《Super Hard [Time Keeps Slipping and Other Annoyances]》


 Act 1.1 (Recrudesce)

    Every so often, I wondered if we were ever meant to understand the forces that governed us.


    Maybe we weren¡¯t supposed to be here at all¡ªtampering with powers far beyond our comprehension, bending the rules of nature until they snapped. Or perhaps we were the unintended consequence of someone else¡¯s story¡ªa mistake left to run its course.


    These thoughts churned endlessly in my mind as I lay motionless in that hospital bed, staring at a ceiling I had seen far too many times. My body felt like a crumbling ruin, every joint stiff, every breath labored. Outside the window, the grasslands stretched into infinity, their vibrant greens almost painful in their contrast to the sterile whites and grays of the room. The beauty mocked me, a reminder of a world I once roamed freely, a world now reduced to glimpses through reinforced glass.


    I knew my time there was almost up. I had maybe a day or two left, if that.


    The clock was ticking.


    But, the cruel joke was that once I closed my eyes, I would wake up in a world starting all over again.


    My fingers, skeletal and trembling, inched toward the remote on the bedside table. It took more effort than it should have. I grabbed it, along with my old notebook¡ªthe same one I¡¯ve carried since my young days. Its worn cover felt comforting, a connection to a simpler time.


    A press of the remote button shifted the view outside the window, the rolling grasslands dissolve, replaced by a winter wonderland. Snowflakes drift lazily through the air, blanketing a quaint forest cabin surrounded by towering pines. At the same time, the hospital room melted away, its cold sterility giving way to dark wooden beams and the warm glow of a crackling fire. The hummings of machines faded, replaced by the soothing pops and hisses of burning logs.


    This was better. Much better.


    I allowed myself a moment to savor the illusion before turning my attention to the notebook resting on my lap. Its leather cover was worn and frayed, its pages filled with years of careful notes and hastily scrawled warnings for the next cycle. It was my map, my compass, my lifeline¡ªassuming, of course, that everything would continue as it had before, and I wasn¡¯t just some old man spiraling into delusion. My hands shook as I opened it. The effort felt monumental, like lifting a weight I was no longer strong enough to bear. Each page was a recording of lives lived and lost, of failures and fleeting victories.


    I traced the words with my fingers, committing them to memory one last time. I didn¡¯t know why I bothered; the loop always took what it wanted, leaving only fragments behind. Still, the act felt important, like an anchor in a storm.


    This year, I was nearing one hundred and sixty years old in my second cycle. If I added the years of my first life, I was well past two hundred and eighty¡ªan age so absurd it felt almost fictional, even to me.


    As for the reason behind these cycles?


    Despite countless attempts to untangle the mystery, I remained in the half-dark.


    In the end, the answer I¡¯d come up with was both strange and oddly comical: I was caught in a time loop.


    But, despite being trapped in this cycle, I felt certain that I wasn¡¯t the cause of it, nor was the loop somehow centered around me. My meta nature had helped me understand at least that much. The only explanation that made sense was that I was like a small leaf of the right weight and size, unintentionally swept up in a storm, drifting along a sideline current, carried by forces far beyond my control or influence.


    The existence of such a time anomaly wasn''t entirely far-fetched, not in a world where humans could bend reality itself to their will.


    Strange as it was, it seemed almost mundane compared to some of the things I''d witnessed.


    I read until the pages blurred before my weary eyes, until I could no longer tell whether I was memorizing the words or simply staring at them. Morning had melted into evening, and I knew with quiet certainty that when I closed my eyes this time, they wouldn''t open again.


    There was no fear in that realization. No regret. Just a calm acceptance, like slipping into a familiar rhythm. Looking back, I felt a quiet pride in this second life. I had done what I¡¯d set out to do. I¡¯d fulfilled the regrets of my first existence, tasted wealth, lived comfortably, and accomplished my wildest dreams. I had even dedicated years to researching the loop itself, though the answers I found only deepened the mystery. But the thought of starting over again, of living a third life, filled me with a kind of dread that no amount of resolve could banish. It felt like torture¡ªan endless cycle of beginnings and endings, of fleeting connections and inevitable losses.


    At some point, the notebook slipped from my hand, its weightless fall unnoticed. My heartbeat slowed, its rhythm softening to match the quiet stillness of my thoughts.


    For the last time, I watch the snow fall outside, its silent beauty a cruel reminder of everything I¡¯ve lost.


    The world dimed, and a single thought lingered in my fading consciousness: What if this time, it¡¯s different?


    <hr>


    The next moment, the universe didn''t so much tilt as it shattered, reality splintering like a broken mirror. One moment, I was an old man sinking into the warmth of a cozy bed, watching snowflakes dance outside my cabin window, and the next¡ª


    Pain. Sharp and immediate. My knees hit concrete with enough force to send shockwaves through my new bones. The impact drove the air from my lungs in a harsh gasp. My palms slapped against rough pavement, tiny pieces of gravel biting into soft flesh that hadn''t known calluses for years. I stayed there, sprawled on the sidewalk, trying to remember how to breathe. The sensory assault was overwhelming. A nearby bakery wafted the scent of fresh croissants and coffee¡ªso different from the antiseptic sterility I''d known just moments ago that it made my head spin. The rumble of morning traffic vibrated through the concrete beneath my palms. Somewhere, a car horn blared, the sound sharp enough to make me flinch.


    "Hey! Are you okay?"


    The voice came from above, feminine and young, tinged with concern. I could see her school uniform shoes at the edge of my vision¡ªpolished brown leather. A scuff mark on the left toe. White socks pulled up precisely to mid-calf. But lifting my head to see more felt like trying to move a mountain with a feather.


    ¡°Should I call an ambulance?" She shifted her weight, "You look really pale."


    "No," I managed to croak out. The voice that emerged was higher than I expected, lacking the gravelly undertones of age I''d grown accustomed to. It felt foreign in my throat, like trying on someone else''s clothes. "I''m fine."


    But ''fine'' was a lie so blatant it almost made me laugh. My mind was a whirlpool of conflicting sensations: phantom aches from joints that were now young and supple, muscle memory from a body that had lived centuries trying to reconcile itself with fresh limbs that had barely known two decades. The morning air bit at my exposed skin with an intensity I''d forgotten young bodies could feel.


    I stayed there, pressed against the earth, letting the dew from the nearby grass seep into my uniform pants. The moisture was cold, real, grounding. Around me, the city was waking up¡ªthe click of heels on pavement, the distant wail of a train whistle. Each sound felt impossibly crisp, as if my young ears were determined to make up for years of aging-induced hearing loss all at once.


    The girl hadn''t left. Her shadow still fell across my shoulders, and I could smell her light floral perfume, "Are you sure you''re okay? You really don''t look well."


    With effort, I forced myself to look up at her. She was maybe sixteen or seventeen, with concerned brown eyes and a neat braids draped over her shoulders. The sight of her modern school uniform, identical to the ones I''d seen daily in my previous lives, was another confirmation of what I''d already suspected: I was back. Again.


    "Thank you," I said, my voice steadier now though it still felt wrong in my mouth. "Just got dizzy for a moment. I''ll be fine."


    This wasn''t a meta-ability''s influence¡ªI''d experienced enough of those over two centuries to know the difference. Meta-powers left traces, like ripples in a pond or static in the air. They had a signature, a subtle wrongness that you learned to recognize after decades of exposure. But this? This was something else entirely. The sensations were too sharp, too real, too consistent. The morning chill raising goosebumps on my arms, the weight of a school bag I hadn''t carried in lifetimes pressing against my shoulder blade, the subtle buzz of teenage hormones coursing through veins that felt simultaneously foreign and intimately familiar.


    I pushed myself to my feet, movements careful. My new legs felt like they were made of rubber, but they held. The girl took half a step forward, hands raised slightly as if ready to catch me if I fell again. The gesture was so genuinely concerning it made me feel I had arrived in another world.


    ¡°I can wait with you, my school doesn¡¯t start until eight," she offered, adjusting her bag strap nervously. "At least until you''re steady."


    I shook my head, "I appreciate it, but I''ll be fine. Really." The words came out smoother now, my voice beginning to feel less like a borrowed instrument.


    The girl lingered for a moment longer before continuing on her way, glancing back over her shoulder until she disappeared around a corner.


    The bus stop was nearby. I made my way there with small, careful steps, one hand trailing along the cool metal railing. Each movement was a study in rediscovery: muscles responding too quickly, reflexes too sharp, everything just slightly off from what I''d grown accustomed to.


    Time loop. The words echoed in my thoughts. Not an illusion, not a dream, not even a meta-power gone wrong.


    The sheer absurdity of it almost made me laugh.


    I saw another young girl near the bus stop absentmindedly changing her hair color from brown to blonde and back again. Next to her, an elderly man touched a wilting flower in a sidewalk planter, his meta-nature extending its life by perhaps a few hours at most.


    The bus arrived with a pneumatic hiss and a whiff of diesel, right on schedule. I climbed aboard, between pushing and pulling of people getting in and out. It was packed with morning commuters¡ªoffice workers in pressed suits clutching briefcases and paper coffee cups, one of them repeatedly tapping his watch to speed up time around it by microseconds as if that would make him less late.


    Students with bags filled with books and dreams, one young boy quietly making his pencil write by itself though his handwriting was worse than if he''d just used his hand. A middle-aged woman near the front used her meta-nature to slightly dampen the sounds around her seat, creating a bubble of imperfect silence that probably gave her more headaches than peace. These were the meta-humans of our age¡ªmasters of minor inconveniences.


    I found a seat at the back, pressed against the window. Then I noticed a young office worker outside hovering unsteadily by a third-floor window, struggling to clean it with his weak levitation ability¡ªprobably trying to save money on professional cleaners. He wobbled precariously, his meta-nature barely able to keep him airborne, while his colleague leaned out the window with a safety harness, ready to grab him if his power failed.


    The cool glass against my forehead provided a small comfort as the city slid past outside. A green flash caught my eye as someone teleported between bus stops¡ªonly to appear winded and sweating, having saved maybe thirty seconds of walking at the cost of their morning''s energy. Two rows ahead, a salaryman with dark circles under his eyes continuously touched his coffee cup, his meta-nature heating it back up every few minutes despite the coffee already being bitter from overheating.


    Everything looked newer than I remembered¡ªbuildings I''d watched crumble and be rebuilt were still in their prime, advertisements I''d seen become vintage collectibles glowed with fresh neon. The morning sun caught on glass and steel, creating patterns of light and shadow that spread across my lap.


    A laugh bubbled up in my throat, but I swallowed it down. The last thing I needed was to look like a madman on public transport. The irony wasn''t lost on me¡ªhere I was, over two centuries old, crammed into a high school student''s body, riding a bus to academy classes I''d attended twice before. If this wasn''t madness, it was doing a damn good impression of it.


    The bus swayed gently as it navigated morning traffic, and I closed my eyes, letting the motion rock me like a cradle. I had time to think, to plan. But for now, I just needed to breathe, to accept this impossible reality once again. The weight of accumulated memories pressed against my consciousness¡ªtwo lifetimes of experiences trying to slot themselves into a brain that felt simultaneously too young and impossibly ancient.


    Then, a sudden screech of metal jerked me from my thoughts.


    The world shattered with an explosion of metal and glass. One moment I was deep in thoughts, and the next¡ªdestruction.


    A hulking body tore through the bus like a meteor, ripping the vehicle in half at the middle. The screech of shearing metal drowned out the screams of passengers as both halves spun in opposite directions. The front section cartwheeled down the street while our back half rolled toward the sidewalk.


    My ears rang with a high-pitched whine that drowned out everything else. The world swam in and out of focus, darkness creeping at the edges of my vision. I tried to move but my limbs felt disconnected, like they belonged to someone else. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth¡ªI''d bitten my tongue during the impact.


    Gradually, sound started filtering back in. First came the hiss of ruptured hydraulics, then the tinkle of falling glass. Pain. Then the screams. God, the screams.


    I blinked hard, trying to clear my vision. Papers fluttered around me like broken butterflies. Someone''s phone was still playing music, the cheerful tune obscene against the backdrop of tragedy. A man''s arm hung limply from beneath a crushed seat, his meta-nature still faithfully heating his now-shattered coffee cup. It took me nearly a minute to get my bearings, each second marked by the thundering of my heart. When I could finally push myself up to my knees, the full scope of the carnage became clear. The middle section of the bus, where the impact had occurred, was a nightmare of twisted metal and... worse things. Those who had been standing or sitting there hadn''t stood a chance. The floor was slick with blood and gore, I forced my eyes away, focusing instead on the survivors.


    Movement caught my eye. Through the jagged tear where the bus had split, I saw the figure who had hit us.


    The titan-woman was shaking herself like a dog, spatters of red flying from her enlarged form as she cursed loudly. "Disgusting... get it off... filthy..." Her gray skin was stained blood red, and I realized with a lurch that it wasn''t her blood she was trying to shake off: intestines and gore that was wrapping her.


    "Focus," I muttered to myself, pushing down the nausea that threatened to overwhelm me. Two centuries of life had shown me horror before, but this body''s reactions were still fresh, still innocent. I forced myself to concentrate on what I could control. Near me, a young woman was struggling with her seatbelt, her meta-nature that had seemed so frivolous earlier¡ªmaking small objects glow in the dark¡ªnow useless in her panic. An elderly man was pinned by a displaced seat, conscious but dazed. These were people I could help.


    Momentarily, my eyes focused back to the woman standing in the middle of the street, but the world ''woman'' seemed like an inadequate description. Her meta-nature had transformed her into something more akin to a titan. She was easily twelve feet tall, her body bulging with muscles that seemed to grow larger by the second. Her skin had taken on a grayish tint, and her business suit strained against her expanding form.


    "Come out and face me, you coward!" her voice boomed across the street, deep and distorted by her transformation.


    A shadow passed overhead, followed by a sound like rushing wind. A figure in a high-tech suit descended, metallic vulture wings catching the morning light. He landed on a lamppost with impossible grace, his costume a mix of sleek carbon fiber and exposed circuitry. A mask covered the upper half of his face, with glowing red lenses that seemed to analyze everything they saw.


    "Now, now, Sarah," the winged man''s voice carried a mocking tone. "Is this really appropriate behavior for a former accountant?"


    The titan¡ªSarah, apparently¡ªroared and grabbed a nearby parked car. "You stole everything from me!"


    While they exchanged words, I focused back on the bus. I moved quickly, my old experience guiding my actions. The seat was heavy, but adrenaline and young muscles made it manageable.


    "Can you walk?" I asked the girl. She nodded, tears streaking her face.


    "Watch out!" someone screamed.


    I looked up just in time to see the car Sarah had grabbed sailing through the air¡ªnot toward her winged opponent, but directly at the bus. Before I could move, the vulture-suited man made a gesture. The car suddenly changed direction, as if pulled by an invisible force, missing us by inches and crashing into a storefront.


    I helped the girl toward the gaping hole in the bus''s side. We needed to clear the area before it became a war zone.


    The winged man¡ªI really needed to learn these people''s names if I was going to file a complaint about my ruined morning¡ªswooped down from his perch. He raised both hands, and suddenly Sarah stumbled forward, as if pulled by invisible ropes. But she dug her massive feet into the asphalt, creating deep gouges in the road.


    "Your little tricks won''t work anymore, Marcus!" she growled, growing even larger. She had to be at least fifteen feet tall now.


    Marcus. Good to know.


    I was helping the injured coffee-salaryman out of the bus when Sarah charged. Marcus waited until the last second before activating his power, but instead of pushing or pulling her directly, he affected a piece of the broken bus behind her. The metal fragment shot forward, wrapping around her legs. She stumbled, her momentum carrying her forward into a face-plant that left a crater in the street.


    "Five seconds," I muttered to myself, counting. That''s how long until he could use his power again. A critical weakness.


    Sarah recovered quickly, ripping through the metal like tissue paper. She grabbed a streetlight, tearing it from its foundation with a shower of sparks. Marcus was already airborne, his mechanical wings carrying him just out of reach. But I noticed his suit was smoking slightly¡ªthe wings weren''t meant for prolonged flight.


    More injured people needed help, but the fighting was getting closer to the bus. Sarah''s rampage had already damaged three buildings, and Marcus''s redirected debris wasn''t helping. Many people would die or heavily injured if this continued.


    I looked at my watch. I was already late for my first day back at the academy.


    "Wonderful," I sighed, cracking my neck. I was really not expecting this kind of scene the moment I travelled back. What a bad luck!


    This was also an anomaly.Thus, I wanted to stay out of it, to be a bystander like everyone else.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    But apparently, old habits die hard. Besides, these two idiots had ruined my clothes. And dry cleaning wasn''t cheap on a student''s budget.


    Hopefully, Sups and City Protectors will be here in a couple of minutes to stop this madness.


    I helped the young man, then the elderly man trapped under the seat.


    As I moved, ripples of violet and crimson danced at the edges of my vision¡ªdanger patterns spreading like ink in water.


    My meta altered my perception.


    "Get to the convenience store," I told them, pointing to a shop across the street where the air shimmered with stable greens. "The freezer section will have the strongest walls."


    A shadow passed overhead, and I looked up to see the man in the vulture suit¡ªMarcus¡ªdiving toward the titan-woman. The space around him writhed with amber threads, while dark red pooled beneath the titan''s feet. Their collision point blazed white in my vision.


    "Is that all you''ve got?" The titan-woman sneered, now nearly twenty feet tall. She grabbed a nearby motorcycle, and I watched purple ripples trace its trajectory before she even threw it.


    Marcus gestured sharply with one hand. The motorcycle stopped mid-air, then shot back at her with doubled speed. But threads of gold had already shown me her response¡ªher massive fist connecting with the bike, sending pieces of machinery exploding in all directions. I ducked before the side mirror even began its path past my head.


    The titan-woman charged forward, each step cracking the asphalt. The air around Marcus sparkled with decision points. He chose one laced with blue success, waiting until the last moment before activating his power. Instead of affecting her directly, he pulled on a fire hydrant behind her.


    Smart. Her increased mass made her harder to manipulate.


    But she was adapting. The moment the hydrant hit her back, she rolled with the impact, launching into a spinning kick. Marcus barely dodged, his wings sparking as ribbons of red danger flared around them.


    Marcus dropped to the ground, his wings folding. A web of interconnected colors showed me the trap before it sprung. The titan rushed him, exactly as he''d planned. At the last second, he pushed off the ground, launching himself over her while simultaneously pulling down on her shoulders.


    But something was wrong. The colors around his left wing were fracturing, breaking apart into chaotic patterns. His landing was awkward, the damaged wing sparking and twitching. The suit was failing.


    The titan-woman noticed too. She rose slowly, and the air around her blazed with malevolent purpose. "What''s wrong, Marcus? Running out of juice?"


    Most of the survivors were clear, but the fight was about to escalate. The colors told me that much¡ªthreading through the air in increasingly violent patterns. The titan-woman grew larger, her head nearly reaching the second story windows, each of which reflected their own warning signs.


    "You know what the funny thing is?" she said, advancing on him. "After you stole my company''s research, after you took everything I''d worked for... I actually have to thank you." She flexed her massive hands, dark purple rippling around them. "The stress triggered this wonderful upgrade in my original useless meta. Now I can literally crush you."


    Great. A revenge story. Just what my morning needed.


    I glanced at my ruined clothes, then at my watch. First period was definitely a lost cause. Probably second too.


    The titan-woman''s foot came down next to me, sending tremors through the ground. A chunk of debris from her stomp rolled to a stop by my feet¡ªthe bus''s fare collection box. I picked it up, testing its weight.


    Physics was always more reliable than meta-nature anyway.


    I took careful aim and threw the metal box as hard as I could. It sailed through the air, striking the titan-woman''s ear with a satisfying clang. Not enough to hurt her, but more than enough to get her attention.


    She turned, her massive face contorting with rage as she spotted me. "Did you just throw something at me?"


    "No," I said, "It was probably the other idiot standing in the middle of your temper tantrum."


    "You..." She raised a fist the size of a small car. "Do you have any idea who I am?"


    "Someone who really needs to work on anger management?"


    She roared and swung. I was already moving, rolling between her legs as her fist cratered the spot where I''d been standing. Behind her, Marcus struggled with his suit. He needed time.


    "Over here!" I shouted, grabbing a piece of twisted bus railing.


    The titan spun with surprising speed for her size, but her movements painted bright trails in my vision before she made them. I ducked another wild swing, then sprinted toward a narrow alley where the colors condensed into a promising knot of opportunity.


    "Stand still, you little¡ª" she reached for me, but I was already counting the pulses of Marcus''s power cooldown, watching the colors cycle from purple to green.


    "Now would be good!" I called out


    The world spun in a kaleidoscope of warning colors as I hurtled through the air. A flash of deep blue caught my eye¡ªa shop awning directly in my path. Not ideal, but better than concrete. I twisted my body, aiming for the fabric. The impact knocked the wind out of me, but the awning''s tear followed a path of pale gold, depositing me roughly on a cafe table below. Coffee cups shattered around me as I rolled to my feet, ignoring the complaints of what felt like every muscle in my body. Behind me, the titan-woman''s struggles sent tremors through the ground, her shoulders still wedged tight in the narrow alley.


    "I''ll crush you both!" she roared, her attempts to grow larger only wedging her more firmly between the buildings. Cracks spider-webbed up the brick walls around her.


    Marcus landed nearby, his damaged wing now hanging uselessly. "Any other bright ideas?"


    I opened my mouth to respond, but the patterns in the air shifted dramatically. "Move!"


    We both dove in opposite directions as the titan-woman''s fist punched through the building wall beside us, showering the street with bricks and mortar. She might be stuck, but she could still reach us through the buildings themselves.


    "She''s going to bring down the whole block," Marcus said, his breath coming in ragged gasps.


    I scanned the chaos around us, looking for something, anything¡ª There. A fire truck had arrived on the scene, its lights painting the morning air in strobing red.


    "Can you still manage one good push?" I asked Marcus, nodding toward the truck.


    "Maybe. But we''ll only get one shot."


    "That''s all we need." I turned toward the stuck titan.


    The angrier she got, the more predictable her patterns became.


    "First the bus," she snarled, "now the buildings. I''ll tear down this whole city to get to you!"


    She punched through another wall, but I was already moving. Marcus hadn''t moved yet¡ªgood. He was waiting for my signal.


    "All this property damage," I called out, keeping her attention on me. "No wonder your company wanted to get rid of you. Terrible for the insurance premiums!"


    The air around her exploded with violent crimson as she lost the last shreds of her control. She braced her legs against the buildings holding her, muscles bulging as she prepared to simply force her way free, no matter how many structures she had to demolish.


    "Now!"


    Marcus gestured with everything he had left. The fire truck''s water cannon twisted, pulled by his power, and unleashed its full pressure directly into the titan-woman''s face. The impact snapped her head back, water filling her mouth as she gasped in surprise. But Marcus wasn''t done. With his power''s last gasp, he pulled on her leg just as she was off-balance. Already stressed by her own actions, the walls of the alley finally gave way. She tumbled backward, shrinking involuntarily as her concentration broke.


    By the time she hit the ground, she was almost back to normal size, coughing and sputtering.


    "You..." she pushed herself to her hands and knees, water dripping from her hair. "You''ll pay for¡ª"


    I wasn''t done yet.


    I didn¡¯t have time nor did I care enough to listen to some random villain threats.


    I turned sharply, crossing the distance to Marcus before he could process what was happening. His power was still recharging¡ªthe familiar purple pulse hadn''t returned yet. The first punch caught him square in the jaw, and I felt something crack beneath my knuckles. The second followed before he could even register the first.


    "Wait¡ª" he managed before my third strike silenced him. "Why?"


    I grabbed his collar, driving my knee into his face. Blood sprayed across the cracked pavement as his nose shattered. His tech-enhanced wings twitched uselessly, trying to fly but I slammed him down, the metal screeching against concrete. I brought my heel down hard on the left wing''s joint, then the right. The sound of breaking carbon fiber and twisting metal mixed with his choked gasps.


    "What are you¡ª" the titan-woman started, her voice shaking.


    I turned to her, still standing on Marcus''s broken wings. His face was barely recognizable now, a mess of blood and broken teeth. She tried to scramble backward, but her muscles were still weak from the forced transformation.


    "You know," I said, my voice eerily calm even to my own ears, "I was going to let the sups handle this." I stepped off Marcus, moving toward her with measured steps. "But then I thought about the people on that bus. The ones who''ll never go home to their families."


    I reached her face and crouched down, the colors around us deepening to an almost black indigo. "To be honest, I don''t care enough if you killed everybody here, but it''s sure a good excuse for me to beat you for ruining my mood."


    She tried to grow, but managed only a few inches before her exhaustion betrayed her. "Stay back¡ª"


    "The funny thing about meta-abilities," I continued, closing the distance, "is that everyone thinks they make them special. Powerful." My fingers curled into a fist. "They forget that sometimes, the old ways work just fine."


    Her eyes widened, fear replacing confusion. She saw something in my expression that made her try to scramble backward, but her exhausted muscles wouldn''t respond fast enough.


    The first hit caught her squarely in the jaw. Nothing enhanced, no meta-abilities¡ªjust the raw impact of knuckles against flesh. Her head snapped to the side, blood spraying from her split lip. Before she could recover, I grabbed her hair, yanking her head back to face me.


    "Please," she gasped between hits, "I surrender¡ª"


    "You see," I continued conversationally, as if we were discussing the weather, "I was actually looking forward to a quiet first day." Another hit, this one breaking her nose with a satisfying crunch. "Maybe doze through some lectures, grab lunch, and make some new friends - the usual boring stuff."


    She tried to speak, but I cut her off with a knee to her sternum. The sound she made was particularly unpleasant.


    "Instead," I drove my elbow into her temple, watching her vision unfocus, "I had to help people. Play hero. Get my clothes dirty." Each complaint was punctuated with another strike. "Do you know how poor I am? And how much dry cleaning costs on a student budget?"


    Behind me, Marcus groaned. The colors showed he was trying to reach for something¡ªprobably a hidden weapon. Without looking, I picked up a piece of broken wing and threw it. The wet thunk and sudden silence told me I''d hit my mark. I didn''t need superpowers to handle villains of these caliber.


    "The worst part is," I turned back to the woman, whose face was now a mess of blood and rapidly swelling tissue, "I''ll probably be late for class. And you know what they say about first impressions."


    She tried to grow again, a desperate last attempt. Her form swelled slightly, muscles rippling¡ªbut I simply waited. The colors showed me she was a lost cause. The moment it did, I struck her throat with a precise jab. Not enough to kill, just enough to ensure she wouldn''t be growing¡ªor talking¡ªfor a while.


    As she collapsed, gagging and clutching her neck, I stood up and brushed off my pants.


    The rush of satisfaction faded as I crossed the second street, replaced by the very practical problem of my appearance. I caught my reflection in a shop window and winced¡ªblood spattered across my white uniform shirt, collar torn, and what looked suspiciously like someone else''s tooth caught in a fold. The distant whine of engines cut through the morning air¡ªCity Protectors, finally deciding to show up. Their distinctive hover-vehicles cast shadows over the buildings behind me. I ducked into a side street, not particularly interested in explaining why a student looked like he''d just walked out of a slaughterhouse.


    I couldn''t go to the academy like this. The blood alone would trigger enough alarms to summon every counselor and security officer within a five-mile radius. And going home to my aunt''s? I almost laughed at the thought. She''d either have a heart attack or call the police¡ªpossibly both.


    A neon sign caught my eye: "24/7 Fitness Center." Perfect!


    The bored attendant barely glanced up from his phone as I walked in. I caught a glimpse of his screen¡ªsome viral video of the fight I''d just left. Great, it was already spreading.


    The locker room was mercifully empty. I spent fifteen minutes scrubbing blood from my hands and face, watching pink water swirl down the drain. My knuckles were already bruising, but nothing that wouldn''t heal in a few days. The uniform, though, was a lost cause. I checked my wallet: $49 to last until the end of the week. The nearby discount store had basic clothes, but even their cheapest options would eat most of that. Still better than showing up to class looking like an extra from a horror movie. Twenty minutes and $32 later, I was wearing the world''s most generic grey hoodie and black pants. They felt cheap and scratchy, but at least they were clean. My ruined clothes went into a dumpster, wrapped in enough paper towels to hide the bloodstains.


    I stared at the remaining $17 in my wallet. Three days until my next allowance transfer. That meant instant noodles and tap water, assuming I wanted to afford the bus and train fare to actually get to classes.


    <hr>


    "Hey! Hey, North!"


    While mindlessly trudging down the hallway, a faint tingling sensation brushed the edge of my consciousness. The air seemed to shift around me, the bustling hallway suddenly feeling sharper, more focused. Before I could fully process the sensation, a blur of movement caught my eye.


    A hand shot out from my right, aiming straight for me.


    But my mind reacted faster than my body, moving on pure instinct. I sidestepped smoothly, the motion fluid and unthinking. The man who had lunged at me stumbled forward, caught off guard by my unexpected reaction. He wobbled precariously, his arms pinwheeling for balance, before finally managing to steady himself.


    " Whoa!" He windmilled his arms, barely catching himself before face-planting on the polished floor. "Man! When did you get so fast?"


    I stared at him, trying to place the face. Young, energetic, with an easy smile that suggested he was used to people liking him. Something tugged at the edges of my memory¡ªa name, a connection, fragments of conversations that hadn''t happened yet in this timeline.


    "What¡¯s going on with you today? You were absent from the ¡®Power Theory¡¯ lecture too?" he asked, shaking his hands.


    Believe me when I say, it took every ounce of mental effort to recall the man¡¯s name.


    Alex. Right. The memory suddenly clicked into place, like an old photograph finally coming into focus. We''d been friends, sort of, in both previous lives. Though ''friends'' might be too strong a word¡ªmore like consistent acquaintances.


    "Sorry," I said, trying to cover my momentary lapse. "Been a weird morning."


    "I''ll say! Did you see the viral video?" He stopped mid-sentence, squinting at me. "Hey, you look kind of rough. Everything okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. All good.¡±


    "Man, never mind that¡ªdid you hear about what happened this morning?" Alex''s eyes lit up with excitement. "This massive fight near the bus station! Some crazy villains literally ripped a bus in half! At Least half a dozen people are dead."


    "Really?" I kept my face carefully blank. "Hadn''t heard about it. I took a different route today."


    "Oh man, you missed it! It''s all over HyperSpace!" Alex pulled out his phone, fingers flying across the screen. "This huge woman, like building-sized, was fighting some guy in a tech suit with wings. But in the end some rando showed up and just destroyed them both! Just straight-up beat them unconscious and left. The videos are insane¡ªlook!"


    I glanced at the shaky footage on his phone, watching myself through a stranger''s lens. The video quality was poor, but the violence was clear enough. "Seems dangerous," I commented mildly. "Probably best to stay away from stuff like that."


    "¡ªthey''re calling him the ''Wild Striker'' since he just appeared out of nowhere and started beating the villains," Alex was saying, his voice cutting through my thoughts.


    I made a noncommittal sound, still struggling to fully engage with this conversation. A century and a half of life made these youthful interactions feel like trying to read a book written in fading ink¡ªI could make out the general shape, but the details kept slipping away.


    "Speaking of not staying away from things," Alex tucked his phone away, switching topics with his usual abrupt energy, "you''re coming to the semester party, right?"


    "Semester party?" I repeated, genuinely trying to remember. The phrase tugged at something in my memory, but the details were foggy.


    "Yeah! It''s mainly to welcome the new batch of students, but I heard a lot of seniors also show up to scout for potential recruits. So, you can imagine what a good opportunity it''ll be not just to meet them but to get acquainted," Alex said, his excitement evident.


    I nodded slowly. He had a point¡ªit would be a valuable chance to observe others and learn about their abilities. I''d spent previous cycles buried in books and theories, but maybe it was time for a different approach.


    "When is it exactly?" I asked. "Been trying to keep track of all the new schedules."


    "Friday! Just three days from now." Alex grinned. "You have to come. After that fight this morning, everyone''s going to be talking about meta-abilities and combat potential. Perfect timing, right?"


    "Count me in," I said, already thinking about the possibilities. A gathering of meta-users, all eager to show off their abilities... could be interesting to refresh my memories.


    Alex looked like he wanted to continue the conversation, but I cut him off with a vague gesture. "I should get going. Need to take care of some things."


    "Sure, sure," he nodded.


    We parted ways in the hallway, Alex still chattering about the viral videos to anyone who would listen. I had two more lectures scheduled, but my muscles were aching and my cheap new clothes were starting to itch. Besides, I needed time to think. The academy could spare me for one day. I turned toward the exit, already planning my route home.


    My aunt''s place was only thirty minutes away by train¡ªclose enough to be convenient, far enough to maintain some independence.


    When I arrived, I fished the spare key out of my pocket and unlocked the door, glancing around as I stepped inside. The house was quiet¡ªno sign of her. A small relief. No awkward exchanges or probing questions today. Not that she would ask many questions. She wasn''t the type to pry, which was probably why my parents had chosen her as my guardian while I attended the academy. That, and her convenient location near the school.


    I made my way upstairs, the stairs creaking faintly under my weight. Once in my room, I dropped my backpack onto the chair and with a groan, I collapsed onto the bed, my body finally giving in to exhaustion.


    Sunlight streamed through the window, and I found myself reaching up toward it, watching the light play between my fingers. Somewhere in the city, people were still talking about this morning''s fight, sharing videos, creating fan pages. All for what? A few moments of violence that solved nothing.


    Three hundred years ago, when meta-nature first appeared, people thought it would change everything. Superpowers, they called them then¡ªlike something out of their comic books and movies. Those first meta-humans were celebrated, feared, worshipped. People who could fly, conjure flames, lift cars with their minds. Simple powers, but revolutionary. It was as though humanity''s collective imagination had shaped these abilities into something wondrous.


    The world hadn''t been ready for meta-humans at first. I''d read enough history to know how fear had turned to violence, how suspicion had led to persecution. Those early meta-humans lived under constant scrutiny, treated more like threats than miracles. Everything changed with the Meta Freedom War¡ªa cataclysm that had rewritten humanity''s genetic code. Instead of being stamped out, meta-abilities exploded through the population, tipping the scales until they became the new normal.


    I let my hand fall back to the bed.


    What was once extraordinary had become commonplace. These days, everyone had some form of meta-nature, though "having" and "useful" were very different things. For every person who could manipulate gravity or control fire, there were thousands who could only change their hair color or make plants grow a fraction faster. The word "Superhero" was now reserved for the elite of Ecleon¡ªthe very best of the best. The rest of us? Just ordinary people in an extraordinary world.


    My stomach growled, interrupting my philosophical musings. With a groan, I pushed myself off the bed.


    Downstairs, the kitchen offered little comfort. The fridge was nearly bare except for a few bottles of beer¡ªmy aunt''s contribution to the household. A search through the cupboards yielded a single packet of instant noodles.


    Seventeen dollars. That''s all I had left after buying these cheap clothes. My parents'' allowance barely covered academic expenses, and I couldn''t ask for more without raising questions. No wonder my grades had suffered in the first cycle¡ªpoverty had a way of destroying focus. I carried the steaming noodles back to my room, careful to lock the door behind me. The bowl went on my desk as I pulled open the bottom drawer, retrieving my most valuable possession: a sleek chrome headband. It was heavier than it looked


    Settling into my chair, I slipped the cool metal band across my temples and over my eyes. The fit was perfect, familiar from countless uses.


    With a deep breath, I adjusted my posture and let my consciousness sink into the band.


    The room around me dissolved into blackness.


    Almost instantly, a glowing white logo materialized in the void, the words "Hyper Space: Designed and Powered by Mind Space" etched in clean, modern font.


    A few seconds later, the logo faded, and I found myself standing in a boundless expanse of pristine white floor that stretched endlessly in all directions, devoid of shadows or imperfections.


    Glancing down at myself, I noticed my features had softened and simplified, taking on a cartoonish quality.


    My limbs felt lighter, more fluid, as though the usual weight of reality had been stripped away. I flexed my fingers experimentally, watching them move with exaggerated smoothness.


    The transition was seamless, and yet the strangeness of it all never quite faded. All around me, hundreds of other users flickered in and out of existence, each with their own unique character designs¡ªsome realistic, others wildly fantastical. Some leapt effortlessly between invisible platforms, their movements fluid and playful, while others vanished entirely, leaving behind shimmering trails of light. This was the internet made manifest: a physical, interactive space where data and imagination intertwined. It translated the sprawling network of information into a tangible world, one you could navigate, build, and manipulate with ease. Meta-devices came in all shapes and forms¡ªheadbands, bracelets, rings, even decorative coins. Their function was the same, but the price tags varied wildly¡ª limited only by how much money you could sink into them.


    A quick glance around the bustling expanse of HyperSpace reminded me how alive it was.


    I willed myself away from the public space, retreating to my personal lounge. It wasn''t much¡ªa simple desk, chair, and minimalist walls. Basic, but it served its purpose. A thought triggered my interface, translucent screens materializing with my activity logs: time spent, social interactions, community contributions. Nothing remarkable there.


    I swiped past the logs and tapped on a widget labeled ¡°Network Hub.¡±


    It immediately expanded, displaying a variety of links and access points to other hyperspaces: games, chatrooms, community hubs, and specialized applications for every imaginable purpose.


    The sheer breadth of possibilities was staggering, but my focus was singular right now.


    I needed money, and this was the time to earn it.

 Act 1.2 (Recrudesce)

    HyperSpace was like a gold mine if you knew where to dig.


    The easiest were the most tempting: renting out meta-abilities to lazy rich kids, betting on underground games, or jumping into those sketchy virtual fighting rings where people burned through their parents'' money. Hell, some people even made decent cash just designing avatars for the rich ones who couldn''t be bothered to customize their own.


    My goal was clear: claim the jackpot. What time traveler wouldn¡¯t capitalize on knowledge only they possessed?


    I had even made a calculated sacrifice: erasing precious memories to retain just one critical detail¡ªthe location and time of the biggest lottery wins. My plan was straightforward: use my insider knowledge to intercept fate itself. With the specifics of past jackpot winnings at my disposal, I was confident I could rewrite history in my favor. In my second cycle, I had spent endless hours examining historical lottery records, tracking the largest payouts ever recorded. Gradually, I compiled a map of winning tickets¡ªwhere they had been purchased, when they were redeemed, and the astronomical sums attached to them. These notes became my blueprint for success in this third run.


    The world¡¯s largest lottery corporations and each country''s public lottery departments held monthly draws, with prizes ranging from millions to staggering billions. It was the ultimate "get-rich-quick" scheme¡ªalmost laughably simple for someone like me. The thought sent waves of excitement through me, butterflies stirring in my stomach. I could already see my new reality unfolding.


    Still, I couldn''t just waltz in and claim billions without raising eyebrows. This world had too many nosy people with convenient meta-abilities. Mind readers, future seers, those annoying truth-detectors who could smell a lie from a mile away. Getting rich quick was easy¡ªstaying rich without attracting attention was the real game.


    I started sketching out a rough plan in my mind. Shell companies, fake paper trails, all that boring but necessary stuff.


    Had to make it look legit enough to pass surface-level checks but messy enough to seem natural. Too clean was just as suspicious as too sloppy.


    <hr>


    It''s funny how time travel screws with your head.


    In my second cycle, it took me over a decade to figure out how to actually use my knowledge of the future. Spent half that time just trying to convince myself I wasn''t crazy, and the other half sorting through jumbled memories and missed opportunities.


    But this time would be different. Everything was planned, prepared, refined.


    A quick glance at the current date and time confirmed it: I was nine days away from the redemption of a winning lottery ticket¡ªa jackpot worth over three hundred million dollars.


    The lucky ticket had been bought somewhere in the city. My pulse quickened as I mulled over my game plan. For the next week, my sole focus would be on raking in enough cash to buy as many tickets as humanly possible. The more I could snag, the better my chances of intercepting that massive three-hundred-million-dollar payday right on schedule.


    Without wasting another second, I pulled up the address on my screen and locked it in.


    In an instant, I leaped into an open plaza surrounded by massive, stadium-like structures. The air buzzed with activity, and the backdrop was a mix of towering digital displays and neon signs.


    This place was alive with energy, a whirlwind of movement and noise: the Battle Champion Stadium, the busiest hub in all of HyperSpace. Here, challengers, spectators, and admirers of raw power converged to witness and participate in the most intense meta duels imaginable. It was the ultimate arena, where reputations were forged and legends born.


    However, what made this place truly remarkable wasn''t just its scale, but its fidelity. HyperSpace''s systems could replicate meta-abilities with near-perfect accuracy. The sensations, the strain, the precise feedback of power usage¡ªall reproduced at ninety-nine percent accuracy. That missing one percent was barely noticeable to most users.


    The stadium hosted hundreds of millions of players at any given moment, necessitating strict regional divisions to maintain system stability. Professional leagues occupied the premium spaces, running tournaments with substantial prize pools. Underground circuits operated in the shadows, offering different risks and rewards.


    Despite the regional restrictions, skilled fighters regularly crossed boundaries seeking worthy opponents.


    Nearby my attention was drawn to a cluster of massive blue digital interface screens hanging high above the plaza, visible to everyone. The first screen contained a list of top players in the country, the second displayed their state players, and The third screen was dedicated to the current matchups, glowing with the names of competitors locked in battles as we watched.


    New matches and rankings were updated in real time.


    I moved closer to the screens, though not because I was interested in the matches or the fighting itself, I knew all too well the risks and limited rewards of that approach. With my meta nature, I wasn¡¯t exactly built for combat. My focus was elsewhere: finding a way to place bets that could double¡ªor even ten-fold¡ªmy money.


    The crowd around me was abuzz with chatter, dissecting the top players'' stats, abilities, and fighting styles. I tuned them out, concentrating on the names and recent match statistics displayed on the towering screens. I scanned the data, searching for patterns: a player on a winning streak, an underdog with favorable odds, someone I could back confidently.


    Betting smart could turn this chaotic spectacle into my payday.


    And then it hit me, like a cruel joke: I didn¡¯t even have a dollar to my name.


    Not enough to buy insider tips, let alone place a meaningful wager. In a place like this, going in blind was practically begging to lose.


    Information was currency, and I didn¡¯t have any.


    Frustration gnawed at me as I wove through the crowd gathered beneath the glowing screens. They were absorbed in heated debates, oblivious to my presence. I slipped past them and into a nearby stadium entrance, where the roar of the crowd swallowed me whole.


    The noise hit first¡ªa relentless, chaotic blend of cheers, shouts, and the booming commentary that accompanied every match. Holographic displays hung in the air around each seat, projecting fighter statistics and match highlights.. I spotted an empty seat and slid into it, the vibrations of the stadium rumbling beneath me.


    The crowd watched through these floating windows, their faces lit by the glow of data streams and power measurements. Each significant move triggered new displays, breaking down the mechanics of meta-abilities in vivid detail. In the arena below, two fighters clashed at impossible speeds. Strikes left trails of light in their wake, blocks generated visible force ripples, and each meta-ability activation painted the air with over exaggerated effects. The simulation''s fidelity made it easy to forget this wasn''t real combat.


    I watched the fighters below, not really caring about who won or lost. What mattered were the patterns - little tells that could turn into profit once I had enough to make real bets. Every twitch, every habit, every predictable move could mean the difference between winning and losing money.


    The whole thing was a pretty wild show, I had to admit. HyperSpace had a way of making everyone look good. Some guy with barely enough telekinesis to lift a pencil in real life could put on a whole circus act here - debris flying everywhere, shockwaves rippling through the air.


    The first match ended in a knockout. I checked my account: seventeen dollars remaining. After setting aside two dollars for transportation, I converted the rest into game currency. The system calculated the exchange: 225 Ether coins. Converting real money into game currency was easy. Getting it back out? That''s where things got complicated. HyperSpace''s official stance was clear: in-game currency stays in-game. No exceptions, no transfers, no real-world redemptions. But money finds a way, usually through the shadow economy run by various gangs operating in the system.


    These groups¡ªnot all villains, but none entirely clean¡ªhad built networks for converting virtual wealth back into real currency. They took their cut, of course. Thirty, sometimes forty percent of everything you cashed out. And the terms weren''t always just about money. Getting involved with these groups meant risk. They had reach beyond HyperSpace, and they weren''t shy about using it. Many demanded favors, loyalty, or "services" in exchange for their help. A clean record could get dirty fast, and in this world, reputation meant everything.


    I chose to start cautiously with smaller bets, hoping to get a feel for the game before risking more.


    After bringing up a blue interface screen, I carefully keyed in the address of a local gang I¡¯d researched thoroughly during my last cycle. Their leader, according to what I¡¯d uncovered, had a reputation for being somewhat reasonable¡ªby gang standards, and compared to some of the other nutjobs running crews in this place.


    I took a deep breath, said a little prayer to any god that might be listening, and put half my meager savings on the line. It wasn''t much, but it was all I could afford to risk at this point.


    The energy in the arena shifted as the first fighter stepped into the spotlight. Towering over the center of the stadium was the announcer¡ªa massive figure standing at least eight feet tall. His upper body was a masterpiece of metal, gleaming under the bright arena lights. Polished steel limbs moved with a mechanical precision as his deep, resonating voice echoed through the air.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves!¡± His metallic fingers gestured dramatically to the fighter¡¯s entryway. ¡°First up, a challenger who strikes fear into the hearts of all living¡ªLiving Mummy!¡±


    The audience erupted in a thunderous roar. All eyes turned toward the far end of the arena, where the fighter emerged. She was wrapped from head to toe in blood-red ribbons, her appearance like something pulled straight from an ancient Egyptian legend.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    As she strode forward, her movements were fluid, almost otherworldly, the red fabric shifting and rippling as though alive.


    Then, with a sudden motion, the ribbons began to unwind, forming a swirling, protective aura around her.


    The coils moved in hypnotic patterns, tight and controlled, but with an edge of menace. A few strips lashed out violently, striking the arena floor with enough force to leave deep, jagged scars in the ground. Each strike was a clear display of her precision and power. The audience roared louder, feeding off her sheer presence and the palpable danger she exuded.


    Not their first time! I wondered.


    I leaned forward in my seat, the tension in the air thick enough to cut. I wasn¡¯t here to fight, but that didn¡¯t mean I couldn¡¯t feel the gravity of what was about to unfold.


    The Living Mummy¡¯s opponent hadn¡¯t even been introduced yet, and already, it felt like the match was hers to lose.


    Then the second fighter entered the arena, and the energy shifted noticeably. She was a stark contrast to the fierce aura of the Living Mummy. Dressed in a simple black cap, a tucked-in white t-shirt, and faded blue jeans, she looked more like someone heading to a casual baseball game than stepping into the grandest stage of combat. Even more surprising was her complete disregard for the arena¡¯s usual theatrics¡ªno dramatic entrance, no flashy effects, and certainly no adherence to the unwritten ¡°dress code¡± of HyperSpace fighters.


    She strolled in, idly tossing a baseball in one hand, utterly unfazed by the roaring crowd¡ªor rather, the lack of it. ¡°Victory,¡± the announcer boomed, introducing her name with the same gravitas as the Living Mummy¡¯s.


    The response from the crowd, however, was vastly different. An awkward silence hung in the air, punctuated by a few stifled laughs and muttered critiques.


    ¡°Victory?¡± someone nearby sneered. ¡°She lost before the match even started. Why''s her avatar so bland?¡±


    The crowd murmured in agreement, their enthusiasm replaced by skepticism and even mild contempt. A good avatar in a place as such was important for popularity and build reputation.


    But Victory carried herself with the relaxed air of someone out for a Sunday stroll rather than preparing for combat. Either this was supreme confidence or complete naivety ¨C I couldn''t decide which, but I found myself deeply skeptical of this odd player.


    As she entered the arena, Victory began moving in slow, deliberate circles around the Living Mummy, her eyes sharp and focused. The Living Mummy mirrored her movements, ribbons twitching like coiled serpents, ready to strike. The two fighters sized each other up, the air between them thick with unspoken tension. For me, the stakes were no less personal. My time to decide where to place my bet was slipping away. On paper, the choice was obvious: Living Mummy. Her commanding presence, her mastery of her abilities, and the way she carried herself all screamed experience and control. She was clearly the safer bet.


    Victory, on the other hand... Her casual demeanor and unorthodox style made her difficult to read, and in an arena where appearances could often deceive, I found myself deeply skeptical.


    I only had seconds to make a choice for my bet, but visual cues alone left me more torn than before.


    It was moments like these where my meta nature truly shined.


    Sometimes, seeing beyond the obvious meant trusting in something deeper than logic.


    Beyond the Veil, Fishing for Dead Stars¡ªa name that sounded grandiose, perhaps overly dramatic, but at its core, it was a simple support ability. Once activated, it granted me an enhanced, almost clairvoyant perception of events, and I could see what I personally called ¡®Likeness¡¯ of anything.


    Though it was convoluted and very hard to use, my ability would present cryptic fragments, vague impressions that required careful analysis, like fitting together the pieces of a fragmented puzzle. Mastering it took nearly a hundred years¡ªa laborious journey of trial, error, repeated mistakes, and endless attempts. Because of this, my first cycle was worse than even the life of a normal meta-human.


    The moment I triggered the meta, everything shifted. My vision blurred slightly, then perception sharpened, the world around me overlaid with a faint glow of ethereal fragments. Normally, I¡¯d see disjointed symbols or fleeting flashes of meaning, but this time, there was no ambiguity.


    A pot of gold. It shimmered brightly, unmistakably hovering above Victory.


    I blinked in disbelief. Such clarity was rare¡ªpractically unheard of. My ability usually required patience and interpretation, but this? This was a direct message, a declaration from the universe itself. Whatever hidden potential Victory possessed, it was beyond doubt.


    With only seconds left to decide, I didn¡¯t even glance at the Living Mummy. My gut, my ability, and now this vision all pointed to one thing: Victory was the right choice. My hands trembled slightly as I keyed in my wager, staking every remaining Ether coin I had on her. There was no room for doubt, no time for second-guessing. I pressed confirm, and the transaction locked in. Now, all I could do was watch.


    The bell rang out across the arena, its echo slicing through the tension like a knife. The crowd erupted in cheers as both opponents lunged forward simultaneously, and the battle began.


    Living Mummy¡¯s powers surged to life in an instant. The crimson ribbons that had coiled protectively around her body now lashed out like violent waves in a storm, striking with terrifying speed and precision. Each whip cracked against the ground, leaving deep, jagged scars as they zeroed in on Victory with surgical intent. But her relaxed demeanor faltered when a crimson ribbon sliced dangerously close, forcing her to stumble back, her baseball bat swinging wildly in a clumsy attempt at defense. Her stance wavered, and to the crowd, she looked completely outmatched. Her awkward movements and lack of coordination were painfully apparent against Living Mummy¡¯s fluid, calculated strikes.


    Yet, despite being clearly on the defensive, Victory¡¯s expression remained unchanged. Her face, calm and focused, betrayed none of the panic that her fumbling suggested. If anything, she appeared to be studying her opponent¡ªwatching, waiting.


    Then it happened. One of the Living Mummy¡¯s red ribbons lashed out, breaking from the swirling mass around her and snaking forward with incredible speed. In a blink, it coiled tightly around Victory¡¯s wrist. The crowd collectively gasped, anticipating the inevitable: Victory would be yanked forward and slammed mercilessly into the arena floor. But then, without warning, the ribbon erupted into flames. The fire raced along its length, consuming it in seconds until only ash remained. Victory stood unharmed, her calm demeanor unbroken. The crowd roared in astonishment, their initial doubts giving way to excitement.


    Living Mummy¡¯s brow furrowed deeply, her earlier confidence momentarily shaken. For a split second, she studied her opponent with new scrutiny. But then her expression shifted. A subtle smirk crept across her lips as she relaxed, her body language oozing confidence. Whatever momentary concern she¡¯d felt about Victory¡¯s meta nature was gone now.


    The flames had revealed something vital. Living Mummy had feared the unknown, but now that she¡¯d seen the fire, she believed she had the measure of her opponent.


    In her mind, Victory was no longer a threat¡ªjust an inexperienced first-timer lucky enough to have a flashy defensive trick. Her smirk widened as her ribbons coiled tighter around her, preparing for the next strike.


    It was clear that Living Mummy believed the battle was already hers. Her confidence radiated as she prepared to exploit what she saw as Victory¡¯s lack of control. But something about Victory¡¯s steady, unshaken gaze seemed to chip away at that confidence, leaving a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.


    I couldn¡¯t look away. My focus was locked on the arena, my mind refusing to make any early judgments despite the seemingly one-sided nature of the fight. That pot of gold I¡¯d seen hovering above Victory¡ªit wasn¡¯t just a fluke. Whether it symbolized potential, hidden strength, or something more elusive, I knew there was more to this baseball-toting fighter than anyone could see.


    Living Mummy, determined to end the fight, unleashed her ribbons in a relentless, spiraling fury. Each strike was faster and more precise, probing for weaknesses in Victory¡¯s defense. For her part, Victory remained steadfast, burning each ribbon that came close, reducing them to ash. It was a simple, straightforward defense¡ªbut one that betrayed a dangerous flaw: predictability.


    Living Mummy capitalized on it. A thin ribbon, reinforced with razor-sharp metal threads, whipped past Victory¡¯s face. It moved so fast that Victory couldn¡¯t fully react, and her cap was sent flying to the ground. Her hair billowed in the air as a thin line of blood appeared on her cheek.


    The crowd gasped, their cheers turning into murmurs of concern and excitement. But Victory didn¡¯t flinch. With a calm hand, she wiped the blood away, her previously casual demeanor hardening into something fierce and focused. Living Mummy seized her moment. Her expression sharpened, her stance shifting as she prepared to unleash one of her finishing moves. With a sharp flick of her wrist, the remaining ribbons surged forward in unison, converging on Victory like a tidal wave of scarlet threads.


    The attack was a perfect storm. Ribbons darted and spiraled, forming an inescapable cage around Victory. The threads moved with deadly precision, concealing razor-sharp metal tips that struck toward her vital points.


    The sheer volume of the assault was overwhelming¡ªtoo numerous to burn, too widespread to dodge.


    It wasn¡¯t just an attack; it was a declaration of victory, designed to force Victory out of the arena. She wouldn¡¯t die, of course¡ªHyperSpace ensured that¡ªbut she¡¯d lose the match and all the money she¡¯d staked on herself.


    The audience collectively held its breath, their eyes fixed on Victory. The tension in the air was palpable, the arena so silent that the faint hum of the ribbons slicing through the air was audible. For a moment, it seemed impossible for Victory to escape the onslaught. Everyone waited, their anticipation building with each passing second.


    In that crucial moment, something inexplicable happened. None of us in the audience could fully process what we¡¯d just witnessed¡ªit defied explanation.


    The deadly, razor-sharp ribbons, moving with perfect precision, inexplicably collided with one another mere inches from their target.


    The attack, which moments ago had seemed inescapable, unraveled in an instant. Whether it was a miscalculation on Living Mummy¡¯s part, fatigue dulling her focus, or something else entirely, the result was undeniable: her perfect strategy had failed.


    Victory wasted no time. She moved with startling speed, capitalizing on the opening before Living Mummy could recover from the shock of her failed assault.


    In a blur, Victory closed the distance between them, her bat raised high. The crowd collectively gasped as she swung with all her strength, the sound of the impact echoing across the arena as the bat smashed against the Living Mummy¡¯s skull.


    The blow staggered Living Mummy, her confidence shattered along with her balance. For a split second, she froze, her expression a mix of disbelief and panic as she struggled to comprehend what had just happened. But Victory didn¡¯t let up.


    The second strike came even faster than the first, and then a third, each blow resonating like thunder through the arena.


    Living Mummy gripped her head in pain and once-imposing form crumpled to the ground under the final strike, her ribbons falling limp around her as her defenses broke completely.


    For a moment, there was silence¡ªa stunned, breathless pause where the crowd struggled to reconcile what they had just seen.


    Then the arena erupted.


    Thunderous cheers filled the air, shaking the very walls of the stadium.


    The skepticism that had greeted Victory at the start of the match transformed into wild enthusiasm.


    The crowd roared her name, electrified by the sheer unpredictability of the fight.


    This unassuming underdog, dismissed as inexperienced and out of place, had toppled an experienced fighter against all odds.


    Victory stood in the center of the arena, her bat resting on her shoulder, her calm demeanor unchanged. She didn¡¯t soak in the applause or revel in her triumph. Instead, she turned and retrieved her fallen cap, dusted it off, and placed it back on her head with quiet precision.


    The stadium buzzed with excitement, the air thick with speculation.


    A new dark horse had emerged, one who had not only won but had done so in a way that left everyone questioning their assumptions.

 Act 1.3 (Recrudesce)

    The butterfly effect... could that explain what I was witnessing?


    Victory hadn''t just won once and stopped. She''d transformed that initial win into an unstoppable streak, throwing herself into match after match, each one more brutal than the last. Now, in her seventeenth battle, the toll was evident. Her breathing had grown heavy, movements visibly slower¡ªyet somehow, defying all logic, she remained undefeated. But her endurance wasn''t what had captivated the audience. It was her meta nature, an astonishing arsenal that seemed to defy possibility. Throughout her streak, she''d displayed more than a dozen distinct powers, each one emerging at exactly the right moment to counter her opponents. The audience sat transfixed, caught in the spell of her performance.


    They had never seen anything like her¡ªa prodigy of this magnitude appearing in a place like this? It defied belief.


    The reason for their shock was simple. The people who typically fought in these rings were mercenaries, drifters, and fighters seeking fortune and glory. They were driven by their own ambitions and desires. But a truly powerful person? They never needed to seek such things. Power, wealth, and fame naturally gravitated towards them without any conscious effort on their part.


    But Victory? She was an anomaly.


    The spectators whispered among themselves, speculating in hushed tones: could someone like her even exist in the first place? After all, any individual capable of displaying such immense power would surely be claimed by the governments, secret organizations, or powerful families. They would be fiercely protected and kept hidden from the public eye, their abilities too valuable to risk in the chaos.


    Unless, of course, she was something even rarer. A magical meta: those metahumans could learn and cast multiple spells.


    But none of that mattered compared to what was happening to my bet. When I''d placed it, Victory''s odds had been laughably small¡ªone in a thousand, if that. Her first win had seemed like a miracle, the kind of long shot no one would stake their future on. But as she carved through opponent after opponent like a blade through mist, that impossible start had become a streak. My tiny wager, placed more out of curiosity than any real conviction, had grown into something staggering.


    The payout I stood to claim was astronomical¡ªwell into the millions.


    The thought of that kind of money should have filled me with euphoria. A life-changing windfall waiting to happen.


    The prospect of millions should have been my primary concern. Instead, I found myself grappling with the logistics. Collecting such a massive sum wouldn''t be simple¡ªno quick transaction or easy cash-out. A win this size would draw attention, and attention in these circles meant danger. If I could somehow manage to slip away with it quietly, I''d never need to chase lottery numbers or scheme for money again.


    But the money felt almost secondary now. My thoughts kept circling back to Victory''s identity.


    HyperSpace''s privacy protocols were absolute. No names passed through its filters, no genders revealed, no identifying marks survived its masking systems. Victory was just another avatar, wrapped in layers of digital anonymity. Yet something about her nagged at me.


    I searched through my memories, trying to place her in the timelines I''d lived. Nothing fit. No one with her particular combination of abilities should have existed at this point in history. It was as if she''d appeared from nowhere, defying the careful order of events I''d witnessed before.


    Then again, my own memory wasn''t exactly reliable anymore. The weight of multiple lifetimes made precision difficult¡ªevents blurred together, details faded or mixed with other moments. The further back I reached, the more uncertain everything became.


    For a moment, I considered a startling possibility: could she be another time traveler? But I dismissed the thought almost immediately. If she was on her third cycle like me, her performance would have been dramatically different. An experienced meta-human who''d mastered their abilities through multiple lives wouldn''t need seventeen grueling matches to prove themselves. They would have dominated the arena effortlessly, perhaps taking on multiple opponents simultaneously without breaking stride.


    The crowd¡¯s roar snapped me back to reality as she claimed yet another win. She looked exhausted but unyielding, standing tall despite the strain.


    Whoever she was, wherever she¡¯d come from¡ªshe wasn¡¯t done yet. And neither was I.


    A nagging thought kept circling in my mind: could I somehow be responsible for this butterfly effect? The morning''s events¡ªmy impromptu debut as "Wild Striker," demolishing those two meta-users and becoming the city''s newest viral sensation¡ªmight have already caused ripples I couldn''t predict. Perhaps Victory was just another unexpected consequence, though even that felt like a stretch.


    After all, Stepping on an ants doesn¡¯t create a meta-human powerhouse who shatters rules and expectations.


    The more I tried to untangle this puzzle, the more complex it became. Here I was, watching someone else''s meteoric rise to fame while my own masked identity was probably still trending. Both of us hiding behind anonymity, both causing unexpected chaos in our own ways. Obsessing over any connection now was pointless; answers weren''t going to materialize just because I wanted them to.


    But I did know one thing for certain: she was local. The arena''s registration system required fighters to be from the same city. She wasn''t some distant mystery from across the world¡ªshe was here, somewhere in my backyard. Our paths could cross again, in or out of HyperSpace, and when they did, I''d have my chance to solve this mystery. For now, though, maybe it was time to stop overthinking everything. I settled back in my seat, finally allowing myself to smile. I''d made a fortune today. The pot of gold my meta nature had revealed had turned out to be quite literal, in more ways than one. Between this windfall and my morning''s activities, this timeline was already shaping up to be far more interesting than I''d anticipated.


    I might as well enjoy the show. Who knew how far she could push this streak, how many more opponents would fall before she finally stopped.


    Whatever was happening here, I had a front-row seat to something unprecedented.


    <hr>


    Logging out of HyperSpace always left me a little dazed, and this time was no different. The transition from the immersive virtual world to the stillness of reality was jarring. Midnight had slipped by unnoticed while I was inside, and now, back in the real world, exhaustion hit me like a ton of bricks. My body felt heavy, my eyelids drooped, and hunger gnawed at my stomach. But the stairs to the kitchen felt like an insurmountable trek, so I collapsed onto my bed and let sleep claim me.


    Morning came too soon, the shrill blare of my alarm shattering the peace.


    I groaned, burying myself deeper in the cocoon of blankets, and hit snooze¡ªthen again, and again. By the time I finally rolled out of bed, it was already ten.


    The world outside was alive and buzzing, while I was still shaking off the remnants of my grogginess. After a quick shower, I trudged back to my room to get dressed.


    Opening my closet, I was immediately hit with a grim reminder of my poor living situation.


    My wardrobe was pitiful¡ªfaded t-shirts, two pairs of jeans, and one jacket that was practically falling apart. I couldn¡¯t help but mutter, How did I manage to live like this? With a sigh, I grabbed the clothes I¡¯d stashed away for ¡°special occasions¡±: a decent black jacket, a half-sleeve sweater, and a pair of pants that didn¡¯t scream I¡¯ve given up.


    I layered them together.


    "Dress like you own the place," I said to myself as I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my hair that fell in windswept layers around my face. The outfit wasn''t flashy¡ªfar from it¡ªbut it felt polished, deliberate. A step up from my usual thrown-together look. It wasn''t just the clothes; it was the energy they brought. I could feel my spirit shift ever so slightly, an undercurrent of confidence creeping in.


    For a moment, I lingered in front of the mirror longer than I usually would. My reflection stared back with contemplatively, and I allowed myself the rare luxury of really looking. I had to admit, I was good-looking¡ªnot in a way that demanded attention, but enough to hold it. My face was thin, high cheekbones and defined jawline gave me a quiet elegant air, but only if I was groomed properly. While my full lips held a thoughtful expression. My skin seemed to glow under the bathroom lights, and my height didn''t hurt, either. At just shy of six feet -- due to modified genetics, I had a presence that couldn¡¯t be ignored, not in an overbearing way, but enough to draw attention and hold it for a moment longer than most.


    The thought made me smile a little, though I quickly pushed it aside. This wasn¡¯t about vanity; it was about carrying myself differently.


    Downstairs, my aunt was sprawled on the couch, flipping through TV channels with the kind of aimless ease I envied. I made a beeline for the kitchen, where her voice followed me. ¡°There¡¯s some avocado toast in the bowl,¡± she called out. A small wave of gratitude washed over me¡ªno scavenging for breakfast today. I poured myself a cup of milk and sat down, ready to dig in.


    That¡¯s when her question blindsided me. ¡°What, are you going on a date or something?¡±


    I froze mid-bite, my spoon hovering in the air. Slowly, I turned to look at her. She was leaning over the back of the couch, eyebrows raised, an amused smirk playing on her lips. That look¡ªthe one that said she¡¯d sniffed out something interesting and wasn¡¯t about to let it go.


    I swallowed hard, trying to play it cool. ¡°What? No. Just felt like dressing up.¡±


    Her smirk widened. ¡°Sure, sure,¡± she said, her tone dripping with disbelief.


    To be fair, my aunt¡¯s question wasn¡¯t all that strange. Aunt Grace¡ªGrace Rudge¡ªhad always been someone I could relax around. We got along effortlessly, and our banter came naturally. She was the kind of person who could make even the most awkward moments comfortable, which was probably why my parents decided I¡¯d be better off living with her than on campus. She knew me too well, and I guess they figured that¡¯d keep me grounded.


    At eighteen, having just been accepted into one of the country¡¯s most exclusive academies, I figured I should start making an effort to look more put-together every once in a while.


    Still, she didn¡¯t seem like she was planning to let the matter go. I could feel her watching me as if she were trying to detect the tiniest shift in my behavior.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure something happened,¡± she muttered, almost to herself, her brow furrowed as if piecing together a mystery.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Her reaction made me smirk, though I tried to keep it subtle. In her eyes, it was as if the scruffy, perpetually underdressed nephew she knew had been replaced by this polished version sitting at her kitchen table.


    Before I could think of a witty response, she waved me off with a casual flick of her hand. ¡°Anyway,¡± she said, switching topics, ¡°don¡¯t come home early today, alright?¡±


    I blinked, caught off guard. ¡°Why?¡±


    She raised an eyebrow at me, clearly unimpressed by my cluelessness. ¡°Why? Just because you can¡¯t pull bitches doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t,¡± she said with a sly grin, leaning back into the couch with a self-satisfied air.


    I couldn¡¯t help but laugh, shaking my head as I returned to my toast.


    Aunt Grace was in her late twenties, and she had the kind of confidence people twice her age only dreamed of. She had a solid job, plenty of ambition, and no problem keeping her social life interesting.


    Her meta nature wasn¡¯t anything flashy¡ªshe could repair paper, and only paper¡ªbut she carried it with a quiet pride that I¡¯d always admired. It wasn¡¯t about how grand or powerful her abilities were; it was about how she owned them, how she found value in something so seemingly small. That was Aunt Grace in a nutshell¡ªunapologetically herself, no matter what.


    After finishing breakfast, I grabbed my bag and was just about to step out the door when her voice stopped me. ¡°Before you leave, tell me how¡¯s my day,¡± she called.


    I froze for a moment, glancing back at her. She was lounging on the couch, her expression casual and unreadable.


    Over time, I¡¯d learned to respond to these moments without looking too deeply.


    There were rules I¡¯d set for myself, values I clung to, especially when it came to knowing too much. Sometimes, the future wasn¡¯t something people really wanted to see, and I was more than happy to keep it that way.


    ¡°It¡¯s looking good,¡± I said with a small smile, careful to keep my voice light.


    She nodded, seemingly satisfied, and I stepped out into the cool morning air, letting it sweep away the weight of the moment.


    The academy halls were quiet by the time I arrived. First lecture: missed entirely. Fundamentals of Meta Nature was already in full swing when I slipped through the door, trying to be inconspicuous after my eventful morning of vigilante fighting and virtual betting.


    Most students were too engrossed in their notes or the instructor''s enthusiastic lecture to notice my late arrival. The few who glanced my way quickly returned their attention to the front. I found an empty table and let my bag drop softly beside me.


    That''s when I noticed her.


    She sat to my right, her short hair styled with precise attention to detail, every strand exactly where it should be. Her clothes spoke of careful curation¡ªthe kind of effortless elegance that took considerable effort to achieve. Her features held that distinct quality that only came from third-generation enhancement: the subtle symmetry of her eyes, the perfectly calculated angle of her cheekbones, the exact arch of her brows that designers had spent decades determining was most aesthetically pleasing to the human brain.


    Designer baby, without question. But not just any standard genetic package.


    In the past two centuries, genetic engineering had evolved from crude DNA splicing to an art form. The wealthy didn''t just edit out diseases anymore¡ªthey curated their children like premium software, selecting from vast libraries of enhanced traits. Everything from basic height adjustments like mine to complex neural optimization that boosted pattern recognition and learning speed. The most expensive packages could cost as much as a small country''s GDP. They offered what designers called "comprehensive enhancement"¡ªimproved muscle fiber density, optimized organ efficiency, enhanced sensory processing. Some clinics even claimed they could engineer specific personality traits, though that remained controversial.


    I remembered the elite genetic clinics of the future, their promises of guaranteeing powerful meta natures through DNA manipulation. They''d failed spectacularly, of course. Meta nature remained stubbornly unpredictable, emerging according to its own mysterious logic.


    The harder scientists tried to force it, the more it seemed to resist their efforts.


    Some of the wealthiest families had spent fortunes trying to engineer supreme meta abilities into their bloodlines. They''d achieved physical perfection, enhanced intelligence, even improved emotional control¡ªbut meta nature continued to follow its own rules, even the most advanced predictive models. No amount of money or science could force it.


