They sprang into action without hesitation, launching themselves through the air in a perfectly synchronized assault toward the automaton. The battle had begun.


    The automaton barely moved as its wrist flicked, a small but deliberate motion that sent the hovering circular disk behind its back hurtling forward like a razor-edged blur. The air whistled as the disk carved through space, an unstoppable force of destruction.


    The clones barely had a moment to react. One by one, they were severed in an instant, their bodies splitting apart mid-motion, releasing violent sprays of crimson that painted the store¡¯s already ruined shelves in streaks of red. The thick scent of copper filled the air, mingling with the artificial sterility of the store¡¯s lighting.


    Yet, the kid didn¡¯t falter. Not even for a second.


    Instead, he darted forward, his feet pounding against the store¡¯s ruined floor, weaving between the disk¡¯s attacks with an almost inhuman level of agility. Each attempted slice of the automaton¡¯s disk missed by mere inches, the razor-thin margin of survival leaving nothing but the sharp, ghostly whistle of steel cutting through empty air.


    With a wicked gleam in his glowing yellow eyes, the kid dropped low, his body a blur as he spun into a powerful sweep kick aimed directly at the automaton¡¯s head.


    But the automaton was faster. With precision so sharp it bordered on supernatural, the automaton¡¯s cybernetic fingers snapped up, catching the kid¡¯s foot mid-air, stopping the attack dead in its tracks. A thunderous clank echoed through the ruined aisles, the strength behind the grip immovable, unyielding.


    Before the kid could react, the automaton¡¯s disk came hurtling back through the air, aimed directly at his unguarded torso. And yet¡ªhe still wasn¡¯t afraid.


    A psychotic grin curled across the kid''s lips as his free hand lashed out behind him, gripping the spinning disk in his bare fingers. Sparks erupted upon contact, the sheer momentum and power of the weapon threatening to tear through his flesh.


    But his grip held. With an effortless clench of his fist, the disk snapped into countless shards, the metallic debris raining down onto the store floor like shattered glass.


    The automaton¡¯s cold, mechanical eyes widened just slightly, the only indication of its momentary shock. And that moment was all the opening the kid¡¯s clone needed.


    A brutal kick from the side struck the automaton directly in the ribs, the sheer impact sending it flying sideways into a towering metal shelf. The entire structure groaned under the sudden force before collapsing like a house of cards, its contents spilling into a chaotic mess of crushed boxes and broken glass.


    But the automaton recovered quickly. From beneath the wreckage, its glowing blue cybernetic eyes pierced through the dust, its form rising without hesitation, without pain. And in a single fluid motion, it dug its hand into the fallen metal shelving, gripping the heavy structure like it was weightless.


    Then, with unrelenting power, the automaton swung the entire shelf like a makeshift weapon, bringing it crashing down with devastating force. A shockwave ripped through the store as the kid and his clones were sent flying, their bodies tumbling through the air like ragdolls.


    Yet, one clone managed to evade the attack, using the momentum to close the distance between them. With near inhuman speed, the clone launched itself forward, twisting mid-air before delivering a clean, crushing kick to the automaton¡¯s head.


    A dull, metallic clang rang out as the automaton¡¯s head snapped to the side. It grunted, more out of surprise than pain. But it didn¡¯t falter.


    Instead, its own roar tore through the store, a deep, guttural sound that reverberated through the shelves, shaking the very foundation beneath them. Its fist lashed out, generating a shockwave powerful enough to rattle the overhead lights.


    The clone weaved through the punch effortlessly, its movements sharp, fluid, and merciless, retaliating with a blinding flurry of blows. Each hit left a dent in the automaton¡¯s once-pristine form, the impact of the strikes shaking its frame with every vicious connection.


    Yet, despite the merciless onslaught, the automaton never broke. It only grew angrier.


    With another thunderous roar, its cybernetic eyes erupted into blinding white light, an explosive wave of heat radiating outward with terrifying force. The clone barely had time to react before its entire body disintegrated into ash, erased in an instant.


    Then, something changed. Ray, who had remained passive until now, narrowed his bi-colored cybernetic eyes, his usual impassive expression faltering just slightly.


    His mind raced. An automaton¡­ entering the Flow State? Here, of all places?


    The automaton¡¯s form began to shift, its movements gaining a surreal fluidity, as if it had shed the mechanical rigidity of its existence entirely. The white aura surrounding its frame intensified, glowing with an ethereal purity that starkly contrasted the destruction around it.


    It was transcending. Becoming something more.


    And the kid? He only grinned wider.


    ¡°Bout time you noticed!¡± he taunted as the Automaton turned to him, his own golden aura erupting like a blazing sun, arcs of golden lightning crackling wildly around his form.


    At his command, his clones formed a makeshift catapult, launching him high into the air like a human projectile. The automaton¡¯s piercing gaze followed his ascent, its stance unwavering, its composure fully returned.


    It was no longer simply fighting. It was waiting. Calculating. Preparing.


    The two combatants locked eyes. Their auras burned brighter, clashing mid-air before their bodies had even met.


    Then, with a final war cry, the kid threw his fist forward, his entire form streaking toward the automaton like a yellow comet. At the same time, the automaton mirrored him, its ivory-white aura expanding outward, its fist meeting his head-on.


    For a brief, heart-stopping moment, time seemed to freeze. Then¡ªImpact.


    A flash of white and gold consumed the entire store, the sheer collision of their raw strength generating an explosion of force so intense that the shelves buckled and collapsed inward. A blinding light engulfed everything.


    The kid¡¯s body was a blur, flung through the air like a discarded ragdoll. The force of the final strike had sent him hurtling backwards, his limbs limp, his consciousness ripped away in the final, desperate clash. His remaining clones dissipated into swirling white mist, their fleeting forms dissolving into the air as if they had never existed at all.


    A sickening crash rang out as the kid¡¯s body collided with a pile of fallen shelves, sending a fresh wave of debris scattering across the floor. Dust and shattered product displays settled around his still form.


    Kite and Rad stood frozen, their wide eyes reflecting the sheer destruction left in the wake of the battle. Amazement and horror warred within them as they turned their gaze to the being that emerged from the smoke.


    The automaton stood victorious. Its gleaming white aura slowly faded, retreating like dying embers, its form returning to its original, cold precision.


    There was no arrogance in its stance, no sign of reveling in its triumph, just calm detachment and an unwavering resolve. With an almost reverent slowness, the automaton gave a single, final nod of acknowledgment toward the fallen kid, an unspoken recognition of his efforts.


    Then, without another word, it bent down, retrieved the very pack of meat that had started this entire ordeal, and turned away. Its movements were methodical, deliberate, its presence fading into the store¡¯s shadows like a ghost.


    Never to be seen here again. Kite stood there for a moment longer, his heartbeat thudding in his ears. Then, a nervous chuckle escaped his lips, shaking off the tension. ¡°I¡¯ve gotta get those bracelets!¡± he suddenly exclaimed, his voice snapping with excitement.


    Without hesitation, he abandoned the shopping cart and bolted forward, his shoes skidding against the store¡¯s ruined floor as he raced toward the fallen kid. ¡°Kite! Wait up!¡± Rad shouted, grabbing the cart and pushing after him in frustration.


    Ray, however, lingered. His cybernetic eyes remained locked on the automaton¡¯s last position, the glow of his violet and green optics flickering faintly in thought.


    His expression was unreadable, but something in his stance, the stillness, the lingering tension in his tiny frame, suggested that this encounter had even him slightly shaken up. Then, with one last glance, Ray silently drifted forward, catching up to the two boys.


    The scene was a mess. Kite stumbled over broken packaging and crushed shelves, his breathing heavy from excitement as he closed the distance to where the boy had landed.


    The kid lay sprawled among the debris, his black and yellow varsity jacket torn at the sleeves, his white shirt dirtied, and the edges of his black jeans frayed from the impact.


    His chest rose and fell in uneven, shallow breaths, his body still but not lifeless. The yellow glow of his cybernetic bracelets had dimmed significantly, their once-bright radiance reduced to a faint, flickering hum, as if drained of power.


    Kite dropped to one knee beside the boy, his hands hovering slightly, unsure where to touch. But his eyes kept straying to the bracelets, his fingers twitching slightly.


    I could just¡­ he swallowed hard, a quiet temptation stirring inside him.


    The power he had seen, Tuko Pamoja, it was unlike anything he had ever encountered that was from this universe. The way the kid commanded his clones, the speed, the raw strength¡­ It was incredible. And those bracelets, they were the source of it, weren¡¯t they?


    Kite exhaled sharply, shaking his head as he thought to himself. No. Not now.


    ¡°Kite!¡± Rad¡¯s voice cut through the moment as he and Ray finally caught up.


    Rad shot Kite an unimpressed glare, but Kite only grinned sheepishly. ¡°Sorry, Rad,¡± he muttered, rubbing the back of his head.


    Then, Kite¡¯s gaze turned to Ray, his expression shifting to something more serious. ¡°You can heal him, right?¡± he asked hopefully.


    Ray remained silent for a moment, his glowing eyes scanning the boy¡¯s injuries. His expression remained unreadable, his lips pressed into a thin line.


    ¡°I could¡­¡± Ray¡¯s voice was quiet, hesitant, as if he were reluctant to interfere in the kid¡¯s fate.


    Kite clasped his hands together and pleaded, his wide eyes brimming with that stubborn, unwavering determination. ¡°Come on, please?¡± he begged, his voice almost childlike in its desperation.


    Ray sighed heavily, rolling his cybernetic eyes before muttering, ¡°Fine.¡±


    Rad and Kite watched in silent anticipation as Ray¡¯s small, white cybernetic hand pressed lightly against the boy¡¯s shoulder.


    A faint cosmic glow pulsed beneath his palm, violet and blue light radiating softly, like a nebula breathing to life. The boy¡¯s wounds began to close, the bruises fading and the cuts sealing themselves.


    His ragged breathing evened out, his fingers twitching slightly as consciousness slowly returned to him. Then, his eyes fluttered open, blinking groggily.


    ¡°W-what happened?¡± The kid¡¯s voice was hoarse, his mind still foggy as he struggled to process his surroundings.


    ¡°You lost,¡± Rad stated bluntly, crossing his arms and gesturing to the utter destruction around them.


    The kid groaned, his head dropping slightly as he exhaled in frustration. ¡°Dammit¡­ I thought I had him,¡± he muttered, disappointment evident in his tone.


    Kite saw his opportunity. ¡°Hey uh¡­¡± He spoke up nervously, his tone suddenly casual, as if trying to mask his excitement.


    ¡°Those bracelets¡­¡± he pointed, his grin sly. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t happen to be for sale, would they?¡±


    The boy raised an eyebrow, his yellow pupils flickering in curiosity. He lifted his wrist slightly, examining the sleek, black cybernetic bands.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t have any reason to give them away,¡± he replied, suspicion creeping into his voice. ¡°Why?¡±


    Kite smirked, unclamping his hover board from his backpack and tossing it into the air. The device expanded instantly, the sleek makeshift hover board hovering above the ground smoothly, humming with power.


    ¡°Because,¡± Kite said with a dramatic pause, ¡°I was willing to do a trade.¡± The kid¡¯s eyes widened slightly, his gaze locking onto the hover board, his fingers twitching ever so slightly.


    ¡°Whoa¡­ Is that a hover board?¡± he asked in awe. ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted one of those.¡±


    Kite¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Mhmm. And it can be all yours for those bracelets,¡± he said smoothly, pointing at the boy¡¯s wrists.


    Rad raised an eyebrow from the sidelines, his suspicion clear, but he remained silent, watching the exchange unfold. The kid hesitated, his expression conflicted. His fingers brushed over the smooth surface of the bracelets, the faint glow barely pulsing.


    A part of him didn¡¯t want to part with them. They had been his for years, his main source of power. But¡­


    ¡°Will you keep them safe?¡± The boy¡¯s voice was softer this time, quieter, as if he were letting go of something more than just a piece of tech.


    Kite¡¯s eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by the weight of the question. But then, his expression softened, and he nodded, sincerity clear in his voice. ¡°Of course. It¡¯s a promise.¡±


    The kid exhaled deeply, then offered a small, bittersweet smile. ¡°It¡¯s a deal.¡±


    With a slow, deliberate motion, he slid the bracelets off his wrists and placed them in Kite¡¯s hands. The moment the cool metal touched Kite¡¯s skin, his heart pounded, his breath hitching in anticipation.


    As the kid picked up the hover board, he spared one last glance at Ray. ¡°Thanks,¡± he said simply, his expression unreadable. ¡°Whoever you are.¡±


    Then, with that, he was gone. Ray watched him disappear, his expression still and unreadable, but something in the way his eyes flickered hinted at deeper thoughts.


    Kite, meanwhile, grinned like a kid on his birthday, eagerly sliding the bracelets onto his wrists. His pulse quickened as the newfound hum of power coiled around him, anticipation bubbling in his chest as he whispered the words.


    ¡°Tuko Pamoja¡­¡±

 Chapter 48: The Binding of Gods and Stars

    The hazy undercity sprawled out before them, a labyrinth of flickering neon lights, towering structures patched together with rusted metal, and endless alleyways bathed in the dim glow of electric signage. The air was thick with the scent of burning fuel and fried street food, a chaotic mix that clung to the damp concrete streets. Kite and Rad walked side by side, navigating through the bustle of late-night crowds while Ray hovered silently above them, his cybernetic eyes scanning their surroundings with quiet detachment.


    ¡°What do you mean the bracelets don¡¯t accept me?¡± Kite¡¯s voice rang out, sharp with frustration, as he threw out his hands dramatically. The onyx bracelets on his wrists glimmered in the neon glow, their mystic engravings faintly pulsating with dormant power, as if mocking him.


    The bracelet on his left wrist was iron-clad, sleek, and heavy, its crimson glow faint but present, like dying embers waiting to be reignited. It was slightly heavier than its counterpart, a burden Kite could feel pressing against his bones.


    The right bracelet, however, was more intricate, engraved with golden web-like filigree that caught the light like strands of silk. Despite its delicate appearance, it was just as formidable, humming softly against his skin.


    Rad let out a low chuckle, adjusting the grocery bags in his grip. ¡°Have you tried asking nicely? Maybe they¡¯re just shy?¡± He smirked, his voice dripping with mockery.


    Kite groaned loudly, rolling his eyes. ¡°Ha-ha, very funny, Rad.¡± He scowled at the bracelets, shaking his wrists as if to jolt them into working.


    Ray, meanwhile, remained expressionless, his smooth white-and-black robotic frame untouched by the flickering lights around him. He hovered just a few feet off the ground, arms crossed as he observed Kite¡¯s struggles with quiet amusement.


    ¡°Because those bracelets are possessed,¡± Ray stated, his voice carrying its usual calm, mechanical detachment.


    Kite froze mid-step, blinking in confusion before whipping his head toward Ray. ¡°Huh? Possessed?¡± His brow furrowed, his frustration momentarily replaced with intrigue.


    Ray nodded before continuing, ¡°By the two gods named Shango and Anansi.¡± Kite and Rad exchanged glances, their expressions mirroring the same mix of curiosity and concern.


    ¡°Gods?¡± Kite lifted his wrist, inspecting the intricate markings with renewed interest. ¡°Is that why that kid from earlier was so powerful?¡±


    Rad¡¯s smirk faltered slightly, a flicker of concern crossing his face as he considered Kite¡¯s words. ¡°Wait¡ªdoesn¡¯t that mean the bracelets are cursed in some way?¡±


    Ray simply nodded, his voice remaining eerily composed as he floated beside them. ¡°If I am correct, those bracelets have been around for at least a couple of millennia¡­ maybe longer.¡±


    Kite¡¯s eyes widened slightly, his earlier frustration melting into awe as he turned his gaze back to the priceless relics strapped to his wrists. ¡°Whoa¡­ that¡¯s so cool!¡± he practically beamed, his excitement bouncing off the neon-lit storefronts as they passed a crowded restaurant teeming with chimera patrons.


    Rad, however, was less enthused. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then how the hell did they end up in that kid¡¯s hands?¡± he asked, his brow furrowing. ¡°Did he just stumble across them in an alley or something?¡±


    Ray took a long pause, his glowing eyes narrowing slightly as he tilted his head. A faint mechanical whir emitted from within his body, a telltale sign that his mind was searching through the countless universes he could perceive. Then, finally, he spoke.


    ¡°The child is royalty.¡± His voice was flat, matter-of-fact, but the weight of the revelation landed like a bomb. ¡°Born into a family filled with warriors and gods.¡± Rad and Kite stopped dead in their tracks, their eyes going wide.


    ¡°Wait, what!?¡± Kite nearly shouted, his body snapping toward Ray. ¡°Royalty?¡± Rad muttered, his disbelief evident as he ran a hand through his hair.


    Kite threw his hands in the air, gesturing wildly to his bracelet-clad wrists. ¡°W-wait, hold on now¡ªif that kid is royalty, then why the heck did he just hand these over to me like they were nothing!?¡± His voice cracked slightly, his panic growing.


    Ray, ever the picture of calm certainty, answered without hesitation. ¡°Because they are cursed.¡±


    Kite felt a bead of sweat roll down his temple as he stared at Ray, mouth agape. Ray continued, unfazed. ¡°All who wield those bracelets suffer various symptoms.¡±


    Kite¡¯s stomach twisted at the word symptoms. ¡°Huh!?¡± he yelped, instinctively pulling his arms closer to his body as if that would somehow protect him.


    Rad, meanwhile, let out a low snicker. ¡°Damn, Kite¡¯s gonna die just when I was starting to like him.¡± His voice was casual, but there was a flicker of genuine concern beneath the teasing.


    Kite spun to face him, looking utterly betrayed. ¡°This ain¡¯t no laughing matter, Rad!¡± He then turned back to Ray, his eyes pleading, his hands clasped together in desperation. ¡°Come on, Ray, give it to me straight¡ªwhat are the symptoms?¡±


    Ray¡¯s lips curled slightly, the faintest hint of amusement playing at the edges of his normally stoic expression. ¡°The symptoms are¡­¡± He paused dramatically, letting the tension build.


    Kite gulped audibly, his pulse hammering. ¡°An inclination towards violence, impulsiveness, decreased fear, and¡­¡± Ray trailed off again, his cybernetic eyes narrowing slightly, dragging out the suspense.


    ¡°Ray!¡± Kite all but screeched, his voice echoing down the street, drawing mildly concerned glances from passersby.


    Ray¡¯s smirk deepened, a mischievous glint in his starry eyes as he gave the lie. ¡°And the loss of taste buds.¡±


    The world might as well have stopped spinning. Kite went dead silent, his expression twisting from shock to horror in a matter of seconds.


    ¡°Wait¡­ but that means¡­¡± His voice faltered, his gaze snapping to the grocery bags Rad carried. His mom¡¯s home-cooked meals. The taste of ice cream. His favorite snacks.


    Every food he loved¡ªgone forever. Kite¡¯s legs buckled beneath him, and he collapsed dramatically to his knees, his hands shooting into the air in utter despair.


    The bracelets glinted mockingly in the neon lights as his anguished voice rang out: ¡°NOOOOO!¡± His wail of sorrow echoed through the undercity streets, causing a few people to stop and stare before hurriedly walking in the opposite direction.


    Rad burst into laughter, doubling over as he clutched his stomach. ¡°Come on, Kite, the symptoms aren¡¯t that bad,¡± he teased, still laughing.


    Ray watched with a faint smirk, though his own amusement was tinged with something quieter¡ªsomething knowing. Because, in the end¡­ it didn¡¯t matter.


    Ray turned his gaze toward the distant skyline of the undercity, his fingers twitching slightly as he thought to himself. That kid will get the bracelets back in a few years anyway.


    His expression darkened slightly, the mirth in his gaze replaced with something else entirely. A knowing, inevitable sorrow.


    The rundown kitchen was a chaotic symphony of sizzling pans, bubbling sauces, and the rhythmic clatter of utensils. The countertops were cluttered with spice jars, half-used ingredients, and the occasional dish waiting to be cleaned. The old stovetop hissed and crackled, its burners glowing a faint orange as Mira whirled around the kitchen, moving with the precision of a seasoned chef and the speed of a whirlwind.


    The faint yellowing of the kitchen tiles and the scratches on the wooden cabinets told of years of use, of countless meals prepared in this very space. The faint scent of herbs and spices clung to the walls, mixing with the rich aroma of buttery eggs and sizzling meats. A dented metal fan spun lazily above, barely keeping up with the warmth radiating from the stove.


    Mira, moving as if she had done this dance a thousand times before, cracked eggs effortlessly over a large, well-worn frying pan, the thick golden yolks oozing into the melting butter, creating swirls of yellow and white as they combined. The edges of the eggs crisped slightly, a rich golden brown forming as she gave the pan a quick flick, ensuring nothing stuck.


    She worked with fluidity and grace, her hands a blur as she tossed a pinch of salt, a dash of pepper, and a sprinkle of vibrant red paprika into the pan, the seasonings melting into the sizzling mixture. The aromatic explosion of spices filled the air, wrapping the entire room in the warm, mouthwatering scent of home-cooked perfection.


    On the counter, a steaming pot of rice rested, each grain fluffy and perfectly separated, the gentle fragrance of jasmine rising with the steam. Next to it, a plate stacked with golden-brown meat glistened under the kitchen lights, its surface coated in a layer of glossy, caramelized sauce that dripped slightly onto the plate.


    Mira, completely in her element, even took the time to juggle a wooden spoon, a spatula, and a pepper grinder effortlessly in the air, catching them in quick succession before whistling a cheerful tune. Rad watched in complete awe, his mouth slightly agape as his eyes flickered between Mira¡¯s impossibly fast movements and the masterpiece of a meal coming together before him.


    His stomach growled at the sight of the food, but he was too impressed to even comment. She does it so effortlessly! Rad thought to himself, his eyes darting across the kitchen, barely keeping up with her speed and finesse.


    Even Ray was impressed as he hovered silently beside Rad, his glowing cybernetic eyes reflecting the vibrant energy radiating from the kitchen. The sizzling of oil, the rhythmic chopping of vegetables, and the crackle of spices meeting the heat filled the air with a tantalizing aroma that even he could appreciate. His optics flickered slightly as he observed Mira¡¯s rapid, near-impossible movements, effortlessly flipping a pan with one hand while seasoning a bubbling pot with the other.


    She¡¯s an even crazier cook than Aunt Laura was. Ray thought to himself, his normally impassive expression betraying a hint of amusement. He had witnessed skilled cooks before¡ªhis Aunt Laura herself was no stranger to whipping up a meal with flair¡ªbut Mira? Mira was in an entirely different league.


    Meanwhile, just outside the kitchen, Dorian stood with his back turned to the culinary chaos, completely unfazed by the clatter of utensils and the high flames licking at the pan. He held the crumpled note in one hand, scanning the list one last time as he faced Kite, who practically buzzed with excitement. The two of them were completely accustomed to Mira¡¯s over-the-top cooking style, treating the whirlwind of action behind them as nothing more than background noise.


    ¡°So, let me get this straight,¡± Dorian said, his deep voice cutting through the hum of the kitchen as he eyed Kite over the top of the note. The warm neon glow from the undercity flickered through the nearby window, casting a soft, golden light onto the room. The scents of seared meat, butter, and spices wrapped around them like an invisible embrace, thick and rich with flavor.


    Kite, standing at full attention, rocked on the balls of his feet, eager to prove himself. ¡°You got the cooking oil, eggs, rice, spices, and organic butter like I asked?¡± Dorian continued, his tone laced with a hint of amusement.


    Kite nodded quickly, holding up the slightly wrinkled receipt like a trophy. His green pupils gleamed under the warm kitchen lights as he grinned ear to ear. ¡°Mhm! Got everything on there!¡± he said proudly, puffing out his chest.


    Dorian smirked, letting out a small, approving chuckle before raising a hand. ¡°Atta boy.¡±


    With a swift motion, Kite eagerly slapped his palm against his father¡¯s in a solid high-five, the satisfying smack echoing briefly over the sounds of the kitchen. Kite laughed gleefully, the warmth of the moment melting into the bubbling chaos that was Mira¡¯s cooking.


    The hiss of a perfectly seared cut of meat, the occasional flick of Mira¡¯s wrist sending ingredients soaring through the air before landing precisely where they needed to be, it was all a symphony, a masterpiece in motion. The laughter, the heat, the rhythmic clatter of the kitchen, and the smell of home-cooked food all melded into a single, harmonious moment¡ªone that felt undeniably, irreplaceably alive.


    The sounds of clinking silverware and ceramic plates echoed softly through the room, mingling with the quiet hum of the ceiling fan that flickered above them. The table was set simply, but the meal before them was anything but ordinary.


    At the center of each plate sat a generous serving of egg-fried rice, its golden grains glistening from the melted butter that had been carefully folded in. Fluffy yet perfectly crisp in places, the rice was studded with bits of caramelized onion and flecks of vibrant green scallions, their aroma mingling harmoniously with the rich, savory scent of soy sauce and toasted sesame oil.


    Soft scrambled eggs were delicately woven throughout, their silky texture contrasting beautifully with the gentle crunch of seared vegetables. Beside the rice lay thick slices of meat, their deep, golden-brown crust glistening under the kitchen lights. The surface of each cut was lacquered in a sticky, umami-rich glaze, a perfect balance of sweet and savory that clung to the tender flesh.


    The caramelized outer edges promised a satisfying bite, while the juicy, marinated interior all but melted at the press of a fork. Wisps of fragrant steam curled up from each plate, filling the air with a comforting warmth that made even Ray pause for a moment, silently taking it all in.


    ¡°You know, Mira, you really outdid yourself this time,¡± Dorian said, his voice rich with appreciation as he took a bite, the flavors immediately grounding him in the familiar warmth of home.


    Kite, practically vibrating with excitement, wasted no time digging in. Scooping up a heaping spoonful of rice, he hummed in satisfaction before turning to Ray, holding the spoon out to him with an eager grin. ¡°Yeah, the food¡¯s really good, Mom!¡±


    Ray hovered beside him with a frown, arms crossed, his glowing cybernetic eyes flickering between Kite and the offered spoon. His fingers twitched slightly before he finally gave in, taking a small bite. He chewed slowly, the flavors unfolding across his artificial palate, salty, savory, just a hint of sweetness from the glaze on the meat.


    After a moment of contemplation, he nodded. ¡°It is tasty,¡± he admitted, his voice quiet but sincere.


    Mira beamed, her emerald green eyes glinting beneath the dim, flickering light. ¡°Aw, thanks, everyone. I¡¯m glad you all like my cooking,¡± she said warmly, her voice carrying the pride of someone who had spent years perfecting her craft.


    Yet, amidst the cheerful atmosphere, Rad remained silent, his spoon moving slower than the others. He ate hesitantly, each bite measured, as if part of him couldn¡¯t quite let himself enjoy it. The gleeful chatter of Kite and Mira filled the space, their voices a steady hum of warmth, but Rad sat in contrast¡ªpresent, yet withdrawn.


    Dorian, ever observant, caught the hesitation. He turned to the quiet boy, his voice gentle but firm. ¡°Your name¡¯s Rad, right?¡±


    At the sound of his name, Rad stopped mid-bite, his shoulders stiffening as he quickly swallowed. ¡°Y-yeah,¡± he answered, forcing a sheepish smile, trying to appear as casual as possible despite the sudden attention.


    Dorian studied him for a moment before offering a small, knowing smile. ¡°That¡¯s a nice name, Rad.¡± His tone was genuine, carrying no judgment, only sincerity.


    Rad blinked, as if unsure how to respond to something so simple yet unexpectedly kind. Before the moment could stretch into awkwardness, Dorian turned to Kite, shifting the conversation. "How¡¯s the school project coming along? You two getting along with the baby?¡±


    Mira perked up at that. ¡°Oh yeah! You haven¡¯t told us what you¡¯ve been up to lately, Kite.¡±


    Kite chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°Oh¡­ uh, yeah¡­¡± A sheepish grin spread across his face as he scrambled to filter through his recent experiences. Probably shouldn¡¯t tell them about the vampires¡­


    ¡°Me, Ray, and my friends,¡± he said, gesturing toward Rad, ¡°went on like¡­ a scavenger hunt for guitar pieces.¡±


    Dorian raised an eyebrow as he took another bite. ¡°Guitar pieces?¡±


    Kite nodded eagerly, stuffing a spoonful of rice into his mouth before continuing. ¡°Mhm! I think they were possessed or something, though, ¡®cause, like, after I pieced them back together, this weird ghost guy came out of the guitar.¡±


    Rad, finally speaking up, added, ¡°Yeah. I think his name was Orion Vance or something.¡±


    Mira and Dorian exchanged puzzled glances. ¡°Orion Vance?¡± Mira repeated, her brow furrowing.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t heard of him?¡± Rad asked, surprised. ¡°He¡¯s supposed to be some legendary guitarist.¡±


    Dorian shrugged. ¡°Nah, I don¡¯t think they ever taught us about him in school.¡±


    ¡°Not that your father ever paid attention in class,¡± Mira teased, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.


    Kite¡¯s eyes widened with excitement. ¡°No way! You two went to school together? That¡¯s so cool!¡±


    Dorian chuckled as he nodded. ¡°Yup. Though me and your mother didn¡¯t always get along so well.¡±


    Mira groaned dramatically, rolling her eyes. ¡°He was always so loud and obnoxious,¡± she sighed. ¡°Not to mention he was constantly getting into arguments with the teacher.¡±


    ¡°Hey now, it¡¯s not my fault Mr. Coswald¡¯s class was at seven in the morning,¡± Dorian shot back nonchalantly. ¡°Maybe if I¡¯d gotten more sleep, I¡¯d have been more Inclined to do his surprise pop quizzes.¡±


    Mira scoffed, throwing her hands up dramatically. ¡°You say that like it was the teacher¡¯s fault, Dorian! And the quizzes only had five questions!¡±


    Kite and Rad leaned in, intrigued by the glimpse into their past. Even Ray, ever the stoic observer, hovered slightly closer, arms still crossed but clearly listening.


    Dorian sighed, shaking his head with a smirk. ¡°They were hard questions.¡±


    Mira erupted into laughter, pointing an accusing finger at him. ¡°The quizzes were multiple choice, and you somehow always bombed them!¡± Her laughter was infectious, causing Rad and Kite to join in, their chuckles mixing with the warmth of the kitchen.


    Dorian smirked, leaning back in his chair as he folded his arms. ¡°Whoa, Dad,¡± Kite said between laughs, wiping a tear from his eye. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were once a troublemaker.¡±


    Dorian¡¯s smile softened, his tone shifting ever so slightly. ¡°Yeah, well¡­ I didn¡¯t always make the best decisions back then.¡±


    Something in the air shifted. The lightheartedness of the conversation dimmed just a little, enough for Rad to notice. He tilted his head, his voice quieter than before. ¡°Really?¡± he asked. "You don¡¯t seem like that kind of person¡­¡±


    Mira¡¯s laughter faded, and her expression became more subdued. She glanced at Dorian, as if waiting to see how he¡¯d answer.


    Dorian exhaled slowly before finally speaking. ¡°Well¡­ lets just say I may or may not have been in some shady groups while growing up.¡±


    Kite and Rad¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Were you in a gang?¡± Kite guessed, his spoon frozen midair.


    Dorian paused for a moment before hesitantly nodding, his voice quieter now. ¡°Granted, I was at the very bottom in terms of rank, but I sure did have ambitions.¡± He chuckled, though there was little humor in it.


    Rad raised an eyebrow. ¡°So¡­ what happened? I hear the guys at the bottom don¡¯t last very long.¡±


    Dorian sighed, his fingers tightening slightly around his fork. ¡°I was one of the lucky kids. I wasn¡¯t strong, I wasn¡¯t big, but I was smart. Tech-smart. I could solve almost any problem.¡±


    He paused, the weight of old memories settling over him. ¡°I¡¯d help with breaching security, scouting locations, disabling alarms¡­ But on one of the heists, things went bad. Everyone but me got caught.¡±


    Rad frowned. ¡°Everyone but you?¡±


    Dorian nodded, his jaw tightening. ¡°Since I was the tech guy, I wasn¡¯t in the middle of the action. I got away scot-free¡­ or so I thought.¡±


    He took a slow breath. "A few weeks later, my dad found my gear. He found everything I had hidden. And my dad¡­ just so happened to be the Chief of Police.¡±


    Kite nearly choked. ¡°Wait¡ªwhat?! You never told me that!¡±


    Dorian chuckled lightly, but there was no real humor in it, just a quiet, exhausted acceptance. ¡°Yeah, well¡­ Me and him don¡¯t have the best relationship anymore,¡± he admitted, his voice carrying the weight of years of unresolved pain. He hesitated, exhaling slowly before continuing.


    ¡°After my dad found my equipment, he was furious. Threatened to turn me in, even brought out the handcuffs and everything.¡±


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    The memory clung to him, thick and suffocating. Dorian swallowed hard, his fingers subtly clenching around his fork. ¡°But¡­ he couldn¡¯t follow through on it.¡± His voice wavered, his usually steady demeanor cracking at the edges. His grey eyes glistened faintly under the dim kitchen light. ¡°I remember¡­ he started crying as he handcuffed me. Yelled out every curse in the book.¡±


    His jaw tensed as he stared down at the table, his gaze unfocused, lost in the past. ¡°¡®My own son!¡±¡¯ His voice grew hoarse as he echoed the words that had been burned into his memory. ¡°¡®My son is a criminal!¡¯¡±


    He exhaled sharply, his shoulders tightening as if bracing himself for the final blow. ¡°Then finally¡­ he looked me right in the eyes and said¡ª¡± Dorian¡¯s voice dropped to a whisper, hollow and aching. ¡°¡®I failed you.¡¯¡±


    A heavy silence filled the room, suffocating, inescapable. Dorian¡¯s heart clenched, the old wound tearing open just from speaking the words aloud. ¡°But none of his words hurt nearly as much as the ones he said when he told me to leave his house and never come back.¡±


    Rad¡¯s stomach twisted, his arms folding tightly across his chest. So that¡¯s why¡­ he thought, his throat tightening. He went through the same thing¡­


    Dorian took a deep, shaky breath, but it did little to steady the weight pressing against his ribs. ¡°Never saw my father again since that day,¡± he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I don¡¯t even know if he¡¯s still alive.¡±


    Mira¡¯s voice was soft, almost hesitant, as she picked up where he left off. ¡°The next day, I found Dorian dumpster diving for food and scraps.¡± She swallowed, her emerald eyes dimming as she recalled the sight. ¡°The poor kid was covered in grime, and his face was soaked with tears.¡±


    Dorian nodded, his fingers absently tracing the rim of his plate. ¡°Mira took me in when no one else would have,¡± he said quietly. His lips twitched into something resembling a smile, though it barely reached his eyes. ¡°I owe her my life, honestly.¡±


    Across the table, Kite¡¯s hands trembled slightly as he gripped his spoon. He struggled to find the right words, his usually bright demeanor dimmed by the weight of his father¡¯s past. ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry to hear that, Dad,¡± he said, his voice soft, almost childlike.


    Dorian glanced up, meeting his son¡¯s uncertain gaze. He forced a small smile, though it was tinged with something bittersweet. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Kite,¡± he reassured him, his voice gentle yet firm. ¡°I learned my lesson, and hopefully¡­ you don¡¯t go down the same path I did.¡±


    Ray¡¯s face remained a blank slate as he watched silently, his expression locked in its usual mechanical stillness as he hovered beside the table, silent and unmoving. His glowing cybernetic eyes reflected the dim kitchen lights, their violet and green hues flickering subtly as he observed the weight of the conversation before him.


    The air was thick with emotions, pain, regret, understanding, but Ray¡¯s features betrayed none of it. Yet, if one were to look closely¡ªcloser than the casual glance, beyond the cold exterior of polished metal and synthetic skin¡ªthey would notice it. A barely perceptible movement.


    His cybernetic fingers, so often steady and controlled, twitched. Just once. A minute, involuntary tremor that betrayed something deeper.


    His gaze, though distant, wasn¡¯t unfocused. It was fixed, locked onto Dorian with an intensity that bordered on something almost human, an emotion he wouldn¡¯t allow himself to express. His cybernetic white fingers curled ever so slightly before straightening again, as if suppressing a reaction, a memory, a truth he could not voice.


    Because deep within Ray¡¯s troubled mind¡ªbeneath the logic, beneath the countless calculations and probabilities¡ªthere was something else. Something heavier than data. A certainty he wished he could ignore. Because no matter how much Ray tried to push it away, he knew the truth.


    A long silence settled over the table, stretching between them like an invisible weight. The only sounds were the faint clinking of utensils against ceramic and the distant hum of the ceiling fan overhead. The warm aroma of the meal still lingered, but the once-lively energy had faded into something quieter, something heavier.


    Kite exhaled, staring down at his empty bowl, idly turning his spoon between his fingers before setting it down. ¡°Well, I guess I¡¯ll head to bed now,¡± he said, his voice carrying a tiredness that wasn¡¯t just from the meal. He rose from his seat, picking up his bowl and placing it in the sink with a practiced motion.


    ¡°Goodnight, Kite,¡± Mira called after him, her voice as gentle as ever.


    ¡°Goodnight, son,¡± Dorian added, his tone steady, but carrying the subtle warmth of a father¡¯s care. Kite turned and waved, flashing one of his signature grins before heading toward the stairs.


    Rad watched silently as Kite disappeared, his gaze following him longer than necessary, as if watching him walk away left an odd, hollow feeling behind. Ray, ever silent, hovered through the air to follow Kite, his movements smooth and unhurried¡ªbut he was stopped in his tracks by Mira¡¯s soft voice.


    ¡°You¡¯re not hungry?¡± she asked, her tone light, but filled with genuine warmth.


    Ray paused mid-air, turning to face her with a slight frown. ¡°No. I am a robot, remember?¡± His voice was flat, matter-of-fact, a reminder that he was not like them.


    Mira only chuckled, reaching into a small bag she had set aside. The soft crinkle of the packaging filled the quiet space before she pulled out a small, sleekly wrapped candy, a solid liquid treat, made specifically for automatons. She held it out with a knowing smile.


    ¡°Stay awhile, would you?¡± she said, her emerald-green eyes gleaming. ¡°I heard automaton children love candy.¡±


    Dorian smirked as he leaned back in his chair. ¡°She made us take a stop on the way home just for that. Honestly, I think she¡¯s taken a liking to you, Ray.¡±


    Ray¡¯s fingers twitched slightly at that¡ªbarely noticeable, but to someone as observant as Dorian, it spoke volumes. Something about being addressed directly with kindness, about being acknowledged not as a monster, but as someone still worth caring about, it unsettled something within Ray.


    His cybernetic gaze lingered on the candy for a long moment, avoiding Mira¡¯s soft, patient expression. For a second, he considered rejecting the offer. He didn¡¯t need food in this form, nor did he still crave affection the way others did. He shouldn¡¯t care. And yet¡­


    Moments later, he found himself nestled in Mira¡¯s lap, his small, robotic frame cradled in her gentle embrace. Her arms wrapped around him with a warmth he hadn¡¯t felt in ages, her touch was soft as she stroked his head with an absentminded tenderness, as if it were second nature to her.


    Every so often, she would press another piece of the blue candy against his lips, and despite himself, Ray accepted it without protest. Rad ate quietly, his eyes flickering toward them every so often, watching the way Mira held Ray with such ease, with love¡ªthe kind of love that neither of them had ever truly known.


    He chewed slowly, his stomach twisting in a way that had nothing to do with the meal in front of him. Dorian noticed.


    ¡°You know, Rad¡­¡± Dorian¡¯s voice was softer now, careful, deliberate, as he watched Rad closely. Rad blinked, lifting his head slightly, his spoon pausing midway to his mouth.


    ¡°You can stay here as long as you like,¡± Dorian continued, offering a small smile. ¡°We could always use a helper around the house.¡±


    Rad¡¯s heart skipped a beat. His grip on the spoon tightened slightly as he processed the words. For a moment, he thought he had misheard, that his mind was playing tricks on him. But then Mira spoke, her voice just as gentle.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± she murmured, still cradling Ray in her arms, her fingers caressing his head gently. ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted another kid, you know.¡±


    Ray was still, but his expression had changed over time, just the slightest shift, so small it would be easy to miss. His once-sharp, detached gaze had softened, a distant sorrow flickering beneath his emerald-green eye as it faintly glowed with a somber hue. He stared upward, his expression unreadable, his thoughts lost somewhere far away. Drifting to a happier, more carefree time in his life.


    Rad, meanwhile, could barely find his voice. His throat tightened, his lips parted, but only hesitation came out. ¡°¡­A-are you sure?¡± he asked at last, his voice unsteady, small. ¡°I mean¡­ I was just planning to stay the night, then maybe¡­¡±


    He trailed off, gripping his arm. His next words were barely a whisper. ¡°I just don¡¯t want to be a burden on anyone.¡±


    Dorian¡¯s expression softened further, his gaze filled with something steady, something reassuring. ¡°You won¡¯t be, Rad,¡± he said simply. ¡°We¡¯ll take care of you.¡±


    Rad¡¯s breath caught in his throat. The words hit him harder than he ever could have expected. He opened his mouth, as if to respond, but no words came. His hands trembled slightly as he gripped his spoon, his vision blurring just a little.


    A single tear slipped past his lashes, falling silently into his bowl. Mira saw it but said nothing, only offering him the same warm, unwavering smile as she gently rocked Ray in her arms. ¡°It¡¯s no problem at all,¡± she murmured.


    An hour would soon pass as Kite sat cross-legged atop his bed, the dim glow of the undercity barely filtering through his curtains, casting long, soft shadows across his cluttered room. His fingers ghosted over the two mystical bracelets encircling his wrists, their weight both physical and unseen, something deeper, something ancient.


    The bracelet on his left wrist was a heavy, iron-clad band, its surface smooth but dense with power. Faint, worn engravings traced its edges, archaic symbols carved into the dark metal, pulsing ever so slightly with a deep crimson glow¡ªlike dying embers waiting to be reignited.


    Along its surface, tiny veins of red lightning crackled, flickering erratically as if restless, eager, alive. The metal was slightly warm to the touch, carrying the residual heat of something far greater than him, the slumbering storm of the Thunder King.