    Still, there was something about this girl that felt¡­ off.


    It wasn¡¯t her style or the inevitable modifications behind her flawless appearance. There was a subtle dissonance, a tension I felt, I couldn¡¯t quite name.


    It wasn¡¯t obvious¡ªnot to anyone else, at least. But to me, it was like the faintest vibration in the air, something just outside of reach.


    My eyes flicked away, pretending to adjust my notes, but my curiosity lingered.


    Too many odd things were happening around me. Or Coincidences!


    The feeling crept in, subtle but insistent, like catching the edges of a pattern you couldn¡¯t quite piece together. Something was amiss, though I couldn¡¯t put my finger on it.


    I wasn¡¯t trying to be judgmental, but the sense was oddly familiar, like when you notice a pattern but can¡¯t fully grasp it. Maybe it¡¯s just her meta nature, I told myself, deciding to let it go for now. Whatever it was, it would surface eventually.


    I turned my focus back to the lecture. Even with the experiences and knowledge I''d accumulated in my last cycle, a refresher on the basics wasn¡¯t a bad idea.


    Our instructor¡¯s voice cut through the room, sharp and engaging. ¡°As we¡¯ve discussed before, we classify meta nature into three main types, each with their unique characteristics: Unique, Hive, and Bizarre.¡±


    Her eyes swept across the class, bright with expectation. ¡°Can anyone give me an example of a Hive-type meta nature?¡±


    Silence stretched out as her gaze moved across the classroom, waiting for someone to volunteer. I considered responding, feeling a slight itch to contribute¡ªbut I decided to hold back, curious to see if anyone else would answer.


    The tension in the room was palpable.


    Hive meta natures weren¡¯t rare¡ªif anything, they were the most common, making up about eighty percent of the population. Stable and predictable, Hive meta natures had relatively uniform traits across users and rarely came with significant personal drawbacks.


    Unlike the volatile Unique meta natures, Hive powers were widespread and safe, often passed down generationally without much variation. You¡¯d think someone would be eager to answer such a straightforward question.


    But the hesitation made sense, too. Many students had grown up with warnings from parents or mentors: Don¡¯t talk about your meta nature openly. Someone might use it against you.


    That fear was ingrained. It wasn¡¯t paranoia; it was survival.


    You never knew who might try to exploit what made you unique. Still, some meta natures were so infamous that everyone knew about them, their names whispered on the news, plastered across the internet, or associated with the kind of notorious figures who made headlines.


    Fifteen percent of the population, however, wasn¡¯t so lucky. Those with Unique meta natures had abilities that were as individualistic as fingerprints but came at a cost. Some had side effects¡ªlike energy-draining consequences, odd physical transformations, or unpredictable behaviors. Others had powers so obscure or specific that they struggled to find practical uses for them like Aunt Grace.


    By contrast, Hive meta natures were generally reliable, as their traits were more uniform across users and rarely caused major personal drawbacks.


    ¡°The Ghost Writer,¡± a boy in the front row finally said, breaking the uncomfortable silence.


    Mrs. Marlee¡¯s face lit up, clearly pleased. ¡°Exactly. The Ghost Writer is a classic example of a Hive-type meta nature.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t wrong. The Ghost Writer was practically the blueprint for Hive meta natures¡ªand one of the most mysterious and common examples. Those who awakened as Ghost Writers didn¡¯t just gain an ability; they inherited a role. It was as if the universe itself handed them a place in a sprawling, ever-shifting narrative. Their powers weren¡¯t just tools¡ªthey were threads in a cosmic story, interwoven with secrets, influence, and peculiar rules.


    It was said that their actions, and even their existence, aligned with a grand, unknowable plot.


    In some ways, they weren¡¯t just living their lives¡ªthey were fulfilling a story. Their abilities often manifested in strange, narrative-driven ways, unpredictable and yet oddly purposeful. The Ghost Writer didn¡¯t just write¡ªthey created outcomes, forced events into motion, and uncovered truths as if compelled by a greater force.


    There was even a rumor that one of the strongest humans alive possessed a Hive-type meta nature with the title Protagonist.


    And, naturally, the world didn¡¯t limit itself to a single protagonist¡ªJust as stories often featured multiple leading figures, the world, too, could support more than one. And titles like Protagonist, Antagonist, or even Hero and Villain could appear.


    A ripple of interest moved through the classroom as Mrs. Marlee continued. ¡°For those of you unfamiliar, Hive meta natures are often shared across groups, though they vary in how they manifest for each individual. Some are straightforward, like enhanced physical abilities. Others, like The Ghost Writer, are more complex and tied to broader concepts, Titles, for instance, are a fascinating example. They don¡¯t just grant abilities¡ªthey assign inherent roles or tendencies that influence the person¡¯s life and actions. It¡¯s as if the universe gives them a function within its story.¡±


    As I glanced around, I noticed the shift in the room. A few students were leaning forward now, listening more intently. It wasn¡¯t surprising¡ªHive meta natures had an inherent balance of power and risk. Their shared traits could make them strong, but they also came with predictable vulnerabilities. Those interconnected qualities could be exploited, but the flip side was undeniable: being part of a larger group meant they had strength in numbers, a built-in network of support.


    ¡°For your first assignment,¡± Mrs. Marlee announced, ¡°I¡¯d like each of you to meet one of our teachers who possesses the Ghost Writer meta nature. His title is The Wise Mentor, which is quite a unique one. When you have time, go and introduce yourselves to him. Be polite¡ªhe¡¯s someone who can help you with many of your challenges.¡±


    A teacher with the title Wise Mentor? That practically screamed importance.


    ¡°And your second task,¡± she continued, ¡°is to gather and write about as many Hive meta natures as you can find among family, friends, or even online. We¡¯ll discuss them in our next class.¡±


    I had to admit, Mrs. Marlee¡¯s teaching approach was refreshingly unique and effective. She was giving students hands-on experience.


    Then Mrs. Marlee shifted gears. ¡°As I¡¯ve mentioned the Hive meta nature,¡± she said, her voice taking on a more deliberate tone, ¡°I¡¯m pleased to add that we have quite a few Unique meta natures among us as well. Feel free to introduce yourselves to each other after class.¡±


    However, then, her tone darkened slightly, her expression more guarded as she added, ¡°But one word of caution for everyone¡ªbe aware of Bizarre meta natures.¡±


    She didn¡¯t elaborate, leaving the warning to hang in the air. That in itself said a lot. The government had invested considerable effort into educating people about the dangers of Bizarre meta-natures, and with good reason. They were rare enough that most people would never encounter one in their lifetime, but their unpredictability and chaotic nature made them a constant concern.


    It was widely believed that Bizarre meta natures were ¡°broken,¡± fragmented meta natures that didn¡¯t conform to any logical system.


    They were unlike any other category. I¡¯d had my own fair share of unsettling experiences with Bizarre meta nature, and they weren''t something I¡¯d ever forget. Those powers didn¡¯t feel like they belonged to the person¡ªor thing¡ªthat wielded them. It was as if the abilities had a mind of their own, existing outside the individual¡¯s control or understanding.


    Bizarre meta nature were also the only ones known to manifest in anything: a person, an animal, or even an inanimate object. That unpredictability was what made them so dangerous.


    You could prepare for a Hive or Unique nature, but Bizarre natures? They defied preparation.


    They didn¡¯t just bend the rules; they ignored them entirely.

 Act 1.4 (Recrudesce)

    Mrs. Marlee had that rare quality as a teacher that made you want to attend every class¡ªeven if you were exhausted.


    In my second cycle, I had missed some of what made her so special, but I was determined not to make the same mistake this time. During that earlier phase, I¡¯d been too preoccupied with the setbacks of my first cycle. My fear of failure and inability to properly use my meta nature had driven me to abandon it entirely, retreating into the safety of studying science and pursuing a ¡°normal¡± career. I¡¯d pushed away all thoughts of tapping into those strange abilities, trying to find peace in the ordinary.


    But now, with the knowledge gained from past cycles, everything had changed. The world that once seemed limited now expanded into a wide expanse of untapped potential, filled with open doors and unique opportunities I couldn''t ignore.


    After finishing the Fundamentals of Meta Nature class, the next item on my schedule was Self-Defense. Not knowing where to go, I quietly followed a group of students, hoping they were headed to the right place. After a short walk, we arrived at a spacious hall. The room was designed for purpose, with foam mats neatly covering the floor and tall mirrors lining the walls, reflecting the anticipation on every face.


    So we get to watch ourselves while getting beaten? Yeah, no thanks.


    Still, curiosity got the better of me. I reached out to touch one of the mirrors, pretending to inspect its surface while discreetly scanning the room behind me. Most students were already dressed in gym gear, their numbers noticeably larger¡ªpractically doubled.


    Oh no. My stomach sank. Gym gear. Of course, I¡¯d forgotten it. I silently groaned. That¡¯s what happens when you have no friends to remind you of the basics. Brilliant move¡ªdefinitely not winning any "brightest bulb in the box" awards today.


    Despite my internal flailing, I forced myself to scan the room. I¡¯d just have to hope someone wouldn¡¯t mind partnering with the unprepared rookie, even if I looked completely out of place for a practice match.


    The self-defense instructor entered with an air of authority. He was a middle-aged man with a meticulously trimmed white beard that somehow screamed both elegance and danger. Wasting no time, he barked an order for us to form two parallel lines. To my relief, he didn¡¯t seem to care about anyone¡¯s attire. That made sense, I supposed. For metahumans, combat costumes were the norm, and comfort often took a back seat to practicality.


    As I stepped into line, I froze. Oh wow! The person standing opposite me was¡­ surprising, to say the least. It wasn¡¯t just that she was extraordinary¡ªthough she was, in the way that instantly pulled every eye toward her.


    The other half was due to the fact that I was very good at self-defense, given my experience over hundreds of years.


    Still, this wasn¡¯t the time for overthinking. I refocused, keeping my face neutral.


    Somewhere in the back of my mind, I recalled that this was supposed to be our seventh self-defense class. For me, however, it was the first one. Judging by the ease with which the other students fell into position, many had already mastered foundational training, likely during their preparation for admission into the academy.


    No pressure, right?


    Mr. Clemen, our instructor, wasted no time getting to the heart of the lesson. He called two students to the front and demonstrated the key movements we¡¯d be practicing. Every word he spoke was efficient, slicing through any confusion with the precision of a blade. He broke down each stance and technique with a mastery that made even the most complicated moves seem accessible.


    When the demonstration ended, he clapped his hands, setting us loose in pairs to practice. As we fanned out, he prowled the space like a hawk, adjusting stances, fine-tuning postures, and offering pointed feedback to anyone whose form faltered.


    I looked up from my awkward self-assessment and found my would-be partner standing before me. She wore a clean white tracksuit, her hand extended for a handshake.


    I took it hesitantly.


    "Jade London," she said in a soft but confident tone.


    London, huh? My mind betrayed me with a stray thought: You mean, like the city stuck back in time?


    I managed to choke that one back before it slipped out. Instead, I forced a polite smile and offered my own introduction. ¡°North¡­ Starr.¡±


    Jade¡¯s lips pursed ever so slightly, the faintest sign of skepticism flickering across her face. Was it my awkward delivery, or had she picked up on my last-second fabrication?


    Sure, I¡¯d made up the last name on the spot, figuring if she could have an exotic name, why not me?


    Jade settled into a fighting stance, her movements fluid and assured, like someone who knew exactly how to handle herself. Her eyes fixed on me, appraising, challenging. ¡°How good are you?¡± she asked, her tone carrying an undeniable edge.


    Was she really trying to size me up? I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. ¡°Good enough,¡± I replied flatly.


    However, my perception shifted in the next instant, and her Likeness revealed itself to me. It was breathtaking¡ªan immense, golden dragon coiled upon itself, its sheer size overwhelming. I had to crane my neck to take it all in, and even then, I could barely grasp its full scale. Its luminous scales radiated a brilliance so intense it was almost blinding. The dragon''s head rested among soft clouds, as though it slumbered in the heavens, while its tail disappeared into the abyss below. The contrast between celestial grace and unfathomable depth was mesmerizing, and I could feel the ancient power rolling off it in waves.


    I rarely encountered such extraordinary Likenesses, even at Beyonder¡¯s Academy, where every student was exceptional¡ªthe elite of the elite. The Academy was the pinnacle of talent, filled with prodigies who represented the "heavy cream of the top," as the saying went. Yet, Jade was something else entirely.


    There was no denying it.


    Huh! In the next instant, my world shifted. Darkness enveloped me, stars and a faint moon painted against an endless void. My mind scrambled to process what was happening, but when my senses snapped back into focus, I realized I was trapped. Her legs were locked around my neck in an unbreakable hold, her face smug and victorious.


    What?! I hadn¡¯t even seen her move. The shock of being outmaneuvered so easily rippled through me, undermining all my centuries of experience. Either I wasn¡¯t prepared yet, or I had completely underestimated her.


    The hold tightened. My vision blurred, and I was sure my face had turned the color of chalk. The air felt thin, my thoughts foggy. Just as I wondered whether I was about to pass out, a voice cut through the moment.


    ¡°What are you doing? Let him go!¡± Mr. Clemen¡¯s tone carried a mix of alarm and irritation as he strode toward us. ¡°Are you trying to give him brain damage?¡±


    Jade released me immediately, and I collapsed onto the mat, gulping in air like it was the finest drink I¡¯d ever had. My chest heaved as I regained my senses, embarrassment mingling with the burning sensation in my throat. I silently cursed myself for being so arrogant. Jade was not someone to underestimate.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Jade mumbled, her voice low but devoid of any real regret. Her eyes flicked between me and Mr. Clemen, as if deciding how much of an apology was truly necessary.


    Mr. Clemen sighed, his expression darkening as he turned to her. ¡°You need to dial it down, Jade. This is why no one wants to partner with you.¡±


    I glanced at her, still catching my breath. She shrugged slightly, as if the accusation didn¡¯t bother her in the least.


    Oh. That stung a little. So it wasn¡¯t fate or my lucky charm that brought us together¡ªit was her habit of knocking out anyone unlucky enough to train with her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see if I can move you up to the advanced class next week,¡± Mr. Clemen added, hauling me to my feet with all the warmth of a wet towel.


    No pat on the back, no word of encouragement¡ªnothing. I was the one who practically got strangled and just died. I felt sad.


    Gender discrimination, or what? I bubbled internally. My life had been on the line. Would it kill someone to acknowledge that I¡¯d just been practically strangled?


    Jade, meanwhile, seemed to be doing her best to appear uninterested, but the subtle curve of her lips betrayed her satisfaction. Clearly, in this class, landing the hits earned you a quiet badge of honor.


    I dusted off my clothes, rolling up my sleeves as I straightened.


    One thing was certain: it was on.


    Jade might have won the first round, but there was no way I was letting her get the last laugh.


    Petty? I was rotten to the core. But fair play was overrated when you¡¯d been publicly humbled.


    Yet a thought nagged at me. I didn¡¯t remember anyone like her from my first or second cycles. Her presence wasn¡¯t just extraordinary¡ªit was anomalous. Was my memory fading? Or had the time loop spun some new threads in this third cycle? The ripple effects were piling up, like pebbles tossed into a still pond, distorting reflections of what I thought I knew.


    Looking around, I noticed nobody else seemed the least bit concerned about our little showdown. Everyone was focused on their own training, and what made this class unique was that no one used their meta nature in combat.


    Even those with boosted strength or speed held back, focusing on raw skill alone. It was a peculiar rule here¡ªto fight as humans, no powers allowed.


    Between Jade and me, rules ceased to exist the moment our eyes locked: this wasn¡¯t just sparring¡ªit was personal, at least to me.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Mr. Clemen stood on the sidelines, but I didn¡¯t wait for his signal. There was no time for formalities. I lunged forward, fists tight.


    The first punch was a feint, blocked swiftly by her precise guard, but my second hit connected, Catching her momentarily off-guard, I wasn¡¯t holding back. My relentless onslaught forced her to dodge, counter, and adapt.


    She was good¡ªbetter than good. Her moves were precise and deliberate, a clear sign of elite training. Yet, there was something unpolished beneath the flawless exterior.


    Her reactions were quick but not yet automatic; she lacked the muscle memory honed through years of practice, which gave me a slight edge as I pushed her to keep up.


    Our clash intensified. It wasn¡¯t just about skill anymore¡ªit was a primal struggle for dominance.


    She moved with precision, but I kept her on the defensive, forcing her to grapple with my momentum. Soon, we hit the mats, her legs locking around my waist as she tried to pin me down. I gritted my teeth and twisted against her hold, my fists still seeking openings.


    Our spar became less of a polished exchange and more of a raw contest of will. Her technique was undeniable, but so was her lack of experience, and the momentum was shifting my way. Still, she was stubborn, holding her ground with an intensity that forced me to respect her as an opponent. Even if I had the upper hand now, she was far from defeated.


    This arrogant dragon needed to be taught a lesson¡­


    Is this how cats fight? I supposed.


    And then¡ªfuck. A searing pain exploded in my nose, snapping me out of my thoughts. She¡¯d landed a direct hit, precise and brutal, and the crunch that followed told me she¡¯d probably broken it.


    But I refused to let it slow me down, shoving the pain to the back of my mind, my focus locked on Jade.


    Surging forward, I unleashed a flurry of strikes, fists blurring as I attempted to overwhelm her defenses. Jade''s arm snapped up, batting aside the first blow, but the second caught her square in the shoulder.


    She grunted but recovered swiftly, her counterattack brutal. Her movements were relentless, and we crashed to the floor in a violent tangle of limbs, exchanging blows at point-blank range.


    The mats offered little cushion, each strike reverberating through my bones.


    Jade lashed out with a vicious kick to my ribs. Something cracked, and the sharp pain in my side confirmed the damage. My breath came in ragged gasps. Gritting my teeth, I tackled her, slamming her back onto the mat.


    Grabbing her sweatshirt, I yanked her closer and drove my knee into her abdomen. Her strangled gasp told me I¡¯d landed a solid hit, but she retaliated immediately.


    Her teeth sank into my forearm, unyielding, and I hissed as the metallic tang of blood filled the air. Pain flared, but I refused to let her gain the upper hand. Twisting sharply, I slammed my elbow into the side of her head.


    Her grip slackened just for a moment. I wrenched my arm free, ignoring the blood dripping from the bite marks.


    I didn¡¯t stop. I couldn''t stop.


    Gripping her sweatshirt again, I pulled, yanking her upward with every ounce of strength I had left. A sickening pop echoed between us as her arm twisted at an awkward angle¡ªlikely dislocated from the force.


    Jade winced and bit her lips, her face flushing crimson with pain, dark bruises blooming across her cheeks and under her eyes.


    Her sweatshirt was spattered with my blood, the red stains stark against the white fabric. Her injured arm hung limp at her side, but her expression told me she wasn¡¯t done.


    A tear trickled her cheeks, she refused to back down. Her resolve was as fierce as ever.


    She refused to relent, and nor did I.


    We were landing punches like mortal enemies.


    This was no longer a controlled sparring session¡ªit had descended into a brutal, visceral confrontation.


    Fortunately, before it could spiral completely out of control, Mr. Clemen stepped in, his voice cracking like a whip.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± he barked, leaving no room for argument. ¡°This is supposed to be a training exercise, not a full-on brawl. Break it up, both of you.¡±


    Jade and I froze mid-motion, chests heaving, the adrenaline slowly ebbing.


    I released my grip on her sweatshirt, my knuckles stiff and bloodied, while she cradled her injured arm, her face a mixture of pain and defiance. Our ragged breathing echoed in the stunned silence, the chaos of moments before now replaced by an awkward stillness.


    As I lifted my head, I became acutely aware of the entire class staring at us, mouths agape as if they were witnessing monkeys fighting in a zoo.


    For all my supposed mental maturity, I felt a rare twinge of embarrassment in that moment, my composure slipping. I met Jade''s gaze, but she seemed too consumed by pain to register the eyes upon us.


    Did she want to kill me? I wondered fleetingly, though the thought felt more absurd than threatening.


    Probably not.


    Probably.


    ¡°Two nutcases this year,¡± Mr. Clemen muttered, shaking his head as he surveyed the aftermath of our brawl. His disappointment was palpable, but so was his exhaustion, as if dealing with us had drained the last of his patience.


    Shouldn¡¯t you have intervened sooner, before we almost killed each other? I thought, resisting the urge to glare. His hands-off approach had clearly backfired, and his delayed intervention felt hypocritical at best, reckless at worst.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. ¡°Someone get these two to the infirmary before they pass out.¡±


    A few classmates hesitated, unsure whether to laugh or feel sorry for us. Eventually, two stepped forward¡ªone on each side¡ªto help us up.


    Alex steadied me, his arm firm around my shoulder as he helped me stagger down the hallway. Every step sent a fresh ache through my body, the metallic tang of blood lingering on my tongue. My ribs throbbed with each breath, my nose burned, and my arm¡ªdecorated with Jade¡¯s bite marks¡ªstung with every movement.


    Ahead, Jade looked just as rough. Her face was a patchwork of red and blue, bruises swelling in stark contrast against her pale skin. Two girls supported her, her expression grim. Tears streaked her face, though she wasn¡¯t crying¡ªat least not in the traditional sense. It was more like the pain had leaked out on its own, unwelcome but unrelenting.


    Today had definitely been a lesson for both of us¡ªthough maybe more for her.


    ¡°I never knew you were so crazy,¡± Alex whispered, his voice low enough that the girls escorting Jade wouldn¡¯t overhear.


    His tone held something close to admiration, his eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and respect. ¡°You really went toe-to-toe with her. In the earlier classes, she destroyed everybody.¡± He flashed me a thumbs-up, as if congratulating me on some kind of revenge-by-proxy.


    I shrugged, biting back a groan from the effort. What the hell is he talking about?


    ¡°Did you not notice? I¡¯m the one with more broken bones. She still won,¡± I muttered, frustration bleeding into my voice. The throbbing ache in my face and the sharp sting with every breath reminded me just how battered I was.


    Alex shot me an unconvinced glance. ¡°I think you did better than you¡¯re giving yourself credit for. Not many guys here would even try to fight a pretty girl like that, let alone hold their own.¡±


    His words carried an odd mix of admiration and unease, as if he wasn¡¯t sure whether to applaud my resolve or question my sanity.


    I cast a glance at the girls helping Jade shuffle along. She looked just as disheveled, battered, and bloodied. But I noticed her lips, smeared with traces of wiped blood.


    She might be a vampire. I traced a finger over the bite marks. It hurts so bad. I hope I don¡¯t get rabies¡­


    ¡°Do you know anything about her?¡± I asked Alex, hoping to fill the gaps in my fragmented memories. If Jade was this extraordinary, there had to be more to her story than just her fighting skills.


    Alex tilted his head thoughtfully, his gaze flicking toward the door Jade had been helped through moments earlier. ¡°Well, both her parents are S-rankers, from what I¡¯ve heard,¡± he said. ¡°But nobody¡¯s been able to dig much deeper than that. She¡¯s pretty private.¡±


    He leaned in closer, lowering his voice as if about to spill some forbidden secret. ¡°There¡¯s a rumor¡ªdon¡¯t know if it¡¯s true¡ªthat she wasn¡¯t even born on Earth. Apparently, she¡¯s from Aurora.¡±


    I nodded silently, letting that piece of information sink in. That explained a lot.


    Before I could press him further, two nurses arrived and guided us into separate infirmary rooms. We were given clothes to change into. Alex and the others headed out, leaving just me and Jade lying a few beds apart. Silence filled the room, and if it weren¡¯t for the persistent ache in every muscle, I might have fallen asleep right there.


    After about half an hour, I caught sight of a young girl, around my age, making her way over. She held a candle, an odd sight, and I couldn¡¯t help but watch curiously as she approached.


    At Beyonder¡¯s Academy, it wasn¡¯t unusual for students to volunteer in the infirmary. It was a practical way for those with healing abilities to hone their meta nature in a controlled environment. But I¡¯d noticed something else¡ªmost of the volunteers in these roles were women. Maybe it was their natural empathy that drew them to healing, or perhaps it was just a cultural expectation.


    Frankly, if I¡¯d had a healing meta nature, I wasn¡¯t sure I¡¯d want to spend my days in a hospital.


    The girl gave me a polite nod, then wordlessly pulled up two stools. Sitting on one, she placed the candle carefully on the other and gestured for me to remove my shirt. Her demeanor was calm, professional.


    When she lit the candle, something unusual happened. The wax didn¡¯t melt slowly as I¡¯d expected. Instead, it immediately softened and pooled into a small, warm blob that seemed to pulse slightly with energy. A light, daisy-scented fragrance wafted from the wax, filling the air with a subtle, soothing aroma. The scent was comforting in a way I couldn¡¯t quite explain. As it wrapped around me, I realized the ache radiating through my muscles was beginning to ease¡ªnot fully gone, but noticeably dulled, as if the air itself was working to calm my battered body.


    ¡°It¡¯ll sting like an ant bite,¡± the girl said, almost too casually, just before she poured the blob of hot wax across my chest.


    My breath hitched, and my teeth clenched hard. Whatever she¡¯d meant by ¡°sting,¡± it was the understatement of the century. The sensation flared into what felt like thousands of ants biting and crawling just beneath my skin. The burning ache made my muscles tense involuntarily, my body recoiling from the sheer intensity of it.


    But then, as she moved the wax to the next spot, the pain dulled into a deep warmth. My skin tingled with relief, the area left behind marked by faint red patches¡ªalmost as if it had been gently cauterized, soothing rather than searing.


    I could feel it shifting beneath the surface, moving through my flesh and bones. It was an indescribable sensation, painful yet oddly restorative. As she worked up my neck, the burning continued.


    ¡°Why did you two fight so brutally?¡± the girl asked, her voice soft but laced with curiosity. Her hands hovered close to my throat, the warm air prickling against my skin. ¡°Was there that much hatred between you?¡±


    Her question caught me off guard, and for a moment, I hesitated. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if those gentle healing hands might turn to strangling me, depending on my answer. Deciding to deflect, I asked, ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°Alaska,¡± she replied simply.


    ¡°Miss Alaska,¡± I said, grasping for time, ¡°did you ask her the same question?¡±


    She nodded slightly, her fingers continuing their steady, meticulous work. ¡°Hmm. I did.¡±


    ¡°And what was her reply?¡± I prompted, the curiosity in my tone mirrored by the flicker of interest in her eyes.


    ¡°She said she felt you were using your meta nature to influence her,¡± Alaska answered, her voice even and matter-of-fact. ¡°She felt an odd pull, like you were throwing off her rhythm somehow.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± I was quite surprised by her assumption. Her ideas were quite similar to my thoughts. It was oddly close to my own reasoning. In truth, I had pushed the fight as far as I could with the hope that Jade would eventually use her meta nature more overtly, perhaps revealing a strength or skill she was hiding. I¡¯d thought I could corner her into showing her hand. But now, hearing her perspective, it was clear my assumption had been wrong. Had she felt the same about me?


    "Did she then tell you what she discovered?" I kept my voice carefully neutral, though curiosity gnawed at me.


    Alaska shook her head silently.


    I closed my eyes, no longer interested in watching her healing meta nature at work. Instead, my consciousness seemed to sink deeper into a vast mental landscape.


    My knowledge of meta nature felt shallow, and that awareness gnawed at me.


    How much did I truly understand about it?


    My experience felt like a mere scratch on the surface, while the true depths of this power¡ªand its implications¡ªremained elusive.


    I wondered if, given enough time, I¡¯d reach that understanding. Time was both my ally and my burden, looping endlessly but never waiting.


    Hopefully, given enough time, I told myself, I could achieve that understanding.

 Act 1.5 (Recrudesce)

    After an hour of painful hot wax therapy, I was finally cleared to leave. The treatment had worked wonders¡ªmy bones fully healed, swelling gone, with no visible traces of injury. Only the lingering ache of overworked muscles reminded me of the fight that had brought me here.


    Had I received this care in a regular hospital, the cost would have been astronomical. But at the academy, it was just another service they provided.


    The sun was already low in the sky, marking the late afternoon. I still had my regular math lecture to attend, ending at four o''clock. Afterward, my plan was clear: visit the gang''s branch to collect my betting winnings. They had sent a message earlier in the morning, including the meeting location¡ªconvenient, yet suspiciously so. While the arrangement seemed straightforward on the surface, dealing with these types meant staying vigilant; their true intentions were rarely what they seemed.


    Pulling up the location on my map, I found it marked in the Lower East District, a forty-five-minute trip away. The nearby subway station offered a direct route, and gave me time to observe the city I called home as I traveled.


    New Wyster was a sprawling metropolis with a population of around eleven million, while the entire Wyster State exceeded fifty million.


    It was a city where day and night seemed to coexist eternally. The Lower East, where the poor struggled to make a life and a lot of gang violence, contrasted sharply with Oak Highland to the north, where the ultra-wealthy reveled in opulence. Towering skyscrapers pierced the skyline, casting long shadows over the districts, while to the south, the city¡¯s edges dissolved into the vast waters of Lake Gleam.


    To be honest, I had lost touch with much of what the city had to offer. After graduating from the Beyonder¡¯s Academy, I was drafted to another solar system for my first cycle. In the second, I left New Wyster behind entirely for another academy. As a result, my understanding of the city¡ªits gang dynamics, the balance between metas and regulars, the power structures at play¡ªhad faded over time. I was, admittedly, oblivious.


    Still, everyone has to start somewhere. I took a deep breath, easing my shoulders as I tried to relax. This time, I wasn¡¯t going to run away from¡­ what, exactly? My powers? My meta nature? Or maybe the insecurities I¡¯d carried for too long? The question lingered like an unsolved puzzle.


    I shook my head, a small smirk forming as I caught myself slipping into another unproductive, overly philosophical musing. A habit I really needed to curb¡ªtoo often, I let my thoughts spiral until I lost track of them entirely. Ridiculous, but at least I could laugh at myself.


    Seated on the subway, I let my gaze wander over the tired faces around me¡ªpeople likely heading home after long workdays. Using meta abilities wasn¡¯t just draining; it was exhausting in ways only a meta could truly understand. For those whose livelihoods depended on their powers, like electricians fine-tuning circuits with energy manipulation or purifiers managing toxic waste, the fatigue must have been unimaginable.


    In contrast, a group of teenagers in school uniforms made a ruckus in the corner. Their loud laughter and reckless energy filled the space as they shouted and joked, more hooligans than students. For a moment, I envied their carefree exuberance, so distant from the weight most of us carried.


    When the subway screeched to a stop at a rundown station, I stepped off to complete the rest of my journey by bus.


    The acrid stench of urine clung to the air, a constant in these neglected corners of the city. I hurried up the cracked stairs, eager to escape the underground and breathe in anything less oppressive.


    The bus arrived fifteen minutes late. While waiting, I became increasingly aware of the bad air quality. It shouldn¡¯t be like this, I thought.


    I tapped into my meta nature to observe the Likeness of the area.


    Instantly, my vision shifted. The world transformed as the Likeness of the land revealed itself to me. Ink-black smoke spread across the landscape like a suffocating shroud. Within the darkness, shadowy forms danced and shifted, almost alive, but difficult to fully perceive. Attempting to analyze further into the scene would only muddle the image¡ªit wasn¡¯t something I could unravel in mere moments.


    Deciphering the Likeness of an area required time and focus, far more so than observing the Likeness of a single person.


    Humans were small, their fortunes fleeting, their lives mere blinks in the vast expanse of time.


    But Earth - land so vast, nearly eternal, its fortune intertwined with every soul that lived upon it.


    A person¡¯s Likeness was deeply personal, intricate, and intimate, layered with the weight of emotions, memories, and unspoken desires. But the Likeness of land was something else entirely. It carried the collective imprint of its history, its tragedies, and the lives that thrived or perished within its borders. All of these elements combined to form something monumental, an existence so vast and intricate that it was impossible to fully comprehend. Even if I tried, I could only catch glimpses of its truth, like looking at a shadow through frosted glass.


    Taking a window seat on the bus, I let my gaze observe the changing scenery outside. Digital newspapers and HyperSpace were always awash with reports of meta-nature crimes in the Lower East¡ªor really, throughout the entire East District.


    Yet, contrary to the sensational headlines, my time here so far had been surprisingly mundane. I chuckled, perhaps, I was hoping for a villain fight or two. Really Stupid.


    Then another thought struck me, almost amusing in its irony. The common conception was that those who wielded their abilities for crime styled themselves as "Villains," while their opposition proudly claimed the title of "supers or heroes." By that logic, I wasn¡¯t heading to a mere criminal gang¡¯s hideout¡ªI was visiting a villain base. I had to admit, it sounded a lot cooler that way.


    After another fifteen minutes, the bus pulled to a stop in a part of the district that looked visibly depleted.


    The sky was painted in shades of orange, the last remnants of sunlight slipping away, and a chill crept into the air. Winter was slowly settling in¡ªmaybe I¡¯d get to see snow in a month or two. I¡¯d always loved snow for reasons I could never quite articulate. It gave me a deep, inexplicable sense of peace.


    Stepping off the bus, I surveyed my surroundings. The street was eerily quiet, with only a handful of people visible¡ªelderly figures shuffling slowly along the cracked sidewalks. The roads were nearly deserted, dotted with broken-down bikes and the occasional burned-out car.


    I glanced at the house numbers, checking them against the address I¡¯d been given.


    The one in front of me matched. The building was weathered, its paint peeling and door worn from years of neglect. It was exactly the kind of place you¡¯d expect for a meeting like this.


    ¡°I¡¯m definitely at the right place,¡± I murmured to myself as I raised my fist and knocked on the door. Silence.


    I waited a moment, then knocked again, louder this time.


    Still no response.


    I raised my hand to knock again, but before I could, the door swung open with a force that made me step back. A hulking man filled the doorway, his glare was enough to cut glass.


    ¡°Why are you beating the door?¡± he growled, ¡°Do you like it so much you want to dismantle it and take it home? Or¡±¡ªhe leaned closer, his sneer widening¡ª¡°are you just looking for a beating?¡±


    What? How did he even reach that conclusion? Is this guy on something?


    I swallowed hard, taking in his appearance. If this was what a "villain" looked like, he was certainly committed to the aesthetic. He wore a worn-out tank top, his exposed arms and neck covered in a chaotic mess of tattoos, some of them crude enough to be homemade. I had to stifle a snort¡ªof course he had face tattoos. How else would people know he was a villain at first glance of his face?


    No judgment though, I muttered internally, trying to keep my expression neutral.


    "I''m here to collect my cashout from the game?" I managed, keeping my tone steady despite my nerves.


    The man shot a glance over his shoulder and barked, ¡°Baffler! There¡¯s someone here looking for his money.¡±


    From somewhere inside, a voice snapped back almost immediately. ¡°What? Who¡¯s got the guts to demand money from us in our own place?¡±


    Before I could process what was happening, another man stormed into view, his stance tense and aggressive. Both of them squared up as if I¡¯d insulted their entire lineage.


    What the hell? My disbelief deepened as the first guy¡¯s fists began to crackle with electricity, bright arcs snapping between his knuckles like a warning. The second man was preparing something too¡ªthough I couldn¡¯t quite make out what it was, it definitely wasn¡¯t friendly.


    I stared at them, utterly dumbfounded. What kind of lunatic organization was this?


    If no one stepped in, I might actually get beaten up by these thugs over a simple misunderstanding. The irony almost made me laugh, but the gravity of the situation kept that impulse in check.


    I had no illusions about my capabilities. Combat wasn¡¯t my strength, and my abilities weren¡¯t designed for it. When it came to enhancing my power, I was still figuring things out. Genetics were one possible avenue, but the risks made it feel like gambling with my life. Another option was persuading someone with a magical Hive meta nature to share their spells, even though doing so would mean losing them forever. But Saints, as they were called, were rarer than miracles.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    And then there was the immutable truth: meta nature couldn¡¯t be changed. No amount of wishing, training, or experimenting would swap my abilities for something more combat-ready. I had to work with what I¡¯d been given¡ªunless I could afford a rare someone to pay me a visit¡­


    Still, in the end, my meta nature suited me. It wasn¡¯t flashy or suited for battle, but its ability to perceive and understand the deeper nature of things had its own value. Sometimes, knowing was better than fighting.


    Fortunately, Before the situation could escalate further, a voice rang out from inside. ¡°BlunderBolt! Baffler! Get back to work!¡± His tone snapped the two brutes out of their aggressive stances.


    A moment later, a short man¡ªprobably no taller than five-five¡ªstrode out to meet me. Dressed casually but neatly, he was obviously smarter in contrast to the first two. His calm demeanor was almost disarming.


    ¡°You can call me Jacob,¡± he said, his tone polite and professional. ¡°Come on inside. I¡¯ll help you with your stuff.¡±


    The civility was a welcome change, and my mood lifted slightly as I followed him into the building. Once inside, I made a conscious effort to stay focused, careful not to let my eyes wander too much. The place was exactly what you¡¯d expect from a group of self-styled villains: mismatched furniture, dim lighting, and a palpable air of chaos lurking beneath the surface.


    These villains were lunatics, and I''d dealt with enough of them in the past two cycles to know that following a strict code of conduct was wise. As a guest in their house, I clung to the rules I remembered.


    Jacob led me into the basement, a space surprisingly well-kept despite the humidity. Everything was meticulously organized, from the bookshelves lining the walls to the spotless floor. At the center stood a long mahogany table, its polished surface gleaming under soft overhead lighting. The men seated around it projected an air of gentlemanly decorum¡ªrelaxed postures, tiger like gaze. Yet I didn¡¯t fully trust my senses. For all I knew, a villain somewhere in this building was using meta powers to subtly distort my perception.


    ¡°You can have a seat, Mr. Snow,¡± the man at the head of the table said finishing some work. He gestured to an empty chair, introducing himself with a calm, measured tone. ¡°You may know me as Confounder.¡±


    Snow was the alias I used in HyperSpace, a necessary precaution for privacy. Even so, I wouldn¡¯t have been surprised if Confounder had a file with my entire history sitting in front of him. Dealing with people like this was always a gamble; logging on in the first place meant accepting certain risks.


    What caught me off guard, however, wasn¡¯t his use of my alias but his name. I knew it all too well. Confounder was associated with a significant amount of criminal activity across the city¡ªextortion, fraud, racketeering, you name it. My knowledge was only surface-level, but it was enough to grasp the kind of influence he wielded. This was not someone to take lightly.


    ¡°It¡¯s surprising,¡± he began, steepling his fingers, ¡°that someone with a future as bright as yours¡ªa student at the state¡¯s most prestigious academy¡ªwould gamble so recklessly in illegal markets. Even more surprising is your apparent willingness to meet someone like me.¡± His words were smooth, almost polite, but there was an edge to them, like a knife hidden beneath silk.


    I settled into my seat calmly. ¡°Everyone¡¯s a slave to money,¡± I replied, keeping my composure. I couldn¡¯t afford to reveal any weakness, knowing he¡¯d exploit it the moment he sensed it. From here on, I¡¯d have to take everything he said with caution, wary of any schemes he might weave.


    He didn¡¯t press further but instead picked up his tablet and swiped through a few screens. ¡°You started with a modest fifteen-dollar bet. By the second round, you¡¯d turned it into tens of thousands. By the fifth, you¡¯d multiplied it a hundredfold. And by the end of the session, you were swimming in tens of millions.¡± He set the tablet down and leaned forward, his tiger-like gaze locking onto mine. ¡°Frankly, I¡¯ve rarely seen someone win so much so quickly. Most people who try¡­ well, let¡¯s just say their luck doesn¡¯t last long.¡±


    I met his gaze without flinching, even as the air between us grew heavy with unspoken tension. ¡°Luck¡¯s a funny thing,¡± I said simply, watching him closely. Men like Confounder thrived on intimidation, but I wasn¡¯t here to play his game. I had my own.


    He smirked faintly. ¡°Indeed it is. Which brings me to my next question¡ªwere you in cahoots with the player?¡±


    His eyes bore into me, but I didn¡¯t flinch. I wasn''t one to be easily cowed or intimidated. Even if my life were to end here, I wouldn''t be particularly perturbed. No doubt Confounder believed he held some leverage. But he was mistaken - I was not beholden to the same fears and concerns as ordinary people. However, Confounder would surely be in for a rude awakening in the upcoming cycles, believing that they continued to exist.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t aware of the player beforehand,¡± I said evenly. It was the truth, though not the whole truth. Still, I couldn¡¯t help but find the situation amusing. Confounder didn¡¯t know who the player was either. For all his influence and power, he was just as in the dark as everyone else.


    His expression gave nothing away, but after a long pause, he nodded, the tension in the room easing slightly. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small green qbit, twirling it between his fingers. Its glow caught the dim light, making it seem almost hypnotic.


    ¡°You seem to be a bit tight on money,¡± he said, his tone light, almost conversational. ¡°How about working for me? I can guarantee you¡¯ll earn a lot more than this little change.¡± He tossed the qbit onto the table with a flick of his wrist, its clink echoing in the silence.


    I glanced at the qbit, suppressing a scoff. ¡°Change,¡± he called it. Most people wouldn¡¯t earn that much in a lifetime. Still, the idea of working for him wasn¡¯t something I had seriously considered.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure you¡¯d find me useful,¡± I said, feigning modesty. ¡°I¡¯m not exactly skilled in combat, and my meta-nature is hardly impressive.¡±


    Confounder chuckled, the sound low and knowing. ¡°You underestimate yourself, Mr. Snow. Beyonder¡¯s Academy doesn¡¯t admit people on a whim. I know what their standards are: It¡¯s either raw power, connections, or potential. You didn¡¯t fight your way in to stand out, nor your parents are like those A and S rankers who could bribe their way in, which leaves the third.¡±


    He leaned forward, gaze sharp. ¡°The Grid Codex doesn¡¯t select candidates lightly. If they saw potential in you, so do I. I don¡¯t need a brute or a showman¡ªI need someone with a sharp mind and sharper instincts. And you, Mr. Snow, fit that bill.¡±


    My brows furrowed at his words. How much did he really know? His mention of the Grid Codex had been unnerving. The Codex wasn¡¯t something people casually brought up¡ªit was an advanced AI, like a silent architect of humanity¡¯s future, selecting individuals who could tip the scales in the war for survival. Being chosen by it wasn¡¯t a badge of honor for me; it was a curse.


    Confounder leaned back, watching me like a predator sizing up its prey. ¡°You¡¯re an interesting meta,¡± he said smoothly, a faint smile playing at his lips. ¡°You act like just another gambler caught in the wrong game, but I can see it¡ªyour gears are always turning.¡±


    ¡°The Grid Codex is a relentless machine,¡± Confounder continued, his voice calm but calculating. ¡°It doesn¡¯t choose randomly. It sees the potential for survival, for power, for influence¡ªand it picked you.¡±


    His words struck a nerve, but I kept my expression neutral. I hated the Codex. It had picked me out of nowhere and thrusted me into the Beyonder¡¯s Academy, into a life of constant pressure and danger, forcing me to adapt, to grow, to fight. I hadn¡¯t asked for it, and I despised being a pawn in its grand design. Memories from my first cycle resurfaced briefly¡ªpainful, chaotic flashes of the mistakes I¡¯d made, the battles I¡¯d lost, the people I couldn¡¯t save. My chest tightened, and I forced myself to focus.


    The second cycle had been more bearable, thanks to some quick thinking and right decisions. But once the academy had chosen me, my fate was sealed. I was like a housecat thrown into a battle of lions, desperately trying to survive a fight I could never truly escape. At the end of the day, the world was too dangerous a place, and I had no desire to be at its forefront.


    ¡°You seem to know a lot,¡± I said, ¡°But information like that doesn¡¯t come cheap. What¡¯s your source?¡±


    Confounder chuckled, ¡°Come now, Mr. Snow. You should know better than to ask a magician how his tricks work. Suffice it to say, I have my ways.¡± His fingers drummed lightly on the table. ¡°But that¡¯s not the point. What matters is what I¡¯m offering you¡ªa chance to step out of the shadows, to take control of your fate rather than letting it be dictated by some faceless AI.¡±


    I caught the faintest flicker of amusement in his eyes as he leaned forward slightly. ¡°Or, you could keep running, always one step ahead of your next problem. But how long can you keep that up?¡±


    He was trying to bait me, to manipulate me into seeing him as an ally rather than the threat he truly was.


    I scoffed at his talk of escape. Aren''t you just another cog in the machine? I thought, amused by his presumption. He really thought highly of himself, treating me like some fool who''d fall for empty promises. I picked up the qbit he¡¯d tossed earlier, rolling it between my fingers as I considered my response. Seventy-three million credits¡ªmy winnings. But money wasn¡¯t everything. I had my own long game, my own truths to uncover.


    I stood up, my movements slow and deliberate. ¡°You¡¯ve got your eyes everywhere,¡± I said, meeting his gaze. ¡°I¡¯ll give you that. But it¡¯s funny¡ªyou don¡¯t seem as untouchable as you think you are.¡±


    Confounder raised an eyebrow, intrigued but unperturbed.


    ¡°I see trouble for you in the days ahead,¡± I continued, voice calm but edged with something more than mere observation. ¡°Big trouble.¡±


    His faint smile faltered for the briefest moment, but he recovered quickly, ¡°Is that so?¡±


    I didn¡¯t answer. Instead, I turned and headed toward the door. I was done with the conversation. My heart was calm as I moved, but every instinct on high alert. The two guards flanking the exit stiffened as I approached. One moved to block me, but a subtle gesture from Confounder made him hesitate. They stepped aside, exchanging glances before letting me pass.


    That confirmed it¡ªhe knew about my meta-nature, or at least suspected something.


    But for now, he was playing it safe, watching and waiting.


    The thought unsettled me, but I pushed it aside.


    My priority was getting out safe and alive.


    The chill of the evening hit me as I stepped outside. The streets were quieter now, the usual bustle of the city replaced by a hushed stillness. As I walked toward the bus stop, my thoughts swirled.


    Working with Confounder was a dangerous gamble, but perhaps it was a necessary one. He had resources, connections, and influence¡ªall things I could use to prepare for the next cycles. If I could get close enough, learn enough, it might tip the odds in my favor.


    The qbit in my pocket felt heavier than it should have. Seventy-three million credits. It was more money than most people would see in a lifetime, but it wasn¡¯t enough to change my life¡ªlike he said, nothing but change. A fleeting thought crossed my mind: I could buy a house, something small and discreet, maybe even save some of it for the future. But I dismissed the idea quickly. There were bigger moves to make, and this was just the first step.


    As the bus pulled up, I climbed aboard, sinking into a seat by the window. The city lights blurred past as I stared into the distance, my mind already plotting my next move.


    Confounder thought he held all the cards, but he didn¡¯t know the game I was playing.


    I chuckled, and he might never know.


    The sun was setting, darkness settling over the city. I couldn''t go home early, and I didn''t want Aunt Grace to worry, so I sent her a quick message saying I''d be staying at a friend''s place.


    Meanwhile, I transferred a small portion of the funds from the qbit to my personal account. I¡¯d need to open a private bank account soon¡ªdumping millions into my usual one would raise too many red flags, not just from the bank but from the government. Explaining a sudden windfall was a hassle I wasn¡¯t willing to deal with.


    By the time I reached the hotel, the city was cloaked in deep blue night. My room wasn¡¯t extravagant but clean and comfortable¡ªa far cry from the cramped room back home.


    After settling in, I ordered room service. I also remembered Alex''s mention of tomorrow''s welcome party. My old style didn''t feel right anymore¡ªit was time for a complete wardrobe refresh. The next four hours disappeared into a blur of HyperSpace fashion sites and endless order forms, a surprisingly exhausting task.


    By the time I¡¯d finalized my shopping orders, exhaustion had set in. But as I sat back, gazing at the confirmation screens, I felt a surprising sense of satisfaction. Not just from updating my wardrobe, but from the knowledge that I was finally indulging in something¡ªhowever small¡ªfor myself.


    When the food arrived, the rich aroma filled the room, and I savored every bite.


    For the first time in days, I allowed myself to relax, to simply enjoy the moment. The tension of the past weeks seemed to ease, replaced by a quiet determination.


    Tomorrow, I¡¯d face whatever came my way. But tonight? Tonight, I¡¯d revel in the small victories.

 Act 1.6 (Recrudesce)

    I woke up the next morning feeling¡­ different. Lighter, somehow. As though the weight of yesterday had loosened its grip on me overnight. No nightmares. No restless thoughts dragging me down. Just stillness.


    A long, steaming shower chased away the last traces of sleep. When I finally stepped out, the mirror was fogged over, leaving my reflection vague and undefined. Maybe that was fitting. I slipped into the new outfit I¡¯d ordered the last night: relaxed brown pants that felt as comfortable as they looked, a blue checkered shirt, and a leather jacket that brought the whole ensemble together. The oversized fit suited me. Comfortable. Practical. Effortlessly cool¡ªlight-years ahead of the stiff, self-conscious wardrobe I used to cling to. Dressed like this, I felt more myself than I had in ages.


    It was a strange, subtle thing¡ªhow clothes could shift something inside you.


    Once ready, I grabbed my bag, left the hotel, and made my way toward the academy. Today¡¯s schedule was straightforward enough: two lectures, then self-defense training. Manageable.


    The morning halls were quieter than usual, their emptiness amplifying the soft echo of my footsteps. No rush. Since my first lecture was Physics and I had time to spare, I stopped at a small caf¨¦ along the way. A warm pastry and a cup of coffee in hand, I strolled toward the classroom, taking my time. It was the calmness brought to me by the ages of experience. When I reached the lecture hall, my fingers curled around the door handle and as I pushed, old habits kicked in. I scanned the room before stepping inside. It was a instinct, nothing more¡ªbut then my gaze caught on something. No, someone. My enemy. Damn it, no. Just my classmate.


    But damn it, she always managed to feel like a thorn in my side.


    And because the universe clearly hated me, she was sitting right in my line of sight, looking like she''d walked straight out of some fashion magazine''s "Casual But Could Kill You" spread. Her hair had somehow transformed overnight from straight to these perfect curls that defied both gravity and logic. Red sneakers, brown pants, frilly white top peaking out, and red oversized sweater¡ªwho gave her the right to coordinate colors like that? And those bracelets catching the light just so...


    I wasn''t staring. Definitely wasn''t cataloging every detail of her appearance like some creepy¡ª


    But then, as if she could sense my gaze¡ªor maybe she just caught the creak of the door¡ªher eyes flicked up and met mine. I froze, my heart skipping a beat. Then, as if on instinct, I averted my eyes so quickly it probably looked suspicious. What was wrong with me? Why had I looked away so fast? It wasn¡¯t like me to get thrown off so easily, but her presence always seemed to knock me off balance in ways I couldn¡¯t quite explain. I stood there, rooted to the spot, confusion swirling in my mind like a storm. Why had I noticed so many details? The bracelets? The way the red cardigan complemented the blue top? The hair?


    No way. Absolutely not. I forced a slow breath, clenching my jaw as I shoved the ridiculous thought away. I am not catching feelings.


    Gasp.


    No. No, no, no. That couldn¡¯t be right.


    That wasn¡¯t me.


    I was¡ª


    I was a PDF?


    Gasp!


    NO!


    My brain, already running on coffee and panic, short-circuited with the efficiency of a 404 error.


    I was an old soul¡ªrational, grounded, perfectly aware of both my physical and mental needs. I kept them in check. Always.


    So, was this some kind of residual damage from yesterday¡¯s fight? Some weird aftershock scrambling my brain? Or worse¡ªcould her powers extend to charm or attraction? No. That didn¡¯t seem like her meta nature. I shook the thought off, moving swiftly toward an empty seat in the back as the lecture, briefly interrupted by my entrance, resumed. Just as I reached a chair and started to sit, it happened. A split second of wrongness. My foot slipped. A sharp, sickening crack. The chair gave out beneath me, sending me sprawling onto the cold, unforgiving floor. The impact rattled up my spine, loud enough to make my ears ring. For a heartbeat, silence hung in the room like a held breath.


    Dammit.


    Which motherf¡ª


    I winced, already scanning the room, instincts flaring, searching for the culprit.


    But oddly enough, no one was reacting. No snickers, no suppressed laughter, no exchanged glances¡ªjust a room full of students keeping their heads politely forward, as if nothing had happened. Even the professor barely spared me a glance before sighing, their expression an unimpressed mix of exhaustion and apathy.


    "Just sit on another chair," they muttered, already moving on.


    I narrowed my eyes.


    That was too smooth. Too convenient.


    Out of the corner of my eye, I caught it¡ªa flicker of movement, the ghost of a smirk that vanished almost as quickly as it appeared.


    Jade.


    The enemy.


    The arrogant dragon, watching from her seat with an air of infuriating innocence.


    Suppressing my irritation, I grabbed another chair and settled into it. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to steady my breath. Maybe I was overthinking this. Maybe I was being paranoid. Maybe the chair really was just old and broken. Right. The professor''s voice droned on, but I might as well have been underwater for all I was absorbing. My mood had been wrecked. I leaned back, desperate to shake off whatever this was. Getting emotional wasn''t my style¡ªI was supposed to be the calculating one, the guy who kept his cool. Then again, this wasn''t like my previous cycles. No constant fight for survival, no pushing myself until I broke. Maybe having actual downtime was the problem. Too much space in my head for... feelings. Ugh!


    That''s it! Just some weird chemical thing happening in my brain. Perfectly normal, totally explainable. Nothing to do with curly hair or coordinated outfits or¡ª


    God help me, I thought.


    When did I become such a mess?


    <hr>


    By the time self-defense class rolled around, my brain had finally shut up about the morning''s existential crisis. And I even remembered to pack actual gym clothes this time, so there''s that. The gym was its usual noisy self when I walked in¡ªsneakers squeaking, people chattering, the works. But my eyes went straight to the human storm cloud standing in the corner. Jade. She wasn''t exactly spoiled for choice when it came to sparring partners. Then again, neither was I. After our last match turned into something out of a cage fight highlight reel, most people gave us both a wide berth. The memory of blood on the mat probably didn''t help. Not that I cared¡ªmaking friends wasn''t exactly on my agenda for this class.


    "If anyone causes a bloody scene in my gym today," Mr. Clemen boomed out of nowhere, "I''m personally kicking their ass out."


    The warning might as well have had our names stamped on it in red ink. Most students didn¡¯t turn sparring into all-out brawls, complete with bloody noses and broken ribs. Jade and I, on the other hand? We had gained a reputation in just one fight. But I''d already decided how this was going down. But, If she so much as breathed on me wrong, I was going full hair-pulling, eye-gouging chaos mode. If she wanted to play dirty, I could get down in the mud too.


    I kept telling myself to look away, to focus on warming up or literally anything else, but my gaze kept drifting back to her. I caught that signature look of annoyance, like the entire world had personally inconvenienced her. Something about it only fueled my determination. This isn¡¯t going to be easy¡­


    "If you''re done being a creep, maybe we can actually get some practice in," Jade snapped, rolling her eyes with practiced disdain.


    I almost laughed at the absurdity.


    The girl definitely had a few screws loose. But this time, I wasn''t here to escalate. If we could just clear the air, maybe we could sort out whatever this strange tension was between us. Though looking at her stance¡ªcoiled tight like a spring ready to snap¡ªI was starting to doubt my diplomatic approach.


    "Look," I said, keeping my voice soft, "We both know there''s something going on here. Something neither of us understands." I took a deliberate step forward, testing the waters. "And throwing punches isn''t going to solve it."


    Her shoulders tensed at my approach. "There''s nothing to understand," she said, but her voice wavered slightly. For someone who tried so hard to be mysterious, she was surprisingly bad at hiding her emotions.


    "Really?" I pushed, "Then why does everyone else in this room fade to background noise when we''re near each other?" I paused, letting that sink in. "And don''t pretend you don''t feel it too."


    Jade''s jaw clenched, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. "You don''t know what you''re talking about," she muttered.


    I sighed, realizing this conversation was going nowhere fast. "Fine, deny it all you want. But the fact is, no one else in this class wants to partner with you. So, you can either work with me and try to figure this out, or you can go back to being the class pariah."


    It was a low blow, but I needed to get through to her somehow. To my surprise, my words seemed to land harder than I expected. Something flickered across Jade''s face¡ªa mix of surprise and indignation¡ªbefore she locked it away behind that mask of hers. For a moment, I thought she was going to snap. Her arms came up, stance shifting like she was ready to strike, and I braced myself. Here we go again. Time for another trip to the nurse''s office.


    But when her punches came, they were... soft. More like shoves than actual hits. They didn''t hurt. Not even a little.


    Had I struck a nerve?


    Then I heard it¡ªa sound so faint it almost didn''t register. A high-pitched, pitiful squeak, like a mosquito buzzing in my ear. It took me a second to realize the sound was coming from her.


    "Fine!" she burst out.


    "What?" I blinked, gesturing for her to repeat herself, convinced I''d misheard. Was this some kind of trick? Another one of her mind games?


    "I said I was wrong! I''m sorry!"


    Wait, what? Her voice was sharper this time, but her expression wavered, and I noticed her eyes looked faintly red. Was it from frustration? Embarrassment? Or had my words actually cut deeper than I¡¯d intended? I was genuinely speechless. Who would¡¯ve thought that Miss London, of all people, had a tough exterior but a surprisingly soft heart?


    It was almost funny, in a grimly ironic way. Jade¡¯s behavior felt like it had been pulled straight from a clich¨¦, the archetype of the ¡°tough girl with a hidden soft side.¡± Why was this the template for so many stories? These so-called ¡°authors¡± needed to find some creativity in their writing instead of leaning on tired tropes. The transition from ice queen to tearful wreck was such an overdone, predictable clich¨¦.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    I surveyed her face, trying to feel¡­ something. Sympathy, perhaps? But there was nothing¡ªor maybe I was actively refusing to feel it, unwilling to be swayed by her sudden emotions. To be honest, I couldn¡¯t even tell which was true anymore.


    "Tell me exactly what you feel," I heard myself say, my voice surprisingly soft. "Just... be honest with me."


    I should''ve seen it coming. One second I was standing there, the next I was gasping for air as Jade locked me in a chokehold. She had me pinned, her legs wrapped around my waist in a classic submission hold. Amateur mistake¡ªI''d let my guard down again.


    "I can''t... I can''t explain it properly," she muttered, frustrated. Her grip tightened slightly, but not enough to hurt, "It''s like... there''s this strange pull, like¡­ like you''re a magnet or something." She let out a short, self-deprecating laugh. "God, that sounds so stupid when I say it out loud."


    "It''s not stupid," I said quietly, my voice muffled slightly by her arm. "I feel it too."


    Jade''s grip loosened slightly, and I could sense her surprise. "You do?"


    I nodded, taking advantage of her momentary distraction to flip our positions. Now it was me holding her in a chokehold.


    "For me, it''s almost the same," my eyes turned unfocused as I thought.


    Jade was silent for a moment, and I could feel the tension in her muscles.


    "Does it¡ª" I hesitated, struggling to put something so inexplicable into words. My hold on her loosened unconsciously as I focused on speaking. "When we''re this close, does it feel... more intense for you too?"


    Jade stiffened, and for a second, I thought she wouldn¡¯t answer. ¡°Yeah.¡± she muttered, like the admission was being dragged out of her. "It''s like... I don''t know how to explain it. Gets worse¡ªgets stronger when..." She trailed off, frustrated.


    Suddenly, a thought struck me: was that why she kept trying to choke me? Whatever it was, it was making her get as close as possible to me, maybe in some subconscious attempt to resolve whatever this was? My breathing almost stopped as this thought crystallized in my head.


    "We need to figure out what''s causing this. Maybe if we¡ª"


    The moment the words left my mouth, she twisted out of my grip, faster than I expected. I let her go, more out of curiosity than anything else. She scrambled back, putting space between us.


    ¡°Before we do anything, we need to set boundaries.¡±


    I frowned. ¡°Boundaries?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Because whatever this is, it¡¯s already messing with me. And I don¡¯t like it.¡±


    I exhaled. ¡°Alright. What kind of boundaries?¡±


    Jade pursed her lips, glancing away for a second. ¡°First¡­ no getting close unless we have to.¡± She took a breath. ¡°It¡ªit''s worse when you''re near. I feel it more, and I don¡¯t know how to handle it. So we keep our distance.¡±


    That wasn¡¯t ideal. If proximity made it stronger, then getting closer might be the fastest way to¡ª


    ¡°Don¡¯t argue.¡± She caught my expression before I even spoke. ¡°I¡¯m serious. I need space. I need to feel like I can still think straight without this¡­ thing fogging up my head.¡±


    I hesitated, then gave a slow nod. ¡°Fine. No unnecessary closeness. What else?¡±


    She shifted, clearly uncomfortable, then muttered, ¡°No¡­ using it against each other.¡±


    That made me raise an eyebrow. ¡°Against each other?¡±


    She gestured vaguely. ¡°No testing limits just to see how far it goes. No trying to use it to pin each other down or¡ªor win some kind of fight. No weird power plays.¡±


    "That''s... fair," I said, raising my hand in a calming gesture. If setting boundaries made her comfortable enough to work through this with me, I could live with that. Whatever was happening between us wasn''t just some random attraction or coincidence¡ªit felt bigger, almost metaphysical.


    Could this be related to time travel? The thought crept in before I could stop it. Ridiculous, maybe, but once the idea took hold, I couldn''t shake it.


    I studied her face for a moment, then decided to take a risk. "What''s your meta nature?" The question came out softer than I intended.


    Jade stiffened, her silence stretching between us like a physical thing. Fine. If she needed someone to go first...


    "I can see things," I said quietly, the admission feeling strange on my tongue. "Not just physical things¡ªluck, danger, whatever''s hiding in the background. It''s all there, like... patterns most people miss." I rarely shared this with anyone, but desperate times and all that.


    She still hesitated, and I felt my frustration building. It''s not like meta natures could be stolen¡ªthe secrecy felt pointless.


    Finally, Jade''s shoulders dropped slightly. "Randomness," she said, "Probability, improbability, possibility... I can manipulate them all. To an extent."


    I blinked, her words crashing over me. ¡°Lord, aren¡¯t you a bit too overpowered for this school?¡± I blurted out before I could stop myself, my mouth suddenly feeling dry.


    Abilities like hers were the stuff of legends¡ªterrifying in their subtlety. No wonder she kept it under wraps. A power like that would draw the wrong kind of attention, make people see her as a threat rather than a person.


    Then something clicked. A few dots connected in my mind, and before I could say anything, Jade¡¯s lips curved into a small, fleeting smile. Not amusement. Not defiance. Something closer to satisfaction. She tried to hide it, but I caught it. And just like that, the pieces started falling into place.


    This woman¡­


    I lifted a finger, about to speak, but the words got stuck somewhere between realization and frustration. Instead, I exhaled, shaking my head, still waiting for the apology I knew would never come.


    Instead, a more disturbing thought crept in: how many times had she used her abilities without anyone catching on? This wasn''t the kind of power that announced itself with explosions or flashy displays. It was insidious, subtle¡ªthe type you''d never notice until it was too late. Every stroke of "luck," every fortunate coincidence...


    "Jade," I said finally, my voice sharp with realization, "how often do you... influence things?"


    She exhaled, still trying to suppress the redness that had crawled up her neck unknowingly. She then gave a small shrug.


    ¡°¡­Define ¡®often.¡¯¡±


    I closed my eyes, inhaled through my nose, and reminded myself that strangling her probably wouldn¡¯t help the situation. So I chose to drop the matter entirely for now.


    But something told me that wasn¡¯t the full extent of her abilities. Her evasive expression hinted at more than she wasn¡¯t revealing. My eyes widened as it hit me just how dangerous she could be. If she ever lost control or pushed her powers to the limit, who could stop her? Thankfully, she was still inexperienced, likely unaware of the true reach of her meta nature. Maybe she had yet to unlock certain abilities or still faced limitations she wasn¡¯t disclosing.


    The thought sparked something in my mind¡ªa deeper understanding of meta nature itself. You couldn''t learn its true nature from lectures or textbooks. Even the most prestigious academies only scratched the surface, leaving the deeper truths veiled in mystery. These weren''t theories you studied¡ªthey were secrets you stumbled upon, often by accident or what people mistook for luck.


    Meta nature wasn¡¯t just a skill or a power¡ªit was a fusion of the Unknown and the deepest recesses of a person¡¯s subconscious desires and obsessions. This fusion made it intensely personal, its shape and function as unique as the person wielding it. It didn¡¯t follow logic; it followed the whispers of the soul.


    Think of meta nature like a coin with two sides. One side belonged to the Unknown: chaotic, raw, and utterly unpredictable. The other side belonged to human nature, the stabilizing force that gave structure and restraint. This delicate balance created two facets within every meta nature¡ªa primary and a secondary aspect.


    The primary power was a gift¡ªor a curse¡ªfrom the Unknown. It held immense potential, but it was dangerous, even destructive. The secondary power, on the other hand, was an anchor, shaped by human nature to provide balance. Without it, a person¡¯s mind¡ªand even their soul¡ªcould be overwhelmed by the chaos of their primary ability. For example, the Unknown might grant someone the power to generate fire hot enough to burn through steel, but human nature would counteract it by making their body immune to burns. This duality wasn¡¯t just a quirk; it was a safeguard, a way to ensure a person¡¯s powers didn¡¯t consume them entirely.


    Human nature was the tether that kept us grounded. It allowed us to wield immense power without becoming monstrous or grotesque, preserving the very essence of who we were. This delicate balance ensured we could use our powers without losing ourselves to them.


    Many of the higher-ups in society regarded meta as a kind of affliction¡ªan infection that had latched itself onto humanity. They didn¡¯t see our abilities as natural gifts but as invasive disruptions that our minds and bodies struggled to reconcile. In their view, ¡°human nature¡± was the subconscious defense mechanism, stepping in to stabilize these powers before they overwhelmed us completely, ensuring we didn¡¯t spiral into self-destruction.


    It was an adaptation, ensuring that the chaos meta brought didn¡¯t destroy us outright.


    Similarly, I had come to understand that observing Likeness was my human nature¡¯s way of coping with my meta side, though the deeper nuances of my abilities still eluded me somewhat. I had theories¡ªplenty of them¡ªbut they were all half-formed, like pieces of a puzzle I couldn¡¯t quite fit together yet.


    I glanced at Jade, who just stood there watching me, waiting. The silence was getting awkward.


    ¡°I think, It might have something to do with our meta nature,¡± I said finally, my voice low but deliberate. ¡°Every time probability shifts, it creates small instances of luck to steer events. And since my meta nature is heavily tied to luck, maybe it¡¯s creating a kind of resonance between us.¡±


    I paused, watching her closely for any reaction¡ªconfirmation, skepticism, anything.


    Jade remained motionless, her silence unnerving. Around us, a few curious students threw glances in our direction, as if expecting us to clash again, like last time. They were going to be disappointed.


    Finally, she let out a breath. "You might be onto something," she admitted. "I mean, I''ve never heard of meta-natures doing... whatever this is. But it''s somewhere to start, at least. Maybe we can use this theory as a base and experiment to figure things out.¡±


    I couldn''t help but notice how quickly she''d shifted gears¡ªfrom trying to choke me out to standing here calmly discussing theories. Talk about whiplash.


    "We could meet after classes," I said, trying to sound casual. "You know, figure this thing out properly."


    Jade took her time answering, like she was weighing all the possible ways this could go wrong. Finally, she gave a tiny nod. Not exactly enthusiasm, but I''d take it. ¡°Ground rules still stand.¡±


    ¡°Right. No unnecessary closeness, no manipulating each other, and no jokes at your expense.¡±


    Her lips pressed together, but I caught the quick flicker of annoyance in her eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t remember saying the last one.¡±


    ¡°I figured it was implied.¡±


    Jade rolled her eyes but didn¡¯t argue.


    "Well, this is refreshing."


    I nearly jumped out of my skin at Mr. Clemen''s voice right behind us. How does a guy that big move so quietly? Jade, of course, barely reacted.


    "Nice to see you two practicing without trying to kill each other for once," he said, giving us both that teacher-stare that made you feel like he could see right through you.


    I shifted uncomfortably, but he wasn''t done. "North, you need to put on some weight¡ªboth muscle and fat. You''re built like a twig."


    I blinked. "Uh¡ª"


    He gestured vaguely at my frame with his clipboard. "Keep coming to class, work hard, eat more, and we''ll get you there."


    Jade snorted.


    I shot her a glare, but it only made her smile.


    So, I just nodded, fighting the urge to defend my skinny build. He wasn''t wrong¡ªa few more pounds would probably help me hold my own better in fights. Especially against people like Jade.


    I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. ¡°I¡¯ll work on it.¡±


    As the class wound down, students started filing out. Some were laughing, others groaning about assignments, a few already making plans for the night.


    Jade was among them, slipping out with her usual briskness, head high, posture sharp, like she was moving through the world just fast enough to keep anyone from stopping her.


    We weren¡¯t exactly friends now¡ªjust two people who had temporarily shelved their differences. That didn¡¯t make the air between us any less awkward as I debated whether to say something before she disappeared.


    At the last second, I did.


    "By the way, are you coming to the party tonight?"


    Jade stopped just before the doorway and turned slightly, her face unreadable. ¡°No one invited me, so I can¡¯t come.¡±


    I almost laughed. The way she said it¡ªblunt, matter-of-fact¡ªlike the concept of an open party was completely foreign to her, caught me off guard. Somehow, she had a way of taking the simplest things and flipping them into confounding statements.


    ¡°It¡¯s a college party,¡± I said, shrugging. ¡°No one gets a formal invite. You just dress up and show up.¡±


    Jade didn¡¯t reply immediately. Her brows knitted together slightly, like she was turning the words over in her mind, checking them for traps. Maybe she really didn¡¯t get how this worked. Maybe it was because she wasn¡¯t originally from Earth¡ªmaybe parties, social rules, casual human interactions didn¡¯t function the same way wherever she came from. The confusion on her face was almost... cute?


    Then, just as quickly, the confusion cleared. I could practically see the gears clicking into place as realization settled over her.


    A slow, considering nod.


    Not exactly a yes, but not a rejection either.


    I watched her for a second longer, waiting for her to say something else, but she didn¡¯t. Instead, she turned and walked off, disappearing into the stream of students leaving the gym.


    I exhaled, rubbing the back of my neck before making my way toward the locker room.


    The gym smelled like sweat and old mats, the showers already running as a few guys rushed through post-training routines. I stripped out of my gear, let the hot water loosen the knots in my muscles, and changed into clean clothes.


    The rest of the day passed in an odd lull. No surprises. No immediate disasters. Just a quiet, uneventful stretch of time that felt¡­ wrong. I scrolled through HyperSpace, half-heartedly reading through posts, but even that lost its appeal quickly. Maybe it was habit¡ªthe constant need to be doing something, solving something, fighting something. Years of living on edge, always anticipating the next move, the next threat.


    Now, even calm felt unnatural. Like my mind didn¡¯t know how to settle, to rest.


    For now, though, I let the quiet have its moment.

 Act 1.7 (Recrudesce)

    The party was held at a sprawling bungalow in the affluent North district. It wasn¡¯t hard to guess that it belonged to one of the academy¡¯s elite¡ªone of those students for whom throwing an extravagant event like this was as routine as attending a lecture. The school had no official hand in it, but then again, it didn¡¯t need to. Half the attendees here came from old money, where dropping the equivalent of a year¡¯s tuition on a single evening was just another Tuesday. Their lives existed in a different reality, where luxuries that seemed unimaginable to most were just a normal part of their day-to-day.


    My ride dropped me off at the bungalow''s entrance, where the bright white moon hung behind it, looking oddly larger than usual. Guards stood by the gate, checking academy IDs for entry. Small groups of people were heading inside, laughing and chatting. So, I joined the flow, producing my ID when my turn came. The guards barely glanced at it before nodding me through.


    Stepping inside, I could already hear the music and feel the electric atmosphere radiating from the house beyond the doors.


    I hesitated for a moment, surveying my options: Should I mingle, try to make new friends, get to know some people, or simply find a quiet corner with a drink and soak in the atmosphere? The possibilities were enticing.


    As I walked toward the main entrance, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that I¡¯d stepped into a different era. The gardens and bungalow style, with their meticulous hedges and antique sculptures, felt like a deliberate attempt to evoke the past. Inside, the place was enormous, and every piece of furniture gleamed with a golden hue, giving it a lavish, old-world feel. In one corner, a bar was set up, and in another, some classic party games were underway. Students moved up and down the grand staircase, disappearing into various rooms¡ªI couldn¡¯t help but wonder what was going on behind those closed doors.


    People were mingling, drinks in hand. Since we were all over eighteen, no one was bothering with restrictions. Drinking seemed to be the norm, and the atmosphere was buzzing.


    I estimated that the academy had accepted about sixty new students this year, and with the returning students from other years, the bungalow was bursting with energy and bodies. It felt like the entire school had crammed into this lavish space. As I wove through the crowd toward the bar, my mind set on ordering something strong, a voice rang out from nearby.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s our class clown! He¡¯s here too!¡± The remark was followed by laughter from a small group clustered together.


    Hilarious, really. I rubbed my forehead. My reputation had really tanked. In just two days, enough strange things had happened to me to solidify that impression¡ªand, to be fair, I hadn¡¯t exactly been a favorite before then. Maybe it was my meta nature, or the fact that I¡¯d been chosen by the Codex Grid to attend the academy. ¡°Jealousy,¡± I¡¯d chalked it up to, though I wasn¡¯t alone in walking this path. Many of us had faced similar scorn. Still, I gave them a small, indifferent smile and continued to the bar, refusing to let their taunts burrow under my skin.


    Once I had a drink in hand, I moved to the side, quietly sipping while eavesdropping on snippets of conversation.


    ¡°Rachel, you can¡¯t drink anymore¡ªyou¡¯ve already had four!¡± a guy nearby pleaded with his girlfriend, who was laughing and clearly living her best life while he struggled to keep her in check.


    Well, someone¡¯s having a good night, I thought, taking another sip.


    On a nearby sofa, a group was gathered, each person taking turns showing off their meta abilities. The atmosphere was lively, everyone eager to impress.


    I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning around, I saw Alex, grinning and holding two beers.


    ¡°Hey, Alex,¡± I said, forcing a polite tone.


    ¡°What are you doing here, man? Why are you standing alone?¡± he asked, his curiosity tinged with concern.


    I shrugged, biting back the urge to say, Because I don¡¯t know anyone here, obviously. Instead, I played it cool. ¡°Just trying to enjoy the party.¡±


    Alex clicked his tongue in disapproval. ¡°Your idea of fun is weird,¡± he said, grabbing my arm before I could protest. ¡°Come on, let me introduce you to some nice people.¡±


    I glanced at him, my instinct screaming to pull back, but I let him lead me toward the group on the sofa. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder Why was he being so nice to me? It was hard not to wonder if he felt some kind of pity. What other reason would he have to go out of his way to pull me into things? Honestly, if our roles were reversed, I doubted I¡¯d go out of my way to pull someone like me into the mix. And yet, here he was, dragging me into the crowd


    As Alex guided me through the crowd, a strange sensation prickled at the edge of my awareness, stopping me in my tracks. My gaze instinctively scanned the room until it settled on the door. There she was¡ªJade. She stood just inside, her posture hesitant, as if debating whether she¡¯d made the right decision to come. Her black dress, paired with long boots, gave her an effortlessly edgy look. Her bangs framed her forehead, the rest of her hair cascading down her back. She looked stunning, though there was a flicker of unease in her expression, like she¡¯d walked into a room full of strangers. Somehow, I had the undeniable sense that she¡¯d sensed me too.


    ¡°What? Did you see something?¡± Alex¡¯s voice jolted me back to the present.


    I blinked, shaking off the moment. ¡°Nothing,¡± I said quickly, brushing it off as if it were nothing more than a passing thought.


    "Guys, let me introduce you to someone you already know but aren''t quite familiar with," Alex announced, guiding me toward a plush sofa and taking a seat beside me. I mustered an awkward smile, acutely aware of the teenage discomfort settling in. A few in the group cast me skeptical glances, clearly less than thrilled by my arrival.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t he the clueless guy? Bad stuff always happens around him,¡± the boy named Vinico commented from further down the sofa, a slight smirk on his face.


    "That''s not cool, Vinico. You don''t know his circumstances," Alex retorted, coming to my defense. He glanced at me with a hint of apology in his eyes, as if to say, Ignore it, man.


    I gave him a slight nod, appreciating his support, and tried to blend into the group''s dynamic.


    Alex began introducing the others, pointing them out one by one. ¡°That¡¯s Vinico, obviously. The girl beside him is Lore Lovelace. Over there is Wenzel, Daisy Hart, Gina Summers, Henry Won, Zoe, and Monika. And, of course, you¡¯ve all seen North around in class or outside.¡±


    I scanned the faces, locking their names to their appearances in my mind. Finally having names to go with the faces made the situation feel slightly less alien.


    One of them, Gina¡ªwho looked relaxed in a black sparkly tube mini dress¡ªgave me a once-over before taking a sip of her drink. Her eyes lingered for a moment, and she tilted her head slightly. ¡°Your look has changed a lot over the past couple of days,¡± she remarked, the comment hanging somewhere between curiosity and skepticism.


    Her words caught me off guard, and I hesitated before replying. ¡°Yeah, I guess you could say it¡¯s been a... transformative few days.¡±


    Daisy chuckled, her laughter broke some of the tension. ¡°Transformative? That¡¯s one way to put it. Careful¡ªVinico¡¯s going to say you¡¯ve been cursed next.¡±


    Vinico raised an eyebrow, clearly weighing a sarcastic retort, but Alex interrupted before he could speak. ¡°Or maybe he¡¯s just adapting better than most of us would. Let¡¯s not jump to conclusions, yeah?¡±


    The group quieted down, and I relaxed slightly, grateful for Alex¡¯s intervention. For all my initial doubts about him, his willingness to stick up for me was something I hadn¡¯t expected¡ªand wasn¡¯t sure I deserved.


    Henry, perched on the edge of his seat, adjusted his thin, round glasses. They lent him an air of quiet intellect, and his sharp gaze made it clear he was the kind of person who rarely missed anything. ¡°So,¡± he said, leaning forward with curiosity, ¡°what¡¯s your meta nature?¡±


    I hesitated, deciding to keep my answer simple yet intriguing. ¡°I can tell if someone¡¯s going to have a good or bad day,¡± I said. It was vague enough to deflect deeper probing while still answering the question. Anyone paying attention would probably sense there was more to it.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± Vinico chimed in, unable to resist a comment. ¡°So you got into the academy just because of that?¡±


    Alex¡¯s head snapped in Vinico¡¯s direction, his patience visibly thinning. ¡°What is your problem?¡± he barked, his tone carrying more weight this time.


    Vinico merely shrugged, utterly unbothered. ¡°I was just confirming. I mean, it seems like a pretty useless power in most cases. He can¡¯t fight, can¡¯t fly, can¡¯t really do anything. And for someone who can supposedly read luck, his own seems pretty terrible.¡±


    When did I ever offend this guy? I wondered, frowning slightly. Apparently, I wasn¡¯t the only one tired of Vinico¡¯s attitude.


    ¡°Wow, Vinico,¡± Gina said, breaking the tense silence with a dry laugh. ¡°You really know how to make someone feel welcome.¡±


    Vinico¡¯s smug expression faltered as Lore tilted her head, her tone calm but firm. ¡°Vinico, we all have unique meta natures here,¡± she said, her words a quiet but pointed rebuke. ¡°People who rely solely on brute force don¡¯t usually last long in this field.¡±


    Her warm gaze shifted to me, ¡°I¡¯m Lore Lovelace,¡± she said. ¡°My ability lets me bring abstract concepts to life for a brief time.¡±


    Lore leaned forward, her warm smile offset by the sharp glint of her confidence. ¡°Here, let me show you what I mean,¡± she said.


    ¡°Silence,¡± she exhaled softly, her fingers curling slightly as if grasping something invisible. The air around us shifted, a strange stillness falling over the group. The hum of background music vanished. Conversations that had buzzed nearby were suddenly muted, as if the world had been wrapped in a dense, invisible blanket.


    Her eyes sparkled with quiet pride. ¡°That¡¯s ¡®silence,¡¯¡± she said. The group glanced around, startled at the sudden void of sound, until Lore released her grip, and noise rushed back in with a startling clarity.


    ¡°Impressive,¡± Gina muttered, her tone tinged with reluctant admiration.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Vinico cut in, standing up as if to reclaim some spotlight. ¡°But what about this?¡± He stepped away from the sofa, rolling his shoulders. In an instant, a copy of him appeared beside him, and then another. The clones grinned mischievously, mirroring his expression as they crossed their arms in unison.


    ¡°Vinico here can create temporary clones of himself, though each clone fades after a short time,¡± Alex added from the side.


    ¡°Hey, I can introduce myself!¡± Vinico grumbled, clearly irritated, though his powers suddenly seemed less impressive next to Lore¡¯s unique ability. His clone flickered and dissolved, followed by the next, leaving only the original Vinico.


    Henry leaned back casually, his gaze fixed on me. ¡°Watch closely,¡± he said. His body relaxed, but something in his eyes sharpened. I suddenly felt a strange pressure in the back of my mind, as if someone were rifling through my thoughts. My surroundings blurred slightly, and Henry¡¯s voice seemed to echo from a different part of the room.


    He smirked faintly, his lips unmoving as I heard him speak again, ¡°I¡¯m in your head now.¡± A moment later, the sensation lifted, leaving me blinking as he settled back into his seat.


    ¡°I can split my consciousness, allowing me to focus on multiple tasks at once or send part of my mind into someone else¡¯s thoughts and hide there. I can see and hear what they do from then on.¡± he explained, his tone even.


    Definitely dangerous, I thought, already picturing the potential of someone who could be the perfect spy.


    Zoe leaned forward, a playful glint in her eyes. ¡°Now it¡¯s my turn.¡± She extended her hand toward Alex, who raised a brow but didn¡¯t resist. Her fingers brushed his arm lightly, and for a moment, her expression tightened in concentration. Then, with a flash of confidence, she stood and squared her shoulders.


    ¡°Okay, hit me!¡± she said to Alex.


    Alex chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°You¡¯re joking, right?¡±


    ¡°Try it,¡± Zoe pressed. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Alex hesitated, then threw a light jab toward her arm. His fist bounced off without so much as a flinch from Zoe. She grinned triumphantly. ¡°Entanglement,¡± she explained, letting go of Alex¡¯s power and collapsing into her seat with a satisfied smile. ¡°I just borrowed his invulnerability.¡±


    The group murmured in awe as Monika leaned back, her fingers idly toying with the edges of her hair. ¡°All right, everyone, settle down,¡± she said, her voice lilting and calm. ¡°Let¡¯s try something lighter.¡±


    A wave of warmth washed over me¡ªcomforting, almost euphoric. I glanced at the others and saw similar expressions of contentment. Monika smirked, her power obvious. ¡°Amplified emotions,¡± she explained. ¡°I can double your mood¡ªor, you know, flip it.¡±


    Wenzel stood next, his movements smooth and deliberate. ¡°Shadows,¡± he said simply. Raising his hand, the room¡¯s faint lighting bent unnaturally. The shadow beneath a nearby table elongated, twisting upward like a vine until it solidified into a thin, black blade in his grasp. He let it dissolve with a flick of his wrist, the shadow slithering back to its original place.


    ¡°Handy,¡± he said, his tone nonchalant. Wenzel could control and shape shadows, making them solid or forming temporary constructs.


    Gina swirled the drink in her hand thoughtfully, her expression sharp. ¡°And now, for something completely different,¡± she said. She reached toward the table, brushing her fingers over a glass. Her eyes glazed over for a moment before she looked up, her gaze distant. ¡°The last person who touched this was stressed. They were muttering something about a deadline.¡±


    Gina Summers, who could rewind time by ten seconds and pull specific memories from objects or people, glimpsing flashes of their past experiences up to twenty four hours. She¡¯s definitely one to watch out for, I thought, noting how powerful¡ªand dangerous¡ªher ability could be. Thankfully, the effects of her meta nature stopped at twenty four hours, otherwise, i wouldn''t want to be in her presence.


    ¡°Creepy,¡± Daisy muttered, though her tone was more impressive than alarmed.


    Finally, Daisy stood, brushing invisible dust from her pants. ¡°Let me show you what it¡¯s like to vanish,¡± she said, winking. She took a step back, and just like that, she disappeared. The air shimmered faintly where she had been standing, like the outline of a heatwave. From the space where her voice emerged, she added, ¡°I can see all of you, but you can¡¯t see me or touch me with anything you have.¡±


    After a beat, she reappeared, grinning. ¡°The veil.¡±


    She could enter a pocket dimension, or ¡°veil,¡± allowing her to observe the real world without being seen or interacting with it¡ªa perfect way to gather information undetected.


    Meanwhile, Alex leaned back, raising his hands as the attention swung to him. ¡°And me? I think I¡¯ll pass on the demo for now. You¡¯ll just have to take my word for it,¡± he said with a grin. ¡°Or, you know, throw something at me.¡±


    He had even more impressive meta nature: he could become invulnerable to all damage as long as he genuinely believed he could handle the problem.


    As time passed, I felt myself blending into the group, their initial prejudices against me gradually fading. It dawned on me that I¡¯d become too rigid and defensive, automatically seeing others as obstacles or threats. In reality, most people weren¡¯t enemies¡ªthey were just trying to navigate this world like anyone else. The realization hit hard: maybe it wasn¡¯t the world that needed to open up to me, but the other way around.


    To my surprise, I realized I shared a lot in common with these people.


    ¡°So you¡¯re saying,¡± Lore said, narrowing her eyes with an incredulous smirk, ¡°there¡¯s a possibility I could nullify someone else¡¯s meta nature just by doing something completely random?¡±


    Her skepticism was echoed in the raised brows and tilted heads around the group. Even Vinico, though feigning disinterest, seemed to be listening closely from his perch on the armrest of the sofa.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    I nodded, leaning forward, feeling a strange sense of freedom in sharing these things. It wasn¡¯t as if they could truly piece together the full picture¡ªand besides, none of them would remember any of this in the next cycle. So why not deepen the connections I was forming, especially with Lore Lovelace? Our wavelengths matched perfectly, and, much to Vinico''s annoyance, we¡¯d grown unexpectedly close.


    ¡°Exactly.¡± Lowering my voice to a whisper, ¡°Yes, but it can all be fluke too,¡± I replied, thinking it over. ¡°Sometimes, all it takes is a small, seemingly insignificant variable. People have noticed that if certain elements align, like timing or environment, even a simple action can disrupt or interfere with someone¡¯s meta nature¡ªthough usually only for a moment.¡±


    Sometimes, it takes nothing more than a small, seemingly insignificant variable. If the timing, environment, or even just the mood aligns in the right way, a simple action can disrupt someone¡¯s ability¡ªif only for a moment.¡±


    Lore¡¯s expression turned thoughtful as she processed my words, her skepticism softening into intrigue. ¡°But how?¡± she asked, her voice quieter now. ¡°That sounds¡­ chaotic. Random.¡±


    ¡°It is,¡± I admitted, lowering my voice as if I were sharing a secret. ¡°But chaos is part of the equation. I¡¯ve seen it happen. Certain situations create the perfect conditions for interference¡ªwhether it¡¯s someone closing their eyes at just the right second or stepping into the wrong shadow. The effect is unpredictable, but it¡¯s real.¡±


    Lore leaned back, her lips curving into a fearful smile. ¡°That¡¯s wild.¡±


    ¡°Actually,¡± I added, glancing around the circle, ¡°it¡¯s not something you¡¯ll find in a published study. There are people¡ªpowerful people¡ªwho don¡¯t want this getting out. They¡¯re afraid of what it could mean.¡±


    Gina¡¯s eyes widened, her earlier aloofness replaced with genuine fascination. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you had this side,¡± she said with a grin. ¡°You sound like some kind of meta detective.¡±


    The group murmured in agreement, their curiosity tangible. Even Monika, who had been idly scrolling on her phone, set it aside to listen.


    ¡°It¡¯s not just theory,¡± I continued, leaning closer to Lore. ¡°I learned this first hand after getting mixed up with some dangerous people.¡± My voice dropped, threading just enough tension into my words to keep them hooked. Though what I said was true, it happened far in the future, about a hundred and fifty years from now.


    ¡°They were experimenting with ways to neutralize meta abilities¡ªways no one would ever suspect. It¡¯s not exactly something you want to stumble into unprepared.¡±


    Alex, Henry, and everyone¡¯s eyes gleamed with interest, and they shifted closer, their attention locked on me. ¡°So think of it this way,¡± I continued. ¡°If someone were able to figure out the right method, we might be able to stop something as significant as teleportation just by, say¡­ closing our eyes at the right moment.¡±


    Vinico¡¯s scoff reverberated like a gauntlet thrown. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you,¡± he sneered, slamming his cup onto the table hard enough to make the drinks ripple. ¡°You¡¯re just making up stories.¡±


    I felt the shift in the room. The others¡¯ eyes turned toward me, their earlier fascination waning as Vinico¡¯s skepticism took root. For people whose lives revolved around their meta abilities, the idea of losing control¡ªeven momentarily¡ªwasn¡¯t just unsettling; it was terrifying. I knew they wanted to believe me, but doubt was an insidious thing, and Vinico had planted it well.


    Instead of protesting, I let a faint smile tug at the corner of my lips, leaning back with an air of practiced indifference. I reached for my drink, intending to take a measured sip, only to find my glass empty.


    ¡°Guess it¡¯s time for another shot,¡± I said, pushing myself to my feet. I didn¡¯t wait for a response as I made my way to the bar, the steady thrum of the DJ¡¯s beat vibrating underfoot. The drinks, as expected, were free-flowing, and the crowd reflected it. Half-drunk students swayed and stumbled across the floor, their laughter and slurred conversations blending into the music.


    As I refilled my glass, I felt a presence behind me¡ªclose enough to make my instincts prickle.


    ¡°Hey,¡± a familiar voice said softly.


    I turned, unsurprised yet curious. ¡°Hi,¡± I replied, lifting my freshly poured glass to my lips. ¡°You looking for me?¡±


    Jade nodded, her body language screaming discomfort. Her cheeks and ears were flushed, and her breathing came in short, uneven bursts. Her fists were clenched at her sides, the tension in her frame unmistakable. But it was her eyes that made me pause. They were unfocused, her pupils blown wide, a look of vague detachment clouding her expression.


    ¡°Everything okay?¡± I asked, lowering my glass. My tone was cautious, but my mind was already ticking through possibilities. Something wasn¡¯t right.


    "I think I¡­" she began, her voice barely above a whisper. Her gaze flickered, and she swallowed hard. "I might have caused a problem."


    I narrowed my eyes, that familiar tingle of her presence suddenly sharper, more urgent. Something in her aura felt wrong¡ªjagged and unstable. "What kind of problem?"


    Jade swayed slightly, and without thinking, I reached out to steady her. The moment my hand touched her arm, that weird connection between us flared like a live wire. She must have felt it too because she unconsciously leaned into the contact.


    "I didn''t mean to," she said, her words tumbling out in a rush. "It just¡­ happened. I didn''t think it would get out of hand."


    I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose with my free hand, very aware that I was still holding her arm with the other. "Jade, whatever it is, just spit it out. Did you¡ª?"


    "No!" she cut in quickly, shaking her head. "I didn''t kill anyone." Her voice dropped, barely audible over the music. "But it might''ve been¡­ worse."


    I was speechless, I had thought she had beaten someone senseless, but her words clearly exceeded my wildest imagination. My grip on her arm tightened slightly¡ªprotectively? I wasn''t sure when that instinct had kicked in. "Start from the beginning," I said, my tone leaving no room for argument. "What did you do?"


    She pulled away from my grip only to sway again, this time more violently. I caught her before she could fall, and suddenly she was basically using me as a human support beam.


    "I just wanted to try some drinks," she said, her voice muffled against my shoulder. I could feel her trembling. "A guy¡ªa senior, I think¡ªinvited me to hang out with him and his friends. I thought it''d be a good way to make new friends, so I went upstairs with him. There was already a group drinking there." She hesitated, her fingers unconsciously gripping my shirt. "They were doing drugs too. I saw them use this blue stuff¡ªputting it in their eyes."


    Something cold settled in my chest. I knew exactly what she was talking about, and it wasn''t good.


    "They kept pressuring me to try it, and..." Her voice cracked, and I felt something wet against my shirt. She was crying. Actually crying. "I gave in. I''m so stupid, I just¡ªI just wanted them to like me, you know?"


    Ah, hell. I wasn''t good with crying.


    "You''re not stupid," I said quietly. "They''re the idiots who¡ª" I stopped as her whole body tensed.


    "While I was under the influence," she continued, her voice breaking, "everything got... hazy. The room kept spinning, and I could barely keep my eyes open. Then one of them..." She shuddered violently, and I felt her fingers dig into my shirt. "He started touching my hair, saying how pretty I was. I tried to move away, but my body wouldn''t listen."


    My jaw clenched, but I forced myself to stay still, to let her get it out.


    "The others were laughing," she whispered, her voice hollow. "Like it was some kind of game. One of them said ''she won''t even remember'' and started pulling my dress up and another tried to kiss my neck. I wanted to scream, but nothing came out. I felt so... helpless."


    The chill in my hands and feet spread through my whole body. My grip on the glass tightened as anger coiled inside me. Of course, these privileged idiots would pull something like this. They probably saw her as an easy target, someone they could manipulate without consequence.


    Her breathing hitched with a wave of her fear and disgust. "But before they could do anything, I snapped out of it, and my meta, it went out of control.¡±


    The anger that flooded through me was surprising in its intensity. "Are they dead?" I asked, my voice cold and sharp.


    Jade flinched at the question, but I couldn¡¯t help it. I didn''t really care even if they were - the consequences could be handled, I thought to myself. I don¡¯t know why I felt that way. My primary concern was making sure Jade was safe and the situation was under control, regardless of what had happened to the others.


    She looked up at me, tears streaming down her face, but there was something else in her eyes now¡ªa flash of that same power she was describing. "I wanted them gone," she said, her voice suddenly steady. "I wanted them to disappear so badly, to never exist in the same space as me again. And then they just... vanished."


    "Hey," I cut her off, pulling back just enough to look at her face. Her makeup was smeared, her eyes red and unfocused. "Those bastards got exactly what they deserved. You protected yourself. That''s all that matters."


    She tried to nod but ended up swaying again. I caught her, noticing how her skin felt too hot, her pupils still blown wide. Blue Ice Separation. Of course these rich idiots would have access to that stuff.


    "We need to get you out of here," I said, already reaching for my phone to text Alex. When I tried to step back, Jade made a small sound of protest, her hands still clutching my shirt.


    "Don''t," she mumbled. "Everything spins when you''re not close."


    That shouldn''t have made my heart do whatever weird flip it just did. I blamed it on our meta nature resonance thing. Had to be that, right?


    "Okay," I said, keeping one arm around her waist. "But we''re leaving. Now."


    She nodded empty minded. We needed to get out of here before anyone pieced together what had happened upstairs.


    We slipped out of the bungalow into the crisp night air, the party¡¯s thumping bass fading behind us. The street was empty except for the distant glow of a convenience store. I scanned for what I needed and spotted a medical store nearby. Without a word, I led Jade toward it.


    Inside, I grabbed what I was looking for: counteracting drops for Blue Ice Separation. Jade had described the drug perfectly. It was notorious¡ªa designer high created by a meta-chemist, infamous for its ability to induce an out-of-body euphoria so intense it felt like soul and body were momentarily severed. The effects could be exhilarating, but the risks were massive, especially for those with unstable meta abilities. I¡¯d tried it a few times myself back in the day but never under duress¡ªand I knew how quickly it could spiral out of control.


    The long-term effects of Blue Ice Separation were no joke¡ªloss of control over one¡¯s meta nature, and in some cases, death. For someone like Jade, whose powers were volatile even on a good day, the risk was amplified. If she lost control again, the consequences could be catastrophic, and she wouldn¡¯t even realize the harm she¡¯d done until it was too late.


    After leading her to a small outdoor table, I draped my jacket over her shoulders. The night was cool, and I knew she¡¯d feel the chill once the drug¡¯s effects started wearing off. ¡°Stay here,¡± I told her gently. She nodded, her movements subdued, and I headed back into the store to grab supplies¡ªwater, saline drops, and a few basic remedies to ease her recovery.


    When I returned, I found her hunched over, hugging the jacket tightly around herself. I sat beside her and placed a bottle of water in front of her. She grabbed it eagerly, ready to gulp it down, but I stopped her with a raised hand.


    ¡°Hold up!¡± I said with a chuckle. ¡°Wash your eyes first. You¡¯ve gotta get that residue out, or it could stick around longer than you want.¡±


    She scrunched her nose in mild irritation, tipping her head back to rinse her eyes. The droplets trailed down her cheeks like fleeting tears, and for a moment, I was struck by her features¡ªphoenix-like eyes, gray and piercing, framed by delicate brows. They gave her an aura of understated elegance, quietly striking in a way I hadn¡¯t noticed before.


    Feeling my face warm inexplicably, I averted my gaze to the full moon overhead. Something was definitely off with me¡ªI felt oddly self-conscious, which was both irritating and confusing.


    Damm the resonance in meta nature¡­ The feeling was as unsettling as it was annoying.


    "Thanks," she murmured, passing back the empty bottle. I tossed the empty medicine bottle into a nearby bin and glanced back. She still looked shaky, but her eyes were clearer now. The street lights caught the slight shimmer in her black dress, and I noticed her wobble again, her high heels definitely not helping matters.


    "Think you can walk a bit?" I asked.


    She nodded, then immediately stumbled. I caught her arm, steadying her. "Okay, maybe not that well," she admitted weakly.


    "Those heels look like torture devices."


    She clutched my arm for support. "Beauty is pain, or whatever. Though right now they''re mostly just..." She stumbled again, catching herself. "Okay, yeah, they''re awful."


    "Here." I sat down on a nearby bench and started unlacing my sneakers. They were just simple shoes, nothing fancy.


    "What are you doing?"


    "Preventing you from breaking an ankle." I held them out to her. "Our feets look same size, so they should fit you."


    She hesitated, looking between the sneakers and her own heels. "But what about you?"


    "I''ll survive. Unless you want me to carry you?"


    That finally got a real chuckled out of her. "God, no. I''ve had enough drama for one night." She slipped off her heels with visible relief, wiggling her toes before accepting my sneakers. "Oh wow," she said as she put them on, "these are actually really comfortable. Like, unreasonably comfortable."


    I picked up her heels, dangling them from one finger as we started walking.


    "Think you can make it a bit further? There''s a food stand around the corner."


    As we walked, the silence between us felt different than before¡ªnot exactly comfortable, but not awkward either.


    The streets were quieter here, away from the party. Moths danced around the streetlights, and somewhere a car alarm went off briefly before falling silent. Our footsteps echoed slightly on the empty sidewalk ¨C hers now shuffling in my sneakers, mine oddly quiet in just socks. We turned the corner onto a tree-lined avenue where even the street lamps looked expensive, their ornate iron work casting elaborate shadows on the pristine sidewalk. Among the high walls and manicured gardens of multi-million dollar homes sat a tiny piece of whimsy ¨C an artisanal gelato cart with copper trim and a striped awning. Its warm lights gave off a soft, inviting glow, and a small queue of well-dressed late-night customers lingered around it. Apparently, even in this neighborhood, good ice cream was universal.


    The cart belonged to Bellini''s, one of those places that imported their ingredients directly from Italy and charged accordingly. But the aroma of fresh waffle cones and the way Jade''s eyes lit up at the hand-painted menu of flavors told me I''d made the right call.


    "Oh," she breathed, suddenly energized. "Ice cream."


    "Seriously?" I asked, watching her point to the most elaborate sundae on the menu. "After everything tonight, that''s what you want?"


    She turned to me, and for the first time since the party, a genuine smile tugged at her lips. "Sugar helps with sadness," she declared with mock seriousness. "It''s science."


    "Oh really?" I couldn''t help but smile back. "And where exactly did you study this ''science''?"


    "The University of Life," she shot back, then wobbled slightly. I steadied her again as she studied the menu with intense concentration.


    The vendor watched us with tired amusement as Jade pointed to the most elaborate sundae they had. "Want some?" she offered moments later, holding out a spoonful of ice cream loaded with chocolate sauce, sprinkles, and what looked like every topping available.


    I eyed the mountain of toppings skeptically. "I prefer my ice cream without having to excavate it first."


    "Oh?" Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Let me guess ¨C you''re probably one of those dark chocolate people. All bitter and serious."


    "Dark chocolate hazelnut, actually," I corrected, then immediately regretted giving her ammunition.


    "Wow, you actually admitted to being boring. Didn''t expect that." She complained curiously. "Let me guess ¨C you also drink your coffee black and judge people who put sugar in theirs?"


    "I''ll have you know," I said, accepting her spoonful despite my protests, "that dark chocolate hazelnut is a sophisticated choice. Unlike whatever sugar explosion you''re eating."


    "Oh my god," she suddenly exclaimed, "they put pop rocks in this! Here, try it!" Before I could react, she''d shoved another spoonful toward my face. I caught her wrist, laughing despite myself.


    "You''re going to give yourself a sugar rush," I warned, but accepted the bite anyway. The pop rocks crackled, and she beamed triumphantly.


    "That''s the point!" She swayed again, my sneakers flopping as she regained her balance. "Everything''s better with a little chaos."


    The vendor watched us with poorly hidden amusement as Jade continued her mission to make me try every possible combination of toppings. "This one has caramel and those little cookie bits," she insisted, already holding out another spoonful.


    "You know I can just get my own ice cream, right?"


    "Nope, too late. You''re committed now." She scooped up some chocolate sauce with sprinkles. "Besides, you helped me so much and gave me your shoes. Sharing ice cream is the least I can do."


    I rolled my eyes but let her feed me another bite. Something about her happiness was infectious, making it impossible to maintain my usual standoffish attitude.


    "Oh wait," she said suddenly, "there''s this one part that''s just perfect, it''s got all the¡ª" She moved too quickly, wobbling, and a glob of ice cream landed on her chin.


    "Smooth," I teased. Without thinking, I reached out with a napkin and wiped the ice cream off her face. She went very still, and I realized what I was doing. But instead of pulling away, she just smiled softly. I reasoned, she was still intoxicated from the effects of drug. I hoped she would forget everything bad that happened tonight. Hopefully!


    "Missed a spot," she said quietly, pointing to another drop near her lip. My hand moved on its own, thumb gently brushing away the ice cream. For a moment, we just looked at each other, the night suddenly feeling very quiet.


    Then she blinked and the moment passed. "Last bite," she announced, holding up the spoon. "We have to share it. It''s, like, a rule."


    "Oh, it''s a rule now?"


    "Absolutely. I just made it up."


    I laughed, letting her feed me the final spoonful of ice cream. The night wrapped around us like a comfortable blanket as we started walking again, my feet probably getting ruined but somehow not minding. The stars above us were fighting a losing battle against the city lights, but she seemed fascinated by them anyway.


    "There," she said suddenly, her voice breaking our comfortable silence with an excited burst. She pointed across the horizon with her plastic spoon. I followed her gaze.


    "That''s my home," she said, pointing across the horizon. Her eyes sparkled with childlike delight, and something about her unguarded enthusiasm made it impossible to maintain my usual walls.


    "We could sit for a bit," I suggested, nodding toward a small park we were passing. "If you''re not ready to head back yet."


    She glanced down at my socked feet. "Your feet must be killing you."


    "Worth it to prevent you from face-planting in those heels."


    The park was really just a forgotten patch of grass with a few weathered benches, but its elevation offered a perfect view of the city sprawled out below. Jade immediately wandered toward a spot in the grass, ignoring the nearby bench completely.


    "The bench is right there," I pointed out.


    "Yeah, but you can''t see the stars properly from there." She sat down, wrapping her arms around her knees. After a moment''s hesitation, I sat beside her, leaving enough space that she wouldn''t feel trapped.


    "My grandfather used to tell me about the stars," she said suddenly, her voice soft but steady. "He had this whole thing about how stars were actually ancient warriors who fought so hard they burned bright enough to stick in the sky." She laughed softly. "I believed him for years."


    "That''s... actually kind of beautiful."


    "Yeah. Though I got really confused in science class." She grinned. "Turns out ''my grandad said it''s an ancient warrior'' isn''t the right answer to ''what are stars made of?''"


    I found myself chuckling. "Let me guess ¨C you argued about it?"


    "Poor teacher didn''t know what hit her." She pointed at a particularly bright light. "See that one? According to eight-year-old me, that was definitely a warrior princess who fought off an entire army with just a fork."


    "A fork?"


    "I was going through a very specific phase, okay?" She giggle softly, then her voice softened. "I miss that sometimes. When everything could be magic and mysteries, before..." She gestured vaguely at herself. "Before all this meta nature stuff made everything complicated."


    She leaned back, her hand accidentally landed on mine. Neither of us moved for a moment, and I found myself hyper-aware of every point of contact. Then she quickly pulled away, clearing her throat. "Sorry, I¡ª"


    "It''s fine," I said quickly, then immediately wondered why my face felt warm. I hadn''t felt this off-balance in... well, several lifetimes, actually.


    Suddenly then, She shoved my shoulder, "How are you so calm about all this? If I didn''t know better, I''d think you deal with weird stuff like this all the time."


    If she only knew. "Maybe I just have a high tolerance for weird."


    "Lucky me then," she said, but the movement made her lose her upper body balance. She grabbed my arm to steady herself, and didn''t let go.


    Inwardly, my mind screamed at me to create distance, to remember why getting close to anyone was a terrible idea.


    "Thanks," she said after a moment, her voice softer. "For everything tonight. Not just the help, but... for making me feel like less of a disaster and not judging me."


    "You''re not a disaster," I said automatically. "Why would I ever judge you. I''m not stupid."


    "I know." She took a deep breath. "Somehow I feel like I''ve known you forever. Like we''ve met before or... I don''t know. It''s stupid."


    My heart skipped a beat. "It''s not stupid," I said carefully, wondering if somehow, impossibly, she could sense the truth about the time loops.


    She glanced at me, and the city lights reflected in her eyes, making them look almost luminescent. I should have moved away, should have maintained some distance. Instead, I heard myself say, "I know what you mean."


    She smiled softly, wrapping her arms around her knees again. "Careful," she murmured. "Keep saying things like that and I might start thinking you actually like having me around."


    "Would that be so bad?" Again! The words slipped out before I could stop them.


    "No, I...." Jade hesitated to finish the sentence.


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    She let out a shaky breath."We should head back," She said eventually, though she made no move to get up. "I just... I don''t want to be alone with my thoughts right now."


    "We can stay as long as you need."


    She nodded slightly, "Thanks again," she said softly. "For not... for not trying to fix everything. Or telling me it''ll all be okay."


    We sat there in understanding silence, watching the city lights blur with unshed tears. Some pains couldn''t be fixed with words or promises. Sometimes presence was enough.


    Though, one thought unmistakable lingered in my head¡ªJade¡¯s presence here didn¡¯t align with the cycles I remembered. She didn¡¯t exist in the first or second iterations of the timeline.


    This was something new, something altered.


    My mind churned as the implications settled in. It wasn¡¯t just a coincidence. This confirmed another of my theories: time travel had occurred long before my own arrival, possibly years earlier. Whoever the original time traveler was, they¡¯d left their fingerprints all over this timeline, reshaping it in ways I was only beginning to unravel. Jade was proof of that¡ªa ripple, a deviation from what should have been.


    But why? What was the purpose of rewriting events like this? Was it intentional, or a side effect of something larger?


    I glanced at Jade, her gaze still locked on her home with a soft smile tugging at her lips.


    Who was the time traveler, and what were they trying to achieve?


    I wished I could somehow get some insider information about their motivations and plans.

 Act 1.8 (Recrudesce)

    "So, how''s it there on your home planet?" I asked, trying to keep her mind anchored to something other than tonight''s events.


    "It''s peaceful," Jade said softly, her voice growing steadier as she spoke about home. "We''ve got endless forests, and the planet''s only half terraformed. Force fields keep everything stabilized." She pulled her knees closer to her chest, but her eyes had a distant look now, seeing something far beyond Earth''s light-polluted sky. "There''s so much space there. Room to breathe. To just... exist."


    ¡°You don¡¯t like Earth, then?¡± I ventured.


    "It''s..." she paused, choosing her words carefully. "It''s intense here. Too many people, too close together. Too much of everything." Her fingers absently traced patterns in the grass. "Back home, if things get overwhelming, you can just... walk. Find somewhere quiet. Here, the noise follows you everywhere."


    Her words drifted into the quiet, and we walked on under the night sky. The gentle hush of the evening settled around us, punctuated only by the rhythmic crunch of gravel underfoot and the whisper of a cool breeze. It felt like the city had finally exhaled, letting its chaos subside.


    Then, breaking the silence, Jade spoke again. ¡°You know, before I came to Earth, I read so many books and watched a ton of media. I wanted to understand things better, to blend in more easily.¡± Her voice carried a spark of eagerness, as though she were about to share some hidden treasure.


    ¡°Oh?¡± I prompted, curious. ¡°What did you find?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ Here people with useful meta nature like to dress up and call themselves ¡®heroes,¡¯ and they catch people who commit crimes, called ¡®villains,¡¯ It¡¯s fascinating!¡± ¡± Jade said, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.


    I chuckled softly. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong, though these days, the term ¡®hero¡¯ feels... nostalgic. Most who do that kind of thing now are labeled as vigilantes, usually landing themselves in jail sooner rather than later.¡±


    Then Jade¡¯s reply caught me completely off guard. ¡°I want to do it.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I turned to her, blinking in disbelief. ¡°Do what?¡±


    ¡°I want to try being a hero,¡± she said, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and mischief. ¡°Just once. I want to see what it feels like.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± My head throbbed faintly as I listened to her ambitions. How old was she to have ideas like that? Hopefully, it was just the drugs talking, and by morning, her sudden urge to play hero would be a fleeting memory.


    Seizing the moment, I decided to ask something that had been nagging at me for a while. ¡°How do you manage to change your hairstyle every single day?¡±


    She giggled, clearly tipsy. ¡°Oh, that! Hehehe.¡± Her laughter bubbled up before she continued, ¡°It¡¯s simple, really. I just think about what kind of hair I want before I go to sleep. As long as it¡¯s possible, it¡¯ll change overnight.¡±


    I froze, blinking in astonishment. ¡°What?¡± I stared at her, my brain scrambling to process her words. Was she serious?


    Seeing my dumbfounded expression, she burst into laughter, harder this time, clutching her stomach as she doubled over. The sound was infectious, and for a moment, I felt a strange sense of relief. At least she was happy again, her earlier melancholy replaced by this childlike amusement. It was oddly reassuring.


    ¡°Ah! You silly,¡± she managed between laughs, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. ¡°They¡¯re just extensions.¡±


    I huffed, heat creeping up my neck as I turned away with a slight scowl. ¡°Extensions,¡± I muttered under my breath, feeling more than a little foolish for falling for it. Of course. Extensions. Behind me, her laughter continued, light and unrestrained, filling the quiet night. Despite myself, I felt the corners of my lips twitch upward.


    ¡°But I can change my hair with my powers,¡± Jade added, grinning mischievously. ¡°Although... it has side effects. Once, it made me go completely bald.¡±


    I stared at her, trying to gauge whether she was serious or just messing with me again. At this point, I wasn¡¯t sure I could trust a single word that came out of her mouth. The way she smirked, eyes glittering with amusement, only made it harder to tell.


    After another hour of walking and idle chatter, Jade called herself a ride home, waving at me as she disappeared into the night. I turned toward my place, my mind swirling with fragments of her stories, half wondering if I¡¯d ever untangle truth from fiction.


    When I finally opened the door to my apartment, I was greeted by the sight of Aunt Grace slouched on the couch, completely engrossed in some low-budget horror movie. The dim, flickering light from the TV cast odd shadows around the room, making the scene look almost comical. My entrance startled her so much that she let out a yelp, flailed, and nearly launched herself off the couch.


    ¡°Gosh,¡± I muttered, shaking my head as I closed the door behind me.


    Grace scrambled to sit upright, brushing herself off before shooting me a sharp, indignant glare. ¡°Who are you showing that attitude to?¡± she snapped, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Classic Aunt Grace¡ªalways ready to cover up her awkwardness with a bit of bluster.


    I just waved her off with a smirk, too tired to tease her about it. Instead, I plopped down on the couch beside her and, to her surprise, pulled her into a hug. Her indignation softened into confusion, then something warmer.


    ¡°What happened to you?¡± she asked, her voice tinged with genuine concern. ¡°You¡¯re acting... strange.¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± I muttered, feigning nonchalance. ¡°I just figured... you guys never loved me enough.¡±


    Aunt Grace blinked, her face a mix of puzzlement. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± she asked, leaning back slightly to study my face. Then, as if something clicked, her expression shifted. ¡°Wait¡­ did someone break your heart?¡±


    I huffed, rolling my eyes as I slouched deeper into the couch. ¡°No. Nothing like that,¡± I said, aiming for casualness, though my mind was still spinning from the evening¡¯s oddities.


    Aunt Grace didn¡¯t press further, but the way her skeptical glance lingered suggested she wasn¡¯t entirely convinced. Eventually, she turned her attention back to her movie, the flickering images reflecting faintly in her eyes. After recharging my social batteries for a while, I wandered into the kitchen. A quick scan of the refrigerator yielded a couple of light snacks, which I devoured without much ceremony before retreating to my room.


    <hr>


    Since it was the weekend, I allowed myself the rare luxury of sleeping in. Even when I woke, I stayed in bed, relishing the comforting cocoon of blankets and the unhurried rhythm of the day. Eventually, I reached for my HyperSpace band, deciding to make a few upgrades to my personal virtual space.


    Sliding the sleek chrome device over my head, I accessed the customization menu and browsed through the list of items. The steep prices made me wince, but I reasoned that a small splurge wouldn¡¯t hurt. I settled on replacing the tiny window with an expansive glass wall, adding an environmental patch that showcased a serene, snow-covered landscape beyond it. Instantly, the space felt brighter and more open, as though it had been transformed by the simple addition of light and perspective.


    I briefly entertained the idea of upgrading the entire house but dismissed it with a sigh. No need to go overboard on something purely virtual. Instead, I focused on smaller touches¡ªa comfortable new sofa, some vibrant digital plants, and a scattering of pink flowers. As the upgrades came to life, the space took on a warm, inviting energy, vibrant and alive in ways it hadn¡¯t been before.


    Leaning back against the edge of my bed, I admired the changes. Sometimes, even small adjustments could make everything feel different, like hitting a refresh button on your mind.


    As I was fine-tuning my virtual modifications, a notification popped up for a meet-up request. The name attached was unfamiliar, which immediately piqued my curiosity. Alongside it were a few friend requests from people I¡¯d connected with the previous night. I stared at the meet-up invite, debating what to do about this unexpected guest. After a moment of deliberation, I accepted it.


    Almost instantly, a small cartoonish girl began materializing in my space. It was composed entirely of wax, its texture smooth and glossy under the ambient glow of the room.


    ¡°Hii!¡± the figure greeted cheerfully, the voice unmistakably familiar. ¡°It¡¯s me, London.¡±


    I blinked, still adjusting to this odd intrusion. ¡°Oh,¡± I managed, trying to mask my surprise. ¡°And how exactly did you find me?¡±


    London¡¯s waxy form shrugged. ¡°I just closed my eyes and started scrolling while thinking about... you,¡± she explained nonchalantly. ¡°Then, when I clicked, poof! I was here.¡±


    That sounded suspiciously like cheating. ¡°You can do that?¡± I asked, more out of curiosity than anything else. ¡°How can you be sure I¡¯m the right person?¡±


    Her figure froze, and for a second, I thought I¡¯d caught her bluff. But then she grinned, her face stretching unnervingly due to the wax texture. ¡°Because you haven¡¯t kicked me out yet.¡±


    I considered it¡ªkicking her out, that is. But in the end, I let her stay. Her appearance was odd, sure, but I couldn¡¯t deny I was intrigued. She followed me to the newly installed glass wall, her head tilting as she took in the snowy landscape. Her waxy form reflected faintly in the virtual glass, which made the whole scene feel even stranger.


    I eventually settled on the sofa, motioning for her to sit¡ªthough I wasn¡¯t sure how a wax figure would manage that. ¡°Well then,¡± I said, fixing her with a measured gaze, ¡°now that you¡¯re here, what exactly is it you wanted to discuss?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± she replied too quickly, her voice overly casual.


    I raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. She wasn¡¯t as good at lying and pretending as she thought. ¡°So, you¡¯re here because you wanted to see me?¡±


    She shook her head again, leaving me frowning. Then what do you want, my lady? I thought, resisting the urge to sigh aloud. Instead, I leaned back and decided to wait her out, watching as the silence began to stretch.


    The virtual space grew increasingly awkward by the second¡ªnot that it bothered me in the slightest. I¡¯d learned patience. London, however, was clearly less accustomed to such silences. She shifted her weight from foot to foot, nervously shaking her waxy legs. Her hands fidgeted, and her gaze darted anywhere but at me.


    Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she blurted out, ¡°Fine, I came here because I wanted to ask you something, but now I¡¯m not so sure.¡±


    ¡°Ask me what?¡± I said evenly, keeping my tone neutral to avoid spooking her.


    She hesitated, biting her lip¡ªwell, metaphorically, since wax doesn¡¯t really allow for that¡ªand looked out the glass wall again. I waited, saying nothing, my patience unwavering. She¡¯d talk when she was ready.


    Eventually, she sighed. ¡°Okay, but promise you won¡¯t laugh.¡±


    ¡°No promises,¡± I said.


    She groaned, already regretting whatever she was about to say. And just like that, I knew I was in for something interesting.


    "Fine," Jade said, standing up abruptly and crossing her arms with theatrical flair. "Remember what you promised me yesterday?"


    I blinked, staring at her in confusion. "I made a promise yesterday? Why don¡¯t I remember this?" Was she seriously trying to gaslight me now?


    "Yes!" she declared, plopping back down on the sofa with the air of someone who owned the world. She perched like a queen on her throne, fixing me with a haughty look. "You said you¡¯d help me with the hero stuff." Her voice carried the certainty of someone who believed their own narrative without question.


    She hadn¡¯t forgotten. Of course, she hadn¡¯t. I shook my head, exasperated. ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous,¡± I began, trying to inject some logic into the situation. ¡°Besides, every district already has its City Protector group and assigned private heroes teams. There¡¯s no need for us to get involved with villains. And putting on a mask to interfere with government work? That¡¯s illegal. We¡¯d end up in jail¡ªor worse. It¡¯s just not worth it. I thought you understood that.¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    But Jade wasn¡¯t ready to let go. ¡°I¡¯ve thought this through,¡± she insisted, her eyes narrowing in determination. ¡°And I¡¯ve read enough comics and watched shows to know what I¡¯m doing.¡±


    I stared at her, dumbfounded. Comics? Before I could interrupt, she barreled on, her voice rising with excitement.


    ¡°We¡¯ll get a police scanner,¡± she said, her words tumbling out like she was sharing the ultimate master plan. ¡°We track crimes as they happen. If it¡¯s something minor, we handle it quickly and disappear before the police or any heroes even know we¡¯re there.¡±


    She paused dramatically, letting her words sink in, then leaned back with a smug grin. ¡°And... I¡¯m even willing to make you my sidekick.¡±


    I stared at her, completely flabbergasted. ¡°Sidekick?¡± I managed after a moment. Comics, police scanner, sidekick. This girl was delusional. Did she think the real world worked like some Saturday morning cartoon? The world of meta nature and crime wasn¡¯t some glossy, straightforward comic book plot. It was messy, unpredictable, and frequently lethal.


    ¡°Jade,¡± I said, pinching the bridge of my nose as her plans raced ahead at a speed that made my head spin. ¡°Do you even have a travel plan? Fighting skills? Escape strategies? Equipment? Anything? You¡¯d get yourself killed in five minutes, tops.¡±


    But she wasn¡¯t deterred. ¡°Fine,¡± she said, grinning like she¡¯d just handed me an irresistible deal. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be a sidekick. You can be my partner. But I¡¯m still in charge.¡± Her tone was so confident, so self-assured, that for a brief, insane moment, I wondered if she truly believed this could work.


    I fought the urge to roll my eyes so hard they might¡¯ve stuck. Her naivety was almost¡ªalmost¡ªendearing, if it weren¡¯t also incredibly dangerous. She was treating this like some kind of game, while I was busy picturing all the ways this could go catastrophically wrong.


    ¡°Jade London,¡± I said finally, my voice firm. ¡°This isn¡¯t a joke. It¡¯s not fun. And it¡¯s definitely not something you just wing because you read a few comics. People get hurt¡ªor worse.¡±


    She tilted her head, clearly unimpressed by my warning. ¡°That¡¯s why we¡¯d be careful. And besides, it¡¯s not about fun. It¡¯s about doing what¡¯s right.¡± She raised her waxy fist like a true superhero.


    I sighed, leaning back and staring at the ceiling, silently praying for patience. She was stubborn, ambitious, and dangerously idealistic¡ªa combination that could only spell trouble. If I didn¡¯t figure out how to talk her down soon, she might actually try this madness on her own.


    And then what?


    I shook my head, lost in thought.


    Jade¡¯s impulsive suggestion, as ludicrous as it sounded, had stirred something in me. The truth was, I had been contemplating something similar. If I wanted to level up¡ªto gain access to the secrets hidden in the fabric of this fractured timeline¡ªI¡¯d need to do something bigger. Something riskier. Whether it was on the hero side or the villain side didn¡¯t matter as much as positioning myself to understand the undercurrents the original time traveler was creating.


    I already had one foot in the villain camp, thanks to my recent run-in with Confounder. That door was half cracked open, waiting for me to step through. But taking a chance on the hero side¡­ well, that could offer a fresh perspective. Insight from both sides of the coin could be invaluable. Maybe Jade¡¯s impulsive suggestion wasn¡¯t as ridiculous as it first seemed, even if her comic book approach to it was na?ve.


    ¡°Please, please, please,¡± Jade begged, her voice rising in dramatic crescendo. Her pleading might have been endearing if it weren¡¯t so transparent, but it wasn¡¯t what would sway me. No, her thrill-seeking motives were far removed from my own. She was in it for the adrenaline rush, the idea of playing hero like some grand adventure, while I had far more serious reasons.


    Then it hit me, a realization that made me pause mid-refusal. Jade¡¯s meta nature¡ªher ability to bend randomness itself¡ªwas precisely what I needed. The very thing that made her dangerous, her casual disregard for the rules that governed the rest of us, could be the key to solving my problems. Half of my hurdles, if not all of them, could be leveled with her help. I just needed to figure out how to channel her chaotic energy into something productive.


    I looked at her again, this time not as a reckless force of chaos, but as an unlikely asset. Maybe this wasn¡¯t such a bad idea after all. If handled correctly, it could even be brilliant.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I said, my tone measured and deliberate. ¡°We can do it.¡±


    Jade¡¯s face lit up like a firework, her earlier pleading morphing into triumphant delight. She practically vibrated with excitement, ready to launch into what I knew would be an elaborate victory dance. But before she could get started, I raised a hand to stop her.


    ¡°Hold on,¡± I said firmly. ¡°Before you start planning our outfits or naming us something ridiculous, hear me out. If we go in with your flimsy plan, we¡¯ll be doomed before we even start.¡±


    That stopped her in her tracks, though her grin didn¡¯t falter. She perched on the edge of the sofa, eager but attentive. I continued, leaning forward to emphasize my point.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a game,¡± I said bluntly. ¡°It¡¯s not some comic book adventure where everything works out in the end. We¡¯re talking about real danger¡ªlife-and-death stakes. If we¡¯re going to do this, we need serious preparation. Equipment, strategy, intel¡­ and discipline.¡±


    Her grin faltered slightly at the word discipline, but I pressed on. ¡°If you¡¯re not ready to put in the work¡ªreal work¡ªthen this isn¡¯t happening.¡±


    Jade tilted her head, considering my words. ¡°Okay,¡± she said after a beat, her tone uncharacteristically sober. ¡°So what¡¯s the plan?¡±


    "I¡¯ll be the boss," I added firmly, letting the weight of my tone make it clear there was no room for negotiation. "You¡¯ll be the sidekick."


    The smile slid off Jade¡¯s face faster than rain on a window. Her lower lip jutted out in a pout so familiar it almost made me smile¡ªalmost. But what caught my attention more were her silver eyes, now glinting with a steely resolve.


    ¡°Partner,¡± she muttered stubbornly, crossing her arms. Her voice was laced with indignation. ¡°I need to be at least an equal. It was my idea, after all.¡±


    I sighed internally, knowing this wouldn¡¯t be an easy battle. ¡°You¡¯re too impulsive,¡± I said, leaning forward slightly to drive my point home. ¡°You need someone to reel you in, to make sure you don¡¯t get us both killed.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re too cautious,¡± she shot back without missing a beat. ¡°You need someone to push you forward. That¡¯s why we work as equals.¡±


    The back-and-forth continued for a solid five minutes, neither of us willing to give an inch. But Jade was relentless, and I could feel myself wearing down with every impassioned rebuttal she fired my way. She was impossible to reason with sometimes¡ªor maybe, annoyingly, she had a point.


    ¡°Fine,¡± I sighed finally, rubbing my temples. ¡°Partners it is.¡±


    Her triumphant grin returned in full force, lighting up her face like a child who¡¯d just been promised unlimited candy. I didn¡¯t share her enthusiasm, but at least we were past the debate. For now.


    ¡°Are you free today?¡± I asked, steering the conversation back toward logistics.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she replied, though her voice was tentative, as if she wasn¡¯t quite sure where I was going with this.


    ¡°Good. Meet me at the academy in an hour,¡± I instructed, my tone brooking no argument.


    She nodded, visibly eager, but before she could launch into more questions, I ended the call swiftly. Leaning back in my chair, I exhaled deeply. This partnership was going to be equal parts exhilarating and exhausting. But if I could channel her energy effectively, there was a chance this insane plan might actually work. Maybe.


    <hr>


    I quickly showered and changed into casual clothes¡ªa pair of jeans and an oversized blue sweater. It was simple, functional, and good enough for a day of unpredictable plans. The commute from home to the academy would take about thirty minutes, so I grabbed qbit, tucked it securely in my pocket, and made my way to the nearest subway station. The train ride was uneventful. When I arrived, I waited by the academy entrance, scanning the area. It was strange that Jade, of all people, was running late. Shouldn¡¯t she be extra excited and already here, bouncing on her toes? I checked the time again, starting to wonder if I¡¯d misjudged her enthusiasm. But just as impatience started to creep in, she appeared.


    ¡°Sorry for being late,¡± she said as she approached, slightly out of breath. ¡°I had some things to finish at home.¡±


    I waved it off. ¡°No big deal.¡± There was no point in dwelling on it¡ªwhat¡¯s done was done. As she stood near me, I took a moment to subtly size her up. Jade was dressed a little cuter than usual, with a casual yet put-together outfit, her makeup light but noticeable. There was even a faint blush on her cheeks that I hadn¡¯t seen before, though whether it was from rushing or something else, I couldn¡¯t tell. Not that it mattered¡ªshe always looked fabulous, but today, there was something slightly different, almost... flustered.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± I said, breaking the momentary silence. We turned back toward the train station, where I led her onto the platform. The train was my preferred method of travel¡ªcheaper, faster, and far less of a hassle than driving.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± Jade asked as we found our seats, her tone light but curious.


    I glanced at the route map on the screen inside the train, studying it briefly. ¡°The West District,¡± I replied slowly.


    From my vague recollections, I remembered the West District was under the control of a well-known figure, a man with the power to alter the atoms and properties of materials. His influence extended well beyond his own territory, and his reputation had cemented him as a key player in the meta world. The district itself was the smallest, with a population of just a few million, but it was unique. It served as a hub for metas focused on creativity and innovation in science, technology, and engineering.


    Here, people were rumored to be inventing new technologies, materials, chemicals¡ªpushing the boundaries of what had once seemed impossible. These metas were largely responsible for humanity reaching a Type 2 civilization within three centuries, a feat that would have been unimaginable under normal circumstances.


    Jade leaned back in her seat, clearly intrigued but also apprehensive. ¡°So, what exactly are we doing there?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll see,¡± I said cryptically.


    But suddenly, my attention was caught by Jade''s hair¡ªa change so subtle, yet it threw me off. It was shorter now, barely skimming her shoulders. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder: why did she change it so often? The question dug at me, lingering quietly, unanswered. She must have noticed me staring because her hand drifted up almost unconsciously, her fingers brushing the freshly cut ends with an easy, casual gesture.


    ¡°They¡¯re natural,¡± she said softly, as if that made perfect sense in a world where ''natural'' had lost all meaning.


    Something about the moment unsettled me.


    Everything was shifting, slipping beyond my grasp, and I hated it. My thoughts, my emotions¡ªonce neatly compartmentalized¡ªwere scattering like leaves in a gale, drawn inexorably toward her. She was the star, and I, the debris, caught in her orbit with no escape.


    But even in the pull of her gravity, the knowledge of what the end of the path held lurked like a shadow. When the cycle reset, we would become strangers once again. All these carefully woven moments between us¡ªeach one delicate as spun glass¡ªwould unravel with the inevitability of time itself. Like a sweater catching on a nail, leaving behind nothing but the loose threads of a life we almost shared.


    To most, these timeline resets were nothing more than a flicker in the void, their memories wiped clean like chalk from a blackboard. They moved forward, blissfully unaware, untouched by the repetition. But for me¡ªcursed with remembering¡ªit was a different story. The more I tethered myself to this fragile reality, the deeper the inevitable cut when it all unraveled. Each reset was a cruel reversal, like watching a polaroid dissolve into blankness, faces and connections erasing themselves in a slow, agonizing fade.


    If I was honest with myself, I knew the source of my struggle. Something about us¡ªour meta-natures¡ªwas broken, a flaw that amplified everything¡ªmy emotions, her presence¡ªto an unbearable intensity.


    It was as though the universe had twisted the dial on our existence, pushing us to the brink of feeling too much.


    What baffled me, though, was why I wasn¡¯t stopping myself. I could have pulled back, built some kind of wall to protect myself from this spiral. But I didn¡¯t. I kept moving toward her, letting the threads of our connection tighten even as I knew they¡¯d eventually snap. Did I enjoy it? This self-inflicted pain? Was I addicted to the intensity, the way it burned through me, even knowing it would destroy me in the end?


    By the time we emerged from the underground station, I was still wrestling with my own thoughts. Sunlight hit us immediately, a dazzling contrast to the dim, crowded tunnels below. Towering skyscrapers surrounded us, their reflective glass catching the clouds and light, cutting into the sky like blades. It was a busy hub, a constant flow of people moving purposefully in every direction, crossing streets and filling sidewalks in steady streams.


    Out of some unknown instinct, I grabbed Jade¡¯s hand so we wouldn¡¯t get separated, guiding her through the crowd until we found some space.


    Finally clear of the rush, I glanced back, momentarily overwhelmed by the crowd¡¯s energy. Then I noticed the soft pressure in my palm. I glanced down, suddenly remembering I was still holding Jade''s hand. Her fingers had intertwined with mine, neither pulling away nor holding tight¡ªjust existing in that space between casual and intimate. I quickly released her hand, trying to ignore the lingering warmth, not wanting to make things awkward.


    ¡°It¡¯s a twenty-minute walk from here,¡± I said, my voice coming out rougher than I¡¯d intended.


    Jade just nodded, her attention somewhere else. She was looking up at the towering buildings, her silver eyes reflecting the light as if she were seeing them for the first time. They were impressive, sure¡ªmonuments to human ambition. But they weren¡¯t exactly on the same level as terraforming a planet. Still, I let her marvel at them.


    We moved through the streets, the noise and energy of the city fading the further we went. Eventually, we found ourselves in a narrow, empty alley that felt like it hadn¡¯t been touched in decades. There was trash scattered around, broken pieces of debris leaning against crumbling walls. Only thin streaks of sunlight managed to squeeze in between the buildings, giving the whole place a damp, forgotten feel.


    ¡°This place is seriously creepy. Are you sure this is the right spot?¡± Jade asked, her voice carrying an edge of suspicion as she glanced around.


    ¡°It¡¯s close,¡± I said, scanning the alley. ¡°We¡¯re almost there.¡±


    After a bit more searching, we found it¡ªa small, worn-out door that looked like it belonged in another era. Stepping inside felt like entering a completely different world. Soft jazz played faintly from an old radio, the notes crackling slightly with static. The air was thick with the scent of aged wood and dust, and the dim lighting cast long, flickering shadows over shelves that seemed to go on forever.


    Behind the counter stood an old man, probably in his nineties. He moved slow but steady, with a kind of deliberate grace. His sharp eyes flicked up at us for a brief moment before returning to whatever he was doing. The shop had a strange atmosphere¡ªcozy and unnerving all at once.


    I wasn¡¯t here for the vibe, though. This place had a reputation, and not for its charm. The weapons and gear it sold were the stuff of legend, known only to those who knew where to look.


    I hadn¡¯t stumbled on it by accident, either. During the first cycle, I¡¯d come here with someone else. That visit had stayed lodged in my memory¡ªfragments of it, at least. Enough to pull me back now, hoping I could find what I needed.


    And as I stood there, surrounded by dust and shadows, I couldn¡¯t help but feel the weight of d¨¦j¨¤ vu, like the past was brushing up against the edges of the present.

 Act 1.9 (Recrudesce)

    ¡°We¡¯re looking to purchase some hunting gear,¡± I said casually to the old man behind the counter. On the surface, the shop seemed to deal in antiques¡ªaged trinkets and dusty curios cluttered the shelves¡ªbut the phrase was the key he was waiting for.


    ¡°What quality?¡± he rasped, his voice rough as sandpaper.


    ¡°Premium.¡±


    Without another word, he gave a curt nod and pressed a hidden button. The faint click of machinery was followed by the slow, deliberate groan of a concealed door sliding open.


    From the corner of my eye, I noticed Jade practically vibrating with excitement, her eyes sparkling like stars. She looked ready to burst into delighted squeals, barely restraining her thrill. To her, this was the discovery of a hidden side quest¡ª a detour in her grand adventure. I shot her a quick look and gestured for her to follow, silently pleading for discretion.


    As we stepped through the hidden doorway, into the hidden room, I spotted two more people working behind the counter. They were both young, a man and a woman, perhaps in their late twenties. Their faces held a guarded, professional air that came from working in a place like this.


    "I''m looking for weapons and materials for suits," I said to the woman behind the counter, keeping my voice low and even.


    She nodded, relaying the request to the man, who immediately turned and strode off toward another room, presumably to retrieve the items I had asked about. While he was gone, I took the opportunity to scan the products on display.


    The counter was filled with an array of curious items - everything from sleek, angular knives to small, compact guns that glowed with an unsettling energy ¨C plasma guns, I muttered inwardly.


    The man returned swiftly, his arms loaded with an assortment of weapons and devices. He laid them out with care, one by one, as he described their features with brisk efficiency. My gaze swept over the selection, already weighing options and possibilities.


    ¡°R145,¡± he held up a weapon nearly as long as my arm. Its metallic frame gleamed under the overhead lights, looking like something ripped straight from the pages of a sci-fi movie. ¡°Used in the WW-Meta. Uses Gamma Storm, powerful enough to vaporize organic matter in an instant, and capable of breaking androids into chunks. Top of the line. It¡¯s the most powerful weapon you¡¯ll find that¡¯s still portable.¡±


    He placed the R145 down carefully before picking up a smaller weapon, about the size of a standard handgun. ¡°PL-223,¡± he continued, his voice steady and professional. ¡°A short-range stunner that fires bolts of electricity. Adjustable power¡ªfrom a mild stun to a full knockout.¡±


    Finally, he picked up a sleek, dark weapon that seemed to pulse faintly, as though alive. ¡°LS-005,¡± he said, his tone reverent. ¡°Another beauty. Can fire multiple molecular disruption rounds, in simple words ¡ª plasma shots in quick succession. Deadly, efficient, and serious.¡±


    I listened and studied the weapons intently. Each one offered something unique, and I weighed their pros and cons, trying to match them to our specific needs.


    Beside me, Jade hovered, her silver eyes flickering between the guns with a mix of fascination and restrained apprehension. Her fingers twitched, and I knew she was dying to reach out and inspect the weapons herself. A sharp glance from me stopped her short; this wasn¡¯t the time for her usual impulsiveness.


    Once the clerk finished his presentation, stepping back slightly as if to give me space to decide. I nodded, my voice even. ¡°I¡¯ll take the R145 and LS-005. Throw in a set of small plasma knives.¡±


    His lips twitched in a faint smile, and he began gathering the chosen items. I turned my attention to the materials laid out on the counter next¡ªan array of fabrics and composites that would make any professional envious. There was standard Kevlar, sure, but that was nothing compared to the high-tech options available.


    One fabric caught my eye immediately: a sliver shimmering thread spun from genetically modified spiders. I¡¯d read about it¡ªa breakthrough by some meta biologist. It was as strong as titanium but light as air, with incredible flexibility. Around it were other specialized materials: fabrics that could resist extreme heat, endure freezing temperatures, or even shrug off corrosive chemicals. Some were non-magnetic, while others looked tougher than diamond but could still bend and twist like regular cloth.


    Given that both Jade and I were on the lower end of the physical strength spectrum¡ªthanks to the quirks of our meta abilities¡ªwe needed something versatile. An all-around material that could balance resilience, flexibility, and protection without compromising our mobility or stealth. The right gear could be a game-changer for us, but only if it met all those conditions.


    ¡°I like this one,¡± Jade said suddenly, running her fingers over a fabric that shimmered like liquid silicon. ¡°It¡¯s self-healing and resistant to electricity.¡±


    I examined the sample she was pointing at and gave a slow nod. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s impressive,¡± I admitted. ¡°But wearing it would be uncomfortable. Plus, it¡¯ll make us stand out like neon signs in the dark. Not ideal.¡±


    Jade¡¯s face fell slightly. She let out a small sigh and carefully placed the fabric back on the counter. The excitement in her eyes dimmed, replaced by a thoughtful frown as she studied a few other options. Her fingers hovered over the samples, brushing against different textures as she weighed her choices.


    ¡°We could try layering fabrics,¡± I suggested, picking up the spider silk again. ¡°Combine the best features from a few different materials instead of relying on just one.¡±


    ¡°That¡­ might work,¡± she said, her brows furrowing in thought. ¡°But we¡¯ll have to be careful about weight. Too many layers, and we¡¯ll be clunking around like robots.¡±


    ¡°Fair point,¡± I said, setting the fabric back on the counter. ¡°We¡¯ll keep it simple but effective. Prioritize mobility.¡±


    Jade nodded, looking marginally satisfied. Then she spotted something else¡ªa deep blue fabric with an iridescent sheen. ¡°What¡¯s this one?¡±


    The clerk, who had been quietly observing our deliberations, stepped forward. ¡°That¡¯s an adaptive material,¡± he explained. ¡°It hardens on impact but remains soft and flexible under normal conditions. Excellent for dynamic protection.¡±


    Jade¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Like armor that only shows up when you need it?¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± the clerk said with a small nod.