    The longer Kite wore it, the more he could feel it, a silent rumble just beneath the surface, as if the bracelet itself was holding back a tempest. The right bracelet was its opposite¡ªdelicate in design, yet just as formidable.


    Its dark, metallic-like base was intricately woven with golden web-like filigree, strands of enchanted silk captured in a frozen moment of craftsmanship. The fine etchings gleamed under the faintest light, catching every movement like shifting strands of a cosmic web.


    Unlike its counterpart, this bracelet hummed softly, a barely perceptible vibration against Kite¡¯s skin. It wasn¡¯t restless, it was waiting, watching, calculating. A whisper of mischief clung to its surface, subtle yet ever-present, biding its time.


    Kite swallowed, his fingers tensing around the bracelets. ¡°Come on¡­¡± he muttered under his breath, frustration creeping into his voice. ¡°Why won¡¯t you accept me already?¡±


    His thoughts raced back to earlier, to Ray¡¯s cold, precise words. ¡°Because those bracelets are possessed. By the two gods named Shango and Anansi.¡± Kite¡¯s stomach twisted as the implications sank in.


    Is it because I¡¯m not royalty? Kite thought bitterly, tilting his head back to stare at the ceiling. The idea gnawed at him, leaving a sour taste in his mouth. That¡¯d be pretty crummy¡­ I really got ripped off.


    Despite himself, he let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. ¡°Okay¡­ one last time, Just like how Ray probably does it,¡± Kite whispered, exhaling deeply through his nose. He forced his shoulders to relax, his posture straightening as he closed his eyes.


    ¡°Just breathe in¡­ and focus.¡± The room fell into silence, save for the distant hum of the city outside. Kite¡¯s hands rested atop his lap, the cool metal of the bracelets pressing against his skin. He slowed his breathing, letting the tension drain from his body as he concentrated.


    For a moment, there was nothing. Just stillness. Then¡ªA faint crackle.


    The air around him shifted, charged with an unseen energy. His left bracelet responded first, a thin arc of red lightning dancing along its surface, snapping against the air like static before vanishing. The energy coursed just beneath the metal, a raw, contained force waiting to be unleashed.


    Kite¡¯s lips parted slightly as he whispered the words, barely audible, yet heavy with intent. ¡°Tuko Pamoja.¡±


    The response was instantaneous. A blinding flash of yellow and crimson light erupted from his wrists, engulfing the entire room in an ethereal explosion of color. The air vibrated with an untamed power, surging through Kite¡¯s veins, through his very core.


    The walls trembled faintly, and for a split second, the weight of something otherworldly pressed down on him, a presence far greater than himself, stirring from its slumber. The bracelets had awakened.


    The searing flash of yellow and crimson light faded, leaving Kite gasping as the world slowly came back into focus. His breath was uneven, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. The room, once swallowed in darkness, was now humming with an unnatural energy¡ªelectricity buzzed in the air, like the aftermath of a distant storm.


    As his eyes adjusted, Kite¡¯s body tensed. Two figures now stood at the foot of his bed.


    The first was a towering warrior, his frame massive and sculpted like a living monument. His deep brown skin pulsed with raw energy, veins crackling with coursing red lightning that flickered over his muscular arms. His thick, fiery red braids, woven into warrior¡¯s locks, hung over his shoulders like strands of living flame. His eyes burned white-hot, glowing with unyielding power, and his broad chest rose and fell with the weight of restrained fury.


    Draped over his powerful frame was a red and white tunic, embroidered with ancient symbols of power and war. A fur-lined black and red cloak billowed behind him, though there was no wind to stir it. His arms were wrapped in white cloth, though lightning danced beneath the bindings, like something struggling to break free.


    His black warrior¡¯s trousers were tucked into golden, thunder-etched boots, every step he took sending faint tremors through the floorboards. And behind him, hovering as if awaiting his command, was a massive, double-headed axe, glowing with divine energy. The very air around it shimmered, crackling with caged thunder.


    Beside him stood a strikingly different presence¡ªone that carried a sense of calm calculation in stark contrast to the storm incarnate beside her. Her obsidian-black skin gleamed with an iridescent sheen, reflecting light like a spider¡¯s exoskeleton.


    Her braided silk hair cascaded over her shoulders, seemingly woven with strands of shimmering webbing that occasionally pulsed with subtle movement. Golden secondary eyes dotted her forehead, giving her an eerie, all-seeing presence. Her slender fingers, adorned with sharp, delicate nails, were folded over her arms as she regarded Kite with a mix of curiosity and amusement.


    She wore a flowing black and gold robe, woven from enchanted silk and webbing, its movement as fluid as liquid shadow. A large circular opening on the back allowed her spider sac to protrude, pulsing faintly as if teeming with unseen illusions. A golden belt cinched around her waist, decorated with carved symbols of stories, riddles, and trickster gods.


    Her ankle bangles jingled softly, though her movements made no sound. Her expression was unreadable, but a smirk tugged at the corners of her lips.


    The warrior¡¯s presence was overwhelming, like standing before a raging storm. The woman¡¯s was more subtle, a quiet tension, like the moment before a web tightens.


    Kite¡¯s mouth fell open, his eyes wide with astonishment. His breath hitched in his throat as his mind scrambled for words. Lightning crackled angrily around the massive warrior, his fists clenched at his sides, while the woman merely tilted her head, studying him with idle curiosity.


    Kite struggled to speak, his words coming out in a stammer. ¡°W-Who¡ªWho are you guys?¡±


    The woman chuckled softly, unfolding her arms. Her voice was layered, as if multiple voices whispered alongside her own.


    ¡°I am Anansi, the Trickster Weaver,¡± she purred, her gaze flicking toward the bracelets on his wrists. ¡°And that impatient storm beside me?¡± Her golden eyes gleamed mischievously. ¡°That would be Shango, the Thunder King.¡±


    Shango let out a low, dangerous growl, his arms folding across his chest as his blazing white eyes narrowed at Kite. ¡°You dare ask who I am, boy?¡± His voice rumbled like distant thunder, filled with a barely restrained fury. ¡°You summon gods into your chamber, and you do not even know our names?!¡±


    Kite blinked, still processing the impossible reality in front of him. Then, his awe transformed into uncontained excitement.


    ¡°That¡¯s so cool!¡± he blurted out, practically vibrating. Shango¡¯s glare darkened, his body tensing with irritation. Thunder rumbled through the walls, shaking the very foundation of the house.


    ¡°Cool?! COOL?!¡± The storm god¡¯s fury crackled around him. ¡°Do you even comprehend the gravity of what you have done?! Do you have any idea what these bracelets are?! You are unworthy to wield them, let alone summon ME!¡±


    Kite shrank slightly under the intensity of Shango¡¯s wrath, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. ¡°Uh¡­ Sorry?¡± he muttered sheepishly before perking up. ¡°But why¡¯s that a bad thing?¡±


    Shango¡¯s scowl deepened. ¡°The boy who wore these before you was royalty!¡± Shango snapped. ¡°He inherited the bracelets from his family, his ancestors! They do not belong to an outsider like you!¡±


    Kite blinked. ¡°Well, if that¡¯s the case, then why¡¯d the kid from before give them away so easily?¡±


    Anansi chuckled, raising a hand to stifle her amusement. ¡°Perhaps we were poor company,¡± she mused, her smirk widening.


    Shango whirled toward her, glaring. ¡°And whose side are you on, Weaver?¡±


    Anansi grinned, her golden eyes gleaming. ¡°My own.¡±


    Kite snickered. ¡°Ha! So you guys bicker a lot?¡±


    ¡°Constantly,¡± Anansi replied smoothly.


    Shango let out an irritated sigh, turning back to Kite. ¡°Enough of this nonsense. If you are to summon us, you must at least understand what you are dealing with.¡±


    Anansi¡¯s smirk faded slightly, her expression growing thoughtful. Kite¡¯s excitement dimmed as he noticed the shift in their demeanor.


    ¡°How did you guys end up in these bracelets, anyway?¡± A long silence stretched between them.


    Then¡ªalmost at the same time¡ªShango and Anansi chuckled darkly. ¡°It is a long story,¡± Anansi mused.


    Shango grunted, his white-hot eyes narrowing. ¡°One of hubris and folly.¡±


    Kite¡¯s interest piqued even further, his legs swinging slightly over the bed. ¡°I got time.¡±


    Shango and Anansi exchanged glances before finally beginning their tale¡ªThe Duel of Strength and Cunning


    Shango¡¯s booming voice filled the room first. ¡°In the time before kings, I and the Trickster Weaver stood at opposing ends of a debate.¡±


    Anansi tilted her head, her silken voice following. ¡°He believed true strength lay in power, battle, and facing one¡¯s enemies head-on.¡±


    Shango nodded firmly. ¡°And she claimed true strength was found in cleverness, deception, and outwitting one¡¯s foes.¡±


    Kite hummed. ¡°So like¡­ brains vs. brawn?¡±


    Shango huffed. ¡°In cruder terms¡­ yes.¡±


    Kite smirked. ¡°I bet Anansi won.¡±


    Shango gritted his teeth, while Anansi laughed musically. ¡°Not so fast, little one. Neither of us won.¡±


    Shango crossed his arms, his eyes glowing fiercely. ¡°Instead, we made a wager.¡±


    ¡°We each created a warrior,¡± Anansi added, her golden eyes gleaming with dark amusement.


    Shango¡¯s voice rumbled like rolling thunder. ¡°My warrior wielded pure strength, capable of crushing entire armies.¡±


    Anansi smirked. ¡°Mine wielded trickery and illusion, defeating any enemy without lifting a blade.¡±


    Kite leaned forward, fascinated. ¡°What happened to them?¡± Shango and Anansi fell silent for a moment.


    Then, together, they said: ¡°They failed.¡± Shango¡¯s expression darkened, his glowing white-hot eyes narrowing as he folded his arms across his massive chest. Lightning crackled around him, illuminating the room in flashes of crimson and gold.


    ¡°The warriors we chose were among the greatest of their time,¡± Shango began, his voice heavy with remembrance. ¡°But both were consumed¡­ by their own weaknesses.¡±


    Anansi tilted her head, her many golden eyes gleaming in the dim light. ¡°They were legendary once¡­ until their own hubris led them to ruin.¡±


    Kite sat motionless, his previous excitement slowly being replaced with something heavier. Shango¡¯s voice rumbled with power as he spoke first.


    ¡°Shujaa.¡± Shango¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°The warrior I chose,¡± he continued, ¡°was named Shujaa the Indomitable. A colossus of a man, born with the might of a thousand warriors.¡±


    Shango¡¯s fingers flexed, as if he could still feel the weight of his chosen¡¯s strength. ¡°He fought with a will of iron, his fists alone capable of crushing boulders. With every battle, his rage burned brighter, his power greater. He was my finest champion.¡±


    Kite gulped. ¡°What¡­ happened to him?¡± Shango¡¯s glowing gaze darkened.


    ¡°He became too strong. Too reckless. He abandoned reason for fury, allowing Shango¡¯s Wrath to consume him.¡±


    Shango¡¯s hands clenched into fists, arcs of crimson lightning snapping around them. ¡°He razed entire battlefields, seeking war over peace, blood over justice. Until¡­ one day¡­ he became nothing more than an uncontrollable inferno of destruction. His body burned with uncontainable energy¡ªuntil it could no longer hold itself together.¡±


    Kite¡¯s stomach twisted as he spoke. ¡°¡­So, what? He just¡ª¡±


    ¡°He exploded.¡± Shango answered bluntly. A brief Silence soon passed.


    Kite blinked, horror creeping up his spine. ¡°Wait. What?!¡±


    Shango nodded grimly. ¡°Shujaa was reduced to nothing but dust and thunder, his soul forever lost.¡±


    Kite swallowed hard, his grip tightening on the bracelets. Anansi¡¯s voice slithered through the silence, soft but sharp.


    ¡°And then¡­ there was my champion.¡± She stepped forward slightly, the golden filigree on her robe shimmering like shifting silk.


    ¡°My warrior was Mwizi the Shadow.¡±


    Kite¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Mwizi¡­?¡± Anansi smirked, though there was a somberness to her tone.


    ¡°A genius. A phantom. His mind was sharper than any blade, his tricks deadlier than any army. He never lost a battle.¡± Anansi stated.


    Shango scoffed. ¡°He also never fought his battles.¡± Anansi¡¯s golden eyes gleamed with amusement, but there was sadness behind them.


    ¡°He never had to,¡± she admitted. ¡°Why fight, when you can turn your enemies against each other? Why strike, when you can vanish into the shadows before the blade even falls?¡±


    Kite felt a chill creep up his spine. ¡°So¡­ what happened to him?¡±


    Anansi¡¯s smirk faded. ¡°He grew too deceptive. Too lost in his illusions.¡± Her fingers traced over her golden belt, as if remembering something distant. ¡°He tricked even himself.¡±


    Kite¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Wait, what do you mean?¡±


    Anansi¡¯s voice was quiet now, almost¡­ regretful. ¡°He could no longer tell what was real and what was illusion. His mind fractured, his identity lost. He became¡­ nothing.¡±


    Kite¡¯s chest tightened. ¡°You mean he¡ª¡± Shango finished the sentence.


    ¡°He faded into the abyss, lost forever.¡± Shango spoke. Another silence settled between them.


    Kite¡¯s demeanor stiffened, his hands trembling slightly as he stared down at the bracelets on his wrists. The weight of their previous wielders¡¯ failures sank in like stones in his gut.


    And then¡ªAnansi¡¯s voice cut through the silence, her smirk returning.


    ¡°Well, little one¡­¡± she mused, watching Kite¡¯s troubled expression. ¡°Now that you wear the bracelets¡­¡±


    Kite¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°¡­we are now permanently tied to your soul.¡±


    Kite¡¯s head snapped up. ¡°W-what?!¡±


    Shango nodded, his white-hot gaze unrelenting. ¡°Until the day you die, you bear our burden.¡±


    Panic seized Kite as he fumbled with the bracelets, trying to yank them off.


    ¡°Ahahaha¡ª¡± Anansi burst into laughter as Kite struggled hopelessly.


    ¡°Nope.¡± Shango smirked, watching the boy squirm.


    Kite gritted his teeth, pulling harder. ¡°Come on¡­! Just¡­ come off already¡ª¡±


    The bracelets remained locked onto his wrists. Kite groaned loudly, throwing his head back. ¡°Oh, come on! Can I at least get a refund?!¡±


    Anansi wiped a fake tear from her eye. ¡°Oh, little one, if only it were that simple.¡± Shango grinned smugly, arms crossed. ¡°You should¡¯ve read the fine print.¡±


    Kite scowled. ¡°You guys suck.¡±


    Anansi chuckled. ¡°Well, perhaps our previous wielder was simply more cautious.¡±


    Kite paused. ¡°¡­Wait. That kid before me. How did he take them off?¡±


    Shango exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. ¡°He never fully accepted us.¡±


    Kite raised an eyebrow as he spoke. ¡°Huh?¡±


    Anansi leaned in slightly, her golden eyes twinkling. ¡°He was a special case. He never embraced our power, never let us truly claim his soul. He remained on the fringes, always one step removed.¡±


    Kite groaned, exasperated. ¡°Oh, great. How convenient.¡±


    Anansi giggled. ¡°Indeed.¡±


    Shango¡¯s smirk faded slightly, and his gaze turned serious as he pointed at Kite¡¯s bracelets.


    ¡°These are more than weapons, boy.¡± His voice was firm, unyielding. ¡°They are symbols.¡±


    Kite¡¯s expression shifted, his curiosity reawakening. ¡°Symbols of¡­ what?¡±


    Shango¡¯s eyes blazed like twin suns. ¡°Hope. Justice. Humility. Leadership.¡±


    Kite blinked. He hadn¡¯t expected that. Shango took a step closer, the weight of his presence pressing into Kite¡¯s chest.


    ¡°You will have to prove yourself worthy,¡± he said. ¡°Only then may you tap into our powers.¡±


    Kite¡¯s breath caught in his throat. His eyes flickered down to the bracelets¡ªnow glowing faintly in response to Shango¡¯s words.


    A new kind of excitement flickered in Kite¡¯s chest. Shango and Anansi both caught it immediately.


    Their smirks widened. Then¡ªAnansi¡¯s form began to fade, her golden eyes gleaming with amusement.


    ¡°Farewell, little one¡­ we will be watching.¡± Shango¡¯s body began to dissolve into streaks of crackling lightning, his blazing white eyes locking onto Kite one final time.


    ¡°Make me proud, Kite Caulder...¡± His form shimmered, breaking apart into pure thunder and light. And as he vanished completely, his voice echoed like distant thunder. ¡°Or die trying.¡±


    Kite sat frozen for a moment, his gaze lingering on the spot where Shango and Anansi had vanished. The air still thrummed with energy, a lingering charge of static and mystery that made the room feel heavier than before.


    Slowly, his eyes drifted down to his wrists, where the Twin Bracelets still glowed faintly, their distinct crimson and golden hues flickering softly like embers waiting to ignite. His fingers brushed over the intricate engravings, feeling the subtle hum of divine power beneath his skin. A slow grin spread across his face as he whispered, ¡°So cool¡­¡±


    The wooden creak of his door snapping open made him jolt. His eyes snapped toward the noise just as two familiar figures entered the room.


    ¡°Uh¡­ Kite?¡± Rad¡¯s quiet, hesitant voice broke the silence as he stepped in cautiously, followed closely by Ray, who hovered just behind him, his violet and emerald cybernetic eyes flickering with their usual unreadable calculation.


    Kite¡¯s grin didn¡¯t falter. ¡°Oh, hey guys.¡± His tone was casual, as if nothing unusual had just occurred.


    Rad¡¯s expression twisted in concern as he took a step closer. ¡°Why were you talking to yourself?¡±


    Kite raised an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly. ¡°What do you mean? You didn¡¯t hear them?¡±


    Rad blinked, exchanging a confused glance with Ray. ¡°Uh¡­¡± He looked around the dimly lit room, brows furrowing. ¡°No? Are you okay?¡±


    Kite¡¯s grin faltered slightly, confusion flickering in his green pupils. ¡°Huh¡­ Weird.¡± He chuckled after a beat, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine. What about you? Why are you two up here?¡±


    Rad opened his mouth to answer, but before he could speak, Ray¡¯s calm, synthetic voice cut through the air like a blade. ¡°Father¡­¡±


    Kite¡¯s breath hitched slightly as Ray raised his palm forward, fingers splaying outward with an eerie sense of precision. A low hum vibrated through the walls as a massive cosmic portal tore itself open in the middle of the room.


    A blistering, star-flecked tear in reality unfurled before them, swirling with deep purples, endless blues, and streaks of radiant white light¡ªas if the very fabric of space had been peeled apart, exposing the raw infinity beyond. The portal didn¡¯t just shimmer¡ªit pulsed, alive, its swirling edges sparking with bursts of celestial energy that flickered like dying stars.


    From within, a powerful, chilling wind howled through the breach, rustling their clothes and sending shivers down their spines. The force of it sucked the air toward the abyss, pulling at their bodies as if the portal itself was beckoning them forward.


    Beyond the swirling threshold, an impossible expanse of deep-space stretched infinitely, dotted with nebulae burning in hues of violet and gold, their radiant gases shifting and spiraling like cosmic oceans. Countless stars flickered in the distance, some exploding in slow-motion supernovas, their violent births painting streaks of crimson across the void.


    A single colossal celestial body loomed in the distance, its surreal, glass-like surface reflecting the surrounding galaxies as it hovered in the abyss, unmoving and eternal.


    The air grew dense, tingling with an undeniable energy. Kite and Rad¡¯s bodies were suddenly engulfed in a shimmering cosmic aura, their outlines glowing with traces of deep blue and silver light. A thrumming power coursed through them, making their hair stand on end, their skin alive with an energy they had never felt before.


    Rad looked down at his arms, watching the ethereal glow dance along his skin, his fingers twitching as he felt the strength coursing through his veins. His eyes widened in awe. ¡°Whoa¡­¡± He whispered under his breath.


    Kite¡¯s reaction was far less subtle, his entire face lit up with exhilaration, his emerald green eyes gleaming with excitement as he spun to face Ray. The robotic boy remained hovering in place, his usual expressionless demeanor intact, though there was something different this time.


    A small smirk played at the edges of his lips. Then, Ray spoke.


    ¡°Would you like to go on an adventure?¡±

 Chapter 49: Winds of the forgotten Pt.1

    The vast desert stretched endlessly in all directions, a sea of golden sand dunes rolling beneath the unrelenting heat of twin suns. The air shimmered with heatwaves, distorting the horizon where jagged, rocky outcrops jutted from the sand like the remains of a long-forgotten civilization.


    Sparse, withered trees and cracked, dry bushes dotted the landscape, their roots buried deep beneath the dunes in search of whatever water remained hidden far below. The wind, though slow, carried the faint whistle of shifting sands, its whispering presence the only relief from the otherwise crushing silence of the desert.


    Above them, the twin suns blazed mercilessly, their combined heat casting long, distorted shadows across the dunes. The sky, an unbroken expanse of pale blue, seemed almost cruel in its clarity, with no clouds In sight to shield them from the scorching rays.


    This ancient world the trio had entered now stood in stark contrast to the icy wasteland Ray had stumbled into at the age of eleven¡ªa place where he had spent an entire year in training, though for everyone he knew back home, only a month had passed.


    In the midst of it all, three figures traversed the harsh landscape, Kite and Rad trudging through the sand while Ray hovered effortlessly ahead of them. Ray¡¯s body cast a faint cosmic glow, his black and white robotic frame standing out against the earthy tones of the desert.


    He moved with eerie stillness, his mind seemingly elsewhere, as if he were seeing beyond this world, into something grander. Kite groaned, his voice raspy as he swallowed hard. ¡°Where are we even going, Ray? We¡¯ve been out here for hours.¡±


    Beside him, Rad let out a lazy yawn, adjusting the straps of his backpack. ¡°It¡¯s only been thirty minutes, doofus,¡± he retorted, rolling his eyes as he tilted his water bottle to his lips.


    Kite¡¯s gaze flickered downward immediately, locking onto the clear liquid sloshing within the plastic bottle. The sound of it hitting Rad¡¯s lips, the sight of condensation clinging to the surface, it was almost torturous in this heat.


    Rad immediately noticed. He smirked as he pulled the bottle away. Kite narrowed his eyes. ¡°Give me.¡± His fists clenched at his sides.


    Rad¡¯s smirk only widened. ¡°Or what?¡± A tense silence settled between them, the distant wind whistling between the dunes. Sweat dripped from both their foreheads, rolling down their faces as the heat bore down on them like an oppressive weight.


    And yet, Ray hovered on, seemingly oblivious to their growing tension. Then¡ªa low, dark chuckle broke the silence. ¡°Hehe¡­ You know, I¡¯m glad you asked, actually¡­¡± Kite muttered ominously with a mischievous smirk.


    Rad raised an eyebrow. ¡°What are you¡ª¡± But before he could finish, Kite¡¯s hand shot into his pocket.


    ¡°POCKET SAND!¡± Kite shrieked maniacally, flinging a fistful of fine, dry sand straight into Rad¡¯s face.


    ¡°GAAH¡ªWHAT THE HELL?!¡± Rad stumbled back violently, hands shooting up to rub at his burning eyes. The coarse grains scratched at his skin, stinging and blinding him in an instant.


    Kite didn¡¯t waste a second. ¡°Gotcha!¡± He cackled wildly as he flipped effortlessly over Rad¡¯s head, his enhanced agility making the movement seem almost effortless.


    His fingers swiped the water bottle from Rad¡¯s grip mid-air before his feet touched down on the soft sand with barely a sound. And then¡ªhe bolted.


    ¡°Argh! Damn it, Kite!¡± Rad roared in frustration, spinning around, still half-blinded as he stumbled forward, giving chase immediately. His footsteps kicked up loose sand, his anger fueling his pursuit.


    Ray, who had not even turned to acknowledge their antics before, finally stopped. His bi-colored cybernetic eyes flickered, following their distant figures as they tore through the dunes.


    For a moment, he said nothing. Then¡ªa sly smirk tugged at his lips.


    His cosmic aura pulsed faintly, glowing just a little brighter. Anticipating the impending chaos. With silent amusement, he hovered forward once more.


    Kite¡¯s laughter echoed across the barren desert, his voice carried by the dry wind as he slowed just enough for Rad to stay hot on his heels. ¡°Oldest trick in the book!¡± Kite called back, his voice dripping with mischief.


    Rad, despite his irritation, couldn¡¯t hide the undercurrent of exhilaration creeping into his voice. ¡°Just wait till I get my hands on you, Kite!¡± he bellowed, though the grin forming at the edges of his lips betrayed his faux outrage.


    Kite only laughed louder, his feet kicking up loose sand with every step, his adrenaline soaring. But then¡ªsomething caught his eye.


    Just ahead, resting atop a small dune of golden sand, lay a beast of legend. It was a Tithonos Strider, an ancient predator said to have roamed the deserts long before the first civilizations were ever built.


    Its lithe, feline frame was covered in scales as black as midnight, shimmering with an iridescent sheen that rippled like liquid obsidian beneath the sun. Long, sleek limbs ended in razor-sharp, sickle-like claws, each embedded with golden glyphs that pulsed faintly with a mystical energy.


    Its head was long and narrow, its jaw lined with dagger-like fangs that protruded slightly even while it slept. Long, whisker-like tendrils extended from its snout, twitching occasionally as it dreamed. A long, segmented tail curled beside it, its tip barbed like a scorpion¡¯s stinger, gleaming with a faint bioluminescence.


    The beast was asleep, Its slow, deep breaths kicking up small clouds of sand around it. Kite¡¯s grin widened dangerously.


    Rad saw the expression shift on Kite¡¯s face and immediately felt his stomach drop. His eyes went wide, his skin turning pale.


    ¡°Hey! Wait a sec!¡± Rad yelled, his voice laced with desperation as he threw out an arm.


    But Kite was already gone. With a swift, acrobatic flip, he twisted through the air like a spider, his body moving in perfect motion as he effortlessly hurled the water bottle directly at the sleeping beast¡¯s skull.


    The bottle struck true, bouncing off its forehead with an audible ¡®thunk¡¯ before rebounding back through the air, straight into Kite¡¯s waiting hand as he continued running.


    The Tithonos Strider¡¯s golden eyes snapped open. A shriek¡ªdeep, guttural, and alien¡ªripped through the desert as the creature jolted upright, its barbed tail flicking violently as it scanned the surroundings. Then, its piercing gaze locked onto Rad.


    Rad¡¯s face drained of all color. ¡°Crap. Crap. CRAP!¡± he screamed as the beast lunged toward him, its fangs bared, drool dripping from its maw as it let out a monstrous shriek.


    Rad bolted, his feet barely kicking off the sand before the Tithonos Strider was upon him. He could feel the heat of its breath, could hear the rush of air as its powerful muscles coiled. It lunged, its maw stretching wide, fangs inches from his throat.


    Rad barely managed to dive out of the way, rolling across the burning sand just as the beast¡¯s jaws snapped shut where his neck had been. The creature skidded a few feet away, sand flying in all directions as it whipped around with terrifying speed, golden eyes glowing with primal fury.


    Rad panted, his heart hammering like a war drum, his muscles tense as he slowly got to his feet. He raised his hands in a poor attempt at diplomacy, his breath ragged.


    ¡°There, there¡­ nice kitty?¡± he tried. The Tithonos Strider hissed in response, its long whisker-tendrils bristling as it lunged forward once more.


    Rad let out a panicked yelp, scrambling backward¡ªbut the beast struck first.


    Its fangs bore down on his neck, its momentum carrying them both into the sand in a blur of motion. Rad screamed hysterically¡ªand then¡ªthe moment the beast¡¯s fangs grazed his skin¡ªits entire form exploded into a swirling storm of butterflies.


    Rad froze in shock, his scream cutting off mid-gasp as he watched the creature vanish into thousands of fluttering wings. The air shimmered with vibrant color as the massive kaleidoscope of butterflies soared into the sky, their hues shifting between brilliant oranges, deep purples, and metallic blues. Their translucent wings flickered beneath the sunlight, reflecting the twin suns in a mesmerizing dance of prismatic light.


    The once ferocious predator was now nothing more than a cloud of breathtaking beauty. Rad, still sprawled on the ground, stared in disbelief, his mind struggling to comprehend what just happened.


    And then¡ªRay¡¯s calm, amused voice cut through the silence. ¡°You¡¯re falling behind, Rad.¡±


    Rad whipped his head toward the voice. ¡°Wha¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish, a massive gust of cosmic wind ripped through the desert, slamming into him like an invisible wave.


    The next thing he knew¡ªhe was airborne. ¡°waaaaahhhh!¡± Rad screamed as he was hurled into the sky, his limbs flailing wildly as he soared through the air.


    Below him, the desert stretched endlessly, the dunes shrinking beneath his feet as the powerful gust carried him high above the wasteland. His eyes darted wildly, searching for any sign of stability, of ground, of anything that wasn¡¯t just a whole lot of empty sky.


    And then, his gaze landed on Kite. From this height, Kite was nothing more than a speck, a blur of movement streaking across the sand.


    A massive dust cloud trailed behind him, kicked up from the sheer speed at which he was moving. His small figure dashed effortlessly across the landscape, dodging dunes, weaving between scattered ruins, his newfound superhuman agility on full display.


    And then Rad¡¯s eyes caught the massive sinkhole in the distance¡ªthe gaping maw of the desert, waiting silently, as Kite sped directly toward it.


    Rad¡¯s stomach dropped. Since when was he so agile?! he thought in absolute disbelief, his body still helplessly carried through the sky by the powerful winds.


    Kite¡¯s pace quickened, his breath steady, his body practically weightless as his superhuman momentum built up. The air around him crackled with raw energy, the Twin Bracelets thrumming faintly as their ancient power bled into his movements.


    His beige shoes sparked violently as they tore across the dunes, each footstep scorching the sand beneath him, melting it into smooth, glistening glass for just a split second before it shattered under the weight of his next step. And then¡ªhe saw it.


    The sinkhole. A massive, gaping vortex in the desert floor, its edges unstable, shifting slightly as a faint crimson shimmer pulsed across its center.


    A thin layer of floating liquid, deep and red like freshly spilled blood, stretched across the hole, suspended in mid-air by some unseen force. The surface of the mystical barrier rippled faintly, almost breathing, as if aware of the world around it.


    Kite¡¯s pulse quickened. His usual instincts, the careful, cautious part of him, screamed at him to stop. To think.


    But another part of him¡ªthe new part, the reckless, thrill-seeking surge pulsing through his veins since donning the bracelets¡ªignored it completely. A wild grin stretched across his face. What¡¯s the worst that could happen? Kite thought to himself excitedly


    Without hesitation, without even thinking¡ªhe jumped. The wind rushed past his face, his hair whipping wildly as he fell toward the shimmering red veil. The air here felt thicker, warmer, charged with an energy that made the hairs on his arms stand up.


    He took a deep breath¡ªAnd plunged through. The moment he hit the surface, the crimson liquid enveloped him, wrapping around his body like a living entity.


    The sensation was strange¡ªthick and heavy, yet weightless at the same time. It muted all sound, swallowing him into a moment of pure, eerie silence.


    Kite held his breath, his eyes straining against the murky red haze as he sank deeper. For a brief moment, he felt like he was floating in nothingness, trapped in a liminal space between two worlds.


    And then¡ªgravity returned. With a sudden jolt, Kite burst out of the liquid barrier, free-falling as he tumbled down a steep, slanted platform. ¡°Whoa!¡± Kite exclaimed in surprise.


    Kite hit the smooth stone surface feet first, immediately sliding down the incline at high speed. His arms flailed briefly before he steadied himself, his feet moving instinctively to control the descent.


    The sight before him stole his breath away. An entire city lay beneath the desert.


    Towering stone buildings, some half-buried in the sand, stretched toward the cavernous ceiling above, their ancient architecture untouched by time. Colossal statues stood guard at the edges of streets, their faces worn but their presence still imposing.


    Arched bridges connected tall, rectangular towers, their structures lined with glowing blue markings, flickering weakly, like dying embers of a long-forgotten civilization. Strange glyphs and symbols were carved into nearly every pillar, wall, and cobblestone, telling stories in a language lost to time. Dust-coated stone lanterns, their light extinguished centuries ago, stood along cobblestone pathways, guiding the way through a city frozen in slumber.


    Kite¡¯s jaw hung open, his voice barely a whisper. ¡°How long has this place been down here¡­?¡±


    Then, in the distance¡ªsomething even more incredible caught his eye. A massive, ancient construct, humanoid in shape, sat slumped against the cavern wall, its monolithic frame covered in cracks, vines, and layers of dust.


    The Sentinel. Its face, sculpted from dark obsidian-like metal, bore a solemn, weathered expression, its hollow eye sockets empty, staring into nothingness.


    Ornate golden plates lined its shoulders and chest, though most were fractured or missing, revealing the intricate network of mechanical gears and sigils beneath. But what was most astounding was its right arm. A gigantic, outstretched hand, large enough to cradle an entire city.


    And that¡¯s exactly what it was doing. The entire forgotten city sat nestled in the Sentinel¡¯s colossal palm, as if the titan had been holding it up for centuries, protecting it even as it fell into eternal slumber.


    Kite grinned, his heart pounding. With a single, powerful jump, he launched himself off the slant, flipping through the air before landing gracefully on the Sentinel¡¯s massive arm.


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    His feet barely touched the dust-covered surface before he took off running, dashing up the colossal metal limb, dodging cracked armor plates and deep gouges along the way. Every step echoed across the cavern, the remnants of history vibrating beneath his feet.


    Finally, he reached the Sentinel¡¯s shoulder, standing just below its massive, stoic face. Kite stood still, taking in the sheer scale of the ancient construct.


    ¡°This thing¡¯s gotta be older than anything on the surface,¡± he murmured, his gaze sweeping over its fractured metallic visage. ¡°Probably been dead for centuries¡­¡±


    ¡°Not dead.¡±


    Kite jumped, startled. Beside him, Anansi had materialized, her silken robes fluttering in the still air, her many golden eyes scanning the Sentinel¡¯s massive frame with intrigue. Her arms were folded, and her lips curled into a knowing smirk.


    Kite let out an exasperated sigh. ¡°Jeez, can you warn me before you do that?¡± He placed a hand over his racing heart before smirking. ¡°Where¡¯s the big guy anyways, still not fond of my presence?¡±


    Anansi chuckled. ¡°Shango has yet to warm up to you.¡±


    Kite grinned. ¡°Figures.¡±


    Anansi¡¯s gaze lingered on the Sentinel¡¯s ancient frame, her expression growing more solemn. ¡°This city¡­ fell to tragedy long ago,¡± she murmured, her tone quieter than usual.


    Kite¡¯s grin faded slightly. ¡°Tragedy?¡±


    Anansi nodded. ¡°Once, it was a thriving civilization, one of the greatest this world had ever seen.¡± Her golden eyes gleamed. ¡°But something¡­ went wrong.¡±


    Kite¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°What happened?¡±


    Anansi exhaled softly. ¡°A mistake. A war. A betrayal. Perhaps all of the above.¡± She glanced at him. ¡°What matters now is that the city is trapped in an endless slumber. A dream that never ends.¡±


    Kite¡¯s stomach twisted. His eyes flickered over the city below, imagining its people locked in a timeless dream, unaware of how much time had passed.


    ¡°¡­That¡¯s messed up.¡± Kite said quietly. Anansi studied him for a moment, then smiled faintly.


    Her golden eyes glimmered faintly as she gazed upon him, reflecting the ethereal glow of the slumbering city below. She tilted her head slightly, eying Kite with an almost knowing expression before finally speaking. ¡°Indeed.¡±


    Kite raised an eyebrow, unsure whether her tone was one of amusement or caution. Anansi turned her gaze back to the ancient city, her many golden eyes flickering like woven constellations. ¡°However, despite the inhabitants being dormant for centuries, they can still be reawakened with an incantation.¡±


    Kite¡¯s eyes widened slightly. ¡°Seriously?¡± he asked, incredulous.


    Anansi nodded, but this time, her voice carried a note of caution, the mirth from before fading into something more solemn. ¡°But be warned,¡± she continued, her voice lowering as if the very walls of the cavern could hear her. ¡°If you wake them¡­ the locals may not be very friendly.¡±


    Kite felt his stomach tighten, but he said nothing. Then, Anansi¡¯s form began to unravel, dissolving like threads of silk caught in the wind. Her body shimmered, her presence slowly fading into the dim glow of the cavern.


    ¡°If you are to awaken this city and its inhabitants,¡± her voice whispered through the air as her body fragmented further, ¡°you must utter this phrase¡­¡±


    A pause. And then¡­ ¡°Mwisho wa Ndoto, Mwanzo wa Ukweli.¡±


    Kite blinked, completely lost. ¡°Huh?¡±


    Anansi¡¯s amused smirk returned, but it was already half-lost to the void as she faded further. Kite scratched the back of his head, repeating the phrase under his breath.


    ¡°Mwii-sho wa¡­ Ndu¡­ Uh¡ª Mwa-no-saa wa¡ª Agh, dang it!¡± He groaned in frustration, throwing his hands up. ¡°How am I supposed to remember all that?!¡±


    Anansi¡¯s disembodied voice whispered back, the last traces of her form dissolving into nothingness. ¡°One¡¯s power comes from within the soul, not the mind.¡±


    And with that, she was gone. A long silence followed, the cavern eerily still once more.


    Kite stood frozen, staring at the empty space where Anansi had once been, his thoughts racing. After a long moment, he let out a small, exasperated sigh. ¡°¡­The heck?¡±


    Kite groaned, rubbing his temples before taking a few steps forward atop the Sentinel¡¯s massive, weathered shoulder. The ancient metal beneath his feet was smooth yet cracked, etched with markings that had long since been worn by time.


    With a huff, he plopped down, crossing his legs as he let out a breath. The engraved ringed circle beneath him hummed faintly as he sat, its lines flickering to life with a weak blue glow, but Kite, deep in his own frustration, didn¡¯t notice.


    He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply as he tried to focus. ¡°Okay, okay¡­ I got this¡­¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡°Mwisho wa¡­ uh¡­ Ndo-something¡ªwait, no, it¡¯s Mwanzo wa¡ªugh!¡±


    His voice echoed slightly through the cavern as he clenched his fists. ¡°C¡¯mon, c¡¯mon¡­¡± Kite grumbled, his brow furrowing.


    As he stumbled over the words, the city below responded, its ancient lights flickering erratically, struggling against the ages of dormancy. Faint, crackling energy pulsed through the ruins, as if the very walls were breathing for the first time in centuries.


    Then¡ªa deep groaning noise rumbled behind him. A distant, guttural sound, like stone grinding against metal, reverberated through the cavern. The air trembled, dust falling from unseen cracks in the ancient ceiling.


    Kite didn¡¯t notice. With a frustrated sigh, he slumped forward, resting his elbows on his knees.


    ¡°Alright, this isn¡¯t working,¡± he mumbled. Then, suddenly, his eyes lit up with an idea.


    ¡°Wait a second¡­¡± He brought his hands together, forming a familiar hand sign¡ªone he¡¯d seen in a movie once.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah! That dude in that one old film did this before saying something cool!¡± Kite grinned to himself. ¡°Maybe it helps with focus?¡±


    With that logic, he sat up straighter, inhaling deeply. The cavern rumbled again¡ªa distant, heavy vibration, like the groaning of an ancient titan stirring from slumber. The flickering lights stabilized, glowing brighter, casting long shadows across the ruins.


    Kite remained oblivious. His breathing slowed, his mind clearing. And then¡ªWith perfect clarity, he spoke. ¡°Mwisho wa Ndoto, Mwanzo wa Ukweli.¡±


    The ringed circle beneath him erupted into light. A brilliant blue glow surged from the engravings, illuminating the entire platform. The ancient city responded in kind, its ruined streets and buildings fully lighting up in a chain reaction, as if some long-forgotten power had finally returned.


    Kite¡¯s eyes snapped open, his gaze sweeping over the now fully illuminated ruins below him. A slow, disbelieving smile crept across his face. ¡°Huh¡­ I actually did it?¡± He muttered to himself


    But before he could fully process his achievement, a cold gust of wind rushed past him, sending a shiver down his spine.


    Kite blinked, rubbing his arms. ¡°The heck? Since when is there wind in a cave?¡± he muttered.


    Then, as he turned his head slightly to the right, his breath caught in his throat. Towering above him, the Sentinel¡¯s massive head had shifted.


    It now tilted downward, its colossal, weathered face looming only a short distance away. Its features were cracked and battle-worn, its metallic plating darkened with age. Despite the erosion of time, its design was intricate, adorned with faded golden engravings, almost ceremonial in nature.


    Deep, ancient carvings traced across its forehead and cheeks, depicting forgotten stories of a civilization lost to time. Its expression was solemn, as if burdened by the weight of an existence it could barely remember.


    And then¡ªits eyes. Twin orbs of radiant, burning light stared directly into Kite¡¯s soul¡ªnot with malice, but with incomprehensible awareness. Kite¡¯s eyes widened, his mouth falling slightly agape.


    Kite¡¯s eyes widened, his pupils dilating as he took in the sheer, overwhelming sight before him. His breath hitched, his chest tightening, not from fear, but from a thrill so intense it sent shivers down his spine.


    The sheer monumental scale of the Sentinel, its ancient, burning eyes boring into him, filled him with a sense of awe he had never experienced before. His pulse hammered in his ears, his body thrumming with adrenaline as his lips parted slightly, a sharp, disbelieving breath escaping.


    And then¡ªhis expression morphed entirely. A massive, wild grin stretched across his face, his eyes gleaming with unrestrained excitement. Every nerve in his body buzzed with raw exhilaration, his mind barely able to process the insanity of the moment.


    His voice cracked with sheer enthusiasm as he spoke, his words cut off by the sheer grandeur of what stood before him. ¡°Holy shi¡ª¡±


    The winds howled through the endless desert, their sharp currents cutting through the sky like invisible blades as Rad spiraled uncontrollably, arms flailing as he struggled to stabilize himself. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, his jacket billowing violently against the sheer force of the air rushing past him.