    I could see the gears turning in her head, but I shook mine. ¡°Nope. Too expensive,¡± I said before she could even ask.


    The materials were incredible¡ªcutting-edge tech, the kind that could turn a good plan into a great one. But the price tags were enough to make even the wealthiest meta pause. Some of the fabrics cost thousands per square inch, and the realization of how little we could actually afford hit like a gut punch. It was a sobering moment.


    When it came time to pay, I thought Jade might faint. Her face went ghost-white, her hands trembling slightly as the clerk tallied the final amount. I could see the number swirling in her head, far beyond what she had expected¡ªwhat anyone would expect for fabric. By the end of it, I¡¯d handed over nearly everything I had, leaving just a few thousand to my name. In one transaction, I¡¯d gone from comfortably prepared to practically broke.


    We left the shop quickly, not wanting to linger. The clerk assured us the items would be delivered to our location later, so to keep up appearances, we walked out carrying a set of ridiculously expensive china dishes as our cover. It felt absurd, but at least it served its purpose.


    I glanced over at Jade as we walked. She had become a walking rain cloud, her usual effervescent energy completely dampened. Her shoulders were slouched forward as if carrying an invisible weight, and her gaze remained fixed on the ground, studying every crack in the sidewalk with intense concentration. The silver in her eyes had dulled to a leaden gray, matching her mood perfectly. Her gloom was so potent it seemed to create a bubble around us.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± I said, trying to sound casual. ¡°You don¡¯t have to pay me back.¡±


    I realized almost immediately that my words had backfired. Jade¡¯s shoulders hunched even further, and I could¡¯ve sworn the air around her dimmed. It hit me then¡ªthis might have been the first time someone had sacrificed something tangible for her, and she didn¡¯t know how to handle it.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to do that,¡± she said quietly.


    I shrugged. ¡°We needed it.¡±


    ¡°No, seriously,¡± she pressed. ¡°That was¡­ a lot. You didn¡¯t even hesitate.¡±


    ¡°How am I ever going to pay you back?¡± Her voice was quiet, almost apologetic. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have asked you for help,¡± she muttered, the weight of the perceived debt dragging her down.


    I glanced at her, considering my response. ¡°Because it¡¯s not just for me. Also, You¡¯ll have plenty of chances to repay me in the future,¡± I said simply, keeping my tone light. ¡°Think of it as a down payment for all the help I¡¯ll need later.¡±


    She bit her lip, clearly conflicted. Then, the corner of her mouth twitched upward, and some of the tension in her frame eased. ¡°I promise,¡± she said firmly, clenching her fist as if sealing the vow. I couldn¡¯t help but smile at her resolve.


    We got off the train at a different station than where we''d started our journey, it was at a station closer to her home, quieter and less crowded than the one we¡¯d started from. The platform was mostly empty, save for a few stray pigeons pecking at scraps of food. The stillness was almost comforting after the long day.


    I naturally couldn''t work on the suits and equipment at my place¡ªAunt Grace''s keen eyes and endless questions would make that impossible. I had suggested renting a temporary space, but Jade had quickly offered her home instead, mentioning almost casually that she lived alone and had enough space.


    I was surprised, not by the offer, but by the fact that she truly lived alone. The revelation sat uncomfortably in my mind, raising more questions than answers. Who was taking care of her? I had assumed her parents had transferred to Earth with her¡ªthat''s how it usually worked in most cases. But clearly, that wasn''t the case here.


    Looking at Jade now, as she led us through the increasingly quiet, residential streets, I found myself seeing her in a new light.


    For the first time, I wondered about her life outside of what I already knew. What was her empty home like? Did it reflect her moods the way she seemed to shift from one to another? Could the walls change color, echoing her emotions?


    Her house was tucked away in a secluded part of the North District, where the streets were lined with older trees and a stillness that felt untouched by the bustle of the city. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if she was at all nervous about inviting me inside. After all, we were still, in many ways, strangers.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    At the door, Jade pressed her thumb to a small scanner. It glowed softly blue, accompanied by a quiet click as the lock disengaged. She pushed the door open and stepped inside, and I followed, bracing myself for whatever I might find.


    It wasn¡¯t what I expected.


    The space was smaller than I¡¯d imagined, but it exuded a warmth and life that instantly drew me in¡ªliterally. Plants were everywhere, filling every available corner and surface. Cascading ivy spilled from hanging baskets, rubber plants stood tall and sturdy in corners, and delicate ferns framed the windows like living drapes.


    The air was crisp and fresh, carrying a faint scent that was unmistakably Jade: a mix of rain and the soft floral notes of peonies. It felt like stepping into a tiny, curated forest rather than a home.


    ¡°Not what you were expecting, huh?¡± Jade asked, glancing over her shoulder with a faint smile.


    She slipped off her boots and opened a large drawer by the door. Inside was a neatly arranged collection of footwear¡ªdozens upon dozens of fancy boots, high heels, and sneakers, each pair more striking than the last. Big collection, I noted. My gaze quickly moved away from the drawer to take in the rest of the house.


    ¡°Definitely not,¡± I admitted, scanning the room.


    Jade¡¯s mood seemed to brighten as she moved through the house. A smile played at the corners of her mouth, and for the first time since we¡¯d left the shop, she looked entirely at ease. The expression suited her far better than the shadow of gloom she¡¯d worn earlier.


    ¡°Make yourself comfortable,¡± she said, gesturing toward a plush sofa that looked well-loved, the kind you¡¯d sink into and never want to leave. ¡°I¡¯ve got something to finish up.¡±


    Before I could respond, she disappeared down a short hallway, leaving me alone with her indoor garden.


    I settled onto the sofa, its soft cushions almost swallowing me whole, and let my eyes wander. The room felt like a treasure trove of her personality. A shelf held a collection of crystalline prisms that scattered light into dancing rainbows across the walls. Then a huge stack of books lining the wall caught my attention¡ªtitles on randomness, probabilities, causality, and quantum mechanics sitting beside brightly illustrated comic books ¡ª she was probably trying to learn and understand her meta nature better. On a small side table, a mug printed with mathematical equations sat next to a pot of flowers in a shocking pink hue, cheerful and unapologetic.


    From the hallway, her voice floated back to me. ¡°You¡¯re not judging my plant obsession, are you?¡±


    ¡°Judging?¡± I called back, amused. ¡°I¡¯m more impressed. This many plants, and none of them are dead? That¡¯s practically a superpower.¡±


    Jade reappeared in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame, a notebook in one hand. ¡°Takes effort,¡± she said with mock seriousness. ¡°And bribery. Turns out ferns really respond to compliments.¡±


    I stared at the fern that had basically claimed the window as its kingdom. Its leaves sprawled out like green hands reaching for every bit of sunlight. ¡°I mean, this one looks like it¡¯s trying to take over the apartment.¡±


    She followed my gaze and grinned. ¡°That¡¯s Harold. He¡¯s a drama queen. Every time I miss watering him by a day, he goes all limp like I¡¯ve personally betrayed him.¡±


    ¡°You named them?¡± I asked, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°Of course,¡± she replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. ¡°Plants have feelings, you know.¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°Right. So Harold, huh? What about the rest of them?¡±


    She held up a hand, ticking off fingers as she listed them. ¡°That¡¯s Ivy¡ªpredictable, I know¡ªthen there¡¯s Charlie, Bubbles, and Rosalind over by the bookshelf. Oh, and the cactus on the kitchen counter? That¡¯s Spike.¡±


    I stared at her, unsure whether to be impressed or concerned. ¡°You¡¯ve officially spent too much time with them.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t knock it,¡± she said with a shrug. ¡°They¡¯re great listeners.¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± I said, breaking the silence before it grew too heavy, ¡°thanks for letting me invade your jungle. I¡¯ll try not to ruin the vibe.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t,¡± she said with mock sternness, though her smile returned. ¡°The plants don¡¯t take kindly to intruders.¡±


    ¡°Good to know,¡± I replied. ¡°I¡¯ll watch my step.¡±


    She smiled and disappeared back down the hallway again, leaving me alone with her green army. I returned my gaze to Harold, who, for all his dramatic flair, did make the window look pretty cozy.


    I clicked my tongue, forcing myself to stop spiraling into unnecessary thoughts. Closing my eyes, I focused on clearing my mind, trying to find some calm amidst the waiting. The delivery hadn¡¯t arrived yet, leaving us in a frustrating limbo. My empty stomach grumbled, reminding me I hadn¡¯t eaten much of anything all day. Maybe I could order something or raid whatever supplies Jade had stashed in her kitchen.


    The combination of the comfortable sofa and mental exhaustion ¨C due to my large memories ¨C must have lulled me into a near-sleep state because the next thing I knew, a familiar scent filled the air¡ªcloser now, sharper. My eyes fluttered open to find Jade¡¯s face startlingly close, filling my entire field of vision.


    She was so close that every detail stood out with unnerving clarity: her full pink lips, slightly parted; the faint, almost invisible freckles across the bridge of her nose; and the three faint beauty spots I¡¯d somehow never noticed before¡ªone near her left eye, another at the edge of her lip, and a faint one on her right cheek.


    At the moment, her finger was raised, frozen mid-descent toward my forehead in what I could only assume was going to be an attempt to poke me awake.


    Our eyes locked, and for a long moment, neither of us moved. My heart stuttered in my chest, the stillness of the room amplifying the sudden rush of blood in my ears. Her silver eyes widened slightly, and for a fleeting second, I thought I saw something unreadable in them¡ªcuriosity? Panic? Something else entirely?


    Her face turned crimson, and she practically launched herself backward, stumbling over her own feet in her haste to put some distance between us. She caught herself against the edge of a chair, looking everywhere but at me.


    ¡°I¡­ I was just checking if you were awake?¡± she stammered, her voice pitched slightly higher than usual. It came out more like a question than an explanation, and she looked everywhere but directly at me.


    Had I caught her doing something I wasn¡¯t meant to see? I blinked at her, my brain still catching up. While I¡¯d been dozing, she¡¯d changed into something more comfortable: a beige crop top adorned with frolicking cartoon cats, a fancy, violet loose cropped cardigan draped over her shoulders, and leg warmers wrapping her knees. The outfit was both cozy and charming, completely disarming me in a way I wasn¡¯t ready for.


    Was she trying to put a spell on me¡­ I secretly wondered.


    "What were you trying to do?" I said slowly, sitting up and rubbing my eyes.


    Her blush deepened, and she crossed her arms over her chest, more out of nervousness than defiance. ¡°I wasn¡¯t staring,¡± she protested weakly. ¡°You were just¡­ right there.¡±


    ¡°And you just happened to be hovering over me with your finger about to poke my forehead?¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t¡ª!¡± She cut herself off, her lips pressing together tightly as she realized how it sounded. Her eyes darted to the side, refusing to meet mine again.


    Shaking my head, I pushed away thoughts that weren¡¯t going anywhere useful. Jade and her antics. Jade and her disarming outfits. Jade and her inability to respect personal space when she thought no one was paying attention. She had a habit of getting too close¡ªpoking, teasing, and pulling little stunts when she felt like it.


    That had to be all this was.


    She liked to pull pranks, so I settled on the explanation with a certainty I didn¡¯t entirely feel.


    Still, I made a mental note to stay more alert around her. For my own safety and sanity.


    ¡°Are you hungry?¡± I asked, steering the conversation back to something practical.


    ¡°Do you want me to order food?¡± Jade immediately reached for her phone, fingers hovering over the screen.


    I thought about it for a moment. ¡°If you have groceries, we can make something here.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± she said, setting her phone down and leading me to her kitchen. Then, almost as an afterthought and with a hint of embarrassment, she added, ¡°But¡­ I don¡¯t know how to cook.¡±


    Her admission caught me off guard, but it also raised another question. ¡°Who¡¯s been taking care of you?¡±


    ¡°I, um¡­ the restaurants in the area deliver fresh food everyday. My uncle and aunt also come by to drop groceries every week,¡± she said, her voice careful. I was a little relieved by her explanation, at least she had someone in the city to worry about her.


    Opening the fridge, I was surprised by the variety of ingredients it held. Fresh produce, specialty items, and an odd assortment of things that seemed out of place¡ªlike a half-eaten pizza with its crust missing. That small detail made me pause for a beat, but I pushed the thought aside, pulling out a few lemons and other essentials as an idea formed.


    ¡°How about a lemon pie?¡± I asked, already setting the ingredients on the counter. Cooking had become second nature to me over the years, a necessity when you lived on your own for long stretches.


    ¡°Let me help,¡± Jade said eagerly, her usual energy returning.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I said, handing her some dry fruits, sugar, and butter. ¡°You can help make the crust. Just crush the dry fruits in the food processor and mix in the sugar and butter.¡±


    Surprisingly, she followed along well. Meanwhile, I prepared the filling with condensed milk, fresh lemon juice, and four eggs. When she finished, I took over, and she watched closely as I assembled everything. We waited in silence, and soon the delicious aroma filled the kitchen as the pie baked.


    ¡°It smells good,¡± Jade said, practically vibrating with anticipation.


    ¡°We¡¯ll eat it with ice cream and whipped cream,¡± I told her. That was all the motivation she needed¡ªsuddenly, she was rifling through her freezer and cabinets like a squirrel on a treasure hunt. Boxes clattered, drawers opened and slammed shut, and somehow, she managed to produce a tub of vanilla ice cream and a can of whipped cream.


    About thirty minutes later, we were sitting cross-legged on the floor with forks in hand. Jade wasted no time, digging in with enthusiasm. Her first bite was enormous, and her reaction immediate.


    ¡°This is so good,¡± she declared around a mouthful of pie, her eyes suspiciously shiny with what looked like actual tears.


    I rolled my eyes at her theatrics, but a tiny bit of pride crept in anyway. ¡°I know a lot more,¡± I said, unable to resist a little bragging.


    ¡°Seriously?¡± she said, her manners forgotten as she gaped at me, ice cream dripping off her fork. ¡°You have to teach me all of them.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± I said with a chuckle, her excitement contagious.


    The pie was momentarily forgotten when a thought struck me. ¡°By the way, have you decided on a general design for your costume?¡± I asked.


    Jade¡¯s eyes lit up like I¡¯d flipped a switch. She shot to her feet, abandoning the pie without a second glance, and darted into her room. A moment later, she reemerged clutching a drawing tablet, her face alive with excitement.


    ¡°Take a look!¡± she exclaimed, practically thrusting the tablet at me as she plopped back onto the couch beside me. Flipping through her designs, she narrated with a mixture of pride and enthusiasm. Each one was striking, filled with intricate patterns, flowing lines, and bold details that practically leaped off the screen.


    ¡°These are amazing,¡± I admitted, genuinely impressed. ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°But?¡± Her excitement dimmed slightly as she tilted her head, waiting for the inevitable critique.


    ¡°They¡¯re¡­ a bit too complicated for now,¡± I explained carefully. ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong¡ªthey¡¯re incredible. But something like this would need a team of professionals. Maybe start simpler?¡±


    To my relief, she nodded, taking the critique in stride. ¡°Fair point,¡± she said, her enthusiasm barely dimmed.


    ¡°I guess I got a little carried away. Simplify. Got it.¡±


    Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, her expression shifted, her eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°Wait¡­ but do you even know how to sew?¡±


    The question caught me completely off guard. ¡°Sort of¡­¡± I replied, my voice trailing off.


    Her skeptical gaze locked onto mine. ¡°Sort of?¡± she repeated, her tone bordering on disbelief.


    Jade pressed her lips together in thought, her expression unreadable¡ªuntil she was suddenly in my personal space again. Her face was inches from mine, her silver eyes scanning me with an intensity that made me want to lean back. But I held my ground, refusing to give her the satisfaction.


    ¡°Tell me your secret,¡± she demanded, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. ¡°How do you have so much money? How do you know so much?¡± Her eyes narrowed. ¡°You do, and I¡¯ll give you one promise.¡±


    However, I stayed still.


    Her offer was tempting¡ªa promise for a secret¡ª a good deal indeed coming from someone like her, but I sighed, sensing the headache that would follow. ¡°There¡¯s no secret,¡± I said plainly.


    ¡°Liar,¡± she said, sitting back with a dramatic huff, her arms crossing over her chest. ¡°You¡¯re not telling me something. Spill it.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to spill,¡± I replied, exasperation creeping into my tone.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± She didn¡¯t buy it. The disbelief was plain on her face, and after a moment, her expression shifted to something sharper, more calculating. ¡°Okay, how about this¡ªlet¡¯s trade. A secret for a secret.¡±


    Her eyes gleamed with mischief, making it clear she was already thinking three steps ahead. Her voice laced with suspicious enthusiasm. ¡°You tell me your big mystery, and I¡¯ll tell you something really juicy. Deal?¡±


    For a moment, I considered the possibility¡ªcould she be a spy for the man behind the scenes? But the thought was laughable. Jade was many things, but subtle wasn¡¯t one of them. She wore her emotions too openly, and reacted too earnestly. No, she wasn¡¯t hiding a covert agenda; she was just Jade. Unless, of course, she wanted me to think that¡­ but I quickly dismissed the notion. That level of subterfuge didn¡¯t suit her.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I said finally, deciding to play along. I leaned forward, signaling she¡¯d go first.


    Jade mirrored me, closing the distance between us until I could see the faintest details of her lips again, the soft curve of her smile. Her voice dropped lower, soft and serious. ¡°I¡­¡±


    Suddenly, the sharp ring of the doorbell shattered the moment like breaking glass.


    Jade¡¯s reaction was instant and explosive. ¡°Ugh!¡± she groaned, leaping to her feet in frustration.


    She stomped toward the door with all the grace of a thunderstorm, each step broadcasting her annoyance. ¡°Terrible timing!¡± she muttered under her breath, loud enough for me to hear.


    The delivery person¡¯s timing couldn¡¯t have been worse¡ªor, depending on how you looked at it, better.


    Watching her storm off, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what she had been about to say.

 Act 1.10 (Recrudesce)

    We brought all the newly delivered supplies into the basement, stacking them into a small mountain¡ªa staggering reminder of how much I¡¯d spent. My eyes almost teared up, while Jade looked more excited than ever. With a few hours left before sunset, we got straight to work. The first task: sorting the chaos into something manageable. Guns went in one pile, fabric in another, and then the grab-bag of gadgets¡ªhalf of which I still wasn¡¯t sure we¡¯d actually need. Just the sorting took two hours, and setting up the fabric station ate the rest of the daylight.


    Jade had already decided on her colors: white and grey, a combination so perfectly her¡ªhalf dreamy, half mischievous. I¡¯d gone with black and dark blue, practical shades that wouldn¡¯t show dirt or wear. No room for fancy when you¡¯re expecting your gear to take a beating.


    I spread a sheet of paper across the workstation, weighing the edges down with a few loose tools. Time to draft patterns¡ªno room for mistakes when every scrap of material cost more than I wanted to think about. ¡°What do you want for your face?¡± I asked, pencil poised above the blank page. ¡°Hood, eye mask, or full mask?¡±


    Jade tilted her head, considering. ¡°Eye mask,¡± she said finally, her voice casual but thoughtful.


    ¡°Alright.¡± I scribbled it down. ¡°You might want to change your hair, though. Something different so people don¡¯t recognize you.¡±


    She gave a small nod, but I could tell she wasn¡¯t worried. Still, the thought that had been nagging me all day slipped out. ¡°Not that it¡¯ll matter. One photo, one video¡ªsomeone¡¯s bound to figure us out eventually, masks or no masks.¡±


    Jade didn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°I could use my meta to interfere,¡± she said, like she was offering to help carry groceries.


    I froze, my pencil hovering above the page. Slowly, I turned to look at her, eyebrows raised. ¡°Seriously?¡±


    "As long as something has a connection to me, it doesn¡¯t matter the time or space¡ªI can influence it to some degree," she explained, warming to her topic.


    "For example, I can make sure a picture with our faces or even the camera that took it meets an accident. Memories can get corrupted, pictures can be burned. Too many variables for me to play," She said it with evident pride, like a kid showing off a magic trick they¡¯d mastered to perfection.


    Once again, I realized that I¡¯d underestimated Jade¡¯s powers again. Understanding their depth sent a chill down my spine¡ªIf she wanted to, Jade could orchestrate a chain of "accidents" and "coincidences" to wipe someone¡ªme, for instance¡ªoff the face of the earth, leaving no trace behind. Some people, it seemed, were blessed not just by fate but by the universe itself.


    Trying to steady my voice, I asked, "What¡¯s the range of your power? And how much control do you have over it?"


    She tilted her head slightly, as if considering the simplest way to explain something vast and intricate. "Myself as the center, as far as my eyes can see," she said, her tone nonchalant, as if discussing the weather. "Think of it as my domain. Within twenty meters or so, my influence is strongest. Beyond that, the farther away something is, the more variables start interfering, and the weaker the effect."


    Her gaze drifted for a moment, silver eyes taking on that faraway look she got when thinking through something profound. "Outside my range, I think the balance of the world itself kicks in. The bigger the thing I¡¯m trying to affect, the harder it gets."


    I nodded slowly, processing her explanation. ¡°So you¡¯re basically a walking glitch in reality?¡±


    ¡°Pretty much.¡± Her lips curled into a sly smile. ¡°But I¡¯m a nice glitch, as long as you don¡¯t give me a reason not to be.¡±


    (;;; **), I swallowed, unsure whether to laugh or feel nervous. ¡°Good to know.¡±


    Then, with the same tone someone might use to describe a failed cooking experiment, Jade continued, "Once I tried to experiment on my planet¡ªlike causing all the dominos to fall in my favor, to trigger a chain reaction that would terraform it faster. But it backfired. Instead of what I expected, the planet seemed to¡­ change. Half of the dead planet came alive in other ways, and scientists are still trying to understand the reason."


    My jaw actually dropped. The casual way she mentioned attempting to speed up terraforming an entire planet¡ªas if it were no more remarkable than changing her hair color¡ª "That means your powers could affect the entire planet," I managed to say, my mind reeling with the implications.


    Jade pouted, a fleeting, almost childish expression that reminded me of the girl who¡¯d once nearly cried over lemon pie. But the illusion didn¡¯t last. Her eyes brightened with the sharp focus of someone explaining a deeply intricate concept. "No, silly," she said, her voice light but deliberate.


    "Think of it like a butterfly effect. Each wingbeat causes a tiny change, but only when those changes build enough momentum do they reach the point where they can affect their surroundings in a big way."


    She leaned forward, her hands sketching invisible patterns in the air as she warmed to her explanation. "Take my home planet, for example. There are only a few thousand people living there¡ªsmall population, fewer variables. Fewer factors to block or distort the changes I create. The planet itself was half dead. So, when I tried something as big as terraforming, there wasn¡¯t much to resist me, and the effects spiraled out of control faster than I expected."


    Her expression grew more serious as she went on, her gaze drifting to the table as if replaying the memory. "It was like the planet wanted to fight back¡­ or maybe it was just desperate to survive in whatever form it could manage."


    She paused, her eyes sharp with thought, then continued, "Now imagine I try the same thing here. Earth has billions of people¡ªbillions of variables. Every action I take here is like a butterfly in a dense forest. Its wings might flutter, but there are predators, trees, weather¡ªcountless forces ready to absorb or neutralize any ripple I create. The butterfly¡¯s flaps might create tiny puffs of air, but they¡¯ll barely move anything before being drowned out."


    By "variables," did she mean meta-humans? Governments? Or they can be anything. Her explanation was almost dizzying in its complexity. The more she spoke, the clearer it became that her understanding of her own power was far beyond what I¡¯d given her credit for. I was struggling to keep up, trying to piece together the implications of everything she was saying.


    And then a darker thought struck me: was Jade sent here from her home planet with a purpose¡ªto sow chaos on Earth? From what I¡¯d observed, her nature did seem to lean toward unpredictable, almost chaotic tendencies. Her powers and influence, especially with her seeming ease at meddling with complex systems, could be a perfect match for such a role¡­


    Still, I needed more information. Too many pieces were missing, too many questions left unanswered. If Jade¡¯s presence on Earth was intentional, the evidence had to be there¡ªhidden in her past or her behavior. I just needed time and patience to confirm my suspicions.


    Next, I asked carefully, my voice quieter now, "what if it had gone even worse? On your planet, I mean. What if¡­ you¡¯d destroyed it instead of bringing part of it back?"


    Her silver eyes flicked to mine, narrowing slightly. For a moment, I thought she might brush off the question, but then she sighed. "I thought about that," she admitted, her voice softer now, almost reluctant. "After it happened, I couldn¡¯t sleep for weeks. I kept thinking, what if I¡¯d done too much? What if I¡¯d tilted the scales so far the planet just¡­ collapsed? That¡¯s why I stopped experimenting with anything that big. Too many unknowns."


    "Also, you might not know," Jade continued, her voice shifting into that scholarly tone she used when she was explaining something important, "but every meta ability has an invisible counter in relation to others. I learned that through some... serious experiments."


    For a moment, she hesitated. The confidence in her tone faltered, and a blush crept into her cheeks. She avoided my eyes as she added, almost sheepishly, "Like when I was fighting with you. Every time I tried to make sure my punches landed, your meta nature countered mine perfectly. It canceled all the probabilities of my attacks hitting you. I''ve never seen anything like it."


    I felt my jaw clench. I was speechless. So I¡¯d already been a test subject in her ¡°experiments¡±? I scoffed inwardly, feeling a spark of irritation. Another match with her might be in order¡ªand maybe I¡¯d break a few bones to make my point.


    Still, I had to admit she taught me something valuable. The idea that meta nature had invisible counters, a kind of natural opposition between powers, was something I¡¯d never heard of before. And as Jade explained she had experienced it firsthand. The thought hit me like a revelation: our abilities didn¡¯t just exist in isolation. They interacted on some deeper, unconscious level, almost like a natural law of physics.


    Still, the irritation that had sparked faded quickly, replaced by a sense of curiosity. ¡°So,¡± I said, leaning back slightly, ¡°what you¡¯re saying is¡­ my meta nature completely nullified yours?¡±


    She nodded, her expression growing more thoughtful. ¡°Yes. Usually, I can influence the odds in my favor¡ªmake sure things fall into place how I want them to. But with you? It¡¯s like the moment I tried to manipulate anything directly connected to you, it just¡­ didn¡¯t work. Like the universe itself decided to veto me.¡±


    How odd! I never heard of something like that. How was my meta ability protecting me all along, neutralizing hers without my conscious input? How far did this counterbalance go? Did it mean something larger about our abilities¡ªor about us?


    But why had she been able to affect me in class, making me fall down? The question nagged at me as I worked. Hmm. Of course¡ªshe didn¡¯t have to target me directly. She could manipulate the environment, tipping the odds just enough to make something happen. The realization was obvious in hindsight. Still, her inability to land direct attacks remained puzzling. My meta nature seemed to deal with luck in some way, but I had no control over it. Things I observed or predicted often extended beyond mere chance. My primary meta ability didn¡¯t seem connected, either. But with meta powers, who could say where one ability ended and another began?


    I shook off the spiral of theoretical questions and refocused on the task at hand.


    I had tutorials playing on my phone, the voices of various DIY superhero costume enthusiasts explaining sewing techniques mixing with the soft sounds of our work. Jade, to my surprise, proved to be a capable assistant. She was hunched over paper patterns, her face scrunched in concentration, her brow furrowed in a way that made her look both serious and adorable.


    I caught myself staring. Focus, I chided, quickly glancing back at my work before the distraction could take hold.


    I held up the cut eye mask for inspection. Jade immediately scooted closer, our arms brushing against each other as she leaned in to examine our handiwork.


    ¡°Huh,¡± she said thoughtfully, her voice tinged with excitement, ¡°It¡¯s really coming together. I didn¡¯t think we¡¯d get this far today.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s not bad,¡± I agreed, holding the mask up for her to inspect further. ¡°Just need to create the mold, pour the materials, and pray it doesn¡¯t crumble into a disaster.¡±


    Jade smiled warmly. ¡°It won¡¯t. You¡¯re good at this.¡±


    ¡°Team effort,¡± I said simply and genuinely.


    Jade shook her head, ¡°You¡¯re the technical one; I¡¯m just here to make it look good.¡±


    I chuckled softly, shaking my head. ¡°Don¡¯t sell yourself short. Your sketches are the reason we¡¯re not making something straight out of a discount costume store.¡±


    Jade laughed, her nose scrunching slightly in embarrassment. ¡°I guess I do have a knack for aesthetics.¡±


    ¡°You guess?¡± I arched an eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯ve been sketching like a pro.¡±


    She leaned back, crossing her arms in mock indignation. ¡°Okay, fine. I¡¯ll take the compliment.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± I replied with a smile, turning back to the workstation. ¡°Because you deserve it.¡±


    The prototype had taken longer than expected, but now we just needed to create a chemical mold and pour the materials to get a hard shell.


    I glanced at Jade occasionally, watching as she bit her lip in concentration while cutting the fabric or tapped the end of her pencil against her chin.


    ¡°How¡¯s it going over there?¡± I asked, breaking the comfortable silence.


    ¡°Almost done with the gloves,¡± she said, holding up the cut pattern for me to see. The only thing left was to sew them together.


    ¡°Wow,¡± I murmured, genuinely impressed as I took in the sleek, practical design. ¡°You¡¯ve got a real talent for this.¡±


    Her cheeks flushed a soft pink at the compliment, and she gave a modest shrug. ¡°It¡¯s easier when I know it¡¯s for someone who¡¯ll actually use it. Makes it feel¡­ meaningful, you know?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I said, nodding with a small smile. ¡°I get that.¡±


    Thereafter, I also threw myself into following the DIY superhero suit and mask tutorials I''d found online, measuring and mixing compounds we had purchased.


    Time slipped away from us as we worked. The basement became our own little world, filled with the smell of setting chemicals and the quiet rustle of fabric. It wasn''t until I finally came up for air, stretching my neck after spending so long hunched over the mold. My phone lit up with a flood of notifications¡ªmessages and missed calls from Aunt Grace. My stomach dropped as I realized how late it had gotten.


    ¡°Wow,¡± I muttered inwardly, glancing at the time. ¡°Didn¡¯t realize it was already so late.¡±


    The time display showed well past midnight, and my stomach dropped. I''d completely lost track of time, caught up in the work and... other distractions.


    Meanwhile, Jade didn¡¯t respond. I turned to find her slumped against the edge of the workstation, her head resting on her folded arms.


    While I worked on the mold, she had been cutting new suit patterns. She¡¯d fallen asleep at some point, her breathing slow and steady. Her hair had fallen messily across her face, a few loose strands brushing against her cheek.


    I hesitated, then crouched down beside her. My fingers moved almost instinctively, gently tucking the strands behind her ear. She stirred slightly but didn¡¯t wake, her expression peaceful in a way that made my chest tighten unexpectedly.


    Shaking myself out of it, I sent a quick message to Aunt Grace, apologizing for the late hour. Then, with the mold needing time to harden, I settled into the quiet to wait. But somewhere between monitoring the chemical reaction and listening to the rhythm of Jade¡¯s breathing, sleep found me.


    When I opened my eyes again, I was staring straight into Jade¡¯s.


    She was so close I could see the shifting shades of gray in her irises, like moonlight playing on water. For a moment, I forgot to move.


    ¡°What?¡± I rasped, my voice rough with sleep. ¡°Is there something on my face?¡±


    However, a small, traitorous part of my brain noted how oddly pleasant it felt to have her be the first thing I saw. I shoved that thought into a dark corner, labeled never think about again.


    Jade¡¯s lips parted slightly, as if she hadn¡¯t expected me to wake up so suddenly and speak. A flicker of hesitation passed through her expression before she recovered, lips pressing into a small pout that was almost too cute. Her damp hair clung to her face, framing her flushed cheeks, and the faint smell of shampoo lingered in the air.


    ¡°I was, um... counting how long it would take you to notice me,¡± she said, her tone light but slightly unsteady. She clearly had practiced her response beforehand.


    Counting?¡± I asked, blinking groggily. The words didn¡¯t quite register, and I struggled to make sense of what she was saying.


    Jade nodded, her tone gaining a little confidence. ¡°Yeah. You looked so peaceful, I thought I¡¯d just wait and see how long you¡¯d stay asleep.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow, my sleep-addled brain catching up. ¡°How long were you waiting?¡±


    ¡°Ten minutes.¡± She shrugged, trying to play it off casually. ¡°You¡¯re a really heavy sleeper, by the way.¡±


    ¡°Ten minutes?¡± I repeated. I¡¯d really let my guard down around her, enough to sleep so deeply in her presence. That wasn¡¯t like me. But why had she been staring at my face for ten whole minutes? Just like yesterday. Strange. Knowing Jade, she probably had some weird ideas swirling around in that head of hers.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    I sat up straight, curiosity flooding my mind, ¡°So, you''ve been sitting here and staring at me for ten whole minutes?¡±


    Immediately, Jade''s expression faltered. I guessed she had forgotten all her excuses she had prepared earlier. Her eyes darted to the side. Her already very pale skin, always tinged with a faint undertone of red, seemed to light up further. When she was embarrassed or happy, her emotions painted themselves vividly across her face, and now was no exception. Her cheeks growing visibly pinker. ¡°I wasn¡¯t just sitting there,¡± she mumbled, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. ¡°I was... I don¡¯t know. Thinking.¡±


    ¡°About what?¡± My curiosity slipped into my voice and, and I immediately regretted it when her face turned an even deeper shade of red.


    She groaned, snapping with a flustered glare and pointing a finger at me defensively. ¡°Don¡¯t make it weird, okay?¡±


    I blinked, caught off guard by her sudden outburst. Me? I¡¯m the one making it weird? That¡¯s cheating! You¡¯re the one caught staring at my face¡ªtwice now. How do you explain that, huh? The retort burned on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed it. Saying it out loud felt¡­ risky. Too loaded.


    Jade shifted her stance, crossing her arms tightly across her chest. The gesture only emphasized her restless energy. Her voice softened, a faint vulnerability threading through her tone as she added, ¡°I could leave if it bothers you. You know, me being here when you wake up.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± The word escaped faster than I intended, too forceful, and I quickly cleared my throat to regain some semblance of composure. ¡°I mean¡­ It''s fine. It¡¯s just¡­ surprising. That¡¯s all.¡±


    Jade¡¯s eyes flicked back to mine, and for a moment, there was something unspoken hanging in the air between us.


    Before I could spiral too far, she stepped back and handed me a neatly folded set of clothes. ¡°You should probably freshen up,¡± she said, her tone light but still embarrassed.


    I stood up with a stretch and a deep breath, taking the clothes. The clothes she¡¯d handed me were soft and fluffy¡ªmatching hers, with a quality that felt almost luxurious to the touch. A grey hoodie with embroidered cat prints and matching sweatpants. As I held them, a faint, familiar scent reached me, making me pause. Her scent. Had she given me her own clothes to wear? The thought lingered, unexpected and oddly intimate. But what else had I been expecting?


    I opened my mouth to respond but couldn¡¯t think of anything that didn¡¯t sound dumb. ¡°Thanks,¡± I said simply.


    She nodded, gesturing toward the staircase. ¡°The spare bathroom is upstairs.¡±


    I followed her quietly, while my mind drifted to the growing number of small, strange intimacies we were accumulating. Shared meals, borrowed clothes, quiet moments like this. Even the simple act of sleeping under the same roof. Each one seemed innocent enough on its own, but taken together, they felt... dangerous. For some unknown reason, these moments felt dangerous. Fear prickled faintly at my edges, like a quiet warning I couldn¡¯t ignore.


    The spare bedroom she led me to was as plant-filled as the rest of her house, morning light filtering through leaves to create patterns on the walls. It felt like stepping into a secret garden, one that happened to have a bed and bathroom attached.


    ¡°Everything you need should be in there,¡± Jade gestured toward the bathroom door. ¡°Take your time.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I said again.


    Then she was gone, leaving me alone with her clothes in my hands and the faint trace of her scent lingering in the air.


    When I strode out after my bath, hair still damp, I saw Jade setting up the dining table. Curious, I stepped closer to see what she was up to. She¡¯d prepared avocado toast and bread with juice, her focus entirely on arranging the plates. As I approached, she noticed me and her face lit up with happiness, a reaction so warm it caught me off guard.


    Why were we acting like newlyweds? The thought struck me out of nowhere, leaving me momentarily stunned by my own ridiculousness. This wasn¡¯t anything unusual¡ªjust two people having breakfast. My imagination was clearly running ahead of me.


    "I made breakfast," Jade announced cheerfully.


    "It looks good," I said, taking a seat and picking up my utensils. After the first bite, I couldn¡¯t help but add, "It tastes good too."


    Her face lit up even more, her satisfaction unmistakable. ¡°Really? I watched, like, five videos last night on how to make simple breakfast dishes,¡± she admitted, her voice shy despite the obvious pride shining in her eyes. ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure if the seasoning was right.¡±


    ¡°You did great,¡± I said, meaning it more than I expected. There was something touching about her effort that made me feel¡­ well, something. Something I wasn¡¯t ready to unpack.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± she said softly, her voice tinged with pride and happiness.


    We ate in companionable silence after that, though every so often, I¡¯d catch her glancing at me when she thought I wasn¡¯t looking. And maybe, just maybe, I was doing the same.


    After breakfast, we returned to the basement, diving back into our work with renewed energy. The mask molds I''d finished last night had set perfectly, and Jade was trying them on, testing the fit. She pulled one over her head, adjusting it carefully over her eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s a little tight,¡± she said, her fingers tracing the edges where the material pressed against her skin.


    ¡°We need it snug so it doesn¡¯t slip while running or fighting,¡± I explained, keeping my tone matter-of-fact. She nodded, her expression thoughtful as she adjusted the mask, testing its comfort and fit.


    Moving on to the suit designs, we spread the fabric across the table, the rustling of the material filling the quiet room. We slowly moved onto measurement.


    Jade stood nearby, shifting her weight between her feet, her arms crossed in a way that suggested both anticipation and nervousness. The task of designing and cutting suits had seemed exciting in theory, but now that we were face-to-face with the reality of taking detailed body measurements, the atmosphere between us shifted into something charged and unspoken.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I said, picking up the tape measure and flipping to my sketchbook for reference. ¡°Let¡¯s start with the basics. Stand still, arms out slightly.¡±


    Cutting the fabric according to our measurements started out smoothly enough.


    She nodded, standing against the wall as she obediently stretched her arms away from her sides, her expression carefully neutral. She was as tall as me, and I began with her shoulders. The measuring tape glided smoothly across the smooth curve of her collarbone, my fingers lightly grazing her skin as I adjusted its position. She smelled very good and sweet up close. Her skin was extremely smooth and cool to the touch, and I forced myself to focus on the numbers, swallowing hard against the unwanted distractions creeping into my thoughts. Professional. Stay professional.


    Jade¡¯s frame made the top portion straightforward¡ªno need for complex support structures. She wasn¡¯t exactly¡­ blessed in that department, but her hips, thighs, and legs required more careful adjustments. In fact, the athletic, streamlined shape suited her perfectly, complementing the overall balance of her figure.


    ¡°Shoulders look good,¡± I said, jotting down the number in my notebook. But, they seemed too perfect in my mind at the moment like a work of art, ¡°I¡¯ll need to do the arm length next.¡±


    Jade shifted slightly, dropping one arm for a second before realizing her mistake and shooting it back up like a startled bird. ¡°Sorry,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°Relax your hand,¡± I said gently, tapping her wrist. ¡°It¡¯s messing up the length.¡±


    ¡°Oh. Right.¡± Her voice was softer now, and she wiggled her fingers awkwardly before letting them hang loose. ¡°Better?¡±


    I extended the tape down the length of her arm, starting from the curve of her shoulder to her wrist. Her arms carried a deceptive strength, the muscle tone subtle but defined.


    I gulped seriously, I mean, this girl was ripped. And it wasn''t just her arms. Her whole body was toned to perfection. I secretly peeked at her six-pack abs that looked like they were chiseled out of marble. It was impossible not to stare, to compare her physique to my own and feel a twinge of embarrassment. Sure, I wasn''t a slouch in the fitness department, but Jade? The genetically designer body was on a whole other level.


    Moreover, she had changed out of the matching cat sweatshirts we¡¯d both been wearing earlier and into a sports crop top and loose shorts for more precise measurements. It was practical, of course¡ªnecessary for the task at hand. Her bare shoulders and legs caught the soft light filtering through the window.


    Honestly, being back in a teenage body was proving to be a special kind of torture. It was like my hormones had staged a coup, hijacking my emotions and physical responses at every turn. One moment I''d be lost in rational thought, focused on the task at hand. The next, a stray glance or accidental touch would send my pulse racing and my thoughts spiraling in decidedly less-than-professional directions.


    It was maddening, feeling so out of sync with myself.


    ¡°Perfect.¡± I finished measuring her arms and stepped back, jotting down the numbers. ¡°Now for the torso.¡±


    Jade hesitated, ¡°How, um, detailed does that need to be?¡±


    ¡°Not invasive,¡± I replied quickly, though I could feel my ears burning. ¡°I just need to check the shoulder-to-waist ratio and the chest circumference.¡±


    Her lips twitched, a nervous smile playing on her face. ¡°Sounds invasive enough.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not,¡± I said firmly, though my voice cracked slightly at the end. I crouched again, wrapping the tape lightly around her chest, just below her arms. My fingers brushed against her crop top as I worked, and I made a conscious effort to keep my gaze fixed on the numbers. Focus on the task, not the assets.


    ¡°Breathe normally,¡± I said, realizing how stiff she¡¯d become.


    ¡°I am breathing normally,¡± she snapped, though the tightness in her voice suggested otherwise. Still, she took a deeper breath, and the tape shifted slightly in my hands.


    ¡°See? Not so bad,¡± I said, my tone light in an attempt to cut through the tension. ¡°Now just hold still for one more second¡­¡±


    As I adjusted the measuring tape again around her waist, I felt another of her shiver slightly beneath my fingers. Goosebumps had risen across her shoulders and stomach, as if she was reacting to the tension just as much as I was. I hesitated for a split second before continuing, chalking it up to the cool temperature in the room. But the more I worked, the more I noticed her fine hair standing on end.


    She mumbled something under her breath¡ªtoo soft to catch¡ªbut the redness of her face deepened as I finished the measurement and quickly stepped back. I scribbled the numbers in my notebook, my own heartbeat louder than it had any right to be.


    I cleared my throat, attempting to dispel the tension. "The top¡¯s looking good so far. I think the shoulders will hold without extra reinforcement.¡±


    Jade glanced at me, her expression a mix of relief and flustered embarrassment. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s¡­ coming together,¡± she replied, her voice a little higher than usual.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. ¡°Torso done. Now for the hips, and legs.¡±


    Her eyes widened slightly, and I swore I saw a flicker of panic before she masked it with a casual shrug. ¡°Right. Legs. Sure.¡±


    Jade nodded, her hands fidgeting at her sides. The fabric of her shorts hung loosely around her skin, swaying slightly as she adjusted her stance. Kneeling again, I positioned the tape around her hips, trying to maintain a respectful distance while still being accurate.


    Her figure changed here, her waist was narrow and well-defined, cinched in a way that naturally drew the eye; her long, shapely legs were her most striking feature¡ªslender yet toned, with just the right amount of definition. Her thighs, though not overly muscular, were softly curved and carried a natural fullness, they complemented her narrow waist, which gave way to subtly defined. She wasn¡¯t overly curvy, but her figure possessed a symmetry that was mesmerizing.


    She crossed her arms, rubbing her skin lightly as if trying to smooth away the goosebumps. ¡°Uh¡­ maybe let¡¯s skip the pants? They might not work with the overall design of the costume. Maybe shorts or tights¡±


    I raised an eyebrow but decided not to push the topic. ¡°Alright,¡± I said, jotting it down in my notes. ¡°Shorts or tights it is.¡±


    After the measurements were done, we both threw ourselves back into the work, avoiding eye contact like it might set off some kind of alarm.


    But, after an hour of cutting, we hit a snag with the arm and top connection. No matter how we cut or stitched, the fabric refused to cooperate. The design just wasn¡¯t coming together as planned, and frustration bubbled up in my chest.


    ¡°This is impossible,¡± I muttered, frustration bubbling up as I pulled at the stubborn material. ¡°We¡¯re going to have to start over at this rate.¡±


    Jade sighed, stepping back to examine the mess we¡¯d made. ¡°Wait here,¡± she said abruptly, disappearing upstairs.


    When she returned, she was holding one of her oversized jackets. ¡°What if we sew the jacket over these parts¡­ together like this?¡± she suggested, turning the jacket inside out to show me the seams. Her idea wasn¡¯t perfect¡ªit would leave some weak points in the suit¡ªbut for two first-time costume designers, it was a practical compromise.


    I tilted my head, considering it. ¡°It¡¯s not perfect,¡± I admitted, ¡°but it might work. At least for now.¡±


    Her grin was infectious. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s better than nothing, right?¡±


    After half a day of intense work, Jade stood before me in her completed suit, twirling with unbridled delight. Giggles bubbled from her mouth like champagne overflow, her long hair flowing behind her like a waterfall as she spun. The sight of her joy was almost as impressive as the suit itself. I found myself smiling despite my exhaustion. For all the chaos, all the challenges, seeing her so genuinely happy made it feel worth it.


    ¡°Well,¡± I said, forcing myself to focus, ¡°looks like we¡¯re halfway to becoming superheroes.¡±


    The suit was a sleek blend of black, white and grey, with the top crafted from a high-tech fiber capable of changing its properties with varying electrical charges. This made it remarkably versatile, adapting to different types of attacks. It could absorb significant impacts and was practically impenetrable to sharp objects¡ªa feature we¡¯d tested (carefully) to ensure its reliability.


    The white tank top fit snugly from her neck to her waist, seamlessly integrated with black cropped jacket with oversized sleeves that have a wide flare, giving the outfit a touch of stylish flair without compromising functionality.


    Her forearms were equipped with sleek metal devices, hiding underneath the jacket¡ªshock absorbers designed to diffuse the impact of both giving and receiving blows. These were simple but effective, an extra layer of protection that suited her wild fighting style. Around her waist wrapped a utility belt, securely packed with throw knives, flash bombs, and tiny vials of medical serum. Those vials had cost us more than the rest of the gear combined, but their ability to heal wounds in seconds made them invaluable. In a prolonged fight, they could mean the difference between survival and defeat.


    Also, there was another utility holster strapped to her thigh, especially for the blaster gun.


    Jade struck a dramatic pose in front of the mirror, turning from side to side as she examined herself. ¡°Wow! I mean, just look at this,¡± she said, gesturing to her reflection with a wide grin. ¡°It''s amazing. You''re the best.¡¯¡±


    I watched her turn, inspecting the way the suit fit her. ¡°It¡¯s functional,¡± I said, trying to keep my tone even.


    ¡°Yes!¡± She twirled, her flared sleeves catching the light as she moved, "I think it''s perfect."


    I took a seat nearby, ¡°You¡­ always look cool,¡± I said without thinking.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Jade said, flipping her hair dramatically without even looking at me. ¡°I was born to be awesome.¡±


    I stared at her, speechless. In that moment, all her earlier shyness seemed to have evaporated, replaced by this bold, unfiltered confidence. Of all the things I¡¯d expected her to say, that wasn¡¯t it. Yet somehow, it was so unapologetically her.


    There it was again¡ªanother side of her. What was it now? Conceited? Arrogant? My brain scrambled to label it, but the words didn¡¯t quite fit.


    She caught me staring and tilted her head slightly, ¡°What?¡± she asked, her voice quieter, the confidence slipping just a little.


    I blinked, ¡°Northing.¡±


    Below her waist, Jade had insisted on designing and wearing shorts: reinforced, athletic, high-waisted, cream-toned, and slightly loose. Despite my repeated warnings about the risks of leaving her legs exposed, she¡¯d brushed me off with a confident grin, declaring that the look was better for her image. I hadn¡¯t had the heart¡ªor energy¡ªto argue. To her credit, the athletic tailored shorts worked well with the pi¨¨ce de r¨¦sistance of the ensemble: her boots.


    The knee-high boots, bulkier and reinforced than the rest of her outfit, looked almost like moon boots at first glance. Built into them was a jump-assist mechanism capable of launching her ten feet into the air, giving her mobility that would complement her in need of escape from danger. The black, white, and gray color scheme extended all the way down to her feet, making the entire outfit look cohesive rather than cobbled together.


    We needed all these enhancements, as our meta abilities alone weren¡¯t enough in combat against anyone who could run faster, jump better, and hit harder. The suit compensated for these, giving us options beyond our innate powers.


    In the end, Jade got the aesthetic suit she wanted without sacrificing practicality. She¡¯d made it clear early on that she wouldn¡¯t settle for anything ugly, especially after spending so much money. I¡¯d agreed without hesitation.


    She spun in front of me, her reflection catching the light with each turn. ¡°Okay, this is officially the coolest thing I¡¯ve ever worn,¡± she said, her voice brimming with excitement. ¡°Like, I feel unstoppable right now. Look at me!¡±


    She looked like something between a superhero and a fashion model, which, knowing Jade, was probably exactly what she¡¯d been aiming for. Her excitement was infectious, and for a moment, I forgot how tired I was after hours of perfecting the suit.


    ¡°You¡¯ll give yourself a concussion if you keep spinning like that,¡± I muttered, a small smile tugging at my lips.


    She stopped mid-twirl and shot me an annoyed look, ¡°Buzzkill,¡± she whispered under her breath, though the sparkle in her eyes gave her away.


    Finally, seeing her stop playing, I stood up to inspect the suit. But before I could reach her, she took two steps back, narrowing her eyes at me.


    "Stop it," I said, my voice soft but firm, wondering what she was doing.


    My hand instinctively reached out, gently resting on her shoulders to halt her movement. She froze for a split second, her muscles tensing, before I felt her relax.


    ¡°I was just testing the mobility,¡± she murmured, her voice so quiet it was almost swallowed by the air between us.


    But I could feel her breath, shallow and unsteady, so close it brushed against my skin.


    ¡°Sure you are,¡± I replied, a muffled chuckle escaping me as I tried to steady my own racing thoughts.


    My fingers lingered for a moment, brushing lightly against the seam where the jacket met the base layer. ¡°The suit¡­ suits you.¡±


    Her lips quivered into a small yet pretty smile as she glanced back at her reflection. ¡°Thanks,¡± she said softly, her tone more serious. ¡°For making it possible. For¡­ all of this.¡±


    For a moment, I didn¡¯t know what to say. There was something so genuine in her voice, something that made my heart stop in a way I wasn¡¯t ready to acknowledge.


    I just wanted to escape, far away from her. But, why was my body not following my command.


    Clearing my throat, I forced myself to focus. ¡°So,¡± I said, desperate to steer the conversation into safer territory, ¡°have you thought of a hero name?¡±


    ¡°Hmmm,¡± Jade scrunched her face in concentration, her brows furrowing slightly.


    I blinked, surprised. This seemed like the kind of thing she¡¯d have planned out ages ago¡ªprobably before she even had the suit design.


    "How about Gambler?" she finally suggested, her smile bright and expectant.


    The suggestion made me fall silent. Something about it didn''t quite fit¡ªlike trying to force a puzzle piece into the wrong space. Jade''s powers weren''t really about gambling; they were about controlling the odds, and probability itself. She didn''t take chances¡ªshe made them.


    ¡°Dealer,¡± I said, the word slipping out almost before I¡¯d thought it through. ¡°You¡¯re the Dealer. I¡¯m the Gambler.¡±


    The distinction felt right. She dealt the cards, set up the game, controlled the odds, while I... Well, I played the hand I was given, relying on luck and instinct to see me through. It was a more accurate reflection of our dynamic than she''d probably intended.


    Jade''s smile widened, her whole face lighting up with understanding. The name clicked for her too, fitting better than her original suggestion. There was something almost poetic about it¡ªthe Dealer and the Gambler, two sides of the same coin, probability and luck working in tandem.


    Her lips curved into a slow grin. ¡°Dealer and Gambler,¡± she said, a note of approval in her voice. ¡°I like it.¡±


    Before I could respond, she practically bounced on the spot, clearly forgetting about the boots'' capabilities. With a powerful spring, she instantly touched the ceiling¡ªand as expected, misjudged the distance.


    Her head hit the roof with a dull thunk, and she yelped, landing awkwardly as her hands flew to the top of her head.


    Her eyes immediately welled up with tears, and the mix of surprise and pain on her face was so comically exaggerated that it startled a laugh out of me.


    ¡°Not funny,¡± she muttered.

 Act 1.11 (Recrudesce)

    In contrast to Jade¡¯s suit, mine was simpler, though it followed the same design characteristics. I had skipped the extravagance of the moon boots that Jade had¡ªa half-million-dollar investment meant for extreme conditions. I¡¯d only splurged on them for her because I knew she had a knack for throwing herself headfirst into dangerous situations. They were a lifeline, an essential escape tool she might need one day. As for me, my trusty sneakers were more than adequate. They weren¡¯t flashy, but they were durable, dependable¡ªeverything I needed for running, jumping, and whatever else might come my way.


    As I adjusted the fit of my suit, I caught Jade studying me. Her gaze was sharp and unwavering, the kind of focus that makes your skin prickle as if under a spotlight. She hadn¡¯t changed out of her own suit yet¡ªof course not. Her plasma guns hung holstered against her thighs below the utility belt, giving her the air of a futuristic gunslinger who was always ready for a showdown.


    ¡°You look¡­¡± she started, hesitating as if weighing her words. ¡°You look good.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I said, trying for nonchalance, though the heat rushing to my face probably gave me away. I immediately berated myself: Ugh, get a grip! Don¡¯t be weird.


    ¡°Anyway,¡± I muttered, ¡°your suit¡¯s still fancier.¡±


    ¡°Obviously,¡± she replied without missing a beat. Her attention shifted toward the door, her barely contained energy radiating like static electricity. ¡°So? Should we test them out?¡± She asked, words tumbling out in a rush.


    The eagerness in her voice was almost tangible. Her entire posture buzzed with barely contained excitement, like she might launch herself through the door if I so much as nodded.


    I shook my head, grounding myself in practicality. ¡°Not tonight. Tomorrow. I need to rest first.¡±


    She groaned, throwing her head back dramatically. ¡°Rest is overrated!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll survive one more night,¡± I replied, giving her a pointed look.


    ¡°Fine,¡± she muttered, though her pout made it clear she was anything but fine. Still, she followed my words.


    Instead, we turned our attention to cleaning up the chaos of our workspace. The next hour passed in silence as we packed away tools, sorted supplies, and swept up the debris from our two-day crafting marathon. By the time we finished, the sun had dipped low, casting the windows in a wash of amber and gold. It was a quiet, peaceful sort of beauty that felt almost jarring after the frenzied creativity of the past 48 hours.


    I realized then that I hadn¡¯t been home in two days. Aunt Grace was probably pacing the kitchen by now in worry, despite my reassurances via messages. A fresh pang of guilt nudged at me, urging me toward the door.


    And yet, when Jade and I finally stood there, ready to part ways, a strange awkwardness settled over us. After two days spent practically glued at the hip, there was an odd sense of disconnection in trying to say goodbye.


    In that short time, I¡¯d come to know her in ways that felt almost too personal. I¡¯d memorized the little quirks she probably didn¡¯t even realize she had: the way she scrunched her nose when something puzzled her, or the precise angle of her head-tilt just before she suggested something outrageous. I¡¯d grown so accustomed to her presence that stepping away felt... strange, like I was leaving something unfinished.


    Looking at her now, the last rays of sunlight catching in her eyes like trapped stars, I could feel the depth of trouble I was in. Attachment had crept up on me, slow and insidious, like a rising tide I hadn¡¯t noticed until it was lapping at my chest. I sighed deeply, the sound carrying all the weight of my realization.


    This wasn''t what I''d planned, wasn''t what I''d wanted, but here I was anyway¡ªcaring about someone. I couldn¡¯t figure out a way to move forward without getting hurt. A quiet voice in the back of my mind whispered that it would be smarter to make plans, to resolve this before it unraveled further. But what plan could guard against something as unruly as this?


    ¡°Tomorrow then?¡± Jade¡¯s voice broke through my thoughts, quieter than usual.


    Standing in the doorway, I saw the reluctance in her eyes, the way she couldn¡¯t quite bring herself to say goodbye. After years of living alone, I''d become something of an expert at recognizing the particular shade of loneliness that hides in people''s eyes, and she had that same look. Daddy issues or mommy? Perhaps both? I didn¡¯t know, but something in her had been shaped by loss, and maybe that was part of what made her so unpredictable.


    Smart people said, you should keep your distance from crazy¡ªlest you¡¯re prepared to be pulled into its orbit and burned alive. But the real question, the one that mattered, was: could I resist her?


    I didn¡¯t know.


    I turned to leave, hoping to escape the pull of her gravity, but her voice stopped me mid-step.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Jade called out, her tone sharper than before. ¡°I forgot something.¡±


    I turned back, confused, and before I could ask, she crashed into me with the force of a comet. Her arms wrapped tightly around my torso, her head pressing into my chest, and for a moment, I was too stunned to react. The air rushed out of my lungs, and I stood there frozen, overwhelmed by the warmth of her embrace.


    In that moment, I had my answer: I couldn¡¯t resist her. I never stood a chance.


    The scholars always said every person had a soulmate, but only a few ever found them. Most people lived their whole lives without finding theirs, their paths never crossing. Had I, against all odds, stumbled into mine?


    Maybe I was delusional. Maybe this was all part of some elaborate power play happening behind the scenes, strings being pulled where I couldn¡¯t see them. But even if it was, I couldn¡¯t deny how sweet this particular delusion felt. Delusion itself was a kind of drug, after all¡ªa mind-numbing escape¡ªand this one tasted sweeter than most. Perhaps there was no harm in enjoying it while it lasted.


    ¡°I forgot to thank you,¡± she murmured against my chest, her voice muffled. ¡°For the party.¡±


    I froze, unsure of how to respond. ¡°I¡¯ll always be there for you.¡± I heard myself say, the words escaping before I could think them through. The sound of my own voice startled me, steady yet full of a quiet conviction I hadn¡¯t expected.


    My hands moved to return the hug, gentle and deliberate, as if some unfamiliar part of me had taken over.


    She was impossibly soft, like holding a cloud that had somehow gained substance but retained its airy texture. How could anyone be this soft? Her parents must have eaten something strange before giving birth to her. That was the only logical explanation my brain could muster in the moment.


    And then, as quickly as it had begun, the moment ended. Jade pulled away abruptly, her movements quick and almost panicked, as though my touch had burned her. She moved with the speed of a startled cat, retreating into her house without a word. The door clicked shut behind her, firm and final.


    I stood there for a moment longer, still feeling the ghost of her embrace, trying to process what had just happened.


    Above me, the setting sun bathed the sky in hues of pink and gold.


    And all over the neighborhood, the car''s alarms were going off.


    I turned and began walking away.


    <hr>


    I tried to slip into the house like a shadow, carefully closing the door so it wouldn¡¯t make a sound. After two days away, the last thing I wanted was Aunt Grace¡¯s version of the Inquisition.


    ¡°Hold it right there.¡±


    The voice froze me mid-step.


    Before I could even process what was happening, Aunt Grace appeared beside me like some sort of domestic ninja. How did she do that? She leaned in unnervingly close, sniffing the air around me with the precision of a bloodhound. Then, with the flair of a stage magician, she produced a piece of paper from her pocket. Without warning, she set it alight. The flames quickly dissolved it into ash, and the air filled with a strange floral scent.


    ¡°It was a girl,¡± she declared triumphantly, as though she¡¯d just uncovered the truth of the universe.


    I blinked. ¡°What¡ªwhat even was that?¡±


    A new trick? Some secret talent I hadn¡¯t been privy to? Since when did my aunt moonlight as a psychic¡ªor was she just some kind of low-key witch? None of it made sense. Or had a cat secretly replaced my aunt when I wasn''t looking?


    She shrugged nonchalantly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t deflect,¡± she said smugly, wagging her finger at me. ¡°The smell doesn¡¯t lie.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been¡­ smelling me now?¡± I asked, stepping back cautiously. ¡°What are you, some kind of psychic bloodhound?¡±


    ¡°Bloodhound?¡± she scoffed, rolling her eyes. ¡°This was a deduction. Highly scientific and meta.¡± She crossed her arms and grinned like a cat that had cornered a mouse. ¡°And I¡¯m not wrong, am I? Girl.¡±


    I groaned, trying to maneuver past her. ¡°Aunt Grace, can we not do this?¡±


    ¡°Wrong answer,¡± she said, blocking my path with alarming agility. ¡°Where were you for two days, hmm? Don¡¯t you dare say ¡®nowhere.¡¯ I need details. A timeline. Witnesses.¡±


    I rubbed my temples, praying for patience. ¡°You¡¯re being dramatic.¡±


    ¡°Dramatic? Me?¡± she gasped, clutching her chest mockingly. ¡°How dare you. I¡¯m your only family in the city, and you vanish without so much as a goodbye! For two days! I thought you¡¯d been kidnapped!¡±


    ¡°By who?¡± I asked, exasperated.


    ¡°Clearly not aliens or I¡¯d have gotten a ransom note,¡± she quipped. Her eyes narrowed suddenly, locking onto my jacket like a heat-seeking missile. ¡°Wait a second. She gave you clothes, didn¡¯t she? This¡ªthis is a reverse robbery! I thought girls were supposed to steal boys¡¯ clothes.¡±


    I groaned louder and headed to the kitchen, grabbing a water bottle in an effort to escape her relentless interrogation.


    No such luck.


    ¡°Ohhh,¡± she said, dragging the word out dramatically as she followed me. ¡°So you kissed her? Or¡ª¡± she leaned closer, eyebrows waggling, ¡°maybe more?¡±


    I nearly choked on my water. ¡°Stop!¡±


    ¡°Stop what? Asking perfectly reasonable questions?¡± she asked innocently. ¡°Two days with a girl and you¡¯ve got nothing? Honestly, I¡¯m offended. What¡¯s the point of youth if you¡¯re not going to live dangerously? Such a waste¡­. I mean, two days. What were you even doing?¡±


    I pinched the bridge of my nose. ¡°Why does it sound like you¡¯re more invested in my love life than I am?¡±


    ¡°Because I am!¡± she declared, hands on her hips. ¡°Someone has to make sure you¡¯re not hopeless forever.¡±


    I flopped onto the sofa, hoping she¡¯d take the hint and drop it. Instead, she perched beside me, her grin practically glowing with satisfaction.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, spill,¡± she said. ¡°Who is she? Is she cute? Smart? Dangerous? Please tell me she¡¯s dangerous¡ªyou need someone to keep you on your toes.¡±


    ¡°Aunt Grace,¡± I groaned, rubbing my temples. ¡°I¡¯m tired. Can we not?¡±


    ¡°Oh, we can,¡± she shot back, her mock indignation in full swing. ¡°Who are you to tell me to stop? In my house? After disappearing for two days?¡±


    I sighed, giving up. ¡°Fine. Her name¡¯s Jade. Happy now?¡±


    ¡°Jade,¡± she repeated, testing the name like it was a fine wine. ¡°Hmmm. Sounds feisty. I like her already.¡±


    I groaned louder, dragging a pillow over my face. ¡°Why do you do this to me?¡±


    She shrugged. ¡°Because it¡¯s fun.¡±


    ¡°Fun,¡± I muttered through the pillow. ¡°This is fun for you.¡±


    ¡°Also, because I care,¡± she added sweetly, though the glint in her eyes said otherwise. ¡°What kind of aunt would I be if I didn¡¯t interrogate you?¡±


    ¡°The normal kind,¡± I muttered, my voice muffled.


    ¡°Boring,¡± she said, standing up with an exaggerated stretch. ¡°You¡¯ve got until dinner to come up with a proper explanation. And it better be good.¡±


    I peeked out from under the pillow. ¡°Or we could just pretend this conversation never happened.¡±


    ¡°Not a chance,¡± she called over her shoulder as she disappeared into the kitchen.


    I sighed, letting the pillow fall to the floor. A fresh wave of despair hit me. Now, I¡¯d have to come up with some elaborate, two-day-long tale to satisfy Aunt Grace¡¯s insatiable curiosity.


    How sad. How utterly exhausting.


    <hr>


    On Monday, Jade and I only had one class together: The Fundamentals of Meta Nature. For reasons I couldn¡¯t quite explain, I found myself genuinely excited to see her. We sat together at the back of the classroom, a spot that felt removed from the buzz of the room but still close enough to stay engaged.


    Professor Marlee moved methodically through the rows, checking in on students¡¯ progress with their assignments. Though we still had a full month to complete them, she was keeping close tabs on who had started and how far along they were. It was her way of gently reminding us to stay on track.


    ¡°Has anyone been successful in their search for Hive meta natures?¡± Professor Marlee asked patiently, scanning the room.


    Immediately, Several hands shot up immediately. It was no surprise¡ªthe topic of meta natures was wildly popular. The internet was filled with endless databases, rankings, and detailed analyses where people debated and categorized their favorite heroes and villains. I would bet good money that after the lecture, at least 80% of the class, if not everyone, had spent hours poring over those lists.


    Professor Marlee nodded toward a confident-looking student in the front row. ¡°Yes, you,¡± she said.


    ¡°The System,¡± the boy answered, his voice ringing with self-assured clarity.


    ¡°Good,¡± Professor Marlee replied with a smile, her tone encouraging. ¡°What can you tell the class about it?¡±


    The boy straightened in his seat, practically radiating confidence. ¡°Unlike The Ghost Writer, humans with The System meta nature don¡¯t have ¡®Titles.¡¯ Instead, they¡¯re called ¡®Players.¡¯¡±


    His tone shifted, taking on the cadence of someone reciting from memory¡ªclearly, he¡¯d done his homework.


    "The common understanding of The System meta nature is that it¡¯s the only meta nature that allows people to actively grow their powers. They have attributes such as speed, strength, and wisdom, which they can increase with practice, which further helps them level, and as their power and level grow, they gain new abilities. If any meta human shows and uses multiple abilities, there is a good chance they belong to The System Group.¡±


    "Well done," Professor Marlee nodded, her eyes scanning the room before settling on a girl sitting just a seat away from Jade and me.


    "Heavens Principality," the girl stated with quiet authority.


    Her explanation flowed smoothly ,¡°It¡¯s the most common meta nature among people in China and neighboring communities. Those with this meta nature often refer to themselves as Practitioners or Cultivators. It allows them to sense and harness their internal energies, which they frequently associate with Qi, Chi, or Mana. Like The System or Ghost Writer, this meta nature enables its users to grow stronger over time, though the process is slower. However, it stands out as the only meta nature known to directly extend the user¡¯s life expectancy.¡±


    As her explanation ended, a murmur of interest rippled through the room. I felt Jade shift slightly beside me, and when I glanced her way, I saw her bent over her notebook, utterly absorbed. Curious, I leaned in to peek.


    Instead of lecture notes, she was doodling. Tiny cartoon versions of us filled the page, decked out in our new suits, complete with exaggerated poses and speech bubbles. My caricature was in an exaggerated hero pose, mid-leap, with a ridiculous grin plastered on my face. Hers had her standing confidently, plasma guns blazing, and a cocky smirk that looked far too natural. Speech bubbles floated above our heads: mine read, ¡°Fear not! I¡¯ve got this!¡± while hers countered with, ¡°Don¡¯t trip, clumsy!¡±


    The instant she caught me looking, she snapped the notebook shut with the swiftness of a vault door and planted both arms over it protectively. Then, as if nothing had happened, she flashed me an innocent grin that was far too wide to be sincere.


    ¡°What? It¡¯s nothing!¡± she said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.


    ¡°Really?¡± My mouth twitched.


    Jade narrowed her eyes, her mouth curling into an undisguised grin. ¡°You¡¯re imagining things.¡±


    ¡°Very funny,¡± I muttered, rolling my eyes. ¡°Very mindful.¡±


    Some things never changed, and Jade was definitely one of them. I forced my attention back to the lecture, though the corner of my lips curled upward despite my best efforts.


    Professor Marlee returned to her desk, activating the projector with a practiced gesture. "Let''s move on to our next topic," she announced, her voice carrying that particular tone teachers use when they''re about to say something important. "Unique Meta Natures."


    "As we now have sufficient knowledge of Hive meta nature, we''ll now move onto the Unique meta nature," Professor Marlee continued.


    ¡°The critical difference among two,¡± Professor Marlee went on, ¡°is that individuals with Unique meta natures awaken with all their potential already in place. Unlike Hive users, they don¡¯t typically grow stronger over time¡ªat least, not in raw power. However, many do learn to refine their abilities, achieving greater control and finesse through practice.¡±


    She paused, letting that sink in before adding, "And there is actually a good trick to recognize them¡ªif you ever see them directly engage with the foundational laws of the universe, you can be sure they are unique. We usually call them ¡®Abstract Unique¡¯."


    "We can compare them to some Hive meta nature for example," Professor Marlee went on. "There''s a pretty famous superhero, I''m sure you''ve heard of him, who goes by the title of ''Flashback'' and belongs to the Ghost Writer group. His abilities include allowing others to relive past moments with perfect clarity, but more importantly, he can also manifest ''echoes'' of events in the past and present, confusing or disorienting enemies."


    The professor''s fingers danced across her tablet, bringing up new images. "Then, there is another famous superhero with time abilities: the Time Keeper, who belongs to the Unique meta nature group. His work is secret, but according to what people have witnessed, he has shown multiple abilities related to time, close to almost a dozen. There are even theories that he controls the time of concept to a certain extent and domain."


    "Of course," Professor Marlee added, "from this example only we can''t just say they control single or even foundational laws of reality, it can be quite the opposite to what I just said. They might have a unique nature perhaps combining dozens of concepts."


    ¡°Dyce, would you be willing to share your meta nature with the class?¡± Professor Marlee asked politely, looking back at the class.


    A boy in the middle of the class rose from his seat. Dyce¡ªI remembered him from other classes, always quietly confident but never showy. "My meta nature is, ''The Sky Beyond Reach,''" he stated, his voice steady. "My support meta nature could temporarily unlock the maximum possible potential of any person, object, or system within range, pushing them to perform at their absolute peak for a short time. But, the drawback is that the individual can never exceed that level again."


    He took a breath, preparing to continue. "As for my primary nature¡ª"


    "Thank you, Dyce, for the explanation. You don''t have to share anything else," Professor Marlee interrupted smoothly, her timing perfect. She''d let him reveal only his balancing, human nature side.


    I understood her intervention perfectly. The meta side of meta nature was like sharing your deepest secrets, your most private thoughts. It was something to be revealed carefully, thoughtfully, and only to those you trusted. In a room full of relative strangers, exposing that vulnerability could feel dangerous. It could be dangerous.


    After the explanation, Professor Marlee addressed the class again, ¡°We''ll dipper dive into the details of Unique meta natures in our next session,¡± she said, closing that chapter for the day. ¡°For now, let¡¯s move on to an important assignment for next week.¡±


    A collective groan rippled through the room, but she raised a hand to quell it, smiling reassuringly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± she added. ¡°This won¡¯t involve any writing. Your task is a Self-Reflection exercise on your meta nature. The goal is to explore how your abilities define you, shape you, and connect you to the world around you. It¡¯s a personal exercise, so approach it with honesty and openness.¡±


    The afternoon sun slanted through the academy windows as classes finally let out.


    I met Jade in the hallway, where she was practically buzzing with energy. It was obvious she hadn¡¯t sat still since yesterday, her excitement spilling out in the way her feet tapped the floor and her hands fiddled with the straps of her bag. Patience, it seemed, wasn¡¯t one of her meta abilities.


    ¡°We¡¯re finally free!¡± she announced as I approached, her grin practically splitting her face. It didn¡¯t take a genius to know what was on her mind¡ªtesting the suits. Testing them now.


    Before I could respond, she leaned in conspiratorially. ¡°So? Are you ready? Because I¡¯ve been so ready.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been ready since the moment we finished them,¡± I replied, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Let¡¯s just hope you don¡¯t blow something up before we even start.¡±


    ¡°Optimism,¡± she said with a mock-sigh.


    We were just about to leave when a familiar voice cut through the din of the hallway.


    ¡°What a surprise.¡±


    I turned to see Lore approaching, her sharp eyes flicking between Jade and me with obvious curiosity.


    She lingered on Jade, her expression shifting into something akin to fascination, like she was piecing together a puzzle. ¡°How did you two become friends?¡± she asked, tilting her head slightly. ¡°Last time I checked, you were beating the hell out of each other.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t alone. Behind her stood Henry, Wenzel, and the ever-silent Daisy, all wearing varying degrees of interest. The casual hallway suddenly became an interrogation chamber.


    ¡°Good fight,¡± Henry added with a grin as he strolled up behind her. ¡°Best fight I¡¯ve seen all semester.¡±


    I could feel a headache building behind my eyes. Beside me, Jade was clearly flustered by the sudden attention, her usual confidence faltering under the weight of so many questioning gazes. She opened her mouth, closed it, then looked at me helplessly.


    ¡°I guess we made up after the fight,¡± I said, my tone deliberately casual. It wasn¡¯t the most satisfying explanation, but I hoped its very blandness would discourage further questions. Because really, how do you explain to a group of people that you¡¯d spent the weekend designing superhero suits?


    ¡°Okay,¡± Lore said, shrugging as if that was enough for her. She had a knack for knowing when to push and when to let something go, and I silently thanked her for the latter. It was one of the things I liked most about her¡ªshe didn¡¯t dig where digging wasn¡¯t needed.


    The tension eased slightly as Henry broke into a grin. ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± he said. ¡°Would¡¯ve been awkward if we had to keep separating you two every time you crossed paths.¡±


    ¡°Awkward for you,¡± Wenzel added dryly. ¡°Entertaining for the rest of us.¡±


    Even Daisy cracked a small smile at that, though she didn¡¯t say anything. I glanced at Jade, who seemed to have regained her composure, but now was feeling quite embarrassed.


    Henry adjusted his glasses, his playboy smile aimed directly at Jade. ¡°By the way, are you two busy? If not, you should come with us¡ªwe¡¯re heading to the mall for some shopping. Your pretty friend is welcome too.¡±


    The emphasis on pretty wasn¡¯t lost on me. Was he hitting on her? My eyes narrowed instinctively. Beside me, Jade blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden attention.


    ¡°Sorry, guys,¡± I interjected, keeping my tone polite but firm. ¡°We¡¯ve still got some work to finish. Maybe next time.¡±


    The polite deflection felt hollow¡ªthese were people I wanted to know better, friendships I wanted to cultivate. But right now, we had suits hidden in our bags and plans to patrol the streets for actual villains. Normal social activities would have to wait until then.


    ¡°Work?¡± Henry raised his eyes with curiosity. ¡°What kind of work?¡±


    ¡°The secret kind,¡± I said, ¡°You know, classified hero stuff. Wouldn¡¯t want to overwhelm you civilians.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough. But next time, no excuses.¡± Henry nodded, taking the excuse at face value.


    The group lingered for another fifteen minutes, chatting about trivial things, before finally saying their goodbyes and heading off.


    But Before everyone departed, I managed to slip in one last question. ¡°By the way, did any of you notice anything unusual after I left the party?¡±


    They exchanged puzzled looks before Henry replied, ¡°No, nothing abnormal. Why?¡±


    The more I thought about it, the more certain I became: whoever was pulling strings from the shadows saw Jade as critical to their plans, though I couldn¡¯t yet figure out why. The incident at the party¡ªsomething that should have sent shockwaves through our social circles¡ªhad been wiped clean as if it never happened. That kind of precision only made the unseen orchestrator more dangerous.


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    I glanced at Jade, who had grown unusually quiet, her brow furrowed in thought and her expression more serious than usual. I doubted she realized she was caught in the middle of a larger conspiracy. But, now it was clear she¡¯d already begun piecing things together on her own. She was sharper than she appeared, and I realized there was no need to explain anything to her¡ªshe was already a step ahead.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± I said softly, gently taking her hand.


    She looked at me, surprised at first, but then her grip tightened around mine.


    It wasn¡¯t just for reassurance¡ªit was to let her know we were in this together.


    Whatever was coming, she wasn¡¯t alone, and neither was I.

 Act 1.12 (Recrudesce)

    "Where should we change our costumes?" Jade asked as we strolled through the crowded city streets.


    I frowned, realizing this was something I should have planned for. Despite my experience across multiple cycles, this particular scenario was new to me. In previous lives at the academy, I''d never engaged in vigilante activities. Post-graduation, I''d been immediately drafted by the government for interplanetary missions¡ªa far cry from costume changes in urban settings.


    "Most heroes and villains probably change in their vans, public spaces or perhaps they leave in costumes from their houses," I said after a moment''s thought, recalling snippets from news reports and social media. Honestly, I had no idea. Then, grasping at straws, I added, "Maybe we could also use a public bathroom?"


    Jade''s brow furrowed, her expression shifting to concern. "Won''t we look weird walking into one in full costume during the day?"


    Oh, now she was worried about looking weird? I thought she liked wearing and looking like a superhero. The irony nearly made me facepalm. Where was this self-awareness when she first pitched playing the hero?


    "Let¡¯s see what¡¯s happening first," I said, deflecting the conversation as I pulled out the police scanner we¡¯d acquired. "If there¡¯s any nearby crime reported, we¡¯ll take action then."


    We began our patrol, circling through streets and alleyways like planets in an uncertain orbit. The police scanner crackled with bursts of static and urgent chatter, but most calls were frustratingly out of reach¡ªtoo far to get to on foot before City Protectors or established heroes teams could arrive. Each time we heard a call that seemed promising, we''d do the mental calculations: distance, travel time, likely response window. Most often, we''d have to let it go, knowing we''d arrive too late to do anything but watch the cleanup.


    "Anything close?" Jade asked, glancing at me.


    "Nothing yet." I pointed at the scanner.


    Jade sighed, adjusting the strap of her bag. "This whole thing feels so¡­ amateur. Don¡¯t real heroes have better setups?"


    "They also have sponsorships, vehicles, and government backing," I said, shrugging. "We¡¯re just two people with a scanner and a dream."


    She laughed at that¡ªa small, genuine laugh that eased some of the tension. "So, what you¡¯re saying is, we¡¯re the budget version of heroes?"


    "Exactly," I said, grinning despite myself. "Budget heroes. No frills, no nonsense, no idea what we¡¯re doing."


    We continued our mindless strolling for another hour. Until Jade asked again.


    "Anything now?" she asked over my shoulder.


    "Not unless you¡¯re interested in a fender bender on Fifth," I replied, glancing at the scanner. "Or a loose dog in a nearby park. Honestly, the dog sounds more up our alley right now."


    She groaned. "This city¡¯s supposed to be crawling with meta-crime. Where are all the jewel heists and runaway trains? Isn¡¯t there some villain monologuing on a rooftop somewhere? This is so wrong."


    "It''s not like what they painted in comics," she complained, throwing her hands in the air.


    "Guess this is the real world. And maybe the villains didn¡¯t get the memo about your big debut," I said, tucking the scanner into my pocket for a moment. "Maybe they¡¯re on vacation. Even bad guys need a break."


    Her shoulders slumping further at my reality of my words.


    Still, Jade managed to make her superhero debut¡ªthough not quite the dramatic entrance she¡¯d probably envisioned. By the end of the day, she had two robberies thwarted, a would-be purse snatcher stopped mid-act, and several pickpockets apprehended in a bustling marketplace.


    But the people we faced had such insignificant meta nature that they were basically regular humans.


    Yet, I could tell she wasn¡¯t satisfied. The fancy suit, the high-tech weapons, the hours of preparation¡ªit all seemed like overkill for dealing with street-level crime.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t what I expected,¡± she muttered, kicking a stray pebble out of her path. The stone skittered across the sidewalk, bouncing into the gutter where it disappeared with a small plunk.


    I glanced at her. "What did you expect? Bank vault lasers? Evil monologues? Giant robots?"


    She rolled her eyes. "No, but¡­ something more. I mean, we spent hours planning this, building gear, working out strategies. And for what? Two-minute chases where the villain just gave up and ran?"


    "That¡¯s good, though," I said, trying to sound encouraging. "It means they were smart enough to realize they couldn¡¯t win. We stopped them without a fight."


    "But that¡¯s the thing!" she snapped, turning to face me. "It didn¡¯t feel like a win. It felt¡­ stupid. Like, what was the point of all this?" She gestured at her sleek suit, the weapons holstered at her sides.


    "Would you rather they fought back?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "That they pulled out weapons, or maybe some surprise meta ability, and turned it into an all-out brawl? Because that doesn¡¯t end well¡ªfor us or anyone else."


    She hesitated, crossing her arms as she avoided my gaze. "I guess. It just feels¡­ small. Like we¡¯re playing dress-up while the real heroes handle the real problems."


    I watched her fidget with the utility belt, the way she always did when she was frustrated. Day one of hero work, and already the reality was crushing her expectations.


    The quiet afternoon stretched on. Our radio crackled occasionally with routine calls - a shoplifter here, a domestic dispute there. What struck me most wasn''t the crimes we dealt with, but how few serious meta incidents we encountered. The police scanner, usually our lifeline to the city''s chaos, stayed oddly silent about major meta-criminal activity. Either the city''s official protection systems were doing their job better than I''d thought, or something else was keeping the bigger players quiet.


    It was nearly evening now, and we¡¯d barely had a dozen instances that could have justified the use of our abilities or the ridiculous cost of our equipment. The rest? Pickpockets, jaywalkers, and the occasional street performer that made me wonder if we were overthinking everything.


    My body was screaming for rest. In the past five hours, we''d covered more ground than I typically did in a month¡ªrunning, jumping, dashing through streets and over obstacles. My legs felt like they were made of lead, each step requiring more effort than the last. And my meta abilities couldn''t help with simple physical exhaustion.


    Jade was in better shape than me, thanks to her athletic build, but even she was starting to show signs of fatigue. Her jumps weren¡¯t as high, her landings less precise. Still, that stubborn gleam in her eye hadn¡¯t dimmed¡ªshe wasn¡¯t ready to call it a day, no matter how much her body protested.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go home,¡± I said, trying to keep my voice calm and steady despite my own exhaustion. ¡°We¡¯ll try again tomorrow.¡± It wasn¡¯t just a suggestion¡ªit was the only option. I¡¯d hit my limit, and we weren¡¯t equipped for night patrols yet.


    She didn¡¯t respond immediately, her jaw tightening as she glanced toward the skyline. The last streaks of sunlight were fading, and the city¡¯s lights were starting to flicker on one by one.


    Finally, she let out a long breath, her shoulders relaxing. ¡°Fine. Tomorrow, then.¡±


    I smiled faintly. ¡°Tomorrow.¡±


    The world wasn¡¯t ending today. We had time¡ªtime to try again, time to figure things out. As many days as we needed.


    Day one passed.


    Then two.


    By our third day as would-be heroes, I was starting to question everything. Every time I looked at Jade, I couldn''t shake the feeling that we''d somehow crossed a line from heroes to something else entirely, Villains. We''d taken to wearing our costumes from the start of each day, hidden beneath long trench coats. The approaching winter made our attire less suspicious.


    Now we sat on a bench along a busy walkway, Jade''s usual energy replaced by a deep despondency that somehow made even the gray winter sky seem brighter in comparison.


    Her gloom was contagious. I sat slumped beside her, sharing the weight of it as we silently watched the world move on without us.


    To the left, cars crawled through the busy intersection. To the right, the park was alive - families laid out their picnic blankets on the grass, kids raced through piles of brown leaves, couples strolled together, and joggers kept to their paths despite the autumn chill.


    But to me, none of it felt normal. Because the space around us had become... wrong. Not in any way I could touch, but I saw it clearly in the patterns of chance and possibility. The usual rainbow patterns that showed me how luck flowed had twisted into something ugly - jagged streaks of darkness that cut through the air like broken glass. It was like watching a whirlpool of bad luck forming right around us, with Jade and me trapped at the dead center.


    "Jade," I called quietly, watching the chaos unfold.


    "Hmm?" She sounded almost bored.


    There comes another unfortunate soul... I thought, spotting a man on his bicycle pedaling hard to cross the intersection. Despite the crossing signal''s clear warning, he pressed on¡ªand nearly collided with a car. He managed to avoid that disaster, letting out a visible sigh of relief that proved premature when his brakes suddenly failed.


    The sequence that followed was like watching dominoes fall in slow motion: his speed had decreased enough that the brake failure wasn''t immediately catastrophic, but just as he was beginning to get control of the situation, a ball appeared as if from nowhere, rolling directly into his path. His attempt to avoid running over it sent him sprawling onto the sidewalk, leaving him with scraped arms but nothing a bandaid couldn''t fix.


    The colors in my vision shifted and swirled around each incident¡ªoranges and purples dancing together in patterns that spoke of chaos barely contained.


    Nothing serious enough to cause real harm, but enough to make me wonder if we were actually making things worse.


    My expression was grim. ¡°You¡¯re going to seriously hurt someone,¡± I said, my tone heavy with concern.


    "They won''t die," Jade replied with a casualness that sent a chill down my spine. Her silver eyes tracked each mishap with detached interest, like a child watching ants scatter after disturbing their hill. "Just scrapes and bruises. Maybe a sprained ankle or two."


    I felt like I¡¯d inadvertently stepped into the bad company of people with questionable morals. I had only myself to blame for getting involved in these situations. Seeing this side of Jade wasn¡¯t something I¡¯d anticipated, nor did I want to.


    A child''s cry pierced the air¡ªsharp and startled. Through my enhanced vision, I watched the patterns of misfortune weave around the swing set just before the little boy tumbled sideways. His red jacket flashed in the afternoon sun as he hit the ground. One more had fallen. Dammit!


    Should I knock some sense into her? The thought flickered in my mind as my frustration grew.


    Nearby, a flock of birds that people regularly fed had turned into an avian menace. Every time someone approached with bread or seeds, the entire flock would descend like a feathered tsunami, accompanied by an aerial bombardment that left their victims confused and distressed. The bewildered park-goers couldn''t understand what had turned their friendly neighborhood birds into vindictive dive-bombers.


    Through my vision, Jade¡¯s Likeness manifested as a sickly swirl of uncountable colors¡ªprominent murky oranges and toxic purples bleeding into each other, representing chaos, uncertainty, and changes.


    The pattern spread outward from her like an oil slick on water, tainting everything it touched with fortune and misfortunes. Everywhere the colors reached, small disasters bloomed: coffee cups tipped over, shoelaces came untied, phones slipped from hands.


    However, that was usually how she appeared in my vision; the patterns just... existed, radiating outward with a steady, unchanging rhythm. But strangely there were no changes, as she wasn¡¯t controlling this so-called forbidden zone.Strange! So Why? I squinted, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. Was I missing something? Or am I reading it wrong?


    I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn¡¯t notice Jade glaring at me until her voice cut through the noise.


    "You think I''m doing it intentionally, right?" The words hit me like a physical blow.


    Her silver eyes, usually warm with mischief, had turned to frozen mercury. I opened my mouth, closed it, opened it again - but nothing came out. I''d been so certain of my righteous anger that her accusation left me stumbling.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°I thought you knew everything,¡± she continued, her silver eyes glinting with frustration. ¡°But I guess I was wrong.¡±


    She turned away, staring into the distance, her jaw tight. Disappointed? Angry? Maybe both. And all of it directed at me I felt a surge of annoyance¡ªnot at her, but at myself. How could I have been so dense, so quick to assume? Had I really understood so little, despite thinking I knew so much?


    Jade¡¯s voice broke the silence again, this time colder, more measured. ¡°Even if they didn¡¯t cover this in class, it¡¯s not exactly obscure knowledge. You of all people should know, given that you¡¯re¡­ unique yourself.¡±


    She let out a short, bitter laugh. ¡°You know, I really thought you¡¯d get it. That you¡¯d understand what it¡¯s like.¡± Her tone softened slightly, but it carried the weight of someone who¡¯d expected more. Someone who felt let down. ¡°I guess I gave you too much credit.¡±


    The reprimand triggered something in my memory¡ªa flash of lectures I¡¯d attended, articles I¡¯d skimmed, basic knowledge I¡¯d somehow overlooked in my self-righteous haze. I opened my mouth to apologize, but she wasn¡¯t done.


    ¡°The Uniques with abstract meta natures are emitters,¡± she said, slipping into a clipped, academic tone that made me feel even smaller. ¡°We naturally bleed into our surroundings. It¡¯s not something we control. And if it¡¯s spilling out of us, it¡¯s tied to us¡ªto our emotions, our state of mind.¡±


    Her words stung, but they were deserved. A bucket of cold water over my head couldn¡¯t have been more effective.


    Of course. How could I have forgotten something so fundamental? The swirling chaos in my vision, the way her presence affected everything around us¡ªit was all textbook emitter behavior.


    The chaos wasn¡¯t Jade being cruel¡ªit was Jade being Jade. Her very emotions, tangled with her meta nature, seeped into the reality around her. And right now, that reality was stained with frustration and disappointment¡ªat our failed attempts to be heroes, and now at me, for completely failing to understand her.


    I felt shame creep up my neck. Here I was, supposedly experienced across multiple timelines, and I''d missed something this basic. Worse, I''d accused her¡ªhowever indirectly¡ªof deliberately harming people where she might actually be fighting against her own nature.


    Was there something wrong with my memory?


    The birds continued their aerial assault on would-be feeders, and people still stumbled more than they should in more than a kilometer of our radius, but these weren''t acts of malice but symptoms of a deeper struggle.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I said finally, the words feeling small but necessary. ¡°I should have known. Should have remembered.¡± Should have trusted her more, I added silently.


    She kept staring into the distance, but some of the tension left her shoulders. "You''re not the first to assume the worst," she said quietly. "People see the chaos and think it must be deliberate, I did it intentionally. It''s easier to blame than to understand.¡±


    I didn¡¯t know exactly how to make her feel better, but I had to try. I¡¯d made a promise to always be there for her, and that meant more than just words. Recognizing my mistake, I knew I had to act, not just apologize.


    Turning to her, I decided to take a different approach. ¡°Can your powers help us get to the top floor of one of these buildings?¡±


    Jade¡¯s brow furrowed, and her initial response was almost dismissive. ¡°I can¡¯t fly, North. You know that.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± I said quickly. ¡°But maybe you can influence something. Cause a¡­ helpful malfunction?¡±


    Her frown deepened, but then her expression brightened slightly, ¡°Unless you want me to summon a flying dinosaur to break out of the zoo. It would take some time, though. Big commotion, lots of people panicking, probably some lawsuits¡­¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s skip the dinosaurs,¡± I interrupted, my lips twitching at her attempt at humor. ¡°Even though we¡¯re already in a moderate-crime area, once we¡¯re at the top of a building, I¡¯ll be able to better observe the surrounding areas and predict where the next crime might happen.¡±


    She tilted her head, still skeptical. ¡°How exactly does being on a roof help? You think you¡¯ll magically spot a guy with a sack of stolen cash running down the street?¡±


    I hesitated. I didn¡¯t want to overcomplicate things, but she deserved at least part of the truth. ¡°It¡¯s not just about seeing. My meta nature¡­ it''s more than just seeing between dangers and luck.¡±


    Over the time I had learned many tricks such as pattern recognition, and anticipation. After two lifetimes spent perfecting the art of predicting enemy movements on a grand scale, I could read subtle shifts in the environment like others read a book.


    Jade¡¯s gaze lingered on me, ¡°So you¡¯re saying you¡¯re a human crime radar?¡±


    ¡°Something like that,¡± I said, shrugging. ¡°It¡¯s not perfect, but it¡¯s worked before. And right now, it¡¯s better than waiting around for a random call on the scanner.¡±


    ¡°So why didn¡¯t you use your meta nature before to spot crimes? If you¡¯re some kind of walking crime radar, why are we running around aimlessly like rookies?¡± She accused, almost feeling betrayed by her expression on her face.


    I sighed, running a hand through my hair. ¡°It¡¯s not that simple. My abilities aren¡¯t like yours. They¡¯re¡­ finicky. I can sense shifts, and hidden patterns¡ªbut it¡¯s not like a flashing sign pointing to where the bad guys are. It¡¯s more like¡­ reading ripples in a pond and trying to guess where the stone landed.¡±


    Her brows furrowed. ¡°Okay, so it¡¯s vague. But still, it¡¯s better than nothing, right? Why haven¡¯t we been using it?¡±


    I shrugged, avoiding her gaze. ¡°It¡¯s complicated,¡± I muttered, unwilling to explain further.


    Her expression darkened, her arms tightening across her chest. ¡°Complicated? We¡¯ve spent hours running ourselves ragged, and now you¡¯re telling me you could¡¯ve made this easier, but you didn¡¯t because it¡¯s complicated?¡±


    ¡°Do you still want to go to the roof or not?¡± I asked, keeping my tone neutral, though I could feel her anger simmering. But I, myself was growing frustrated.


    She hesitated, glaring at me for a moment before letting out a frustrated sigh. ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Her voice was clipped, and the energy from earlier¡ªthe fleeting humor and lightness¡ªwas gone. I winced inwardly, realizing I¡¯d handled that poorly.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take an elevator,¡± I said, pointing toward a nearby office building. Then, turning to Jade, I added, ¡°Can you make sure it malfunctions and ends up at the top? Can you do that?¡±


    Jade arched an eyebrow, ¡°Fine,¡± she said after a moment, her voice softening.


    We approached the sleek glass doors of the office building, stopping in front of a security badge reader that stood between us and the lobby. The faint red light blinked at us, a silent reminder that we didn¡¯t belong.


    But with Jade beside me, obstacles like this felt almost quaint.


    She didn¡¯t lift a finger, didn¡¯t make any grand gestures to display her power. Instead, she simply stood there, her presence as calm and composed as ever. Yet somehow, the world around her didn¡¯t share that calm. Within half second, the automatic doors began to malfunction, opening and closing rapidly like they were caught in an electrical seizure. The badge reader¡¯s red light flickered, then went dark, and the overhead lights in the lobby blinked erratically.


    ¡°The thing about electrical devices,¡± Jade said casually, her tone almost conversational, ¡°is that they¡¯re ridiculously easy to mess with. So many circuits, so many connections¡ªand literally countless ways for something to go wrong inside.¡±


    ¡°Is that your way of saying you¡¯re doing this?¡± I asked as I watched the door spasm wildly.


    She shrugged, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips. ¡°I¡¯m not not doing it.¡±


    Seeing her smile made me feel an unexpected wave of relief. I hadn¡¯t realized how much I¡¯d missed seeing that . Thankfully, she hadn¡¯t taken my earlier moment of stupidity to heart¡ªotherwise, I didn¡¯t know how I¡¯d have made it up to her.


    As the door swung open again, I gave her a nod. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    We dashed through during one of the door¡¯s erratic openings, slipping inside before the security system could register the anomaly as anything more than a routine technical glitch. Somewhere, a bored guard might glance at the monitor and see nothing but flickering lights and a dysfunctional door¡ªnot two intruders sprinting into the lobby.


    I flashed Jade a thumbs up as we jogged toward the elevator, the sound of our footsteps echoing across the pristine marble floor. ¡°Nice work back there.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± she said, feigning nonchalance. ¡°What¡¯s a little chaos without finesse?¡±


    We stopped in front of the elevator bank, and I pressed the button. The light above one of the doors blinked, signaling the elevator¡¯s arrival.


    Jade glanced at me, her silver eyes glinting with amusement. ¡°You really think this is going to work?¡±


    I leaned against the wall, catching my breath. ¡°It¡¯s already working, isn¡¯t it? Besides, worst case, we take the stairs.¡±


    Her lips quirked into a wry smile. ¡°I¡¯m not climbing hundred flights. If this elevator doesn¡¯t cooperate, I might actually summon that dinosaur.¡±


    The elevator doors slid open, and we stepped inside. Jade examined the control panel, her fingers hovering over the buttons. ¡°Alright, follow me.¡±


    I couldn''t help but analyze how she wielded her meta nature. There was no visible strain, no sign of exertion¡ªjust pure, unbridled chaos bleeding seamlessly into the gaps of reality. Subtle shifts occurred, small changes that rippled outward, altering the trajectory of events with frightening precision.


    ¡°Not to rush you,¡± I said, glancing at the screen, ¡°but I¡¯d prefer not to be trapped in a box when the building realizes it¡¯s been hacked.¡±


    ¡°Relax,¡± Jade waved. ¡°I¡¯m a professional.¡±


    "And I call this move, Chain Collapse."


    I chuckled softly, leaning back as the elevator finally lurched into motion. The numbers on the panel ticked upward, bypassing every button we hadn¡¯t pressed until only the highest floor remained illuminated.


    When the elevator came to a stop, the doors slid open, revealing the final stairwell to the roof. Jade turned to me, a triumphant glint in her eyes. ¡°There. No dinosaurs required.¡±


    I stepped out with her, the cool night air rushing in as we climbed the last few steps to the rooftop. ¡°I have to say, your finesse is growing on me.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± she said, brushing past me. ¡°Because if your ¡®crime radar¡¯ plan doesn¡¯t work, I might need to throw you off this roof for wasting my time.¡±


    We reached the locked roof access door, its heavy metal frame and multiple security mechanisms standing firmly in our way. The kind of door that said, Turn around. You¡¯re not welcome.


    "Blast it," I said, waving a hand toward it. Subtlety was clearly not on the agenda anymore, not with her standing there itching to do something destructive.


    Jade¡¯s face lit up like I¡¯d handed her the best gift ever. ¡°Now this I can do.¡±


    She pulled her plasma blaster from her bag with a dramatic wave, grinning as she adjusted the settings with practiced precision. The weapon hummed to life, the core glowing a dangerous, electric blue. I couldn¡¯t help but notice how much joy she took in this as she squared her stance and aimed.


    The shot was almost silent and a concentrated burst of energy slamming into the metal door. The solid frame stood no chance¡ªmolten silver dripped down in glistening streams, pooling into bubbling puddles on the concrete floor. The security mechanisms gave way, the lock twisting and warping until it looked like modern art.


    Jade turned to me, her silver eyes gleaming with pride. She spun the blaster once before holstering it back in her bag. ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡±


    I tried not to smile, but the sheer glee on her face made it difficult. ¡°That was subtle,¡± I said, deadpan.


    I reached for the door''s remaining solid structure and pulled it open, trying not to show how impressed I was by her casual display of destruction. "Let''s go."


    ¡°Hey,¡± she said, brushing past me again. ¡°You said ¡®blast it.¡¯ I¡¯m just following orders.¡±


    I glanced at the blaster still on my back¡ªpink and white, bright enough to be mistaken for a child¡¯s toy. I still couldn''t understand why she made me swap with hers. This thing was slightly embarrassing.


    We emerged onto the roof, and suddenly the city opened up around us.


    The building seemed to pierce the clouds themselves, giving us a view that made the bustling metropolis below look like a toy model.


    The wind whipped Jade''s hair around her face as walked to the edge, her boots clicking softly on the concrete.


    She stopped, hands on her hips, and gazed out at the city. ¡°This is it,¡± she said, her tone filled with excitement. ¡°This is what I imagined when I thought about being a hero while reading comics. Standing on a rooftop, looking out at the city.¡±


    ¡°You sound¡­ happy.¡± I approached.


    She turned toward me, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. ¡°I finally am, I think.¡±


    I approached the edge of the rooftop, and as I did, my vision once again began to shift and expand. The familiar transformation overtook my senses, peeling back the surface of reality to reveal its intricate, underlying patterns. The Likeness¡ªor luck¡ªof everything in view broke down into three fundamental variables: shape, size, and color.


    From this height, over a kilometer above the ground, the details of the city blurred into insignificance. Individual people and their actions faded into the grander design, but what replaced them was no less breathtaking. The metropolis below bloomed into a living tapestry of rainbow hues, each one radiating its own significance, its own prediction of past, present and possible futures:


    Red pulses indicated danger, violence about to erupt.


    Deep blues suggested stability, peace.


    Yellow flares marked moments of opportunity.


    Green showed growth, change in motion.


    Purple signaled confusion or deception.


    Orange warned of impending chaos.


    Black meant certain death.


    This knowledge was only surface level. Each color contained countless variations, each shade further divided into its own story. A blood-red wasn''t the same as a cherry-red¡ªone might mean immediate violence, the other a building tension that could still be defused. The differences between navy blue and cerulean could mean the difference between lasting peace and temporary calm.


    The shapes added another layer of meaning: Squares spoke of stability, Circles suggested cycles, Triangles warned of conflict, Spirals meant change was accelerating, Sharp angles indicated sudden changes in fortune, Broken patterns warned of unstable situations, Spiraling forms meant escalating situations, Dots represented isolated incidents, Waves showed rippling effects through time, Meshwork patterns indicated complex social interactions.


    These symbols were maddeningly complex, even for me. Without two lifetimes of observation, I doubt I would have deciphered even a fraction of their meaning. And that was saying something, considering how much time I¡¯d spent trying to make sense of them.


    Much of my first life had been a living hell because of it.


    Forming a meta nature didn¡¯t come with a user manual or clear instructions; it was like being handed a powerful, alien machine and told to figure it out on your own.


    And this was only my support nature. My meta nature¡ªwell, let¡¯s not even start on that.


    Over time, though, something strange happened. Maybe it was because I¡¯d struggled so much, or maybe because of my repeated failures, but my meta nature seemed to adapt, shifting to make itself more interpretable. My human side, stubborn and endlessly resourceful, found ways to organize the chaos. Where once I¡¯d seen random, jagged scribbles in the air¡ªpointy, chaotic lines that twisted and darted without reason¡ªI began to see shapes. Patterns. Often metaphoric ones.


    For instance, a pleasant day might manifest as flowers blooming gently around someone. It was elegant, beautiful even. Easier to grasp at first glance. But the metaphors were deceptive¡ªrarely as simple as they appeared. Flowers could mean peace, but they could also mean fragility or fleeting opportunities. Each one carried layers of meaning, evolving into new forms depending on the context. A clear sky one day might turn into a glaring eye the next, watching and judging. The interpretation was never fixed, always fluid.


    Sometimes, though, the old chaos¡ªthe jagged squiggles and sharp angles¡ªwas clearer.


    A man walking with a Mona Lisa from the famous painting dancing around him might seem poetic, but how was I supposed to decipher it? I can¡¯t just say the man was Leonardo da Vinci, or that he wanted to meet Mona Lisa in real life. Not that it would be possible.


    Thus, sometimes, it was easier to skip the metaphors altogether and read the raw, sharp lines for what they were¡ªmessy, uncomfortable, but honest.


    Then there was the last variable, the one I liked most: size.


    Unlike color or shape, size was simple, direct. It didn¡¯t overcomplicate things with symbolism or metaphor. It told me how significant something would be, how far its ripples would spread. A towering mountain of light might mean an event that would change lives, while a tiny pebble glowing faintly might hint at a small, localized ripple¡ªa moment that would matter to someone, but no one else.


    Together, these variables created a vision unlike anything anyone else could perceive.


    Basically the Likeness was a painting of varied size, colors, and objects.

 Act 1.13 (Recrudesce)

    The information flooded my mind like a tsunami of data, almost overwhelming in its complexity.


    Each patch of the city told multiple stories simultaneously, layers upon layers of possible circumstances all competing for attention. It was like trying to read thousands of books at once, each written in a different color of ink, each telling a different possible version of the next few hours, days, and months.


    I had learned long ago not to process everything at once. It was impossible. Instead, I let my mind sift through the patterns, searching for clusters of significance¡ªshapes and colors that hinted at immediate concern.


    Jade''s voice pulled me back, soft but charged with curiosity. ¡°What do you see?¡±


    I hesitated, struggling for the right words. How do you describe seeing luck as a physical force, as tangible as gravity? The kaleidoscope of colors in my vision shifted constantly, alive with meaning, yet hard to pin down.


    But then my gaze snagged on something: in the eastern quarter of our view, a cluster of deep crimson began to form. It gathered like a storm cloud, jagged and triangular, and grew larger with every passing second. Crimson always meant violence, but not the kind born of chaos or chance¡ªthis was deliberate, with intent. The shape solidified, and I realized it looked like a bridge collapsing.


    ¡°There,¡± I said, pointing toward it. ¡°Something¡¯s about to happen in that direction.¡±


    Jade leaned closer, her brow furrowing as she followed my finger. ¡°What kind of ¡®something¡¯?¡±


    Looking deeper into the pattern, I began to see silver threads snaking out from the crimson cluster, reaching into other parts of the city. Smaller nodes of similar colors flickered in response, creating a web of connection. The lines pulsed with preparation and intent.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t random,¡± I said, more to myself than to Jade. ¡°It¡¯s too structured. I can see threads spreading ¡ªconnections to other places. This is organized.¡±


    ¡°Organized how? A protest? A heist?¡±


    ¡°More likely a fight,¡± I replied. ¡°Between two criminal groups. Crimson means violence, but it¡¯s not aimless. This is calculated, a power move.¡±


    Jade frowned, ¡°You¡¯re sure?¡±


    ¡°As sure as I can be.¡± My eyes darted back to the web of colors, noting the steady expansion of the crimson cluster and its ties to smaller nodes. ¡°If we¡¯re lucky, it¡¯ll burn itself out before it spreads.¡±


    ¡°And if we¡¯re not?¡± Her tone had shifted.


    I glanced at her, noting the tension in her jaw. ¡°Then they might alert the City Protectors and other Supers teams. This kind of alignment doesn¡¯t stop on its own.¡±


    She asked, her voice bright with excitement, ¡°Should we go and take part?¡±


    I shook my head immediately, the answer coming without hesitation. ¡°It has nothing to with us,¡± I said firmly.


    Her enthusiasm dimmed for a moment, but she didn¡¯t argue. After a while, we found ourselves taking a car ride down the road¡ªnot toward the eastern direction where we¡¯d been focusing earlier, but heading west, toward the Western District. Something about the area had caught my attention. A small red storm slowly taking shape in a small patch of the area¡ªit felt like something interesting, or dangerous, was brewing there.


    Jade, never one for silence, broke the quiet. ¡°You should have told me more about your meta nature.¡± Her tone was edged with disappointment as we walked, and a slight pout tugged at her lips. ¡°We could have done this three days ago and saved so much time,¡± she added, her words tinged with frustration.


    ¡°I told you it¡¯s complicated,¡± My relationship with my meta nature was indeed complex. There was no easy way to explain everything about it, at least not in a short conversation. The answer didn''t satisfy her - Jade humped and sped up slightly, leaving me behind. It was easy to tell she was itching to fly over to the place.


    After getting off in an abandoned area, the road stretched relatively empty before us as we strode on. The area was under construction, though work had clearly stopped long ago - abandoned equipment and half-finished structures¡ªan ideal setting for criminal activity.


    Through my vision, the red storm in the Western District became clearer, its intricacies taking shape. It wasn¡¯t large yet, but the layers told a story:


    The base of the storm glowed light blue¡ªa fragile, temporary peace holding it in place.


    Threads of pink wove through it¡ªminor conflicts bubbling beneath the surface, waiting to spill over.


    For now, the storm remained caged, neither expanding nor contracting.


    But signs of a breakdown were forming at the edges, cracks in the delicate balance. The tension was palpable, like a taut string about to snap.


    I glanced at Jade as we walked. Her meta nature had always been... unique. In my vision, her uniqueness seeped into the red storm, her power adding a dizzying array of colors to the mix. It was like rainbows bursting through the chaos, blending and swirling too quickly for me to make sense of. Where I might normally see defined patterns, her influence made the storm unpredictable. Guns and bikes littered the field in my mind¡¯s eye, broken pieces scattered amidst the chaos. Jade¡¯s presence could either stabilize the storm or shatter it entirely, and there was no way to know which it would be.


    ¡°You¡¯re doing it again,¡± Jade said, her voice pulling me back to the present.


    ¡°Doing what?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Overthinking.¡± She gave me a wry smile, though there was still a flicker of annoyance in her eyes. ¡°Just tell me where to go and what to punch.¡±


    I chuckled softly, shaking my head. ¡°It¡¯s not that simple. If we move too fast, we might change the outcome.¡±


    ¡°And if we don¡¯t move at all?¡± she challenged, arching an eyebrow.


    The storm flickered in my vision, its edges fraying further. I sighed. ¡°Then we¡¯ll see what happens when it collapses on its own.¡±


    Jade¡¯s eyes narrowed, her jaw tightening with determination. ¡°I don¡¯t like waiting,¡± she muttered.


    <hr>


    Once we reached what felt like the perfect distance from the eye of the storm in my vision, I stopped abruptly. ¡°Be careful from now on,¡± I said, my voice low but firm.


    Jade halted mid-step and turned to look at me, ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°It might be the base of some small-time criminals,¡± I began, motioning for her to step to the side with me. I needed to explain the situation properly. ¡°But just because the base is small doesn¡¯t mean their meta nature can be underestimated. More dangerous than people like you who can control the outcomes.¡±


    Her eyebrows shot up at that. ¡°More dangerous than me?¡± she repeated, a hint of challenge in her voice.


    I nodded. ¡°Because they don¡¯t have bottom lines, principles they abide by. For their survival, they¡¯ll do anything¡ªand I mean anything. They¡¯ll kill without hesitation.¡±


    ¡°These aren¡¯t the kinds of people who fight for a cause or even for power. They fight because they have nothing left to lose. That makes them reckless, unpredictable, and willing to cross lines you¡¯d never dream of.¡±


    Jade crossed her arms, but I could see her processing my words. ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan?¡± she asked, though her voice carried a slight edge of defiance.


    I studied her carefully, weighing how far to push. ¡°What will you do if they fire a shot at you?¡± I asked pointedly, raising an eyebrow.


    She might not give second thoughts before jumping into dangerous situations, but I had never found such recklessness fun. Too many memories, too many consequences I''d seen unfold.


    ¡°Fire back,¡± she said without hesitation. Her hand instinctively dropped to her thigh, where her plasma blaster was holstered.


    Typical Jade¡ªconfidence overflowing, even in the face of uncertainty. I sighed, shaking my head. ¡°And what happens if their bullets don¡¯t matter? What if it¡¯s not bullets, but something else entirely? Something you can¡¯t just blast your way through?¡±


    Her expression faltered for a moment before she shrugged. ¡°Then I¡¯ll figure it out,¡± she said, though her voice had lost some of its bravado.


    I nodded slowly. ¡°We won¡¯t have to worry about bullets. Even if they rain down like broken clouds, your meta nature will keep us safe from that. But what about attacks from other meta-natures? You know as well as I do how unpredictable they can be.¡±


    Furthermore, I had to make her think about the opposite scenario, about being the one causing harm.


    Then, I smiled slightly, though there was no humor in it. ¡°But what if you blast a hole through one of them, and they die?¡±


    She frowned, her lips pressing into a thin line. I could see she hadn''t fully thought it through, and that''s exactly why I pressed further. The question hit home, exactly as intended, plunging her into a moral dilemma she hadn''t fully considered. I was asking her, point-blank, if she was prepared to take a life. For me, the answer had been forged in the fires of necessity long ago. I¡¯d taken lives in the war I was thrown into, each one adding another weight to my already burdened conscience. But Jade? Could she make that choice? Could she face the reality of battle, where decisions had to be made in an instant, and not let the consequences shatter her afterward?


    The silver in her eyes seemed to dim as she wrestled with the question. This wasn¡¯t about her power anymore¡ªit was about her willingness to wield it lethally. About crossing a line that could never be uncrossed. I watched her face carefully, seeing the weight of my words sink in, seeing her start to grapple with what being a hero¡ªor even just a survivor¡ªmight actually require. Morality had a way of becoming a fragile thing in moments like this.


    After a long pause, she looked up at me, confusion etched across her features. ¡°Can¡¯t we just¡­ capture them? Stop them without killing anyone?¡±


    I clicked my tongue softly, shaking my head. ¡°Do you think they¡¯re cattle, letting you herd them into pens with bells around their necks? These people would rather die than end up in jail.¡±


    Her brow furrowed as the bluntness of my words settled over her. I pressed on. ¡°Even if we did manage to capture them, how can you be sure they wouldn¡¯t have connections inside the jails? Or escape? Besides¡­¡± I hesitated, knowing the next part would sting. ¡°We¡¯re criminals ourselves in the eyes of the law. If we hand them over, the authorities would sooner lock us up than them. Do you really think we have the luxury of playing savior?¡±


    Jade fell silent again, staring at the ground. Then, after a long moment, she asked something else entirely, "Will you be on my side... always?"


    Her question caught me off guard. What was brewing in that big head of hers now? I studied her carefully before responding, "That depends on what you mean by ''always.'' What lines are you willing to draw for yourself? What kind of person are you choosing to be?"


    Her eyes widened slightly at my counter-questions. "I... I want to do the right thing."


    "Then be more specific," I pressed. "What are your boundaries? What won''t you do, even if it seems like the easiest solution?"


    She fell quiet again, considering. When she spoke, her voice was soft but steady. "I just... I don''t want to become like them. The ones who''ve lost themselves to power, who stopped seeing others as people. And I don''t want you to have to follow me down that path if I ever lose my way."


    I nodded slowly. "Then yes, I''ll be by your side - as long as you hold to those principles. And I expect you to do the same for me if I ever lose my way."


    "And if I did something wrong?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.


    "Everyone fucks up. It''s natural," I said after a moment, my voice rough with honesty. "But there''s a difference between making mistakes and choosing to become something dark. I''ll help you through the first - but if you''re asking me to watch you deliberately become a monster?" I shook my head. "That''s not loyalty. That''s just being an accomplice."


    Something shifted in her expression then - not hurt, but a strange sort of relief. ""that''s actually... comforting," she said quietly.


    I raised an eyebrow. "Comforting?"


    "Yeah." She fiddled with her tool belt,  "Because it means you see me as a person who can make choices, not just some... ticking time bomb you have to contain."


    The observation made me rethink. She wasn''t wrong- I''d been so focused on what she might become, I hadn''t considered what my fears said about how I saw her now. Hell, maybe that''s what all these questions had really been about.


    "One more question?" Jade raised her head again.


    And I felt like pulling my hair out.


    Stop It! I thought, but managed to keep my expression neutral. The conversation had already dragged us through enough emotional minefields.


    She looked up at me through her lashes, "What am I to you?" The question came out barely above a whisper, like she was afraid of the answer.


    I drew in a long, deep breath¡ªthe kind you take when you¡¯re trying to wrestle unruly thoughts into submission. She was still watching me, those silver eyes holding something that made me take a step back. Time travelers aren''t supposed to get caught like this. We''re supposed to see everything coming, have a plan for every scenario.


    "Do you even know?" she pressed when I remained silent.


    If I knocked on her head right now, would that count as domestic abuse? The thought almost made me laugh, but the seriousness of her question anchored me. But maybe the rules could be ignored just this once. A quick knock might reset whatever emotional spiral we''re heading into. I immediately felt guilty for even thinking that. Great, now I''m the asshole making jokes in my head while she''s being vulnerable. Centuries of existence and I still have the emotional maturity of a potato.


    Another dozen sarcastic responses came to mind, ready to deflect or lighten the moment, but none of them seemed fitting. This wasn¡¯t the time for jokes. It was rare for Jade to ask questions like this, rarer still for her to let herself be vulnerable enough to ask them.


    Jade kept her face hidden, but I wasn''t any better. My eyes locked onto a jagged piece of broken concrete nearby as if it held the answers I didn''t have. The truth was messy, complicated. What did she expect me to say? Since I noticed how she''d started appearing in the futures I glimpsed, how my carefully planned timelines had begun shifting to accommodate her presence. How do you tell someone they''ve become an anchor point in time itself?


    I didn''t even know if I believed in love, not in the way most people did. My past relationships had all fallen victim to the stretches of time and space, each one ending before it could really begin. After a while, I''d stopped putting myself in positions where these feelings could develop. Funny how a few centuries of emotional baggage can fit so neatly into one commitment issue.


    Still, something was different with her. She had a way of altering things¡ªpossibilities, outcomes, sure, but also the foundations of my ordered world. Whether it was her chaos bleeding into my orderly life or something more profound, I couldn''t say. But the change was undeniable, and it scared me in ways I didn''t fully understand.


    I was a Time traveler afraid of change.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    I suddenly felt like I knew less about myself than I had five minutes ago. Which is impressive, considering how little I knew to begin with. Courage seemed to have abandoned me entirely. Yet, somehow, I forced myself to take a step toward her. My heart hammered against my ribs as I noticed the redness creeping up her pale face.


    Did she have a fever? Why was she rubbing her arms? And why the hell were my hands trembling like I was an awkward teenager instead of an experienced time traveler?


    ¡°I¡­¡± The word scraped out of my throat, dry and hoarse, betraying my nerves.


    My mind spiraled in self-mockery. If any other time traveler existed, they''d probably commit suicide out of secondhand embarrassment watching me stumble through this. I was supposed to be wise, experienced¡ªageless, for God''s sake. Instead, here I was, fumbling like the biggest idiot to ever tumble through time.


    Jade shifted slightly, finally lifting her gaze to meet mine. The silver in her eyes shimmered like molten metal, filled with an emotion I couldn¡¯t name but that made my knees weak. Her lips parted slightly, as if she was about to say something¡ªbut then¡­


    ¡°Hey, who are you guys?¡±


    The interruption was simultaneously the most unwelcome and welcome sound I¡¯d ever heard in my life.


    Relief surged through me, but so did frustration.


    The moment shattered, evaporating like smoke in the wind.


    My heart, which had been dangerously close to exploding, immediately shifted into battle mode.


    We both snapped to attention, the charged moment between us disintegrating like smoke. Villain! The thought struck us simultaneously, and our hands instinctively flew to our blasters, ready to draw.


    But instead of an enemy charging toward us, the man standing there stammered awkwardly, ¡°If you¡¯re looking for a quiet place to, uh, you know¡­ do your thing,¡± he began, his voice uneven and nervous, ¡°try somewhere else. This area isn¡¯t safe, and, uh, there are a lot of cameras.¡±


    Jade and I froze, our thoughts grinding to a halt as we processed what he¡¯d just implied. His tone wasn¡¯t aggressive, more cautious than confrontational, but his assumption sent both our minds reeling.


    ¡°What?¡± Jade blurted, her expression twisting in disbelief.


    I was equally dumbfounded.


    The man shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck as his eyes darted between us. ¡°I mean¡­ I¡¯m not judging or anything. You don¡¯t have to explain. Just, uh, maybe not here? People might¡­ you know, get the wrong idea.¡±


    Jade¡¯s face went crimson, and not from any lingering fever. ¡°The wrong idea?!¡± she practically shouted, her voice hitting an octave I didn¡¯t think was possible.


    I rubbed a hand over my face. What the hell did this guy think we were about to do? Worse¡ªhad he been listening to our conversation?


    I looked him over more carefully now. Dirty clothes, an unkempt beard¡ªhe appeared somewhat homeless (maybe just in my thoughts), the kind of person we might have unconsciously filtered out of our awareness while we were focused on each other. My eyes darted to Jade. She looked like she wanted to crawl into a hole and pull the ground over herself. Her face was redder than a warning light.


    A horrible realization hit me: the area near the abandoned construction site wasn¡¯t as abandoned as we¡¯d thought. And all the raw, awkwardly personal things we¡¯d just said to each other might not have been as private as we¡¯d assumed.


    Jade¡¯s embarrassment was palpable, and she finally pointed a shaking finger at the man. ¡°We weren¡¯t¡ªwhat makes you think we¡ªthis is so¡ªUGH!¡± Words failed her, and she spun around, her hands flying to her hair as if she could physically pull the embarrassment out of her head.


    The man shifted uncomfortably as his eyes flicked nervously between us. ¡°I mean¡­ I¡¯m not judging or anything. You don¡¯t have to explain. People nowadays have all sorts of, uh¡­ kinks. Just maybe not here? The folks around this area¡­ they¡¯re not the good kind. They might, you know, record you. Secretly. And then put the whole thing on the HyperSpace.¡±


    I blinked, my mind grinding to a halt at the absurdity of his words.


    ¡°The wrong idea?!¡± Jade¡¯s voice hit an octave that could shatter glass. ¡°HyperSpace?!¡±


    My thoughts scrambled for footing. Did this guy think we were into¡­ public stuff or something?


    Jade whirled on me, eyes wide with mortification and fury.


    What? I didn''t do anything! Don''t give me that look. I wanted to say everything loud.


    But, before I could say anything, another figure dashed from the shadows inside the building. This one was sharper, his movements quicker, his eyes immediately locking onto us. He scanned us once, and it was clear he¡¯d noticed our costumes beneath the trench coats. Without a word, he spun on his heel and bolted back into the structure, his shouts echoing through the empty halls.


    ¡°Old man, run!¡± I snapped, grabbing Jade¡¯s hand and dragging her toward cover nearby. My other hand drew my blaster in a single motion, the cool metal familiar and reassuring in my grip.


    ¡°Oh my god,¡± Jade suddenly muttered, her hand clutched mine tightly, warm and steady despite the sudden chaos. ¡°We are never talking about this again.¡±


    Though she said that there was an electric excitement in her grip, and her earlier embarrassment instantly evaporated turning into something¡ªI could almost feel the thrill coursing through her. We ducked behind a pile of large marble tiles.


    ¡°What now?¡± she asked, her voice a mix of exhilaration and focus, completely forgetting about our earlier encounter.


    My vision shifted for just moments, but those moments were enough to stop my breathing entirely. My gaze hardened as I processed what I was seeing. The sheer volume of events altering changes, and radiation being discharged from Jade was staggering - fortune and misfortune bleeding into the area with an intensity that felt suffocating.


    The patterns were overwhelming. Fortune trails splitting and fracturing. Misfortune pooling in dark eddies. Possibilities warping around Jade''s presence. Patterns breaking and reforming chaotically. Probability threads tangling and snapping.


    I had the distinct feeling that her meta nature would leave residuals here long after we''d gone - like radiation lingering after an explosion. The people inside were about to experience something beyond their comprehension - not an awakening, but rather a deep sleep.


    My breathing deepened as I studied her. Jade was dangerous¡ªnot to the people around her (I didn¡¯t care much for them or the surroundings)¡ªbut to herself. The sheer amount she was bleeding into reality wasn¡¯t normal. I¡¯d seen other Uniques bleed their power before, even S-rank emitters who burned brighter than a thousand suns on the battlefield when they unleashed their meta nature. But this? This was different. Unstable. Frightening.


    Emitters were like batteries, massive reservoirs of potential, anchoring points. But batteries could overheat. If Jade kept bleeding unchecked, it wouldn¡¯t just destroy others¡ªit would destroy her, too.


    She shouldn''t be Bizarre... at least not yet.


    She seemed stable for now, but the keyword was ¡°for now.¡±


    I opened my mouth to say something, to warn her, but the sound of a gunshot cut me off. The first shot was followed immediately by a second. My instincts kicked in, and I turned toward the source, blaster raised. But before I could react, Jade grabbed my wrist and pulled me along, her excitement palpable in the way her body brimmed with energy.


    Her strange love for chaos was evident in every movement. Her strides were purposeful, eager, as if every bullet flying past only fueled her. Shots either missed us entirely or grazed past, veering off as if the wind itself were redirecting them. Her presence warped outcomes, and it showed. The environment bent around her, shifting in subtle, almost imperceptible ways that kept us safe¡ªfor now.


    But something gnawed at me, a question that refused to leave my mind amidst the fight. Why couldn¡¯t I remember any large-scale reality changes from the last two cycles? Jade¡¯s power wasn¡¯t the kind that could go unnoticed. Had she been contained? Secured in some facility?


    Meanwhile, while firing back, Jade hadn¡¯t released my wrist, still dragging me forward as her laughter rang out, vibrant and carefree despite the chaos erupting around us.


    ¡°You¡¯re too slow!¡± she teased, glancing back at me with a grin that didn¡¯t match the tension in the air.


    I barely had time to respond as we rounded a corner. Across from us, seven people had taken positions, ducking behind cover. Jade had already shot two dead, their bodies crumpled amidst the debris.


    Shock tightened my chest as I realized how quickly she¡¯d acted, how little hesitation she¡¯d shown. There was no consideration, no pause to distinguish between the living and the dead, no attempt to assess whether they posed a threat or were merely caught in the crossfire. For Jade, none of it mattered. All that seemed to drive her was the rush, the sheer thrill of the moment.


    The villains abandoned their blasters in favor of meta abilities, their powers filling the air with deafening bangs as metal twisted, sparks flew, and the ten floor half finished structure around us groaned under the strain.


    Jade dropped to a crouch, her grip tightening on my wrist. ¡°You good, or should I carry you?¡± she quipped, her tone light despite the deadly seriousness of the situation.


    I shot her a look. ¡°Don¡¯t push it.¡±


    She laughed, her eyes gleaming with exhilaration as she turned back to the fight. But I couldn¡¯t focus. Something was wrong¡ªmore wrong than just the gunfire and the chaos. I needed to confirm something, and there was only one way to do it.


    My primary power, the meta side of my meta nature, could only activate under specific conditions:


    When a metahuman was dying.


    If I was in physical contact with the person.


    Or, the other person had overdrawn their meta nature.


    Only then was their connection to their meta side strong enough to form a stable link.


    Suddenly, I found my consciousness pulled from the tangible world and thrust into the void. This wasn¡¯t a physical space¡ªno, from what I could discern, it was the complete negation of space itself, an absence of everything: no sound, no air, no light, not even the whisper of thought.


    The darkness wasn¡¯t merely the absence of light¡ªit was an oppressive force, pressing in from all directions, smothering every sense and instinct. I had no form here, no body to ground me. What existed in this void was something deeper: my subconscious, the core of my being, laid bare in its raw, unfiltered essence. This place was a balancing force, and yet, it felt impossibly, horribly out of balance.


    In the darkness so profound that even life itself feared to tread, faint lines began to emerge, forming what seemed like fractals. At first, they were no more than whispers of form, shimmering against the infinite blackness. Slowly, they coalesced, forming a pattern so intricate, so mesmerizing, that it defied comprehension.


    The fractals pulsed with a rhythm that wasn¡¯t rhythmic at all¡ªan alien cadence of contraction and expansion, simultaneously beautiful and deeply unsettling. They writhed like living things, tracing shapes and contours that seemed to shimmer on the edge of recognition.


    But something about this pattern was wrong. It was incomplete, riddled with gaps and voids where geometric lines should have been. Segments of its convoluted shapes twisted inward upon themselves, devouring their own geometry. In my experience, such patterns were hypometric¡ªa terrible concept, the visual equivalent of an infinite collapse. They dragged the mind into spirals too deep for comprehension, swallowing rational thought like a black hole consumes light.


    As I stared into the writhing geometry, a terrible awareness gripped me and I caught a glimpse of myself¡ªor more accurately, an infinity of myself. They stretched endlessly into the void, each iteration a fragment of my being, refracted like light through a shattered prism.


    I had been divided, fractured into countless possibilities. It was as if I were peering into infinity itself, each iteration of me taking a different route, making different choices, experiencing different events. Each figure moved slightly out of sync, diverging in ways both subtle and profound. Some followed paths I recognized, others moved slightly out of sync, their motions asynchronous and jarring. Watching them was like gazing into a kaleidoscope of my own existence, each turn of the void revealing new patterns, new possibilities, new versions of me.


    The endless branching, the infinite web of actions and consequences.


    The enormity of it all was dizzying, an unfathomable sprawl of existence that seemed to crush the boundaries of my understanding.


    Then, from the darkness, tentacles began to emerge. They slithered into existence, phantasmal yet undeniably real, their forms both fluid and solid. They writhed with a predatory grace, reaching toward the pattern as if drawn by its incompleteness, its imperfections.


    But these weren¡¯t tentacles of some lurking void-dweller; Stragenly, I was their source.


    Perhaps it was my greed¡ªI could feel their desires as if they were my own.


    Beyond the Veil, Fishing for Dead Stars...


    The phrase echoed in my mind, painfully literal.


    At that moment, I truly was fishing¡ªbut it certainly wasn¡¯t for fish.


    Whatever I was trying to hook from the void was far removed from anything remotely edible or cookable.


    It defied comprehension, its nature elusive and terrifyingly vast, as if the concept of "existence" itself had been stretched to a breaking point.


    Worse still, I had absolutely no plan for what to do with it once caught. Would it taste good? Should I eat it raw, or cook it over a fire? Could it even be cooked? What kind of seasoning would you even use for something fished out of the void? Salt seemed... insufficient.


    The memory surfaced as I stared at the incomplete pattern. Why did I time travel? My thoughts circled back to the first time I¡¯d encountered one of these patterns. It had been an accident, a brief touch that linked me to something incomprehensible. That single moment had been enough to hurl me spiraling through time, breaking my understanding of existence. I couldn¡¯t afford to repeat that mistake, not without understanding the rules of this dangerous game.


    The tentacles, writhing extensions of my own will, hesitated, hovering just shy of the pattern¡¯s jagged edges. They quivered, eager to entwine with it, to fill the gaping voids in its structure.


    But I hesitated.


    The risk was far too high.


    While I might gain something extraordinary¡ªabilities like Jade¡¯s probability manipulation, perhaps¡ªthe rules were absolute. For me to take that power, Jade would have to die.


    I refused to pay that price.


    No. Better to find another guinea pig for such experiments, someone expendable. The void trembled as if displeased by my restraint, but the tentacles obeyed, receding into the blackness like shadows retreating before the dawn. The incomplete pattern remained untouched, its fractured beauty an unsolved. And then, as if the void had been holding its breath, my consciousness snapped back to reality.


    Not even a second had passed in the physical world. Time in the void held no meaning


    Jade¡¯s silver eyes reflected faint rainbow colors as she moved, a strange contrast to the chaos around us. Ahead, a man swung his arm, releasing a glowing thread that sliced clean through everything in its path. Rubble cut cleaned as it touched, and even a falling metal beam from the fourth story was severed without slowing its momentum. The ability was destructive, but I could see its limitations. It was a straight-line attack, unable to change direction mid-flight, and there was a clear delay before he could use it again. Powerful, yes, but constrained by its own nature.


    We dove to the side just as the thread shot past. While normal blaster shots couldn¡¯t touch us¡ªthe staggering changes around Jade bent them harmlessly away¡ªmeta abilities were a different story. As Jade had said, those followed no rules except their own, and each had a way of countering others.


    I analyzed our opponents, trying to categorize their abilities. The probability of them being Hive users was high, but I couldn''t discount them being Unique rejects - after all, sixty percent of unique meta natures were useless. Unlike Hive, Unique abilities didn''t allow for growth in strength.


    There was a figure moving through the dust and chaos. One, a man with unnaturally long fingers, raised his hands, his touch splitting the air itself into jagged shards. He swiped downward, and a rift tore open in front of him, the space between shimmering as though caught between two mirrors. The jagged tear rippled outward, its edges razor-sharp, slicing through rubble and walls indiscriminately.


    ¡°Move!¡± I shouted, grabbing Jade¡¯s arm to pull her back just as the rift sliced through the spot where we¡¯d been standing. The sound it made¡ªa high-pitched whine¡ªlingered in my ears even as we ducked for cover.


    Through the Likeness, I spotted another man crouching behind a pillar. He was aiming for Jade, the barrel of his weapon glowing faintly as it charged. I didn¡¯t hesitate. My own blaster snapped up, and the shot hit him before he could fire. He fell with a heavy thud, his weapon clattering uselessly to the ground.


    I felt nothing at his death. This wasn¡¯t about deciding who deserved to live or die, or weighing the morality of their actions. In my perception, their luck had already turned dark¡ªan inky black dragon circling them, its greedy eyes fixed, saliva dripping from its maw as it waited for the inevitable.


    Luck didn¡¯t correlate with death, not directly. But the absence of luck? That was a different story. It wasn¡¯t cause and effect¡ªit was more like a shadow trailing its source.


    Life itself was an aspect of luck - as long as someone drew breath, luck existed. Only in death did it vanish entirely, leaving behind a hollow stillness that even my perception couldn¡¯t penetrate.


    Another opponent, tall and wiry, stepped forward, his footsteps unnervingly silent. His shadow stretched impossibly long, twisting and snaking toward us like a living thing. It moved independently (but very short distance), darting between obstacles and lashing out like a whip. The shadow struck with the force of a hammer, shattering debris and leaving dark scorch marks where it landed.


    ¡°Watch the shadow!¡± I warned, firing at the man himself. He dodged, his shadow snapping back to shield him, absorbing the bolt entirely.


    Jade didn¡¯t hesitate. She fired twice in rapid succession, her chaos bending the shots¡¯ trajectories in ways that seemed impossible. One struck his shoulder, spinning him around, while the second caught his leg, sending him to the ground. His shadow recoiled and writhed before fading entirely.


    Through Likeness, I spotted the thread-wielder once more. He launched another strike, the glowing filament slicing through debris with surgical precision.


    I ducked, narrowly avoiding it, and returned fire. My shot struck the ground at his feet, sending up a cloud of dust that made him stumble.


    Jade didn¡¯t miss the opportunity, her blaster taking him down with a shot that left his thread dissolving into the air.


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    I felt, these people were truly a disgrace to the name of villains. If there were a handbook on how to strike fear into the hearts of your enemies, they must have skipped every chapter and gone straight to "How to Be Fodder."


    However, then I noticed something then that left me even more speechless, Jade''s eyes were actually closed while dashing around. She fired blindly as she relied on her meta nature to twist the odds in her favor.


    Clearly, her chaos was more effective than my precision, at least in this situation. Unlike Jade, who was firing aimlessly, relying on her ability to hit other villains before their power could reach her, I was much more strained. After all, she had already sent four other small fries to heaven with her eyes closed, I couldn¡¯t compare to her in a dozen cycles.


    The air inside grew thick with falling rubble and dust.


    Jade''s meta nature was bleeding into every corner of the building. Through my perception, I could see luck patterns shattering and reforming with each of her shots, while the black dragon of fate grew larger, hungrier.


    Only two opponents remained standing now, but their fate was similarly already written in my perception. Their luck was turning dark at an alarming rate, the patterns blackening like paper catching fire. Above their heads, coffins materialized in my vision - not ordinary ones, but constructs of bone, hanging like macabre mobiles. These were among the darkest omens my vision could show, marking those whose deaths were not just likely, but inevitable.


    The bone coffins swayed in a nonexistent wind, casting shadows in my vision that seemed to reach toward their intended occupants.


    Suddenly, the battle fell quiet. Jade holstered her blaster, glancing at me with a smirk. ¡°Not bad, huh?¡±


    I didn¡¯t respond immediately, my eyes lingering on the fading coffins.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I said finally, ¡°not bad at all.¡±

 Act 1.14 (Recrudesce)

    These two villains might have been the strongest of their gang¡ªseasoned fighters, hardened survivors¡ªbut in front of Jade, they might as well have been kids swinging sticks. The air crackled with possibilities around Jade as she stood there, her silver eyes tracking every potential movement before they even happened. She could change their lives¡ªend their lives¡ªwith a blink. They were already dead, even if they hadn''t figured it out yet.


    I felt an odd pang of loss watching her. When the villains had attacked, I''d only had a split second to act, and in that moment, all my experience had meant nothing. Shouldn''t I have been the one with the experience? The one teaching her, showing her the ropes? Instead, standing here watching Jade, I realized I''d brought a dragon into an ant hole. She was tearing through them effortlessly, trampling lives with her eyes half-closed, her devastation almost casual. Reality seemed to bend around her, outcomes shifting like sand in an hourglass.


    She had all the makings of a villain herself¡ªperhaps more villain than those we fought. The way she didn''t even blink while dropping them like broken grass stems, the casual disregard for life more chilling than any deliberate cruelty.


    Her blaster suddenly malfunctioned, overheated and drained. Jade looked at it with immediate agitation, tapping it against her hip like a frustrated child with a broken toy.


    ¡°Of all the times,¡± she muttered, shaking it again.


    The remaining two villains, sensing their opportunity, prepared to strike. They didn¡¯t even register me as a threat, probably assuming I was just some normal human caught in the crossfire. In a way, they weren¡¯t wrong¡ªI was merely a spectator to this slaughter.


    The first man dashed from his hiding place, his companion right behind him. He was the tall one with unnaturally long fingers that seemed to leave tears in reality as they moved. Each step he took left tiny fractures in the air, like cracks in invisible glass.


    "Your luck''s run out," he snarled and sliced through the air with a flick of his hand. The space itself splintered, a jagged rift tearing through the distance between them and Jade. The edges rippled with a piercing hum, slicing through rubble and walls like wet paper, leaving geometric fragments of broken reality behind.


    The rift expanded outward in a starburst pattern, each edge vibrating with a different pitch as it cut through the air. Debris caught in its path didn''t just fall¡ªit shattered into perfect geometric shapes, each piece splitting along mathematically precise lines as reality itself was dissected.


    "Well, neat trick," Jade said dryly, tossing the now-useless blaster aside. It clattered against the ground, leaving strange echoes that seemed to repeat in multiple timelines at once.


    "You want to explain what that''s supposed to be, or are you just going to stand there wiggling your fingers?"


    "Shut up!" the man spat. He brought both hands forward now, fingers splayed wide.


    The air screamed as he tore open multiple rifts at once, creating a complex geometric pattern of spatial tears. Each rift pulsed with a different frequency, turning the space between them into a deadly maze of dimensional cuts.


    Jade''s response was a masterclass in efficiency of movement, given her sophisticated form. She didn''t just dodge¡ªshe flowed through the spaces between the rifts like water finding the path of least resistance. A slight tilt of her head let a shard of broken space whistle past her ear. A quarter-step to the left allowed her to slip between two converging rifts that would have scissored her in half. She turned a necessary duck into a fluid spin, letting three more rifts pass harmlessly overhead while positioning herself closer to her opponent.


    From my vantage point, I watched the defined muscles in her thighs flex and release with each precise movement, power contained in elegant lines. She moved like a seasoned gymnast, her tall yet delicate body defying expectations of grace. The moon boots she wore¡ªmassive things that should have been unwieldy¡ªonly seemed to accentuate her natural agility.


    The rift-wielder grew more frantic, his fingers moving in increasingly erratic patterns. The tears in space began to overlap and intersect, creating unstable nodes where reality itself seemed uncertain. Fragments of space began to rotate and twist, turning the battlefield into a kaleidoscope of broken dimensions.


    Jade dodged effortlessly, her movements smooth and almost lazy. Where he created complexity, she found simplicity. When the man tried to trap her in a cage of spatial tears, she simply stepped through the one spot where the outcomes aligned for safe passage. Each move was minimal, precise, and seemed to happen just slightly before it needed to.