    Atop Rad¡¯s back, Ray sat calmly, legs crossed as if he were lounging on a comfortable chair rather than a panicked, free-falling human. His mechanical frame remained perfectly composed, his bi-colored cybernetic eyes gleaming faintly as he watched Rad¡¯s struggle with quiet amusement.


    Rad¡¯s eyes darted rapidly between the gaping sinkhole below, where Kite had disappeared minutes ago, and the massive kaleidoscope of shimmering, magical butterflies that twisted and danced through the sky around him, their iridescent wings scattering faint trails of luminescent dust as they fluttered past.


    His voice cracked with desperation as he screamed. ¡°Arent you gonna help!?¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t immediately respond. Instead, he turned his calculating gaze to the expansive desert, scanning the horizon with a look of quiet intrigue. Then, after a moment of drawn-out silence, he let a mischievous smirk tug at his lips. ¡°Not quite yet.¡± He finally replied.


    Rad let out a strangled yell of frustration, but before he could shout another plea, something shot out of the sinkhole below them¡ªfast. Like a human comet, Kite came soaring out of the massive sinkhole, his body twisting and flipping effortlessly through the air, his joyous laughter echoing across the open skies.


    Rad barely had time to react before Kite nearly collided with him, missing by inches. ¡°What did you do!?¡± Rad shrieked, flailing wildly as their hair and jackets were nearly ripped from their bodies by the powerful winds.


    Kite, however, only laughed harder, his expression absolutely ecstatic. He spread his arms out wide, embracing the rush of adrenaline coursing through him.


    ¡°I think I woke them up!¡± he finally shouted in excitement, a grin stretching from ear to ear.


    Rad¡¯s stomach dropped. ¡°You what!?¡± he shrieked, his voice nearly lost to the roaring wind.


    But before either of them could process the chaos, the desert shook. The very earth beneath them trembled violently, sending ripples of shockwaves across the sandy expanse.


    Then, a deep, ancient groaning sound rumbled from below. The ground cracked open in jagged, uneven fractures, vast sinkholes swallowing entire dunes as colossal stone and metal hands erupted from beneath the surface.


    One after another, enormous fingers, carved from time-worn stone and gilded with faded gold, tore their way through the desert floor, pushing aside centuries of buried history. Then¡ªthey rose.


    The Sentinels. Towering humanoid constructs, standing at impossible heights, their massive frames crafted from ancient metals, weathered stone, and intricate carvings of civilizations long forgotten. Each Sentinel¡¯s face was unique¡ªsome chiseled with the solemn expressions of eternal guardians, others bearing intricate masks adorned with runes of old gods.


    Their bodies were draped in remnants of ceremonial attire¡ªtattered golden sashes, regal capes frayed at the edges, and layers of intricate armor fused with the very elements of the desert itself. Some wore ornate collars, etched with mystic sigils, while others carried engraved weapons, their blades dull with age but still brimming with dormant power.


    And in their massive, outstretched hands, they carried entire cities. Ancient metropolises, resting within the cradles of their palms, their stone towers rising like forgotten relics, their streets glowing faintly as the magic that once fueled them flickered weakly back to life.


    The ground continued to tremble as the Sentinels took their first steps in centuries, their movements slow, deliberate, yet filled with a purposeful grace. Rad¡¯s breath caught in his throat as his entire body locked up in shock.


    Above him, Ray¡¯s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of something almost nostalgic glinting in his gaze. Then, with a knowing smirk, he whispered under his breath. ¡°It¡¯s been years since I¡¯ve gotten to see a Vantari Titan.¡±


    Then¡ªwithout warning, Ray leaped off Rad¡¯s back. His small frame glowed brightly, his cosmic aura flaring as he shot through the sky like a streak of celestial energy.


    His movements were fast¡ªinhumanly fast. Rad, still tumbling through the air, reached out desperately, his voice full of panic.


    ¡°Ray! Come back!¡± But his plea was lost as Ray became nothing more than a streak of violet light against the endless sunlit sky, racing toward the Sentinels vanishing into the distant sands.


    ¡°Rad, look! Below us!¡± Kite shouted, his voice brimming with exhilaration as he thrust a finger downward. Rad barely had time to react before his eyes snapped to where Kite was pointing.


    The moment he saw it¡ªhis face drained of all color. His breath hitched violently, his entire body locking up in midair as sheer horror took hold of him. His pupils shrank, his heart hammering so hard it felt as though it would burst from his chest.


    Words tried to form¡ªbut his throat refused to work. Beneath them, the newly awakened Sentinel shifted, its titanic body groaning as it rose from the sand, ancient metal and stone creaking with unimaginable weight.


    Its colossal arm reached skyward, a massive shadow consuming the dunes below as the Sentinel stretched its fingers toward them, its sheer immensity swallowing the sky itself. A tidal wave of sand and shattered ruins cascaded off of its monolithic form, raining down in golden streams as ancient debris tumbled like falling meteors.


    Rad¡¯s voice finally returned, but only in the form of an ear-splitting scream. Kite, however, only laughed.


    His face was alight with pure, reckless joy, his emerald eyes shimmering as he angled his descent, his body slicing through the air with precision. The two of them plummeted toward the Sentinel¡¯s enormous, outstretched hand¡ªand barely made it through the gaps between its rocky fingertips.


    The massive stone digits pulsed, glowing with swirling ethereal energy, the glow cascading through the engraved veins of the titan¡¯s palm like liquid stardust. The very air trembled as the Sentinel released a deep, guttural roar, its voice a thunderous wave that rolled across the desert like an earthquake.


    The sudden burst of wind whipped through the sky, throwing Kite and Rad like weightless feathers in a hurricane. Their jackets and hair billowed violently, their cheeks tinged pink from the sheer force of the air pressure.


    The Sentinel¡¯s eyes glowed brilliantly, two orbs of radiant blue and violet flame, illuminating the desert as it fully roused from its slumber. Kite¡¯s grin widened as he dived toward its mouth.


    ¡°Whoa!¡± he shouted, flipping effortlessly through the air as he sped toward the open maw. Rad, however, was not nearly as composed.


    ¡°NO, NO, NO, NO, NOOOO¡ª!¡± Rad shrieked, his arms and legs flailing uncontrollably as he spun like a broken windmill, his descent an absolute chaotic disaster. Unbeknownst to him, a faint cosmic aura had surrounded his body, a thin, protective veil of energy ensuring he wouldn¡¯t be crushed upon impact. But in his panic-stricken state, he was completely oblivious to it.


    The Sentinel¡¯s gargantuan mouth loomed open, an ancient cavern within the titan¡¯s face. Its jagged interior was cylindrical yet vast, a tunnel-like abyss that stretched deep into the heart of the construct.


    Its inner walls were lined with intricate carvings and forgotten scripts, each pulsing in unison with the Sentinel¡¯s ethereal glow. Engravings of celestial maps, cryptic symbols, and battle-worn murals painted a story lost to time, their mystic light illuminating the descent.


    Yet¡ªsomething else caught Kite¡¯s eye as he plummeted deeper into the Sentinel¡¯s gaping maw. Railways.


    Scattered metallic tracks, eerily smooth and almost alien in craftsmanship, ran through various tunnels branching off the main passageway. These ancient pathways, once used for transportation, now lay dormant. Except¡­


    Kite¡¯s breath hitched as his gaze locked onto the eerie sight before him. Encased figures. Dozens¡ªno, hundreds¡ªof sleeping inhabitants, their bodies trapped within strange crystalline cocoons, sat motionless along the abandoned railways, as if frozen in time.


    But they were changing. Thin veins of emerald glowing cracks splintered across their prison-like shells, the light slowly spreading, like embers burning through a fragile parchment. They were awakening.


    Kite laughed wildly, his voice ringing through the tunnel as he twisted midair with effortless agility, landing perfectly on his feet. His beige shoes ignited with vibrant golden sparks, their friction against the Sentinel¡¯s smooth metallic walls creating a dazzling display of energy.


    With practiced ease, he leaned forward, using the downward momentum to skate deeper into the titan¡¯s vast, hollow esophagus. Rad, on the other hand, was in absolute chaos.


    Unlike Kite¡¯s graceful descent, Rad¡¯s back crashed against the curved walls as he quickly slid like an upside down turtle, his body flailing hysterically as he spun out of control. His panicked shrieks echoed violently through the tunnel, blending with the soft hum of awakening magic.


    His cosmic aura pulsed in erratic bursts, a deep, eerie violet light casting long, warped shadows along the walls and shimmering across the ancient mineshafts. Despite his disastrous trajectory, Rad somehow managed to match Kite¡¯s speed, both of them racing deeper into the Sentinel¡¯s body at breakneck velocity.


    As they careened through the winding tunnels, the Sentinel¡¯s interior came alive. With each sharp turn, with each roaring gust of wind trailing in their wake, more and more inhabitants began to stir.


    They were encased in crystalline shells, once frozen in time, but now the fractures widened, their dreamlike prison crumbling as they stirred awake. At first, their expressions were sluggish, eyes filled with the fog of centuries lost to sleep. But the moment they saw two blurs of light racing past them¡ªone golden, one violet¡ªtheir confusion quickly turned to shock.


    A bewildered elderly man stumbled into Kite¡¯s path, his frail body swaying as if he were still adjusting to the weight of being awake. Kite barely dodged him, his movements instinctive, precise¡ªhis body tilting just enough to weave around the man at the last second.


    For a moment, as Kite and the old man locked eyes, time seemed to slow. The elderly man¡¯s eyes were wide, raw with fear, his mind struggling to comprehend the spectacle before him. Who are these strangers? Why is the city awake?


    Meanwhile, Kite¡¯s own gaze held none of that confusion. His eyes were alight with pure, unbridled joy, the fire of adventure roaring within him.


    And just like that they were gone. Kite and Rad raced deeper and deeper, Rad¡¯s hysterical wails growing louder, his body still twisting in chaotic spirals along the Sentinel¡¯s smooth interior.


    Violet cosmic sparks erupted in his wake, tiny streaks of pure energy dancing through the air and illuminating the ancient carvings lining the tunnel walls. Then¡ªthe tunnel ended.


    A solid wall loomed ahead, stretching from floor to ceiling, its dark, shimmering surface pulsing ominously. He finally managed to right himself, just in time to recognize the horrifying reality of what they were about to collide with.


    The entire dead-end was made of Aetherium Stone¡ªthe strongest and most toxic material on the planet.


    Capable of dissolving even the most resilient of species upon contact. Rad¡¯s breath caught in his throat as his body rocketed uncontrollably toward certain death.


    ¡°OH, HELL NO!¡± he screeched, his voice breaking. Kite, who had finally caught up beside him, still wearing a massive grin, only now seemed to realize the problem.


    His slightly glowing eyes, still shimmering with thrill, darted to the wall in front of them, then back to Rad. Rad¡¯s face was contorted in absolute horror.


    Kite¡¯s, however, was still glowing with exhilaration as he laughed. And then¡ªboth of them screamed at the exact same time. ¡°WE¡¯RE GONNA DIE!¡±


    Their voices echoed violently, mixing into a single chaotic symphony of terror and glee. Then, just as their bodies neared inches from an agonizing fate, a portal sliced into existence before them. Its razor-sharp cosmic edges flickered violently, scattering a shower of celestial sparks into the air as the two of them plunged through at full speed.

 Chapter 49.5: Winds of the forgotten Pt.2

    The light blue river stretched endlessly before Kite and Rad as they soared through the sky, their bodies being carried adrift through the skies by the powerful winds. The river¡¯s crystalline waters shimmered under the golden light of the twin suns. The river was alive with movement, teeming with otherworldly aquatic species, their iridescent scales glimmering like gemstones beneath the surface.


    Strange, luminous tendrils of kelp-like flora swayed gently with the currents, their bioluminescent tips pulsing in hypnotic patterns, resembling a symphony of glowing veins coursing through the water. Some plants bore hollow, translucent bulbs that released tiny, glowing spores into the air whenever disturbed, creating a soft blue-green mist that danced across the surface like fireflies in the twilight.


    Beneath the waves, creatures of mesmerizing forms moved gracefully through the depths. The Celestian Rays, massive manta-like beings with flowing, ribbon-like tails, soared through the currents, their ethereal fins pulsing with faint electricity as they communicated through subtle flashes of color.


    The Lunar Serpents, long eel-like entities with golden eyes, coiled effortlessly through the water, their opal-hued bodies rippling like liquid metal as they surfaced briefly to drink in the sun¡¯s energy. The Skulkin Drifters, peculiar jellyfish-like organisms, floated idly in clusters, their gelatinous, spiral-shaped bodies constantly shifting in color, ranging from deep purples to fiery oranges, emitting low, melodic hums that reverberated through the water.


    While the sky above them was painted a perfect blue, its vast canvas dotted with drifting clouds that partially veiled the twin suns, their golden rays spilling through the gaps like celestial spotlights. Flanking the river were two colossal mountains, their immense peaks stretching so high that they seemed to pierce the heavens themselves.


    These natural monoliths served as walls, their rough, layered stone faces dotted with vegetation and ancient carvings etched into their surfaces. Scaling these mountains were the native inhabitants of the land¡ªhumanoid yet distinctly alien, their bodies built for climbing and agility.


    Their elongated limbs and curved, clawed fingers allowed them to scale the jagged cliffs effortlessly, their movements fluid and calculated, as if they had done this since birth. Their skin ranged from deep shades of earthy brown to a shimmering gold, their bodies adorned with bioluminescent patterns that glowed faintly, pulsing in rhythmic beats that seemed to communicate emotions or warnings.


    Their eyes were large and reflective, capturing and magnifying light, allowing them to see in the dim crevices of the mountain caves where they built homes woven from living vines and stone. Some of them wore woven sashes or armored chest plates, made from the hardened husks of massive river mollusks, indicating hunters, warriors, or explorers of their kind.


    They moved with practiced ease, some leaping across gaps effortlessly, while others clung to the rocky surfaces upside down, their limbs coiled around protruding ledges like vines. Their voices carried on the wind, a mixture of soft hums and occasional, guttural calls, signaling to one another in an ancient language that harmonized with the world around them.


    Beneath the towering mountains and along the riverbanks, forests of massive trees stretched toward the sky, their trunks wide enough to house entire families within their roots. These trees were unlike anything from Earth¡ªtheir bark was dark, obsidian-black, with veins of shimmering gold running through them like molten lava.


    Their leaves were not green, but instead burning embers of red and orange, constantly shedding tiny glowing fragments that drifted into the air like dying stars. Whenever the wind picked up, these floating embers scattered into the sky, creating an effect akin to a perpetual sunset woven into the fabric of the trees themselves.


    Among the branching canopies, small, nimble creatures moved effortlessly between the fire-lit leaves, their slender, elongated tails curling around branches as they leaped with astonishing agility. The Dusk Crawlers, cat-like beings with four glowing eyes and coiled antennae that pulsed with electric energy, rested lazily among the high branches.


    The Wisp Harriers, large bat-like birds with wings composed of translucent, silk-like material, folded themselves into the bark, blending seamlessly with the tree¡¯s natural glow.


    The Ember Sprites, tiny primate-like creatures covered in fur made of flickering light, scurried along the tree trunks, their bodies trailing faint, fiery wisps as they moved. Some creatures dozed peacefully in the warmth of the trees, their chest rising and falling in sync with the soft glow of the leaves, while others chattered and leaped from limb to limb, engaging in playful acrobatics.


    Kite¡¯s eyes widened, his mouth parting slightly as he took it all in. The sheer beauty of the landscape¡ªthe thriving life, the harmony of nature, the way the light of the twin suns bathed everything in a golden glow¡ªit was breathtaking.


    A soft breeze carried the warm scent of distant fruits and the rich, earthy aroma of the river, filling Kite¡¯s lungs with an air untainted by war or hardship. For a moment, he forgot everything else.


    Even Rad, who had been on the verge of a complete breakdown just moments ago, was now silent. His once panicked breath steadied, his swirling emotions finally settling as his gaze fixated on the world before him.


    The fear, the chaos, the near-death experiences¡ªit all faded away. They truly were somewhere new. Somewhere incredible.


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful¡­¡± Rad finally muttered, his voice barely more than a whisper. Both he and Kite drifted through the air, their bodies weightless, suspended by the gentle currents of the wind.


    Their hair danced lightly, carried along by the soft, warm breeze as they remained captivated by the breathtaking world around them. Kite didn¡¯t respond immediately.


    His emerald green eyes lingered on the vibrant scenery, absorbing the sheer wonder and serenity of it all. For once, his ever-present energy settled, and instead, a quiet, contented smile formed on his lips. He exhaled slowly, letting the peace sink into his bones, before finally nodding.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ it is.¡± His voice was soft, almost reverent, as he gazed upon the sunlit paradise before him. But¡ªthe moment was fleeting.


    A voice¡ªmocking, teasing, and far too amused¡ªcut through the tranquility. ¡°Hey, I think you guys lost this!¡±


    Rad and Kite¡¯s peace shattered in an instant. A colossal shadow swallowed the land below them, blotting out the sun in a single overwhelming sweep.


    Their hearts skipped a beat. Their bodies stiffened. And then¡ªpure, bone-chilling dread.


    As if moving in perfect, synchronized horror, they spun around mid-air, their necks craning back as their eyes shot skyward.


    And there he was¡ªRay. Hurtling down toward them at breakneck speed, his tiny form a gleaming streak of cosmic light, his bi-colored cybernetic eyes glowing with mischief. His smirk was broad and smug, radiating pure, unfiltered amusement as he loomed closer and closer.


    Kite and Rad¡¯s jaws dropped. ¡°WHAT!?¡± Their screams tore through the air, blending into a single, chaotic cry of disbelief as they stared at the absolute insanity unfolding above them.


    Because it wasn¡¯t just Ray. A gargantuan portal had split open in the sky, its edges crackling with cosmic energy, sending violent shockwaves rippling across the atmosphere.


    And through it¡ªa Titan Fell. A massive Sentinel, its ancient frame groaning under the weight of history itself, came plummeting through the heavens. Its massive, weathered form twisted as it descended, its glowing engravings pulsing with newfound life.


    And atop its enormous back¡ªAn entire ancient city. A sprawling metropolis, its towers of stone and metal rising like jagged mountains, its streets illuminated with glowing energy, its people¡ªonce frozen in time¡ªnow fully awake.


    The city¡¯s lights flickered rapidly, some turning on for the first time in centuries, their glow reflecting off the Sentinel¡¯s colossal form as it roared through the sky. Its voice¡ªan earth-shaking groan¡ªreverberated through the world, carrying with it the weight of ages past and civilizations lost.


    Kite and Rad¡¯s brains short-circuited simultaneously. Ray, unfazed, entertained, and thriving in the chaos he had unleashed¡ªcasually descended alongside the falling Sentinel, his smirk deepening as he relished their reactions.


    The chaos wasn¡¯t over yet. Not by a long shot.


    Kite and Rad were immediately swept away, their bodies spinning violently through the air as the powerful winds tore across the land, sending them hurtling uncontrollably through the vast expanse of sky.


    The wildlife scattered In a frenzy, some creatures darting into burrows, others scrambling across the terrain, desperate to escape the colossal Sentinel¡¯s descent. The native inhabitants, their bioluminescent markings flickering wildly in distress, clung to the rocky cliffs of the mountainous walls, their agile limbs gripping the jagged edges with precision.


    Some leapt effortlessly between ledges, while others vanished into carved-out tunnels, their piercing eyes glowing faintly in the dim recesses of the rock. But the Sentinel¡ªtoo massive to resist the force of the storm¡ªwas swept away alongside Kite and Rad, its towering body groaning under the sheer momentum.


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    Ancient sandstone plates and intricate metal engravings glowed faintly as its hollow chest resonated with a deep, guttural hum, a sound older than time itself. And through it all¡ªRay was grinning.


    Ray rocketed effortlessly through the air, his small frame weaving through the swirling gusts like a violet comet as he easily caught up to the two screaming boys. ¡°You¡¯re crazy, Ray!¡± Kite shouted hysterically, his voice bordering on laughter despite the sheer terror of their situation.


    Rad, on the other hand, was not laughing. ¡°We¡¯re gonna die, you maniac!¡± Rad screeched, his arms flailing wildly, his face contorted in pure panic.


    Ray rolled his cybernetic eyes playfully, flying just beside them as he folded his arms mid-air, completely at ease despite the chaos unfolding around them. ¡°Oh, come on, I¡¯ve got this under control.¡± His voice was infuriatingly nonchalant, his smirk still etched across his face.


    Kite barked out a short, incredulous laugh, his emerald green eyes flickering between Ray and the massive tidal wave of destruction chasing behind them. Moments later, the trio burst past the mountainous walls, the Sentinel¡¯s enormous form crashing into the stone behind them.


    The impact sent rubble cascading down toward the valley below, jagged boulders barreling toward the native inhabitants like falling meteors. Before a single stone could hit the ground, Ray flicked his wrist.


    A burst of cosmic energy surged outward, freezing the debris mid-air, coating the massive chunks of rock in a shimmering nebula-like aura. With another effortless motion, he redirected the rubble away, sending it spiraling into the depths of the ocean, where it sank with a distant, muffled crash.


    Kite and Rad barely had time to process the save before they shot out over the open sea. Beneath them, the ocean stretched endlessly, its crystal-clear waters revealing an entire world beneath the surface.


    Above the ocean, several floating ships drifted majestically through the air, their massive sails stretched high, billowing in the celestial winds. Their wooden hulls were reinforced with brass plating, their edges lined with glowing runes that pulsed faintly, keeping them suspended above the waters below.


    Large steam-powered engines, covered in pipes and twisting coils, released occasional bursts of hissing vapor, propelling the ships forward with a combination of magic and machinery. Towering masts stretched toward the sky, adorned with flags bearing intricate symbols, marking each ship¡¯s allegiance to different sky-faring factions.


    Gleaming metallic harpoons jutted out from the bows of some ships, designed for hunting creatures of the sky, while others carried massive reinforced cargo holds, suggesting they were merchant vessels of the air. Small glowing orbs floated along the ships¡¯ sides, acting as guiding beacons, their colors shifting with the movement of the sky currents.


    Some ships cruised lazily, their crews working tirelessly to adjust the sails, while others zipped through the air like predators, their sleek designs built for speed and combat. Below them, the ocean was alive with ethereal aquatic creatures, their luminescent bodies glowing beneath the waves.


    The Azure Leviathans, serpentine creatures with translucent, sapphire-colored bodies, slithered gracefully through the depths, their long, tendril-like fins trailing behind them, leaving behind a glowing blue wake. The Celestial Krakens, massive cephalopod-like beings, drifted near the ocean floor, their tentacles adorned with pulsating runes, each suction cup releasing tiny, glowing spores that floated toward the surface like drifting lanterns.


    The Coral Sentinels, ancient turtle-like beings, carried entire reefs upon their shells, their bodies resembling moving islands, with vibrant marine life clinging to their armored backs as they migrated across the ocean.


    Occasionally, a sudden burst of bioluminescent energy erupted from the depths, signaling a hunt, a battle, or something even more mysterious lurking beneath the waves.


    While the ocean teemed with wonders, the skies above were no less magnificent. All around them, mythological flying creatures soared through the air, their forms twisting elegantly through the currents, unaware of the chaos approaching.


    The Celestial Griffins, massive winged beasts with feline bodies and hawk-like heads, their golden feathers gleaming under the sun, glided effortlessly through the sky, their keen eyes scanning the waters below for prey.


    The Ether Harbingers, massive dragon-like beings with crystalline wings, soared just above the floating ships, their bodies composed of shifting mist and light, making them appear as if they were woven from the very fabric of the sky.


    The Gale Serpents, long, wispy dragons with translucent scales, coiled through the air in hypnotic spirals, their bodies flickering like mirages, moving as if they were ghosts of the wind itself.


    Some creatures dove gracefully toward the water, their tails slicing the surface as they fished, while others glided through the clouds, blissfully unaware of the storm of chaos that was rapidly approaching.


    As Kite, Rad, and Ray soared above the ocean, the skyships sailed, the aquatic creatures swam, and the mythical beasts glided freely. Ray lingered for just a moment longer, his expression eerily soft¡ªalmost wistful.


    His glowing cybernetic eyes, so often filled with malice or cold calculation, now reflected the grandeur of the world before him. The thriving life forms, the colossal skyships, the mythical creatures drifting through the air¡ª it was as if, for a fleeting instant, he was remembering something beyond his artificial existence.


    Then, just as quickly as the moment arrived, it was gone. Ray¡¯s gaze snapped toward Kite, his smirk returning with an unusual playfulness as he placed a small white hand on the boy¡¯s shoulder.


    A surge of vibrant cosmic energy erupted around Kite, coating him in a shimmering nebula of light. Kite¡¯s breath hitched in surprise, his fingers twitching as he took in the ethereal glow surrounding his body. ¡°What the¡ª¡±


    Ray¡¯s smirk deepened. ¡°Happy landing.¡±


    ¡°Hu¡ª?¡± Before Kite could finish his confused response, he and Rad vanished.


    Kite and Rad crashed onto the surface of a massive skyship, their bodies bouncing slightly from the impact. Rad groaned dramatically, his limbs sprawled out as he lay motionless, his cosmic aura fading into faint embers.


    Kite, however, was quicker. With fluid reflexes, he rolled to his feet in one smooth motion, his keen green eyes darting toward the ship¡¯s edge.


    Just in time to witness the impossible. The colossal Sentinel¡ªits ancient, weathered body illuminated by the twin suns¡ªwas falling.


    The massive construct tilted forward, its engraved, temple-like structures groaning as they fought against gravity¡¯s final pull. Then¡ªIt hit the ocean.


    The impact was cataclysmic. A towering wall of water exploded skyward, a colossal splash that rivaled the height of the floating skyships. The wave¡¯s force rippled outward, causing several smaller ships in the distance to sway violently.


    Even Kite, standing high above on the ship¡¯s deck, was struck by the sheer force¡ªtiny droplets from the ocean mist splattering against his skin. The alien crew members and guests, previously engaged in their daily routines, paused as one¡ªtheir eyes drawn to the spectacle below.


    Some leaned against the ship¡¯s railings, their faces calm yet mildly entertained, while others merely glanced over their shoulders before resuming their activities.


    To Kite¡¯s shock, there was no panic. No fear. Just mild curiosity.


    As if this was nothing new to them. The Sentinel, now motionless, floated on the surface like a massive island, its towering city still intact upon its back. Its engraved limbs lay partially submerged, the once-dormant titan now merely adrift.


    A few crew members chuckled, exchanging casual words about ¡°another one of those old relics resurfacing¡± before they returned to tending to the sails, adjusting navigation equipment, or enjoying their leisure time.


    For them, this was just another day. Kite¡¯s gaze flickered across the ship¡¯s inhabitants, his mind reeling at the sheer diversity of beings sharing the deck.


    Humans¡ªsome clad in flowing long coats, others in sturdy, well-worn vests lined with metallic plating, all exuding the air of seasoned travelers. Their boots scuffed from years aboard ships, their hands calloused from navigating the ever-changing winds of the sky.


    Chimeric beings, some with avian features, their feathers woven with gold-threaded sashes, their sharp eyes scanning the horizon with practiced ease. Others bore feline attributes, their limbs lean and built for agility, their attire layered with belts and gear, hinting at their roles as aerial scouts or engineers.


    Tall, elven-like beings, their skin faintly shimmering, as if reflecting the colors of the sky itself. They stood with graceful poise, their robes embroidered with intricate runes, signifying a deep connection to magic-infused navigation systems.


    Mechanical beings, humanoid constructs of brass and polished silver, gears clicking softly as they moved, their eyes glowing like the embers of a dying forge. Some were shipwrights, their fingers adorned with delicate tools, while others appeared to be merchants, their metallic bodies decorated with rare trinkets and enchanted gemstones.


    A towering reptilian captain, covered in deep blue scales, wearing a naval officer¡¯s coat lined with brass buttons. His forked tongue flickered in and out as he issued calm orders, his tail swaying rhythmically as he surveyed the ship.


    The ship itself was a marvel of engineering, a fusion of traditional wooden craftsmanship and advanced steam-powered technology. Its mast stretched high into the sky, adorned with billowing sails woven with mystical runes, allowing the vessel to glide effortlessly through the air.


    Large brass turbines, positioned near the ship¡¯s hull, hissed and pulsed, adjusting the ship¡¯s altitude with controlled bursts of energy.


    An intricate compass, floating mid-air near the ship¡¯s wheel, rotated slowly, its runes glowing faintly as it mapped unseen celestial currents. Kite chuckled breathlessly, his hands resting on his hips as he soaked in the sight.


    ¡°Wow¡­¡± He finally muttered, his voice laced with awe. Even Rad¡ªwho had been on the verge of absolute panic moments ago¡ªseemed momentarily stunned into silence.


    But the calm didn¡¯t last long. Rad groaned from where he lay sprawled on the wooden deck, his face pale, his expression twisted in nauseated horror.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m gonna barf¡­¡± Rad croaked weakly, his skin taking on a strange, unnatural hue.


    Kite smirked. ¡°Yeah, well, try not to do it on the captain¡¯s boots.¡±


    Rad groaned again, rolling onto his side, his stomach still lurching from the wild ride. Meanwhile the ship¡¯s crew barely paid them any mind. For them, this was just another day in the sky.


    But then, there was a sudden flicker¡ªa blip in reality itself. And then¡ªRay was there.


    Standing effortlessly beside Rad, his form materializing so seamlessly that it felt as if he had been there the entire time. The speed at which he had moved was unnatural, beyond even the comprehension of the ship¡¯s crew, a blur so fast it seemed like teleportation.


    In his white cybernetic hand, he casually held Rad¡¯s lost water bottle, as if retrieving it had been nothing more than a leisurely errand. Kite¡¯s eyes widened slightly, his lips parting in mild astonishment at Ray¡¯s impossible feat.


    ¡°Dude, you were just¡ª¡± Kite began, but quickly stopped himself and chuckled. ¡°Yea, don¡¯t know why I¡¯m even surprised at this point.¡±


    Ray, however, didn¡¯t acknowledge the shock. He simply smirked.


    Without ceremony, he crouched down, placing his cold, white cybernetic palm against Rad¡¯s chest.


    Rad groaned softly, his face still pale, his stomach churning from the previous chaos. Ray tilted his head, his mocking grin growing as his glowing eyes flickered with mischief.


    ¡°Must I always come to your rescue, doofus?¡± His tone was mockingly exasperated, but completely devoid of any real malice.


    A faint hum of energy began to pulse from Ray¡¯s hand, a soft violet glow radiating outward, sinking into Rad¡¯s exhausted body like a soothing current. Rad¡¯s frown deepened, his lips pressing together in a flat line as he felt the fatigue and nausea steadily fade away.


    His body grew lighter, his muscles no longer aching, and the unnatural color in his skin quickly returned to normal. The warmth of Ray¡¯s cosmic healing lingered, but Rad refused to acknowledge the relief.


    He huffed, averting his gaze as he muttered weakly. ¡°Shut up¡­¡±


    Ray chuckled at the response, his smirk never faltering. Kite broke into laughter, shaking his head as he clapped his hands together in amusement.


    Ray snickered softly, standing back up with a flick of his wrist, his cosmic glow fading back into his frame. As the ship continued soaring effortlessly through the sky, the trio¡¯s laughter blended into the endless, open horizon.

 Chapter 50 Pt.1: New Faces

    Kite stood entranced, his fingers loosely gripping the weathered wooden railing of the skyship as he peered into the vast, sunlit expanse above. The salt-kissed breeze curled around him, ruffling his already tousled brown curls as he inhaled deeply, the fresh scent of the open sky and distant sea filling his lungs.


    The distant crashing of waves far below echoed faintly, a rhythmic hymn of the ocean that blended with the occasional creak of the ship¡¯s hull and the steady footsteps of workers and guests traversing the deck. But Kite¡¯s attention was drawn upward¡ªto the heavens themselves.


    Above him, The Ether Harbingers¡ªcolossal dragon-like beings¡ªsoared in effortless harmony with the floating ships. Their crystalline wings refracted sunlight, scattering prismatic shards of color across the sky like living stained glass. Their mist-like bodies shimmered ethereally, as if woven from the very fabric of existence, shifting seamlessly between form and void.


    Each one moved with an angelic grace, their wings casting gentle, rippling breezes that cascaded over the deck, sending a cool draft through the warm air. Kite sighed softly, tilting his head back as the wind kissed his skin, momentarily cooling him from the twin suns¡¯ embrace.


    Beside him, Rad leaned lazily over the railing, his arms draped across it like a tired cat as he stared absentmindedly at the ocean below. His eyes followed the luminous aquatic creatures that swam just beneath the surface, their glowing forms shifting through the water in mesmerizing patterns.


    Then, after a long moment of silence, Rad finally let out an exaggerated yawn before speaking. ¡°So, uh¡­ how long will this trip take, exactly?¡±


    At first, Ray didn¡¯t respond. He sat perched effortlessly atop the railing, his arms crossed, his gaze locked on the horizon, as if peering beyond what mortal eyes could perceive. His mechanical frame was eerily still, the only movement coming from the occasional flicker of cosmic energy in his glowing bi-colored eyes.


    Then, without looking at Rad, he finally spoke. ¡°It will take about a day or two for the ship to reach a port.¡± His voice was calm, nonchalant, distant.


    Rad¡¯s eyes widened immediately in horror. ¡°A day or two!?¡± He exclaimed in disbelief.


    He straightened up so fast that the crew members passing by shot him amused glances. Ray smirked slightly at his reaction, while Kite quirked an eyebrow, intrigued but not nearly as concerned.


    Rad, however, groaned dramatically, throwing his arms into the air. ¡°Oh, come on! I¡¯m gonna die of sea sickness out here!¡± He grumbled, dragging his hands down his face. ¡°I was not made for this life, man.¡±


    Kite finally tore his gaze away from the celestial wonders above, his head tilting toward Ray. ¡°Two days, huh?¡± He echoed, frowning slightly. ¡°Why can¡¯t you just teleport us there?¡±


    Ray shrugged effortlessly, hovering off the railing, his small robotic frame levitating a few feet above the ground, the faint glow of his cosmic aura leaving tiny ripples in the air. ¡°I do not feel like it.¡± He stated plainly.


    Kite blinked in confusion. ¡°¡­What?¡±


    Rad looked equally as dumbfounded. ¡°You don¡¯t¡ª?¡±


    Ray ignored their exasperation, instead glancing toward a group of crew members passing by. Their booming laughter and casual conversation filled the air, a stark contrast to the urgency Rad seemed to feel.


    ¡°Besides,¡± Ray continued, ¡°time moves quicker in this universe. So don¡¯t worry about your parents; they won¡¯t even notice you¡¯re gone.¡±


    Kite¡¯s eyes widened slightly, his curiosity now outweighing his mild frustration. ¡°Whoa, really?¡± He leaned in slightly. ¡°How much faster are we talking?¡±


    Even Rad¡¯s previous irritation faded as he turned around, a look of intrigue now painted across his face. ¡°Wait, wait, wait,¡± he interjected, ¡°are we gonna have wrinkles when we get back?¡±


    Ray chuckled softly, shaking his head. ¡°No, we won¡¯t be here that long.¡± He lifted his cybernetic hands, gesturing as he explained. ¡°Basically, one hour in your universe is one day here. And one day in your universe¡­ is about a month in this one.¡±


    Kite¡¯s mouth widened slightly in amazement. ¡°That¡¯s so trippy!¡±


    Rad let out a slow, contented sigh as he turned towards the vibrant sky, his arms lazily draping over the ship¡¯s railing. The warm sea breeze rolled across his face, carrying with it the scent of salt, aged wood, and the faint aroma of spices wafting from below deck. His gaze flickered over the endless expanse of rolling ocean waves, stretching far beyond where the twin suns dipped toward the horizon.


    ¡°Yeah, I guess that is pretty cool.¡± His voice was casual, but there was a hint of genuine appreciation in his tone as he took in the peaceful scenery.


    Ray, who had been observing their surroundings in silent contemplation, chuckled softly at their responses. But the moment was soon broken by the unmistakable sound of a loud stomach growl.


    Kite blinked, then let out a dramatic groan as he clutched his abdomen. ¡°Man, I¡¯m hungry now,¡± he announced, rubbing his stomach as if he had just been struck by starvation.


    Rad barely had time to roll his eyes before Kite perked up with an excited grin.


    ¡°Imma see if there¡¯s free food here!¡± Without another word, he spun on his heels and took off in a light jog, weaving effortlessly between the crew members and travelers on deck, his beige jacket fluttering behind him as he disappeared into the bustling heart of the skyship.


    Rad and Ray watched him go, the sound of Kite¡¯s footsteps gradually fading into the ship¡¯s lively atmosphere. Then, after a beat, Ray finally spoke.


    ¡°I too will be leaving. I wish to try out the locals¡¯ food.¡± Rad turned his head slightly, raising an eyebrow as he watched Ray¡¯s small, robotic frame hover effortlessly into the air, his cosmic energy flickering faintly around him like a living aurora.


    ¡°Really?¡± Rad smirked, pushing himself off the railing. ¡°You don¡¯t even need to eat.¡±


    Ray paused mid-hover, turning slightly so that his glowing cybernetic eyes caught the sunlight. A slow, knowing smirk played across his lips. ¡°I merely wish to enjoy our vacation, is all.¡±


    And with that, he ascended effortlessly, his form blending into the golden light of the afternoon sky as he drifted away, leaving Rad alone with the sound of the waves and the murmur of the bustling ship. Rad¡¯s gaze lingered on the empty space where Ray had hovered just moments before, his bi-colored glow now nothing more than a fading trace in the golden afternoon light.


    For a moment, Rad stood there, his expression unreadable, before he slowly tilted his head, as if weighing the words left behind. Then, with a small huff through his nose, he smirked slightly.


    ¡°Fair point.¡± His voice was soft, spoken more to himself than anyone else.


    As he turned his gaze back toward the endless ocean horizon, the wind gently rustled through his messy brown bangs, sending loose strands flicking against his forehead. The warmth of the twin suns pressed lightly against his skin, tempered by the cool whisper of the sea breeze.


    Rad took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh scent of the open sky, of salt and distant spice, of sun-warmed wood and adventure carried on the wind. For the first time in what felt like forever, a moment of true peace settled over him.


    A content smile formed at the corners of his lips as he leaned further onto the railing, his fingers absentmindedly drumming against the polished wood. ¡°At least I can finally get some peace and quiet now¡­¡±


    His words drifted lazily into the air, dissolving into the gentle hum of the skyship, blending with the rhythmic crashing of waves far below. But Rad¡ªlost in his moment of tranquility¡ªnever noticed the tiny, flickering glow of scarlet light creeping toward him.


    It fluttered weightlessly through the air, a wisp of mystical energy, its form ever-shifting, pulsing softly like embers caught in an unseen breeze. It danced playfully, weaving through the drifting motes of dust illuminated by the sunlight, growing closer with each passing second.


    And then¡ªit hovered just beside him. Its tiny beige hands rubbed together with pure, unfiltered mischief as its iridescent wings fluttered rapidly in excitement.


    This one¡¯s perfect! The thought crackled through the small being like lightning, its glow pulsing slightly brighter as it prepared to make its move. Kite strode confidently through the bustling heart of the skyship, his curious eyes scanning everything around him as he passed through the deck¡¯s lively market and communal spaces.


    The air was rich with movement, voices, and the scent of foreign spices wafting from food stalls. The warm glow of hanging lanterns, powered by small floating crystals, cast an inviting golden light over the crew and guests who moved about their routines.


    Kite passed by a group of avian chimeric beings, their gold-threaded sashes shimmering as they perched effortlessly along the ship¡¯s mast, their keen eyes scanning the horizon. Some adjusted the sails of the floating ship, their taloned fingers nimble as they fastened intricate knots, while others called out to one another in a language filled with clicks and chirps.


    To his right, a few mechanical humanoids, their bodies composed of polished brass and silver plating, were engaged in a game of strategy at a small wooden table. Their glowing ember-like eyes flickered as they considered their moves, their delicate fingers adjusting intricately carved chess pieces that levitated ever so slightly above the board.


    Further down, tall elven-like beings, their iridescent skin shimmering with faint sky-like hues, gathered around a large navigation device, their hands weaving through glowing runes suspended midair as they adjusted the ship¡¯s course using magic-infused technology. Kite grinned as he took it all in, his excitement growing by the second.


    ¡°This ship¡¯s got everything,¡± he muttered under his breath, his stomach growling once again. ¡°Now where¡¯s the buffet?¡±


    Wandering deeper into the labyrinthine corridors, Kite soon found himself lost. The once open and vibrant skyship deck had given way to narrow wooden halls, the sounds of the bustling ship now muffled as he walked past rows of intricately carved doors, each marked with strange runes and personal sigils.


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    The wooden floors creaked faintly under his steps as he turned a corner, only to be greeted by a hallway unlike any other. The walls were lined with tall glass cases, each housing trophies, medals, and enchanted moving pictures that flickered softly in the dim lantern light.


    Kite¡¯s eyes widened in amazement as he stepped forward, his reflection warping slightly against the curved glass cases as he peered inside. The shimmering medals hung delicately from navy-blue ribbons, their surfaces engraved with intricate markings of victories long past.


    Some bore the sigil of the skyship itself, a swirling storm surrounded by an unfurled sail, while others showcased battle insignias, celestial maps, and ancient symbols of naval prestige. But what truly caught Kite¡¯s attention were the magical photographs, shifting and moving like fragments of history frozen in time.


    In many of them, the towering reptilian captain stood proudly alongside his crew, his deep blue scales catching the light as he posed with a confident, toothy grin. His naval officer¡¯s coat, lined with brass buttons polished to perfection, sat snug against his broad frame, his forked tongue flicking in and out as he laughed.


    His long tail swayed rhythmically, the energy of his crew radiating through the still-living images. Kite chuckled at one of the photos where the captain was caught mid-argument with an avian chimera crew member, the two frozen in what looked like a heated but ultimately playful exchange.