    "That all you''ve got? Come on, impress me." Her taunt was punctuated by a casual sidestep that let two rifts collide behind her, their intersection sending a shower of spatial fragments into the wall. The concrete where they hit didn''t break¡ªit simply ceased to exist in geometrically perfect chunks.


    "Jade, maybe don''t antagonize the guy who can literally cut space in half," I called out, shaking my head as I watched fragments of reality rain down around her. The fractured reality around us made my skin crawl. I genuinely felt afraid for her for what if she suddenly made a mistake.


    She shot me a quick glance, her lips quirking into a faint smirk. ¡°Relax. I¡¯ve got this.¡±


    It didn¡¯t help at all; in fact, her smile only made me feel more uneasy.


    The rift-wielder screamed in frustration and committed to a desperate all-in attack. "You¡¯re dead, you hear me? You crazy bitch! Dead!¡± he screamed.


    He brought his hands together, fingers interlacing, then ripped them apart. The action tore a massive X-shaped rift in space that expanded outward from his position. The edges of these rifts were different¡ªdarker, more unstable, crackling with the energy of poorly controlled power.


    Jade tilted her head, unimpressed. ¡°You guys really need new material.¡±


    She dropped into a low crouch as the first rift passed overhead, rolled forward under the second, then had to launch herself into a backward handspring to avoid the third. The fourth rift came in at an angle that should have been impossible to dodge.


    Should have been.


    Instead of trying to avoid it, Jade stepped directly toward it. For a fraction of a second, I saw multiple versions of her overlapping in broken space fragments¡ªeach one taking a slightly different path. Then they all collapsed into a single reality as she threaded herself through a gap in space that I would have sworn didn''t exist a moment before.


    But then, defying all logic, Jade¡¯s "broken" blaster suddenly roared back to life, firing off a charged bolt from where it had landed on the ground. The blast tore through the man chest with surgical precision, dropping him mid-stride and leaving him gasping his last breaths on the floor. The web of rifts he''d created collapsed with him, reality snapping back into place with a sound like breaking glass. Each tear sealed itself shut, leaving geometric scars in the air that slowly faded like frost melting.


    The second man froze, his bravado shattered. "H-how did¡ª?" His eyes darted between Jade and the blaster, trying to process what he''d just witnessed.


    I shook my head sadly as Jade picked up the dropped blaster, brushing off the dust like she was tending to a prized possession. ¡°Huh, you were just playing dead?¡± she muttered, speaking to it as though it could answer. She gave it an approving pat. ¡°Good hustle. But maybe don¡¯t flake out next time, yeah?¡±


    Meanwhile, the second man, too panicked to process how a single woman had wiped out his entire group in what felt like seconds, screamed. His desperation triggered and his meta nature kicked in as his body turned intangible, darting through a nearby wall like a ghost trying to escape its own haunting.


    Jade sighed, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. The silver in her eyes pulsed with annoyance. "They always run," she muttered before breaking into a sprint after him.


    "Mister Villain," she called out after him, her voice dripping with exaggerated politeness, "this is my first time playing hero. Could you not make it a terrible experience for me? That''d be great."


    "Though I have to admit," she added with a laugh that echoed strangely through the corridors, "the chase is kind of fun!"


    ¡°Leave me alone!¡± the man yelled back, his voice reverberating as he passed through a concrete pillar, his panic palpable. ¡°I don¡¯t want anything to do with you!¡±


    "Oh come on," Jade called out, her voice lilting with amusement. "You can''t phase through everything forever. Let''s make this interesting!"


    "I''ll even give you a head start¡ªnot that it''ll help!"


    Jade, undeterred, sprinted after him as if she forgot his meta nature literally allowed his to phase through the matter.


    She didn''t slow down¡ªdidn''t even hesitate¡ªbefore suddenly, but not-unexpectedly slamming face-first into the same pillar. I winced at the sound, closing my eyes.


    The collision was loud, awkward, and deeply unheroic.


    She stumbled back, clutching her nose as her eyes watered. "Ouch! My face!"


    A thin trickle of blood began to drip down her face. She glared at the offending pillar like it had personally wronged her. ¡°That,¡± she muttered darkly, ¡°was incredibly rude.¡±


    Her tone sharpened as she pointed at the wall like a stern teacher disciplining an unruly student. ¡°And now I¡¯ve broken my nose because of you,¡± she huffed, her voice filled with indignant frustration. ¡°You should really take responsibility for this!¡±


    But then her mood suddenly did one eighty.


    "You know what?" she called out, her voice carrying an almost childlike excitement despite the blood.


    "This is actually making things more entertaining. Hide and seek with a twist!" She wiped her nose with the back of her hand, "Though I should warn you¡ªI always win at games!"


    With renewed determination, Jade set off again, her silver eyes glowing faintly as she tracked his movement through the walls. The man¡¯s ability to phase might have let him slip through solid matter, but Jade¡¯s meta nature wasn¡¯t anything I could scoff about, she was rapidly altering the probabilities around him.


    "Marco!" she sang out, her voice echoing unnaturally through the building. "Come on, you''re supposed to say ''Polo''! Don''t you know how to play?"


    It wasn''t immediate¡ªshe wasn''t fast enough to stop the villain outright¡ªbut space itself seemed to hiccup, working against him. Every time he phased through a wall expecting to emerge on the other side, something went wrong. He seemed to stuck in a maze of impossible outcomes. One time, he phased through a doorway only to reappear two feet to the left, smashing into a rusted pipe.


    "Ooh, that looked like it hurt!" Jade called out cheerfully. "Want to try that again? Maybe aim a little more to the right this time?"


    Another time, he shot through a floor and somehow ended up back where he''d started, reality folding in on itself like origami.


    "Surprise!" Jade exclaimed with genuine delight. "Bet you didn''t see that coming. Neither did physics, apparently!"


    "Stop doing that!" the villain cried, his voice cracking with frustration. His form flickered between solid and intangible.


    He tried phasing again, only to emerge halfway through a broken staircase, his momentum sending him tumbling to the ground. "I''m not even a bad guy! Let me go!"


    "Not a bad guy?" Jade clicked her tongue, casually stepping over the rubble he''d knocked loose in his frantic escape.


    "You know what''s funny about that? Bad guys never think they''re bad guys. It''s like a universal constant or something."


    She grinned, blood still trickling from her nose. "Almost as constant as me!"


    "They made me join them!" he yelled, scrambling to his feet.


    His voice was desperate, his eyes darting around for any escape route that didn''t involve phasing through a wall. "I didn''t have a choice!"


    "Didn''t have a choice?" Jade laughed, "There''s always a choice. I''m looking at about..."


    She tilted her head, silver eyes scanning invisible scenes, "...twenty thousand and seventy three different choices you could make right now."


    "Want to know how many of them end well for you?" She grinned. "Here''s a hint: it''s a really small number."


    She stopped a few feet away from him, her arms crossing over her chest. "I don''t care about your reasons," she said flatly. Then her face brightened with mock enthusiasm. "But hey, want to see something cool? Watch what happens when I do this!"


    She snapped her fingers. Meanwhile, the man''s next attempt to phase was like trying to swim through molasses.


    ¡°I promise I won¡¯t commit any more crimes!¡± the villain yelled again, ignoring her entirely as he dove through another wall.


    His intangible form shimmered for a moment before vanishing into the cold concrete.


    "Promises, promises," Jade sang out, skipping¡ªactually skipping¡ªafter him. "You know what''s funny about promises? They''re just another form of probability. And probability?" She gestured at the air around her, "That''s kind of my thing!"


    I watched him closely, trying to make sense of his movements. Something about the way he phased caught my attention¡ªa flicker of instability, the briefest pause where his form solidified before he became intangible again. A critical flaw, clear as day: his ability wasn¡¯t seamless. His intangibility only lasted for seconds before he had to return to solid form. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was a vulnerability.


    "Oh, did you know your power has a rhythm?" Jade also called out, her voice echoing through the walls.


    "Solid, ghost, solid, ghost¡ªit''s like a dance! Want me to count it out for you? One-two-three, one-two-three!" Each number she called seemed to make reality hiccup around him.


    The man''s next phase was rushed, sloppy. He emerged partially through a wall, had to solidify to catch his breath, then immediately tried to phase again. But Jade had been counting¡ªliterally counting¡ªon this.


    "See? Right on beat!" she exclaimed with genuine enthusiasm. "Though your timing''s a little off. Let me help you with that!" She made a conductor''s gesture with her hand, and suddenly the man''s next phase went wrong, leaving him materializing halfway up a wall instead of through it. However, he strangely didn''t die. He should have under normal conditions.


    However, something unexpected happened just than. The villain re-emerged from the wall¡ªonly this time, he was right beside me. His face twisted into an expression of wild relief as he realized where he¡¯d landed.


    ¡°Shit¡ª¡± was all I managed before he lunged.


    Jade''s blaster fired in the same instant, the bolt slicing harmlessly through his phased body like lightning through fog. In that moment, I saw something I''d not seen so far on her face: fear.


    The villain didn¡¯t flinch as his hand shot forward, phasing through my chest. My breath hitched, my lungs locking up as a cold, bone-deep pressure gripped me. His intangible fingers wrapped tightly around my heart, and for a horrifying moment, I couldn¡¯t tell if it was beating anymore.


    His sneer grew wider, his face inches from mine. "Hahaha, now this is interesting," he said, his voice dripping with venom.


    He turned his head toward Jade, savoring every word. "So what''s it going to be, bitch? Should I crush his heart first, or let you take the shot and finish us both?"


    Jade froze mid-step, her blaster lowering slightly. Her silver eyes locked on the spot where his arm disappeared into my chest. There was something unnervingly still about her¡ªno breath, no movement, just an intense, razor-sharp focus.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare move,¡± he snarled at her, his grip tightening just enough to make me gasp.


    The sensation sent stars shooting across my vision. "One wrong move, and I''ll rip it right out. Want to see what a heart looks like when it phases back into solid matter? I hear it''s quite spectacular."


    Then, the casual detachment she¡¯d carried earlier was gone, replaced by something fragile. For the first time, I saw her not as the unstoppable force she had been moments ago but as someone shaken.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do something stupid,¡± she said, her voice quiet but steady, a thread of desperation weaving through her words. ¡°We can talk.¡±


    The villain chuckled, emboldened by her change in tone. "Talk? You were just blasting your way through my crew like they were nothing, playing with reality like it was your personal toy. Now you want to talk?" His hand flexed again, and my knees buckled slightly as the icy grip on my heart made me light-headed.


    The edges of my vision began to blur, "What changed? Oh wait¡ªI know. It''s him, isn''t it? Your little lover. He''s your weakness."


    ¡°I was wrong,¡± Jade said, stepping closer. Her voice cracked slightly, but she kept her composure, her eyes locked on his. ¡°Let him go, and we¡¯ll walk away. All of us.¡±


    ¡°Look how the tables have turned,¡± The villain grinned wider, his teeth gleaming like a predator¡¯s. "What''s there to talk about? Didn''t you want to kill me just now? You seemed pretty eager to get it over with. All those clever tricks, all that power¡ªand here you are, begging. Love makes fools of us all, doesn''t it?"The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Jade¡¯s lips trembled as she answered. ¡°I made a mistake,¡± she admitted.


    Her hands, still raised, were shaking visibly now. ¡°But if you hurt him, you¡¯ll never leave this room alive.¡±


    ¡°Oh, but why would I care?¡± the villain sneered. His expression twisted into something darker, something meaner. ¡°I¡¯m dying anyway. Shouldn¡¯t I take him with me? That way, I¡¯m not alone on the journey.¡±


    I felt strangely touched, despite the precarious situation. Jade silver eyes now rimmed with red and her trembling hands proved I wasn''t alone in whatever this was growing between us.


    From between the villain¡¯s fingers, still phased around my heart, I managed to lift one trembling hand and wag my finger at Jade. The motion was weak, almost comical, but I hoped she¡¯d understand: Don¡¯t worry.


    Her eyes darted to me, widening slightly, her lips parting as though she wanted to say something. But she didn¡¯t. Instead, she turned her focus back to the villain, her hands lowering slightly, the trembling stopping as her entire demeanor changed.


    ¡°I¡¯m only going to ask you one more time,¡± she said, her voice steady now, the emotion still there but controlled. ¡°Let him go.¡±


    ¡°And if I don¡¯t?¡± the villain taunted, his sneer widening.


    Jade tilted her head, her gaze narrowed. ¡°Then I¡¯ll make sure you regret it.¡±


    I sighed¡ªdeath itself didn¡¯t concern me much. I¡¯d faced it, danced with it, even bargained with it in the past.


    But leaving Jade behind now? That was something I couldn¡¯t accept. Too much was left undone. There were hugs not given, ridiculous jokes not shared, questions still unasked. I¡¯d promised her I¡¯d teach her to cook one day. Hell, we hadn¡¯t even kissed yet. A lump formed in my throat at the thought, and for the first time in years, a spark of genuine anger flared deep within me.


    I wasn¡¯t angry for myself¡ªI was angry for her.


    The villain¡¯s smug expression twisted as he tightened his grip, his confidence unshaken by Jade¡¯s trembling desperation. But he didn¡¯t notice what I did. Above him, hanging in the air like a ghost executioner, was his fate. A coffin, dark and ominous, hovered over his head. It wasn¡¯t just a metaphor or a vision¡ªit was the inevitable conclusion of his existence, etched into the very fabric of reality. No matter what he did, no matter how tightly he clung to my life or his own, that coffin grew more defined, its edges sharpening like a judgment already passed. He didn¡¯t see it, but I did.


    And in that moment, I made my decision.


    I closed my eyes, letting go of the world around me and slipping into that familiar, alien space within myself. In two lifetimes, I''d never willingly used my primary meta nature, too afraid of the consequences and too little knowledge of the unknown. But fate, it seemed, had finally presented the perfect moment. But now? Now, it felt like fate had finally drawn the line, daring me to step over it.


    Fishing Time¡­


    I thought wryly, though my heart was anything but light.


    The void greeted me instantly, a vast and endless darkness that swallowed all light, all sound, all sense of place. It wasn¡¯t an absence¡ªit was a presence, heavy and oppressive, stretching in every direction. And yet, within that oppressive void, I saw it.


    The pattern.


    It flickered into existence, delicate and beautiful, an intricate weave of light and form that morphed like something alive. It reminded me of Jade¡¯s pattern, yet it was undeniably distinct. Its shape and size felt alien, fragmented. Or perhaps my limited and insignificant consciousness could only perceive it in this fragmented, incomplete way.


    It twinkled like a dying star, winking in and out of existence, its ephemeral nature hinting at its true properties. The longer I looked at it, the more horrifying it seemed. A creeping sensation of madness whispered at the edges of my thoughts, a warning that if I stared too long, I might unravel¡ªnot just my mind, but my very essence, erasing me from existence entirely.


    I forced myself to look away from the flickering pattern, shaken yet unable to escape the pull it had on me.


    My instincts screamed to stop, to abandon whatever I¡¯d just unleashed, but the void demanded action.


    Every second I lingered, my sense of self seemed to unravel further, slipping away into the endless, suffocating dark.


    Following my philosophy of avoiding unnecessary risks in an already dangerous situation, I cautiously extended the tentacles.


    The darkness around me pulsed faintly, as though alive, a sentient ocean of nothingness. The tentacles moved with a deliberate, eerie precision, reacting to my intent without direct command. The sensation was alien yet familiar, like moving my own hands, except now there were countless appendages obeying my intent. Their multiplicity was dizzying, my mind struggling to reconcile the sensation of so many limbs stretching into the void.


    Unlike Jade¡¯s pattern, this pattern pulsed with a volatile energy¡ªvibrating with fear or aggression, or perhaps both. Its chaotic presence felt hostile, and I could feel myself being rapidly erased from the infinity nothigness, my sense of self slipping away. It was as if the void itself sought to consume me.


    Then, something unexpected and terrifying happened. The tentacles¡ªextensions of the me and void¡ªstirred without my will.


    They twisted and coiled, reshaping themselves into a gaping red maw in the darkness. The mouth opened wide, impossibly vast, its edges glistening like raw, bloody wounds. I barely had time to comprehend what was happening before it snapped shut around the flickering pattern, swallowing it whole.


    The pattern disappeared completely, as if it had never existed.


    Reality snapped back into place with a jarring finality, and I staggered, gasping for air. My body felt wrong, as though it had briefly ceased to exist.


    The villain¡¯s hand, which had been phased into my chest, fell away limply.


    For a brief moment, I realized why¡ªit hadn¡¯t withdrawn because he¡¯d chosen to release me. My body had turned intangible, allowing his phased hand to pass through. I clutched at my chest, the sensation of constriction fading as my physical body fully solidified again. The sight of the villain, now nothing more than an empty shell, filled me with an unsettling mix of relief and unease.


    Something far more terrifying than either of us had intervened¡ªand it wasn¡¯t done through my conscious will. I had no idea.


    Beyond the Veil, Fishing for the Dead Stars. So this is what fishing meant? Dangerous wasn¡¯t the word. It was madness.


    As the villain''s body crumpled to the floor, I was suddenly knocked back by a force¡ªJade, throwing herself at me with all the strength her body could muster. Her arms wrapped tightly around me, trembling as she buried her face in my chest, crying louder and harder than I¡¯d ever heard her.


    She was a little pandora box always giving more surprises.


    She clung to me like she was afraid I¡¯d disappear, her sobs wracking her entire body. Tears and snot streaked her face as she finally looked up, cupping my cheeks in her trembling hands. Her silver eyes, now red and swollen, locked onto mine with an intensity that rooted me in place. Her forehead gently pressed against mine, her breath uneven and shaky.


    ¡°You¡¯re so stupid,¡± she whispered, her voice breaking. ¡°So, so stupid. I thought you were going to die and leave me alone here.¡±


    I tried to speak, to say something¡ªanything¡ªbut the words caught in my throat. My heart was pounding too fast, a chaotic mix of exhaustion from the meta nature use and the overwhelming proximity of her. The warmth of her touch, the vulnerability in her gaze¡ªit all felt too much, yet not enough. This wasn¡¯t the calm Jade or crazy Jade fighting a few moments ago; this was unfiltered emotion spilling out like water from a shattered dam. This was just Jade terrified of losing something she held dear.


    And somehow, that thing was me.


    The realization struck me harder than anything else that had happened. My pulse quickened, a warmth spreading through me despite everything. Was this what people meant when they talked about love? The thought lingered, filling me with a confusing mix of emotions that left me feeling dizzy.


    It felt good¡ªalmost intoxicating¡ªto know I meant something to someone.


    "See? I''m fine," I murmured, pulling her into a close embrace.


    My fingers gently wiped away the tears streaking her cheeks. She didn¡¯t let go immediately, her grip tight as if she needed the reassurance of my solid presence. "But we need to leave before the real heroes patrolling the area or City Protector show up. All this commotion will catch their attention. Let¡¯s go."


    She sniffled, nodding reluctantly. Her hand stayed in mine as we slipped away from the destruction. We had been at the scene for less than five minutes, but it was enough to turn the area into a war zone. A blind person could have noticed the half-demolished building and the scattered dead bodies.


    Without another word, we made our exit swiftly, the chaos lingered behind us.


    <hr>


    Later, at Jade''s home, we sat cross-legged on the floor facing each other. The air smelled faintly of antiseptic from the open medical kit lying between my knees. In the warm glow of the table lamp, I leaned closer, carefully examining her nose. Her short hair was a little wild, sticking up in tufts from all the chaos she had caused, and her eyes were puffy from crying.


    Something about her in this moment made her look oddly adorable.


    "Does it hurt?" I asked, keeping my tone as neutral as possible.


    "A little," she replied with a faint nod.


    "It doesn''t look broken," I said, gently releasing her face but still scanning her for any other injuries. I soaked a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol. "Let me clean this up."


    I dabbed at the dried blood on her nose carefully. She flinched but didn''t pull away, her silver eyes staring past me, unfocused. "It should heal fast," she said casually.


    My hands hovered uncertainly for a moment, my eyes catching hers. "Are you hurt anywhere else?"


    She nodded softly, the movement hesitant, and then pointed to her right ankle. "It hurts here," she murmured, her voice tinged with both pain and embarrassment.


    I crouched down, carefully sliding down the knee socks she wore. The fabric peeled away to reveal her ankle, swollen and angry red. "Yeah, that doesn''t look great," I muttered under my breath. For a moment, I couldn''t help but think about the absurdity of it all. "You''d think with all the money we shell out for functional moon boots, they''d at least make them comfortable."


    She let out a small laugh, even as her wince betrayed the pain. "Guess they didn''t have ''soft landing'' in the budget."


    "Let me check the range of motion," I said softly, cradling her heel in my palm. Her skin was warm to the touch, almost feverish.


    She suddenly tensed, trying to pull her foot back slightly. "Wait, maybe we should... I mean, I should wash them first. I''ve been running around and jumping all day in those tight boots," she said, her cheeks flushing pink. "They''re probably not very... pleasant right now."


    I rolled my eyes at her protest, "Tell me if anything feels particularly¡ª"


    She gasped, the sound sharp in the quiet room. Her fingers dug into the carpet beneath her.


    I looked up immediately. "It hurts?"


    "Just a bit," she tried to sound casual, but the tension in her jaw gave her away. A drop of sweat rolled down her temple. "I''ve had worse from training¡ª"


    "You don''t have to pretend with me," I interrupted gently. "Here, let me get the first aid kit properly set up." I reached for the supplies, laying them out methodically. "We should ice it soon, but first I want to clean these abrasions. The boot really did a number on your skin."


    She watched me work with unusual quietness. "You''ve done this before," she observed.


    I nodded. ¡°A few times. You don¡¯t have to be a doctor to know how to handle the basics. When you¡¯re around people, you learn how to take care of them.¡±


    Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she exhaled slowly. "I''m not used to needing care," she admitted softly. "Usually I just... handle things myself."


    "Good," I said, soaking a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol. "Let me clean up these scrapes." I noticed several small abrasions where the boot had rubbed against her skin. "This might sting a bit."


    She hissed as the antiseptic made contact. "A bit? That''s an understatement."


    "..."


    "..."


    She stayed silent, watching as I wrapped her ankle with steady, measured movements. The bandage added stability, and I had already used a meta-type spray from the kit earlier. Her foot should be healed prefect by the tomorrow morning.


    ¡°It¡¯ll feel tight,¡± I said as I secured the end of the bandage. ¡°That¡¯s normal. Just let me know if it gets worse or feels numb.¡±


    She tested the tension, moving her little toes slightly. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± she said softly, her tone even but distant..


    "What happens to those villain bodies?" She suddenly asked.


    Her question caught me off guard. I glanced at her, but her face betrayed nothing. She wasn¡¯t looking at me¡ªher eyes were fixed on the far wall.


    "The City Protectors will handle it," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "They¡¯ll probably write it off as a gang fight. Nothing to worry about."


    But as I said it, I realized I might have misread her concern. She hadn''t shown any reaction after killing those villains, hadn''t expressed any remorse or shock. Even now, her question seemed more practical than emotional. I studied her face carefully as I continued cleaning her injury. Why wasn''t she affected by taking multiple lives? This girl who could cry so hard over almost losing me showed no distress at all about the lives she''d ended.


    The contrast was unsettling: her genuine tears for my safety versus her complete detachment from the deaths she''d caused. What did that say about her?


    I set the kit aside and looked at her again, drawn to her eyes again. They were stunning¡ªsilver pools that seemed to hold infinite depths. She caught me staring and quickly averted her gaze, but after a moment, her shoulders stiffened as if she¡¯d made a decision.


    "You know," I said softly, discarding the bloodied cotton ball and reaching for a clean one, "for someone who can decide outcomes, you took quite a risk running face-first into that pillar."


    A ghost of her usual smile flickered across her face. "Maybe I wanted to see what would happen."


    ( ? _ ? )


    "You wanna know what I see through my eyes when I look at the world?" she asked suddenly, her voice quiet but steady. Her fingers twitched involuntarily, like she was physically restraining herself.


    I blinked, surprised by the question. "Yeah," I said. "I do."


    She sighed, leaning back slightly against the peeling wallpaper, her fingers idly tracing the edge of the carpet''s frayed threads. A police siren wailed in the distance, but she seemed lost in her own world.


    "It''s not what you think," she began, a strand of dark hair falling across her face. "I don''t see the world like you do, not through the eyes of a normal metahuman."


    "It''s not colors or shapes, or even people. It''s... options." Her hand lifted, fingers spreading in the dim light as if trying to catch something invisible. "Everything I see is a set of paths, choices, all branching out and twisting together. When I focus on something, it''s like I can tug at the strings and pull whatever outcome I want into reality. Like a stop-motion film where I can choose any frame I want. Sometimes the scenes glow silver, sometimes they''re dark as pitch¡ªdepending on the types of outcomes, I think. The easier outcomes shine brighter."


    I frowned slightly, trying to wrap my head around her words. "Like¡­ you see possibilities of what could happen instead of the present?"


    She nodded. "Exactly. Every person, every object¡ªthey''re like grains of sand splitting infinitely, pictures dividing continuously. Sometimes the branches are so thick I can barely see through them, especially in crowds. Each person trailing thousands of possible futures behind them like comet tails. It''s all just potential. I don''t see people the way you do. I see... outcomes. What they can be, what they might be."


    "It''s like I''m in control." Her hands clenched and unclenched in her lap


    Her voice softened, and she looked down, shoulders hunching slightly. "That''s why it''s hard to connect with anything when you''re always seeing the world in stop-motion instead of the whole picture. Everything feels... temporary. Changeable. Like nothing is real until I decide it is."


    I stayed quiet, letting her continue, but reached out and placed my hand near hers¡ªnot touching, but close enough to feel the strange static.


    She glanced up at me, her silver eyes meeting mine again. "That''s why I''m not like you. Killing those guys back there? It''s not the same for me. They were just¡­ bad outcomes. Threats to pull out of the equation. It doesn''t feel like ending a life¡ªit feels like cleaning up a mess. Like erasing a wrong answer."


    Her words sent a chill through me. I studied her face, looking for any sign of regret or doubt, but there was none. Yet, as calm as she sounded, there was something else¡ªan undertone of vulnerability, like she was daring me to judge her.


    Then she looked at me, her silver eyes meeting mine, and her voice became almost a whisper. The confidence that usually radiated from her seemed to dim. "But when you''re in those pictures, the sand doesn''t split anymore. The picture doesn''t move." Her voice caught slightly. "You got hurt. I... I don''t want to see you hurt."


    I studied her face, searching for a trace of her usual bravado, but there was none.


    "Is that why you were so scared back there?" I asked softly. "Because I¡¯m not just¡­ an outcome in your motion film you could pull?"


    She froze, her eyes widening slightly. The question seemed to strip away her last defenses. For a moment, I thought she might deny it, retreat behind her usual walls, but then she let out a shaky breath. "You''re not," she admitted, the words seeming to cost her something. "I can''t see your motion the way I see everything else. You''re... different. And it terrifies me."


    "It wasn¡¯t your mistake," I said carefully, my heart beating faster. I wasn¡¯t sure if she was feeling guilt or just uncertainty, but I needed her to hear this. "And maybe it¡¯s not a bad thing, the pictures stopping when it¡¯s me."


    She hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I... I don¡¯t know," she said finally, her voice uncertain.


    I nodded, deciding not to push further. "Okay, then let¡¯s do something else," I offered, trying to lighten the mood.


    There were truths that needed time to surface, like grains of sand settling naturally into patterns. No sense rushing it.


    Jade tilted her head slightly, "I want to eat something sweet," she said suddenly, her tone almost childlike.


    Her abrupt shift made me pause, one eyebrow raising in surprise. Then I smiled. "Already taking advantage, huh?"


    She grinned faintly, the first real smile I¡¯d seen since the fight. "So what? You owe me."


    I shook my head, "Fine. What do you want?"


    She pondered, her head drifting upward in thought. "Chocolate pudding," she said decisively.


    "Chocolate pudding it is," I said, standing up and stretching.


    My muscles ached, but the thought of a few days free of chaos, free of running through the streets playing hero, was enough to make the tension in my body ease. If making pudding kept her happy and distracted, I was more than willing to put in the effort.


    <hr>


    A dim blue light flickered on the ceiling, casting shifting shadows that danced like restless ghosts. Loud music blared from the nearby desk, filling the room with noise that couldn¡¯t quite drown out my thoughts. The bass vibrated in my chest, but it didn¡¯t shake the memory that clung to me like a cold, damp fog.


    I waved my hand slowly through the air, testing it. At first, nothing seemed out of place. But when I reached for the edge of the desk, my fingers slipped through it like smoke dissipating in the wind. I pulled my hand back, staring at it as if it belonged to someone else.


    This wasn¡¯t normal¡ªnot for me.


    The sensation wasn¡¯t entirely unfamiliar, though. It mirrored the villain¡¯s power, the one I¡¯d consumed when the void swallowed him whole. But this wasn¡¯t like his short phase jumping. No, this was something different. Controlled. Precise. It wasn¡¯t just an echo¡ªit was a reminder of what I¡¯d taken when I had swallowed the man''s soul. Or what It¡¯d allowed to take me.


    The thought made my stomach churn.


    Am I on the right path?


    The memory flashed vivid and unwelcome: the eerie mouth forming in the absolute darkness of the void, snapping shut with terrifying finality. The sensation of nearly being erased from existence overwhelmed me again, making my stomach churn. Now, returned in the relative safety of my home, I had to finally confront what had happened.


    I should consider myself lucky.


    Lucky to be alive after encountering something that defied my little comprehension, patterns so alien they threatened my sanity just by existing.


    A grim smile tugged at my lips, bitter and humorless. I¡¯d been playing fisherman in waters far deeper than I¡¯d realized, casting my line into an abyss that had no bottom. What if next time, instead of catching something, I became the catch? What if some vast shark of the void¡ªsomething far worse than what I¡¯d already faced¡ªdecided I was worth swallowing whole?


    The blue light above me flickered again, casting wavering shadows that stretched and twisted along the walls. They reminded me too much of those void-born tentacles, writhing and alive with unnatural purpose. Even now, my own power felt alien, as though something new had taken root in it, reshaping it into something I barely recognized.


    Was it still mine? Or had I let something else inside?


    I clenched my fists, trying to steady my nerves, but the questions wouldn¡¯t stop. How many more times could I fish in those dark waters before something decided to fish for me?


    A risk taken for a reward received.


    But was it worth it?


    I forced myself to breathe deeply, pulling my thoughts back to the present. My memories swirled like a storm as I tried to piece together what I knew, searching for answers in the fragments of my past. Were there others like me? People in past cycles who had wielded the power to take abilities from others? Yes¡ªthere had been a few. Rare individuals whose meta natures allowed them to absorb, mimic, or steal powers entirely.


    Perhaps they had answers. Perhaps they¡¯d felt the same disorientation, the same creeping unease that I did now. But finding them would be the first challenge.


    The problem with remembering past cycles was that time didn¡¯t move the same way.


    Many of the people I needed to find might not even have been born yet in this cycle.


    Others could already be dead, their stories lost to the currents of time.


    Sometimes, time, though limited, felt infinitely stretched.

 Act 2.1 (Chrysalis)

    Despite how much I hated it, I still showed up at the academy every day¡ªusually a little late. Studying wasn¡¯t really my thing, though there were a few subjects I could get lost in if they managed to grab my interest. Even then, I¡¯d often take breaks just to keep myself from zoning out. Honestly, it wasn¡¯t the worst strategy.


    Today, I was sitting with Alex, Lore, Vinico, Gina, and Henry at a caf¨¦ near the academy. We¡¯d skipped one of our lectures under the excuse of grabbing coffee, though really, it was just an opportunity to chill and chat.


    I was quietly sipping my cold coffee when Vinico decided to break the silence with something completely random. ¡°Have you guys seen Mr. Accord¡¯s new merch?¡±


    I blinked, barely resisting the urge to groan. Of course, he¡¯d bring something like that up.


    Henry beat me to it, thankfully. ¡°Who cares about whatever crap some so-called superhero drops? What are you, eight?¡± He clicked his tongue, shaking his head like he couldn¡¯t believe he even had to say it.


    At least I wasn¡¯t the only one who thought Vinico was being childish.


    ¡°What? come on,¡± Vinico shot back, his tone edging into defensive territory, "He''s cool."


    ¡°I think he¡¯s lame,¡± Lore cut in, her voice as sharp as ever. ¡°He can barely be considered on the same level as The Crown.¡±


    I was surprised she even bothered to comment. Lore rarely entertained conversations like this. She was the kind of person who didn¡¯t need to prove she was the smartest in the group¡ªit was just obvious. When she spoke, people listened, even if they didn¡¯t agree.


    ¡°Crown is hot,¡± Gina said with a wistful sigh, dragging the mood into her personal fantasyland. Her tone had that syrupy sweetness that could only come from complete, unapologetic infatuation. She always gave me strange vibes. It wasn¡¯t like the cosmic pull I felt with Jade, whose presence was almost otherworldly. Gina¡¯s energy was more... carefree and casual. But every time her gaze landed on me, it was like I¡¯d stumbled into a predator¡¯s den¡ªme, a clueless gazelle, and her, a lion deciding whether or not to pounce.


    Now she leaned forward, eyes gleaming with mischief or hunger¡ªI couldn¡¯t tell which. ¡°I heard he has a ton of affairs. I wonder what he looks like up close,¡± she murmured, completely lost in some unrequited daydream.


    Everyone was tired of her.


    Out of nowhere, Alex turned to me, cutting through the drifting conversation. ¡°What about you? Who¡¯s your favorite superhero?¡±


    My favorite? Could I say myself? The thought popped into my head uninvited, absurd enough to make my skin prickle. Caught off guard, I scrambled for an answer and blurted the first thing that came to mind.


    ¡°I like Discord,¡± I said, too fast and without thinking it through.


    The reaction was immediate. It was like I¡¯d dropped a bomb in the middle of the table. Conversations screeched to a halt, and everyone turned to stare at me as if I¡¯d just confessed to a crime. Even Alex furrowed his brow, his expression hovering somewhere between confusion and concern.


    ¡°How can you say that?¡± Vinico blurted out, looking genuinely offended. ¡°He¡¯s a supervillain!¡±


    Oh no. I¡¯d stepped in it. Big time.


    Desperate to salvage the situation and my reputation, I tried to backpedal. ¡°What I meant is¡­ his powers are cool,¡± I explained, hoping to smooth things over.


    Even that wasn¡¯t a great defense. Discord had a history¡ªa messy one. Sure, he¡¯d turned over a new leaf in the future and started fighting for the good guys, but his methods? Still as morally gray as a rainy day. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder about what had actually pushed him to switch sides. The rumors were all over the place, ranging from tragic betrayal to sheer boredom with being bad.


    Thankfully, the tension in the group eased slightly.


    Lore tilted her head, her analytical side taking over. ¡°He does have a fascinating meta nature. It¡¯s all tied to fractures. He can break anything¡ªphysical objects, abstract concepts, even systems¡ªand then mirror them. It¡¯s like a reflection that multiplies.¡±


    ¡°People rarely stay sane after he strikes,¡± Alex added, his tone unusually somber. ¡°Just being near him messes with their perception of reality. It¡¯s like their minds can¡¯t handle the way he warps things. his presence.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    As the conversation went on, I felt it¡ªa familiar presence approaching.


    I squinted slightly, scanning the crowd until I caught sight of her. Jade.


    She was distinctly dressed, as always¡ªwearing a pleated denim skirt with frayed edges and colorful bead accents, cozy tan fur-lined boots with extra fur details, and an oversized light blue fuzzy sweater with subtly distressed edges. Her style was bold, unorthodox, yet effortlessly captivating. Despite her somewhat eccentric style, she always managed to look impeccable.


    ¡°Thanks for calling her,¡± Henry said with a sly wink, already pulling out a chair beside him for her.


    Jade shot him a look, somewhere between strange and unimpressed, before taking the seat.


    I couldn¡¯t help but think that if not for her notoriously aggressive nature, Jade would probably be quite popular among our classmates. Naturally, I had invited her to come¡ªit was an attempt to help her make some friends. What I still couldn¡¯t figure out was why she¡¯d been so confrontational at the start, fighting brutally in the defense class, which drove others to isolate her.


    ¡°Hello,¡± Jade greeted as she took the offered seat, flashing a small, polite smile at the group.


    Her presence seemed to shift the energy at the table, the conversation faltering as everyone turned to look at her. A few of them stared a bit longer than they probably realized, the sudden attention stretching into an awkward silence.


    Lore, ever the composed one, stepped in to smooth things over. ¡°Hi,¡± she said, her voice calm and inviting. ¡°You should join us more often when you have the time. After all, we¡¯re all first-years. Might as well get to know each other better.¡± Her tone was warm but measured.


    Jade nodded slightly, her usual intensity dialed back. ¡°I¡¯ll try,¡± she said softly.


    Vinico jumped in, his easy going nature breaking the lingering tension. ¡°And hey, don¡¯t be a stranger. Say hi if you see us in the hallway,¡± he said with a friendly smile.


    The group gradually began to relax, the initial awkwardness dissolving under everyone¡¯s effort. Everyone took turns introducing themselves, keeping things casual. When it came to Jade, she responded politely but didn¡¯t say much more than necessary, as if testing the waters. Though the atmosphere felt more comfortable, it was clear she still held part of herself back, her guard firmly in place.


    Sitting directly across from me, she occasionally glanced my way. I simply responded with a warm smile, hoping it might help her feel a little more at ease.


    ¡°I have to say, I love your style,¡± Gina blurted out, leaning forward slightly. Her enthusiasm felt sincere. ¡°Like, that skirt? And the sweater? The colors. It¡¯s all so cool! You have to tell me where you shop from.¡±


    If there was one thing about Gina, it was that she didn¡¯t seem to see boundaries when it came to admiration, whether it was for men, women, or anything in between.


    Jade¡¯s lips twitched into a faint smile. ¡°Thanks,¡± she said softly.


    ¡°Do you make your own clothes?¡± Gina pressed, clearly intrigued.


    ¡°No,¡± Jade replied, shaking her head. ¡°I just like putting things together differently. Mixing pieces that don¡¯t seem to fit.¡±


    Gina nodded approvingly. ¡°Well, it works. I could never pull that off.¡±


    Before the conversation could drift, Alex leaned forward, his curiosity getting the better of him. ¡°Okay, I have to ask,¡± he said, his voice light but a little cautious. ¡°What¡¯s your meta nature?¡±


    The table quieted instantly. Everyone was clearly curious but hadn¡¯t wanted to be the first to bring it up.


    Jade¡¯s silver eyes flicked to Alex, calm and unreadable. ¡°I can shift probabilities,¡± she said simply, her tone even.


    The table stilled, her words hanging in the air as everyone processed them.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Vinico said, leaning forward, his brow furrowed. ¡°Probabilities? Like¡­ making impossible stuff happen? Or stopping something from happening?¡±


    ¡°Not impossible,¡± Jade corrected, her gaze steady. ¡°Just less likely. I can nudge the odds, increase or decrease them. In this way, I can also affect the fortune and misfortune of something or someone. It¡¯s hard to explain in just a single word or sentence¡ªthere¡¯s a lot of nuance to it, and it works in layers.¡±


    Lore nodded thoughtfully, leaning forward slightly. ¡°So, it¡¯s not just a single action¡ªit¡¯s more like a chain reaction? Adjusting one thing shifts everything connected to it?¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Jade replied, her voice calm but with a hint of relief that someone seemed to understand. ¡°It¡¯s like pushing dominoes. You touch one, and the whole line falls, but you don¡¯t always know what¡¯s at the end.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ kind of terrifying,¡± Alex admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Like, you¡¯re not just making a choice for someone¡ªyou¡¯re changing everything around them.¡±


    ¡°It can be,¡± Jade said simply. ¡°But I can usually stop a domino half way if I don¡¯t want it to fall. Unless the reaction gets too out of control or goes beyond my bounds.¡±


    Lore¡¯s eyebrows lifted slightly, impressed. ¡°So, you¡¯re not just causing changes¡ªyou can control how far they go?¡±


    ¡°To a point,¡± Jade replied.


    Gina tilted her head. "Have you ever... you know, used it on yourself?"


    Jade hesitated for a moment. "Occasionally," she admitted. "But it''s tricky. Influencing my own luck can create loops that are hard to break."


    "Loops?" Henry asked, raising an eyebrow.


    She sighed softly. "Imagine changing something to avoid a problem, but that change leads you back to the same problem in a different way. It''s like running in circles."


    "Sounds exhausting," Alex said sympathetically.


    "It can be," Jade agreed. "But I''ve learned to live with it."


    There was a brief silence as everyone absorbed her words.


    "Well," Lore said finally, offering a small smile, "I think it''s impressive that you''re so mindful about it. A lot of people wouldn''t be so considerate."


    Jade met her gaze and returned the smile, albeit faintly. "Thanks."


    Vinico cleared his throat, trying to lighten the mood. "Okay, serious question: Can you help me pass our next exam?"


    Everyone laughed, the tension easing.


    Jade shook her head, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Sorry, I don''t do requests."


    "Can''t blame me for trying," Vinico said with a grin.


    I watched the conversation unfold, very happy with how things were progressing. Jade wasn¡¯t the easiest person to read, but I could tell she was trying very hard by answering their curiosities. And that was enough for now. I wasn¡¯t one to push people too hard¡ªit never worked. Everyone had their own pace for stepping out of their comfort zones. Sometimes all they needed was a gentle nudge, and I figured bringing Jade here today was mine. The rest would be up to her.


    Henry leaned forward, his usual enthusiasm bubbling over. ¡°So, Jade, we were talking about our favorite superheroes earlier. Who¡¯s your ideal?¡±


    The group turned toward her, their curiosity clearly piqued. Even Lore raised an eyebrow, as if genuinely interested in her response.


    Jade paused, her silver eyes flickering with thought. ¡°No one in particular,¡± she said at first, her tone measured. But then she added, ¡°If I had to choose, it would be Cheat Engine.¡±


    At the revelation, the table erupted in chaos.


    ¡°Come on!¡± Vinico groaned, throwing his hands in the air. His face was a mix of exasperation and disbelief, like Jade had just broken some unspoken rule.


    Henry and Alex weren¡¯t far behind, their expressions reflecting a similar sense of disappointment. ¡°Cheat Engine?¡± Henry repeated, his voice almost pleading. ¡°Seriously?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Alex demanded, leaning forward as if Jade owed them an explanation.


    Jade offered a weary smile, her confusion evident. She glanced at me, silently asking for an explanation. I could only shake my head, equally puzzled. Perhaps there had been some sort of secret bet among them? The possibility seemed plausible, but without context, it was impossible to tell.


    ¡°Good choice!¡± then Gina proclaimed, her grin wide and sincere as she nodded enthusiastically. ¡°We can be best friends!¡±


    The moment passed, and the conversation moved on.


    "Hey, North, we''re going to the SuperNot¨CConvention this weekend. Want to come?" Lore asked as we were packing up our stuff.


    The caf¨¦ was quieting down for the evening, and our cups were mostly empty except for the cold dregs at the bottom.


    I thought about my usual weekend¡ªgaming, procrastinating on homework until Sunday night, and generally avoiding the outside world. Maybe a change of pace wouldn¡¯t be the worst idea. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll come.¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    ¡°Great!¡± Lore¡¯s grin widened, and she turned to Jade, clearly ready to extend the same invitation.


    But before Lore could even finish forming the words, Jade cut in, her voice firm and decisive. ¡°I¡¯ll come.¡±


    The suddenness of her response made Alex and the others pause, exchanging surprised glances. The usually stoic Jade agreeing so readily? It wasn¡¯t what anyone expected.


    Lore just smiled, though, a look of quiet satisfaction crossing her face. ¡°Perfect,¡± she said smoothly, as if Jade¡¯s response had been a foregone conclusion.


    As we split up outside the caf¨¦, Jade fell into step beside me instead of heading home. The evening was cooling down, and the streets were getting that soft, golden look they get just before sunset.


    Jade glanced at me, her silver eyes flickering with curiosity she was trying to mask.


    ¡°Where are you taking me?¡± she asked, her tone casual, though her expression said she already suspected I had a plan.


    ¡°Somewhere special,¡± I whispered, leaning slightly closer, close enough that our shoulders almost brushed.


    Jade¡¯s silver eyes glimmered with curiosity, her expression softening into a half-moon smile. Whispering back, she matched my energy. ¡°Where?¡±


    The train ride took us through the heart of the city to the outskirts of the South District. We watched buildings blur past, neither of us feeling like we had to fill the silence. Thirty minutes later, we stepped out into the older part of town. The atmosphere here was different, quieter, and more intimate. Narrow cobblestone streets wound between old brick buildings, their facades softened by ivy and decades of weather. Streetlamps buzzed softly, casting a golden glow over the uneven pavement.


    Jade slowed her pace slightly, her gaze sweeping across the scene. ¡°I didn¡¯t know this part of the city existed."


    ¡°Most people don¡¯t,¡± I replied, glancing at her. ¡°That¡¯s kind of the point.¡±


    I led us to a convenience store¡ªthe kind you¡¯ve passed a million times without ever really noticing. The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly overhead, and faded posters in the windows curled at the edges, advertising deals that probably hadn¡¯t been updated in years. Jade stopped just short of the door, raising a single eyebrow at me, her expression making it very clear she was questioning my definition of ¡°special.¡±


    ¡°Come on,¡± I urged, holding the door open for her.


    The bell chimed softly as we stepped inside.


    The interior was exactly what you¡¯d expect. Flickering lights cast a harsh, uneven glow over rows of snacks and canned goods that looked like they¡¯d been gathering dust since the store opened. The faint smell of detergent mingled with something vaguely plasticky, and in the corner, two beat-up lottery machines blinked garishly, their flashing lights reminiscent of neglected arcade games.


    ¡°Tada!¡± I announced, spreading my arms toward the machines and trying to channel some overly enthusiastic game show host energy.


    Jade¡¯s response was immediate and brutally deadpan. She raised her other eyebrow, her silver eyes narrowing slightly as her gaze flicked from the machines to me. ¡°You came all this way¡­ just to play the lottery?¡± The judgment in her voice was enough to make a jury shudder.


    What would an arrogant dragon know about money when she sleeps on a hoard of gold? I thought, irritated but refusing to let her attitude kill my mood.


    I can see today¡¯s winning ticket is going to be here,¡± I said casually, leaning back against one of the shelves as if it was the most reasonable statement in the world.


    Jade¡¯s silver eyes flicked toward me, her head tilting slightly. For a moment, I couldn¡¯t tell if she was confused or suspicious¡ªor maybe both. ¡°You can see that?¡± she asked, her tone carefully neutral, but her raised eyebrow betrayed her skepticism.


    ¡°Yep,¡± I replied, popping the ¡®p¡¯ for emphasis. ¡°Clear as day. A winner¡¯s just waiting to be picked.¡±


    Her gaze narrowed slightly, studying me like I was a puzzle she hadn¡¯t decided whether to solve or walk away from.


    ¡°How would you know that?¡± she asked, folding her arms.


    ¡°I have my ways,¡± I said, shrugging as if it was no big deal. ¡°Call it¡­ meta intuition by my meta nature.¡±


    Jade¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line, her expression unreadable. ¡°You¡¯re lying. Because I know those big organizations have very good methods against people using their meta nature to cheat and win.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against the shelf beside me. ¡°Cheating?¡± I repeated, a mock-wounded tone in my voice. ¡°That¡¯s a harsh word. I prefer... leveling the playing field.¡±


    Jade tilted her head. "So what do you want from me?"


    ¡°Is it possible to increase our luck for a few minutes?¡± I asked, keeping my tone casual. Still, there was a hint of urgency in my voice.


    Without her help, my chances weren¡¯t terrible, but they weren¡¯t great either. And a loss? That¡¯d sting more than I cared to admit.


    She hesitated, and for once that ever-present confidence seemed to crack. "Sure," she finally said, "but there''s a rule of equality we have to follow. If we change our luck in our favor, for an equal amount of time afterward, we''ll only experience misfortune. Are you sure you want to do it?"


    I blinked, the weight of her words sinking in. ¡°Wait, what?¡± I said, frowning. ¡°Why haven¡¯t I heard about this before?¡±


    Jade shrugged, her expression unreadable. ¡°It¡¯s not something I advertise,¡± she said flatly. ¡°But it¡¯s always been the way it works. Luck isn¡¯t free¡ªit¡¯s a balance. Push it one way, and it has to push back the other.¡±


    Time was running out. That explained a lot, actually. Come to think of it, I¡¯d never seen Jade have a bad day¡ªnot even a minor inconvenience like spilling her drink or losing her keys. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. Maybe her powers shielded her, kept the backlash from touching her directly. But me? I didn¡¯t have that kind of protection.


    But an opportunity like this... The sound of the store''s bell interrupted my thoughts as another customer walked in, making a beeline for the lottery machines.


    I turned back to Jade, lowering my voice. ¡°So, if I win, we¡¯re cursed for¡ªwhat? A few minutes or hours?¡±


    She raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by my attempt to downplay it. ¡°It¡¯s not that simple. The duration and severity of the misfortune depend on how much luck you¡¯ve shifted. A big win could mean big consequences. Think it through before you decide.¡±


    I hesitated. My brain raced through the possibilities. What could go wrong? A stubbed toe? A flat tire? Or something worse?


    ¡°Fine,¡± I said, the word coming out sharper than I intended. ¡°Let¡¯s do it. Just give me the boost.¡±


    Whatever happened later, I''d handle it. Right now, all I could see was the chance right in front of me. Furthermore, I was already extremely lucky to know the winning ticket timing and location.


    Jade¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but her eyes held a flicker of something¡ªamusement? Or maybe caution. ¡°Alright,¡± she said simply.


    I was prepared to dump the last few thousand I had left into the machine, like some desperate gambler in a bad movie montage.


    The fluorescent lights of the convenience store buzzed overhead, casting a harsh glow on the stream of red tickets emerging from the machine.


    The man beside me clearly had the same idea¡ªour eyes met for a brief, awkward moment before he turned back to his machine with laser focus. It wasn¡¯t hostility, not yet, but it was clear we were both in it to win it.


    As I slid another bill into the slot, something shifted in my vision. The plain red tickets, which had initially seemed indistinguishable, began to shimmer faintly. Their colors and textures subtly changed, the corners of certain tickets glowing with a soft, golden hue.


    The increased fortune was working.


    I grabbed the golden-cornered tickets and handed them to Jade, who was standing beside me with an expression that could only be described as intense curiosity with a dash of skepticism. Her silver eyes gleamed as she took them, holding them like they might bite. The rest of the tickets¡ªthe ¡°no-chancers¡±¡ªwent straight into the bin. Why waste time? I could tell their entire history and future just by glancing at their Likeness.


    Meanwhile, the man beside me was working his machine like a concert pianist on speed. His fingers flew over the buttons, and his posture practically screamed, I will win or die trying.


    Then there was a third guy, who had somehow appeared out of nowhere, arms crossed and tapping his foot like he was in line for the last ticket to the moon. He kept glaring at us. Poor guy. I almost felt bad for him¡ªalmost. He was the original winner, I realized, noting his dry, lackluster aura. His Likeness was as brittle as an old branch, devoid of any shine. It told me he wasn¡¯t a threat.


    But the man beside me? He was different.


    Suspicious.


    His luck manifested differently than others¡ªit flowed around him like a gentle spring wind, carrying ghostly cherry blossoms that gleamed not pink but gold. Above his head, visible only to those who knew what to look for, hung a sun of impossible brightness, radiating power.


    Another person with luck-based powers? The idea made my stomach churn. His presence here couldn¡¯t be a coincidence. My mind raced through the possibilities. Was he an anomaly? A wildcard? A byproduct of my actions¡ªor maybe Jade¡¯s?


    Hopefully, he won¡¯t start fighting with me over the drawn tickets in the store, that would be crazy.


    However, the man''s aura suddenly shifted, cherry blossoms swirling more aggressively around him like a storm building momentum. His Likeness was transforming, becoming something predatory¡ªI''d seen this before in others with luck type meta nature. When greed takes over, luck turns hungry. The golden sun above him pulsed brighter, casting shadows that shouldn''t exist under the store''s fluorescent lights.


    I couldn''t shake the thought: I would have really lost if Jade hadn''t been with me.


    Her presence was the deciding factor, her powers tilting the scales in my favor.


    ¡°Uh, Jade,¡± I muttered, handing her another golden-edged ticket. Her expression lit up as she accepted it, her grin growing wider with each ticket I gave her, ¡°we might have a problem.¡±


    She didn¡¯t even look up from the tickets. ¡°If it¡¯s that guy waiting for the machine, I don¡¯t care. He can wait.¡±


    ¡°No, not him,¡± I said, nodding toward the overly lucky guy next to me. ¡°That guy. Tell me you see it too.¡±


    Jade glanced over, her silver eyes narrowing as she sized him up. ¡°Huh. That¡¯s¡­ he has a lot of chances in his favor,¡± she said, her voice casual, but I could tell she was intrigued. ¡°You think he¡¯s cheating?¡±


    I laughed, low and nervous. ¡°I think I¡¯m the one cheating, and I don¡¯t look half that suspicious. What¡¯s his deal? Secret billionaire? Luck wizard? Or¡ª¡± I dropped my voice conspiratorially, ¡°¡ªtime traveler?¡±


    Jade raised an eyebrow, finally looking at me like I¡¯d lost my mind. ¡°Or maybe he¡¯s just good at picking tickets,¡± she said dryly.


    ¡°Sure, sure,¡± I said, nodding dramatically. ¡°And I¡¯m here for the snacks.¡±


    But then, as if on cue...


    ¡°Hey, why don¡¯t you stop? You¡¯ve been withdrawing tickets for the last five minutes,¡± the man beside me snapped, his glare sharp enough to cut glass.


    I turned to him slowly, arching an eyebrow. Oh, the irony. Look who¡¯s talking¡ªthe pot calling the kettle black. The guy had been feeding his machine non-stop like it owed him rent. Was he seriously looking for a fight?


    Before I could respond, something incredible happened. His expression shifted dramatically as the ticket machine in front of him gave a sudden, violent pop! A thin plume of smoke rose from the slot, followed by a flicker of sparks. And then, in a moment that could only be described as pure poetic justice, the entire machine burst into flames.


    I glanced sideways at Jade, who stood beside me, her arms crossed and her silver eyes narrowed with an icy precision that made even me shiver. The intensity in her gaze could have frozen lava, and it was clear who¡¯d just delivered the karmic smackdown.


    Yes, you tell him, girl. I bit back a laugh, though the glee bubbling inside me was hard to contain. These rude people didn¡¯t know how to behave.


    The man stumbled backward, his face a perfect picture of terror. His jaw dropped so far I briefly wondered if it might actually hit the floor. Just as he was about to bolt, the machine¡ªmiraculously¡ªspat out a single ticket.


    But it wasn¡¯t just any ticket.


    It was a gleaming golden ticket.


    I wasn¡¯t sure if it was golden only in my perception or if his own perception also showed him something similar to my Likeness. Either way, there was no way I was letting him keep it.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I said smoothly, plucking the ticket from the machine before he could react. I turned and handed it to Jade, who accepted it without hesitation


    The man¡¯s face twisted into a mask of pure outrage, his frustration practically radiating off him. For a moment, I thought he might lunge at me, but his gaze darted back to Jade. She wasn¡¯t even looking at him anymore


    He hesitated, his lips working soundlessly like he was trying to decide if a clever retort was worth his life. Then, suddenly, he turned on his heel and bolted, his voice cracking as he shouted over his shoulder, ¡°You just wait!¡±


    Jade and I watched as he disappeared through the door, nearly tripping over a display of potato chips on his way out.


    The silence that followed was broken only by the cashier stumbling to open the fire extinguisher to stop the flames from the ticket machine spreading eveeywhere.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to admit,¡± I said, turning to Jade with a grin, ¡°that was extremely satisfying.¡±


    She shrugged, her expression calm, though the faintest smirk tugged at her lips. ¡°I didn¡¯t do much,¡± she said, feigning innocence.


    I gestured to the still-smoking machine. ¡°You mean to tell me that wasn¡¯t you?¡±


    Jade looked at the machine, then back at me, her smirk growing slightly. ¡°Maybe it was the universe balancing itself.¡±


    ¡°Sure, let¡¯s go with that,¡± I said, chuckling as I pocketed another golden-cornered ticket. ¡°Remind me never to get on your bad side.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been warned,¡± She chuckled cutely.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to leave,¡± I said, Jade nodded in agreement. We¡¯d drawn enough attention for one day, and it wasn¡¯t worth lingering.


    Before we left, I stopped by the counter and handed the shopkeeper a couple of tickets as a peace offering for the smoldering remains of one of his lottery machines. ¡°For the damages,¡± I said, flashing an apologetic smile. The shopkeeper looked from the tickets to the wreckage, then back to me, his expression a mix of confusion and resignation.


    There was no need to check the tickets in person anyway¡ªwe could verify everything online, and the winnings would be transferred directly to our accounts. No need to leave a trail or risk being identified.


    As we stepped out of the store, the cool evening air hit me, and a wave of satisfaction and relief washed over me. This gamble had paid off, and with Jade by my side, I couldn¡¯t help but feel an odd confidence that we¡¯d made the right call¡ªmisfortune or not.


    I smiled to myself, content with the day¡¯s work, already imagining the payout and the freedom it would bring.


    Beside me, Jade was quiet, but I could feel her energy. I glanced at her and caught her stealing glances at me, those silver eyes practically glowing with barely contained excitement. It was like watching a kid who¡¯d just gotten away with raiding the cookie jar without getting caught.


    Her expression shifted, and before she could stop herself, the question burst out of her. ¡°How much do I get?¡±


    I laughed, the sound echoing down the empty street. ¡°You don¡¯t waste time, do you?¡±


    A saying crossed my mind: People will betray their closest friends and family for money, and bullets never differentiate between friend and enemy. Chuckling inwardly, I decided to play a little.


    ¡°It¡¯s all yours,¡± I said lightly, playing the magnanimous card, expecting some gleeful acceptance.


    But Jade¡¯s reaction caught me completely off guard.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that,¡± she snapped, her voice tinged with genuine frustration.


    ¡°It¡¯s all your hard work,¡± she muttered, her gaze darting to the sidewalk as though it was suddenly the most fascinating thing in the world. Her usual composure cracked, and for the first time, I saw her flustered. But then, in true Jade fashion, she followed up slyly, ¡°I¡¯ll just take the rest of the tickets, okay?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help it¡ªI laughed softly, shaking my head. She never fails to surprise me.


    Her lips quirked into a smirk, the earlier tension melting away.


    ¡°Deal,¡± I said, handing over the remaining tickets like I was passing her some rare treasure. Her eyes sparkled as she accepted them, and I couldn¡¯t help but think she looked way too pleased with herself.


    The moment was almost endearing. Almost.


    I stepped off the curb, ready to cross the street, when¡ªwham!


    A bicycle shot past me, the wheel rolling right over my foot. A sharp pain exploded through my toes, and I yelped, hopping on one foot like a monkey.


    The man on cycle stopped and looked back, ¡°Watch where you¡¯re going, you idiot!¡± he yelled, his voice echoing across the quiet street.


    My jaw dropped. Excuse me?! HE had run over ME, and yet here he was, screaming curses like I¡¯d just sabotaged his dreams.


    I was about to unleash some choice words of my own when a cold realization hit me.


    The balance.


    Jade had warned me, hadn¡¯t she? If we used her powers to tip the scales of fortune in our favor, the universe would swing back just as hard. And here it was¡ªmisfortune, in all its irritating glory.


    I glanced at Jade, still clutching the tickets, her silver eyes widening slightly as she took in the scene.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me,¡± she said, holding up her hands innocently. ¡°This is all you.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± I hissed, still wincing as I gingerly tested my weight on the injured foot. ¡°You¡¯re not even going to help?¡±


    Jade shrugged, her lips twitching as if she was trying not to laugh. ¡°You wanted the luck. This is just the price you pay.¡±


    The cyclist huffed dramatically and sped off, leaving me standing in the middle of the street, one foot throbbing and my dignity in tatters.


    I turned back to Jade, who was now openly grinning.


    ¡°Oh, you think this is funny?¡± I asked, gesturing wildly toward my foot.


    ¡°A little,¡± she admitted, her smirk widening.


    I groaned, limping back to the sidewalk as she watched me, clearly enjoying herself far too much.


    And, I suddenly couldn¡¯t imagine what else I would have to endure before finally reaching the safety of my home

 Act 2.2 (Chrysalis)

    The misfortune Jade had warned me about¡ªit was already snowballing, and fast.


    I glanced at Jade, her silver eyes betraying a glimmer of something between amusement and, annoyingly, I told you so.


    "Hey you, stop right there!"


    Suddenly shouts erupted from across the road. I glanced and saw the lottery guy had brought backup - two goons who looked like they bench-pressed cars for fun. One was wearing a leather jacket despite the humid evening, and the other had tattoos crawling up his neck like angry vines.


    Ugh! Not right now, I groaned inwardly. Being unarmed wasn''t the real problem; we just needed to escape.


    Fortunately, a bus screeched to a stop at the nearby terminal just as the traffic light flashed red. I grabbed Jade''s hand and dashed forward like we were trying to beat a pizza delivery guarantee, our feet pounding against the pavement in synchronized desperation.


    We barely made it onto the bus before I slammed face-first into what felt like a brick wall. No, not a wall¡ªa person. A massive person who grunted in annoyance. I looked up - and up - into the face of a man whose forearms were bigger and thicker than my entire future. A faded military tattoo peeked out from under his rolled-up sleeve. I winced, glancing out the window. The goons were still shouting and swearing on the curb, unable to reach us in time.


    "I really like your power, don''t make me fish you out of your delusions," I muttered under my breath, tasting copper.


    Good, I thought, but before I could catch my breath, a massive hand grabbed my head, fingers tangling painfully in my hair, yanking it up. I found myself staring into coal-black eyes that promised violence. Behind me, someone''s coffee spilled, the liquid seeping into my shoes. A baby started crying somewhere in the back. However, my gaze was fixated on the man who had just grabbed my head with his thick hands. The man was built like an industrial furnace, and to my amazement, his skin began to radiate heat. White vapor wisped from his pores, turning the air around him into a miniature sauna. The acrid smell of his sweat filled the cramped bus space, making nearby passengers gag and cover their noses.


    "Watch where you''re going," he growled, his voice sounded like rocks in a garbage disposal. His breath smelled like cigarettes and something worse.


    I tried to reply, but the words got stuck somewhere in the noise and smell.


    What a freak of man, I thought in astonishment. The scientist in me wanted to ask him questions about his metabolism rate, but my curiosity was cut short as the bus lurched forward around a corner. I lost my balance, stumbling toward the back.


    The steam engine of a man charged after me, moving with surprising agility for someone his size. Passengers scrambled to get out of his way, pressing themselves against windows and diving into seats. A woman clutched her handbag to her chest, eyes wide with fear. Someone''s takeout container hit the floor, noodles spilling everywhere. My back slammed against a metal pole, sending shockwaves of pain through my right arm. The pole felt ice-cold against my skin, a stark contrast to the waves of heat rolling off my attacker. I struggled to steady myself, my sweaty hands slipping on the seats.


    ¡°Hey, big guy,¡± I said, raising my hands in what I hoped was a calming gesture. ¡°We don¡¯t need to fight so hard. Let¡¯s just¡ª¡±


    Before I could finish, he swung a fist the size of a cinderblock at me. I ducked, the force of the blow rattling the pole I¡¯d been holding onto.


    ¡°Or not,¡± I muttered, scrambling toward the back of the bus.


    I barely managed to crack open an eye when his fist connected with my jaw. The impact hit like a freight train, sending stars dancing across my vision as blood sprayed from my nose and mouth. My head snapped to the side, and for a moment, the world was a blur of pain and ringing ears.


    Through the haze, I caught a flicker of movement¡ªJade. She was lowering into a stance, her body tensed and ready to spring into action. Her silver eyes burned with intent, and for a moment, I almost felt sorry for the guy.


    Almost.


    I managed to lift a trembling hand, signaling her to stay back. This wasn¡¯t her fight.


    ¡°Fuck you!¡± I roared, the words tearing from my throat as I staggered to my feet.


    Adrenaline surged through me, flooding my system like a broken dam. My vision sharpened, colors becoming vivid, and time seemed to slow. With everything I had, I swung my fist into the back of the steam man¡¯s head. It connected with a solid thud, but the effect was¡­ less than impressive. It felt like punching a car engine at full speed.


    Big mistake.


    Pain shot through my hand like an electric shock, the bones in my fingers screaming in protest. I clutched my throbbing hand, biting back a curse as I realized my punch had done more damage to me than to him.


    The giant slowly turned, his expression twisting into one of pure rage. His body hissed and steamed like a kettle at full boil, angry jets of vapor shooting out of his pores and fogging up the bus windows. His eyes locked onto me, and I knew I¡¯d just painted a massive target on my back. With a roar that shook the bus, he charged like an enraged bull, his sheer bulk making the floor tremble beneath him. The terrified passengers scattered, diving into seats and pressing themselves against windows. Some screamed; others looked like they were praying for a miracle.


    Could I beat him? Not a chance. Not even in the wildest fever dream my imagination could conjure. This wasn¡¯t a fight I could win with brute strength. I needed to think fast.


    The bus was cramped, the aisles narrow and littered with obstacles¡ªpoles, seats, and panicked passengers. His tank-like build was both his strength and his weakness. He had raw power, sure, but that massive frame couldn¡¯t move with precision in this confined space.


    The gears in my head started turning. He couldn¡¯t swing at full force without hitting something¡ªor someone¡ªbesides me. And if he seriously injured a passenger, he¡¯d have a bigger mess on his hands than just our fight. Not that he seemed to care. Judging by the murderous gleam in his eyes and the literal steam rolling off his shoulders, consequences weren¡¯t exactly at the top of his priority list.


    ¡°Alright, big guy,¡± I muttered, backing further down the aisle. ¡°Let¡¯s dance.¡±


    I just needed to survive until the next stop. Three minutes. Maybe four. Not long at all, I told myself, though the heat in the bus and the ache in my chest made those minutes feel like an eternity. I shifted my weight, cradling my damaged hand close to my chest, and prepared to outmaneuver the human steam engine barreling toward me. The cramped confines of the bus worked to my advantage. With no room for his full brute force, I used my thin frame and speed to keep him chasing shadows. I vaulted over seats, sliding beneath his massive arms when he lunged at me. His frustration grew with every miss, his growls turning into guttural roars that echoed off the walls.


    Desperation fueling me, I saw an opening and spun behind him. Without thinking, I delivered a sharp kick aimed squarely at his nuts¡ªa move that had ended more fights than I cared to count.


    It was like kicking a steel beam.


    He didn¡¯t even flinch.


    Before I could process the failure or curse the laws of physics, his massive fist swung like a wrecking ball, slamming into my chest. The impact sent me hurtling down the aisle toward the front door. My body hit the floor with a bone-rattling thud, and the breath left my lungs in a desperate gasp.


    The pain was blinding, but the sound of heavy footsteps approaching forced me to snap back to reality. The steam man stood at the ready, his muscles bulging and flexing, thick white vapor spiraling around him like an industrial pressure cooker about to explode. The air in the bus was suffocatingly hot, the windows fogging as if the bus had been dropped into the heart of a volcano.


    Just a few more minutes¡­ Just a few more minutes! I screamed inwardly, barely clinging to consciousness as I staggered to my feet.


    ¡°Driver, stop the fucking bus!¡± I yelled hoarsely, though my voice was almost lost in the cacophony of screams and the roar of the steam man¡¯s fury.


    I wasn¡¯t sure if the driver could even hear me¡ªor if he had decided this was well above his pay grade. Gritting my teeth against the pain, I lunged forward again. If I stayed down, I was dead. I had to keep moving. Summoning every ounce of strength I had left, I launched myself at the steam man¡¯s face, my fists becoming a desperate blur. I aimed for whatever I could reach¡ªhis nose, his eyes, his temples¡ªanything that might slow him down.


    To my surprise, the savage barrage seemed to catch him off guard. His massive frame wavered, his balance tipping precariously.


    ¡°Down you go!¡± I shouted, putting my whole weight behind a final punch to his temple.


    With a deafening crash, he stumbled backward, his body slamming into the floor. The entire bus shook from the impact.


    His screams of rage echoed through the bus cabin, raw and unrestrained, but I saw him for what he really was¡ªa pitiful man consumed by power he couldn¡¯t control. His meta abilities had amplified his anger, transforming it into something monstrous and chaotic. But beneath all that steam and fury, he was still just a man.


    I straddled his chest, trading blows with him¡ªhis meaty fists swung wildly, while my strikes aimed for precision, targeting the vulnerable points he couldn¡¯t shield with brute force. My knuckles screamed in protest with every punch, but I didn¡¯t stop.


    I could have ended it right then, without him even having the chance to touch me.


    All it would¡¯ve taken was one use of my intangibility. A single, calculated move¡ªphasing my hand through his chest and stopping his heart. It would¡¯ve been so easy.


    But I wasn¡¯t a killer.


    No matter how much again he¡¯d toward me, no matter how deep the bruises or how much my ribs ached, I wasn¡¯t bloodthirsty. And truthfully, I didn¡¯t feel truly threatened. Not enough to justify taking his life.


    The bus jerked to a sudden stop, the inertia throwing us both slightly off balance. I didn¡¯t hesitate. This was my chance.