    But then, Kite¡¯s gaze drifted toward a different set of pictures. Unlike the rest, these weren¡¯t of just the crew.


    They depicted a young human boy with reptilian features, standing beside a woman and the towering captain. The boy, no older than ten, grinned wildly as his mother ruffled his messy dark hair.


    His golden, slitted eyes shone with energy, his hands gripping the captain¡¯s coat sleeve as they posed for the picture. The woman beside them smiled warmly, her presence bringing a softer air to the image as she leaned against the captain.


    A genuine family moment. But as Kite¡¯s eyes flicked to the next set of photographs, his grin slowly faded.


    In later images, the boy had grown into a teenager, standing more independently now¡ªbut the warmth was gone. His mother was absent.


    The captain¡¯s once boisterous expression was more subdued, his gaze not as sharp, his tail not swaying as it once did. The teenage boy in the picture stood beside him, but they were no longer as close, a subtle but unmistakable distance between them.


    The longer Kite stared, the more the weight of those missing pieces settled into his chest. His brows furrowed slightly.


    ¡°¡­Where¡¯d she go?¡± he muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper as he stood in front of the glass case, lost in thought.


    Kite stood motionless in front of the glass case, his eyes flickering between the moving images of the reptilian captain and his family. The difference between the earlier and later pictures felt like night and day¡ªonce filled with warmth and joy, now distant and solemn.


    Then, suddenly, a voice cut through the silence like a blade. ¡°She¡¯s missing.¡±


    The words were spoken bitterly, carrying an undercurrent of frustration that immediately snapped Kite from his thoughts. He jolted slightly in surprise before whipping around to face the source of the voice.


    Standing a few feet away was a teenage boy, one that looked eerily familiar¡ªthe very same boy from the photos, now older, taller, and with a hardened expression. His golden, slitted eyes glowed faintly beneath the dim lantern light, their sharpness enhanced by the deep shadows cast against his tan skin. His dark, wavy hair was wild and unkempt, falling messily around his face, the strands shifting ever so slightly with his movements.


    He was dressed like a true sky pirate, a dark blue, open-fronted coat with golden accents draped over his shoulders. The coat¡¯s high collar partially obscured a fitted, white linen shirt tucked into his weathered leather belt, where various pouches, a small dagger, and an intricate compass hung loosely.


    His dark trousers were reinforced with patched seams, clearly worn from years of travel, and his sturdy boots bore scuff marks from countless adventures. His presence alone radiated an aura of quiet resilience, but his arms remained tightly crossed, his stance tense yet unwavering. ¡°Went off on some expedition and never came back.¡± He added on somberly as he folded his arms.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Kite hesitated, shifting slightly as his excitement faded into an awkward seriousness. ¡°Uh, I¡¯m sorry to hear that.¡±


    The boy huffed, his expression tightening for a moment before he shook his head dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s whatever.¡± His voice was firm, unwavering. ¡°She¡¯s still out there, I know it.¡±


    He lifted his chin slightly, determination burning behind his golden eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll find her no matter what.¡±


    Kite tilted his head slightly, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Do you even know where to look?¡±


    The boy didn¡¯t answer at first. Instead, he clenched his jaw and turned his gaze away, his fingers twitching slightly.


    ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ figure it out.¡± His voice was quieter now, but still defensive. Then, almost as an afterthought, he muttered under his breath. ¡°It¡¯s only been six years.¡±


    Kite¡¯s eyes immediately widened as he took a step forward. ¡°Whoa! Six years!?¡±


    The boy visibly tensed, his arms tightening around his chest before he exhaled sharply through his nose.


    ¡°Yes, six years,¡± he snapped, huffing irritably. ¡°Hardly any time at all!¡±


    Kite winced slightly at his tone, cringing inwardly as he tried to find a way to be polite about it. But before he could say anything, the boy narrowed his eyes, clearly catching on to Kite¡¯s hesitation. His tail, previously still, flicked slightly behind him as his frustration bubbled over.


    ¡°She¡¯s still alive.¡± The words were spoken with absolute certainty, as if daring anyone to say otherwise. Kite quickly raised his hands, opening his mouth to apologize, but the boy barreled on, pacing back and forth as he continued.


    ¡°You have no idea how many times I¡¯ve heard people tell me to ¡®move on.¡¯ That it¡¯s been ¡®too long.¡¯ That I should just ¡®accept it¡¯ already.¡± His voice grew sharper, laced with unfiltered irritation. ¡°But they don¡¯t get it! She¡¯s not dead. I KNOW she¡¯s not.¡±


    His boots thudded heavily against the wooden floor as he pivoted on his heel, running a hand through his messy hair in frustration. Then, more bitterly, he added, ¡°At this point, I think my dad doesn¡¯t even want to find her.¡±


    Kite frowned at that. ¡°That¡¯s probably not true,¡± he interjected, watching the boy carefully. ¡°I bet he misses her a lot.¡±


    The boy rolled his eyes dramatically, throwing his hands up in exasperation. ¡°Tch¡ªMay the Void take it all.¡±


    Kite blinked, his brows knitting together. ¡°Wait¡ªwhat does that mean?¡±


    The boy paused mid-step, glancing at him with mild surprise before his gaze shifted over Kite¡¯s unusual clothing and general appearance.


    There was a moment of silence. Then, realization dawned across his face. ¡°You¡¯re not from here, are you?¡± He raised an eyebrow.


    Kite grinned sheepishly and placed his hands behind his head. ¡°Nope! I¡¯m on an adventure.¡±


    The boy stared at him for a beat, then suddenly barked out a laugh¡ªa genuine, amused chuckle that seemed to break through the tension like a gust of fresh wind.


    Kite tilted his head. ¡°What? What¡¯s so funny?¡±


    The boy shook his head, still smirking as he calmed down. ¡°Sorry, sorry. I just¡­ didn¡¯t expect that kind of response.¡±


    Kite frowned slightly, placing his hands on his hips. ¡°Uh-huh.¡±


    The boy¡¯s gaze briefly flickered down to Kite¡¯s wrists, noticing the twin bracelets for the first time. His eyes lingered on them, curiosity flashing behind his golden irises¡ªbut he didn¡¯t comment.


    Instead, he chuckled softly before gesturing over his shoulder. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be back here anyway,¡± he remarked, turning to walk away.


    Then, as if on a whim, he glanced back with a small smirk. ¡°Come on. You¡¯re probably pretty hungry, right? Food¡¯s on me.¡±


    Kite¡¯s eyes widened in excitement, his grin returning in full force. ¡°Heck yeah!¡±


    Without hesitation, he jogged up to the boy¡¯s side, falling into step beside him as they made their way down the hall.


    The boy laughed, shaking his head in mild amusement. ¡°You¡¯re a weird one, y¡¯know that?¡±


    Kite just grinned wider. ¡°I get that a lot.¡±


    The wooden planks beneath their feet groaned softly as Kite and Bastion strode through the ship¡¯s winding corridors, the lanterns lining the walls casting flickering golden light against the aged metal and wooden beams. The air was filled with the distant hum of activity¡ªthe clinking of glasses, the murmur of laughter, the occasional shout of a drunken patron.


    Bastion glanced over at Kite as they walked, his smirk still lingering. ¡°Name¡¯s Bastion, by the way.¡±


    Kite grinned, stretching his arms behind his head as he walked. ¡°Kite Caulder.¡±


    Bastion chuckled, rolling the name over in his mind. ¡°Kite, huh? That¡¯s an interesting name. Sounds peaceful¡­ reminds me of something.¡±


    Kite tilted his head slightly. ¡°Oh yeah? Reminds you of what?¡±


    Bastion didn¡¯t immediately answer, instead glancing forward, his golden eyes flickering with something unreadable. Then, just as Kite was about to ask again, they stepped into the dimly lit dining hall.


    The air inside was thick with the scent of roasted meats, spiced vegetables, and exotic fruits, mingling with the faint tang of enchanted smoke that drifted lazily from several vendors¡¯ stalls. Floating lanterns, glowing in hues of blue, green, and deep amber, bobbed through the air like will-o¡¯-the-wisps, casting an ethereal glow over the massive space.


    Scattered throughout the hall were massive wooden tables, some carved with intricate runes that pulsed softly with magic, their occupants a mix of grizzled skyfarers, rowdy mercenaries, and cloaked figures hunched over their meals, speaking in hushed tones. At the far end of the hall, a towering bar stretched the length of the room, behind which a burly, four-armed bartender with iridescent skin poured glowing liquids into enchanted mugs.


    The bottles lining the shelves behind him shimmered, their contents shifting colors with each flickering lantern light. Scattered throughout the hall were various vendors, their stalls arranged like a miniature marketplace within the ship itself. Some looked inviting and warm, offering goods that gleamed with magical energy¡ªjewels that pulsed like beating hearts, daggers that whispered in hushed voices, spellbooks that turned their own pages, and crystalline compasses that glowed in response to hidden paths.


    But others¡­ others were far less inviting. Against the walls, in shadowed corners, stood shady merchants draped in dark, patchwork robes, their faces obscured beneath hoods or long, thick scarves. Their stalls weren¡¯t adorned with glowing trinkets or polished goods¡ªno, their wares were different.


    Cages. Cages filled with companions.


    Some held small, ethereal creatures, their bodies shimmering like mist, their eyes pleading. Others contained beasts of unknown origins, some with multiple eyes, others with limbs that twitched and reformed as if caught in a state of flux. But the worst¡­ were the ones that spoke.


    From a soundproof cage, a small humanoid figure with obsidian-black skin and silver eyes slammed his fists against the bars, his mouth moving rapidly in silent screams. Another cage contained a feathered serpent, its vibrant scales dulled from captivity, glaring defiantly at its captor. And yet, the vendors standing by these cages remained unfazed, their gleaming eyes studying the crowd, waiting, watching, ready for their next buyer.


    Kite¡¯s eyebrow twitched upward, his curiosity piqued, but before he could comment, Bastion spoke.


    ¡°It reminds me of a place.¡± Kite blinked, turning his attention back to Bastion as they wove through the tables. ¡°What place?¡±


    Bastion¡¯s expression softened, his gaze turning reminiscent, almost¡­ wistful. ¡°A mythological land, far away from any civilization. A place of legends.¡± He glanced at Kite. ¡°My mom used to tell me stories about it when I was a kid. During supper, or before bed.¡±


    Kite perked up, his eyes gleaming with intrigue. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s awesome! What¡¯s the place called?¡±


    Bastion exhaled through his nose, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. ¡°Lots of names. Different cultures call it different things, but most know it as ¡®The Shrouded Vale.¡¯¡±


    Kite nodded slowly, the name alone sparking excitement within him. ¡°So, your mom was into that kinda stuff? Myths and legends?¡±


    Bastion¡¯s smile faltered, his expression growing solemn. ¡°¡­She and my dad were always searching for it.¡±


    Kite¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, picking up on the shift in Bastion¡¯s tone. He hesitated, then carefully asked, ¡°Was that where your mom¡¯s expedition was going?¡±


    A moment passed before Bastion gave a single, slow nod. ¡°Yeah.¡± His voice was quieter now. ¡°Legends say that everyone who finds the Vale¡­ never comes back. And those who do¡­¡±


    Kite gulped as the two walked, feeling the weight in Bastion¡¯s voice. ¡°¡­What happened to the ones who came back?¡±


    Bastion¡¯s golden eyes darkened, his fingers twitching slightly as he crossed his arms. ¡°They weren¡¯t human anymore.¡±


    Kite felt a chill creep down his spine. Bastion continued, his voice lower now, as if retelling something that should never be spoken aloud. ¡°They came back¡­ changed. Twisted. Feral. Like something had reached into their very souls and shattered whatever made them¡­ them.¡±


    He leaned slightly closer, his gaze unwavering. ¡°Their eyes were hollow, glowing with something unnatural. Their skin¡ªscarred and stretched, like it was trying to mold into something else. Their limbs¡ªelongated, jagged, some with extra fingers, others missing entire body parts, as if they¡¯d¡­ decayed while still alive.¡±


    Kite grimaced, suppressing a shudder. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ horrifying!¡± Bastion nodded solemnly. ¡°Yeah. And the worst part?¡± His voice dropped even lower, his expression grim.


    ¡°None of them could speak. Just¡­ screeches. Hollow, empty noises¡ªlike they weren¡¯t people anymore.¡±


    A heavy silence hung between them as Kite tried to process it all. His fingers subconsciously brushed against the bracelets on his wrists, their once comforting presence now feeling strangely heavy.


    After a moment, Kite let out a slow exhale, forcing a nervous chuckle. ¡°Well¡­. that sounds like a fun place.¡±


    Bastion chuckled somberly, shaking his head. ¡°Yea... real fun.¡±


    Kite smiled weakly, but his mind lingered on the story. Something about it¡­ felt too real.

 Chapter 50.5 Pt.2: New Faces

    The warm glow of floating lanterns flickered above as Kite and Bastion continued walking through the bustling dining hall. The air was thick with the rich scent of seasoned meats and spiced ale, the occasional burst of magical embers from enchanted cooking pots casting brief glimmers of golden light across the room.


    All around them, laughter rang out, the boisterous voices of sailors and merchants merging with the sounds of clinking mugs and sizzling food. A group of rowdy skyfarers, their faces flushed with drink, clapped each other on the back as they shared stories of their latest plunder.


    Further ahead, a gaggle of children darted between tables, laughing mischievously as they dodged the half-hearted swats of a grizzled cook, who wagged a wooden spoon at them with an amused grin. The entire place was alive, buzzing with the energy of a crew that had seen both storms and victories.


    While other children¡ªbarefoot and wild-eyed¡ªdarted between patrons, snatching scraps of bread and fruit, laughing as they evaded the slow, heavy hands that reached to snatch them back.


    Bastion moved through it all with practiced ease, hands tucked into his coat pockets, his golden eyes flicking across the crowd with casual awareness. Kite, on the other hand, was still absorbing every detail, eyes wide as they passed merchants haggling over exotic wares, gamblers slamming down dice, and performers entertaining drunks for coin.


    But then¡ªKite¡¯s gaze caught something different. A distant corner of the hall, veiled slightly by shadows and the thick wooden beams supporting the ship, housed something far less jovial.


    Kite¡¯s eyebrows furrowed as he slowed his steps, watching as caged creatures struggled against their bindings. At first, they seemed like exotic animals, but as Kite looked closer, he realized¡ªmany of them weren¡¯t just animals.


    Some had intelligent eyes, their expressions filled with fear and frustration. Others had features eerily humanoid, their forms blending animalistic traits with something unmistakably¡­ aware.


    Some creatures¡ªexotic, glowing beings¡ªcowered in the corners of their prisons, their shimmering fur or iridescent wings dulled with exhaustion. Others still fought, their tired bodies slamming against rusted bars, claws scraping uselessly against enchanted locks. But the worst ones¡­ the ones that made Kite¡¯s stomach twist cold and tight¡­ were those that had stopped trying.


    The creatures were trapped behind metal bars that were thick and rusted, the cages held wild companions of all shapes and sizes. Feline hybrids with sharp horns, scaled drakes with clipped wings, a shadow-hound muzzled and chained, and even a two-headed serpent, its scales dulled from captivity. Some creatures lay exhausted and limp, while others snarled and struggled, their eyes burning with defiance.


    While in one cage lay a lithe, fox-like creature with six tails, each tipped with glowing blue embers, its body curled in its too-small cage, its glowing eyes narrowed in silent defiance. Beside it, a tiny avian being with golden plumage clutched the bars with clawed fingers, its beady black eyes darting between passing strangers, silently pleading for release.


    Further down, an onyx-scaled reptilian hybrid, tall as a human, sat cross-legged in its cage, arms folded, its expression unreadable¡ªbut its fingers twitched, as if itching to break free.


    Kite swallowed hard. His breath felt heavy in his chest, a weight pressing against his ribs. How long had they been here? How long had they been waiting?


    Kite¡¯s stomach twisted, a sudden weight pressing on his chest. ¡°Why are they in cages?¡± His voice came out sharper than he intended, his fingers clenching unconsciously into fists.


    Bastion, who had continued walking without pause, only glanced over his shoulder before scoffing. ¡°Because they were captured.¡± Bastion stated. ¡°They were all hunted down. Now they¡¯re being sold.¡± His tone was flat, matter-of-fact, as if stating the weather.


    Kite¡¯s breath caught. ¡°Hunted? Why?¡± His voice sharpened, eyes snapping to Bastion¡¯s, searching for something¡ªanything¡ªthat made sense.


    Kite now fully turned to him, disbelief flashing across his face. ¡°What do you mean sold?¡± The word felt wrong on his tongue, bitter like spoiled fruit. He gestured wildly toward the cages. ¡°They¡¯re not objects.¡±


    Bastion sighed lightly, finally looking at Kite with an expression of both mild amusement and pity, as if he had just asked why the sea had waves. ¡°Because it¡¯s a business.¡± He tilted his head toward the traders, men and women wrapped in dark cloaks, exchanging coin with quiet, knowing smiles. ¡°Slavery, trafficking¡ªthis is just how things work in the Celestine Seas. Everyone¡¯s got to make a living somehow.¡±


    Kite¡¯s jaw tightened. His heart pounded against his ribs, anger curling in his gut like a lit fuse. He could hear it in Bastion¡¯s voice¡ªthe casual indifference, like this was just another part of life. Like it was normal. Like it was okay.


    Kite felt his stomach tighten at the casual way Bastion said it, as if it were just another harsh reality to accept. His gaze flickered back to the creatures trapped in cages, some still fighting against their restraints, their spirits unbroken but fading.


    Kite turned back to the cages, his green eyes narrowing. He could hear his own breathing now, sharper, heavier. His fingers twitched at his sides, itching for something¡ªanything¡ªto fix this.


    A loud clang snapped him back to the moment. One of the creatures, a tall reptilian hybrid, had slammed its chained hands against the bars, its ember-like eyes burning with rage.


    Kite met its gaze¡ªand what he saw there made his pulse stutter. Not just anger. Not just frustration. Desperation.


    The kind of desperation that came when someone knew¡ªknew¡ªthey weren¡¯t getting out. When the fight was still in them, but hope wasn¡¯t.


    Kite inhaled sharply, his grip tightening so hard his nails bit into his palms. A spark of something dangerous flickered in his chest, coiling deep in his bones. And then¡ªhe exhaled. Slowly. Carefully.


    Bastion caught Kite¡¯s expression and sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Look, Kite, I get it. It¡¯s ugly.¡± His voice softened¡ªjust a little. ¡°But there¡¯s nothing we can do about it.¡± He nodded toward the vendors. ¡°Take down one slaver, and another takes their place. That¡¯s how it¡¯s always been.¡±


    Kite¡¯s pace slowed, his brows furrowing, his arms folding across his chest as he processed Bastion¡¯s words. He didn¡¯t want to accept that. He couldn¡¯t.


    Bastion sighed dramatically, his boots scuffing against the wooden planks as he turned fully to Kite. ¡°Listen, people do what they have to do to survive. Its not like they all get a kick out of this.¡±


    Kite¡¯s frown deepened, his expression darkening as he looked back at the trapped creatures. Some still struggled, their desperation clear. Others had long since given up, their gazes vacant, tired, hopeless.


    Kite¡¯s pace further slowed, his arms crossing tightly over his chest. His usual bright, playful demeanor was gone, replaced with something colder, quieter, more serious.


    Bastion must have sensed the shift in energy because he suddenly groaned, palming his face. ¡°No. No, no, no, please do not do whatever you¡¯re about to do.¡±


    Kite turned to him, still smiling¡ªbut now there was an edge to it. ¡°I haven¡¯t even said anything yet.¡±


    Bastion noticed, exhaling through his nose before groaning. ¡°Oh, come on, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re seriously thinking about this.¡± His lips curled into a lopsided smirk, his tone turning teasing. ¡°What, you gonna buy them all freedom?¡±


    Kite blinked as his fingers twitched at his sides. He could feel it¡ªthe weight of it all, pressing against his ribs, coiling in his stomach like a storm waiting to break. If he walked away now, that was it. The creatures would stay in cages. No one else would step in. No one else cared. And that thought¡ªthat helpless, bitter thought¡ªmade something in him rebel.


    He exhaled sharply, his frustration cooling into something sharper, more deliberate. Well¡­ if no one else is going to do anything about it¡­


    That just means I have to!


    His lips curled into a slow, mischievous grin. almost challenging even. ¡°I just might!¡± Kite finally declared, his emerald green eyes glowing ever so slightly in proud defiance.


    Before Bastion could react, Kite¡¯s fingers twirled a tecastick from his pocket, rolling it between his knuckles in a playful flourish. Then¡ªhe took off.


    Bastion¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What the¡ª? KITE!¡± But Kite was already moving, slipping effortlessly through the crowd. He dodged past a group of arguing merchants, leaped over a toppled stool, and slid beneath a table, his small frame a blur of motion.


    Then, in one fluid motion, he vaulted onto a chair, kicked off a wooden beam, and launched himself high into the air. His body spun mid-flip as he flew high above the heads of the crowd, lightweight as the wind itself. While the lanterns light was caught in his green eyes, before he landed gracefully¡ªand kept running.


    Bastion groaned loudly, dragging a hand down his face before muttering a string of curses. ¡°Damn it¡ªKite!¡±


    He hesitated only a second before shoving past a stunned trader and breaking into a run, his coat flaring behind him. ¡°I swear, if you get in me in trouble, I''m throwing you off the ship!¡±


    Kite only cackled louder, his voice echoing through the dining hall as he disappeared into the crowd, his mischievous bright grin never faltering. Bastion shoved his way through the bustling crowd, dodging past towering figures draped in enchanted cloaks, and slipping between chattering merchants who barely spared him a glance.


    The din of the dining hall was overwhelming¡ªlaughter, bartering, the occasional clash of a mug against a table¡ªbut above it all, he could hear Kite. When he finally broke free of the mass of people, his gaze snapped ahead, instantly landing on Kite¡ªwho, unsurprisingly, was causing trouble.


    Kite stood in front of a slaver¡¯s stall, arms thrown in the air in exaggerated frustration. The slaver, an eerie woman draped in layered black robes woven with shimmering purple glyphs, leaned lazily against the counter, amusement dancing in her glowing violet eyes.


    Her face was sharp, with high cheekbones and dark lips twisted into a mocking smirk. Golden rings adorned her fingers, and her long, clawed nails drummed against the counter¡¯s surface. The moment Bastion saw the crackling violet energy flickering at her fingertips, his stomach twisted.


    The caged magical creatures were screeching and thrashing behind her, their glass prisons glowing with runic enchantments that kept them from breaking free. Some had fur of pure stardust, others had luminescent wings that pulsed with shifting colors, and a few even had multiple sets of eyes, blinking in desperation as they clawed at the cage¡¯s enchanted bars.


    Bastion groaned. ¡°Great.¡± He muttered as he walked up to the two bickering guests.


    Meanwhile, Kite was seething. ¡°What do you mean my currency is invalid!?¡± he demanded, gripping his tecastick and waving it toward the slaver as If she simply hadn¡¯t seen it properly.


    The slaver chuckled, dragging out the moment like a cat playing with its food. ¡°Oh, honey,¡± she cooed mockingly, tilting her head. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen a ¡®tecastick¡¯ in my life, and I¡¯ve seen a lot. Around these parts, we only take Sol Drakes.¡± She held up a shimmering blue coin embedded with the glowing silhouette of a serpent-like dragon. The coin flickered faintly, as though the creature within it were alive, shifting just beneath the surface.


    Kite¡¯s eyes narrowed, his green irises flaring brighter, reflecting the glow of the caged creatures behind her. His fists clenched, veins bulging slightly along his forearms and temples. The air around him subtly shifted, charged with tension.


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    ¡°Then maybe I should just take them by force!¡± Kite snarled.


    For a moment, there was silence. Then, the slaver cackled. The sound was low, electric, and darkly amused. ¡°Ohhh, now that¡¯s adorable.¡± She raised her crackling hands, violet lightning snapping between her fingertips as she smirked down at him. ¡°You¡¯re either incredibly brave¡­ or incredibly stupid!¡± The woman cackled, her eerie tone drenched in malice.


    Before Kite could so much as twitch, Bastion was suddenly between them. ¡°Enough.¡± Bastion¡¯s voice was sharp, a quiet but firm command. He shot Kite a glare, shoving a hand against his chest to push him back. ¡°Leave it.¡±


    Kite¡¯s jaw clenched, his shoulders rising with his growing irritation. ¡°She¡¯s literally selling living things in cages!¡± he argued.


    Bastion didn¡¯t budge. ¡°And there¡¯s nothing you can do about it.¡± His voice was steady, even as his eyes warned Kite to back down.


    Kite huffed through his nose, his entire body brimming with unspent energy, but he didn¡¯t move. The two boys stood locked in a silent standoff, neither willing to be the first to look away.


    Meanwhile, the slaver simply leaned against the counter, watching the interaction unfold with a bemused smirk. Her glowing violet eyes flickered back and forth between the two of them¡ªappraising, calculating. Then, slowly, her cold gaze landed on Kite¡¯s wrists.


    Her smirk faltered slightly. The bracelets.


    Her arcane senses tingled as she studied them¡ªdeep, ancient power humming beneath their surface, coiled like a slumbering beast, stirring with every rise of Kite¡¯s frustration. They weren¡¯t ordinary artifacts. No, they breathed. They pulsed. They were alive.


    And worse? They were sinking into him, threading through his very essence like invasive roots burrowing deep into fertile soil. With every passing second, they entwined themselves tighter, their insidious whispers growing louder, their influence seeping into the very marrow of his soul. It wasn¡¯t just corruption¡ªit was consumption, an unrelenting force reshaping him into something else, something¡­ not his own.


    The slaver¡¯s smirk returned, but this time it was more knowing, more intrigued. That boy¡­ is going to be trouble.


    Bastion finally spoke again, his tone sharp. ¡°I said drop it.¡±


    Kite exhaled sharply, but then¡ªto Bastion¡¯s surprise¡ªhe smirked.


    Kite rolled his shoulders, exhaling like he had just made the hardest decision of his life. ¡°Alright, alright. We¡¯ll do it your way,¡± he said, dragging out the words like they physically pained him. He turned away, hands stuffed into his pockets, shaking his head dramatically. ¡°I mean, it¡¯s not like I could single-handedly save them anyway...¡±


    Kite slowly began walking away, the soles of his shoes dragging across the floor of the ship. ¡°Yet.¡± he quietly quipped, his tone dripping with determination.


    Bastion didn¡¯t trust Kite for a second. Still, he watched cautiously as Kite walked away, hands shoved deep into his pockets.


    The tension slowly unraveled, but not before the slaver let out a low, entertained chuckle. Bastion turned to her. Immediately, her amusement faded. Her glowing eyes bore into his, dead serious.


    ¡°That being is dangerous,¡± she warned, her voice low and unwavering. ¡°It needs to be dealt with immediately.¡±


    Bastion exhaled through his nose, rubbing his temple. ¡°I know,¡± he muttered, exhausted. Then, with a slight nod, he turned and followed after Kite.


    The slaver watched them leave, her smirk returning as she tapped a long, clawed finger against the counter. ¡°How reassuring¡­¡± she murmured to herself.


    Bastion¡¯s footsteps were heavy with irritation as he finally caught up to Kite, who still had his hands shoved in his pockets, walking with that same infuriatingly carefree stride. His smirk hadn¡¯t faded, like he had already moved on from their argument, which only served to make Bastion grit his teeth harder.


    With a sigh, Bastion matched his pace beside him, his coat swaying slightly with each step. He shot a glare at Kite. ¡°What¡¯s your problem, anyway?¡± he snapped, still fuming from before.


    Kite tilted his head slightly, as if the question confused him. Then, with a nonchalant smirk, he shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t have a problem.¡± His voice was light, almost teasing. ¡°You¡¯re the one who was freaking out earlier.¡±


    Bastion narrowed his eyes, his irritation spiking further. He could tell Kite was avoiding the actual issue, and it pissed him off. He opened his mouth, ready to order this reckless idiot to leave before he caused even more trouble¡ªbut just then, a loud voice echoed across the dining hall from behind them.


    ¡°Yo, Bastion!¡± Bastion froze, recognizing the girls voice instantly. He turned on instinct, Kite mirroring him with a slower, more deliberate turn of his head.


    Two kids approached. The first was a dark-skinned girl who was about fourteen. Her skin shimmered faintly, as if kissed by the very essence of the sky.


    Though, despite her appearances, this is no human, she is Zephryxian. A race of mythical storm-born people with an affinity for wind, lightning, and sky magic.


    While her short, windswept deep blue hair was streaked with silver strands that shifted like storm clouds in motion, each one moving with an almost effortless glide. Her piercing white eyes practically glowed beneath the ship¡¯s golden lighting, like the afterimage of a lightning strike.


    In her grasp, she held a double-ended black spear, its enchanted metallic-like shaft pulsating with trapped lightning, crackling faintly with raw energy. The enchanted double-ended spear is infused with sky magic. While the weapons shaft is made of an unbreakable sky-metal, its blades humming with trapped lightning.


    The girl walked with an unshakable confidence, her movements calculated and sharp, like she was always prepared for a fight. All the while delicate dark blue feathered markings trailed along her shoulders and down her arms, remnants of her people¡¯s celestial heritage.


    Though, her most striking feature was by far the faintly glowing tattoos that were etched across her forearms, collarbone, and legs. Symbols of the legendary Stormfang Clan, pulsating with mythical power whenever she channels her thunder magic. These markings shift in brightness depending on her emotions, flaring bright when she¡¯s excited, angry, or immersed in the flow state.


    The girl wears a short, asymmetrical tunic made from woven sky-silk, a material that flows like fabric but resists tearing like armor. The tunic is adorned with tribal lightning patterns, stitched in golden thread that crackles with latent energy. Beneath the tunic, she wears sturdy black shorts and leg wraps reinforced with conductive metal strips, allowing her to channel her lightning abilities into her movements.


    Lastly, she wore a high-collared, sleeveless coat¡ªstitched with protective sigils¡ªdraped over her shoulders, its edges frayed as if permanently caught in the wind. Her fingerless gloves embedded with storm-runes and ankle-high, lightning-resistant boots that help her maintain footing even in the wildest tempests.


    The fourteen year old boy beside her was equally striking but for entirely different reasons. The kid was a member of The Ironwake Faction, a legendary order of technopaths, artificers, and engineers, revered for their ability to merge powerful magic with machinery, Hidden within floating steel fortresses, the clan thrives on pushing the boundaries of innovation, often venturing into dangerous territories to harvest rare Qi Crystals.


    Qi Crystals are naturally formed from the hardened essence of life force, remnants left behind by the spirits of the departed. These ethereal gems exist in every universe, their godly energy growing more potent with each passing soul. As time marches on, they become reservoirs of unfathomable power¡ªan irresistible lure for those who seek dominion over life and death itself.


    This relentless hunger for Qi Crystals has driven countless armies to war, leaders to madness, engineers to revolution, and sorcerers to defy the very fabric of reality. Many have gambled everything in pursuit of these celestial relics, but few have been as ruthless as Hugo Namikaze¡ªa man whose ambitions knew no bounds.


    That is, until Henry Cooper stood in his way, preventing Hugo Namikaze¡¯s eternal reign from ever coming to pass and saving countless lives in the process. But victory came at a steep personal price, for in stopping Hugo, Henry lost everything he once held dear. With his sacrifice, he left behind all those who mourned his loss.


    The boy, Felix ¡°Gearheart¡± Voss is a wiry, energetic-looking kid, his bronze-tinted skin smudged faintly with grease and soot. His messy, windswept auburn hair stuck up in odd directions, likely from some failed experiment or wild invention. A pair of steampunk-like cybernetic goggles rested on his forehead, their lenses faintly glowing as they adjusted with tiny mechanical clicks.


    Beneath the glasses, his sharp, hazel eyes gleamed with both intelligence and mischief, framed by slightly dark circles from long nights spent tinkering. His hands are calloused from years of working with intricate machinery, and faint burn marks tell tales of trial and error.


    His arms are lined with intricate cybernetic bracelets, and at his waist, two custom-built revolvers hung in well-crafted holsters, their barrels engraved with swirling arcane runes. While around his neck hung a cybernetic necklace.


    The necklace and bracelets serving as the core of his greatest invention¡ªthe Titan Vortex Exo-Frame, a powerful steampunk mech suit that manifests when he calls out his signature phrase. Meanwhile his high-collared navy-blue jacket is lined with brass piping, always being left unbuttoned for easy movement.


    While his cuffs are reinforced with small steam vents, occasionally releasing hisses of vapor. All the while he wore a fitted, double-layered vest with an intricate gear-and-circuit motif stitched in silver thread. With Hidden pockets that lined the inside, each one filled with tiny tools and vials of liquid energy.


    On his hands he wore brown leather aviator gloves with metallic fingertips that allow him to interface with technology through touch. For pants he wore slim, reinforced dark trousers with brass knee guards and gear-driven holsters for his two custom-built revolvers. The twin arcane revolvers being named ¡±Gale & Tempest¡±, capable of firing both magically infused bullets and compressed air shots.


    Lastly, he wore Heavy-duty boots embedded with thruster nodes that help with quick bursts of speed or short aerial maneuvers. Perfect for if his mech suit were to ever fail him, though that couldn¡¯t possibly happen.


    Every inch of Felix¡¯s attire¡ªfrom his navy-blue high-collared jacket lined with brass piping, to his leather gloves embedded with metallic fingertips¡ªspoke of an engineer, a tinkerer, a kid who lived and breathed machines. Bastion¡¯s brow furrowed in surprise as he spoke. ¡°Liora? Felix?¡±


    His voice carried both recognition and confusion, his arms instinctively uncrossing as he took a step toward them. Beside him, Kite remained utterly silent, his unreadable expression a stark contrast to the easy familiarity between the others. His now cold green eyes flicked from Liora¡¯s crackling spear to Felix¡¯s steampunk contraptions, his gaze lingering on the intricate metalwork of the boy¡¯s goggles, bracelets, and holstered guns as if examining their worth¡ªor calculating their danger.


    Liora grinned, seemingly unfazed by Kite¡¯s icy demeanor. She adjusted her spear against her shoulder, and the latent lightning within its blade hummed, pulsing in sync with her movement.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been looking all over for you,¡± she said with an exasperated smirk. Felix folded his arms, a cocky grin pulling at his lips, though his eyes flickered warily toward Kite before returning to Bastion.


    ¡°Yeah, man, we thought your dad was chewing you out again.¡± His tone was mocking, yet laced with genuine amusement. He then snickered, nudging Liora playfully. ¡°We were worried you¡­¡± Felix stifled a laugh, his smirk widening. ¡°Had to Holystone the deck again!¡±


    Liora instantly cracked up, her laughter ringing through the dining hall like a peal of thunder, while Felix doubled over beside her, shaking with amusement. Bastion sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. But despite himself, his shoulders loosened, and for the first time since Kite¡¯s antics, a faint smile ghosted across his face.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± he muttered, crossing his arms. ¡°Laugh it up, you little brats.¡±


    Liora eventually caught her breath, wiping a tear from the corner of her bright, storm-lit eyes before she finally turned her attention to Kite. Their gazes locked.


    A long, silent moment stretched between them¡ªa wordless contest of dominance, one of calm certainty versus quiet, cryptic amusement. Liora¡¯s sharp, electric gaze bore into Kite, but Kite didn¡¯t flinch, his stare holding an eerie stillness, as if he were studying her from the inside out.


    Bastion, sensing the shift in tension, quickly stepped between them, his presence cutting the silent standoff short. ¡°Kite¡¯s already caused enough trouble today,¡± he said firmly.


    Liora arched an eyebrow, her expression shifting slightly. ¡°Yeah? Who¡¯s the kid?¡±


    Felix groaned dramatically and stepped forward, throwing an arm around her shoulders with exaggerated flair. ¡°Oh, you know,¡± he drawled, jerking his thumb toward Kite, ¡°maybe it¡¯s the kid standing behind Bastion.¡±


    Liora blinked, then looked past Bastion toward the silent boy. Her face remained perfectly indifferent. ¡°Oh.¡±


    Felix let out a snort, shaking his head. Then, with that same reckless confidence, he strode forward, slipping past Bastion despite his warning glare.


    Bastion turned sharply. ¡°Felix, don¡¯t. He¡¯s unpredictable.¡±


    Felix just laughed, stopping beside Kite. ¡°Oh, come on, lighten up, will ya? He¡¯s just a little kid. He won¡¯t do anything bad.¡± Then, tilting his head, Felix grinned down at Kite, who was staring intensely at his necklace and bracelets.


    Felix chuckled. ¡°Right?¡± For a split second, Kite didn¡¯t move.


    Then, slowly, he lifted his gaze to meet Felix¡¯s. His smile was soft¡ªtoo soft.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t hurt anyone,¡± he said smoothly, his voice dripping with feigned innocence. ¡°I just want some friends, is all.¡±


    Bastion groaned. Liora outright laughed.


    ¡°Oh, is that all?¡± she teased, her stance finally relaxing. She exhaled, her posture shifting as she dismissed her suspicions. ¡°Guess I misjudged you, huh?¡±


    With that, she stepped past Bastion and gently placed a hand on Kite¡¯s shoulder, the weight of her touch grounding yet oddly light, like the breeze before a coming storm. ¡°You should sit with us for lunch,¡± she offered, her grin warm, disarming.


    Felix immediately nodded. ¡°Yeah, I second that.¡±


    Bastion, however, stiffened, his arms crossing again. ¡°No way. He probably snuck onto the ship. He¡¯s dangerous.¡±


    Liora and Felix exchanged a glance, their expressions unreadable for a moment. Then, in near unison, they turned their eyes downward toward Kite.


    The boy was still smiling, his hands tucked casually into his pockets, that same too-innocent expression never faltering. Liora let out a chuckle, shaking her head. ¡°Yeah, right.¡±


    Then, before Bastion could stop her, she swiftly scooped Kite up, lifting him onto her shoulders as effortlessly as if he were weightless. For the first time, Kite¡¯s composure cracked as Liora carried him away on her shoulders. His eyes widened in surprise, his head tilting slightly as if this turn of events was not one he could have predicted.


    Felix burst into laughter as he watched the pair travel into the distance. Bastion groaned loudly. ¡°Liora¡ªseriously?!¡± Bastion snapped, exasperated.


    Felix, still grinning, slung an arm around Bastion¡¯s shoulders, nudging him forward. ¡°Relax, man. If anything happens, we¡¯ll handle it together¡ªlike always.¡±


    Bastion exhaled sharply but didn¡¯t argue. He watched as Liora and Kite continued to walk ahead, the two kids now laughing together, their conversation already lively, while Felix jogged after them, his usual energy unshaken.


    For a moment, Bastion stood still, arms crossed, his gaze trailing after them. Then, finally, he sighed in resignation, shaking his head before a small, reluctant smile tugged at his lips.


    ¡°Fine, fine, whatever you say, Felix.¡± With that, he stepped forward, following the trio into the distance, their laughter echoing through the lively dining hall.

 Chapter 51: The Captain, the Storm, and the Ghosts of the Past

    Kite¡¯s body swayed slightly atop Liora¡¯s shoulders, her strong stance and steady gait making it look effortless as she carried him through the crowded dining hall. The air was alive with boisterous laughter, the clinking of mugs, and the rich aroma of seared meats, roasted vegetables, and enchanted elixirs that glowed faintly in glass bottles.


    Above, floating lanterns flickered, their soft golden glow casting dancing shadows along the wooden walls of the ship. The massive dining hall, carved from reinforced sky-oak, stretched wide, its ceilings held up by ornate beams decorated with mystical runes that pulsed faintly with magic.


    All around, sailors, traders, and mercenaries feasted and bartered over rare goods, their voices blending into a chaotic yet strangely harmonious symphony of life. Felix grinned as he caught up to them, giving Kite a playful nudge as he walked beside Liora. ¡°Not bad, huh? First day here, and you¡¯re already getting carried around like royalty.¡±


    Kite blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the unexpected gesture. Then, with a mischievous smirk, he lounged dramatically across Liora¡¯s shoulders, stretching his arms behind his head.


    ¡°I mean, I am kind of a big deal,¡± he quipped, smugly glancing down at Felix. ¡°Might as well get used to the VIP treatment.¡±


    Felix barked a laugh, while Liora rolled her eyes, adjusting her grip on him slightly. ¡°Yeah, yeah, don¡¯t get too comfortable. I can always throw you off if you start talking too much.¡±


    Kite chuckled. ¡°That¡¯d be really hard, considering I never talk too much.¡±


    Bastion groaned loudly from behind. ¡°You never shut up.¡±


    Liora and Felix both snickered, while Kite just grinned wider, clearly unbothered. As they weaved through the dining hall, the crowd subtly parted for Liora, her Stormfang Clan tattoos faintly glowing in the dim light, an unspoken sign of respect for her warrior heritage.


    Felix, meanwhile, greeted familiar faces with casual waves and smirks, some crew members patting his shoulder as they passed, while others exchanged sly grins¡ªas if expecting trouble to follow in his wake. Bastion walked a little behind, arms crossed, his expression one of mild exasperation, though the occasional glance toward Kite betrayed his lingering wariness.


    They finally reached a long, communal table near one of the ship¡¯s enchanted windows, where the view of the endless Celestine Seas stretched out beneath the blue sunlit sky, the two suns hanging high in the horizon. Kite, still balanced on Liora¡¯s shoulders, gawked at the view, his bright green eyes wide with awe. ¡°Whoa¡­ You guys get to eat with a view like this every day?!¡±


    Felix smirked, sliding into a seat. ¡°Perks of living in the sky, my dude.¡±


    Liora let out a huff before finally setting Kite down on the bench beside her. ¡°Alright, little prince, you¡¯re officially dethroned.¡±


    Kite landed smoothly, brushing off his sleeves as if dusting away imaginary royal responsibilities. ¡°Long live the king,¡± he muttered with a playful grin before turning his attention to the food.


    The table was loaded with platters of food, steaming hot meats, buttered skyroot bread, spiced rice, and vibrant fruits that shimmered with faint magical hues. A few floating trays hovered above, shifting as waitstaff enchanted the plates to refill whenever someone grabbed a serving.


    Bastion sat down across from Kite, still watching him carefully, before finally sighing and grabbing a drink. ¡°Just don¡¯t cause trouble.¡±


    Liora and Felix immediately exchanged glances. Kite, with a completely straight face, responded, ¡°I make absolutely no promises.¡±


    Felix nearly choked on laughter, while Liora shook her head with a chuckling sigh. Bastion, meanwhile, just groaned into his drink.


    Kite picked up a piece of Skyroot Bread, its crisp golden crust faintly shimmering under the soft lantern light. The inside was soft, airy, and had a slight glow, not like magic forced into it, but like it had absorbed the essence of the sky itself.


    Small, wispy strands of silver ran through the dough, woven like threads of lightning, crackling faintly before fading into a soothing warmth. Curious, Kite took a bite¡ªand his eyes widened immediately. The taste was unlike anything he had ever eaten. It was light yet rich, slightly sweet yet earthy, with a faint hint of something electric, something crisp and fresh, like the first breath of air after a heavy storm.


    ¡°Whoa¡ª!¡± Kite exclaimed through a mouthful, his voice muffled by the bread. He quickly swallowed before grinning. ¡°This is really good!¡±


    Liora laughed, crossing her arms proudly as she leaned back. ¡°Duh, that¡¯s because it¡¯s enchanted,¡± she said with a smirk. ¡°Skyroot trees only grow above the clouds. That bread? It came from the highest peaks, way beyond where even the strongest storms can reach.¡±


    Kite paused mid-bite, his brows furrowing in pure amazement. He looked down at the piece of bread in his hand as if seeing it for the first time. ¡°Wait¡ªtrees above the clouds?¡± He turned it over, examining the soft glow. ¡°That explains why it tastes so¡­ different.¡±


    Liora nodded, a grin tugging at her lips as she leaned forward. ¡°Yeah. They¡¯re called Tempest Willows, and they only grow in my homeland¡ªZeraphis, the Sky Kingdom of the Stormborn.¡±


    At that, Kite snapped his gaze up to her, his wide eyes practically shining with curiosity. ¡°Wait, that¡¯s where you¡¯re from?!¡±


    Felix and Bastion had been eating quietly, but they both paused, sharing a knowing look as they listened. Liora¡¯s chest puffed out slightly, a prideful glint in her storm-colored eyes.


    ¡°Yep. Zeraphis is the home of the Zephryxians¡ªmy people. We weren¡¯t born like normal humans. We were forged from the sky itself, brought into this world by what we call¡­¡± Liora trailed off, briefly closing her stormy eyes as she took a deep breath before exhaling, letting the suspense build dramatically. ¡°the Tempest Genesis.¡±


    Kite blinked rapidly, his curiosity spiking even higher. ¡°The what now?¡±


    Liora leaned forward, her voice dropping just slightly, her tone carrying the weight of something ancient, something legendary. ¡°You see, the Tempest Genesis was part of a universal cataclysmic event. It happened countless eons ago, way before any civilization we know today even existed!¡±


    Bastion and Felix finally joined in, their expressions shifting from casual interest to something more serious. Bastion and Felix finally joined in, their expressions shifting from casual interest to something more serious.


    Kite leaned in, intrigued. ¡°W-wait¡ªa cataclysmic event? What the heck happened?¡±


    Liora exchanged glances with Felix and Bastion before looking back at Kite, her expression growing more solemn. ¡°It was a war,¡± she said simply and quietly, as if afraid any unwanted guests may overhear. ¡°A war that spanned throughout the entire multiverse.¡±


    Kite¡¯s mouth slightly parted in shock. ¡°Wait¡ªwhat? A war across the entire multiverse?¡± He asked in slight disbelief.


    Felix nodded, resting an elbow on the table. ¡°Yeah. It wasn¡¯t just some battle between nations or planets. It was bigger than that! It was a war between the Empyreans and the angels¡­ against the Devils and Demons.¡±


    Bastion folded his arms, his golden eyes flickering as he added, ¡°It was a war over the fate of everything.¡±


    Kite¡¯s heartbeat quickened, his fingers subtly gripping the edge of the table. ¡°What¡­ what were they fighting over?¡±


    Liora exhaled, her gaze drifting slightly. ¡°Creation itself.¡± Kite¡¯s breath hitched.


    ¡°The Empyreans and Angels believed in balance, order, and divine law,¡± Bastion continued, his tone calm yet weighted with significance. ¡°Legends say they wanted to preserve existence, to keep the natural flow of life and death intact.¡±


    Felix then interjected, his voice laced with grim amusement. ¡°But the Devils and Demons? Yeah, they had a different opinion. They believed in freedom, in unrestrained chaos. They wanted to rewrite the rules¡ªtear down the old ways and reshape the cosmos in their own vision!¡±


    Liora nodded. ¡°The war raged across every realm, every plane of existence¡ªworlds were born and destroyed, entire civilizations erased in the crossfire. And at the center of it all¡­ were two beings.¡±


    Kite¡¯s eyes gleamed with curiosity as he leaned in closer. ¡°Who?¡±


    Felix leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming against his gun holster. ¡°The Devils were led by a being known as... The Cosmic Child.¡±


    A shiver ran down Kite¡¯s spine at the name. ¡°The Cosmic Child?¡±


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Liora¡¯s expression darkened slightly. ¡°Yea, a being cursed with the raw power of the cosmos itself. Nobody knows where he came from¡ªsome say he was a mistake, an anomaly that should¡¯ve never existed. Others say he was born from the remnants of fallen gods, their power fused into a single entity.¡±


    Bastion crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. ¡°But whatever the truth is, one thing¡¯s for sure¡ªhe was powerful enough to stand against The True God himself.¡±


    Kite¡¯s breath hitched again. ¡°Wait, who?¡±


    Felix smirked faintly, his hazel eyes glinting. ¡°The leader of the Angels and the Empyreans¡ªa being they called The True God.¡±


    Kite¡¯s mind was reeling now. ¡°The True God¡­?¡± He repeated, trying to wrap his head around it. ¡°That¡¯s a little¡­ on the nose, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    Felix chuckled. ¡°Yeah, well, when you¡¯re the most powerful entity in existence, I guess you don¡¯t need to be subtle.¡±


    Liora leaned forward, her storm-touched eyes flickering. ¡°The legends say the war lasted longer than time itself. That it wasn¡¯t just a war of weapons and armies, but of concepts and reality itself. The battle reshaped the very fabric of existence¡ªit caused births, deaths, and rebirths beyond counting.¡±


    Kite¡¯s jaw tightened as he processed this. ¡°So¡­ who won?¡±


    The trio exchanged glances before Bastion finally answered. ¡°The Angels did.¡±


    Kite blinked. ¡°Seriously?¡±


    Felix shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s what the legends say. The Cosmic Child was defeated.¡±


    Liora added, her tone more serious than before, ¡°But he wasn¡¯t destroyed. He was too powerful for that. Instead, his Cosmic Essence was scattered across all of existence, shattered into pieces that now drift through every timeline, dimension, and universe.¡±


    Bastion¡¯s voice was quiet, yet carried weight. ¡°They say his life force was bound to time itself, forced to wander endlessly, forever existing in an infinite cycle.¡±


    Kite stared at them, his heartbeat pounding like a war drum in his chest. His gaze flickered down to his own hands, as if suddenly feeling the weight of something unseen.


    ¡°So¡­¡± Kite swallowed. ¡°He¡¯s still out there?¡±


    Liora nodded slowly. ¡°In a way.¡±


    A long silence stretched between them. The air felt heavier now, like the weight of history itself had settled on their shoulders. Then, Felix suddenly clapped his hands together, shattering the tension. ¡°Welp! That¡¯s enough doomsday talk for one meal. Let¡¯s eat before the kid gets all existential.¡±


    Kite snapped out of it, shaking his head as he grabbed another piece of bread. ¡°Yeah, yeah, I get it¡ªancient war, scattered god-kid, multiverse almost ended.¡± He took a bite and chewed thoughtfully. Then, after a moment, he smirked. ¡°Still not as cool as my adventure, though.¡±


    Liora and Felix burst out laughing, while Bastion once again groaned into his drink. The day went on, but Kite¡¯s mind was still turning. And though he laughed with them, a nagging feeling remained¡ªa sense that this story wasn¡¯t just a legend. That somehow, it mattered to him. Even though he¡¯ll never get to know why.


    The Celestine Seas stretched endlessly before the captain, a vast expanse of shimmering blue that danced beneath the midday sun. Captain Vareth Drassos stood tall in the crow¡¯s nest, his towering reptilian frame motionless against the golden light.


    The crisp salt-kissed wind rustled the heavy naval officer¡¯s coat draped over his broad shoulders. It was a coat of deep indigo, lined with golden brass buttons, each one polished to a gleam. The fabric, though aged by years at sea, held firm, an unspoken testament to his resilience.


    His yellow, slitted eyes scanned the horizon, tracking the silhouettes of mythical creatures soaring in the distance. Ether Harbingers, their crystalline wings reflecting the light like fragments of a shattered prism, glided effortlessly between the clouds.


    Further beyond, a Seraphic Leviathan slithered through the mist, its enormous, translucent fins cutting through the sky as it let out a distant, haunting cry. The sound stirred something deep within Vareth.


    He let out a long exhale, his forked tongue flickering briefly before retreating behind his fanged maw. His tail swayed rhythmically, a subconscious motion as he took in the breathtaking view.


    Then, softly¡ªbarely more than a whisper¡ªhe murmured a name. ¡°Ah¡­ Gloria¡­¡± The name left his lips like a prayer, carried away by the wind before it could reach the ears of the bustling crew below.


    For a moment, the world seemed to slow. With a quiet, careful motion, Vareth reached for the small, worn locket hanging from a chain around his neck. The locket itself was old, well-loved, its silver casing slightly tarnished, but the delicate engravings of waves and celestial runes still shimmered faintly under the light.


    With the ease of muscle memory, he unclipped it, allowing the tiny hinge to creak open. Inside, a magical moving photo flickered softly. The image shifted subtly, playing out a fragment of a memory trapped in time.


    A younger Vareth stood within the frame, his scales a slightly lighter shade of blue, his expression not yet hardened by the years. He wore a simpler coat then, his posture looser, more relaxed. Standing beside him, glowing with life, was Gloria¡ªhis human wife.


    Her long, dark curls flowed freely as the wind toyed with them, and her bright, laughing eyes held all the warmth of the summer sun. She was leaning into him, nudging his side playfully, her head tilting up as she gave him a teasing grin.


    And then¡ªshe moved. The magic of the photo played on.


    She laughed, her voice silent but her joy unmistakable. She reached up, tugging gently at his coat collar, adjusting it like she always did. Vareth could almost hear her voice in his head, teasing him about not wearing it properly.


    The younger him chuckled in the photo, his normally stern features softening as he wrapped a protective arm around her waist, pulling her closer. Gloria rested her head against him, her smile tender, her eyes filled with something deep, something unbreakable.


    Vareth¡¯s chest ached as he watched. He swallowed, his throat suddenly dry, and slowly closed the locket.


    The photo disappeared, leaving him once again with only the endless sea before him. His fingers lingered over the locket¡¯s surface, tracing the engravings as if memorizing every detail, as if afraid to forget.


    Then, lifting his gaze back to the horizon, he let out a slow breath. ¡°If only you were still around to see this beautiful sight¡­¡±


    His voice was quiet, yet the wind carried it far. For a moment, he imagined her response.


    She¡¯d have laughed, told him he was being too sentimental like usual. She would¡¯ve leaned against the railing, arms crossed, and with a soft smile, said something like, ¡°You always get like this when the sky is too pretty. I told you, love¡ªI¡¯m still here.¡±


    Vareth¡¯s eyes closed briefly. His grip on the locket tightened. Then, as if shaking off the weight of old ghosts, he straightened, clipped the locket back into place, and turned his attention back to the sea.


    The world moved on. And so, he would too. Or at least¡­ that¡¯s what he kept telling himself.


    The locket shut fully now, the faint whisper of metal clicking into place echoing in the quiet above deck. He exhaled softly as he slipped the chain back over his neck, the familiar weight of it settling against his broad chest like an anchor. His scaly hands then fell to his hips, his long fingers resting just above the hilts of the two cursed katana¡¯s that hung from his belt.


    Each blade had a name, a story, a fate intertwined with his own. ¡°Nyoka¡¯s Grin¡±, the left blade, was serpentine in its design, its hilt curved like a coiled viper, wrapped in dark emerald cloth, the fabric shifting like scales in the light. Its blackened blade shimmered with a sickly green glow, its edge lined with etchings of ancient, winding runes that pulsed faintly.


    The curse it carried was a venomous one¡ªeach wound inflicted by Nyoka¡¯s Grin never truly healed, forever festering like an unrelenting poison. ¡°Mourning Tide¡±, the right blade, was more elegant, yet eerily cold. Its hilt was bound in deep indigo silk, and the guard was shaped like a swirling wave, frozen in time.


    The silver-steel blade bore no reflection, only a bottomless abyss that drank in the light. Its curse was sorrow¡ªthose who fell to it did not simply die; their souls lingered, whispering in the wind, trapped in the tides for eternity.


    Both weapons rested in their sheathes, which were no less haunting. Nyoka¡¯s Grin was housed in a dark green scabbard, the texture of the leather-like snake scales, warm to the touch, almost alive.


    Mourning Tide, by contrast, was kept in a deep navy-blue sheath, its surface engraved with ghostly ocean waves, the whispers of the damned ever so faint within its depths. And beneath his naval officer¡¯s coat, hidden from sight, were his two magical flintlock pistols¡ªhis last resort, his ace in the hole.


    Vareth took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the vast horizon once more, his tail swaying in rhythmic thought. But before he could slip too deeply into his musings¡ªa metallic voice echoed up from below.


    ¡°Captain Drassos!¡± Vareth¡¯s slitted eyes quickly snapped downward, locking onto the source of the call.


    An automaton pirate stood far below on the main deck, a towering, mechanical figure, its intricate brass plating gleaming beneath the sun¡¯s golden light. Arcane tattoos¡ªglowing lines of blue and violet energy¡ªsnaked across its mechanical body, pulsating like veins of living magic.


    Its skull-like face, partially worn from years at sea, had a singular glowing eye that flickered like a dying ember. One of its arms was crafted entirely of rusted iron, large and reinforced for combat, while the other was sleeker, lined with delicate etchings of runic symbols, suggesting modifications for precision work.


    The automaton raised a jagged, mechanical hand, gesturing for Vareth to descend. Vareth stared for a long moment, then let out a deep sigh before closing his eyes briefly. He took one step forward, then another¡ªand jumped.


    His massive frame soared through the air, his coat billowing behind him as he plummeted down with a controlled grace that defied his size. The wind roared past him, his sharp, reptilian features locked in a mask of calm focus.


    And then¡ªhe landed. His boots crashed against the wooden deck, sending out a mini shockwave, the impact causing a sharp gust of wind to ripple across the ship. The surrounding guests flinched in surprise, a few stumbling back as the weight of his landing sent a low, reverberating thud through the ship¡¯s frame.


    The automaton pirate did not flinch. Instead, it merely inclined its head slightly. ¡°A graceful descent, as always, Captain.¡±


    Vareth straightened, adjusting the collar of his coat as he eyed the automaton. ¡°What is it?¡± His voice was steady, deep, with the commanding weight of a leader who had long mastered control.


    The automaton pirate nodded, then spoke. ¡°First Mate Calista reports that a powerful storm of magical energy is rapidly approaching.¡±


    Vareth¡¯s brows furrowed slightly. ¡°Calista, huh?¡± His voice rumbled thoughtfully.


    Calista was rarely wrong about weather shifts, let alone arcane storms. ¡°How bad?¡± Vareth finally asked after a short moment with narrowed eyes.


    The automaton¡¯s glowing eye flickered briefly, as if processing information. ¡°Severe. The storm¡¯s radius will engulf our path entirely. Depending on its duration, it may delay our voyage by a few days.¡±


    Vareth exhaled sharply through his nostrils, his tail flicking once in mild irritation. ¡°Damn¡­¡± He turned his gaze toward the sky, his golden eyes narrowing slightly.


    A storm was one thing. A magical storm, however¡­ That was something else entirely.


    After a long pause, he reached up and clapped a heavy hand onto the automaton¡¯s metal shoulder, the action creating a low metallic clang. ¡°Good work. Thanks for letting me know.¡±


    The automaton¡¯s eye pulsed brighter for a second, before it offered something akin to a grin. ¡°Of course, Captain.¡±


    Vareth watched silently as the automaton turned, heading toward a group of fellow pirates gathered near the ship¡¯s railing. The group laughed and talked, some of them sparring, others simply exchanging wild tales of past adventures.


    The automaton was immediately greeted by the others, one of them slapping its back in greeting as they all chuckled and joked amongst themselves. For a moment, Vareth just watched.


    A small, fleeting smile ghosted across his face before he finally turned away. But as he walked, he couldn''t help but have a grim feeling¡­ that this voyage was about to get a lot more complicated. With long, confident strides, Captain Drassos made his way toward his quarters, the soft hum of the ship¡¯s engines whispering beneath his heavy boots, the distant crash of waves warning of the storm yet to come.

 Chapter 52: Puppet Of Fate

    Vareth strode deeper into the ship¡¯s dimly lit corridors, his heavy boots echoing faintly against the wooden floorboards. The air carried the scent of aged parchment, faint engine oil, and the lingering aroma of sea salt drifting through open portholes. Crew members and guests passed him by, each offering nods of respect or murmured greetings.


    ¡°Captain,¡± a burly deckhand acknowledged with a tip of his hat.


    ¡°Good evening, Captain Drassos,¡± a robed mage said, his fingertips glowing faintly with residual magic. Vareth returned each greeting with a simple nod or a brief flicker of his forked tongue, his golden eyes scanning the halls as he walked.


    His naval officer¡¯s coat, lined with brass buttons, shifted slightly with his movements, the weight of his hidden flintlock guns pressing lightly against his sides. As he neared an open workshop space, he caught sight of a familiar sight¡ªa group of four young girls, each no older than eleven, huddled over a scattered mess of metallic parts, wires, and glowing runes. The whirring sound of a small engine hummed in the air, accompanied by the occasional spark of magic-infused electricity.


    The girls were all dressed in mechanic¡¯s jumpsuits, each uniquely tailored with pockets overflowing with tools, scraps of metal, and enchanted wrenches. Their sleeves were rolled up, revealing arms smudged with grease, and their eager hands worked tirelessly as they pieced together the frame of an automaton.


    Each girl had distinct features and a signature color. The first twin wore an indigo jumpsuit, she had short, fiery red hair tied into a messy bun, her sharp amber eyes glinting with focus. She was the most expressive of the twins, often humming while she worked.


    The second twin was dressed in deep emerald green, she had the same fiery red hair, but hers was cut in a straight bob. Her hazel eyes, filled with curiosity, darted between the blueprints and the mechanical components. She rarely spoke, but her hands moved with incredible precision.


    The third girl, unlike the twins had deep cerulean blue hair braided into thick loops. She wore a bright yellow jumpsuit, her electric blue eyes filled with mischief. She often argued with the others about adding ¡°cooler¡± features to their inventions, like wings or laser cannons.


    But the fourth girl was unlike the others, she was not born into the crew but had been rescued from her captors by both Vareth and Solhawk years ago. Her long, dull brown hair was unevenly cut, and faint scars traced along her arms and neck.


    She wore a faded maroon jumpsuit, its colors dulled from years of wear. Around her neck hung a broken clan necklace, a reminder of a past she rarely spoke about.


    Her olive-green eyes, once filled with constant wariness, had softened over time, though they still carried a weight the others didn¡¯t. Vareth¡¯s brow furrowed slightly with curiosity as he slowed his pace. He observed how they worked together¡ªone welding, another fitting gears, another sketching blueprints on the wooden floorboards, and the last adjusting the automaton¡¯s inner core with a delicate touch.


    As he approached the workshop¡¯s balcony, one of the twins caught sight of him. Her eyes widened in excitement, and she elbowed her sister.


    ¡°Captain Vareth!¡± she gasped, her voice filled with delight. Immediately, all four girls dropped what they were doing and scrambled to their feet, grinning widely as they rushed toward him.


    ¡°Captain!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just in time!¡±


    ¡°Look what we¡¯re making!¡±


    Vareth chuckled, his deep, rumbling voice filled with amusement. ¡°And what exactly are you lot up to this time?¡±


    The girl in the yellow jumpsuit puffed her chest out proudly, gripping a wrench like a sword. ¡°We made a game! And we¡¯re building a referee bot for it!¡±


    Vareth raised a scaly brow. ¡°A game, huh?¡± He folded his arms, intrigued. ¡°What are the rules?¡±


    The girls quickly huddled together, each excitedly trying to explain the game at once.


    ¡°You have to¡ª¡±


    ¡°No, wait, let me¡ª¡±


    ¡°Okay, so first you¡ª¡±


    Vareth held up a clawed hand, signaling for them to slow down. ¡°One at a time.¡±


    The scarred girl took a step forward, her voice quieter but firm. ¡°It¡¯s a race. Two players each get a wind-up automaton, and the first one to reach the finish line wins.¡±


    The twin in green grinned. ¡°But! The track has obstacles! Spinning gears, swinging pendulums, all sorts of cool traps!¡±


    ¡°And! You can sabotage your opponent¡¯s automaton with small gadgets¡ªONLY small ones, no explosives!¡± the girl in yellow added hastily, as if that had been an issue before. Vareth hummed thoughtfully, impressed by their creativity. ¡°Not bad,¡± he admitted, rubbing his chin. ¡°A game of both speed and strategy, then.¡±


    The girls beamed with pride. The twin in indigo smirked. ¡°We¡¯ll even let you play for free!


    Vareth blinked, then narrowed his eyes slightly. ¡°For free?¡± he repeated. ¡°That means you¡¯re charging others.¡±


    The girls all straightened proudly and, in perfect unison, declared, ¡°We¡¯re out of Sol Drakes and are starting a business!¡±


    Vareth sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. ¡°Of course you are¡­¡±


    The girls shared nervous glances as they watched the captain reach into his coat pocket. Then, to their astonishment, Vareth pulled out a handful of shimmering Sol Drakes¡ªeach coin crafted from deep azure metal, with a glowing silhouette of a celestial serpent coiling in an endless loop along its surface. The serpent¡¯s body pulsed faintly with imbued magic, as if alive beneath the metal.


    The girls gasped in awe at the sight. Vareth offered them a small, knowing smile. ¡°If you needed coins, you could have just asked.¡±


    He held out the Sol Drakes, and the girls hesitated only a moment before eagerly grabbing their share, their eyes gleaming with excitement.


    ¡°Thank you, Captain!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the best!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll make the automaton extra fancy now!¡±


    Vareth chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°It¡¯s the least I can do for my crew members.¡±


    With that, he turned on his heel and began walking off, his coat swaying behind him. The girls quickly huddled together, eagerly splitting their newfound treasure among themselves.


    But one of them didn¡¯t immediately join in. The scarred girl remained still, watching as Vareth disappeared down the hallway, turning a corner. Her olive-green eyes softened, a warmth flickering in their depths.


    She clutched one of the Sol Drake coins in her deeply scarred hand, her fingers curling around its glowing surface. Then, with a small, quiet smile, she whispered, ¡°Thank you, Captain.¡±


    Vareth stepped into his quarters, the heavy wooden door creaking slightly as it shut behind him. The room was dimly lit, bathed in a faint golden glow from the enchanted lanterns that hovered lazily in the air. The scent of aged parchment, old leather, and a faint trace of sea salt filled the space, carrying whispers of past journeys and unspoken memories.


    With a tired sigh, he shrugged off his naval officer¡¯s coat, the deep blue fabric embroidered with golden trim and lined with brass buttons. He carefully draped it over a polished wooden coat stand beside his desk.


    The desk itself was cluttered but in a way that spoke of careful use rather than neglect. A collection of magical artifacts and trinkets rested atop its surface, each humming softly with latent energy.


    The first was a compass with a floating, glowing needle that spun unpredictably, said to point toward one¡¯s heart¡¯s truest desire. Next to it was a small crystal sphere filled with swirling mists, replaying faint echoes of past conversations when held.


    While nearby stood a golden hourglass, its sand frozen mid-fall, rumored to contain a moment stolen from time itself. Lastly, an old, worn-out map, partially unrolled, its ink shifting occasionally as if whispering hidden routes known only to the sea.


    To the right of the desk, a large window allowed faint beams of light to pierce through the thick shadows of the room. The light cast a soft glow against the walls, illuminating rows of moving portraits that spanned across the space¡ªeach one a glimpse into different points of Vareth¡¯s past.


    He walked toward them, his tail swaying slightly behind him as his golden eyes traced the faces captured within the enchanted images. Some of the older magical photos flickered slightly, the snowy landscapes shifting subtly as the people within moved with ghostly realism.


    In several images, he was standing beside his wife and son, their forms huddled close, warmth radiating from their smiles despite the cold surroundings. His wife¡¯s brown hair whipped in the wind, her soft eyes alight with laughter as she embraced their young son, whose eager grin mirrored her own.


    In other photos, Vareth was surrounded by his old crew, standing in heavy winter gear, their breath visible in the cold air. The backdrop of the images was always the same¡ªvast, snow-covered landscapes, castles, and villages once oppressed, now freed. The memory of those glory days settled into Vareth¡¯s chest like a warm ember, a time when they all roamed the world, liberating kingdoms buried under the weight of an eternal winter.


    His gaze then fell to the largest magical portrait in the room, framed in dark mahogany, hanging proudly in the center of the wall. It was taken in front of a massive snow-covered kingdom, its towering spires now reclaimed by its people. Vareth stood at the forefront, his younger self grinning with pride, his arms crossed as the wind blew through his heavy navy cloak. His old crew stood beside him¡ªeach member a legend in their own right.


    First was a towering man clad In full plate armor, his silver beard flecked with frost, carrying a greatsword nearly as tall as he was.


    Next to him stood a woman draped in a long, fur-lined coat, pistols strapped to her thighs, her smirk sharp as a dagger. While to her right hovered a hooded mage, their hands aglow with icy blue magic, standing with quiet resolve.


    Lastly, a burly chimera hybrid with thick, feline features stood tall, his fur dusted with snow as he bared his teeth in a grin.


    And standing off to the side, yet impossible to miss, was Aerin. She stood tall, her blue skin glowing faintly under the snow-lit sky, the light catching the swirling white tattoos across her forearms and legs. Her long, ghostly white hair was swept over one shoulder, partially braided in elegant loops.


    Her four powerful arms rested at her sides, two of them crossed while one held a long obsidian staff crackling faintly with cosmic energy. Her starry violet eyes radiated warmth as she smiled, her flowing battle robes, deep black with golden embroidery, shifting slightly with movement.


    Beside her, at just eleven years old, stood a younger, human Ray¡ªhis white exosuit gleaming beneath the snowfall, his cape billowing from the wind. His piercing green eyes practically glowed with warmth and innocence, his youthful face calm but focused. He looked straight at the camera with quiet confidence, while Aerin¡¯s maternal hand rested on his shoulder, as if silently watching over him.


    Vareth let out a slow breath as he stepped forward, his claws tracing along the wooden frame. ¡°Aerin¡­¡± he murmured under his breath. ¡°It¡¯s been years¡­¡±


    He hadn¡¯t seen her in what felt like a lifetime. He wondered if she still roamed the stars, guiding lost souls, teaching the next generation of sorcerers. There was no doubt in his mind that she was still out there, strong and unwavering as ever.


    His golden eyes slowly drifted downward, falling onto the young Ray in the photo. He stared at the boy¡¯s face for a long moment, lost in thought.


    A flood of memories washed over him¡ªthe battles fought side by side, the kingdoms saved, the villages they helped rebuild. Ray, despite his youth, had been a beacon of hope, a force of nature wrapped in the form of a boy. There were countless moments where Ray had saved him and his crew, pulling them from the brink of destruction with his brilliance, courage, and raw cosmic power.


    Vareth¡¯s golden eyes softened, his tail flicking behind him as he let the nostalgia settle. He had always believed Ray would change the world. And in many ways¡­ he had.


    But what had become of him? Had he grown into the heroic warrior he was destined to be? Had he continued to fight for those who had no one else? Or had he vanished into legend, leaving behind only whispers of his former glory?


    Vareth closed his eyes for a moment before a rare, genuine soft smile crept onto his face. ¡°If only you were still here to see this, Ray¡­¡± he whispered to himself. ¡°You¡¯d be amazed at how much you mean to these people¡­ how much they look up to you.¡±


    Vareth let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. A hero. A legend. A symbol. If only Ray knew just how much the world still chanted his name.


    But a familiar, teasing voice cut through Vareth¡¯s nostalgic thoughts, smooth yet laced with a mischievous edge. ¡°You flatter me, Captain.¡±


    The boy quipped nonchalantly, his tone carrying the weight of both amusement and something deeper¡ªsomething almost knowing. His voice, though mechanical in nature, still held that undeniable charm, the same effortless confidence Vareth remembered. The sound was accompanied by a faint hum of energy, like distant stardust crackling in the air.


    Vareth¡¯s golden eyes widened in shock as he quickly snapped his head toward the voice. His grip instinctively tightened around the hilt of his katana, his muscles tensing like coiled steel.


    Floating effortlessly in the dimly lit room, bathed in a faint, shimmering cosmic aura, was Ray¡ªor rather, the robotic form of him. His body was sleek, his left side clad in black metal with a violet cybernetic eye, while his right side gleamed in white plating with an emerald green cybernetic eye. There was a faint hum of energy around him, the very air crackling with a presence that felt both otherworldly and ancient.


    Ray¡¯s mechanical lips curled into a teasing smirk as he floated a little closer. ¡°You¡¯re still as sentimental as always.¡± His voice was smoother now, carrying the weight of time, yet still laced with that familiar charm.


    Vareth didn¡¯t hesitate. With a swift, fluid motion, he unsheathed one of his katanas, its dark steel glinting beneath the soft glow of the enchanted lanterns. He pointed the blade directly at Ray, his stance unwavering despite the turmoil within.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Vareth growled, his forked tongue flicking out briefly, his tail swaying low behind him in cautious anticipation.


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    Ray¡¯s smirk widened, his mechanical fingers twitching slightly as he raised his right palm. A soft pulse of cosmic energy radiated outward, and suddenly¡ªa flurry of tiny, celestial embers burst into existence around him, dancing like falling stars. The embers swirled and pulsed with an ethereal light before morphing¡ªshaping into tiny cosmic fairies, each one no larger than the palm of a hand.


    As the fairies flitted about the room, leaving behind trails of glowing cosmic embers, Vareth¡¯s grip on his katana wavered. His mind raced, his mouth hanging slightly agape as he watched the celestial display unfold before him. The room that had been shadowed with nostalgia and memories just moments before was now painted in hues of the cosmos, glowing embers illuminating the walls and casting ethereal shadows.


    Vareth swallowed, his heart pounding in disbelief. He studied Ray¡¯s robotic body¡ªhis metal plating, his glowing cybernetic eyes, the faint cosmic aura that pulsed around him. It couldn¡¯t be. It just couldn¡¯t.


    Four whole years. Four years since Ray had disappeared. Since he had vanished from their world without a trace, leaving behind only whispers of his legend.


    Vareth had come to accept the loss, had told himself that Ray had moved on to something greater, something beyond his reach. He had imagined him out there in the stars, doing what he always did¡ªhelping people, changing lives.


    But now¡­ now he was here. Right before him. His katana lowered, the weight of the realization settling in his chest like a thunderous wave crashing against the shore.


    His voice was unsteady when he finally spoke. ¡°Ray?¡± He swallowed hard, the name barely above a whisper. ¡°Is it really you?¡±


    Ray nodded, his arms folding across his chest, his smirk softening into something warmer¡ªsomething almost reminiscent. His emerald cybernetic eye flickered faintly, as if mirroring the warmth of an old friend finally returning home. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Captain.¡±


    Vareth stood frozen for what felt like an eternity, his golden eyes locked onto the boy floating before him. His mind struggled to catch up with reality, as if it were an old ship stuck in a tide too strong to steer against. His lips parted, but no words came¡ªonly a breath, sharp and staggered, slipping past his fangs.


    Slowly, his gaze drifted downward, staring at the floorboards beneath his boots as if they held the answer to the impossible. His tail, once rigid with tension, slackened slightly as the weight of realization pressed down on him.


    Then¡ªa chuckle. It started soft, almost disbelieving. Then, Vareth shook his head, a slow smirk forming as another chuckle bubbled up, this one carrying something deeper¡ªrelief, joy, maybe even something fragile, something he refused to name.


    Ray watched in silence, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Vareth finally lifted his head, his smirk widening into a full-toothed grin, his fangs glinting in the faint cosmic glow still lingering in the air. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it,¡± he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. His scaled hands flexed at his sides as if testing whether this moment was real or just another cruel illusion.


    Then, without another word, he turned on his heel, striding toward his desk. His long coat flared slightly behind him as he reached for a dusty glass bottle sitting beside a tiny cosmic fairy. The fairy chirped in protest as it flitted away, glowing wings leaving streaks of celestial dust in the air.


    Vareth let out a booming laugh as he pulled the cork free with his teeth and spat it onto the desk. ¡°Well, hells! If this ain¡¯t cause for celebration, I don¡¯t know what is!¡± He poured a deep amber liquor into a spare glass and reached out, offering it to Ray with a broad grin. ¡°Here. To the prodigal son¡¯s return!¡±


    Ray chuckled softly, shaking his head. ¡°You know I don¡¯t drink, Captain.¡±


    Vareth¡¯s brow raised as he paused mid-motion. ¡°Still?¡± His grin faltered in exaggerated disappointment before he sighed and muttered, ¡°Tch. I see how it is. Still a goody two-shoes, it seems.¡±


    At that, Ray averted his gaze, his smirk fading ever so slightly. He muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Vareth¡¯s keen ears to catch: ¡°Occasionally.¡±


    Vareth¡¯s eyes lingered on him. The shift was subtle, but it was there. The way Ray¡¯s cosmic glow seemed just a little dimmer, the way his posture held an unfamiliar weight¡ªas if he carried something far heavier than his own body.


    Vareth sighed, his initial excitement cooling as he set the glass back down and took a deep drink straight from the bottle instead. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before giving Ray a quieter look. ¡°Forgive my manners. How¡¯ve you been, boy?¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t respond immediately. His gaze drifted, locking onto the dim lantern light swaying above them. For a moment, it seemed like he wasn¡¯t really in the room anymore¡ªlike he was staring into some far-off place, somewhere Vareth couldn¡¯t reach.


    Then, finally, he spoke. ¡°¡­I¡¯ve been okay.¡± The words were soft, almost empty.


    Vareth, ever the perceptive one, felt the weight in them, the kind of weight that wasn¡¯t meant to be there for someone Ray¡¯s age¡ªor at least, the age he should¡¯ve been. He opened his mouth to press further, but before he could, Ray turned his cosmic gaze back to him and asked, ¡°Have you found Gloria yet?¡±


    The question hit like a slow, sinking stone in Vareth¡¯s chest. His smile faltered. His grip tightened around the bottle as his tail stopped swaying, going still.


    He exhaled through his nose, stepping back until he was leaning against the edge of his desk. A tiny cosmic fairy landed beside him, its soft glow illuminating his scarred knuckles as he turned the bottle absently in his grasp.


    ¡°No,¡± he admitted, voice lower now. ¡°Not yet.¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t speak. He simply listened. Vareth let out another sigh, his gaze drifting toward the moving photos lining the walls¡ªone in particular. The one where he and his old crew stood in the snow, victorious, while a much younger, human Ray stood beside Aerin, her hand resting protectively on his shoulder.


    He stared at that image for a long time before continuing. ¡°I¡¯ve looked damn near everywhere. Over every island, through every godsforsaken port, checked with every damn informant I could find.¡± He shook his head. "And still¡­ not a damn trace."


    Ray¡¯s cosmic eyes flickered, his features unreadable. Vareth set the bottle down with a quiet thunk and rubbed a hand over his scaled face. ¡°I¡¯m startin¡¯ to wonder if she might really be gone.¡±


    For a long moment, the room was silent, save for the soft hum of the cosmic fairies twinkling like distant stars. Then, Ray spoke again. ¡°And Bastion? What about him?¡±


    At that, Vareth let out a somber chuckle, shaking his head. ¡°Still grieving.¡± His voice carried the weight of something far heavier than mere words.


    Vereth ran a clawed hand along his scaly head before crossing his arms. ¡°Losing a mother¡­ it does things to a kid. Growing up without her¡­¡± He exhaled, the breath slow and measured, as if trying to push back something unspoken. ¡°It leaves a scar.¡±


    Ray remained silent, his gaze steady as Vareth sighed, his golden eyes flickering with something caught between frustration and sorrow.


    ¡°The boy¡¯s started accusing me now,¡± he admitted, his tone edged with exhaustion and sorrow. ¡°Says I ain¡¯t searched hard enough. That I don¡¯t even want to find her anymore .¡±


    His jaw tightened, a muscle in his cheek twitching. ¡°Like I haven¡¯t been tearing apart the whole damn world looking.¡±


    Ray¡¯s expression darkened slightly as he nodded. ¡°I don¡¯t remember him being like that.¡± His voice was softer now. ¡°So¡­ confrontational.¡±


    Vareth sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Kids change, boy. It¡¯s part of growin¡¯ up.¡± His golden eyes flicked toward Ray, his narrowed gaze scanning the boy¡¯s robotic body. ¡°And judging by appearances, I bet you know that quite well.¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t respond right away. Instead, his gaze drifted downward, locking onto his black cybernetic hand. His fingers twitched slightly before clenching into a fist. Faint cosmic sparks crackled along the seams of his metal plating, flickering like a dying star.


    Vareth noticed¡ªbut he didn¡¯t comment. Not yet.


    The cabin remained dimly lit, bathed in the lingering glow of the tiny cosmic fairies that drifted lazily through the air. The warm amber light from the lanterns flickered softly, casting long, wavering shadows along the walls lined with maps, old photographs, and weathered trinkets of past adventures. The scent of salt, aged wood, and the faint burn of liquor lingered in the air.


    Ray finally turned his gaze back to Vareth, his cosmic eyes searching the captain¡¯s face. Then, without a word, he hovered forward, the faint hum of his energy thrumming softly in the quiet. He settled onto the edge of the desk beside Vareth, the metallic plating of his body glinting under the lantern¡¯s glow.


    Slowly, Ray reached out and placed a firm white hand on Vareth¡¯s shoulder, the contrast between his smooth, cool metal fingers and the captain¡¯s rough, scarred scales striking.


    ¡°You¡¯ll find her eventually, Captain,¡± Ray said, his voice steady, sure. ¡°I know you will.¡±


    Vareth let out a slow breath, his eyes drifting toward the bottle in his grasp before nodding somberly. His tail flicked once against the wooden floor before settling still.


    ¡°Glad to have you back, boy.¡± His voice was quieter this time, but the emotion behind it was unmistakable.


    Ray¡¯s lips curled into a small, genuine smile. ¡°Glad you¡¯re still alive and well.¡±


    The two sat in a companionable silence, the weight of the years apart settling between them¡ªnot heavy with regret, but thick with unspoken thoughts and memories. The air, once tense, softened with the presence of old familiarity.


    Then, with an awkward little chirp, a tiny cosmic fairy clumsily crawled up Vareth¡¯s leg. Her shimmering wings fluttered weakly, her little silver body wobbling as she clambered onto his knee.


    Vareth arched a brow, watching her antics with amusement. Then, with surprising gentleness for someone of his size, he lifted the tiny creature into his palm.


    The fairy squeaked in surprise and promptly toppled backward with a soft ¡°Oomf!¡± Tiny cosmic sparks erupted from where she fell, dancing like miniature shooting stars.


    The sparks tickled Vareth¡¯s scales, making him let out a low, rumbling chuckle. The warmth of his laughter filled the space as he watched the fairy right herself with an indignant shake of her translucent wings.


    Ray observed the exchange in silence, a small, somber smile on his lips. For all of Vareth¡¯s rough edges, for all the scars and burdens he carried, there was still that same warmth beneath it all.


    But the moment didn¡¯t last. ¡°So¡­¡± Ray finally spoke up, his voice quieter now, yet firm. ¡°I saw them.¡±


    Vareth glanced at him, tilting his head slightly. ¡°Saw what?¡±


    Ray¡¯s expression hardened just a fraction. ¡°The captives. The slaves.¡±


    Vareth¡¯s smile faltered. The amusement in his golden eyes dimmed as he turned his gaze back to the fairy in his palm. For a moment, he simply held her there, watching as her tiny body pulsed with soft cosmic light.


    Then, with a sigh, he spoke. ¡°Things¡­ haven¡¯t always been great since you left, kid.¡± His voice was lower, rougher.


    Ray didn¡¯t say anything. He simply listened, his glowing gaze never leaving the older man.


    Vareth exhaled, rubbing a clawed hand over his face before continuing. ¡°After you left, Aerin went on to slay the Frostveil Monarch.¡±


    Ray¡¯s eyes widened, the glow in them flickering. ¡°She¡­ did?¡± His voice was quiet, disbelieving.


    Vareth nodded. ¡°Yeah. Brought an end to the eternal winter that hung over the land.¡± He hesitated, then added, ¡°She said it was ¡®Solhawk¡¯ that gave her the strength to do it.¡±


    Ray¡¯s mouth fell open slightly. His mind raced, struggling to process what he¡¯d just heard.


    ¡°She¡­ No way¡­¡± he whispered, shaking his head in disbelief. Aerin, of all people¡ªthe stoic, unshakable guardian who always spoke of fate as an unyielding force¡ªhad taken action. She had changed fate.


    Vareth chuckled softly, then gestured toward the nearby window. Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting golden rays across the cabin¡¯s wooden floor.


    ¡°After the Frostveil Monarch fell, the warmth of spring and summer returned,¡± he said, his voice carrying something between pride and nostalgia. ¡°The cold, the endless winter, the misery¡ªit all became a thing of the past.¡±


    Ray stared at the sunlight, his mind still whirling. So much had changed in his absence. So much he hadn¡¯t been there to witness. And yet, for all the weight pressing on his chest, a small part of him couldn¡¯t help but feel the warmth, too.