    I scrambled to my feet, adrenaline pumping through my veins as I grabbed Jade¡¯s hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    Together, we bolted out the door, leaving the steaming man sprawled on the floor, angrier than ever.


    As we sprinted down the street, I glanced back briefly. The bus remained at the stop, unmoving, the driver likely too stunned¡ªor too terrified¡ªto keep going. I could only hope he was on the phone with the police.


    But then my worst fear materialized.


    The bus doors hissed open with a loud, taunting sound, and the steaming man leapt out, his rage hotter and more volatile than ever. Steam poured off his body in angry waves, distorting the air around him as he fixed his burning gaze on us.


    ¡°Run!¡± I shook my head and shouted, tightening my grip on Jade¡¯s hand as we took off again, weaving through the crowded streets with everything we had.


    The city became a blur¡ªa dizzying labyrinth of alleys, storefronts, and endless corners. Jade matched my pace effortlessly, darting through the narrow spaces with practiced ease.


    The steaming man roared behind us, his massive frame crashing through whatever obstacles stood in his way. Trash cans clattered to the ground, bystanders shouted in confusion, and I even heard the unmistakable crunch of metal as he clipped a parked car. But his size worked against him. For all his raw power, he wasn¡¯t built for speed.


    We turned another corner, slipping into a crowded marketplace. The stalls and bustling crowd provided just enough cover to throw him off. I glanced back again, my heart pounding as I scanned the street. He was gone.


    I exhaled sharply, the adrenaline that had kept me upright now draining from my system. My legs wobbled, every step sending fresh waves of pain through my battered body.Stolen novel; please report.


    Jade¡¯s brow furrowed, her expression tense. There was something in her silver eyes that wasn¡¯t there before: belief. She seemed to believe in me, even in this beaten state. And that thought brought a strange, unexpected comfort. Seeing her worry was oddly satisfying in a way I didn¡¯t fully understand.


    ¡°You¡¯re a mess,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°You think?¡± I rasped, wincing as another sharp pain radiated from my ribs.


    ¡°Try not to die before we get somewhere safe,¡± she added, her voice tinged with dry humor.


    I managed a weak laugh, though it hurt. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡±


    We ducked into an alley, finding a quiet spot away from the chaos. I slumped against the cool brick wall, sucking in shallow breaths as I tried to process what had just happened.


    Jade crouched beside me, her silver eyes scanning the street. ¡°I think we lost him,¡± she said, her voice calm but cautious.


    ¡°For now,¡± I muttered, wiping the blood from my mouth with the back of my hand.


    She glanced at me, her gaze softening ever so slightly. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have fought him alone.¡±


    (? ?>? ¨Œ ?<? ?)


    As we walked, I instinctively glanced upward. Above me, a towering tree loomed, its green leaves drifting in a pink gust of wind. A small owl perched silently on one of its branches, watching. On the ground below, a snake slithered slowly across the path. It was my Likeness.


    ¡°How much longer will this misfortune last?¡± I asked, my voice hoarse.


    Jade''s silver eyes caught what little light remained, turning them to liquid mercury. "A couple of minutes to a few hours."


    I groaned inwardly but nodded. It was the answer I expected, though not the one I wanted.


    Looking ahead, the darkness seemed to stretch endlessly. If we hadn¡¯t started running the moment we got off the bus, the goons would have caught us for sure. Jade¡¯s interference had helped; any pictures or videos, be in the convenience store or the bus''s cameras, might have taken were likely scrambled beyond recognition. But there were countless other ways to track someone down, and I knew this wasn¡¯t over.


    Those were problems for later, though. Right now, all I wanted was to collapse onto my bed and let the ache in my body fade. Whatever came next could wait until morning.


    ¡°Should I call an ambulance?¡± Jade asked suddenly, her voice tinged with worry.


    ¡°No need,¡± I replied quickly, shaking my head. The thought of explaining all this to paramedics¡ªor worse, the authorities¡ªwas more than I could handle right now. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. Just¡­ need to rest.¡±


    She didn¡¯t look convinced, but she didn¡¯t press the issue, either.


    However, our path to safety proved to be anything but straight. A construction site''s fence suddenly collapsed as we passed, forcing us to sprint despite my injuries. We ducked into an alley, only to disturb a nest of rats that scattered in all directions, causing Jade to stumble. My broken hand slammed against a wall, sending fresh waves of agony through my arm.


    At one point, a pack of wild dogs appeared out of nowhere, barking and snarling as they charged toward us. My first instinct was to protect Jade, but she handled the situation with a calm efficiency that put me to shame. With a wave of her hand and a sharp glare, the dogs skidded to a stop, their aggression evaporating into confused whines before they slunk away into the shadows.


    Even so, I felt a pang of guilt. My choices had dragged her into this chaos, forcing her to deal with the fallout of my misfortune.


    As we climbed the steps to the station platform, I finally broke the silence. ¡°Sorry,¡± I said quietly, not looking at her.


    ¡°For what?¡± she asked, her tone light but curious.


    ¡°For¡­ all of this,¡± I admitted, gesturing vaguely to my bruised and battered state, the looming misfortune, and the general mess we were in. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have to deal with my crap.¡±


    Jade stopped walking, her hand tightening slightly on my arm to steady me as I swayed. ¡°I chose to be here,¡± she said simply, her silver eyes locking onto mine. ¡°You didn¡¯t force me into anything.¡±


    Then and there as if universe sensed my happiness, a delivery bike swerved onto the sidewalk, nearly clipping me. The sprinklers of a nearby building suddenly activated, drenching us yet again. Even the streetlights above us flickered and died as we passed beneath them, as if my misfortune was consuming electricity itself.


    By the time we reached Jade¡¯s house, I was practically dragging myself through the door. The moment my eyes landed on her sofa, I gave up on maintaining any semblance of dignity and collapsed onto it. The soft mattress cradled my aching muscles like a long-lost lover, and I groaned in relief.


    Jade returned moments later, holding a small vial of serum in her hand. She held it out to me, her expression calm but her silver eyes serious.


    I sat up slowly, eyeing the vial with hesitation. I knew exactly what it was.


    ¡°You should take it,¡± she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.


    ¡°I know,¡± I muttered.


    I hesitated, staring at the vial in my hand. The serum would heal my wounds, but at a cost¡ªa steep one. My body would operate at full strength for approximately thirty minutes, and then it would shut down completely, leaving me immobile for anywhere between eight to twenty-four hours. It wasn¡¯t the kind of side effect you ignored.


    Still, I uncorked it and drank. The serum burned on the way down, its molten heat spreading through my veins like wildfire. I clenched my fists as the sensation surged through me, suppressing the pain, restoring my strength. It was overwhelming but effective. Within moments, the aches and bruises that had plagued me were gone, replaced by a feeling of invincibility.


    For the first time in hours, I felt whole again. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood, testing my strength.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I muttered, more to myself than anyone else.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move.¡± Jade¡¯s voice stopped me in my tracks. And before I could protest, she stepped forward and pushed me back onto the sofa with surprising strength.


    ¡°You need to rest,¡± she said, her tone brooking no argument.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± I insisted weakly, though my body was too tired to back up the claim. ¡°I can leave now.¡±


    She raised an eyebrow, ¡°It¡¯s not like you¡¯ve never stayed here before,¡± she countered. Her voice was calm, measured, but there was a quiet authority behind it that made it impossible to argue. ¡°You can leave tomorrow.¡±


    The way she said it¡ª her voice commanding authority, part caring ¨C it kinda felt good. How strange?


    I sighed, giving in. Jade was right, as usual. There was no point pushing myself further.


    Besides, the bed in her guest room was far too comfortable, and my body was too tired to argue. I sighed, knowing soon I wouldn¡¯t be able to move at all.


    ¡°Let me clean myself,¡± I said, and only then did Jade allow me to get up.


    The serum¡¯s side effects kicked in soon after, a familiar heaviness spreading through my limbs. My body grew heavier by the second until I could barely twitch a finger. Within moments, I was paralyzed, able to move only my eyes and manage the faintest twitch of my mouth. It was always unnerving, this forced stillness, but at least I was prepared for it. Or so I thought.


    Five minutes later, the mattress dipped beside me.


    I blinked, my eyes darting toward Jade as she climbed onto the bed.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I asked, my voice faint but tinged with curiosity. She settled herself on the other side with all the casual grace in the world, holding a bowl of salad in one hand.


    ¡°Eating,¡± she said simply.


    Her hair was freshly washed, wrapped in a towel, and she wore a long white t-shirt that slouched off one shoulder, paired with her fluffy pajamas. She looked completely at ease, cross-legged on the bed, and entirely unconcerned about the fact that I was lying there, immobile and at her mercy.


    I tried not to stare, but she was directly within my line of sight. Whether intentional or not, every movement¡ªevery slight shift of her shoulder blades, the way the loose fabric of her shirt dipped¡ªcaught my attention. My mind betrayed me with a single thought: Pretty.


    ¡°Do you want some?¡± she asked, tilting her head as she looked directly at me. A small piece of lettuce balanced delicately on her fork.


    I blinked slowly. Do I look like I can eat right now? I thought dryly, though my voice wouldn¡¯t cooperate enough to respond.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t think so,¡± she said with a small shrug, popping the lettuce into her mouth.


    After finishing her food, she climbed off the bed, carrying her empty bowl out of the room. I sighed in relief, thinking I¡¯d finally get some peace, the tension that had built up in my chest beginning to ease.


    But of course, Jade wasn¡¯t done with me yet.


    Not long after, the mattress dipped again as she climbed back into bed, settling herself beside me with a kind of casual grace that made my pulse quicken despite my inability to move.


    This time, she was closer. Much closer.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I asked again, my voice trembling slightly¡ªnot from fear, but from something else entirely. Uncertainty. Anticipation. I couldn¡¯t quite name it. The paralysis left me vulnerable in a way I¡¯d never been around her before, and the proximity wasn¡¯t helping.


    Jade tilted her head, her eyes glinting in the dim light as she regarded me with a small, unreadable smile.


    ¡°It¡¯s my house,¡± she said nonchalantly, as if that explained everything. ¡°I can sleep wherever I want.¡±


    Then she tilted her head, a smile playing across her lips that was far too innocent to be trusted. "Today, I want to sleep here."


    So shameless. My eyes widened, my mouth going slack with disbelief. I felt like a lamb being sized up by a wolf¡ªalbeit a very beautiful, silver-eyed wolf draped in loose pajamas. My heart pounded as I tried, and failed, to process what was happening. Before I could even muster a coherent thought, she pulled the blanket over both of us. The soft fabric settled around us like a cocoon, sealing me into a moment that felt both impossibly surreal and inescapably real. I shivered¡ªnot from the cold, but from the electric charge of her proximity.


    Her intentions seemed far from innocent, and I was quite literally powerless to do anything about it.


    Lord, forgive her for the sins she¡¯s about to commit... I squeezed my eyes shut, sending up a silent prayer, hoping that whatever was about to happen, I¡¯d at least survive with a shred of dignity.


    And then it happened¡ªa cold, sudden touch against my cheek. My eyes flew open, startled, to find her finger resting gently against my skin.


    She studied my face with an intensity that sent another shiver through me, her head tilted slightly like a scientist examining a particularly fascinating specimen. Her, now dry, hair framed her face beautifully.


    ¡°What?¡± I managed to croak, my voice barely above a whisper.


    ¡°It¡¯s softer than I thought,¡± she said matter-of-factly, her tone calm, as if she were testing a hypothesis.


    I blinked, utterly speechless. Her thoughts were as unpredictable as her actions, and I wasn¡¯t sure whether to feel flattered, confused, or terrified.


    She didn¡¯t seem to notice¡ªor care¡ªabout my inner turmoil. Instead, she propped herself up on one elbow, her silver eyes studying me with an unreadable expression.


    ¡°You know,¡± she said thoughtfully, her voice soft and almost contemplative, ¡°I like your smile.¡±


    A small smile curved at the corners of her mouth, and for a moment, the world seemed to tilt. No one had ever told me that before. The feeling was magical, almost disorienting. I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d ever glance at another woman again. How could I, when this moment eclipsed everything else? Her words caused the paralysis to spread to my throat, leaving me with just enough movement to breathe.


    Then she added, "You¡¯re fun to mess with,¡± breaking the tension with a playful tone that felt like a lifeline.


    The spell shattered, and I exhaled a breath I hadn¡¯t realized I was holding. ¡°Glad I could entertain you,¡± I muttered, rolling my eyes inwardly.


    "Does it hurt?" she asked, her voice soft but steady, laced with genuine concern.


    I was about to shake my head, but the touch of her hand stopped me. Somehow, it had slipped under my sweatshirt, her cool fingers resting just above my chest, exactly where the steam man¡¯s punch had landed earlier.


    My breath caught. It wasn¡¯t just the unexpected contact¡ªit was the tenderness of it, the way her touch seemed to radiate warmth despite her fingers being cold.


    I managed the slightest shake of my head, though the motion made my ribs protest faintly. ¡°Not anymore,¡± I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.


    "Good," she whispered, settling back down beside me.


    Close enough that I could feel her breath on my neck, each exhale sending tiny shivers across my skin that my paralyzed body couldn''t express. The mattress dipped slightly under her weight, tilting me infinitesimally toward her.


    The silence stretched between us, filled only by the soft whisper of our breathing.


    Then, with a gentleness that took me entirely off guard, Jade shifted closer. Her body moved deliberately, her head nestling into the space between my shoulder and neck as though it had been carved there just for her.


    ¡°Is this okay?¡± she whispered, her breath tickling my skin.


    Even if I¡¯d wanted to object, the paralysis left me with no real choice in the matter. But strangely, I didn¡¯t mind.


    Her arm draped tentatively across my chest, so light at first I barely felt it. When I didn¡¯t¡ªcouldn¡¯t¡ªprotest, she let it settle with more confidence. The weight of it, soft and reassuring, grounded me in a way I hadn¡¯t known I needed. Her hair spread across my shoulder like spilled ink.


    ¡°Your heart¡¯s racing,¡± she observed, her palm flattening against my chest.


    Of course it is.


    I might have been paralyzed, but my heart hadn¡¯t gotten the memo. It pounded against my ribs, betraying every thought I couldn¡¯t voice, every feeling I didn¡¯t quite understand.


    She shifted, slowly her legs intertwining with mine under the blanket. The casual intimacy of it stole what little breath I had left. Her toes brushed against my ankle occasionally. Here I was, completely at her mercy, and she chose to simply¡­ cuddle.


    ¡°You¡¯re warm,¡± she murmured, her voice growing heavier with sleep. Her fingers curled lightly into the fabric of the borrowed shirt I was wearing¡ªher shirt, technically. ¡°Usually you¡¯re like ice.¡±


    I wanted to tell her it was her doing, that she was the one making my temperature rise, but my voice seemed to have abandoned me entirely. Instead, I lay there, drinking in every detail of this moment: the way her breathing gradually slowed, how her body fit against mine like a missing puzzle piece, the occasional subtle movement as she made herself more comfortable.


    Was it wrong to want to hug her back?


    The thought lingered, bittersweet and unanswered.


    As sleep began to tug at the edges of my consciousness, I felt it¡ªsoft and fleeting, like a brush of butterfly wings. Her lips touched my neck. If I could have moved, I would have shivered. Her mumbled words were too soft to catch, lost in the quiet darkness of the room. Her breathing slowed, soft and steady against my skin, and I felt myself relax despite everything. Her hand rested possessively over my heart, the pressure light but steady, as though she were anchoring me in place. Every so often, her fingers would twitch, little unconscious movements that somehow felt deliberate. She nuzzled closer, her body molding against mine like it had always belonged there. More mumbled words followed, secrets shared with my skin that I couldn¡¯t quite catch. The innocence of it all¡ªthe way she moved, the softness of her breath against my neck¡ªmade the moment feel more intimate than any kiss I¡¯d ever known.


    Maybe it was her calm that was rubbing off on me, or maybe it was just sheer exhaustion catching up.


    Whatever it was, I didn¡¯t fight it. I just lay there, letting the moment settle around us like a blanket. For the first time all day, the chaos and pain felt far away, and all that remained was her.


    And, somehow, that was enough.


    "Stay..." she whispered again, so softly I almost thought I''d imagined it.


    Was she dreaming? Or was some part of her still awake enough to voice what she wanted?


    As sleep finally began to claim me, one last coherent thought drifted through my mind: of all the ways this chaotic day could have ended, becoming Jade''s personal teddy bear hadn''t even made the list. From running out of luck to fighting a human furnace on a bus, to ending up paralyzed in her bed¡ªlife had a strange way of working out.


    Perhaps being paralyzed wasn''t the worst thing that could happen to a person, especially not when it led to moments like this.


    What made it even better? I was finally rich.

 Act 2.3 (Chrysalis)

    Morning crept in through the curtains, painting the room in soft golden hues.


    I regained consciousness slowly, awareness returning before mobility. The paralysis was long gone, but exhaustion clung to my bones, and a gnawing hunger boiled in my stomach.


    Jade was still wrapped around me like a koala, though she¡¯d shifted in her sleep. Her head now rested in the crook of my left arm, using it as a makeshift pillow. One arm was slung across my torso, her fingers tangled in the fabric of my borrowed sweatshirt. Her hair, dried into an untamed mess during the night, tickled my face. One of her legs was still firmly hooked over mine, pinning me in place¡ªnot that I wished otherwise anyway.


    I barely opened my eyes to glance at her, her peaceful expression was brighter than the sunlight pooling in the room, her soft breaths rhythmic and calming.


    A quiet snore escaped her lips, making me fight back a smile. Who knew the usually composed Jade could make such an undignified sound? Her shoulder had slipped free of the oversized tshirt she wore, the sunlight gilding her exposed skin in a way that made her seem otherworldly.


    I tried to carefully extract my numb arm from under her head, wincing as pins and needles danced along my fingers. Jade stirred, letting out a soft sound of protest, her brows knitting together as she shifted. For a brief moment, I froze, afraid I¡¯d woken her, but her breathing evened out again. Taking the chance, I reached out with my free hand to gently brush away a few stray strands of hair obscuring her face. My fingertips lingered as I tucked them behind her ear. Without thinking, my palm cradled her cheek. Her skin was impossibly soft, like snow warmed by sunlight.


    Her eyelids fluttered at touch, her body tensing slightly. Perhaps, she realized exactly where¡ªand on whom¡ªshe''d been sleeping.


    For a moment, the world stilled. We just stared at each other, unspoken words crowding the space between us.


    A redness crept across her cheeks, soft and rosy. She didn¡¯t pull away, didn¡¯t look down. Instead, she whispered, her voice rough with sleep, ¡°Let¡¯s just¡­ stay like this for a little longer, okay?¡±


    I managed to rasp out, ¡°Okay.¡± My heart pounded in my chest, louder than I¡¯d like to admit. Would she be happy if I told her I wanted to stay like this even more than she did? Were we still just friends? Or were we crossing into something more? The lines between us felt blurry, undefined, and it was as terrifying as it was exciting. Why did some feelings need to be said out loud anyway? Weren¡¯t actions louder than words? My eyes briefly flicked to her lips¡ªdry from sleep, yet oddly captivating. A stray thought urged me to close the small space between us, but I clamped down on it, hard.


    Stay still, I told myself. Don¡¯t ruin this.


    Minutes stretched into something closer to an hour as we remained locked together, neither of us willing to move first.


    Her arm remained slung over me, her leg hooked over mine as if she were anchoring herself in place. It felt like a game of unspoken rules, driven by stubbornness and something deeper we didn¡¯t dare name. I guessed we were both equally obstinate, refusing to let go of each other, instead our gaze hardening as time dragged on. It wasn¡¯t until we both realized we couldn¡¯t breathe properly¡ªour chests rising and falling in shallow gasps¡ªthat we finally relented, releasing the tension in unison.


    By the time afternoon rolled around, the sun had shifted from peeking into the room to wandering elsewhere, leaving us in a softer light.


    I sat cross-legged on the floor, phone in hand, staring at the ticket in my palm. With a deep breath, I typed the numbers into the lottery website and hit "submit."


    For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a soft hum, the phone emitted a beam of light, projecting a massive hologram into the air above me.


    The room was immediately filled with celebratory animations¡ªbright, loud, and utterly over-the-top. Fireworks of neon reds, yellows, and blues exploded in three-dimensional arcs across the room. Giant, cartoonish coins rained down in shimmering holographic gold, clinking as they hit invisible surfaces. A spinning jackpot wheel rotated in midair, flashing the words: ¡°FIRST PRIZE WINNER!" in obnoxiously large letters. Confetti cannons erupted in simulated bursts, showering the space with holographic streamers that swirled around like they had a life of their own.


    The sound wasn¡¯t any subtler. Trumpets blared, drums rolled, and a synthetic voice boomed, ¡°CONGRATULATIONS! YOU¡¯VE WON THE GRAND PRIZE!¡±


    The colors and noise were overwhelming, almost suffocating, as they danced across every corner of the room.


    But instead of joy, I felt... nothing. Exhaustion, maybe. A hollow ache in the pit of my stomach dulled whatever excitement might have surfaced. Memories of yesterday¡¯s misfortune¡ªfists flying, shouted threats, and the endless scrambling¡ªplayed back in my mind. The bruises on my ribs twinged as if to remind me of the cost. With a sigh, I waved my hand through the projection, silencing the fanfare and dissolving the holographic confetti mid-fall. The room dimmed as the visuals faded, leaving only the faint glow of the application interface floating in the air. I focused on uploading the required documents and linking a bank account, relieved to see that the process allowed anonymity. Small blessings, I supposed.


    The soft creak of the door pulled my attention. Jade entered, carrying two cups of coffee, the scent wafting ahead of her like a comforting balm.


    She froze mid-step when she noticed the lingering hologram text hovering in the air.


    ¡°Wow,¡± she said, her voice full of awe as her gaze swept over the remnants of the display. ¡°They really go all out, huh?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I muttered, dismissing the last of the holograms with a swipe. ¡°A bit much.¡±


    Jade walked over, handing me one of the steaming cups. ¡°Well, it¡¯s not every day someone wins the grand prize.¡± She settled beside me, her radiant mood almost tangible.


    Her joy was infectious; she practically hummed with happiness as she took a sip from her cup. She had her own reason to be on cloud nine, having redeemed her tickets earlier for a significant win.


    ¡°What are you going to do with so much money?¡± she asked, her silver eyes glinting with curiosity.


    I shrugged, turning the coffee cup in my hands. ¡°I don¡¯t know yet,¡± I admitted. Then, with a small grin, I added, ¡°Maybe we can finally get those professional hero suits we always talked about.¡±


    Her eyes lit up like she¡¯d just been handed a ticket to her dream life. ¡°Really?¡± she gasped, her voice leaping an octave as she sat forward, nearly spilling her coffee in her excitement.


    ¡°Really,¡± I said, unable to suppress a smile.


    The pure delight radiating from her was infectious, washing away some of my earlier melancholy. Jade was so easy to please, I thought. Seeing her genuinely happy like this made the bruises and chaos of the past day feel almost worth it. Almost.


    The rest of our day passed by quietly.


    <hr>


    The next day, I headed out early to meet the new friends I¡¯d recently made. The early start was essential; none of us wanted to risk getting stuck in traffic on the way to the SuperNot Convention. I¡¯d asked Aunt Grace about her opinion on the event, and she¡¯d spoken highly of it, fondly recounting how she used to attend every year during university. Apparently, she¡¯d even set up her own show booth once, which she described as both exhilarating and exhausting.


    I wasn¡¯t sure how much to believe her words, but I had to admit, her life sounded far more exciting than mine. So, I¡¯d taken her advice to heart and dressed accordingly¡ªcasual yet sharp, ready for whatever the day brought.


    Henry pulled up in his SUV just five minutes after I stepped outside. Sliding into the back passenger seat, I greeted Vinico, who was already in the front seat. Despite his foul-mouthed and blunt nature, I¡¯d come to see that he wasn¡¯t bad at heart¡ªotherwise, this group of friends wouldn¡¯t tolerate him.


    ¡°Morning,¡± I said, closing the door behind me.


    ¡°Morning,¡± Vinico said, glancing up from his phone. His sharp eyes lingered on me for a moment before he leaned forward slightly, his tone laced with curiosity. ¡°So, how¡¯s the day gonna go? You¡¯re the one with the magic gut feeling. What are we in for?¡±


    Henry perked up at the question, glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s the verdict?¡±


    I shifted in my seat, pretending to adjust my bag. ¡°It¡¯ll be fine,¡± I said with a casual shrug. ¡°Should be a good day for all of us.¡±


    Of course, I had lied. If I start living everyday based on what my Likeness showed me, perhaps I wouldn¡¯t even be willing to exit the house to avoid trouble.


    Vinico narrowed his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re full of it. What¡¯s the catch?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no catch,¡± I replied, keeping my voice even. ¡°If there was, I¡¯d say something. You know me better than that.¡±


    Henry grinned, waiting for me to close the door before pulling away from the curb. ¡°That¡¯s good enough for me. A good day is all I need to hear. What about you, Vinico? You satisfied, or are you gonna keep badgering him?¡±


    Vinico leaned back, crossing his arms with a mock pout. ¡°I¡¯m just saying, the guy can tell if we¡¯re about to get stuck in traffic or struck by lightning. You¡¯d think he¡¯d give us a heads-up if something crazy was gonna happen.¡±


    ¡°Maybe,¡± I said with a faint smile. ¡°Or maybe I just want to see how you handle it.¡±


    Vinico shrugged, going back to scrolling through his phone.


    We still had to pick up Alex, Lore, Jade, and Gina before the traffic got bad. After forty minutes, the SUV was packed, buzzing with chatter and excitement as Henry steered us toward the convention. Vinico rode shotgun, playing amateur DJ while alternating between skipping songs and fielding groans of protest from the rest of us. In the second row, Alex sat in the middle, flanked by Lore on one side and me on the other. Much to Gina¡¯s delight, she and Jade were sitting together in the back row.


    There was still an hour and a half left on the route, so we could only pass time by conversing and playing games.


    ¡°My aunt mentioned that anyone can set up their own booth at the carnival. Is that true?¡± I asked curiously, turning my head slightly to address the group.


    ¡°Do you want to set up a fortune-reading booth, North? Let everyone know if their day¡¯s going to be ¡®good¡¯ or ¡®bad¡¯?¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°Not really,¡± I replied, then paused thoughtfully. ¡°But, if it¡¯s fun, I could give it a try.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d have to register ahead of time on their website,¡± Vinico chimed in, his usual bluntness tempered with actual helpfulness for once.


    That made sense. I realized I could¡¯ve just searched for this information myself online but figured I¡¯d become a bit lazier recently. Still, the conversation gave me a better idea of how things worked.


    From the corner of my eye, I glanced back at Jade. She was wearing a vibrant red cardigan with 3D flower-shaped accents, layered over a crisp white collared shirt and finished with a sleek black tie. Paired with her baggy dark blue jeans and a brown vintage handbag, her look was effortlessly chic, a perfect mix of grunge and romantic style. Our eyes kept meeting more frequently as the trip went on, and each time, I felt a pang of something unspoken. I wasn¡¯t sure if the others noticed, but Gina definitely did.


    When our eyes met again, Gina caught it and gave me a sly, knowing smile. Her expression all but screamed, I see you.


    I felt a surge of frustration, my lips twitching despite my best efforts to appear unaffected. What does she want from me?


    Deep down, I wanted to yell that I wished I could sit next to Jade, that I¡¯d give anything to swap places and share the ride with her. But, of course, I couldn¡¯t say that out loud. Instead, I sighed inwardly, resigning myself to the situation. Gina wasn¡¯t going to let this go, and I knew it, but I resolved to stay quiet.


    Still, I promised myself that I would make sure we sat together while returning, so we could hold hands.


    By nine o¡¯clock, we finally arrived at the SuperNot Convention, an event with a reputation that preceded it.


    Among the wealthy and those with good meta natures, it was often referred to as the ¡°Freak Show.¡± Honestly, the name fit.


    The sheer variety of people, powers, and personalities milling about made the nickname feel less like an insult and more like a statement of fact. The entrance was chaotic, packed with a dizzying array of attendees. A long line snaked its way toward the main event area, and even from outside, I could see glimpses of what awaited us: flashing lights, towering booths, and costumed figures posing for pictures.


    Judging by the crowd and the layout, the entire convention was spread over an impressively large area.


    ¡°What a headache,¡± Vinico grumbled as we joined the line.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Even though we¡¯d purchased tickets online, the queue to get in stretched on forever. Henry groaned audibly, Alex leaned heavily on Lore, and Gina was scrolling through her phone, her face scrunched in boredom.


    Yet, I couldn¡¯t find it in me to complain. Jade stood just in front of me. She¡¯d brought a Polaroid camera with her and was snapping pictures of people dressed in elaborate hero and anime costumes. The excitement in her eyes was palpable.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the camera?¡± Vinico asked, craning his neck to look at her. ¡°Didn¡¯t think you were into vintage stuff.¡±


    Jade paused and turned to him, ¡°Polaroids are timeless. Besides, this convention is full of color and energy¡ªperfect for instant photos. It¡¯s about capturing the moment.¡±


    Vinico snorted. ¡°Capturing the moment? You sound like a Hallmark card.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s called having an appreciation for art,¡± Jade shot back, undeterred. ¡°You should try it sometime.¡±


    Before Vinico could retort, Jade turned back toward the line and raised her camera again, searching for her next subject.


    Suddenly, Jade spun back to me without warning, her Polaroid camera raised. ¡°Hold still!¡± she said, her voice brimming with mischief.


    ¡°What¡ªwait!¡± I started, but it was too late. The flash went off, catching me completely off-guard.


    The whir of the Polaroid filled the brief silence as the photo printed, and Jade pulled it free with a triumphant grin. She held it by the edges, waving it lightly to let it develop. Her gaze was fixed on the image, and a soft laugh escaped her lips.


    ¡°Not bad,¡± she said, her tone playful but warm.


    I crossed my arms, still reeling from being caught so off-guard. ¡°Let me see,¡± I demanded, leaning closer.


    She stepped back, clutching the photo to her chest like it was a priceless treasure. ¡°No way. I¡¯m keeping this one.¡±


    ¡°Seriously?¡± I asked, half-exasperated but mostly amused. ¡°You can¡¯t just ambush me like that and then refuse to show me the evidence.¡±


    Jade tilted her head, pretending to consider. ¡°Hmm, I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s a pretty great shot. Might just keep it for blackmail purposes.¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Oh, come on. At least tell me how bad it is.¡±


    Her teasing smile softened slightly as she finally relented, holding the photo out toward me.


    The picture showed me mid-protest, my eyes wide and my mouth slightly open, caught in a moment of pure, unguarded awkwardness. I looked ridiculous¡ªbut not as ridiculous as I¡¯d feared.


    Jade leaned in, her shoulder brushing against mine as she peered at the photo in my hand. ¡°See? It¡¯s not bad at all,¡± she said, her voice quieter now.


    She grabbed the photo like a ninja while I was left staring at her. She gave it a quick glance before slipping it into her handbag with practiced ease. Her actions were so casual, yet she looked almost mischievously adorable. The way she acted, like she¡¯d just stolen something precious, left me feeling strangely flustered. Criminally cute, I thought, shaking my head with a small, helpless smile.


    ¡°What?¡± Jade asked, catching the look on my face as she adjusted the strap of her Polaroid camera.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± I said quickly, though I knew my attempt to play it cool.


    Her lips curved into a faint smirk, as if she could read my mind. ¡°You¡¯re terrible at lying.¡±


    ¡°Am I?¡± I shot back, feigning nonchalance. ¡°Maybe I just don¡¯t think you need to know what I¡¯m thinking.¡±


    Her laughter was soft, and she rolled her eyes, ¡°Sure, keep your secrets, North.¡±


    I chuckled, looking away to hide the growing warmth in my face.


    Through my vision, the entire convention appeared like a living kaleidoscope. The Likeness of the place and its people swirled with vibrant hues. Costumed heroes posed for photos, trailing streaks of golden opportunity as their fans snapped pictures. Food vendors¡¯ stalls radiated warm, inviting oranges, drawing crowds with promises of indulgence. The security checkpoints pulsed with sharp, alert blues. Everywhere I looked, the rainbow shimmer of countless meta abilities mixed and mingled, creating a dazzling, chaotic symphony of color.


    Satisfied that everything appeared fine¡ªno immediate signs of danger or misfortune¡ªI returned my focus to the present. For once, it seemed like there wouldn¡¯t be any trouble.


    Jade paused a few feet ahead, lifting her camera and snapping a photo of a trio dressed in elaborate hero costumes. The flash caught their attention, and they turned, striking dramatic poses as Jade laughed and gestured her thanks.


    ¡°Making friends already?¡± I teased as I caught up to her.


    ¡°They make it easy,¡± she replied, still smiling as she checked the photo. ¡°People come here to show off. It¡¯s like¡­ a visual feast.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s definitely something,¡± I agreed, my gaze wandering over the crowd.


    Leaning closer, I lowered my voice. ¡°Let me take one of you?¡±


    Jade paused, glancing at me with mild happiness before handing over the Polaroid camera without hesitation. ¡°Sure.¡±


    Unlike others who might have struck a dramatic or playful pose, she simply stood still. Her hands rested at her sides, and her expression softened into a faint smile, one that carried a quiet intensity.


    Her silver eyes locked on mine, and for a moment, it felt like she was looking past the lens and into me.


    Without another word, I clicked the button.


    "Take one with me!" Gina suddenly burst in, wrapping her arms around Jade''s shoulders.


    Dammit - the intrusion annoyed me more than it should have. As if she¡¯d just ruined my perfect little moment. Jade turned to look at me, her expression unreadable but calm. I hesitated, the camera still in my hands, silently asking her permission.


    With a small nod, she gave it. ¡°Go ahead,¡± she said softly.


    Gina grinned, dragging Jade into a playful pose. ¡°Come on, North. Get the angle right¡ªwe¡¯re relying on your artistic genius here.¡±


    I bit back a sigh and raised the camera again. ¡°Smile.¡±


    Before I knew it, everyone wanted their picture taken, one by one. ¡°Ooh, take one of me and Alex!¡± Lore chimed in, pulling Alex into an exaggerated hero pose.


    ¡°I call next!¡± Henry said, grabbing Vinico by the shoulder and attempting a candid, though Vinico rolled his eyes in mock protest.


    The quiet snapshot session spiraled into a full-blown photoshoot. For the next twenty minutes, I clicked away, taking single pictures, group photos, posed shots, and unexpected candids. Despite my initial reluctance, I didn¡¯t really mind. Everyone was having fun, and the mood was infectious.


    When the group finally lost steam, we approached the security entrance.


    Nearby, a vendor had set up a stall overflowing with colorful hats, face masks, hero costume accessories, and other trinkets. The display was eye-catching, a burst of color and whimsy that seemed to pull us in like moths to a flame.


    ¡°Okay, I need these,¡± Gina declared, grabbing a pair of rabbit ear headbands and plopping them onto her head. Lore quickly followed suit, donning a matching pair.


    ¡°Cute,¡± Jade remarked, her voice light with amusement.


    ¡°You say that now,¡± Lore said, pointing to the row of cat ears. ¡°But I bet those would look amazing on you.¡±


    Jade raised an eyebrow but stepped closer to the display, her curiosity piqued.


    ¡°You should try them,¡± I blurted out before I could stop myself.


    Jade turned to me, a glimmer of surprise in her eyes, but she didn¡¯t protest. Instead, she picked up a pair of sleek black cat ears and slipped them on.


    ¡°Wow,¡± Henry said, nudging my arm. ¡°She pulls it off, huh?¡±


    ¡°Perfect,¡± Gina chimed in, giving Jade an exaggerated thumbs-up. ¡°North, you¡¯re going to want to take another picture of that.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I managed, keeping my voice steady. ¡°They suit you.¡±


    I turned back to the stall, pretending to browse as my thoughts spiraled. The accessories were undeniably silly, but they suited everyone surprisingly well. I ended up picking a pair of cat ears for myself¡ªpartly because everyone else was grabbing something, but mostly because Jade was wearing hers. Henry and Vinico opted for dog ears, laughing as they tried to outdo each other with mock growls and barks.


    Click!


    The sound of a photo being taken snapped me out of my mind. Jade was still holding her Polaroid camera, a cheeky smile playing on her lips. She¡¯d taken my picture¡ªagain.


    ¡°Really?¡± I asked, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°What?¡± she replied innocently, slipping the photo into her bag with that same mischievous grin. ¡°You looked like you were lost in thought. Couldn¡¯t waste the opportunity.¡±


    Shouldn¡¯t I be the one taking her photos? It struck me as charmingly backward - usually, it was boys taking candid photos of girls they liked, not the other way around. But then again, everything about Jade seemed to operate on its own unique rules. Not one to be outdone, I pulled out my phone, determined to turn the tables.


    ¡°Two can play at this game,¡± I said, holding up my camera app.


    Her eyes widened slightly, but she quickly recovered, tilting her head and pretending to strike a dramatic pose. ¡°Go ahead,¡± she challenged.


    I snapped the picture, catching her mid-laugh when she broke character.


    ¡°You two are so weird,¡± Gina said, adjusting her rabbit ear headband. ¡°Just exchange numbers already.¡±


    Jade stiffened slightly, her cheeks dusted with faint pink. She tried to play it off, brushing a strand of silver hair behind her ear, but the way she avoided Gina¡¯s gaze was telling. I, on the other hand, pretended Gina didn¡¯t exit in my world, focusing instead on capturing another candid shot of Jade. She was trying to act like nothing was amiss.


    Besides, weren¡¯t we past all this? Phone numbers and casual flirtation seemed trivial now¡ªafter all, we¡¯d already slept together and cuddled. Did I really need to spell it out?


    After about fifteen more minutes, we finally entered the convention. To my surprise, the first hall alone was enormous, with endless rows of stalls and shops. It was immediately clear that it would take hours just to explore this section. The number of people inside dwarfed the already large crowd we¡¯d seen outside.


    The very first stall caught my attention. A young woman, probably in her early twenties, stood at the center of a small crowd, demonstrating her unique meta ability. I stopped to watch, curiosity pulling me closer. She was changing the appearance of a person in front of her¡ªbut not in the way I¡¯d first assumed.


    ¡°She¡¯s not actually altering them,¡± I murmured, leaning slightly toward Jade. ¡°It¡¯s holographic.¡±


    Jade tilted her head, intrigued. ¡°It looks so real.¡±


    The girl¡¯s power was mesmerizing. Through my perception, I could see her constructing an incredibly detailed holographic shell around her volunteer. It didn¡¯t just mimic their movements; it almost seemed alive, shifting seamlessly as the person moved. The result was convincing enough to make them look like a living cartoon character.


    ¡°It¡¯s more than just a projection,¡± I added, narrowing my focus. ¡°There¡¯s some kind of presence to it. Like a faint force field.¡±


    Jade glanced at me, her silver eyes sparkling with interest. ¡°Think she¡¯s boosting their confidence too? That guy looks like he¡¯s having the time of his life.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t wrong. The volunteer¡ªa lanky man now encased in a superhero-style hologram¡ªwas grinning ear to ear as he struck exaggerated poses, drawing cheers from the small audience.


    ¡°It¡¯s clever,¡± I said, stepping back as more people gathered. ¡°Imagine using that in a fight. You¡¯d never know if you were targeting the person or just the shell.¡±


    Jade hummed in agreement, her gaze lingering on the demonstration. Then, after a moment, she turned her camera toward the girl and took a quick picture.


    We moved past the hologram stall as a group, our cat and dog ears already making us look enough like a wandering menagerie without adding cartoon transformations to the mix ¨C we didn¡¯t need to adopt any more identities.


    The SuperNot Convention was, at its heart, a celebration of people with minor meta natures. It aimed to showcase and encourage those whose powers weren¡¯t earth-shattering but still had value in their uniqueness; it was about finding beauty and utility in the small things. It was also a hub for niche talents¡ªa crossroads where meta individuals could network, get hired for their rare abilities, or simply share their craft with a curious audience.


    A cozy little tea shop setup caught our attention next. It was tucked between louder, flashier stalls but stood out precisely because of its simplicity. Behind the counter stood a man who looked to be in his late forties, his salt-and-pepper hair giving him a distinguished, almost sage-like air.


    His meta nature was deceptively simple but fascinating: he could create tea out of thin air.


    As we watched, he placed an empty cup on the counter, raised his hand with a practiced motion, and¡ªpop!¡ªa steaming cup of tea materialized instantly.


    A Brit¡¯s dream come true, I thought, suppressing a chuckle.


    The tea cups were free, inviting passersby to experience the man¡¯s talent firsthand. Each of us picked one up, the warmth of the cup spreading through our palms. As we were about to take a sip, the man spoke again, his voice rich with a quiet confidence. ¡°Think of the best tea you¡¯ve ever had in your life,¡± he said, his knowing smile suggesting he¡¯d already seen what would happen next.


    Curious, I did as he instructed. I closed my eyes for a moment, recalling the rich, deep flavor of the best tea I¡¯d ever tasted.


    To my shock and delight, the tea in my cup matched that memory perfectly. It tasted exactly like the best tea I¡¯d ever had¡ªwarm, comforting, and nostalgic. I opened my eyes to see the others having similar reactions.


    Gina exclaimed loudly, ¡°This is insane! How does it know?!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s tied to memory,¡± the man explained, clearly used to the reactions. ¡°Your mind does most of the work; my tea simply brings it to life.¡±


    Henry raised his cup in mock salute. ¡°This is some next-level comfort food. Or drink, I guess.¡±


    Before we moved on, I made sure to take one of the man¡¯s business cards. His cafe was somewhere in the city, and unlike most business cards I collected out of politeness, I actually intended to visit this one.


    The next stall drew us in with its delicate beauty. A man in his thirties was folding paper cranes, frogs, and flowers with his bare hands¡ªbut with a twist. His meta nature allowed the origami to come to life for a few moments before returning to its original form.


    We watched as he folded a small bird, then breathed over it gently. The paper crane fluttered its wings and hopped from his hand, circling the table like a real bird before settling back down and becoming paper again.


    ¡°Can we try?¡± Jade asked, clearly fascinated.


    ¡°Of course,¡± the man said, sliding a stack of colorful paper toward us.


    I fumbled through my attempt at folding a paper dog, only for it to look more like a crumpled blob. Still, when I breathed over it as instructed, it barked once before collapsing into a sad pile of paper.


    Jade, on the other hand, folded a butterfly. She seemed surprisingly good a folding origami. When the man activated it, the butterfly flitted gracefully around her head, its paper wings catching the light.


    ¡°That¡¯s adorable,¡± Gina said, clapping her hands. ¡°I want to make one!¡±


    Her attempt was... abstract, but the resulting paper blob managed to roll awkwardly across the table like a tumbleweed.


    ¡°Totally useless in a fight,¡± Vinico muttered. ¡°But, I mean, it¡¯s cute.¡±


    Further down the aisle, we came across a stall that was somehow both fascinating and utterly useless. An older woman sat in a rocking chair with a pair of knitting needles in her hands. At first glance, it didn¡¯t seem like she was knitting anything at all, but the sign overhead read: ¡°The Invisible Knitter: Warmth Without Weight!¡±


    Curious, we stopped to watch. ¡°What exactly are you knitting?¡± Jade asked, tilting her head.


    ¡°Invisible scarves, hats, and mittens,¡± the woman replied with a proud smile. ¡°Completely weightless, but oh-so-cozy. Try one!¡±


    She handed Gina what appeared to be thin air. Gina hesitated before miming wrapping the ¡°scarf¡± around her neck.


    ¡°It actually feels warm,¡± Gina said, her voice tinged with disbelief.


    I reached out cautiously, and sure enough, the ¡°fabric¡± felt soft and radiated gentle warmth. ¡°How... does this even work?¡± I asked.


    The woman chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s my meta nature. I knit with threads of warmth. No actual material needed!¡±


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    We were all stunned and eager to buy something, but unfortunately, the old woman didn¡¯t sell her creations, so nothing was for sale.


    The next stall had an office theme, complete with a desk and stacks of paper. The meta running it, a middle-aged man in a tie, claimed he could shred any piece of paper with a single touch.


    ¡°Need to destroy sensitive documents? I¡¯m your guy,¡± he said confidently.


    ¡°Okay, but... why not just use an actual shredder?¡± Vinico asked, raising an eyebrow. It also sounded rude, given people had no control whatsoever over what meta nature they formed.


    ¡°Shredders jam. I don¡¯t.¡± The man reached out to a piece of paper and ran his finger down the middle. Instantly, it fell into perfectly even strips.


    Gina handed him a flyer she¡¯d picked up earlier. ¡°Can you shred this?¡±


    The man grinned, running his finger across the flyer. It shredded instantly, the strips fluttering to the ground.


    ¡°Well, I guess that¡¯s... something,¡± I said, struggling to find a compliment.

 Act 2.4 (Chrysalis)

    At some point, the Lore, Gina and Jade exchanged excited glances before darting toward a shop with a sleek neon sign proclaiming, "Ageless Skin¡ªTurn Back Time!" Their muffled giggles trailed behind them like a ribbon, leaving the four of us standing awkwardly in the crowded aisle.


    Alex glanced at the sign, then back at the girls disappearing through the doorway. "De-aging skin? Seriously? We''re barely out of our teens."


    I shrugged, watching the shop¡¯s polished door close. "Guess flawless isn¡¯t flawless enough."


    Besides, powers that could meddle with time, even on a minor scale, weren¡¯t exactly common or cheap. People with such meta abilities were highly sought after, and were in demand everywhere.


    Vinico raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "You realize that¡¯s gotta cost a fortune, right? Time meta nature aren¡¯t exactly something you pick up at a dollar store."


    "Or trust to strangers," Henry added, though my tone was more amused than judgmental. The idea of tweaking time¡ªeven in something as small as rejuvenating skin¡ªalways felt like walking on the edge of a cliff. "You think they''re really using meta powers in there? Or is it just overpriced face cream with fancy branding?"


    Alex chuckled softly, hands stuffed into his jacket pockets. "Women¡¯s mysteries," he muttered, a bemused grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Trying to make sense of their logic is a fool¡¯s errand. Let ''em have their fun."


    "Should we wait for them?" Henry asked, glancing toward the entrance.


    "No way," Vinico replied, turning on his heel. "We¡¯ll probably be here an hour if we do. Let¡¯s keep moving."


    The decision was unanimous. As we merged back into the throng of people. The sheer number of attendees made it impossible to visit every stall, so we became selective, only stopping at displays that truly caught our interest. I''d even abandoned my earlier notion of setting up my own stall for fortune reading. I was sure, if we roamed a little more, we would be able to find many who could do the same. Whereas, mine meta nature wasn¡¯t even actual fortune reading.


    ¡°Thought you were gonna run your little fortune-telling act,¡± Henry said, smirking as we passed a booth covered in tarot cards and crystal balls.


    I gave a small laugh. ¡°Yeah, no. My ¡®act¡¯ wouldn¡¯t stand a chance here. Besides, this crowd has everything. Somewhere around here, I bet there¡¯s someone who could probably tell you what you¡¯re gonna eat for dinner tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Meta psychics ruin all the fun,¡± Alex joked.


    Vinico stopped suddenly, his attention caught by a shimmering display of levitating orbs. ¡°Now this is cool,¡± he said, stepping closer to get a better look.


    We lingered for a moment, watching the vendor explain how the glowing spheres reacted to touch.


    As we stepped into another stall, I was hit by something entirely unexpected. The small, dimly lit booth seemed alive with a symphony of instrumental music that somehow resonated with... us. It took me a moment to process the realization, but when I did, it hit like a lightning bolt¡ªI wasn¡¯t just hearing the music; I could feel it, them. The cacophony of our mixed emotions filled the small space. Henry''s music came out like a heavy metal guitar, probably reflecting his annoyance at the girls abandoning us. Alex was producing something close to a jazz saxophone. Meanwhile, my own sound seemed to be coming from piano keys.


    ¡°Uh, does anyone else hear this?¡± Alex asked, his voice low but tinged with curiosity.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I said slowly, tilting my head as the layered noises began to settle into focus. ¡°And it¡¯s¡­ us. I can hear you guys.¡±


    For a moment, the cacophony was overwhelming. Vinico sounded like a relentless drumbeat, loud and pulsing.


    ¡°Why do I sound like I¡¯m in a mosh pit?¡± Henry muttered, crossing his arms. His guitar wailed louder, like it was annoyed at his annoyance.


    ¡°Figures you''d be the metalhead,¡± Alex quipped.


    Meanwhile, Vinico was grinning ear to ear, tapping his foot in time with his steady drumbeat. ¡°Guys, this is amazing. I¡¯m a drum! I¡¯m literally a drum!¡± His rhythm sped up with his excitement, the thudding beats filling the small room.


    A soft laugh from the corner broke our growing chaos. We turned to see a young woman with bright green hair sitting on a beanbag, her legs crossed and a knowing smile on her face. ¡°Most people run right back out when they hear their emotions,¡± she said, her voice carrying an amused lilt. ¡°I keep the booth small for that reason¡ªtoo much noise scares them off.¡±


    Henry raised an eyebrow, his guitar screeching in protest. ¡°Yeah, well, I¡¯m about five seconds away from joining them.¡±


    ¡°Oh, come on,¡± Vinico said, his drumbeats shifting into a snappy cadence. ¡°This is awesome! We¡¯re like a band. Can you make us harmonize or something?¡±


    The green-haired woman shook her head, still grinning. ¡°It doesn¡¯t work like that. The instruments pick themselves, based on your personality and emotions. I just help people hear what¡¯s already inside.¡±


    Alex¡¯s saxophone let out a long, mellow note as he tilted his head thoughtfully. ¡°So, if I¡­ changed my mood, the music would change too?¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± she said. ¡°Go ahead. Try it.¡±


    We all exchanged glances, then set about experimenting like kids in a playground. Henry closed his eyes, muttering under his breath. His guitar briefly softened into a slower rhythm but quickly ramped back up into aggressive riffs.


    ¡°Nope,¡± he said with a shrug. ¡°Still annoyed.¡±


    We spent the next several minutes trying to ¡°compose¡± ourselves, trying to change our moods to see how it affected the music, but eventually gave up and left.


    There were many mysteries to be solved on the way.


    The convention kept us guessing with every turn. One corner featured a small stage where a dainty woman stood, her posture confident and her voice sharp as she called out to passersby. ¡°Step right up! Think you can take me on?¡± A flash of light erupted from her hands, forming into a glowing sword that she twirled effortlessly. The crowd gasped as the blade morphed into a massive war hammer mid-spin. Someone in the audience let out an impressed whistle.


    A young man, clearly eager to prove himself, stepped forward. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got.¡±


    Grinning, the woman conjured two smaller blades, tossing one to him as if daring him to try. The fight that followed was fast and flashy, her ability to conjure and manipulate weapons of light drawing cheers with every move. Even though she clearly held back, she disarmed her opponent within seconds, earning a round of applause from the growing audience.


    We wandered on and found an older man in his sixties nearby offering a completely different kind of experience. A sign in front of him read: ¡°Speak with Your Pets¡ªFind Out What They¡¯re Thinking!¡± It was fascinating and entertaining in equal measure.


    We watched as a middle-aged woman leaned forward, clutching her purse tightly while a small chihuahua perched on her lap. ¡°I¡¯m just curious if he¡¯s happy,¡± she said nervously.


    The man nodded with a serene smile and closed his eyes. A moment later, his voice changed, adopting a higher, slightly yippy tone. ¡°I hate the sweater. No more sweaters.¡±


    The crowd chuckled, but the woman¡¯s face turned crimson. ¡°Oh. Um. Anything else?¡±


    ¡°More chicken. Less kibble,¡± the man said, still channeling the dog. ¡°And maybe¡ªstop yelling at the TV. It¡¯s loud.¡±


    The woman laughed awkwardly, clearly unsure whether to be amused or embarrassed, before thanking the man and hurrying away.


    ¡°That¡¯s... both awesome and horrifying,¡± Henry muttered. ¡°Imagine finding out your dog hates you.¡±


    We didn¡¯t linger long, though I pocketed the man¡¯s card before moving on. My collection of business cards was growing rapidly. In another stall, a man helped people smell any fragrance they could imagine. Perfume from a forgotten memory, the scent of rain on Mars¡ªanything. The possibilities of these niche powers amazed me.


    But the most practical and intriguing meta nature I encountered belonged to a kind-looking woman in her seventies.


    Her talent? Editing habits.


    With just a touch, she could remove or instill behaviors effortlessly. Smokers, drinkers, procrastinators¡ªit didn¡¯t matter. She helped others free of charge. People sat with her for a moment, and she¡¯d ¡°edit¡± their routines as if they were lines of code. Watching her work was mesmerizing. A man walked away muttering in awe, his face a mixture of disbelief and hope, while the next in line¡ªa woman clutching a coffee cup¡ªfidgeted with nervous anticipation.


    ¡°This is serious high-level meta stuff,¡± I whispered. ¡°Imagine how much someone could charge for that.¡±


    Alex nodded. ¡°Especially if habits influence how people use their powers. This is next-level practical.¡±


    The constant line outside her stall wasn¡¯t surprising at all. People were clearly desperate to change their lives, and she offered them an easy way to do it. For the first time, we decided to stop and give it a try ourselves.


    Alex went first. Always the practical one, he approached her with confidence. ¡°I want to stop procrastinating,¡± he said, then hesitated. ¡°And... I need to be more disciplined with my combat training. Can you make that a habit?¡±


    The woman nodded, her expression warm and understanding. ¡°That¡¯s a great choice,¡± she said, gesturing for him to sit. A faint glow flickered in her eyes as she touched his hand. Alex¡¯s face tensed briefly, as if he¡¯d felt a static shock, before relaxing.


    ¡°All done,¡± she said with a reassuring smile. ¡°You¡¯ll feel the urge to act on tasks immediately, and training will become part of your natural rhythm. Just remember¡ªit might feel a little intense at first as your mind adjusts.¡±


    Alex stood, stretching his shoulders as if testing the results. ¡°That was fast,¡± he muttered, then nodded to us. ¡°I like it. Your turn, Vin.¡±


    Vinico stepped up next, grinning but clearly a little nervous. ¡°Uh... okay, so, I kinda need help with... uh, being more responsible with money?¡±


    That earned a round of snickers from the rest of us.


    ¡°Wow,¡± Alex teased. ¡°It only took a meta genius for you to admit that.¡±


    Vinico glared . ¡°I¡¯m serious, man. I just... forget stuff, you know? Like, rent¡¯s due, and I¡¯m out buying the new hyperspace game.¡±


    The woman chuckled softly, her touch light as she reached for his hand. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, this one¡¯s simple.¡± A flicker of light, a faint hum, and it was done. ¡°You¡¯ll find yourself thinking twice before spending, and budgeting will feel almost second nature now.¡±


    Vinico let out a low whistle as he stood. ¡°This is gonna freak out my landlord,¡± he said, grinning. ¡°But thanks.¡±


    Then it was Henry¡¯s turn, and he surprised us all.


    He hesitated at first, his hand hovering over the table as if unsure. Finally, he sighed. ¡°I... want to cut back on reading.¡±


    The rest of us froze, staring at him.


    ¡°Reading?¡± Vinico blurted out. ¡°Why the hell would you want to do that?¡±


    Henry shrugged, avoiding our gazes. ¡°It¡¯s getting in the way,¡± he admitted. ¡°I¡¯ll pick up a book and lose hours, sometimes entire days. It¡¯s not productive anymore¡ªit¡¯s a distraction.¡±


    The woman nodded without judgment. ¡°Balance is important,¡± she said, her voice calm. She placed her hand lightly over his. ¡°I¡¯ll reduce the urge, but you¡¯ll still find joy in it when you choose to do it.¡±


    Henry nodded, his face unreadable. ¡°Thanks,¡± he muttered, stepping back as if retreating from the attention.


    Finally, all eyes turned to me.


    ¡°What about you?¡± Alex asked, grinning. ¡°Gonna edit yourself too?¡±


    I shook my head, chuckling. ¡°Not today. I¡¯m fine being my own chaotic mess, thanks.¡±


    There was no way I¡¯d let anyone with mind-related powers get near my head. Just the thought made my stomach tighten. I already felt uneasy about Henry¡¯s meta nature, the way he could split his consciousness and attach fragments of it to other people¡¯s thoughts. Even if I wasn''t sure he could actually read minds that way. The odds seemed low, but even a slim chance wasn¡¯t worth the risk.


    The encounter at the habit-editing booth brought all my anxieties to the surface. How had I overlooked something so vital? My knowledge of future events wasn¡¯t just information¡ªit was a weapon. A loaded gun. And in the wrong hands, it could wreak havoc.


    I''d been foolish not to prioritize this concern earlier.


    Usually meta-natures that directly involved mind reading were incredibly rare¡ªso rare, in fact, that those who possessed them usually kept their abilities hidden, knowing full well the chaos they¡¯d cause if discovered. But that didn¡¯t mean I was safe. Plenty of other mind-related powers existed. Henry was proof of that. Some could accelerate thought speed, enter dreams, or¡ªworst of all¡ªmanipulate memories. And that was just what I knew about. Who knew what other mind metas lurked out there, their abilities undefined or undiscovered?


    The more I thought about it, the more I realized how exposed I was.


    I glanced back at the habit-editing booth, watching yet another satisfied customer walk away, their expression hopeful and relieved. For a moment, I considered the possibility. Was there a habit that could help me protect my thoughts? Some kind of mental discipline to shield my mind?


    The idea was tempting, but my rational side quickly dismissed it. Habits could help mask emotions or maybe sharpen focus, but they weren¡¯t a fix for something as complex as mental shielding. Besides, overthinking was already second nature to me. If anything, that habit had only slowed me down, trapping me in loops of doubt and procrastination. No, this wasn¡¯t a problem I could solve with quick fixes.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    I needed something more. Something stronger.


    If I truly wanted a definite solution, I would need to seek out someone with a meta nature belonging to the Magical type Hive, or Unique Magical meta nature. These metahumans could potentially solve my problem, perhaps with something like a mind shield spell¡ªor its equivalent in their terms. And then there was the question of trust. If I found someone capable of shielding my mind, how could I be sure they wouldn¡¯t just use their powers against me? I shook my head, trying to push the paranoia aside. There was no way around it¡ªthis was something I¡¯d have to address. I couldn¡¯t afford to leave my mind vulnerable, not when the stakes were so high.


    Perhaps there might be someone at this very event with the kind of meta nature I¡¯m looking for. A smile crept onto my face, unbidden. The SuperNot Convention was known for showcasing a wide variety of niche and unique abilities¡ªif there was ever a place to find someone with a mind-shielding or related power, this had to be it.


    Out of nowhere, Jade appeared beside me, her silver eyes gleaming like polished coins that made my smirk freeze in place. She didn¡¯t say anything at first, just stared, her gaze sharp yet unreadable.


    For a moment, the buzz of the convention, the chatter of the crowd¡ªit all faded as her gaze locked onto mine. There was something unsettling about that look, like her eyes were speaking in a language only I could hear. For a brief moment, it felt as though I had mind-reading powers, as though her curiosity had written itself across her face in neon letters. She didn¡¯t need to say a word; I already knew she had questions.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the smirk?¡± she finally asked, breaking the spell. ¡°Did you come up with something brilliant?¡±


    Her voice carried a teasing edge, the way she leaned in, waiting for my response. I glanced over my shoulder. The rest of the group had caught up but hadn¡¯t noticed us lingering behind. They were chatting, completely absorbed in their own conversation. That little detail gave me a sinking feeling: Jade might¡¯ve used her meta nature to nudge things in her favor. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but I¡¯d known her long enough to recognize her tactics. She never did enjoy being the center of scrutiny.


    ¡°Maybe,¡± I replied, forcing a calm smile as I turned back to her.


    She held my gaze, unblinking, the small beauty mark beneath her right eye, on her nose and last one of hr left cheek caught my attention. It wasn¡¯t the first time I¡¯d seen it, but somehow it felt faded, like my brain had decided to catalog every detail about her at that moment.


    ¡°We have to find a magician,¡± I added after a beat.


    Her smirk widened, amusement flickering in her silver eyes. ¡°Why do I feel like you¡¯ve got a hundred thoughts running through your head right now, and not a single one¡¯s finished?¡±


    Maybe she was the one with mind-reading powers. I couldn¡¯t help but feel like the arrogant dragon standing beside me had seen through me completely. Rich coming from her though¡ªthis arrogant dragon with her mountain of secret responsibilities.


    She''d been getting bolder lately, more unrestrained. Perhaps I need to teach this arrogant dragon a lesson someday. Cutting her imaginary horns might do the trick, I thought mischievously.


    But before I could act on the thought¡ªor say something witty to take control of the moment¡ªJade leaned in, her breath warm against my ear. She whispered something, her voice so low I almost missed it. Whatever she said left me stunned for a moment, my feet rooted to the spot. By the time my brain caught up, she had straightened, her expression utterly casual, as though she hadn¡¯t just pulled the rug out from under me.


    I sighed, shaking my head as she sauntered off to join the group. Where did she learn to push my buttons like that?


    Watching her retreat, I couldn¡¯t decide whether to be irritated or impressed.


    Meanwhile, ¡°I don¡¯t see any changes,¡± Vinico said, his tone dripping with skepticism as he eyed the girls critically. ¡°How do you even justify spending so much money on a useless procedure?¡±


    Gina didn¡¯t even hesitate. Her gaze snapped to him like a whip, and her words followed suit. ¡°That¡¯s why girls don¡¯t like you.¡±


    Vinico huffed, crossing his arms with a scowl but offering no rebuttal. It wasn¡¯t like him to stay quiet, but Gina¡¯s retort had clearly hit its mark. Meanwhile, Alex and the rest of the group had moved on, chatting casually as if nothing had happened. With the tension defused, we resumed wandering through the convention, the endless variety of quirky meta natures and creative stalls keeping us entertained.


    We paused to watch a young man in the center of a small, irritated crowd. His meta nature had transformed the floor around him into a slick, frictionless patch, like an invisible ice rink without the ice. People slipped and stumbled, their grumbles of annoyance far outweighing any amazement.


    ¡°Useful in a fight, maybe,¡± Alex mused, watching someone awkwardly flail their arms before landing hard on their backside.


    ¡°Or if you¡¯re an aspiring mall hazard,¡± Henry added.


    Another stall featured a room where a dramatic breeze would blow through, perfectly styling your hair as if you were in a movie.


    Further along, a man with a voice that could rival a megaphone was entertaining a group of onlookers. His meta nature made him narrate his every action.


    ¡°HE STRAIGHTENS HIS SHIRT, TRYING TO PROJECT CONFIDENCE IN THE FACE OF AWKWARD GIGGLING!¡± he bellowed, earning more laughter from the crowd.


    ¡°HE WAVES AT THE CUTE GIRL WHO TOTALLY ISN¡¯T INTO HIM,¡± he added, gesturing to someone in the audience.


    The girl in question laughed and waved back, looking more amused than uncomfortable. Despite his humor, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of sympathy for him. Imagine narrating your entire life out loud without a choice. It would be exhausting.


    We moved on, passing stalls that ranged from surprisingly practical to utterly absurd. One featured someone whose meta nature created perfectly symmetrical foam art in coffee cups. Another allowed visitors to hear faint whispers of conversations happening miles away¡ªthough the accuracy seemed questionable.


    As we explored, I began to notice a pattern. Many of these meta natures, while fascinating, were minor, even trivial. Some felt like novelties, fun for a laugh or a quick demonstration, but not much else. Others seemed like burdens masquerading as gifts¡ªabilities that would make life harder rather than easier.


    Like the woman whose voice echoed three seconds after she spoke, even in spaces where echoes shouldn¡¯t exist. Or the man demonstrating his power to hypnotize people into wiggling their eyebrows back at him¡ªa trick that only worked if they were already looking at him. And then there were the meta natures that felt more like curses. One person¡¯s power was to adjust the temperature of any room, but only to make it slightly uncomfortable for themselves. Another could conjure paperclips in endless quantities¡ªa skill useful only in extremely niche emergencies.


    The more I saw, the more a quiet sense of gratitude settled over me. I didn¡¯t say it out loud, but it struck me how fortunate I was to have abilities that could influence my fate. They weren¡¯t flashy or simple to use, but they mattered. They gave me control.


    For the first time, I appreciated just how lucky I was.


    Eventually, we arrived at a stall that drew my attention like a magnet. Behind a simple wooden table stood a man with a neatly trimmed white beard, his demeanor calm and assured. Laid out before him was an assortment of candies that, at first glance, seemed deceptively ordinary¡ªbrightly colored pieces that wouldn¡¯t look out of place in a corner shop. But his explanations painted a far more fascinating picture.


    ¡°This pink one,¡± he began, holding up a small, jewel-like candy, ¡°will let you relive the happiest moments of your life. Taste it, and for a brief time, those memories will feel as vivid and real as the present.¡±


    I leaned in, intrigued, as he placed a black-and-white swirled candy on the table, handling it as if it were a rare artifact. ¡°These,¡± he continued, his voice steady and deliberate, ¡°are what I call ¡®Truth and Lie¡¯ candies. One forces you to speak only the truth for an hour, no matter how painful or inconvenient. The other? Lies only.¡±


    A ripple of fascination ran through me. Around us, the crowd murmured, a few onlookers leaning closer to hear his every word.


    The man reached for a ruby-red candy next, holding it up between his fingers. ¡°This one,¡± he said, his tone softer, ¡°will bring tears. A flood of them. Not from sadness, but release¡ªa way to confront emotions you¡¯ve been avoiding.¡±


    He set the red candy down and moved to a shimmering blue one. ¡°The blue helps you forget your problems, just for a little while. A temporary reprieve, like the calm before the storm.¡± His hand lingered over a gray piece next. ¡°And this one? It will make you fearless. Completely unshakable. But be careful¡ªfear is there for a reason.¡±


    I listened intently, captivated by his descriptions. Each candy seemed to tap into human emotions and experiences in a profound way. His meta nature must be related to emotion and chemistry, I thought, marveling at the combination of creativity and practicality. It was another one of the most unique and useful meta natures I¡¯d seen today


    Though, the candies weren¡¯t exactly cheap. The Truth and Lie candies, in particular, came at a steep price. I hesitated for a moment, running through the scenarios where such powers might come in handy. How often do you need pure truth¡ªor pure deception? Still, I knew opportunities like this didn¡¯t come often. Carefully, I selected a small assortment of the more useful ones: a few pink candies for their ability to unlock joy, a red one for emotional release, and, after some internal debate, a Truth and a Lie candy.


    As I tucked the candies into my growing bag of trinkets, I realized how much I¡¯d already collected. The convention was turning out to be more rewarding than I¡¯d anticipated.


    However, suddenly, chaos erupted around us. People screamed, shoving and stumbling like a stampeding herd.


    The energy was frantic, almost feral. Without thinking, I grabbed Jade¡¯s hand, pulling her close and positioning myself in front of her. ¡°Stay behind me,¡± I said sharply, my voice low but firm. Whatever was causing this uproar had turned the crowd into a herd of mad bulls, and we couldn¡¯t afford to get caught in the frenzy.


    ¡°Guys!¡± Vinico¡¯s voice rose above the noise, somehow cutting through the commotion. He was glued to his phone screen, his expression a mix of awe and wild excitement. ¡°Crown! The Crown is coming!¡± he yelled, waving his phone in the air as if it were proof. ¡°There¡¯s news he¡¯ll be passing through in just a few minutes!¡±


    His words hit the crowd like a spark to dry tinder. The already chaotic scene exploded into a fever pitch. People shoved harder, pushed faster, desperate to get closer to wherever Crown might appear. The madness was almost contagious. Even Jade, usually the picture of composure, squeezed my hand tighter, her eyes bright with anticipation.


    I glanced at her, surprised to see such uncharacteristic excitement. So, even Jade wasn¡¯t immune to the allure of the Crown. Well, if she wanted to see him, we''d have to move forward.


    But my own feelings were far more tempered. Crown was no stranger to me. I¡¯d seen him in action before, fought in the same space as him, and even helped him indirectly during a particularly¡­ eventful situation in the past cycles. I knew what he was capable of. He wasn¡¯t just a superhero¡ªhe was a legend, an extremely powerful, dangerously so, and not someone I could look up to with the same enthusiasm as everyone else.


    Still, Alex nodded sharply. ¡°Let¡¯s move! If we don¡¯t get to the front before he arrives, we might miss him entirely¡ªhe won¡¯t stay long.¡±


    I gritted my teeth, exasperation bubbling under the surface. But with Jade¡¯s hand grounding me, and the rest of the group charging ahead, I wasn¡¯t about to be left behind. Together, we plunged into the fray, pushing our way through the crush of bodies.


    The hall was devolving into outright chaos. People shouted over one another, elbows jabbed and fists flew, while sporadic flashes of meta abilities lit up the room like a storm breaking loose. Sparks danced through the air, and somewhere to my right, a burst of flame briefly lit the crowd before vanishing.


    Someone nearby threw their hands up, and for a moment, the air was filled with floating bubbles. Beautiful but completely impractical, they popped harmlessly against the faces of the jostling crowd. A little further ahead, I saw a man whose skin shimmered like glass, his entire body reflective as if he¡¯d been dipped in chrome. He glared at anyone who bumped into him, but his power seemed purely cosmetic¡ªit didn¡¯t stop people from elbowing him out of the way.


    On the other side of the hall, a woman waved her hands and created tiny puddles on the floor. People slipped and stumbled, their tempers flaring, and a man cursed loudly as he went down hard. "Seriously, stop doing that!" he yelled, his voice almost drowned out by the din.