    Ray¡¯s brow furrowed, his jaw tightening slightly as he absorbed Vareth¡¯s words. He wanted to believe¡ªwanted to let the warmth of hope take root in his chest¡ªbut experience had taught him better. Hope, more often than not, led to disappointment. His glowing eyes flickered as he hesitated before speaking, wary of letting himself feel too much.


    ¡°What happened to Aerin after that?¡± His voice was measured, but the tension beneath it was unmistakable.


    Vareth¡¯s expression darkened, the lines of age and burden settling heavier on his features. His golden eyes softened, and when he spoke, his voice was quieter, laced with something bitter and heavy.


    ¡°She disappeared.¡± The words fell from his lips like lead. ¡°Just like you did, Ray. No one¡¯s seen her since.¡±


    Ray felt something in him sink. A hollow weight settled in his chest, an echo of loss and uncertainty. Aerin, the warrior who had once been his teacher, his protector¡ªgone, just like that. The warmth of hope that had been kindling within him flickered dangerously, on the verge of being snuffed out.


    Vareth leaned back slightly, his gaze distant. ¡°And that golden age of peace?¡± He scoffed, shaking his head. ¡°It didn¡¯t last.¡±


    Ray¡¯s glowing eyes lifted to meet his. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Vareth exhaled, rubbing a scaled hand over his face before tilting his head toward Ray. ¡°A new, far crueler ruler came to power.¡±


    Ray¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°A new ruler?¡± Ray whispered hesitantly.


    Vareth gave a slow, solemn nod. ¡°He resides within The Shrouded Veil.¡± Vareth said with a somber pause. ¡°He is the King of Celestia.¡±


    The name lingered in the air like a storm on the horizon. Vareth turned his gaze back to the tiny fairy still nestled in his palm, its soft glow reflecting in his golden eyes.


    He spoke, his voice carrying a weight Ray had rarely heard before. "He rose to power in Aerin¡¯s absence. And since then, no one¡¯s been able to stop him. He rules over the land now, and because of him¡­ slavery, trafficking¡ªit¡¯s all become rampant.¡±


    Ray¡¯s face fell, his cosmic glow dimming as dread pooled in his gut. He swallowed thickly, his voice quieter, almost desperate.


    ¡°Then why hasn¡¯t Aerin intervened?¡± His fingers twitched slightly, curling into his palm. ¡°She defied fate once¡ªwhy not again?¡± His voice had risen slightly, but the frustration in it wasn¡¯t directed at Vareth. It was aimed at the void, at the unknown, at the possibility that maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªthe universe was once again proving that change was only temporary.


    His thoughts churned, his mind racing. If Aerin of all people would defy her fate¡­ then maybe¡­


    Vareth¡¯s voice cut through his spiraling thoughts. ¡°Before she left, she gave me something."


    Ray¡¯s head snapped up, his cosmic eyes locking onto Vareth¡¯s somber expression. ¡°A scroll,¡± Vareth continued, his voice steady but laced with something unreadable. ¡°One with a prophecy written inside.¡±


    Ray¡¯s breath hitched, his cybernetic eyes widening further in alarm. ¡°A prophecy?¡±


    Vareth gave a low whistle, and from beneath his desk, something stirred. A faint, golden glow flickered as a scroll began to rise into the air, moving of its own accord. It hovered weightlessly for a moment before settling gently into Vareth¡¯s outstretched hand.


    Ray¡¯s mouth trembled slightly as he stared at it. The scroll was unlike anything he had ever seen. Its parchment was not mere paper but something far more ancient, woven from silken strands of celestial energy.


    The surface shimmered faintly, shifting between deep indigo and warm gold, like a night sky turning into dawn. Strange, luminescent glyphs pulsed along the edges, shifting and twisting as if alive. Tiny flecks of stardust trailed off its surface, dissolving into the air with a quiet hum.


    The ends of the scroll were capped with intricately carved silver, inlaid with faintly glowing symbols that seemed to shift as one¡¯s eyes moved over them. It thrummed in Vareth¡¯s grasp, as though aware of being held.


    Vareth turned it over in his hands, studying it with the same quiet reverence he had the first day he received it. ¡°She told me to hold onto this all these years,¡± he murmured.


    Ray swallowed hard, his cosmic glow flickering in fear. ¡°Did she tell you why?¡± Ray asked quietly with a shaky voice.


    Vareth shook his head. ¡°No. Just that it contained a prophecy.¡±


    Ray¡¯s gaze never left the scroll, his mind teetering on the edge of fear and curiosity. A prophecy. Aerin had defied fate, and yet she had left behind this.


    Something inside Ray whispered that whatever was written within that scroll, whatever lay inside, would absolutely break him. Vareth held the glowing scroll in his hands for a lingering moment, his golden eyes scanning Ray¡¯s face as if searching for hesitation. Then, with a quiet sigh, he extended it toward the boy.


    ¡°You should take a look at it.¡± His voice was calm, but the weight behind it was undeniable. Ray swallowed, his throat dry. He gave a silent nod, his fingers twitching as he raised his hand.


    A faint hum of cosmic energy crackled around him, and a soft violet glow enveloped the scroll. The ancient artifact trembled for a moment before lifting gently from Vareth¡¯s grasp, hovering in midair as if it had a will of its own. With an almost reverent hesitance, Ray slowly unrolled it.


    The moment the parchment unfurled, the air around them seemed to shift¡ªthickening, crackling with an unseen force. The shifting glyphs lining the edges pulsed in time with his heartbeat, growing brighter as the scroll fully opened. And then¡ªthe drawings moved.


    Ray¡¯s breath hitched as he watched the illustrations come to life before his eyes, flowing like ink infused with magic. They were not mere symbols or words, but entire scenes, shifting and twisting across the parchment like a story unfolding in real-time.


    The first image showed a young boy, chubby-cheeked and pale, with messy brown bangs partially covering his brown eyes. He wore a grey jacket, jeans, and boots, his expression one of quiet determination. Ray¡¯s stomach twisted violently as his thoughts raced. him.


    The drawing pulsed, shifting to another scene. The boy now stood before a young fairy girl. She wore a dress woven from leaves, with black leggings and green leafy shoes. Her long, dark brown hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her iridescent wings shimmered as if woven from pure light. But there was something else¡ªa crimson red aura pulsed around her, faint yet unmistakable.


    Ray¡¯s fingers trembled as he watched the boy and the fairy reach for each other, their hands finally clasping. The scroll¡¯s ancient glyphs rearranged themselves, shifting like liquid gold as they formed a prophecy, written in a language older than time itself. But Ray didn¡¯t need to translate the words¡ªthe drawings spoke for themselves.


    A great time of need.


    A human boy, brought into Celestia by an Empyrean.


    A fateful meeting with a fairy, their bond unbreakable.


    The boy shall be named The Fairy Prince.


    And together, they will either slay the King of Celestia¡­


    The next scene burned itself into Ray¡¯s mind. The Fairy Prince and the young fairy stood before a massive, shrouded figure¡ªa monstrous silhouette, its form jagged and twisted, its eyes burning like dying stars. The King of Celestia loomed over them, a towering shadow of tyranny.


    The prophecy split in two, the golden ink flickering violently, creating two outcomes. In one, the boy and the fairy stood victorious, the King¡¯s form shattered into nothingness, golden light bursting forth from the heavens.


    In the other¡ªRay¡¯s breath left him in a shuddering gasp. The image shifted grotesquely, warping into a vision of carnage. The boy lay broken and bloodied, his body twisted at an unnatural angle, his eyes lifeless. Beside him, the fairy girl screamed in agony, her iridescent wings torn apart, her crimson aura flickering weakly before vanishing into darkness.


    Ray couldn¡¯t breathe. His entire body went cold as the realization clawed its way into his mind.


    No! His thoughts spiraled as he stared at the shifting ink, at the undeniable truth laid out before him.


    I thought I was in control. His violet cybernetic eye flickered erratically.


    But all this time¡ªRay¡¯s metallic fingers curled into a trembling fist. I¡¯ve done exactly what fate wanted me to do! I brought him into this universe.


    I set this prophecy in motion. His lips parted, but no words came at first. The weight of it crushed him, suffocating, relentless.


    Then, in a voice barely above a whisper¡ªcracking with emotion, filled with pure, raw dread and hopelessness¡ªRay finally spoke.


    ¡°Why, Aerin¡­?¡± His voice trembled, his entire form quaking as the words fell from his lips like a dying star.

 Chapter 53: The Emberglow Pact

    Rad turned his gaze back toward the endless ocean horizon, the wind gently rustled through his messy brown bangs, sending loose strands flicking against his forehead. The warmth of the twin suns pressed lightly against his skin, tempered by the cool whisper of the sea breeze.


    Rad took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh scent of the open sky, of salt and distant spice, of sun-warmed wood and adventure carried on the wind. For the first time in what felt like forever, a moment of true peace settled over him.


    A content smile formed at the corners of his lips as he leaned further onto the railing, his fingers absentmindedly drumming against the polished wood. ¡°At least I can finally get some peace and quiet now¡­¡±


    His words drifted lazily into the air, dissolving into the gentle hum of the skyship, blending with the rhythmic crashing of waves far below. But Rad¡ªlost in his moment of tranquility¡ªnever noticed the tiny, flickering glow of scarlet light creeping toward him.


    It fluttered weightlessly through the air, a wisp of mystical energy, its form ever-shifting, pulsing softly like embers caught in an unseen breeze. It danced playfully, weaving through the drifting motes of dust illuminated by the sunlight, growing closer with each passing second.


    And then¡ªit hovered just beside him. Its tiny beige hands rubbed together with pure, unfiltered mischief as its iridescent wings fluttered rapidly in excitement. This one¡¯s perfect! The thought crackled through the small being like lightning, its glow pulsing slightly brighter as it prepared to make its move.


    The wisp of energy pulsed brighter, its glow intensifying like a miniature star as it hovered beside Rad. It buzzed softly with life, a shimmering mote of scarlet light that flickered in rhythm with the wind curling off the ocean. Its body, though small and constantly shifting, had begun to take form¡ªtiny beige hands, a barely-visible humanoid silhouette, and wings of pure iridescent energy that fluttered with joyful anticipation.


    Rad remained oblivious, his relaxed gaze still locked on the endless blue expanse before him, while the wind teased his messy brown bangs. The twin suns bathed him in golden light, casting a faint halo around his head that only made the wisp glow brighter.


    He¡¯s just brimming with potential! the wisp thought, its voice gleeful within its own mind as it zipped around the boy in tight loops. It twisted in the air, watching him from every angle with wide, invisible eyes full of curiosity. And his soul is so pure! And¡­


    The wisp suddenly skidded to a halt mid-air, its glow dimming slightly as a shiver ran through its tiny frame. The cheerful energy shifted, and the wisp cringed in place.


    ¡°¡­Eugh¡­ Okay. Maybe not entirely pure¡­¡± The wisp hesitantly whispered under its breath. Its senses had picked up something faint¡ªa darker thread woven into the core of Rad¡¯s spirit. A sliver of malice, pain, or something more¡­ unsettled.


    But instead of backing off, the wisp just huffed and planted its tiny hands on its hips, wings fluttering indignantly. Well, I guess he could use some work¡­ It tilted its head in contemplation, glowing softly as it pondered the boy¡¯s potential. Then, with a little spark of mischief, it smiled. But I¡¯m also desperate, sooo¡ª


    But it didn¡¯t get to finish the thought. Rad suddenly blinked, a faint flicker of awareness passing through his gaze as he felt something hovering near his shoulder. He turned his head lazily, squinting at the glowing red speck flitting around him.


    ¡°Huh¡­?¡± he muttered, eyes narrowing. ¡°What is that, some kind of bug?¡±


    The wisp gasped¡ªloudly¡ªas if he¡¯d insulted an ancient deity. ¡°A bug!?¡± it shrieked, voice high-pitched and sharp as glass, vibrating the air around them.


    Rad recoiled slightly, surprised by the sound, but quickly waved his hand in front of his face to shoo the glowing thing away. ¡°Hey!¡± The wisp screamed out as it effortlessly dodged the motion, zipping upward in a zig-zag pattern, wings a blur of color and sparks.


    ¡°Stop that!¡± it cried indignantly, darting to the side as Rad made another attempt to swat it. ¡°You don¡¯t see me trying to swat you, you¡ªgiant walking nap hazard!¡±


    Rad paused mid-swat, raising an eyebrow, his expression turning from irritated to confused. His hand slowly lowered.


    ¡°Did you just¡­¡± he trailed off, eyes narrowing. ¡°Talk?¡±


    He took a hesitant step forward to get a better look. But before he could close the distance¡­


    ¡°Boop!¡± The wisp darted forward and flicked him right between the eyes.


    ¡°Ow!¡± Rad flinched and stumbled back, clutching his forehead with both hands. ¡°You little¡ª¡±


    The wisp let out an excited, triumphant cackle as it twirled through the air like a victorious dancer, sparks trailing behind its movements. ¡°Gotcha!¡± it squeaked. ¡°That¡¯s what you get for picking a fight with an Emberglow!¡±


    The tiny figure pumped its fist into the air, spinning in place with a wild laugh. Its crimson glow pulsed with pride, casting little flashes of color against Rad¡¯s annoyed face. Rad, still rubbing his forehead, scowled. ¡°Okay¡­ You¡¯re definitely not a bug.¡±


    ¡°Took you long enough,¡± the Emberglow snarked back, still twirling gleefully. ¡°But I forgive you! Because clearly, I¡¯ve arrived just in time to fix everything.¡±


    Rad groaned. ¡°Oh no.¡±


    The Emberglow beamed, oblivious to Rad¡¯s irratation. ¡°Oh yes!¡±


    A sudden burst of crimson light exploded just inches from Rad¡¯s nose, flooding the deck with a flash so bright he stumbled back, instinctively throwing his arms up to shield his face. ¡°Ah¡ªwhat the heck?!¡± he shouted, eyes squeezed shut.


    From behind his fingers, he heard a peal of laughter¡ªa girl¡¯s laugh, lilting and mischievous, like bells chiming through smoke. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Sunlight too spicy for you?¡± the voice teased.


    Rad slowly lowered his arms, blinking away the afterglow that stained his vision. His breath caught in his throat.


    Standing proudly before him was a girl¡ªa bit taller than him¡ªher stance wide, arms folded confidently across her chest, chin lifted like royalty about to give a decree. She was wondrous in the strangest, most chaotic way. Her skin was pale and dotted with freckles across her nose and cheeks, and her long, dark brown hair shimmered faintly with the crimson hue of her aura, cascading down her back in tangled waves.


    At her shoulders and back were a pair of iridescent wings, sharp and jagged like shards of living glass, constantly shifting color¡ªflashes of ruby, teal, and indigo flickering like heat lightning in a storm. She wore a leaf-woven dress¡ªvibrant green stitched from various flora, reinforced with small thorny vines like natural armor. Underneath were black leggings, patched and scuffed at the knees, and her leafy shoes were frayed at the edges, as though she had run across forests, mountains, and deserts to be here.


    Her fingers were wrapped in silver thread, tiny rings dangling charms, and at her wrists were bracelets made of knotted roots, glowing faintly with residual magic. Rad stared at her, wide-eyed and slack-jawed.


    He quickly glanced around the ship in bewilderment, then leaned over the railing, scanning the sky. ¡°Wait¡ªwhere¡¯d that weird light go?¡± he muttered, half to himself.


    Behind him, the girl¡¯s proud expression wilted into a pout. She began tapping her foot rapidly, irritation building like a storm cloud. But after a beat, her sly smile returned, curling at the edges like a ribbon of fire.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, tubby? Never seen a fairy before?¡± she said, stepping forward with her hands on her hips.


    Rad snapped his head back toward her just in time for her to reach out and poke his forehead. ¡°Ow¡ª!¡± He flinched instinctively, stumbling back a step and rubbing the spot with a scowl.


    The fairy blinked, her smirk faltering for a moment. She tilted her head, curious. Rad frowned. ¡°No, I¡¯ve never seen a fairy before.¡± He cast another glance at his midsection and muttered, ¡°And I¡¯m not tubby.¡±


    The fairy raised one brow and silently smirked. Rad squinted at her. ¡°Okay, what do you want from me, Sparkle Gremlin?¡±


    She rolled her eyes dramatically, her wings fluttering with exasperation. ¡°Ugh, fine, I¡¯m sorry for calling you tubby, okay? Kinda.¡± She crossed her arms and leaned slightly forward. ¡°But the truth is, I need you specifically. There¡¯s a prophecy involved.¡±


    Rad¡¯s brow scrunched in confusion. ¡°What prophecy?¡±


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    The fairy¡¯s expression turned a shade more serious¡ªstill mischievous, but now touched with something ancient. ¡°You see, my clan¡ªwhat¡¯s left of them¡ªspoke of an old prophecy. One where a fairy and a human form a spiritual contract. Together, they¡¯re supposed to take down the King of Celestia!¡±


    Rad¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Spiritual contract?¡± he repeated, unconvinced.


    The fairy groaned loudly and flopped backward in midair, hovering horizontally like an annoyed cat in flight. ¡°Seriously? Ugh, fine. A spiritual contract is when two beings agree to bond their spirits in exchange for something super important. Power, protection, purpose¡ªwhatever. Big deal. Lots of glowy magic and metaphysical junk.¡±


    She reached into a side pocket of her leaf dress and pulled out a crumpled, ancient-looking scroll¡ªat least, attempting to look ancient. She also produced a pair of makeshift glasses, the frames cobbled together from twigs, crystals, and some kind of stringy moss.


    She slipped them on and cleared her throat dramatically. ¡°Ahem¡ªby order of the Great Whispering Bough of Feylaw, let it be known that this contract binds the human Rad¡­¡±


    Rad had stepped up beside her, peering over her shoulder at the so-called document. And what he saw made his eye twitch. It was not a real contract.


    The page was doodled to hell and back¡ªtiny crayon drawings filled nearly every inch. One showed the fairy with a crown, ruling over a city made of mushrooms. Another showed her holding hands with an imaginary family, all of them grinning with bright stars for eyes.


    One showed her fighting a shadowy figure with a pitch black crown that seemed to float over an abyss¡ªa twisted, terrifying sketch that stood out in its dark lines. Rad¡¯s eyes scanned downward. One doodle had her and another fairy boy, holding hands, their faces drawn with ridiculous smiley faces and hearts around them.


    Rad¡¯s face fell flat. The fairy continued reading aloud in a droning, official tone. ¡°¡ªand by merging of spirits, the Fairy and Human shall obtain eternal strength to slay the Celestial Tyrant and cleanse the stars of corruption¡­¡±


    Rad slowly turned his head toward her, brow twitching. ¡°This is fake.¡±


    The fairy blinked, still reading. ¡°¡ªand be granted unlimited¡ªwait, what?¡± She looked at him, confused.


    Rad pointed to the page. ¡°That¡¯s literally you drawn with googly eyes. And is that a unicorn with sunglasses?¡±


    The fairy glanced down and gasped. ¡°Oh shoot! That¡¯s the wrong page!¡± She scrambled to fold it back up, stuffing it into her dress like a squirrel hiding snacks.


    Rad crossed his arms with a frown. ¡°So¡­ you were trying to trick me?¡±


    She laughed awkwardly, twirling a lock of her hair with her finger. ¡°Not trick! Just¡­ persuasively improvise! Big difference.¡±


    Rad stared silently. The fairy sighed, then gave him a sheepish grin. ¡°Okay, maybe it¡¯s not an official document. But the prophecy? That part¡¯s real.¡±


    Rad raised a brow. ¡°Right.¡±


    The fairy quickly straightened her glasses, then nervously muttered under her breath, ¡°I really should¡¯ve rehearsed this better.¡±


    Rad crossed his arms and tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing with skepticism. The crimson glow from the fairy¡¯s wings flickered against his skin as he spoke.


    ¡°Okay, but why should I even trust you?¡± he asked bluntly. ¡°I don¡¯t even know who you are.¡±


    The fairy froze mid-fidget. Her smug expression faltered, and for the briefest moment, she looked caught off-guard. Then, quickly regaining her composure, she cleared her throat and straightened her leafy dress with exaggerated dignity.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. I¡­ may have come off a little strong.¡± She rolled her eyes and waved a hand half-heartedly. ¡°Sorry or whatever.¡±


    She puffed up her chest dramatically, placing her fists on her hips as her iridescent wings flared behind her. ¡°My name is Vel!¡± she declared, voice brimming with faux grandeur. ¡°Of the Emberglow Clan!¡±


    Rad blinked. ¡°Vel?¡± He paused for a moment, his lips twitching before a grin broke across his face.


    ¡±Like¡­ smells-like-campfire Vel? Or do you just glow whenever you lie? ¡®Cause you¡¯re real bright right now.¡±


    Vel¡¯s proud expression twisted into an indignant pout. ¡°Excuse me?! At least my name doesn¡¯t sound like a noise you make when you stub your toe¡ª ¡®Raaaad!¡¯¡± she barked, scrunching her nose.


    Rad laughed. ¡°That was weak.¡±


    Vel leaned forward, jabbing a finger at his chest. ¡°Not as weak as your arms. Seriously, do you even lift, tubby?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to lift. I just exist. And look good doing it,¡± Rad shot back, grinning with his arms crossed.


    ¡°Oh wow,¡± Vel said with mock awe. ¡°He¡¯s got confidence¡ªwonder how far that¡¯ll take you without my help.¡±


    The bickering volleyed back and forth, fast and sharp like two fencers trading jabs¡ªsnarky comebacks, wild gestures, even a few wing flaps and exaggerated groans. Eventually, the both of them ran out of fuel. Vel sighed, wings drooping slightly. Rad leaned back against the railing, catching his breath with a smirk still tugging at his lips.


    ¡°Okay, okay,¡± he finally said, brushing hair out of his face. ¡°But seriously¡­ why does it have to be me specifically?¡±


    Vel caught her breath, brushing off her dress and tightening one of her root-wrapped bracelets. Her voice softened¡ªnot fully serious, but no longer all jokes either. ¡°Because everyone else I ask says no. They just walk off.¡±


    Rad went quiet for a beat, absorbing the sincerity in her voice. Then, with a dry chuckle, he leaned his elbow on the railing and tilted his head at her. ¡°Alright then¡­ prove it.¡±


    Vel blinked in confusion. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You heard me.¡± He gestured lazily toward the deck. ¡°If everyone else really turns you down, I¡¯ll hear you out. But you¡¯ve gotta prove it.¡±


    Vel opened her mouth to protest, but Rad cut her off with a cheeky grin and a shrug. ¡°C¡¯mon. I¡¯ll wait right here.¡±


    The fairy groaned dramatically and threw her head back. ¡°Uuuggh, fine!¡± Then her smirk returned like a spark catching dry grass. ¡°Watch and learn, tubby.¡±


    She zipped off toward a yawning crew member, a burly man scratching at his stubble as he dragged a heavy crate across the deck. Vel floated in front of him, throwing on her most dazzling smile.


    ¡°Hello, sir!¡± she chirped sweetly, hands clasped behind her back. ¡°Would you like to become the Fairy Prince and save the world?¡±


    The man slowed his pace slightly, one brow lifting with the faint effort of thought. ¡°Mmm¡­ nah, sounds like a lotta work,¡± he muttered, before trudging on without a second glance.


    Vel stood frozen in place, blinking in stunned silence. Then she crossed her arms and muttered under her breath, ¡°Lazy sky-dweller¡­¡± For the next several minutes, she darted from crew member to crew member, bouncing between tired sailors, merchants, and bored passengers.


    ¡°You there! Fancy becoming the chosen one?¡±


    ¡°How do you feel about eternal destiny and defeating evil tyrants?¡±


    ¡°You look like someone with nothing better to do¡ªinterested in greatness?¡±


    But each time, the answers were the same¡ªpolite dismissals, confused glances, or flat-out rejections. Some chuckled. Some just kept walking. A few didn¡¯t even see her.


    With every rejection, her wings buzzed faster in frustration. Her polite tone cracked. Her dramatic flairs turned into curt gestures.


    Meanwhile, Rad stood by the railing, arms crossed, watching her chaotic campaign unfold with amused silence. The warm wind tousled his hair as he leaned against the ship, the sunlight painting golden bands across the deck.


    He watched as she tried¡ªand failed¡ªover and over again. And yet, she kept going.


    Stubborn, he thought. Weird.


    But there was something else beneath that flamboyant energy¡ªdetermination, urgency. She wasn¡¯t just playing pretend. She really wanted that strange prophecy fulfilled.


    And Rad couldn¡¯t help but wonder¡ªwhy?


    Rad watched from his post at the railing as Vel floated up to one final guest¡ªa tall woman in a lavish coat, her arms full of scrolls and parcels. Vel put on her best, most radiant smile and even bowed in the air, wings fluttering politely.


    ¡°Excuse me, honorable madam!¡± Vel said, her voice sugar-sweet but edged with desperation. ¡°Would you be interested in fulfilling an ancient destiny, becoming the next Fairy Prince, and saving the realm from total annihilation?¡±


    The woman didn¡¯t even stop walking. Without looking up from her scrolls, she muttered, ¡°Too busy,¡± and disappeared into the bustling deck crowd.


    Vel hovered there, stunned, watching the woman vanish into the sea of color and movement. For a moment she said nothing. The red shimmer of her wings dimmed ever so slightly, and her confident posture slackened. Her shoulders slumped.


    She drifted back toward Rad in silence, moving slower than before. When she finally reached the railing, she leaned against it, arms folded, head bowed, her long, dark brown hair cascading down to frame her face like a curtain.


    A whisper escaped her lips, bitter and half-hearted. ¡°¡­I don¡¯t need any of them anyway.¡±


    Rad blinked. He¡¯d expected more huffing, more fire, more insults and bounce-back. But what he heard was something else entirely¡ªquiet. He looked at her, really looked. For once, she wasn¡¯t puffed up with dramatic flair or fanged retorts.


    She was just¡­ still. A flicker of recognition passed through Rad¡¯s expression. That look¡ªthe way she curled into herself, pretending like she didn¡¯t care¡ªit was familiar. He¡¯d seen it in the mirror more than once.


    Rad¡¯s gaze drifted away, across the deck. Crew members hauled crates and adjusted sails. Guests meandered with their companions, laughing, chatting, locked in their own worlds. No one looked her way. No one even noticed.


    His expression softened as he watched the people go about their day, surrounded by others, and yet somehow¡­ missing everything that mattered.


    He turned back to Vel. She was still quiet, her green eyes hidden beneath her bangs.


    Rad gave a soft chuckle and leaned against the railing beside her, folding his arms. ¡°Those people would¡¯ve made lousy fairy princes anyway.¡±


    Vel twitched slightly, her head lifting just enough for her eyes to peek through her hair. ¡°What?¡± she mumbled.


    Rad shrugged, a faint smile curling his lips. ¡°A real hero would¡¯ve taken your offer without blinking.¡±


    A memory surfaced in his mind¡ªKite. The way he always stood up for others, even when no one else would. Rad stared ahead again, eyes distant. He would¡¯ve believed her.


    Vel sniffled softly. She didn¡¯t speak for a long moment. Then she finally nodded, her voice quiet. ¡°Humans only care about themselves anyway.¡±


    Rad frowned slightly at that. ¡°Some do,¡± he admitted with a sigh. ¡°But¡­ not all of them are so bad.¡±


    The silence returned for a heartbeat¡ªuntil Rad¡¯s stomach betrayed him with a loud, echoing growl. Vel blinked, then snorted before breaking into a snicker. ¡°Seriously? That dramatic speech and you ruin it with that?¡±


    Rad laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m still human you know.¡±


    As if to join the moment, Vel¡¯s stomach growled too. Her eyes widened with horror before she quickly crossed her arms and turned away. ¡°Tch. Whatever. Yours was louder.¡±


    Rad raised an eyebrow with a smirk. ¡°Was not.¡± Vel glared playfully, but before Rad could counter again, she grinned¡ªwide, mischievous, and dangerous.


    ¡°Well, guess what?¡± she said, her tone bouncing back into gleeful chaos. ¡°You still owe me a promise.¡±


    ¡°What promi¡ª¡± Rad started, but Vel moved fast. With an unnatural snap, her hand grabbed the front of his jacket, her grip impossibly strong. Crimson light flared around her as her wings ignited with brilliant magic. ¡°Hey¡ªwait¡ªWAIT¡ª¡±


    WHOOSH. With an explosion of energy, Vel launched into the air, yanking Rad with her at high speed.


    ¡°AAAAAAGGHHHH!¡± Rad screamed as he flailed helplessly, his feet flying off the ground, arms flapping wildly like he could suddenly learn to fly too.


    They shot past a group of stunned passengers, zipped over a pair of confused crewmates, and hurtled down the open-air corridor of the skyship. People leapt out of the way, cursing and shouting as a blur of brown hair and red light screamed by.


    Rad could barely process anything between the howling wind and his own panicked yells. ¡°Why does this keep happening to me!?¡± he cried.


    ¡°You¡¯ll live!¡± Vel shouted back, cackling. They rocketed around a corner, diving deeper into the belly of the ship, their laughter and shrieks echoing behind them like wild music on the wind.

 Chapter 54: The Weight Of A Hand

    Rad groaned dramatically, his face mashed against the cool, worn surface of a long wooden table in the ship¡¯s dining hall. The air was thick with the rich aroma of roasted meats, warm bread, and aromatic spices, but none of it brought him comfort. His skin had a pale tinge, and his arms hung limp at his sides like he¡¯d just survived a battle¡ªor more accurately, Vel¡¯s flight.


    Above him, magical lanterns drifted through the air, suspended by invisible forces, casting a warm golden glow over the feasting passengers. Their soft illumination danced along the wooden beams of the ceiling and flickered in the eyes of chatting travelers. Laughter and the clinking of metal cups filled the hall, but Rad tuned it all out, groaning again into the tabletop.


    ¡°I hate flying,¡± he mumbled into the wood, voice muffled and pitiful. Across from him, Vel was an unstoppable blur of motion. Piled high with food, the table was her personal battleground¡ªand she was winning.


    Loaves of honeyed bread vanished into her mouth in seconds, roasted poultry was stripped down to bone with cartoonish speed, and her arms moved so fast they blurred, cramming bites into her face like a whirlwind in fast-forward.


    Her mouth, now smeared with crumbs and sauce, widened unnaturally with each bite. Between gulps, she muttered half-sentences like ¡°sooo good¡±, ¡°more mustard!¡±, and ¡°blessed be the meat gods!¡±


    Finally, with a loud ¡°Bwahh!¡±, she leaned back in her stool, her iridescent wings fluttering to support her as she floated slightly above her seat. She let out a loud, content burp, then rubbed her belly with both hands and smiled dreamily up at the ceiling, eyes half-lidded in bliss.


    Rad slowly peeled his head off the table, blinking blearily. His hair was a mess from both the wind and his dramatic collapse. He stared at Vel, who looked like she had just eaten a festival buffet alone. ¡°You eat like a pig,¡± he grumbled.


    Vel blinked, still in her dreamlike haze, then slowly turned her head toward him. Her content smile faded into offended disbelief. ¡°Excuse me?!¡± she gasped.


    Rad smirked. Vel sat up straight, her hands slapping the table with theatrical energy. ¡°Fairies have naturally fast metabolisms!¡± she shot back, cheeks puffed out slightly with lingering crumbs.


    Rad rolled his eyes. ¡°Yeah, right.¡± Vel¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits. She looked ready to start throwing dinner rolls at him when a sudden shout echoed across the hall.


    ¡°What do you mean my currency is invalid!?¡± The lively hum of the dining hall quickly dipped into hushed murmurs. Heads turned. So did Vel and Rad.


    The crowd parted subtly, a ripple of silence forming in its center. At the far end of the hall, Kite stood in front of a shadowy counter where a slaver¡¯s stall had been set up. He had both arms raised in frustrated disbelief, his expression twisted in anger as he waved his faintly glowing tecastick in the air.


    Behind the counter stood a woman cloaked in layered black robes, embroidered with shimmering purple glyphs that seemed to writhe when one wasn¡¯t looking directly at them. She leaned casually on the surface, an eerie calm radiating from her as if she were utterly untouched by the boy¡¯s fury.


    Her eyes glowed violet, sharp and ancient, and a mocking smile played on her dark lips. Golden rings shimmered on every finger, and her clawed nails, tipped in obsidian, drummed against the polished counter, leaving behind faint sparks of violet lightning.


    Behind her, a dozen caged magical creatures thrashed and screeched in runed glass prisons. Beings of wonder and misery¡ªsome with fur like starlight, others with translucent, color-shifting wings, and a few with far too many blinking eyes. They clawed and trembled, restrained by the enchanted bars.


    Rad stiffened. So that¡¯s where Kite went off to.


    ¡°That woman¡­¡± Vel murmured beside him, her posture shifting. She narrowed her gaze toward the robed figure, then toward Kite, eyes flashing briefly.


    Rad noticed her focus. ¡°What?¡± he asked.


    Vel froze mid-bite, her eyes briefly flashing crimson. Her wings gave a single sharp flick, like a tremor of tension running through her spine. Then she leaned forward, frowning.


    ¡°That kid¡­¡± she murmured, eyes narrowing. ¡°His soul isn¡¯t alone. Two¡­ no¡ªthree powerful forces. Twisting around him like barbed wire.¡±


    Her voice had lost its usual sass. What remained was cold, analytical dread.


    ¡°They¡¯re corrupting him,¡± she whispered hesitantly.


    Before Rad could respond, Kite¡¯s voice rang out again, angrier than before. ¡°Then maybe I should just take them by force!¡±


    Rad¡¯s chest tightened. He stood up slightly, heart pounding as he saw the slaver¡¯s smirk deepen.


    The woman chuckled darkly, her eyes lighting with delight. With a snap of her fingers, arcs of violet lightning burst between her claws as she raised both hands.


    ¡°You¡¯re either incredibly brave¡­ or incredibly stupid!¡± she purred, her voice electric.


    Rad¡¯s heart sank. He clenched the edge of the table, unsure if he should run in or stay out of it. Vel¡¯s wings twitched, clearly ready to spring into motion to subdue Kite.


    But just before Kite could make a move, another figure stepped between them¡ªtall, lean, and confident. He spoke something out of earshot to the woman, his presence commanding, and then turned on Kite with an icy glare.


    With one swift motion, he pressed a firm hand against Kite¡¯s chest and shoved him back a step. Rad blinked in confusion. ¡°Who¡­?¡± he murmured. He didn¡¯t recognize the newcomer, but he could see Kite seething, fists clenched.


    Kite and the older boy exchanged a few tense words, the conversation heated but quieter. Eventually, Kite looked away with a feigned smile, shoving his hands into his pockets before turning and walking off deeper into the hall, pushing past the crowd that had reformed.


    Vel exhaled slowly, her iridescent wings flaring once before folding neatly behind her. She looked at Rad, her voice quiet and thoughtful. ¡°Is he a friend of yours?¡± She asked, noticing Rad¡¯s tense demeanor.


    Rad didn¡¯t respond at first. He simply stared after Kite, his expression unreadable, the storm of tension in his chest coiling tighter with every passing second. ¡°Yeah¡­¡± he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°But I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen him angry before.¡±


    Vel went quiet for a long stretch, her fingers slowly dragging a crumb across the table as she stared at nothing in particular. She tapped it once. Then twice. Then finally lifted her hand and stroked her chin thoughtfully, her iridescent wings fluttering just faintly behind her.


    Then¡ªwith a shrug¡ªshe spoke casually. ¡°Eh. I¡¯m sure your friend¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    She grabbed a roll from the table and took another enormous bite, crumbs bursting from the corners of her mouth like shrapnel from a cannon.


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    Rad raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. ¡°That¡¯s not exactly reassuring¡ª¡± he began, but then¡ªa faint, inhuman scream pierced the air.


    Rad¡¯s words caught in his throat as he whipped his head toward the sound. His eyes widened, pupils shrinking as he saw it. A magical creature¡ªor rather, a person¡ªwas being dragged into the dining hall. It was humanoid, but barely. Its body shimmered with faint, crystalline scales, patches of star-metal gleaming beneath torn robes.


    Ragged, scarred skin showed through the seams, glowing softly with ancient magic like fractured glass. It had no mouth, only a jagged hole where its voice still tore from its throat in echoing, mind-splitting wails. Twin horns jutted from its head, one broken at the tip. Its fingers ended in glowing claws, twitching and flailing wildly as it thrashed against the glowing binds that tethered its limbs.


    Its captors¡ªfaceless robed figures in dull crimson cloaks¡ªmarched forward with cold efficiency, yanking the creature along with glowing whips of binding magic. Each movement triggered a fresh, garbled scream from the creature, filled with a terror Rad couldn¡¯t begin to understand.


    His face paled. His stomach turned. All around them, the dining hall remained disturbingly normal. Conversations continued.


    Dishes clinked. But beneath the surface, you could see it¡ªtightened jaws, lowered gazes, forced laughter. Discomfort woven into every face, every shrugging guest who chose not to get involved.


    Vel, still sitting across from Rad, said nothing. Her mouth was closed. Her green eyes followed the scene with a cold, unreadable expression. But her grip on the edge of the table tightened just slightly, and the glow of her wings flickered as if something within her had begun to burn.


    She was still. Too still.


    Rad finally found his voice, though it was barely above a whisper. ¡°What¡­ what¡¯s going on over there?¡±


    Vel let out a sigh, slow and measured. She didn¡¯t look at him at first. She simply tilted her head toward the row of magical cages lining the edge of the hall, barely visible in the shadows beyond the dining tables.


    ¡°Captives,¡± she said quietly. ¡°Mystical creatures, taken from the wild. From their homes. Their villages.¡±


    Rad¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°But¡­ why? Why keep them here?¡±


    Vel was silent for a moment. Her glowing green eyes drifted off, distant, reflecting the ambient light of the lanterns above. When she finally met Rad¡¯s gaze again, they were colder. Older.


    ¡°Because Captain Drassos takes them,¡± she said evenly. ¡°He travels from land to land capturing mystical beings¡ªcreatures like them¡­¡± She paused. ¡°Creatures like me.¡±


    Rad blinked, caught off guard. Vel gave a crooked, bitter smirk and pointed a thumb at herself. ¡°Then he sells us off to traders at certain ports. Ones that call themselves safe havens for the captured.¡±


    Rad¡¯s frown deepened. His gaze shifted to the cages now¡ªrows of magical beings slumped or snarling in defeat. One had folded wings made of moonlight.


    Another had antlers that flickered like candles, its eyes empty. One small creature¡ªbarely larger than a dog¡ªjust rocked back and forth, humming a single broken note. ¡°But¡­ that¡¯s wrong,¡± Rad said, his voice rising with disbelief. ¡°Why would he¡ª?¡±


    Vel cut him off, her tone sharp but calm, as if she¡¯d already played this conversation out a hundred times in her mind. ¡°Because it¡¯s the only way to keep them alive,¡± she said flatly.


    Rad opened his mouth, then froze. Vel leaned forward, her wings twitching slightly. ¡°If they were to be set free, they¡¯d get hunted down. The King of Celestia doesn¡¯t just hate creatures like us¡ªhe erases us. Sends reapers. Wipes out entire species. You can¡¯t imagine what he¡¯s already done.¡±


    Rad turned back to the cages. The creatures within them shifted, breathed, blinked¡ªbut many no longer struggled. Some had already given up. Rad¡¯s shoulders slumped. His expression softened with helpless sorrow as he watched one particularly old creature¡ªa moss-covered being with glowing mushrooms growing along its spine¡ªrest its forehead against the bars in quiet despair.


    Vel didn¡¯t look at the cages. She looked at Rad. Watched his face. His eyes. The way his fingers curled against the wood of the table. The way his breath hitched but didn¡¯t release.


    Then, softly, as if confessing a truth carved into her very soul, Vel spoke. ¡°No matter what anyone does, nothing will change until the source of all this misery is destroyed.¡±


    Rad turned to look at her. She slowly lifted her hand, gesturing toward the cages, her face cast in the flickering glow of the floating lanterns.


    ¡°The King of Celestia is the reason for all of this. Every cage. Every scream. Every hunted village and broken spirit.¡±


    Her voice lowered, almost a growl. ¡°And he must be stopped.¡± The air between them went still. And Rad¡­ didn¡¯t have an answer.


    Vel stood with her arms folded tightly across her chest, her wings twitching in agitation as she waited for Rad to speak. Her gaze burned into him¡ªsharp, focused, and just barely concealing the storm behind her glowing green eyes. Rad averted his gaze, his shoulders shrinking inward. He stared at the floor, at the edge of the table, anywhere but her.


    Vel¡¯s foot tapped once. Then again. The silence between them dragged on like an anchor. Her irritation boiled until she finally snapped. ¡°What,¡± she hissed, ¡°this still isn¡¯t enough for you?¡±


    Rad flinched. He looked up, guilt flickering across his face. ¡°N-No, that¡¯s not¡ª¡±


    Snap.


    With a single flick of Vel¡¯s fingers, the world around them vanished. The table, chairs, food, and noise of the dining hall were ripped away¡ªreplaced in an instant by a vast, endless abyss. A void so dark it swallowed the light of their skin, leaving only faint glows from their bodies and the shimmer of Vel¡¯s glowing iridescent wings.


    Rad floated helplessly, his limbs drifting as he slowly tumbled through nothing. ¡°Wh-what the¡ª?!¡± he cried, eyes wide as he kicked his legs in the empty air.


    Vel hovered a few feet away, her wings unfurled and pulsing with a soft crimson light that painted the void in haunting streaks of shimmering stardust. Her expression was tight, her eyes narrowed with frustration.


    With a wave of her hand, the darkness around them began to stir. Tiny motes of fairy dust swirled into form, sculpting glowing, ethereal images that stretched across the abyss like ghostly murals.


    Rad¡¯s breath caught in his throat as he turned in place, watching them unfold around him. There were villages burning, rooftops caved in under torrents of arcane fire. Forests blackened, the trees twisted and screaming. Kingdoms reduced to rubble, castles cracked and sunken into the earth. Islands submerged beneath storms of howling dark magic.


    And everywhere¡ªcages. Chains. Slaves. Magical creatures. Humans. Children. All caught, bound, silenced.


    At the center of it all, rising above the carnage, stood a towering figure cloaked in shadows¡ªThe King of Celestia. His body flickered like a tear in the world itself, faceless, skeletal, and crowned with a black, floating crown. Its spikes curled like claws. From his form bled violet flame and coiling smoke.


    Rad¡¯s heart pounded. He couldn¡¯t look away. Vel, her voice quieter now, floated closer and hovered beside him, her eyes locked on the suffering around them.


    ¡°You could help me stop this,¡± she said, and this time there was no teasing in her tone¡ªjust quiet resolve. ¡°You could help me save them.¡±


    Rad clenched his fists. He didn¡¯t respond. She turned to face him fully, her wings shimmering as they kept her aloft. Her lip quivered slightly.


    ¡°If you accept my deal¡­ you¡¯ll be given power beyond anything you¡¯ve ever dreamed of.¡± She extended her hand toward him, her fingers trembling.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be remembered¡ªrevered¡ªas a hero in every corner of Celestia.¡± Her hand lingered there, suspended in the silence between them. Her voice lowered, barely audible. ¡°Please¡­ just take my hand.¡±


    Rad stared at it for a long silent moment. Then at her.


    His eyes flickered between the pleading in her face and the horrors hanging like smoke all around them. A new image began forming¡ªdrawn from fairy dust like the rest.


    A boy¡ªthe Fairy Prince. And beside him, a fairy girl. The two stood together, hands locked, facing the looming silhouette of the King. They were tiny in comparison, yet they stood tall.


    Vel watched him with bated breath, her chest rising and falling with silent tension. Her hand remained outstretched, her hope held within her fingertips.


    Rad slowly reached forward. His hand trembled. His breath hitched. If I take her hand¡­ he thought.


    Then that means¡­ He looked at her again. Her sorrowful eyes. Her vulnerability. It means I¡¯ll care. I¡¯ll get attached¡­


    Rad¡¯s mind raced back to his mother, her hardened fists hammering against his helpless body like sledgehammers. Her final, brutal words echoing in his mind like church bells. What if I get hurt again¡­?


    Vel¡¯s eyes widened as his fingers came close. Crimson sparks leapt between them, dancing in the empty air. Their hands hovered inches apart.


    Then¡ªhe pulled away. Vel¡¯s breath hitched sharply, her hand left hanging in the air. She stared in disbelief, her fingers slowly curling inward.


    Rad¡¯s voice cracked as he whispered, ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I can¡¯t do it.¡±


    Her face twisted. Her mouth opened¡ªbut nothing came out. Her shoulders rose as if to scream, but the sound died in her throat. She closed her eyes tightly, her hands clenching against her chest.


    Then the tears came. Vel covered her face, her shoulders trembling as the sobs broke through. Her wings dimmed, and her glow flickered like a dying ember. The illusion around them wavered as her emotions surged¡ªsome images fading, others cracking.


    Rad floated there in silence, staring at her, helpless. The pain on his face was clear. He wanted to reach out. He wanted to say something. Anything.


    But he didn¡¯t. He couldn¡¯t. He didn¡¯t have the strength. So he watched¡­ as Vel cried in the darkness, her heart breaking in the shadow of a crown.

 Chapter 55: The Puppet That Wept

    Hours soon passed in hollow silence after Vel disappeared. The once-lively corridors of the skyship now felt sunken in¡ªheavy, almost suffocating. The warmth from the magical lanterns that floated lazily above had dimmed to a faint, flickering amber, casting long, wavering shadows against the curved wooden walls.


    The metal that lined the corners of the hallway was cold and damp to the touch, faint condensation collecting in the grooves. Every distant footstep echoed like a ghost trapped in the belly of the ship. The laughter and music from earlier had long since faded, leaving behind a hushed atmosphere that felt wrong, as though the ship itself mourned something lost.


    Rad moved slowly through the corridor, his boots dragging against the wooden floor. The air was thick and unmoving, like walking through fog that clung to his shoulders.


    His arms hung at his sides, lifeless. His head bowed, his brown bangs hanging low, casting shadows over his eyes. Every step felt heavier than the last.


    His chest tightened with each memory that played like broken reels in his mind¡ªVel¡¯s crooked smile, her laughter, the way her wings shimmered when she was excited, and the way her voice broke when he said no. And then, the final image¡ªher face crumpling in despair, hands covering her eyes as she wept in the dark void.


    It repeated over and over. Her pain. Her heartbreak. Her silence.


    Rad blinked slowly, his throat dry, his face blank. But inside, everything churned. Regret, fear, sorrow¡ªtwisting and gnawing at each other.


    Did I do the right thing? he asked himself again, for the hundredth time. But the ache in his gut already knew the answer. He just wasn¡¯t ready to say it out loud.


    Beside him, Ray floated silently¡ªcold and ominous. His sleek, dual-toned body hovered inches above the floor, casting a faint violet and green glow that painted warped reflections on the walls.


    His eyes, especially the violet one, flickered with distant energy as he stared ahead¡ªnot at the hallway, but at Rad. His mind was silent, but not still. It buzzed like a hive¡ªdark, cold, and mechanical. Every passing second, he ran through a hundred outcomes, a thousand strategies.


    How many ways could he kill Rad? How quickly will he strike? How efficiently could he make it look like an accident?


    His presence was like a shadow with weight¡ªunspoken, oppressive, suffocating. And yet, Rad paid him no mind.


    Not just because he trusted him. Nor because he didn¡¯t notice. But because his own sorrow drowned out everything else.


    He barely felt the vibration of the engines beneath his feet. Barely heard the distant churn of steam pipes or the occasional murmur of unseen crew members. The world had faded behind the veil of what could have been. What should have been.


    Rad¡¯s voice didn¡¯t speak his guilt aloud. But his body did. The slump of his shoulders. The droop of his eyelids. The quiet tremble of a breath he didn¡¯t realize he was holding.


    He had made his choice. And deep down, beneath all the excuses, beneath all the fear¡ªhe knew the truth.


    He had broken what little hope Vel had left. And there was no telling if she would ever come back.


    The hallway stretched on in quiet, hollow stillness, the muted glow of the ship¡¯s lanterns casting dim reflections along the brass fixtures and aged wood. Every creak of the skyship¡¯s hull echoed faintly through the walls like groaning bones. The air smelled faintly of polished iron and sea mist.


    Rad and Ray came to a stop in front of a dark oak door, its surface marked with swirling engravings that glimmered faintly with protective runes. A subtle humming sound resonated from it, barely perceptible, like an ancient breath asleep behind the wood.


    Ray floated upward without a word, rising smoothly until he hovered just above eye level with the lock. In his hand, he held a small silver key, the teeth etched with microscopic glyphs. The metal shimmered slightly in the low light, pulsing in sync with Ray¡¯s own bi-colored glow.


    Without a word, he inserted the key into the lock and twisted. A soft click echoed through the corridor, and the door creaked open.


    They stepped inside. The room was quiet and dimly lit by a single hanging lantern in the corner, its flame flickering behind a glass globe that shifted between warm amber and pale blue.


    The walls were curved, matching the contour of the ship¡¯s hull, and crafted from dark, timeworn wood. A round porthole window on the far side of the room showed only clouds outside¡ªgray, swirling, and endless.


    The bed was simple but large, pressed against the wall beneath the window. The sheets were a muted gray-blue, and the pillows looked barely used. A small wooden desk sat to the side, scattered with old maps and books, while a dusty wardrobe stood near the corner like a quiet sentinel.


    Rad trudged to the bed without a word, his boots dragging across the creaky floorboards. He sat down slowly, his posture slumped, arms resting in his lap as his head bowed forward. His bangs curtained his eyes again, shadowing the weariness written across his face.


    Ray, meanwhile, hovered to a tall cabinet across the room and settled atop it like a statue, his black-and-white body lit from below by the lantern¡¯s flickering glow. His arms folded tightly over his chest. His glowing cybernetic eyes¡ªone violet, one green¡ªremained fixed on Rad without blinking.


    Silence stretched like an iron thread between them. Finally, after what felt like hours, Rad¡¯s voice broke the stillness.


    ¡°Where¡¯d Kite go?¡± he asked quietly, not lifting his head.


    Ray didn¡¯t shift. His voice was cold and flat. ¡°He was assigned a separate room elsewhere in the ship.¡±


    Rad nodded absently, missing the undercurrent of coldness in Ray¡¯s tone. He leaned back onto the bed, his body sinking into the mattress as he let out a long, exhausted breath. His eyes traced the wooden ceiling above, his mind still caught in distant thoughts.


    Ray remained motionless, watching with a mechanical stillness. After another long pause, Rad turned his head slightly toward him.


    ¡°Do you¡­¡± he hesitated. ¡°Do you know anything about the Fairy Prince prophecy?¡±


    Ray¡¯s fingers twitched. A faint pulse of cosmic energy flared around his frame, his aura momentarily brightening with hues of violet before dying back down. His gaze narrowed slightly, his voice calm¡ªtoo calm.


    ¡°It¡¯s a myth,¡± he said coolly. ¡°Nothing more.¡±


    Rad furrowed his brow. ¡°Whoever told me about it didn¡¯t seem to think so.¡±


    Ray¡¯s head tilted slowly, his glowing eyes never leaving Rad. His response was sharp, quick. ¡°Then the fairy lied to you.¡±


    Rad paused for a moment before sitting up slightly, squinting at Ray. ¡°How do you know it was a fairy?¡±


    A long pause. The two locked eyes¡ªRay¡¯s glowing and unblinking, Rad¡¯s tired and searching. Then, Ray replied, his tone smoother now. ¡°It was merely an assumption.¡±


    Rad stared at him for another moment, clearly unsure. Something about Ray¡¯s unusual expression¡ªthe way he never looked away¡ªleft a pit in his stomach. But he said nothing. Eventually, he leaned back down, his head pressing into the pillow.


    ¡°Sorry¡­¡± he muttered. ¡°Didn¡¯t mean to sound suspicious.¡± He yawned, his voice growing sleepier by the second. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ been a long day.¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t reply. He sat in silence, still and unmoving, as Rad¡¯s breathing began to slow. As the boy drifted into sleep, curled slightly on the bed, the dim lantern glow danced across his tired face.


    Ray¡¯s cybernetic eyes remained fixed on him¡ªpiercing, emotionless, watching. Not a single word passed between them.


    Only the steady hum of the ship. And the faint, ever-present tension of something far darker lurking just beneath the surface.


    Ray watched as Rad shifted slightly on the bed, his breathing soft and steady now. A long sigh escaped Ray¡¯s lips¡ªquiet, mechanical, and strained¡ªas his glowing cybernetic eyes dimmed and slowly closed. But sleep never came. Instead, memory did.


    The air had once smelled of oil and fire. Smoke writhed upward from the crumbling towers of Horizon Heights, the once-proud futuristic city now shattered by war. Its gleaming chrome spires¡ªdesigned to touch the sky¡ªlay in broken heaps, collapsed into the neon-lit streets.


    The sky itself had become a canvas of carnage: a blood-orange inferno, streaked with black smoke and trembling with distant explosions. Hovercars lay overturned in pools of oil and ash. Crystalline sky-bridges flickered erratically, on the verge of collapse.


    The digital signs that once advertised concerts and synthetic dreams now flashed WARNING and EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY in a loop. Shards of light danced through the haze¡ªnot from sunlight, but from spells, wards, and the endless clash of power upon power.


    Below, among the smoking ruins, sorcerers of all races and origins fought with every breath they had. Elven mages cloaked in radiant crystal armor hurled spheres of solar flame into the enemy¡¯s ranks, while cybernetic warlocks, their spines embedded with pulsating tech, fired runic pulse beams from glyph-cannons mounted to their wrists.


    Ethereal spirits, bound to soldiers¡¯ bodies, howled with arcane fury as they launched ghost-fire in all directions. Elemental warriors of stone, water, and lightning clashed in brutal, raw combat. All of them branded with the same insignia¡ªSolhawk.


    But the symbol meant little now. Once, it was a beacon of hope. A mark of heroism. Of unity.


    Now, it was nothing but a banner drenched in ash and blood. A relic of the legacy Henry Cooper left behind.


    And far above it all, watching from a jagged cliff at the edge of the city, stood Ray. His body was encased in a jet-black exosuit, sleek and alien, stitched back together by threads of starlight and wrath. The violet glow of his cybernetic eye flickered beneath his cracked black visor, while his tattered cloak whipped violently in the wind like a banner of mourning.


    He didn''t look at the battlefield. He didn¡¯t look at his sorcerers below. He only looked at her.


    Nova.


    She stood just feet away, trembling. Her star-speckled eyes glimmered with heartbreak, her yellow jacket torn and splattered with her own blood. Her afro whipped in the wind, haloed by the fading white aura of dying starlight. Her knees buckled slightly, and the soft sound of her breath choked on pain and disbelief.


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    And there, buried into her chest, was Ray¡¯s armored fist. Crimson stained her black tank top, dripping from the hole that pierced clean through her heart. The energy of the wound still crackled with cosmic static.


    Her lips moved, trembling, trying¡ªneeding¡ªto say something. To reach him. A single word escaped as a gasp, barely audible over the roar of war. ¡°¡­Ray¡­¡±


    Her hand, shaking like a leaf in a storm, rose toward his cheek. Fingers trembling, desperately reaching¡ªnot to strike, but to touch. To feel the boy she loved. To bring him back.


    But he didn¡¯t move. He didn¡¯t speak. Only the subtle, strained quiver in his voice betrayed him.


    ¡°Goodbye, Nova,¡± Ray muttered, voice hollow¡ªa lie wrapped in steel. He ripped his hand from her chest.


    She gasped, blood spilling from her mouth. She stumbled forward, as if trying to close the growing distance between them. But Ray¡­ he turned away. His footsteps were slow, steady¡ªretreating into the void he¡¯d chosen.


    Nova reached out again with a shaky step, her bloodied hand trembling midair, her vision dimming as tears streaked down her cheeks. ¡°Wait¡­¡±


    But she never said it. Her weak legs gave out. She tripped¡ªon nothing¡ªand fell.


    Time seemed to slow. Her body twisted, limp and slack, her jacket and jeans fluttering as her aura flickered from red, to orange, to yellow, to a desperate blue-white.


    Images flashed through her fading mind¡ªLucio¡¯s laughter. Rad¡¯s stupid jokes. Elara¡¯s teasing grin. Connor¡¯s smug smirk. And Ray¡¯s once vibrant, innocent smile that once brought hope to so many people.


    Every light in her soul surged, desperate to remain. Then¡ªimpact. Her head hit the ground with a soft, final thud.


    The world exploded in an instant. A shockwave of pure, star-born light erupted outward from her fallen body¡ªa brilliant burst of energy so dense and raw it shattered buildings, vaporized steel, and turned countless lives to dust.


    Twenty kilometers of Horizon Heights were obliterated in seconds. The blast was silent at first, like a moment of divine silence. Then came the sound¡ªlike the heavens breaking apart.


    And somewhere amidst the rubble, high on another rooftop, Connor felt it. His blade¡ªformed from crimson, cursed crystal¡ªshivered in his hand as his opponent froze. Her spear clattered to the floor.


    Connor¡¯s face twisted in confusion As his curly brown hair billowed in the wind. A moment later he turned. And then he saw it.


    The light. A column of pure blue energy, shooting high into the blood-stained sky like a final scream of defiance¡ªNova¡¯s scream. It punched through the clouds, scattering them like ash, casting Horizon Heights in divine brilliance.


    Connor¡¯s eyes filled with horror. His lips trembled. His voice cracked. ¡°Nova!¡±


    A white aura ignited around him as he launched into the air, the force of his takeoff splintering the rooftop. He left his stunned opponent behind, who stood in shocked silence, her knees trembling, her lips mouthing a single, shattered truth. ¡°She¡¯s gone.¡±


    While in the sky, beneath the swirling ash and dying wind, Ray hovered in the air alone¡ªhis black visor reflecting the radiant pillar of light that shot into the sky. He didn¡¯t blink. He didn¡¯t breathe.


    But a faint crack traced across the surface of his visor¡ªspiderweb thin¡ªand glowing softly from within¡­ was blue. Ray¡¯s mechanical frame trembled ever so slightly in the present as he leaned forward atop the cold wooden cabinet, his plated arms crossed tightly across his chest.


    The dim room was still, save for the soft flicker of the ceiling lantern and the slow, deep rhythm of Rad¡¯s breathing as it grew heavier, louder¡ªpulling him deeper into exhausted sleep. Ray exhaled through his nose, a long, shuddering breath that felt almost human in its weight.


    He tilted his head back to the ceiling, his glowing cybernetic eyes dimming as memory surged like a flood. Every choice, every name, every scream he¡¯d buried deep beneath circuits and steel¡ªrising like a tide against the hull of his mind.


    His life played behind his eyes not like a film, but a storm¡ªbroken, chaotic, and bright with regret. And among those storm-tossed memories¡­


    Was the abandoned tower of Ray¡¯s old nemesis, Apollo, once a fortress of ambition and dread, now lay in ruin. Its reinforced walls, riddled with ancient scars and tech-welded reinforcements, shook under the weight of combat.


    The chamber within its highest level flashed with bursts of emerald fury as Lucio Kekoa unleashed streaks of green lightning in every direction. His bolts crashed into the reinforced walls, searing deep cracks into the stone, sending sparks and rubble cascading like meteors. Each strike was desperate¡ªfueled not by rage, but grief.


    And still, Ray stood tall amidst it all. His black exosuit, worn and torn, bore the toll of his recent battles: dented plating along his shoulders and legs, cracks spiderwebbing across his armor, his once-pristine frame dulled by soot and grime. Dust clung to him like ash. But none of it mattered more than the crack across his visor¡ªa thin, glowing blue line, etched forever across the glass.


    The last remnant of Nova. Her death marked him. Not just in memory. But physically¡ªan echo of the explosion that claimed countless lives, burned into the one thing he could never again take off. That single crack glowed faintly now, even as Ray moved¡ªcold, efficient, emotionless.


    His onyx chains slithered and snapped from his wrists like hungry shadows, striking out toward Lucio in savage arcs. The air hissed and rippled as the accursed metal lashed forward, intent on binding, on breaking.


    But Lucio was wind. Lucio was light.


    He moved like a current, his suit pulsing with vibrant green as he blurred through the chamber. Each step was like lightning kissing the ground¡ªgone before it landed. His armored suit¡ªa marvel of craftsmanship and culture¡ªclung to him like the ocean clings to the shore, shifting with him, responding to every twitch, every breath.


    Down his arms, ancient tribal patterns shimmered with luminous energy, glowing with every motion. A streak of green cut through the gloom each time he dodged a chain or threw a bolt, his form becoming a silhouette of stormy lights.


    Ray barely tracked him, but Lucio was not attacking to win. He was attacking to reach him.


    ¡°She believed in you!¡± Lucio¡¯s voice had cracked with pain that night, nearly drowned out by the roar of the thunderstorm raging beyond the tower windows. ¡°We all did!¡±


    But Ray never flinched. Never spoke. His cold visor¡ªcracked and glowing¡ªreflected Lucio¡¯s anguish like a mirror refusing to break.


    Lucio¡¯s speed capsules pulsed at his side, their faint green glow a heartbeat of their own. He tapped one with his thumb, and a jolt of raw energy surged into his veins. His stabilizer fin flared to life along his back, arcing with lightning to balance him mid-sprint as he launched Into another blur.


    To the world, Lucio had always been a symbol¡ªa protector. Someone who never lost hope, even when hope had left. His smile was a shield, his lightning a promise.


    To the people of Horizon Heights, he was a streak of safety through the chaos. But in that chamber¡ªhe was just a boy grieving the loss of a friend he never got to say goodbye to.


    And Ray? Ray was the reason.


    He had been the storm that shattered the skyline. The reaper in a black suit of pure despair.


    And now, sitting in that quiet skyship cabin, far away from the ruins of Horizon Heights, far from Lucio¡¯s fists and Nova¡¯s touch, Ray was alone with that truth. He stared blankly at the ceiling, his voice silent, his hands still.


    But the tremble in his limbs had nothing to do with combat. And the green hue of his eye¡ªjust faintly glowing in the faint golden light of the cabin¡ªremained, glowing gently like a wound that refused to heal. A mocking reminder of a tragic past he could never fully run from.


    Ray¡¯s breath hitched, sharp and hollow, as he stared down at his hands¡ªtwo machines of war, one black as void and the other pale with a faint emerald glow. Hands destined to destroy, forged in grief, and sharpened by guilt. Slowly, he clenched them into trembling fists, the metal groaning under the pressure of his own doubt.


    Was it all for nothing¡­? The thought pierced him like a whisper in a cathedral¡ªsoft, but all-consuming. His shoulders shook faintly, his posture slumping atop the cabinet like a puppet with its strings frayed.


    ¡°Were any of the choices I made truly mine?¡± he whispered aloud, his voice barely more than a breath.


    He turned his gaze upward toward the ceiling, but he didn¡¯t see wood or lanternlight. He saw the ghosts of who he used to be. He saw Nova¡¯s radiant smile. Connor¡¯s half-hearted glares. Lucio¡¯s light. He saw the boy who once thought he could save the world¡ªand the shadow that had taken his place.


    His vision blurred, shimmering as though water had welled up behind his cybernetic eyes. But no tears fell. They couldn¡¯t. Not anymore.


    ¡°Have I really just been a puppet all along?¡± The words tore into him with slow, merciless precision. His thoughts coiled inward, looping around themselves in tangled agony. His cosmic aura pulsed, growing unstable¡ªbright one second, flickering the next, like the dying light of a star long past saving.


    His breath grew uneven. His fingers twitched. His body trembled. And then¡ªcrack.


    His cybernetic fingers dug into the edge of the wooden cabinet with violent force, and from beneath them, faint glowing fractures branched out, radiant cracks of cosmic energy splitting the grain. They pulsed in rhythm with his aura¡ªerratic, unstable, alive with danger.


    His thoughts screamed Inside him, rising into a crescendo of grief and guilt. Everything he had done. Every life he had taken. Every desperate plea he had silenced.


    And just as the storm threatened to overtake him¡ªSnrrk. Rad snored.


    It was soft, comical even¡ªcompletely out of place in the suffocating weight of the moment. But to Ray, it was a lightning strike through the fog.


    His head jolted upward. He stared at the sleeping boy, his expression unreadable. Rad, curled loosely on the bed, arms tucked beneath his head, the faint rise and fall of his chest steady and undisturbed.


    He looked so small like that. So fragile. Completely unaware of the storm that hovered just above him, poised like a blade.


    Ray¡¯s breathing slowed. The fury dimmed¡ªbut only slightly. His grip loosened on the cabinet, the glowing cracks fading like dying stars, leaving only faint, blackened scars scorched into the wood. He hovered slowly Into the air, his mechanical body weightless, quiet, cold.


    I¡¯ve killed so many people¡­ His black cybernetic hand flexed faintly, a dim violet light glowing within the joints. Tore apart entire families¡­


    He drifted closer to the boy, the shadow of his form casting a long, cold stretch across the room. His cybernetic fingers curled, trembling as he reached out.


    Nova. Her voice, her blood, her warmth. Gone.


    Lucio. Eyes wide in disbelief and grief, lightning cracking behind clenched fists.


    Rad. His corpse¡ªburnt, broken, dead. His Roars of anguish replaced by the cold silence of death.


    Elara. Still. Pale. Lifeless in the grass, both her envy and fury silenced as she bled out with the last beat of her heart.


    Mary. The betrayal in her eyes. The touch that still lingered, hauntingly warm.


    ¡°Even when they begged¡­ even when they pleaded for their lives¡­¡± Ray¡¯s whisper cracked as it left him, brittle like ice under weight.


    He hovered now directly above Rad, his black hand outstretched, fingers curled like talons as his palm emitted an ominous hue of violet light¡ªmere inches from the boy¡¯s face. Ray¡¯s whole body trembled, not from weakness, but from something far more terrifying for him¡ªconfliction.


    ¡°So why¡­¡± he muttered, his voice breaking, barely audible beneath the heavy air, Why can¡¯t I kill some kid?! The thought rang through his head like the toll of a bell, over and over, echoing through every shattered corner of his soul.


    His hand shook violently, a sob catching in his throat¡ªa jagged, broken sound that made his frame quake. The boy slept peacefully beneath him, unaware. Unafraid.


    And Ray¡ªthe destroyer, the rogue, the cold-blooded killer¡ªcould only weep in silence, his sobs muffled by distant machinery that couldn¡¯t understand the weight of a soul. Ray hovered there for what felt like an eternity, suspended in that cold, suffocating silence¡ªhis shoulders shaking with each shallow sob that left his chest like static through cracked circuitry.


    The violet glow pulsing within his outstretched hand flickered, spasming like a dying star, until¡ªat last¡ªit dimmed completely, vanishing into the darkness. His arm dropped, slow and heavy, until it hung limply at his side.


    His head followed, bowing low in bitter resignation. His mechanical frame creaked faintly with the movement, joints locking under the weight of everything he had done¡­ and everything he could no longer undo.


    Ray¡¯s breath hitched as a broken whimper slipped through his lips. His face twisted with anguish¡ªhis expression contorted, teeth clenched, eyes squeezed shut. The metallic lines of his jaw trembled as if his robotic form couldn¡¯t contain the raw emotion surging inside.


    He sniffled weakly, barely holding himself together. His artificial body had been built to handle emotions, but not this. Not grief. Not guilt.


    Then, with a long, defeated breath, he tilted his head skyward. His fists curled into trembling knots. And for a brief second¡ªjust one¡ªhe looked like a child again. A fragile boy begging a silent universe for mercy, for meaning.


    Behind him, the air shimmered. A soft pulse rippled outward, warping the fabric of space like a curtain being drawn open. From the very seams of reality, a cosmic portal unfurled¡ªits edges traced in ancient, luminous sigils.


    Starlight spiraled within it, quiet and mournful, like the calm eye of a storm long past. The portal cast a faint, otherworldly glow over the room, painting the walls with shifting colors of galaxies unseen.


    Ray¡¯s eyes fluttered open, no longer glowing, but wide¡ªand empty. What remained in them was not peace, but a tired, bitter calm. The kind only found in surrender. He had nothing left.


    Without a word, without a sound, a wisp of glowing green light lifted from his chest¡ªthe last vestige of his tainted soul. It hovered for a moment, shimmering softly, then drifted backward into the waiting portal.


    The light soon vanished. And so did the portal¡ªclosing in on itself with a whisper, like the final breath of a dying star.


    Ray¡¯s body, now just a hollow vessel of alloy and code, hovered for another heartbeat. Then¡ªclunk.


    The sound was sickening in its finality. His lifeless form collapsed beside Rad¡¯s bed, arms limp, legs crumpled beneath him. The once-bright eyes in his faceplate had gone dark, reduced to vacant glass that reflected nothing. No spark. No purpose. Just silence.


    The room remained still. Rad stirred slightly in his sleep, mumbling something inaudible¡ªoblivious to the fallen machine at his side. And beside the bed, Ray¡¯s broken shell lay motionless, a discarded monument to a soul that had wandered too far into the stars¡­ and chosen, at last, to let go.

 Chapter 56: Legacy of Solhawk

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 Chapter 57: Threads of Another Life

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

 Chapter 58: Two Sides of a Coin Pt.1

    The gentle hum of the skyship drifted through the cabin like a lullaby barely remembered. The first pale fingers of morning crept through the round porthole window, painting the wooden walls in faint swaths of gray and blue. A breeze stirred the edges of old maps on the desk, and the lantern in the corner still glowed dimly, its flame reduced to a trembling ember.


    Rad¡¯s eyes slowly fluttered open. He shifted slightly beneath the soft gray-blue sheets, blinking against the dull haze of sleep as he sat up with a quiet yawn. His arms rose in a lazy stretch, his back arching with a few satisfying cracks. He rubbed the tiredness from his eyes, his fingers brushing against the sleep-matted strands of his brown hair.


    The world was still quiet, still gentle. He let out a soft sigh as his gaze drifted across the curved walls of the cabin.


    ¡°¡­guess I¡¯m the last one up,¡± he mumbled with a faint frown, glancing toward the tall cabinet where Ray had last perched. It was empty now¡ªquiet, undisturbed. ¡°Ray probably went off to eat breakfast with Kite¡­¡±


    Rad exhaled heavily, swinging his legs off the bed. The wooden floor was cool beneath his bare feet as he stood and stretched again, eyes briefly closing in a slow exhale. ¡°Nice of them to leave me behind.¡±


    He chuckled dryly to himself, the sound brittle, but faintly amused. The ship creaked softly beneath him, the lull of high-altitude winds brushing against the hull like ghostly whispers. Rad took a few slow steps forward, moving toward the center of the room.


    And then¡ªhe stopped. His body froze mid-step, one hand still half-lifted from his stretch, suspended in the still air like a broken marionette. His eyes widened. His breath hitched.


    There, in front of the door, sitting in complete silence, was Vel. She sat with her back against the frame, her wings folded in, dulled and ragged like torn silk. Her arms were wrapped tightly around something¡ªno, someone. Ray.


    Ray¡¯s lifeless robotic body lay slumped in her embrace, his head resting limply against her shoulder. His cybernetic eyes were half-open but void of any glow¡ªnothing behind them but silence. His limbs dangled with awful looseness, his black-and-white frame still save for the occasional creak of shifting weight in Vel¡¯s arms.


    Vel said nothing as she slept. She didn¡¯t even look up. Her face was turned down toward Ray, her wild, dark brown hair casting shadows over her face. Her body was curled inward around his frame as if shielding it from a world that no longer deserved to see him.


    Rad¡¯s heart slammed against his ribs. ¡°R-Ray¡­?¡± he whispered, voice cracking, unable to believe what he was seeing. ¡°Vel¡­? W-what¡­?¡±


    The questions died on his lips as Vel¡¯s eyes fluttered open. After a silent moment she slowly turned her head to meet his gaze. Her faintly glowing irises shimmered beneath a veil of exhaustion and sorrow, bloodshot and heavy, yet steady.


    She didn¡¯t look angry. She didn¡¯t look surprised. She looked like someone who had already cried every tear she had and was simply¡­ hollow.


    Vel blinked slowly, her eyes crusted with sleep and sorrow as she stirred groggily. Her voice came out in a soft, groggy hum. ¡°Hm¡­?¡±


    She stretched her arms slightly with a yawn, still cradling Ray¡¯s lifeless body as if he were a fragile porcelain doll. Her wings gave a tired little flick, stirring the dust in the golden morning light.


    Rad¡¯s eye twitched. His heart had only just stopped thundering in his ears¡ªand now it started again, but for entirely different reasons. ¡°How the hell did you even get in here?!¡± Rad shouted hysterically, his voice cracking as he pointed toward her, then at Ray¡¯s limp body in her arms. ¡°And¡ªwhat¡¯d you do with Ray?!¡±


    The cabin door shook lightly from the volume of his outburst, and from outside, curious murmurs could be heard¡ªcrew members pausing, casting glances toward the sealed door as they passed in the hallway.


    Vel blinked at him, her expression completely calm¡ªalmost bored. She raised one brown eyebrow, then turned her tired eyes down to Ray¡¯s unmoving body.


    ¡°I came in through the crack under the door,¡± she said nonchalantly, before pointing lazily to the floor beside Rad¡¯s bed. ¡°And he was just¡­ lying there. So, I picked him up.¡±


    Rad¡¯s face scrunched in disbelief as he looked to the floor, his heartbeat slowing as confusion took over. The spot Vel had gestured to was bare now¡ªsave for a faint indent where something heavy had clearly rested all night.


    He turned back to her, eyes still wide, mind trying to make sense of everything. ¡°Wait¡ªokay, fine. Whatever. Just¡ªhand him over.¡±


    He extended his arms toward her. But Vel pouted immediately. ¡°No.¡±


    Her grip around Ray¡¯s limp form tightened protectively as she looked away with a dramatic huff. ¡°He¡¯s probably cold from sleeping on the floor all night. Poor thing.¡±


    Rad¡¯s brow twitched. ¡°What?¡±


    She pointed a sharp finger at him, eyes narrowing like a parent scolding a child. ¡°You¡¯re selfish. Making a baby sleep on the ground all night.¡±


    Rad opened his mouth in disbelief. ¡°I didn¡¯t make him do anything! He just¡­ I don¡¯t know why he does this stuff!¡±


    Vel scoffed with a sly smirk, her voice smug as she leaned fully into her trickster persona. ¡°Caretakers are supposed to care for their kids, Rad. Or are you just¡­ bad at it?¡±


    That did it. ¡°I¡ªyou¡ªYou¡¯re the one who won¡¯t leave me alone!¡± he snapped, flailing a hand as his frustration boiled over.


    Vel gasped theatrically, placing a hand on her chest as if he¡¯d just insulted her family lineage. ¡°Won¡¯t leave you alone?! After everything I¡¯ve done for you?!¡±


    Rad groaned, face flushed with irritation. ¡°I-I don¡¯t even know you! Just hand over the baby already!¡± He lunged forward with arms outstretched¡ªbut Vel nimbly stepped to the side with an impish giggle. Ray¡¯s limp body swayed in her arms like a stuffed toy.


    ¡°Too slow!¡± she teased, now floating just a few inches off the ground now. Her crimson aura began to bloom around her, soft embers rising from her skin like sparks dancing on the wind.


    Rad blinked in alarm as the soft red glow began to envelop Ray¡¯s lifeless form. ¡°Wait¡ªwait, what are you doing?¡±


    Vel gave a mischievous grin, her eyes flickering with wild delight. ¡°Relax,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯m just making sure he travels light.¡±


    And with a twinkle of her fingers, Ray¡¯s body began to dissolve¡ªflickering with crimson light. The air shimmered as his form split into drifting cinders¡ªtiny glowing fragments that scattered like ash in the wind. Gone.


    ¡°VEL!¡± Rad screamed, lunging again, but it was too late.


    Vel twirled midair, her giggle like wind chimes in a thunderstorm. ¡°If you want him back, you¡¯ll have to catch me!¡±


    Rad¡¯s face contorted in rage. ¡°Damn it, Vel!¡± He launched himself through the air like a missile, teeth gritted, arms stretched out¡ªbut in a flash of red light, Vel shrunk. Her body condensed into a glowing ember no larger than a firefly, darting effortlessly through the air.


    ¡°What¡ª!¡± Rad blurted, missing her completely as he flew past¡ªand crashed headfirst into a nearby table. Wood cracked and papers scattered in all directions as he landed with a heavy groan.


    Vel hovered above in her glowing sprite form, her laughter ringing through the cabin like a bell of pure chaos. ¡°Don¡¯t worry!¡± she sang, wings fluttering in a blur of crimson sparkles. ¡°I¡¯ll take very good care of little Ray!¡±


    Then¡ªwhoosh! She zipped down toward the floor and slipped effortlessly through the crack beneath the door, her voice trailing behind in one last, cackling echo.


    Rad groaned from beneath the broken table, glaring at the door with pure fury. ¡°¡­I really, really hate fairies.¡±


    The hallway outside echoed with a familiar, taunting giggle. A trail of crimson sparkles drifted under the door. Rad¡¯s eyes narrowed in irritation as he scrambled to his feet.


    Kicking aside the splintered remains of the table, and charged out the cabin door just in time to see Vel¡¯s glowing form zipping down the corridor like a living firework. ¡°Vel!¡± he roared, bolting after her.


    She looped midair and laughed as she grinned widely. ¡°Come on, sleepyhead! Let¡¯s stretch those legs!¡±


    With a burst of speed, she zipped back into the interior hallway of the skyship. Rad didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªhe dove through the hatch behind her, caught the railing, and slid down the banister of the spiral staircase.


    ¡°Move, move, move¡ª!¡± Rad yelled as he barreled down the hallway, practically flying off the staircase banister.


    He hit the floor hard, stumbling into a full sprint as he slid past a pair of wide-eyed crew members¡ªa fox chimera carrying a tray of tea and a burly engineer adjusting a steam gauge. The tray clattered to the floor with a crash of porcelain, tea sloshing across the planks.


    ¡°What in the storming skies¡ª?!¡± the engineer shouted, jumping back just in time to avoid being plowed over.


    ¡°Who¡¯s that kid?¡± the fox chimera whispered, her tail puffed up in alarm. ¡°Why¡¯s he yelling like a lunatic?!¡±


    Another deckhand ducked out of a nearby supply closet, only to be nearly knocked over by Rad¡¯s passing blur ¡°Watch it, kid¡ª!¡±


    Rad didn¡¯t stop. ¡°Fairy theft emergency!¡±


    ¡°Fairy what¡ª?!¡±


    One officer turned to the others, pointing. ¡°Is this another magical containment breach? Somebody lock down the kitchen!¡±


    ¡°I just mopped that hallway!¡± cried a janitor chimera, waving a soggy mop in the air as Rad slid through a puddle and nearly took out a stack of folded uniforms.


    All around him, the skyship crew erupted in confused murmurs and startled yells, watching as Rad tore down the corridor like a one-man hurricane, hot on the trail of glowing red embers that floated mockingly through the air.


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    And at the far end of the hall, Vel peeked back around a corner, wiggled her fingers in a playful wave, and zipped away again with a trail of sparkles.


    ¡°VEL!¡± Rad howled, not breaking stride. But he didn¡¯t make it quite far as he slammed directly into a rolling laundry cart, flipping it over with a loud crash, sending a cascading avalanche of bedsheets over his head.


    He tore through them with a snarl, completely wrapped like a mummy. ¡°Ugh¡ªdamn it!¡±


    Vel peeked from behind a hallway beam. ¡°You look cozy! Wanna nap first before continuing?¡±


    Rad ripped the last sheet off and charged, but Vel quickly snapped her fingers.


    The hallway floor shimmered. His foot hit something slick. Whump.


    Rad went down hard, sliding across the now glass-smooth hallway, limbs flailing like a newborn goat on ice as he screamed out. He crashed into a supply closet with a loud bang, knocking open the doors as brooms and mops rained down.


    One mop swung loose from the collapsing pile and smacked Rad square in the face with a wet, meaty WHACK. ¡°Grah¡ª!¡± he staggered back, slipping on a loose broom handle and landing flat on his back with a groan, a mop strand dangling off his nose like a mustache.


    From above, Vel floated lazily past the open closet, her wings giving off a faint hum as they stirred the dust. She peeked down at him, her crimson aura pulsing with delight. ¡°Strike one!¡± she chirped, cackling like a gremlin with front-row seats to a disaster.


    Rad flailed, shoving the mop off his face and coughing as a cloud of lemon-scented dust puffed into his nose. ¡°You are the worst,¡± he wheezed.


    ¡°Correction,¡± Vel said, twirling midair. ¡°I¡¯m the best at being the worst.¡±


    She blew him a kiss of glittering fairy dust and vanished down the hallway with a mischievous chime, leaving Rad buried in cleaning supplies, pride in tatters, and fury boiling in his chest.


    Moments later, Rad¡¯s feet pounded heavily against the wooden floorboards, eyes darting wildly for any trace of red-glowing fairy dust. The air still shimmered faintly from where she had zipped past only seconds ago¡ªember-like sparkles drifting lazily behind her like breadcrumbs.


    ¡°I swear, Vel¡ªif you hurt him¡ª!¡± Rad yelled out as he ran. A high-pitched giggle echoed from somewhere above him.


    Rad skidded to a stop and looked up¡ªonly to see Vel upside down, floating near the ceiling, her iridescent wings fluttering gently, glowing faint crimson. ¡°¡®Hurt him¡¯?¡± she echoed, theatrically offended. ¡°Excuse you, I¡¯m giving him a vacation. You¡¯re the one yelling like a deranged banshee.¡±


    ¡°Vel!¡± Rad lunged upward, swiping at her. She squeaked in delight and shrunk midair, her body compressing into a glowing ember that zipped out of reach and down the corridor. Rad hit the ground with a grunt and scrambled to his feet, heart hammering, legs pumping.


    Vel quickly darted through the air into the galley. Rad followed close being, not even hesitating as he charged thro the swinging double doors. And was then immediately pelted in the face by a flying tomato. ¡°Argh!¡±


    Vel floated above the prep counter, now surrounded by animated cookware. Skillets spun midair, knives hovered ominously, and a ladle wagged at Rad like a scolding finger.


    ¡°Welcome to breakfast service!¡± she declared, arms wide. ¡°Today¡¯s special: seared Rad with a side of humiliation!¡±


    The skillet spun and lunged at him with a sizzling hiss. He ducked. ¡°Are you serious?!¡±


    The chef¡ªan old, stunned-looking chimera goat humanoid¡ªstared in horror as his kitchen became a warzone. ¡°I just cleaned this place!¡± the chef screamed out as he clutched a wooden spoon like it might protect him from the brewing apocalypse. His wide, drooping eyes followed the flying pans, levitating knives, and flurries of fruit with mounting despair.


    Vel spun in midair with her arms outstretched like a ballerina in the eye of the storm. ¡°You did a wonderful job! Honestly, it was spotless. Which made it the perfect blank canvas!¡±


    A saucepan clanged off a nearby rack. The chef¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°You¡¯re using it like a battlefield!¡±


    Vel hovered down just enough to lean on the rim of a floating pot, chin in her hands. ¡°Aw, c¡¯mon, gramps. Think of it as¡­ performance art! I¡¯m expressing chaos through cuisine.¡±


    ¡°That is a rolling pin!¡± the chef screamed as it flew past his head and embedded itself in a hanging rack with a metallic thunk.


    Rad sighed in exasperation before dodging a flying spoon, ducking under a floating pot, then finally kicking off a rolling prep cart and vaulted across the room toward Vel. This time, his fingers grazed her ankle.


    Her eyes widened. ¡°Uh-oh.¡± Rad grabbed on. Vel yelped and shrunk instantly, slipping through his fingers like smoke.


    ¡°You cheater!¡± Rad cried, landing flat on the ground as another tomato splatted beside his head.


    ¡°Fairy,¡± she corrected sweetly. ¡°Learn the difference!¡± She called out as she flew off at high speed.


    Rad grimaced as he quickly scrambled to his feet and bolted after her, leaving the goat chef behind to clean up the mess as he wiped his tears.


    Vel led Rad out of the crew hallway and up a spiral ladder toward the upper deck. Rad barely caught the shimmer of her fairy dust trail as she shot through a gap in the rigging overhead. Gritting his teeth, he followed¡ªvaulting onto a crate, climbing the mast with a wild scramble.


    The morning wind bit at his skin, cold and sharp as he emerged onto the open rigging of the skyship. The clouds around them were thick, sun just breaking over the horizon, casting long shadows across the sails and ropes.


    Vel zipped between sail lines with ease, her laughter drifting in the wind. ¡°Careful now! One wrong step and you¡¯re part of the skyline, Rad!¡±


    Rad grunted, scaling the netting like a boy possessed. ¡°You¡¯re dead when I catch you!¡±


    ¡°Ohhh, scary,¡± Vel mocked with an exaggerated shiver, her voice dripping with playful contempt. She twirled midair like a dancer in slow motion, trailing a spiral of glowing crimson embers behind her.


    With a sudden flare of light, she expanded to her full size again, just long enough to lean dramatically toward Rad with a devilish grin and blow him a kiss.


    A shimmering, heart-shaped spark of magic floated through the air¡ªsoft, glowing red, and pulsing with mischievous warmth.


    Rad¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Yuck.¡± He recoiled instinctively and swatted it out of the air with the back of his hand. The conjured kiss popped like a soap bubble, releasing a tiny spray of glitter that clung to his sleeve and refused to let go.


    ¡°Ugh,¡± he muttered, flicking his arm and trying to shake it off as Vel giggled and zipped out of view, disappearing behind the mast in a blur of light.


    Rad crept across the spar, knees bent, arms stretched out for balance as the wind tugged at his clothes and the rigging swayed beneath his feet. ¡°I swear if I don¡¯t pass this school project¡­¡± Rad whispered to himself, swallowing his nerves and inching forward with shaky determination, his eyes locked on the crimson afterglow lingering ahead.


    Meanwhile, crew members and guests on the main deck had begun to take notice of the unfolding chaos overhead. It started with a few upward glances, puzzled looks shared between workers hauling crates or coiling ropes. Then someone pointed.


    ¡°Is that a kid up there?¡± a young guest asked, shielding her eyes from the sun as she spotted Rad creeping across a swaying spar beam far above.


    ¡°How¡¯d he climb up so high?¡± muttered a chimera crewmate, squinting up through the rigging, one hand on a coil of rope. ¡°That¡¯s not regulation.¡±


    A loud giggle echoed from somewhere above them, followed by a burst of crimson light. More heads turned. Murmurs spread. ¡°Wait¡ªwhat the hell is that thing?¡± asked a deckhand, jerking his thumb toward the glimmering red trail swirling around the mast.


    ¡°Some kinda spirit?¡± another said. ¡°Or a malfunctioning sprite?¡±


    Rad, wobbled on the spar and kept inching forward. ¡°Wanna bet he falls?¡± said a gruff sailor near the helm, nudging the man beside him with a lazy grin.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± the other replied, already pulling out a handful of coins. ¡°Two sol drakes say he eats it in under a minute.¡±


    A well-dressed guest in a monocle gasped dramatically. ¡°Is that the boy from the lower cabins?! Someone fetch an officer!¡±


    A third crewmember just sipped their coffee with a knowing look. ¡°That fairy¡¯s back again, isn¡¯t she?¡±


    By now, a small crowd had gathered, heads tilted skyward, watching as Rad crawled along the mast beam like an angry cat chasing a laser pointer made of pure spite.


    Suddenly, a burst of red light erupted behind the mainsail¡ªand a series of sail lines snapped loose. One whipped toward Rad like a whip as he wobbled. ¡°Wha¨Cgah!¡±


    He ducked instinctively, barely avoiding a lash as Vel¡¯s giggle rang out again. ¡°Oops! Did I forget how physics work? My bad!¡±


    Rad growled, eyes locked on the next beam as the wind whipped through his hair. With a burst of adrenaline, he leapt, boots thudding against the wooden spar as he launched himself forward. He snatched a swinging rope mid-air¡ªits fibers rough and fraying beneath his fingers¡ªand used the momentum to hurl himself across the open gap like a pendulum in freefall.


    The world blurred around him. For a split second, he was soaring over the crew¡¯s wide-eyed stares and the distant hum of the propellers.


    Then¡ªwhump! He slammed into the side netting of the main mast, the thick rope mesh catching him with a bone-jarring bounce. His knees buckled, slamming into the net, and he let out a sharp breath as the impact knocked the wind out of him.


    Rad gritted his teeth, clinging tight, fingers digging into the ropes as they swayed beneath his weight. His chest heaved. The wind roared in his ears, but his voice still cut through it. ¡°You can¡¯t hide forever, Vel!¡±


    There was a beat of silence¡ªthen a familiar, smug voice rang out from somewhere above, laced with infuriating delight. ¡°Hide? I¡¯m literally glowing!¡± she sang, her words echoing off the sails with pure mischief.


    A flicker of red light zipped past the corner of his vision, barely visible through the crisscrossing ropes and wooden beams. Her laughter followed, dancing on the wind like music from a trickster god. Rad¡¯s jaw clenched as he started to climb again, fire burning in his legs and fury smoldering in his chest.


    The chase finally burst into the highest floor of the skyship¡ªthe Observation Deck. It was a massive, dome-roofed space once used for navigation and stargazing. Dust floated in shafts of golden morning light. The roof had partially collapsed, leaving beams open to the sky. Old star maps and telescopes were scattered across the floor.


    Suddenly, with a soft whoosh and a pulse of red light, Vel reappeared midair, hovering in the broken space beneath the shattered dome of the observation deck. Her wings unfurled in slow, steady beats, holding her effortlessly aloft as if the very air bent to her presence.


    She had returned to her full size¡ªno longer a flitting ember, but a girl once more, radiant with an unsettling stillness. And in her arms, she cradled something delicately, as if afraid the world might break it with a single glance.


    Ray. His small robotic frame lay limp against her chest, head resting beneath her chin, arms dangling slightly over her forearm. His cybernetic body had changed¡ªsubtly, disturbingly. The once-clean divide between black and white plating was now tinged with soft iridescence, like a pearl cracked by flame, glowing faintly with traces of Vel¡¯s crimson aura.


    His eyes¡ªonce glowing with bright green and violet light¡ªwere now dimmed, flickering faintly with a crimson hue as if caught between sleep and awakening. Vel¡¯s expression was strangely unreadable. Not smug. Not mischievous. Just¡­ solemn.


    She looked down at Ray for a moment, brushing a bit of dust from his shoulder. Then she slowly raised her gaze, locking eyes with Rad as he stumbled through the observatory doorway.


    Rad froze. ¡°What did you do¡­?¡±


    Vel remained unreadable as she hovered. ¡°Relax. I fixed him.¡± She stated nonchalantly, her trickster persona beginning to fade away.


    ¡°He¡¯s glowing red.¡±


    ¡°Details!¡±


    Rad hesitantly stepped forward, voice trembling. ¡°Vel¡­ give him back.¡± He slowly reached out a shaking hand. ¡°Please.¡±


    She tilted her head, her voice quieter now¡ªlow and steady, almost too calm. ¡°You still don¡¯t get it, do you? He¡¯s safer with me. You¡­ you just complain. You push him away. You don¡¯t even try to understand him.¡±


    Her eyes didn¡¯t shine with mockery anymore. They shimmered with something far heavier¡ªregret, maybe. Bitterness. A sadness that clung to the edges of her words like soot.


    Rad¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°I do!¡± he snapped, his fists trembling at his sides. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­¡± He hesitated.


    The heat in his chest gave way to something colder¡ªlike a slow, creeping awareness. The air around them, thick with wind and magic, seemed to still for just a moment as a thought cut through the noise like a blade.


    ¡°I¡¯m just¡­¡± he whispered again¡ªthen stopped. His eyes widened.


    ¡°Wait a minute¡­¡± he breathed, stepping forward. ¡°You¡¯re not talking about Ray, are you?¡±


    His voice rose with realization, frustration twisting his features. ¡°You¡¯re just talking about yourself!¡±


    That made Vel freeze. Just for a second. Her wings twitched. Her lips parted as if to say something¡ªbut nothing came. Her expression faltered. For the first time since the chase began, the mask fully cracked.


    And then, like a door slamming shut, it was gone. Her face twisted back into a smirk, now cruel, sharp¡ªand venomous.


    ¡°Not at all, tubby,¡± she snapped. And with that, she turned¡ªher arms lifting. Without ceremony, without warning, she tossed Ray¡¯s limp body over the edge of the deck like he was nothing but dead weight.


    ¡°NO!¡± Rad cried, his voice breaking as his world split open. He dove immediately.


    He didn¡¯t think. He didn¡¯t hesitate. He threw himself forward with everything he had, lungs burning, legs coiling like springs.


    His fingers brushed cold metal¡ªand then gripped. He wrapped both arms around Ray¡¯s body and clutched him tight just as the two of them sailed over the rail, the deck falling away behind them.


    The wind screamed. The sky yawned wide.


    Rad and Ray plunged together into the vast emptiness, spiraling toward the endless ocean below, swallowed by clouds and gravity and silence. Vel stood there, frozen, staring after them.


    Her cocky posture deflated slightly. Her wings lowered, her fingers curled unconsciously at her sides.


    She took a slow step toward the edge, peering down through the broken mist trailing from the ship¡¯s wake. ¡°¡­Damn,¡± she whispered to herself, voice barely audible. ¡°He actually jumped.¡± The wind blew gently past her, carrying away the last of her embers.

 Chapter 58.5: Two Sides of a Coin Pt.2

    Rad¡¯s breath came slow, steady. Shallow. His eyes fluttered open, eyelashes damp, lids heavy with exhaustion. A soft glow painted his vision in hues of blood red and silver. He squinted, blinking against the surreal haze as the world gradually came into focus.


    Above him, the twin suns hung in the sky, low and distant, peeking through a sea of endless cloud cover. One sun burned pale gold¡ªcool and mellow¡ªwhile the other was a deeper orange, like a slowly dying ember. Together, they cast a muted, dreamlike light across the sky, diffused through layers of drifting grey and red clouds that swirled with unnatural beauty.


    Rad lay still for a moment, dazed, his thoughts slow and scattered. Then he felt it. Weight.


    He looked down¡ªand his heart stilled. Ray¡¯s lifeless robotic body rested on his chest, his limbs still limp, his head tilted slightly to one side. His once-vibrant cybernetic eyes were dim, flickering faintly every few seconds like crimson dying stars. His metal shell, once pristine and starkly divided, now glowed faintly with crimson veins, delicate like cracks in old porcelain.


    Rad¡¯s expression softened, the shock fading into a quiet ache in his chest. ¡°¡­Ray,¡± he whispered.


    He reached up, brushing a hand lightly over the boy¡¯s shoulder, as if afraid to disturb him. What happened after the fall? Is Ray really gone? Rad thought to himself in silence.


    Rad slowly turned his head and finally noticed the surface beneath him¡ªsoft, warm, strangely solid yet impossibly light. He blinked in confusion.


    He was laying on a massive cloud¡ªbut not a normal one. It stretched for miles in all directions, wide and slow-moving, made of crimson vapor that gently pulsed with faint magical energy.


    The half beneath his right side was dark crimson, deep and rich, like aged wine or dried blood. The left half was light crimson, airy and soft, like a rose petal under sunlight.


    Rad furrowed his brow in wonder. He slowly lifted one hand and scooped a piece of the cloud into his palm.


    It floated there, weightless, cool like mist yet solid like silk. It shimmered faintly between his fingers, bleeding tiny red particles into the air. ¡°¡­It¡¯s like cotton candy from a dream,¡± he murmured.


    But then¡ªslowly, softly¡ªthe piece of cloud began to dissolve, pulled away by the breeze. The threads unraveled in his hand, turning into glittering crimson dust that drifted upward like fireflies returning to the sky.


    He watched in silence as the last speck disappeared into the clouds above. Then¡­ ¡°Finally awake, huh?¡±


    The voice came soft and quiet, just beside him. Rad¡¯s eyes widened slightly. He turned his head to the left¡ªand saw her, Vel.


    She lay there beside him on the lighter half of the cloud, her body still, her gaze cast upward. Her usual chaotic spark was gone. The laughter, the taunts, the fire¡ªall replaced by a quiet, fragile stillness.


    Her freckled cheeks were stained with dry, silvery tear tracks, and her wild hair was damp, clinging to her skin as light rain fell from the clouds above. Her crimson aura was gone, faded completely, as if extinguished by sorrow.


    She didn¡¯t look at him. ¡°Almost didn¡¯t catch you in time,¡± she said quietly, as though the words were slipping from her lips unbidden.


    Rad opened his mouth, struggling for something to say. The sight of her like this¡ªso still, so quiet¡ªwas wrong. Jarring. It made his throat tighten.


    ¡°V-Vel?¡± he finally managed, voice cracking. ¡°What¡­ what is this? What happened?¡±


    Vel didn¡¯t answer. Not right away.


    The two of them lay there, side by side in silence, the only sound the soft rhythm of magical rain pattering gently against their skin. It soaked into their clothes, their hair, their hearts. The droplets shimmered faintly, tinged with unseen enchantments, carrying emotions they couldn¡¯t name.


    Then¡ªVel stirred. Her eyes, still fixed on the sky, narrowed just a little.


    Up above them, far beyond the drifting cloud they lay on, a parade of magical creatures danced through the misty heavens. They came in groups¡ªpairs, trios¡ªmoving in fluid, graceful arcs through the twin sun¡¯s glow like painted brushstrokes on a living canvas.


    A pair of translucent skywhales, each trailing flowing strands of golden light from their fins, moved in perfect synchrony, their bodies curving as if swimming through a celestial ocean.


    A trio of ember-winged phoenix deer, with antlers made of stardust and feathers that shimmered between red, gold, and indigo, galloped across the air like windborne fire. Small flocks of glowfin doves, with luminous fins instead of wings, flickered in and out of visibility as they phased gently through cloud layers, cooing in harmony.


    And farther off, barely visible, a group of driftwood serpents¡ªlong, sinuous beings of vine and smoke¡ªcoiled slowly through the skies, their glowing eyes soft and ancient. They all moved together in quiet peace. Graceful. Unified. Unaware.


    Blissfully unaware of the two broken-hearted kids lying far below them on a lonely crimson cloud. Vel¡¯s eyes tracked the creatures but never truly saw them.


    She blinked slowly. Her voice, when it returned, was small and tired.


    ¡°¡­they all have someone,¡± she whispered. ¡°Even up there.¡±


    Rad didn¡¯t know what to say. So he said nothing at first.


    A heavy silence lingered between the two children as the magical rain continued to fall, soaking into the crimson cloud beneath them. The gentle pattering of droplets filled the void between their words, whispering secrets neither of them wanted to speak aloud.


    Rad swallowed. His eyes flicked to the side, toward the strange creatures gliding through the sky, then back down to the lifeless weight of Ray resting against his chest. Then, quietly¡ªhesitantly¡ªhe broke the silence. ¡°¡­What do you mean?¡± he asked, voice barely more than a breath.


    Vel didn¡¯t answer at first. Her eyes remained skyward, her expression still carved from silence and stone. But when she finally spoke, her voice had sharpened¡ªnot cruel, but colder. Sadder. Raw.


    ¡°You know what I mean, Rad.¡± Her gaze drifted from the clouds above and landed squarely on him. The rain clung to her lashes, streaking fresh trails down already-stained cheeks.


    Her voice grew softer again, but her words landed like hammer-blows. ¡°You and me¡­ we¡¯re the same.¡±


    Rad¡¯s brow furrowed. The words struck something inside him¡ªa fragile place he kept walled off behind jokes, grumbling, and bitter sarcasm. His throat tightened. He met her eyes¡ªand instantly regretted it.


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


    Vel stared into him. Really stared. Her eyes weren¡¯t glowing, weren¡¯t lit by aura or fire or magic¡ªthey were just human. Sad. Knowing. Clear.


    It was like she could see past his skin, through his mask, into every aching corner of his soul. Rad¡¯s breath caught. He quickly turned away, gaze darting down at Ray instead. ¡°You don¡¯t know anything about me,¡± he muttered defensively.


    Vel didn¡¯t look away. She didn¡¯t flinch.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have to,¡± she said calmly. ¡°I can feel it. In your soul.¡± She turned her eyes back to the sky, watching the families of magical creatures drift above them like memories that had never belonged to either of them.


    ¡°You yearn for love,¡± she said quietly. ¡°Just like I do.¡±


    Rad¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°I¡¯m not into romance,¡± he said stiffly, waving a hand as if to physically push the notion away.


    But his voice cracked a little¡ªjust enough. He glanced down at Ray again, his eyes clouding. His vision becoming watery. ¡°¡­Could care less about anyone anyway,¡± he muttered, half-hearted, hollow.


    Vel didn¡¯t react at first. Then¡ªsoftly, with quiet conviction¡ªshe said: ¡°Not romance¡­ connection.¡±


    Rad¡¯s eyes widened, just barely. Vel raised her hand and pointed to the sky. Her voice trembled, not from weakness, but from truth¡ªa truth she had carried alone for too long.


    ¡°All my life¡­ I¡¯ve been alone,¡± she said. ¡°No parents. No siblings. No friends. Just me. Just¡­ Vel, the weird fairy girl who talks too much and makes things explode.¡±


    A bitter smile tugged at her lips, but it didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°No matter how hard I tried¡­ no matter how bright I shined or how many jokes I told, I was always¡­¡± Her voice cracked slightly. ¡°¡­seen, but never wanted. Always around¡ªbut never invited.¡±


    She closed her eyes. Her fingers curled into the cloud beneath her as her shoulders trembled faintly under the rainfall.


    ¡°People would laugh when I made them laugh,¡± she whispered, ¡°but when they were done, they¡¯d always leave. Like I was some¡­ spark that fizzled out.¡±


    Rad didn¡¯t speak. He couldn¡¯t. His face remained stoic, lips pressed into a tight line¡ªbut his eyes¡­ his eyes softened.


    Just slightly. Because as Vel spoke, memories began to rise like ghosts from the back of his mind. Memories he never invited, but which haunted him just the same.


    He saw himself, small and bruised, curled in the corner of his bedroom as his own mother screamed through the walls like a feral animal¡ªher voice broken, slurred, and furious. The ache in his ribs. The sting across his cheek. The echo of shattered glass.


    The silence afterward, louder than the shouting. His fingers trembled. Then came another memory¡ªone colder, but no less sharp.


    Kite¡¯s laugh, ringing through the crumbling streets of the undercity outside the school. Ava beside him, both of them radiant and unaware as they walked.


    Rad, standing by the ancient cracked stairs outside the school¡¯s doors, watching them from the shadows as they walked off¡ªjoking, smiling, their voices drifting like the creatures above them now.


    ¡°I¡¯m just a hero for the socially inept everywhere!¡± Kite had laughed, beaming with that wide grin that used to always make Rad¡¯s chest twist. And still¡­ they had never noticed him standing there. Just like all the others never noticed.


    Another memory rose¡ªa hundred small moments stitched into one. Lunchtime. Rad sitting alone with his tray, eyes fixed on his food, ears full of laughter that never belonged to him. All around him, kids grouped in pairs and circles¡ªtalking, playing, connecting.


    And him? Just watching. Just¡­ existing.


    Always on the edge of things¡ªa shadow at the edge of every circle, a silent witness to joy that never quite reached him. His lunch tray almost always untouched for too long, his longing eyes flicking from table to table, never settling, never invited.


    Always with a scowl on his face¡ªa mask he¡¯d learned to wear like armor. One that kept people away before they could decide he wasn¡¯t worth the trouble.


    And beneath that scowl, buried deep and quiet, was a painful, breath-stealing longing¡ªlike a weight pressed against his ribs. A quiet ache that grew louder the more he watched others laugh, hug, belong.


    It was the kind of hurt that didn¡¯t bruise the skin but bruised the soul, leaving a hollow behind that no amount of pretending could fill. He¡¯d tell himself he didn¡¯t care.


    That he was better off alone. That they didn¡¯t matter.


    But deep down? He would¡¯ve given anything for someone to sit beside him. To see him. To choose him. Even just once.


    Vel¡¯s voice cut gently through the storm of Rad¡¯s thoughts, quiet and steady like a thread pulled across glass. ¡°That¡¯s how I know you¡¯re afraid¡­¡±


    She trailed off, her gaze drifting back up to the creatures in the sky, her eyes distant, almost shimmering as they reflected the movement of wings and glowing trails above. Rad turned toward her slowly, his chest rising and falling with shallow breaths, heart pounding from a place far deeper than adrenaline.


    Vel continued, her voice barely above the hush of the magical rain. ¡°Afraid of getting hurt. Of being abandoned.¡±


    The words fell like raindrops across a wound Rad had tried to keep stitched shut for years. His breath caught.


    Just for a second. A hitch, barely audible, but real.


    He turned his head away, eyes narrowing¡ªbut not in anger. In defense. In vulnerability. Like a boy trying not to break in front of someone who might actually care.


    They lay in silence for a long moment. The cloud beneath them gently pulsed with their breathing, rising and sinking like a shared heartbeat. Rad¡¯s lips trembled. He blinked up at the sky, the tears pooling at the edges of his eyes threatening to spill. His throat tightened. His chest ached.


    He let out a shaky breath¡ªthen finally spoke. ¡°¡­You¡¯re right,¡± he whispered, voice raw and small.


    His eyes traced the sky again¡ªthe families of phoenix-deer, the skywhales, the glowing doves. All flying close. All together.


    ¡°I am afraid,¡± he said. He swallowed hard, his voice trembling. ¡°All my life, I¡¯ve been on my own. I had no one but myself. And a mom who¡­¡± He paused, closing his eyes for a second. ¡°Who cursed me just for being born.¡±


    He thought of Kite¡ªhis easy smile, his laugh, the way he could win people over without trying. He thought of Kite¡¯s parents, how they hugged him, cooked for him, loved him without conditions.


    Rad¡¯s voice softened. ¡°Until recently¡­ I didn¡¯t know what it felt like to be seen. To be treated like I¡­ mattered.¡±


    He turned his head toward Vel again, slowly. Their eyes met.


    No masks. No biting words. Just truth, shared between two souls who had carried far too much alone. ¡°¡­We are the same,¡± he said quietly.


    Vel¡¯s breath hitched. Her eyes widened, shimmered with something caught between heartbreak and hope.


    Rad¡¯s expression softened further. He broke their gaze only to look back at the sky.


    ¡°But I¡¯m not ready for all that fate stuff,¡± he admitted, his voice smaller now. ¡°The world may want me to be something¡­ big. Some kind of chosen hero or whatever.¡±


    He sighed. ¡°But right now¡­ I just wanna be a kid.¡±


    Vel¡¯s heart sank at those words. She sat up slightly, eyes searching his expression.


    ¡°But why¡­?¡± she asked, her voice almost breaking. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to matter? Don¡¯t you want your life to have purpose?¡±


    Rad didn¡¯t respond at first. His eyes lingered on the sky¡ªon those peaceful creatures still drifting above, still flying in pairs and flocks, as if untouched by the storms below.


    And then, finally, he nodded. ¡°¡­Yeah,¡± he said quietly. ¡°I used to think that was all that mattered. That if I didn¡¯t have a purpose, I didn¡¯t have a reason to exist.¡±


    He looked down at Ray, still unmoving in his arms. His voice cracked again¡ªbut this time, there was no shame in it. ¡°But now¡­ I think there¡¯s more to life than that.¡±


    Slowly, carefully, Rad shifted and rose to his feet. The cloud dipped beneath him as he stood, its soft, warm mass giving slightly under his weight. Ray¡¯s small body remained cradled gently in his arms, like something too precious to let go of.


    He looked at Vel once more. She met his gaze.


    Her eyes weren¡¯t demanding anymore. Just hopeful. Pleading, quietly.


    Rad¡¯s face relaxed into something rare¡ªa calm, genuine smile, not forced, not sarcastic. He extended one hand toward her.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just be friends,¡± he said softly. ¡°No fate stuff.¡±


    Vel stared at his hand for a long moment, unmoving. The rain fell gently against her cheeks again as she blinked, and a small, quiet sniffle escaped her. Her gaze dropped to the crimson cloud below her, watching the faint glow pulse beneath her fingers.


    Then¡ªslowly, tentatively¡ªshe raised her hand into the air. Rad¡¯s smile didn¡¯t falter. He gently reached forward and grasped her wrist, helping her to her feet.


    The cloud shifted again as they stood together. For the first time, they were not at odds. Not chasing, not running. Just¡­ standing. Together.


    Vel wiped her cheeks with her forearm, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°¡­I¡¯ll convince you one day,¡± she said, her smile faint but real. ¡°You¡¯ll take my hand eventually.¡±


    Rad paused¡ªthen gave a quiet chuckle, looking down at Ray¡¯s still face before glancing back up at her. ¡°Just¡ªno more kidnapping babies, please. I¡¯ve got a school project.¡±


    Vel laughed weakly at that, and a small smile crept onto her lips. She looked at him sideways, water still beading on her eyelashes. ¡°No promises.¡±


    They stood in silence, but it wasn¡¯t empty anymore. It wasn¡¯t lonely.


    And for the first time in a long time¡ªthey both felt seen. Above them, the magical creatures soared through the clouds in their quiet, beautiful families. Below them, the crimson cloud drifted on¡ªtwo souls atop it, carrying the beginning of something new.


    A bond, fragile but real. A spark of connection in a world that had so often ignored them both.


    And for now¡­ that was enough.

 Chapter 59: Cracked Glass and Lightning Eyes

    In a quiet corner of the skyship, far removed from the laughter, chaos, and drifting embers that trailed behind Rad and Vel¡¯s wild chase, Bastion sat slumped in a weathered leather chair. The room was dimly lit¡ªa soft amber glow from a hanging crystal lamp cast shifting shadows across the wooden walls, flickering with the rhythm of the ship¡¯s gentle sway.


    Dust particles danced in the light like lazy fireflies, catching on the edges of well-worn maps and old nautical charts pinned across the walls. Faint echoes of clattering footsteps and raised voices filtered in from the hallway, but here, everything felt heavier. Slower. Still.


    Bastion had one forearm draped across his tired eyes, shielding them from the flickering lamp. His other hand hung limply at his side, fingers twitching slightly¡ªperhaps from exhaustion, or some dream still clawing at the edge of his thoughts.


    Around him, the room breathed history. The walls were lined with magical moving pictures, each one alive with flickering motion and stilled laughter trapped in looping moments.


    Most were clustered in messy frames¡ªsome crooked, some nailed directly into the wood. They glowed faintly, enchanted to shimmer with time.


    A small group of the older photos shimmered with a frostbitten blue hue¡ªmemories from the time of the Eternal Winter. In one, a younger Bastion, cheeks flushed pink with cold, stood triumphantly beside a bundled-up Felix, goggles frosted, grinning from ear to ear. Liora, in a thick, fur-lined cloak, stood between them, mid-laugh as a snowball flew past her head.


    Another photo showed the three huddled around a small fire inside the hull of a ruined ship, steam rising from mugs in their hands. Felix¡¯s gloves were too big, Liora¡¯s hair frizzed with static, and Bastion¡¯s smile was quiet but real.


    Then came the newer pictures¡ªmore vibrant, warmer. No more icy hues. The skies above their heads were now painted in dawn light.


    In one frame, Bastion held a sky-serpent feather like a trophy while Liora made a face behind him, and Felix photobombed the shot with exaggerated finger guns. In another, they sat on the ship¡¯s deck at sunset, eating together, legs dangling over the edge, the clouds beneath them glowing gold.


    But among those clustered memories were a few older, more fragile photographs. These were different. They didn¡¯t move.


    One showed a much younger Bastion, no older than nine, with tousled hair and a smudge on his cheek, perched on the shoulder of Captain Vareth Drassos, his father. Vareth¡¯s dark blue scales shimmered subtly even in stillness, his arm around a smiling woman¡ªBastion¡¯s mother, her dark curly hair catching the sunlight, eyes full of mischief.


    Another photo¡ªcreased and worn at the edges¡ªwas of just her, laughing with her eyes closed. That one was the oldest. It was cracked down the middle. She had disappeared not long after it was taken.


    Bastion¡¯s fingers curled slightly at his side. The voices outside grew louder.


    ¡°I told you we should¡¯ve chained that galley door shut¡ªdid you see what she did to the cutlery?¡±


    ¡°Who is that kid anyway?¡±


    ¡°No clue. But that fairy nearly took off my ear with a flying skillet.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got reports of magical interference, broken rigging, and someone said the observation deck roof might be cracked¡ªagain.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll need to file a Class-Three Hull Violation if this keeps up¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­someone better find the captain¡­¡±


    Bastion lowered his arm slightly, exhaling through his nose. His eyes, bleary and golden, blinked toward the door. Still he said nothing.


    Across the room, Liora stood with her back to the wall, silent but thrumming with energy like a storm waiting to break. She held her black double-edged spear upright at her side, the tip brushing lightly against the floor with each subtle shift of her weight.


    Her foot tapped rhythmically, an outlet for the electric tension coursing through her lean frame. The base of her spear pulsed softly with lightning, the faint white glow crawling up the shaft like veins of energy barely held in check.


    Her eyes¡ªstorm-bright and restless¡ªflicked toward the door, then to Bastion, then back again. ¡°I can¡¯t believe we¡¯re just waiting here,¡± she finally muttered, the irritation bubbling just beneath her voice.


    Bastion didn¡¯t answer. Outside, another shout echoed. ¡°She turned the laundry cart into a projectile! I nearly lost an eye to a flying boot!¡± Liora sighed, the sound sharp.


    The room crackled faintly around her. Bastion finally shifted, dragging a hand down his face. Bastion¡¯s gaze drifted to a photo near his bed. One where Liora was laughing and Felix was mid-backflip. He stared at it for a long time.


    His voice, when it came, was low. Hoarse. Tired.


    Bastion¡¯s weary eyes lifted from the faded photograph as he shifted in his creaking chair. The muted glow of the lantern cast long, wavering shadows across the cramped cabin, where memories danced in enchanted frames along the walls.


    Bastion sat motionless for a moment longer, the low hum of the skyship vibrating beneath the floorboards, the dim golden light of the cabin washing over the room like the final hour of a sunset.


    He cleared his throat, the sound rough from disuse, and asked quietly, ¡°Liora¡­ what did you see last night?¡± Liora didn¡¯t answer right away.


    Her foot stopped tapping. The soft hum of the spear in her hand dulled to a faint throb as the storm in her eyes dimmed for just a moment. Her jaw clenched slightly. She glanced toward the floor¡ªthen back to Bastion.


    ¡°¡­In the workshop,¡± she began, her voice steady but low, ¡°I saw Kite.¡± That name made Bastion finally lift his head.


    Liora¡¯s expression darkened. She pushed off the wall with her shoulder and stepped forward, her grip tightening around the spear¡¯s shaft.


    ¡°He waited till Felix was fast asleep and¡­ stole the workshop key from him. I watched him fiddle with it like it was some kind of secret treasure.¡± Her voice trembled slightly with a mix of irritation and apprehension.


    Bastion¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°I didn¡¯t stop him,¡± Liora admitted, her tone clipped, frustrated. ¡°I stalked him instead from the shadows. I thought maybe he was just poking around. But he wasn¡¯t.¡± She narrowed her eyes. ¡°He had a plan.¡±


    Bastion¡¯s jaw tightened further as he absorbed her words. ¡°And¡­?¡± he prompted.


    A faint, bitter smile ghosted across Liora¡¯s lips. ¡°He wasn¡¯t done, either. The two of them¡ªKite and Felix¡ªthey¡¯d been tinkering together. Not exactly on something ordinary, mind you. They built some kind of weird dog machine. It clattered and whirred like it had a mind of its own.¡±


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    Bastion sighed, a heavy, knowing sound that spoke of long-held frustrations. ¡°Felix is too naive and trusting for his own good,¡± he murmured, the weight of disappointment heavy in his voice.


    Liora scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. ¡°Oh, absolutely. Felix is only smart when it comes to technology¡ªand that¡¯s it. He¡¯s as dumb as a quargling dribble!¡± She spat the name out with disdain, the sound echoing in the dim room as if it carried a hidden truth.


    Bastion exhaled sharply through his nose, a half-smirk breaking through his gloom. Yet as he did, Liora¡¯s expression shifted once more.


    Her eyes darkened with a seriousness that silenced even the low hum of the magical pictures around them. ¡°I also watched Kite,¡± she said, her voice dropping to an almost conspiratorial whisper, ¡°talking to himself after Felix had fallen asleep. He had a full-on conversation with people who weren¡¯t even there.¡±


    Bastion¡¯s eyes widened slightly. ¡°You mean¡­ he was speaking to¡­ phantoms?¡± he asked, his tone laced with disbelief.


    Liora¡¯s gaze hardened as she nodded, and her voice grew tense. ¡°I think that kid is either completely mad or¡ªfar more dangerous than he lets on.


    Bastion¡¯s stomach tightened. The dim cabin suddenly felt smaller. Colder.


    Liora pushed herself off the wall, pacing the small space with restless energy. ¡°When I first saw that boy in the dining hall¡­ when had we first locked eyes¡­ I thought I¡¯d seen a scared little boy. Fragile. Lost.¡±


    She shook her head. ¡°But that¡¯s not what I really saw.¡±


    Bastion raised an eyebrow, slowly. ¡°¡­What did you see?¡±


    Liora turned to face him fully, her gaze intense. The room crackled faintly around her once more as the storm in her soul stirred.


    ¡°I¡¯ve spent my whole life hunting,¡± she said. ¡°In the peaks. In the wilds. I¡¯ve killed prey¡ªlots of it. Prey that always had the same look in its eyes. That empty, helpless stare. Like it knows it can¡¯t fight back.¡±


    She stepped forward, slow and deliberate, her storm-marked arms tense. ¡°But when I looked into his eyes¡­¡±


    She stopped just short of Bastion¡¯s chair. Her eyes burning with a cold fire as the air grew heavy.


    ¡°¡­I saw a predator.¡± Her voice was quiet, but it struck like lightning. ¡°Not a scared kid. Not prey. I saw someone studying me. Watching. Calculating. Like I was his target.¡±


    A heavy silence fell over the room, as if the very air had thickened with the weight of her revelation. Bastion lowered his gaze, clasping his calloused hands together in deep thought. The distant, ghostly echo of that robed woman¡¯s words¡ª¡°That being is dangerous, it needs to be dealt with immediately.¡±¡ªseemed to reverberate around them, stirring the shadows and memories in equal measure.


    The moving pictures on the walls flickered softly, scenes of laughter and firelight and snowfall dancing silently behind them. The storm outside the cabin door raged on, but inside¡ªa deeper storm had begun to form.


    And Bastion could feel it in his bones. Kite was not who he seemed. And the question that now sat between them¡ªunspoken, but real¡ªwas what exactly he truly was.


    In that silence, amidst the flickering images of past winters and sunlit days, both Bastion and Liora began to understand that the calm before the storm was nearing its end¡ªand that the danger Kite represented was more than just a childish mischief. It was a harbinger of a reckoning that neither of them could afford to ignore.


    Bastion slowly lifted his gaze¡ªnot toward Liora, but to the far wall of his cabin. His eyes settled on a still, cracked photograph.


    One of the few that didn¡¯t shimmer with motion. The image was faded with time, the edges browned, but the memory it held burned clear in his mind.


    In the photo, a much younger Bastion sat proudly on his father¡¯s shoulder, his cheeks streaked with soot and snow, one hand clenched around the hilt of a wooden toy sword. Captain Drassos¡ªstalwart and regal¡ªhad one clawed hand on Bastion¡¯s leg to steady him, the other raised in a mock salute.


    Behind them, the backdrop of the ship¡¯s early days shimmered with hints of motionless sails and smoke. Bastion¡¯s younger self wasn¡¯t smiling.


    His eyes were wide, but not innocent. There was something older in them. Worn. Watching. Guarded.


    He remembered the whispers. Crew members who looked at him not with affection¡ªbut worry. Superstition. Like he was something wild, something dangerous wrapped in the skin of a child.


    ¡°¡­People used to say I had eyes like that,¡± Bastion muttered, his voice dry and rough, like gravel under boot. Liora glanced at him sideways, her expression unreadable, but wary of the turn.


    ¡°Like I was always watching. Waiting. Dangerous.¡± He exhaled through his nose, the breath long and tired.


    ¡°Maybe they were right. Maybe¡­¡± He rubbed his hands together absently, the sound papery and hollow, like dead leaves in wind. ¡°That¡¯s what the world makes you when you lose too much too young.¡±


    His gaze remained distant, haunted by a different time. ¡°So if Kite¡¯s got that look¡­¡± he said, quieter now, ¡°¡­maybe the question isn¡¯t why. Maybe it¡¯s what happens next.¡±


    Liora¡¯s brow furrowed slightly as Bastion stood from his chair, his silhouette cast tall against the flickering light of the cabin. ¡°I know his goal,¡± Bastion said. ¡°Freeing the captives. He¡¯s been planning it ever since he laid eyes on them.¡±


    Bastion began to move, tension rippling beneath his shoulders. ¡°We just have to catch him before he can act.¡±


    Liora leaned her spear against her shoulder, raising an eyebrow. ¡°And how do you plan to do that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll report it to my father,¡± Bastion replied, voice firm. ¡°Let Captain Drassos deal with this.¡±


    But Liora scoffed, unable to hold it in. ¡°Oh, you mean the same Captain Drassos who¡¯s currently passed out and snoring on a pile of anchor chains?¡±


    Bastion blinked, caught off-guard. ¡°What? That¡¯s not possible. My dad only drinks on special occasions.¡±


    Liora shrugged one shoulder, unconcerned. ¡°Wasn¡¯t my observation. It was Marrow¡¯s. Said your dad was found sleeping with fairies earlier.¡±


    She chuckled softly to herself, clearly amused. Bastion¡¯s expression darkened.


    His fists clenched. ¡°¡­Of course he did,¡± he muttered bitterly, eyes narrowing.


    The thought of his father¡ªthe man who had claimed he still clung to the memory of Bastion¡¯s mother, who had sworn he still searched for her¡ªentwined in drunken revelry with fluttering strangers made his stomach twist.


    Liora watched the anger simmer just beneath his calm. Then, with a flourish, she twirled her spear, its tips sparking faintly with lightning. ¡°Well,¡± she said, ¡°until your dad sobers up from his cuddle party, I guess we handle this ourselves.¡±


    Bastion sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°Great. He gets drunk, and I get to clean up after him.¡± His voice was bitter. ¡°Thanks, Dad.¡±


    He stepped forward, running a hand down his jacket and setting his jaw. ¡°Then we¡¯ll imprison Kite. Keep him locked up until the captain¡¯s ready to deal with it.¡±


    But Liora didn¡¯t move as she blocked his path. ¡°No,¡± she said simply.


    Bastion turned, frowning. ¡°Why not?¡±


    She met his gaze without blinking. ¡°Because from what I¡¯ve seen? He¡¯s too smart. Too unpredictable. You lock him up¡­ he¡¯ll escape. He¡¯ll adapt.¡±


    She stepped closer, lightning pulsing softly from her spear. ¡°I¡¯m not taking that risk.¡± Her voice lowered, steady and deadly. ¡°I¡¯ll kill him.¡±


    Bastion froze. His face shifted¡ªconfusion, disbelief, then cold resistance. ¡°Kill him?¡±


    He stepped forward, now inches from her, his brow furrowing. His posture stiffening. ¡°He¡¯s a kid, Liora. He¡¯s just in over his head.¡±


    Liora laughed. Sharp. Icy.


    ¡°At his age?¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯d already killed a dozen men.¡±


    She stepped sideways, slowly pacing a tight circle around him, spear dragging lightly against the floor. ¡°He talks like prey. Acts like prey. But he isn¡¯t prey.¡±


    She pointed the spear at Bastion¡¯s chest, her stormy eyes narrow and electric. ¡°As long as Kite lives¡­ this ship is in danger. So is its crew. So is Felix.¡±


    Bastion¡¯s face hardened. He didn¡¯t flinch at the spear point, but his shoulders squared, his stance rooted.


    Bastion¡¯s face hardened. He didn¡¯t flinch at the spear point, but his shoulders squared, his stance rooted.


    ¡°Not everyone¡¯s born a warrior like you,¡± he said. ¡°Some of us get to grow up without blood on our hands.¡±


    Liora scoffed and raised an eyebrow. ¡°So what¡ªyou¡¯re getting cold feet now?¡±


    Bastion¡¯s voice dropped. ¡°No,¡± he said flatly. ¡°I¡¯m just not so eager to kill children.¡±


    A silence settled between them. Heavy.


    Neither looked away. Neither blinked.


    Liora¡¯s spear remained still for a breath longer¡ªthen slowly, she lowered it. The storm in her eyes softened, but it did not vanish.


    ¡°You¡¯re softer than you look,¡± she muttered. ¡°Fine. Then I¡¯ll give him a chance.¡±


    Bastion¡¯s brow lifted. ¡°I¡¯ll test him,¡± Liora said, stepping back, her voice firm with resolve. ¡°If he proves to me by day¡¯s end that he¡¯s not a threat¡ªif he¡¯s just some scared, clever boy¡ªthen I¡¯ll let him live. I¡¯ll let the captain decide his fate.¡±


    She turned back to the door, lightning crackling softly behind her. ¡°But if I¡¯m right¡­ and he really is what I saw¡­¡±


    She looked over her shoulder at Bastion, eyes hard as flint. ¡°¡­then I¡¯ll kill him before he even realizes it¡¯s happening.¡±


    The air between them pulsed¡ªcharged and still. And Bastion knew, as he looked into her cold eyes, that she meant every word.


    Bastion watched her leave, the last sparks of her lightning casting shadows on the still, cracked photo beside him. He didn¡¯t follow.


    Not yet at least.