    A guy to my left stretched his arm, pointing dramatically at the sky as if commanding lightning to strike. Instead, he emitted a faint, underwhelming spark that fizzled out before anyone noticed. He looked at his hand, disappointed, and quickly melted back into the crowd. Ahead of us, a young girl with wide eyes and a panicked expression unintentionally released a plume of glitter from her hands. It coated her and everyone nearby in a shimmering mess. Someone sneezed violently in reaction, their power sending out a gust of wind that knocked over several people and stalls nearby.


    ¡°Are you seeing this?¡± Alex yelled over the chaos, trying to dodge a low-flying shoe that had been launched by what I assumed was a poorly aimed telekinesis attempt.


    A woman with brightly colored hair stood atop a bench, shouting directions like a conductor. ¡°TO THE LEFT!¡± she screamed, thrusting her arms forward, but her power only made everyone within a ten-foot radius feel an uncontrollable itch on their necks. The discomfort sent a ripple of shivers through the crowd as people scratched furiously and cursed under their breath.


    Not far from her, a man closed his eyes and raised his arms in concentration, apparently conjuring a storm of¡­ small feathers? They swirled weakly in the air before falling like snow, causing confusion more than anything. I nearly tripped when a guy ahead of me inadvertently made the ground under him sticky, his shoes practically glued in place. He stumbled, pulling his foot free with a loud, wet noise, leaving the rest of us to awkwardly navigate the sticky spot.


    Despite the chaos, a few met antures stood out as genuinely useful. I spotted a man who seemed to glide through the crowd effortlessly, his meta nature letting him pass through small gaps without touching anyone. Another woman had a subtle calming aura, and those who brushed past her seemed to relax momentarily, their frantic energy replaced by quiet determination.


    My pulse quickened as I let my meta nature take over. My vision shifted, and the world around me morphed into Likeness. I could see the knots of resistance where the crowd was densest, the turbulent swirls of movement where people shoved and stumbled. But there were also clear spaces, faint but navigable, paths that cut through the chaos.


    ¡°This way!¡± I shouted, leading the group through the least resistant route.


    Just then, ¡°Stay still!¡± Lore¡¯s commanding voice rang out from directly behind me, cutting through the chaos like a blade. The words hit with an almost physical force, sharp and undeniable.


    And then¡ªeverything stopped.


    It was as if an invisible hand had seized the entire world mid-motion. People froze where they stood, mid-shove, mid-yell. Sparks of light and flickers of meta abilities fizzled out, leaving nothing but silence. Even the air seemed to hold its breath.


    For a moment, I could only stare, wide-eyed, at the scene around me. A woman stood frozen mid-fall, her arms outstretched, a look of terror locked on her face. To my left, a glowing orb hung in the air, its light dimming as it hovered, trapped in time.


    Lore stepped forward, her face tight with frustration, her silver-white hair catching the stillness like it had been painted into the moment. She glanced at me, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Move now. My energy is draining fast.¡±


    Her tone snapped us all out of our daze. I grabbed Jade¡¯s hand again and pushed forward. Lore¡¯s power rippled outward like an invisible tide, and I could feel it¡ªa tangible pressure in the air. It wasn¡¯t just stopping people; it was suppressing everything. The weight of her words bore down on the entire event ground like a storm cloud ready to burst. As we moved through the eerie silence, I noticed the edges of her domain starting to crack as people could slightly move their eyes and mouths. A levitating man twitched, his toes brushing the ground. A nearby flame reignited briefly before sputtering out again. It wasn¡¯t just the strain on Lore¡ªit was the resistance from the metas around us. The abilities of thousands weren¡¯t going to stay subdued forever.


    ¡°Lore, how far does this thing go?¡± Vinico asked, his voice hushed as if he didn¡¯t want to disturb the silence.


    ¡°Half the grounds,¡± she replied tersely, beads of sweat forming on her temple. ¡°Maybe more, if they don¡¯t push back too hard.¡±


    ¡°Half?¡± Jade echoed, her tone a mix of awe and disbelief. ¡°That¡¯s... insane.¡±


    ¡°Focus,¡± Lore snapped, her voice trembling slightly. She gritted her teeth, her frustration bleeding into her expression. ¡°Seven seconds is all I¡¯ve got. Move before it breaks.¡±


    The scale of her power was staggering. This was a firsthand demonstration of Lore Lovelace Unique meta nature. If she had used this power on me, I doubted I¡¯d be able to escape; unless, of course, I used intangibility. Besides, her ability was already remarkable at this age, and as she aged and trained further, it would only grow stronger.


    ¡°I can''t hold on any more,¡± Lore muttered.


    And then, exactly seven seconds after it began, the frozen ¡°bubble¡± shattered.


    The noise was deafening as the crowd surged back to life. People stumbled, gasping for air like they¡¯d been suffocating. A few fell to the ground, clutching their chests, while others stood frozen¡ªnot by Lore¡¯s power this time, but by sheer terror. The crowd hesitated, stunned and wary. Fights and flares of meta abilities ceased entirely, as though an unspoken rule had just been established: don¡¯t anger the invisible demon.


    It wasn¡¯t just fear¡ªit was the primal realization that they¡¯d brushed up against something far beyond their understanding. The kind of power that could strip away control of your own body.


    ¡°Exact seven seconds¡­¡± I murmured under my breath, more to myself than anyone else.


    Lore, meanwhile, staggered slightly, catching herself against Alex¡¯s shoulder. She looked pale, her breathing labored, but her eyes remained sharp. ¡°Next time, don¡¯t make me use that,¡± she muttered, glaring at Vinico, who raised his hands defensively.


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t look at me!¡± he said. ¡°You¡¯re the one who decided to drop the ultimate crowd control!¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t have a choice,¡± she shot back, straightening herself. ¡°These Supers in security duty are utterly useless. One more fireball thrown my way, and someone was going to get flattened.¡±


    Jade exhaled slowly, her grip on my hand finally relaxing. ¡°That was... intense.¡±


    ¡°Intense?¡± Vinico said, still catching his breath. ¡°That was terrifying. She basically froze thousands of metas for seven seconds. Seven seconds that felt like an eternity.¡±


    If she uses her ability on a single person, I thought, analyzing, she could easily trap them for a few hours or maybe more... I concluded.


    This wasn¡¯t something any random superhero or even rigorously trained could achieve. She wasn¡¯t just exceptional. She was an absolute force of nature.


    I couldn¡¯t help but wonder: Is everyone at Beyonder¡¯s Academy like this?

 Act 2.5 (Chrysalis)

    The answer was clear: no. I had been a student there myself, after all. But my circumstances were different¡ªI was an outlier, chosen by a mix of luck and chance rather than through my own merits. Alex, Henry, Vinico, Gina¡ªthey were different. They had clawed their way into the academy through grit, hard work, and sheer competition. Then there was Lore. She wasn¡¯t just strong; she was something else entirely. Extraordinary didn¡¯t even begin to cover it.


    As the crowd began to settle, albeit barely, we pushed forward, the tension in the air still palpable.


    Lore, visibly drained from using her meta nature, stayed in the middle of our group, shielded by Alex, who took the lead. His demeanour exuded an undeniable air of invincibility, a confidence that seemed to suggest he was untouchable.


    And, for the most part, he was right. The nature of his power made him untouchable as long as that air of invincibility surrounded him. It was more than a display of arrogance; it was a tangible effect that gave others the feeling they could never hope to overcome him. Even Lore, as powerful as she was, would struggle against him if they clashed directly. She might manage to delay him, perhaps outthink him, but outright defeating him would be a gruelling challenge.


    I walked alongside them, pointing out the paths to take, but the real force at play wasn¡¯t me¡ªit was Jade. Her meta nature bleeding into the surroundings like invisible blood, silent and unseen, yet impossible to ignore once you knew what to look for. Possibilities shifted, probabilities bent, and somehow, the chaos seemed to part just enough for us to keep moving forward. Without her quiet interference, we¡¯d still be stuck in the middle of that mess¡ªor worse, swallowed by it. What struck me was how effortlessly she did it. Jade didn¡¯t blink, didn¡¯t twitch a finger, didn¡¯t give even the slightest sign that she was the one pulling the strings. Yet, as I watched her out of the corner of my eye, I could feel it¡ªfeel her Likeness¡ªforcefully altering the edges of reality, despite its painful cries. It was like watching gravity in action: invisible, inevitable, unstoppable.


    Before us, the crowd was restless, pressing in from all sides.


    At one point, Vinico split himself into clones, sending them scurrying in different directions to scout paths and angles.


    I couldn¡¯t help but roll my eyes at the sight. His clones were clever, sure, but I doubted they¡¯d do much good in a crowd this dense. It was like throwing pebbles into a rushing river and expecting it to change course. Still, his attempts had a certain charm, and if nothing else, they were entertaining to watch as they stumbled and got stuck in the crowd.


    Gina, as always, seemed carefree, her excitement bubbling over. She was practically bouncing as we advanced. Meanwhile, Henry held up the rear, his eyes darting around to ensure no one followed us too closely or caused trouble.


    After what felt like an eternity of pushing, squeezing, and dodging, we finally reached the front rows. Normally, the stage was reserved for performances¡ªsingers, dancers, and entertainers displaying their meta abilities to dazzle the audience. But now, it was empty. Yet, every face was turned to the empty stage, every pair of eyes scanning the skies as if some part of them already knew¨C


    The Crown was coming.


    I adjusted my position slightly, craning my neck to see past a tall man in front of me.


    The first sign was a tremor in the air - a deep, resonant vibration that made the very marrow of bones hum. Then came the booms, like thunder breaking directly overhead, but with a crystalline quality that spoke of something far more divine than mere weather.


    The sky fractured. Ribbons of golden light tore through the heavens, scattering brilliance across the crowd and forcing people to shield their eyes. Still, no one looked away. The air itself crackled with an otherworldly energy, sharp and alive, raising goosebumps on every exposed arm. The sheer force of the sound drove most of us to clap our hands over our ears, though it barely dulled the intensity.


    And then, before anyone could fully comprehend what was happening, a figure descended, enveloped in a golden halo that radiated an almost blinding light.


    He fell like a star.


    The crowd immediately erupted into a chaotic mix of cheers, gasps, and shouts. Enthusiasm rolled through the space like unstoppable waves, suffused with awe and primal restraint.


    The sheer presence of the figure, the impact was felt not in the ground, but in the soul.


    Knees buckled, not by choice, but under the crushing weight of his divine aura. Even the proudest heros and the most unyielding metahumans found themselves bowing, foreheads pressed against the cool stone in instinctive submission.


    The man who had descended was beyond mortal comprehension. Above his head floated an illusory crown unlike any other¡ªmajestic, golden, alive. Golden dragons coiled and swam above him like living symbols of authority. A radiant, holy halo surrounded his entire being, so luminous that it was impossible to fully look upon his face.


    He was the embodiment of divinity in mortal form¡ªa god masquerading as a man, or perhaps an emperor from some long-lost epoch.


    His presence was overwhelming, commanding reverence from all who looked upon him.


    The sheer magnitude of his meta nature demanded it.


    There was an old saying about the Crown: ¡°Wherever his gaze falls, the world bends to his will; all that exists within his sight is his dominion, and all who dwell there are his subjects¡ªbound, body and soul, to his unyielding rule."


    Those words weren¡¯t just legend¡ªthey were law. His powers were unparalleled. To meet his gaze was to submit; his will bent all others with absolute certainty, compelling even the impossible.


    And even in death, his dominion held fast. Those he slew were not free from his grasp; their fates remained chained to him, their very souls claimed as eternal vassals in his unyielding empire.


    In that moment, there was only one way to describe him: holy and transcendent.


    ¡°Oh, wow,¡± we all exclaimed in unison, voices hushed and breathless.


    The entrance alone was nothing short of perfection, a scene straight out of myth.


    The sheer magnificence of his arrival had us¡ªand everyone else¡ªstill on our knees. As if his presence wasn¡¯t something mere mortals like us could hope to withstand standing upright.


    For a fleeting moment, I dared to imagine what it would take to reach his level. The thought felt absurd. Not with how I¡¯m going about things now, I concluded.


    Then again, if I started to dive deeper into the void and fish more, who knew what might happen? But even so, this man was colossal. And what¡¯s more unsettling? He wasn¡¯t even the apex. There were a dozen more meta-humans like him and even some stronger than him. What kind of power must they wield if this man, who stood as if he could casually swallow stars, was merely one of many?


    Crown¡¯s radiant gaze swept across the prostrated crowd, his expression unreadable behind the golden halo. Yet when he finally spoke, his voice carried a surprising warmth. It was calm, almost conversational¡ªlike someone casually commenting on the weather


    ¡°Oh, get up, all of you,¡± he said, waving his hand with a dismissive flourish. ¡°The whole bowing thing gets old fast.¡±


    The crowd hesitated, torn between their ingrained reverence and the authority in his casual command. Slowly, trembling legs began to straighten. People rose, hesitant and unsteady, though no one dared to meet his eyes directly.


    ¡°Just passing through, really,¡± he continued, as if he hadn¡¯t just split the heavens and descended in divine glory.


    His tone was almost nonchalant. ¡°Thought I¡¯d drop by, make sure everything¡¯s...¡± He paused, the golden dragons circling lazily above his head, their forms almost hypnotic. ¡°...running smoothly.¡±


    The crowd remained spellbound, barely daring to breathe.


    ¡°Right then. Carry on.¡± He stretched, the motion sending gentle waves of golden light rippling across the hall.


    Then, without ceremony or grandeur, he simply ceased to be bound by the earth. The ground let go of him as effortlessly as water releasing a leaf, and he ascended with the casual grace of someone stepping into a higher realm. The golden dragons followed, their forms beginning to fade into the light.


    The sky sealed itself behind him, golden light retracting like threads being drawn through fabric. The thunder of his arrival played itself in reverse, fading to whispers, then to silence.


    For a long moment after his departure, no one moved. A thousand faces remained turned skyward, and now, without his presence, we were left to process what we¡¯d just witnessed.


    "Did you see? Did you see how he just¡ª" a voice broke through, breathless and exhilarated.


    "The dragons! They were alive! Breathing!"


    "His voice," another muttered, almost to themselves. "It sounded so¡­ normal. But it wasn¡¯t. It wasn¡¯t normal at all."


    "I can still feel it," a young woman added, wrapping her arms around herself. "Like sunlight¡­ in my bones."


    Vinico''s hands fluttered in the air, trying to capture the impossible grace of his movement. His eyes hadn''t left the sky since his departure. ¡°Did you see how he moved? Like the rules didn¡¯t apply to him. Like gravity¡­ like everything just let him go.¡±


    ¡°That smile in his voice, though,¡± Gina sighed, hugging herself as if to hold onto the fleeting warmth of the memory. ¡°How does someone sound like that?¡±


    Nearby, a group of young men had broken into animated discussion, their voices a mix of awe and longing.


    ¡°That,¡± one of them said firmly, his hand slicing through the air for emphasis, ¡°is what real authority looks like. Not these superheroes with their rehearsed speeches and poses. He didn¡¯t need any of that. He just was. And the world bent around him.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to train harder. I know we can¡¯t be like him, not completely¡­ but maybe we can carry even a fraction of that? That confidence. That purpose.¡±


    ¡°He made me want to be better. Not just stronger. Not just more powerful. But¡­ better. Someone who deserves to live in his world.¡±


    The conversations continued well after him departing, voices mixing with laughter and sighs, theories and dreams blossoming. Every few minutes, someone would point to a cloud formation or a ray of light breaking through, wondering if it was him watching.


    Young men stood taller, mimicking the effortless confidence they¡¯d witnessed. A few even practiced walking, trying to capture that elusive mix of grace and command.


    ¡°I mean,¡± one joked, ¡°how do you even practise that? ¡®Lesson One: Be a god.¡¯¡± The group burst into nervous laughter, but no one truly disagreed.


    Still, as the crowd slowly dispersed, one sentiment seemed to echo among them all, unspoken but shared: He was more than we can ever be. But maybe, just maybe, we can be more than we are.


    <hr>


    "I bet he''s lonely sometimes," Gina mused, her voice soft and wistful, eyes still glued to the sky. But then, almost theatrically, she clutched her chest and gasped. "Oh my god, can you imagine? A man like him, lonely? It¡¯s tragic. I could fix him."


    "Lonely? Him?" Alex scoffed, his excitement undimmed. "Did you miss the part where he can command anyone? Even death doesn¡¯t stop him."Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Lore rolled her eyes dramatically. "And that¡¯s exactly why! When you can make anyone do what you want, how do you know who really wants to be with you? He needs someone... authentic. Someone who understands him."


    "Oh please," Gina interrupted, flipping her hair and letting out an exaggerated sigh. "He wouldn¡¯t need to command me. I¡¯d obey him willingly, happily, any day, every day! Did you see the way he moved? The confidence, the power. Ugh, I would die just to carry his coat."


    Some girl nearby our group groaned loudly, enough to attract her surroundings attention. "Same! Like, he doesn¡¯t even have to ask. He just exists and I¡¯m ready to throw my entire life at his feet."


    Gina clasped her hands together as if in prayer. "Seriously, if he looked at me with those eyes and said, ¡®Gina, walk off a cliff,¡¯ I¡¯d be like, ¡®Which one, my lord?¡¯" She sighed deeply, hugging herself. "He¡¯s not just powerful. He¡¯s perfect."


    I tried to drown out their ridiculous fawning, but my gaze drifted to Jade¡ªand my stomach dropped. She stood motionless, her eyes still locked on the spot where the Crown had disappeared, her face frozen in awe. A cold feeling settled in my chest. What the hell? Was she charmed by him too?


    "Hey," I said softly, taking a step toward her.


    Jade blinked, snapping out of her trance. She turned to me, her expression unreadable. Was she comparing me to him? Measuring me against that impossible standard? My throat tightened, and I braced myself for the worst.


    Then, without warning, her face broke into a dazzling smile. Before I could even react, she grabbed my hand with an excited grip.


    "Did you see him?" she exclaimed, practically vibrating with excitement. Her gaze flicked back to the sky, wide and glittering. "He was so cool! Like, beyond cool! Like¡ªlike nothing I¡¯ve ever seen in my life!"


    Cool?


    The word hit me like a gut punch. Depression crept in as I stood there, questioning my entire existence. Am I not cool enough for her? Indeed! I glared at the spot where Crown had vanished/


    Was she as charmed by him as everyone else?


    ¡°Honestly," Gina was saying, "if he smiled at me, I¡¯d faint. Like, straight up collapse. And then I¡¯d thank him for it."


    Lore wasn''t wanted to be left behind. "Please, Gina. You? Faint? I¡¯d claw my way through this crowd just to get to him first. You wouldn¡¯t stand a chance."


    Their thought alone made my dumbfounded.


    After witnessing the awe-inspiring presence of the Crown, we decided to call it a day. The energy spent fighting through the crowd for the best viewing spots had left us all drained. None of us had the stamina¡ªor the patience¡ªto continue exploring. Luckily, the SuperNot Convention still had three days left, which meant plenty of time to come back.


    Besides, we were staying nearby for the weekend, so there was no rush. Who knew? Maybe another superhero would show up and steal the show tomorrow.


    As we trudged to the cars, the group was anything but quiet. To my surprise, even Jade had joined the ongoing debates, something I hadn¡¯t expected. The discussions had split everyone into two very loud factions.


    On one side¡ªled by Lore, Gina, and Jade¡ªwas what I could only describe as the Crown Worship Fangirls. Their argument? Crown¡¯s "superior handsomeness" absolutely obliterated any other hero¡¯s appeal. Each time they sighed over his "casual grace" or "divine beauty," I felt my eye twitch. It wasn¡¯t just the compliments; it was the way they said it, as if he weren¡¯t just a superhero but some celestial being sent to humble mortals with his existence.


    "He wasn¡¯t just handsome," Lore declared, hands clasped dramatically over her chest. "He was¡­ otherworldly. No other hero comes close. Admit it."


    "Otherworldly?" Alex shot back, incredulous. "What does that even mean? He¡¯s just a guy who descended with fancy lights and dragons."


    "Excuse me?" Jade gasped, looking personally offended. "Just a guy? Did you see him? The presence? The dragons?"


    "Yeah," Henry jumped in, "but could he hold his own against the Limitless. Looks won¡¯t save you when someone¡¯s throwing planets at your face."


    The second faction, led by Alex, Henry, and Vinico, had their own mission: dismantling the Crown hype train by debating how he would fare against other heroes in hypothetical battles. It had turned into a full-blown courtroom drama, complete with counterarguments, rebuttals, and some truly ridiculous hypothetical scenarios.


    Listening to their back-and-forth, I was utterly speechless. Was there even a point to any of this? It didn¡¯t feel like a discussion about heroes anymore¡ªit was just an excuse to bicker and poke fun at one another.


    By the time we piled into the car, the tension had reached a boiling point. No one was speaking to each other with a straight face. Jade, usually the composed one, sat with her arms crossed, staring out the window with an audible huff. Lore looked unbearably smug, clearly satisfied with whatever point she¡¯d made last, while Gina was still grinning like she¡¯d just been personally blessed by Crown himself. On the other hand, Alex and Henry were glaring daggers at the back of Vinico¡¯s head.


    Vinico, to his credit, just shrugged and stretched out in his seat, looking utterly unbothered. His expression all but said, What? I wasn¡¯t even trying.


    I stared at them, completely baffled. One minute they were debating superheroes, and now it felt like someone had declared war in the car. The absurdity of it all was enough to make me sigh.


    I didn¡¯t care much for their bickering, honestly. The only thing that mattered was that Jade and I were sitting together in the back, tucked away where no one could see us. Let them argue¡ªit didn¡¯t matter. We had our own little world back here, and that was enough to make me quietly happy.


    Or at least, it should have been.


    When I glanced at her, ready to share a subtle smile or even reach out to take her hand, that comforting thought evaporated. She was fuming. Her expression was sharp, fiery¡ªpractically burning¡ªand I could feel the heat radiating off her frustration. It wasn¡¯t just her; Lore and Gina had the same ferocious energy, but somehow seeing it in Jade was¡­ unsettling. I dared not disturb her while she was like this.


    God, I thought, sinking further into my seat. They just saw someone famous, and now they¡¯re fighting like kids. Granted, it wasn¡¯t just someone famous¡ªit was Crown. But still.


    Before I could dwell on it further, Gina twisted in her seat, fixing me with an accusing glare. ¡°North!¡± she snapped, her tone sharp enough to cut steel. ¡°You tell these idiots! Who¡¯s better¡ªthe Crown or Limitless?¡±


    I froze, a sinking feeling settling in my stomach. Her tone made it clear that silence wasn¡¯t an option. Don¡¯t drag me into your childish nonsense, I thought, sighing inwardly. But I knew if I didn¡¯t answer, they¡¯d assume I was being cold, acting like I was somehow above their argument.


    Alex shot me a glance from the front seat, smirking. ¡°Oh, this¡¯ll be good. Let¡¯s hear it, North. Who¡¯s the real top dog?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t hold back,¡± Lore added with a sweet but entirely false smile. ¡°I mean, unless you¡¯re scared you¡¯ll pick the wrong side.¡±


    I could only bite the bullet.


    I shrugged, trying to project an air of calm that I absolutely didn¡¯t feel. ¡°Have you guys heard of Samadhi?¡± I asked, keeping my voice casual. ¡°She¡¯s literally transcended life and death. She¡¯s no longer bound by the world.¡±


    For a moment, silence fell over the car like a heavy curtain. Everyone stared at me, their faces ranging from disbelief to outright exasperation. Even Jade, who had been so angry just seconds ago, looked at me as if I¡¯d suddenly sprouted wings and declared myself a god.


    ¡°Oh, please,¡± Gina groaned, throwing her hands in the air. ¡°Samadhi? That¡¯s your pick? She¡¯s like a walking meditation app. All she wears is a red curtain. What even is her power? Staring at you until you feel bad about yourself?¡±


    Lore snorted, hiding her laughter behind her hand. ¡°I mean, if you wanted to pick a boring answer, you could¡¯ve just said the Abyss or something. At least he¡¯s intimidating.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re worse,¡± Gina added, shaking her head in irritation. ¡°I thought you¡¯d actually add something to this conversation. Instead, you just threw a wrench into it.¡±


    Alex laughed loudly, clearly enjoying the chaos. ¡°Look at you, North. Coming in with the third-party vote no one asked for.¡±


    ¡°Bold move,¡± Vinico muttered with a smirk, leaning back in his seat. ¡°Wrong, but bold.¡±


    I sank back into my seat, rubbing my temples as their chatter picked up again. Dodged a bullet there, I thought, feeling a strange sense of victory. Let them argue all they wanted¡ªat least I wasn¡¯t part of it. For once, staying out of the chaos felt like a win.


    The car ride was uneventful. Soon, we arrived at the house Lore had booked for the night. She punched in the code the owner had sent, and we all shuffled inside, dragging our overnight bags like tired soldiers after a long campaign. The house was stunning. The entryway opened into a spacious layout that made my own place feel like a glorified broom closet. High ceilings, sleek furniture, tasteful art on the walls¡ªit was clear the owner had spared no expense. It was nice, undeniably nice. But as I took it all in, there was an unmistakable sterility to the place. It didn¡¯t feel lived in.


    I couldn¡¯t help but compare it to Jade¡¯s house. Her place wasn¡¯t nearly as big or fancy, but it radiated warmth. Every windowsill was lined with thriving plants, her corners thoughtfully arranged with books, trinkets, and signs of life. She had a magic touch¡ªher space felt alive, like it belonged to someone who cared.


    Even her succulents looked happy, which was a feat I¡¯d never managed to accomplish. My succulents always looked like they were actively plotting their escape.


    This house, though impressive, felt more like a showroom. Beautiful, but hollow.


    Once inside, Lore gathered everyone in the dining area. We formed a circle around her, everyone instantly alert. Everyone could feel the energy shift in the room - that electric tension before a storm breaks.


    ¡°There are four rooms in the house,¡± she announced. ¡°We¡¯re seven people. Whoever reaches the room at the end of the second floor gets it.¡±


    Seven people, four rooms, and one clear prize¡ªa room so coveted it didn¡¯t need further explanation.


    Gone was the tired, quiet group from the car. Eyes darted around, measuring the competition.


    Lore added with a mischievous grin, ¡°You can use your powers. There are no rules, as long as we don¡¯t destroy anything.¡±


    The words had barely left Lore¡¯s mouth before all hell broke loose.


    Vinico moved first¡ªhis meta ability activating like a biological detonation. One second, he was standing there; the next, he erupted into a teeming swarm of duplicates. It wasn¡¯t like watching a single person multiply¡ªit was like a time-lapse of a petri dish crawling with bacteria, expanding endlessly in every direction.


    A thousand Vinicos filled the space in an instant, spilling into the staircase, cramming against walls, blocking doorways, and even perching on furniture. The sheer volume of him was dizzying, his grinning faces plastered everywhere I looked. It was overwhelming, absurdly so. Even actual bacteria would have been humbled by his efficiency. Through the living sea of Vinicos, I caught glimpses of the original, already making his way toward the second floor. He used his clones as stepping stones, scrambling upward like some kind of twisted parkour athlete. If this was a contest of speed and sheer chaos, he had already won¡ªor so he thought.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    Lore¡¯s voice cut through the mayhem like the crack of a whip. Instantly, I felt the familiar, terrifying weight of her power slam into me. My muscles locked in place, frozen mid-step. My entire body turned to stone, paralyzed by her decree. Even my breathing stalled; the only part of me that could move was my mind, and even that felt sluggish, like swimming through molasses.


    So this is what it feels like, I thought grimly. I¡¯d seen her ability in action before, but experiencing it firsthand was a whole other level of horrifying. Her meta nature didn¡¯t just stop movement¡ªit crushed you under the weight of her authority, leaving you feeling insignificant, powerless. I knew I could break free if I activated my tangibility powers. I¡¯d slip right out of her control like a ghost. But revealing my secret in this ridiculous fight wasn¡¯t worth it. Instead, I stayed frozen, observing, cataloging the chaos around me.


    Lore moved forward with the poise of a queen surveying her domain. Her expression was sharp, her confidence practically radiating as she stepped toward the staircase. The Vinicos nearest to her parted like a crowd before royalty, clearing a path without hesitation.


    But fate had other plans.


    As she planted her foot on the first step, it slid out from under her like it had hit black ice. Her overconfidence presence crumbled in an instant as she went down hard, landing on her butt with a thundering crash that echoed through the house.


    If I could have moved, I would¡¯ve doubled over with laughter. Even frozen in place, I could feel the smug satisfaction bubbling up in my chest. This wasn¡¯t just bad luck, I thought. No, this was Jade. I couldn¡¯t see her, but I knew her meta nature was at work.


    Lore scrambled to her feet, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and fury. ¡°Who¡ª¡± she began, her voice trembling with rage, but she was cut off by a sudden shift in the air.


    Alex¡¯s aura flared to life, a shimmering distortion around him that made the very space he occupied seem untouchable. With a single, deliberate step, he broke free from Lore¡¯s hold as if her power had never existed. His meta nature, rooted in his unshakable belief in his own superiority, allowed him to shrug off any power that dared to challenge his dominance. His clothes fluttered slightly, as if the air around him bent to his will. He didn¡¯t believe Lore could stop him, so she couldn¡¯t.


    Meanwhile, I, Henry, and Gina could only watch from the sidelines. Our meta natures weren¡¯t suited for direct confrontations like this, leaving us effectively useless in the chaos. We exchanged helpless glances as Alex surged ahead, racing up the stairs while Lore scrambled to recover.


    Yet, suddenly, something shifted. My vision blurred, and a wave of disorienting d¨¦j¨¤ vu crashed over me, pulling me under like an undertow. When I blinked, I realized I was back where I had been moments ago¡ªstanding near the starting point.


    Lore was still explaining the rules calmly, as if none of the chaos had happened yet.


    But something was off.


    Where¡¯s Gina?

 Act 2.6 (Chrysalis)

    Rewinding time by ten seconds!


    The words reverberated in my mind, even though no one else seemed to notice. No one, that is, except Gina, she was cause of it. It felt like we were the only ones who remembered what had just happened. But why me? The answer struck me almost instantly¡ªit had to be tied to my ability to navigate time''s currents, however clumsy and limited my control might be. Strange, sure. But not unwelcome.


    Lore¡¯s voice cut through the tension as she repeated the rules again. Then chaos exploded in its now-predictable rhythm. Vinico burst into his bacterial swarm, multiplying so rapidly that every corner of the room became filled with copies of him.


    Gina groaned from somewhere.


    ¡°Do you ever get tired of this?¡± she muttered, swatting at a copy as it zipped by. ¡°Look at me! I¡¯m the amoeba guy! Ugh! Stay away from me! You''re naked and I don''t wanna touch you.¡±


    Across the room, Lore stepped forward, arms raised, ready to freeze us all in our tracks again. Her mouth opened¡ªAnd nothing.


    No sound.


    Her eyes widened in alarm, and for a split second, the ever-composed Lore looked genuinely rattled.


    ¡°What the¡ª?¡± she croaked, or tried to.


    Someone¡ªor something¡ªhad stolen her voice.


    My mind raced to piece it together. Who could have done this? Then it clicked¡ªJade.


    Of course.


    She was already halfway up the stairs, moving so fast she was a blur. No hesitation, no playing it cool¡ªthis time, she was all action. She¡¯s getting bold. Not even pretending to stay in the background anymore.


    I turned my attention back to the floor. Henry.


    What are you up to, Henry?


    He stood perfectly still, his face blank and unreadable. Unlike everyone else, he seemed utterly unbothered by the pandemonium, as if he were watching a puzzle solve itself.


    What¡¯s your game here?


    That calm, calculated demeanor sent alarms ringing in my head. He wasn¡¯t just watching; he was waiting for the right moment to act. And whatever he was planning, it wouldn¡¯t be good.


    Lore clawed at her throat, her silent protests growing more frantic. Vinico¡¯s clones filled every corner. Jade and Gina were long gone, heading toward the door. And Henry? He still stood there, the eye of the storm, calm as ever.


    This is fine. Totally fine.


    Alex burst into action, plowing through Vinico''s endless swarm of clones like a wrecking ball. His punch landed squarely on the "original" Vinico¡ªor whatever counted as original in his bizarre bacterial-like existence. The force rippled outward, turning the hallway into a makeshift bowling alley of tumbling Vinicos, each one crashing into the next like oversized, panicked pins.


    Amid the chaos, I spotted Gina making a break for the door. Her hand stretched toward the handle, fingers mere inches away. She¡¯s actually going to make it! I thought, almost cheering her on¡ªuntil I heard Alex''s shout echo from behind her.


    ¡°Gina! Don¡¯t¡ªwait!¡± he yelled, his voice strained with panic.


    But then, everything shifted.


    Henry moved. Or rather, he stopped standing still in that unnervingly calm way of his. One moment, he was a statue in the chaos, the next¡­


    He faded.


    It wasn¡¯t like teleporting or vanishing in a puff of smoke. No, space itself twisted in a spiral where Gina stood, warping reality like someone had folded the air into an origami knot. And then, with all the casual nonchalance of someone stepping through a revolving door, Henry emerged. He reappeared behind Gina, his presence so sudden and seamless it was as if he¡¯d been there the whole time. His hand reached past her shoulder, cool and composed, to grasp the handle just as her fingers brushed the edge.


    He smirked, tilting his head toward her as if to say, Too slow.


    Gina jumped back, startled, and for a split second, the entire room seemed to hold its breath in shock. Alex skidded to a stop mid-charge, the Vinicos paused their domino collapse, and even Lore¡¯s air of superiority faltered.


    And then¡ªit happened.


    Rewind!


    That strange, familiar wave of d¨¦j¨¤ vu crashed over me like icy water. My stomach dropped as the telltale rewind sensation dragged me backward. Again.


    The world reset, snapping me back to the starting point like a needle on a scratched record. My eyes darted to Lore, waiting for her to launch into her tired spiel once more, but this time, something was different. Gina didn¡¯t even pretend to care about the rules. She bolted toward the second floor the moment we reset, her feet barely touching the ground. She was already three steps ahead, ignoring everything Lore was about to say.


    Well, that¡¯s new.


    And apparently, I wasn¡¯t the only one who noticed. Everyone seemed to catch on quicker this time, their eyes narrowing, their movements sharper. Lore, visibly thrown off by the sheer speed of the unraveling chaos, scrambled to assert control.


    ¡°Enough!¡± she barked, her voice slicing through the noise. She waved her hand, and the room shimmered as her meta nature surged. Time froze, space locked, and for a brief, suffocating moment, it felt like the entire world had been pressed between the pages of a book.


    Lore laughed, a high, villainous sound that filled the hall. ¡°Stupid. You really think you can outrun me?!¡± Her eyes zeroed in on Gina, her expression dripping with triumph.


    But then, as if on cue, her laugh faltered.


    Somewhere in the frozen stillness, something¡ªor someone¡ªwas moving.


    Alex, ever the disruptor, broke free from Lore¡¯s nature with ease. His invincibility flared to life like a flash of golden energy, and without missing a beat, he launched himself forward. His fist connected squarely with Lore¡¯s chest, sending her flying across the room. She slammed into the wall, her eyes wide with shock. He smirked, dusting off his hands as if to say, Job done. But his triumph was painfully short-lived. Just as he crouched to leap toward the second floor, the ground beneath him shifted¡ªJade¡¯s doing, no doubt. The floor buckled and gave way, sending Alex crashing back down to the first level in a very un-graceful heap. His face twisted in frustration, the smugness replaced by sheer disbelief.


    Meanwhile, Vinico¡¯s chaotic multiplication was in full swing again. His clones spread like a virus, swarming the house and filling every nook and cranny. One of his copies, faster than the others, lunged for the door handle.


    Maybe this time? I thought, almost hopeful.


    Nope.


    Before the clone could even graze the handle, space itself twisted in that same maddening swirl. Out of the distortion stepped Henry, calm as ever, that smug little smile plastered on his face. With an infuriating lack of urgency, he planted his hand squarely on the door.


    Dammit! My fists clenched as d¨¦j¨¤ vu hit me like a truck yet again.


    How many times was this going to happen? How many rewinds could Gina manage? Surely, there had to be a limit. I scratched my head.


    Everything rewound. Again. Back to the starting point.


    I staggered as the rewind disoriented me, but this time, my eyes zeroed in on Gina. She wasn¡¯t wasting time anymore¡ªno hesitation, no pretense of playing along.


    The second the world reset, she was already in motion.


    Vinico didn¡¯t even have a chance to activate his power. Gina¡¯s fist connected with precision, dropping him in a single hit before he could so much as blink.


    One instant, one target, unconscious.


    The rest of us stared, dumbfounded, as Gina pivoted smoothly toward Lore, who was just opening her mouth to start her usual spiel. Lore managed one syllable before Gina struck again, fast and efficient, knocking her out cold.


    Two targets down.


    With both Lore and Vinico out of the game, Gina seized control. She straightened, calm but commanding, and turned to the rest of us. ¡°Alright, listen up. Here are the rules. I¡¯m running the show now.¡±


    Her voice was sharp and no-nonsense, cutting through the chaos like a blade. Alex raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Henry tilted his head, his expression unreadable.


    She rattled off the rules in a rush.


    The room was quieter now, the air filled with tension as the rest of us assessed the new landscape. Only Alex, Henry, Jade, Gina, and I remained. Jade leaned in casually, her glowing silver eyes practically sparkling with excitement. Her grin stretched wide, making her look like she was having the time of her life. Meanwhile, Alex tried to make his move. His confidence was palpable, his eyes set on the second floor, but luck wasn¡¯t on his side. Just as he pushed off to sprint, his ankle twisted beneath him.


    ¡°Ahh¡ªdammit!¡± he yelled, collapsing to the floor in a heap. His invincibility might protect him from others, but clearly, it didn¡¯t save him from his own bad luck.


    I couldn¡¯t suppress a chuckle as he rolled onto his back, groaning in pain. Poor guy. Invincible, yet cursed.


    Gina and Jade wasted no time seizing the opportunity. Both dashed toward the stairs, with me close on their heels. Gina, however, underestimated the chaos. In her haste, she miscalculated her footing halfway up the staircase.


    Her sneaker slipped.


    With a yelp and a comical thud, she slid back down on her butt, landing in a heap at the base of the stairs.


    I winced. Ouch. That¡¯s going to sting¡ªboth her pride and her backside.


    Jade, however, was unfazed. Her silver eyes gleamed with triumph as she bounded up the steps two at a time, reaching the top. Her victory smile was infectious. She approached the door with confident strides, her hand reaching for the handle. But just as her fingers hovered over the knob, that familiar spatial distortion appeared again.


    Of course.


    Henry emerged from the swirling space, as maddeningly composed as ever, his trademark smug grin plastered on his face. The smug grin I¡¯d grown to hate.


    Jade froze in her tracks, her eyes wide with disbelief.


    Before Henry¡¯s hand could reach the handle, though, I finally made my move.


    With all the frustration of a three resets fueling me, I lunged. My fist connected with his face in a satisfying crunch. Henry staggered back, clutching his nose as blood trickled down his face. He dropped to his knees, his composure shattered. For the first time, he didn¡¯t look smug. He looked stunned.


    Guess who¡¯s laughing now. I muttered under my breath, my adrenaline surging.


    Jade blinked at me, still frozen in shock, before a slow smile spread across her face. I met her gaze and returned the grin, gesturing toward the door with an exaggerated flourish.


    ¡°After you,¡± I said, stepping aside.


    She hesitated for only a moment before her hand closed around the handle. The door creaked open, and Jade beamed, her victorious grin lighting up the room. Watching her happy made the whole ordeal feel¡­ worth it. Behind us, Gina stood at the base of the stairs, fists clenched in frustration. It seemed she¡¯d hit her limit¡ªno more rewinds. Her anger was palpable, but the game was over, there was nothing she could do anymore. The future was finally set. Smirking, I turned to her and waving slightly in mock gratitude.


    Thank you for your efforts, Gina, my actions oozing with fake politeness.


    Her glare could¡¯ve melted steel, but there was nothing she could do to change the outcome anymore. It seemed three was her limit.


    Jade turned back to me, her excitement still radiating. There was a faint flush on her cheeks as she said softly, ¡°Thanks.¡± I nodded, keeping my expression as neutral as I could, though a small flutter in my chest threatened to betray me. She¡¯d won, I told myself, glancing at the open door. That was what mattered most.


    The aftermath looked like a small war zone. Gina had already shaken off her bruised pride long enough to sling Alex¡¯s arm over her shoulder and help him hobble to the sofa. His face was twisted in a mix of pain and frustration as he limped along.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t sprain it!¡± Alex protested through gritted teeth as Gina helped him ease down onto the cushions. ¡°It¡¯s a strategic injury.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sure,¡± Gina muttered, rolling her eyes. ¡°Tripping over air was all part of the plan.¡±


    Alex glared at her, but his rebuttal died as another wave of pain flashed across his face. I moved to Vinico, hoisting his unconscious body over my shoulder. He felt lighter than I expected, more like a pile of laundry than a person. Across the room, Jade was dragging Lore¡¯s limp body toward the sofa with considerably more effort.


    ¡°Need a hand?¡± I offered, setting Vinico down with a thud.


    ¡°Nope,¡± she replied, her voice strained. ¡°She¡¯s heavier than she looks, but I¡¯ve got it.¡±


    Lore¡¯s head lolled as Jade dropped her unceremoniously into an armchair. The faint groan Lore let out as her body slumped spoke volumes about how poorly her plans had gone.


    Once everyone was arranged and conscious again, the room settled into an uneasy quiet.


    Vinico, cradling his head, broke the silence first. ¡°This whole thing was rigged,¡± he grumbled, his usual energy completely deflated. ¡°If I could¡¯ve just multiplied a little faster¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d still have been swatted like a fly,¡± Gina cut in, smirking from her perch on the armrest of the sofa.


    Vinico slumped further in his seat, crossing his arms like a petulant child. ¡°Whatever.¡±


    Lore, sitting stiffly and rubbing her temples, let out a long sigh. ¡°Overconfidence,¡± she muttered to herself, her gaze locked on her hands as if they¡¯d betrayed her. ¡°It was overconfidence, plain and simple. I should¡¯ve anticipated countermeasures.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s one way to spin it,¡± Alex said, still flexing his injured ankle. ¡°Or maybe you just got your ass handed to you. That works too.¡±


    Lore¡¯s eyes snapped up to him, sharp as daggers. ¡°At least I didn¡¯t sprain my ankle in the middle of a decisive moment.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s rich coming from someone who got sucker-punched by Gina,¡± Alex shot back, wincing as he shifted on the couch.


    ¡°Enough,¡± Gina interrupted, raising a hand with exaggerated authority. ¡°You¡¯re all just mad I outplayed you.¡± She leaned back. ¡°But you''ve all forgotten about the biggest criminal.¡±


    The room suddenly grew quiet again, slowly, the realization seemed to settle on them, like puzzle pieces finally clicking into place. At first, Jade didn¡¯t notice. She was seated cross-legged on the floor, looking perfectly at ease despite the tension in the room. But then, she felt it¡ªthe weight of everyone¡¯s collective attention pressing down on her. Slowly, she glanced up, her sharp silver eyes meeting the heated stares directed at her from every corner of the room.


    ¡°What?¡± Jade asked innocently, leaning back on her hands and raising her eyebrows.


    No one answered her, but the tension was palpable. Finally, she exhaled sharply, her demeanor slipping. Her posture was telling, shoulders slumped and eyes cast down.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry guys,¡± she said softly, the sincerity in her voice catching everyone off guard. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to hurt anyone.¡±


    Alex¡¯s throat bobbed as he swallowed, the weight of her words sinking in. He didn¡¯t say it, but the unspoken What if you¡¯d stopped someone¡¯s heart? lingered between them like a live wire. Her meta nature made that terrifyingly possible.


    Still, Alex managed to push through his unease. ¡°I don¡¯t blame you,¡± he said, voice steady but kind. ¡°We all did what we could to win.¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    He glanced briefly at Lore, an unspoken apology passing between them. Neither seemed eager to dig into their earlier clash.


    But Henry... watching him made my skin crawl. He had this eerie stillness about him, like a predator patiently waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Even through three rewinds, he¡¯d nearly won every time without so much as breaking a sweat. It was unsettling. Who could have guessed his meta nature allowed such precise spatial manipulation? At first, I thought he was just teleporting. But no¡ªit was much more complicated. Henry wasn¡¯t simply moving through space. He was hiding inside other people¡¯s thoughts, slipping into their mental landscapes like a ghost. And then, when the moment was right, he¡¯d use their very thoughts to emerge at their location.


    The idea alone sent shivers down my spine. He could be anywhere, anytime, and we¡¯d never see it coming. Hell, part of him might still be hiding in my thoughts right now, and I wouldn¡¯t even know. No matter how hard I tried to shake the feeling, the thought clung to me like a shadow¡ªwhat if he was already there, lurking in the corners of my mind, waiting? I had no way to confirm it.


    I glanced toward him, hoping for some kind of tell, some sign that he wasn¡¯t inside my head at that very moment. But, he was simply laughing and chatting with others.


    <hr>


    The takeout bags arrived just as the last bit of sunlight faded from the windows. Alex grabbed the boxes and bags first, setting them down on the center table with a practiced ease.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s dig in,¡± he said.


    The smell of melted cheese and roasted garlic filled the room as I flipped open the first pizza box. Lore didn¡¯t say a word, but she was the first to reach out, grabbing a slice. She bit into it immediately, chewing in the kind of silence that screamed exhaustion.


    ¡°This last breadstick is up for grabs,¡± Gina announced, holding it up like it was some kind of golden trophy.


    Vinico raised a hand from the far end of the couch, his energy level barely registering. ¡°I¡¯ll take it,¡± he muttered.


    With a lazy underhand toss, Gina lobbed it toward him. It bounced once on the coffee table before he caught it.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± she said, smirking.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± he mumbled, biting into it without ceremony.


    Across the table, Jade sat with one leg tucked under her, absently picking at the toppings on her pizza slice. Her silver eyes darted up briefly to meet mine, but she looked away just as quickly.


    Alex nudged me, nodding toward the untouched side of garlic knots in front of me. ¡°You gonna eat those, or are they just for decoration?¡±


    I slid the container toward him. ¡°Knock yourself out.¡±


    ¡°Do you think this is the best pizza we¡¯ve had so far?¡± Henry asked suddenly, breaking the lull.


    ¡°It¡¯s the only pizza we¡¯ve had,¡± Alex said around a mouthful of garlic knot.


    Henry shot him a look. ¡°You know what I mean.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Lore said, setting down her crust. ¡°The one from last week was better.¡±


    That earned a few murmurs of agreement, but the conversation fizzled out as quickly as it started. We were all too drained to keep it going.


    Eventually, the pizza boxes were closed, the leftover breadsticks forgotten in their corner. People began drifting toward their rooms, too tired to muster more than a quick ¡°good night¡± or a vague grunt of acknowledgment. Gina, of course, made one last attempt to stir things up. ¡°Truth or dare?¡± she asked, hopping onto the arm of the couch and twirling an empty soda can in her hand. Her suggestion was met with eye rolls and exhausted groans. The conversion, rush to the front row, and fight for the single room had thoroughly drained whatever energy we had left. Even Gina''s power couldn''t rewind us back to being energetic enough for social games.


    ¡°Pass,¡± Vinico said immediately, getting up and stretching her arms overhead. ¡°I¡¯d rather dare my bed to let me sleep for a week.¡±


    ¡°Come on, you¡¯re all so boring,¡± Gina groaned, but even she sounded like she was running on fumes.


    ¡°Save it for tomorrow,¡± Alex called over his shoulder as he headed for the stairs.


    With a final muttered ¡°Buzzkills,¡± Gina trudged off, leaving the room quiet at last.


    When it came time to sleep, I had chosen to bunk with Alex. Out of everyone, he was the one I trusted most. He didn¡¯t overthink things, didn¡¯t let his emotions cloud his judgment, and always had my back¡ªa rare combination. His straightforwardness and loyalty made him, well, a true bro.


    In our room, I was halfway through changing into something more comfortable when Alex¡¯s voice cut through the quiet.


    ¡°Hey,¡± he said, leaning back against the wall, arms crossed. ¡°So¡­ what¡¯s going on with you and Jade?¡±


    I froze, my t-shirt still halfway on, one arm stuck awkwardly in the sleeve. ¡°Who?¡± I asked, my voice coming out far too squeaky. ¡°Jade? What about her?¡±


    Alex rolled his eyes so hard I thought they might pop out of his head. ¡°You know exactly what I mean, North. Don¡¯t play dumb. You two were practically sending smoke signals across the room all day. I mean, come on, it was blatant.¡±


    I tugged the shirt all the way on, avoiding his gaze like it was on fire. ¡°You¡¯re imagining things,¡± I said, waving a hand dismissively. ¡°She¡¯s just¡­ Jade. Same as always.¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Alex said, nodding with exaggerated slowness. ¡°Totally normal. That¡¯s why you two were glancing at her every five minutes like each of you would suddenly explode. Or, I don¡¯t know, like you two were practically glued to each other almost all day at the convention.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not¡ª¡± I started, but the words caught in my throat. Were we that obvious? Dammit! My mind raced through every interaction, every glance, every small moment from the day. And I realized what he said was true. I had been glancing at her, maybe more than I should have. Thinking about her, too¡ªway more than I wanted to admit. But the truth was messier than any simple yes or no ¨C Whatever was happening between Jade and me, we hadn¡¯t even figured it out ourselves. It wasn¡¯t like we were hiding from the others. We were hiding from ourselves, from the uncertainty of what ¡®this¡¯ even was. And honestly? That made it all the more terrifying.


    I sighed, raking a hand through my hair. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ complicated, okay?¡±


    Alex leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. ¡°Complicated how?¡±


    I hesitated, the words jamming up in my throat. ¡°We haven¡¯t¡­ we don¡¯t really know what¡¯s going on. It¡¯s not like we¡¯re sneaking around or anything. We¡¯re just¡ª¡± I broke off, searching for the right words. ¡°We¡¯re figuring it out. Or trying to.¡±


    Alex sat down on his bed, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. ¡°Okay, so you¡¯re saying there¡¯s something, but you¡¯re both too freaked out to figure out what that is?¡±


    ¡°Pretty much,¡± I muttered, climbing up the bed.


    He nodded thoughtfully, like he was filing that away for later. ¡°So¡­ do you like her?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that,¡± I unrolled my blanket.


    Alex smirked, the knowing glint in his eyes making me instantly regret my reaction. ¡°You didn¡¯t not say it, either.¡±


    I groaned, ¡°Can we not do this right now?¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure,¡± Alex said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. But then he grinned, leaning back and crossing his arms. ¡°For the record, though? I think you do.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I yelped, glaring at him.


    Alex caught my deer-in-headlights expression and grinned, a wide, smug smile that only made me feel more cornered.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to say anything,¡± he chuckled, flopping back onto his bed like he¡¯d just solved some great cosmic riddle. His easy confidence was maddening.


    ¡°No,¡± I protested, the word coming out too sharp, too desperate. ¡°We¡¯re just friends.¡± My voice cracked on the last word, betraying me like a traitor. The phrase hung in the air, hollow and flimsy even to my own ears.


    Alex¡¯s laugh was soft but brimming with disbelief. ¡°Yeah, sure. Friends. Totally. That¡¯s why you look at her like she holds the secrets of the universe.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re imagining things,¡± I muttered.


    ¡°Right. And you weren¡¯t just feeling happy just now, talking about her. Or earlier. Or every other time she so much as looks in your direction,¡± Alex said, his voice dripping with amusement. ¡°Honestly, dude, it¡¯s kind of adorable.¡±


    I stood there, speechless, caught between the urge to defend myself and the gnawing realization that I didn¡¯t even know what I was defending. How could I convince Alex of anything when I wasn¡¯t even sure of the truth myself? Damn you, Alex, I thought bitterly, as the smug look on his face told me he¡¯d managed to unravel my carefully constructed denials with just one infuriatingly simple observation.


    ¡°Hey, no shame in it,¡± he said with a shrug, his tone softer now. ¡°It¡¯s Jade. She¡¯s got that whole mysterious, dangerous-but-kind-of-irresistible vibe going. Honestly, I¡¯d be more worried if you didn¡¯t have a thing for her.¡±


    Before I could muster a response, he rolled onto his side and waved me off. ¡°Anyway, good luck with that. You¡¯re gonna need it.¡±


    ©c(¡ã©–¡ã)? ?? (If you guys find romance cringy, feel free to stop here; the rest of the chapter can be skipped.)


    Later that night, as my mind teetered on the edge of sleep, my phone buzzed on the nightstand. Groggily, I reached for it, blinking against the harsh light of the screen. The message was simple. Just one word:


    Cuddle?


    I stared at the text, caught between disbelief and amusement. Did she really just ask that? Had one day of me being her human teddy bear gotten her hooked? Not that I could complain. If anything, I probably wanted to hold her more than she wanted to be held. My heart fluttered, betraying how thoroughly it was no longer my own. My thoughts circled back to Jade for what felt like the hundredth time that day. She was always on my mind, threading her way into every quiet moment. She was slowly but surely wrapping me in her web, like a spider carefully cocooning a fly.


    Hopefully, she wouldn¡¯t eat me¡­ though honestly, that might not be so bad.


    I shook my head, jolting myself out of the ridiculous thought. Get it together, North, I scolded myself.


    My fingers hovered over the phone, hesitating for a moment before I finally typed something simple:


    ¡°Alex is awake. In two hours.¡±


    I pressed send, but the momentary satisfaction didn¡¯t last. My phone buzzed again almost immediately with her reply.


    ¡°Two hours? That¡¯s forever.¡±


    I smiled, my earlier grogginess replaced by a flicker of excitement. ¡°Patience is a virtue,¡± I typed back.


    Her response came even faster this time. ¡°And you think I¡¯m virtuous?¡±


    I laughed softly, the sound barely audible in the quiet room. ¡°Fair point.¡±


    What started as a single message turned into a steady stream of texts back and forth. Minutes blurred into an hour, then another, as we exchanged teasing quips, sarcastic observations, and tiny admissions that neither of us would have dared to say out loud.


    ¡°So, are you saying I was the highlight of your day?¡± she wrote.


    I paused, considering how to respond. My instinct was to play it cool, to give her some witty answer that kept the mood light. But the thought of lying¡ªeven playfully¡ªfelt wrong.


    ¡°You were the whole damn day,¡± I replied before I could stop myself.


    The ellipsis indicating her typing lingered for a long moment. Finally, her reply appeared:


    ¡°You can¡¯t just say things like that.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Because¡­ I don¡¯t know what to do with it.¡±


    When the two-hour mark finally hit, I glanced over at Alex. He was sprawled across his bed like a corpse, arms splayed at awkward angles. For a split second, I actually worried he might be dead. But then his chest rose slightly, and I let out a relieved breath. Taking no chances, I activated my intangibility, letting my body phase through the door with the silence of a ghost. The hallway was dim and quiet, the kind of stillness that felt alive. Every step toward Jade¡¯s room made my pulse race faster, anticipation and nerves swirling into a mess I couldn¡¯t untangle.


    What are you doing? my rational mind whispered, but my heart had long since drowned it out.


    When I reached her door, my hand gripped the knob. My heart thundered so loudly I swore it might wake her¡ªor alert someone. I took a slow, deep breath, trying to steady myself. Calm down, idiot, I told myself. It¡¯s just Jade.


    But just as I was about to turn the knob, movement flickered at the edge of my vision.


    Shit.


    I froze, glancing over to see Gina standing in the hallway, mid-step, holding an enormous bowl of ice cream. Her eyes locked on me, wide and sparkling with mischief. The grin that slowly spread across her face was equal parts amusement and evil glee.


    She raised an eyebrow, her expression practically screaming, Caught ya.


    Her gaze darted from the door, to me, to the bowl of ice cream, and then back to me, her lips twitching as if she was trying to hold back laughter. The faint clink of her spoon against the ceramic bowl was the only sound, magnified in the dead silence of the hallway.


    ¡°What are you¡ª¡± I started, keeping my voice barely above a whisper.


    Her lips curled into a sly, knowing smile that made my stomach drop. She tilted her head, her expression screaming, Oh, I know exactly what¡¯s happening here. She raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying herself far too much.


    I shot her a glare, pressing a finger to my lips. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare,¡± I hissed.


    Gina grinned even wider, like a Cheshire Cat on a sugar high. She took an exaggerated bite of ice cream, clearly stalling just to draw out the tension. Then, after an unnecessarily slow swallow, she whispered back in a sing-song voice, ¡°Ohhh, North¡¯s sneaking off for a midnight rendezvous¡­¡±


    ¡°Keep your voice down!¡± I snapped.


    Her grin widened into something downright devious. She pointed to her bowl of ice cream, then to me, and gave a mocking thumbs-up before pretending to zip her lips. I didn¡¯t trust her for a second, but I had bigger things to worry about. To hell with her and her late-night snacks, I thought, as I turned the knob and slipped inside Jade¡¯s room, closing the door firmly behind me. The quiet click of the latch felt like a barrier between me and whatever torment Gina was already cooking up in her mind. The room was dim, bathed in pale moonlight streaming through the curtains. Jade lay in bed, her face relaxed, eyes closed. For a moment, I hesitated. Was she asleep? Or pretending? The thought that she might be second-guessing her own invitation brought a small, amused smile to my lips.


    I moved quietly, each step careful as I approached the bed. The room was filled with that strange, silence, the kind that buzzes with possibility. Slowly, I slid under the covers beside her, the mattress dipping slightly under my weight. The space between us was small¡ªjust a few inches¡ªbut it felt impossibly charged. I lay there, my body stiff with awareness of her every breath, the faint rustle of the sheets, the warmth radiating from her. My thoughts were a tangled storm of Should I hold her? and What if this is a mistake?


    I felt like I¡¯d stepped into a sauna, the heat spreading through my bodies in waves with each passing moment.


    Be calm, I repeat my mantra. You¡¯ve faced the worst of the worst out there.


    This is just a girl.


    A very pretty girl, who smelled really nice.


    The tension had been building like a dam ready to burst, and I was holding my breath, afraid that one wrong move might shatter¡­ Well, whatever the hell this was. And then, just as I was convincing myself to relax, Jade moved.


    And I mean really moved.


    Her entire body shifted in one fluid motion until she was on top of me, her knees straddling my hips, her arms braced on either side of my head. For a moment, all I could do was stare up at her, my breath stolen. Her silver eyes locked onto mine, unblinking, intense. I wanted to tell myself she looked super cute¡ªbecause she did, alway, obviously¡ªbut there was nothing "cute" about the intensity in her gaze. It was¡­ predatory.


    Like, eat-you-alive predatory.


    The look in her eyes was pure, barely restrained desire, possibly even more intense than what I was fighting to contain within myself.


    I felt like I¡¯d just handed over the steering wheel, and she was fully in control.


    I lay there frozen, all my careful thoughts about taking things slow, about figuring things out gradually, evaporating under that heated gaze. Somewhere in the back of my mind, a voice reminded me that I could phase through matter, escape if I needed to. But I didn''t want to escape. I couldn''t have moved if the house was on fire.


    Then she leaned down, and my heart threatened to explode. Time slowed. Was this it? Were we about to cross the line? The big line?


    But instead of kissing me, she did something so completely unexpected that my brain actually rebooted itself: she buried her face in my chest and sniffed me.


    Like a cat.


    She inhaled deeply, pausing for a moment like she was committing the smell of my laundry detergent¡ªor maybe my deodorant¡ªto memory. Her body was warm against mine, and the way she pressed closer¡ªlike she wanted to crawl into my very soul¡ªmade me feel more vulnerable than I¡¯d ever been.


    "Uh¡­" was all I managed to choke out.


    She stayed there for a beat longer, her breath steady and measured against my chest. Then, slowly, she lifted her head, her eyes locking onto mine again. When she looked back up at me, that mischievous gleam in her eyes hit me harder than any meta ability I''d ever encountered.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ a move,¡± I said weakly, trying for humor.


    ¡°You smell¡­ so good,¡± she said, her voice soft.


    ¡°Thanks?¡± I squeaked.


    But she noticed my stumped expression.


    ¡°Did you think I was going to kiss you?¡± she asked, her voice low, a wicked smile curling her lips.


    I opened my mouth to answer, but no sound came out.


    What was she doing?


    Was this a game? A test? It was all I could do to keep myself from losing control entirely.


    She tilted her head, her smile widening.


    ¡°You know," she leaned in and whispered softly against my ear, "You smell mine."


    That gentle confession was the final crack in a dam I hadn''t even realized was so close to breaking. In the space of a single heartbeat, between one blink of her eyes and the next, I barely registered the movement. One moment, she was above me, her presence overwhelming. The next, I was hovering over her, our positions reversed, like gravity itself had tilted in my favor. Our gazes locked, and for a fleeting second, I thought I caught a flicker of shock in her eyes. But it melted away just as quickly. She lay beneath me in just shorts and a oversized white tshirt that left little to imagination. The blanket draped over us created our own private world, a cocoon of trapped heat that seemed to melt away any remaining barriers between us.


    Her dark hair fanned out across the pillow like a halo, though nothing about the moment felt angelic. Her arms were splayed above her head, loose but open.


    Why had we been fighting this? Why had I been fighting this?


    The question lingered at the edges of my mind, but the answer didn¡¯t matter. Not anymore. The two candies of truth from earlier in the day melted on my tongue, their sweetness intensifying everything I was feeling. A small, irrational part of me wanted to confirm that her motives were as genuine as they seemed, but another part of me¡ªthe louder part¡ªdidn¡¯t care. Maybe she was the same, waiting, waiting to see my true colors.


    Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her breaths shallow and quick, matching the rhythm of my own. The soft flush climbing her neck spread to her cheeks, her skin glowing faintly in the moonlight. Her lips parted, trembling slightly as she struggled to steady herself, though I could see her losing the battle. She was as undone as I was. Whatever composure she¡¯d wrapped herself in had crumbled, just like mine. But her vulnerability only made her more breathtaking.


    I couldn¡¯t hold back anymore¡ªI didn¡¯t want to. I leaned down, and our lips met.


    At first, the kiss was soft, tentative, though contrary to my imagination, she was very bad at it. She really had no idea how to use those pretty lips of hers. I let her slowly become comfortable. Until the dam broke, it deepened, spilling over with emotions neither of us could hold back. Her arms slowly rose, her hands cupping my face with a touch that was featherlight yet grounding, anchoring me to her as her body pressed against mine. There was no space left between us¡ªjust heat and closeness, a connection that felt both overwhelming and natural. She kissed with an intensity that stole my breath, matching the fire that had been burning in her eyes earlier. Her body moved instinctively, one of her legs curling around mine, pulling me closer, as though proximity alone wasn¡¯t enough. She tilted her head slightly, her fingers trailing down from my jaw to my neck, her touch igniting sparks across my skin. Her hands trembled as they moved, hesitant yet determined, as if she couldn¡¯t quite believe what she was doing but couldn¡¯t bring herself to stop. When her nails lightly pressed against the nape of my neck, the fleeting sensation sent a shiver down my spine.


    The need for oxygen grew more urgent with every passing second, but neither of us seemed willing to break away. This moment felt too precious, too perfect to interrupt for something as mundane as breathing. My hands slid down to her waist, gripping her firmly and pulling her impossibly closer. Her body leaned into mine, her warmth seeping through every layer, making it impossible to tell where she ended and I began. My fingers tangled in her hair gently, as I tilted her head back, deepening the kiss. Her breath hitched, a sound that sent a rush of heat through me, and her body arched slightly against mine, her chest brushing against me as if she was trying to erase every last inch. Then her other leg moved, wrapping itself around my waist, locking me in place. I staggered slightly under the force of her pull, but it didn¡¯t matter. Nothing else did.


    Finally, when my lungs screamed for air, we reluctantly pulled back, both of us gasping as though we¡¯d been underwater too long. We stayed there, foreheads pressed together, our ragged breaths mingling in the small, cramped blanket of space we occupied.


    Her hands remained on my face, her thumbs brushing my skin as if she was afraid I might disappear if she let go.


    "Wow," she whispered, her voice husky and barely audible.


    In the quiet of the moment, I could hear her heart hammering in her chest, its rhythm louder than her words. Or maybe it was my own¡ªI couldn¡¯t tell.


    I grinned, my pulse matching her tempo, and let out a breathless laugh. There was a lot she needed to learn, but for the moment, she wasn''t exactly bad.


    "Yeah," I breathed. "Wow."


    "Hehehe," She let out a soft giggle, a tear escaping from the corner of her eye. Perhaps from all the happiness she was feeling or maybe thinking what she had done and the lines she had crossed.

 Act 2.7 (Chrysalis)

    The morning sun crept in through the window, painting the room in soft golden hues.


    I should really close the curtains next time, I thought, squinting at the unwelcome brightness. The sun always had a way of intruding, trying to ruin the delicate moments like this.


    Jade was curled against me, completely at peace, like a cat that had claimed her favorite spot. Her body fit perfectly against mine, small and warm, her breath soft and even as she slept. My arms were still wrapped protectively around her. I couldn¡¯t help but worry about how delicate she felt, how light she was. She really should eat more. It was a fleeting, silly thought. The morning light danced across her face, catching the faint flush in her cheeks, the gentle curve of her lips. Her skin, a mix of pink and red like ripened peaches, seemed to glow under the sun¡¯s touch.


    And then, of course, there was the evidence.


    Thinking back to last night, I reminded myself¡ªno, we hadn¡¯t crossed that line. The thin walls, the three rooms full of people, and the quiet awareness of everything we weren¡¯t ready for yet¡­ somehow, I¡¯d managed to hold onto some semblance of control. Even with Jade doing her best impression of a hungry dragon¡ªnipping, teasing, testing my resolve¡ªwe¡¯d settled for cuddles and kisses until exhaustion finally dragged us under.


    Jade''s eyes fluttered open slowly, silver irises catching the early sunlight, and her fingers shifted against mine. She stretched like a lazy cat, a small, contented noise escaping her lips. Her smile¡ªsoft and unguarded¡ªlit up her face as she lazily adjusted her arms, wrapping them around my neck and pulling herself closer.


    ¡°Hi,¡± I whispered softly, my voice barely audible, like I didn¡¯t want to break the moment.


    She blinked at me sleepily, a tiny smile playing on her lips. ¡°Morning,¡± she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep.


    For a heartbeat, I just stared. Pretty. The thought drifted through my mind unbidden, momentarily sweeping away everything else. Before I could say anything, she leaned in, brushing her lips softly against mine. It was quick, almost hesitant, unreal. We lay there like that for a while, wrapped up in each other, the silence broken only by the occasional sound of voices or footsteps coming from the other rooms. Time felt suspended, like the world outside didn¡¯t exist.


    Eventually, I shifted, reluctantly trying to sit up. ¡°I should probably¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t go.¡± Her voice was soft, almost pleading. ¡°There¡¯s still time,¡± she murmured, her eyes drifting closed again as she snuggled closer.


    And then we spent ten more minutes just snuggling into each other¡¯s arms. I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d ever get tired of this feeling¡ªthe warmth, the quiet, the way everything else in the world seemed to fall away. But as much as I wanted to freeze time, reality had other plans. My brain started nagging at me: Are the others awake yet? Is Gina lurking around with her ice-cream-eating judgment face again?


    The last thing I needed was a repeat of last night¡¯s walk of shame past her and that smug, knowing smirk.


    Later, as we all gathered in the dining room for breakfast, the atmosphere was lighter than I expected. Sunlight streamed in through the windows, and the table was cluttered with toast, eggs, and enough coffee to revive a small army.


    I handed a steaming cup of coffee to Jade before sitting down across from her with my own. She took it wordlessly, cradling it like it in her hands for warmth.


    And then, of course, Gina happened.


    ¡°Oh, where¡¯s mine?¡± her voice rang out, far too sly for so early in the morning. She was watching me with an exaggerated pout, that ever-mischievous grin plastered across her face.


    I didn¡¯t even look at her, just took a long sip of coffee. ¡°There¡¯s a cup for you on the counter.¡±


    Gina gasped dramatically. ¡°How rude!¡± she exclaimed, pressing a hand to her chest like I¡¯d committed a mortal offense. Still, she grabbed a piece of toast, seemingly prepared to lecture me into the ground¡ª


    Until she yelped.


    ¡°Fuck!¡±


    The toast fell back to her plate as she clapped a hand over her mouth, wincing like she¡¯d been shot.


    I blinked, stunned for half a second before I realized what had happened. She¡¯d bitten her tongue. I tried¡ªreally tried¡ªnot to laugh, but it came out anyway, a quiet snort I failed to disguise behind my coffee cup.


    ¡°Not very cool,¡± Gina muttered, her words slightly garbled as she glared at me and Jade with wounded pride.


    Then, as if rehearsed, she turned her dramatic expression on Jade. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to support your best friend, you know. Girl code.¡± Her tone was exaggerated, but the hint of real betrayal peeked through. Clearly, she was hoping for an ally, but who would tell she was asking the enemy.


    Serves you right! I thought smugly.


    Jade didn¡¯t say anything, just raised an eyebrow over her coffee cup like she was the queen of unbothered. Something in the air must have warned Gina, though¡ªmaybe it was Jade¡¯s silence or the way I wasn¡¯t even pretending to look apologetic¡ªbecause she promptly stood and shuffled to another chair, abandoning her spot between us.


    ¡°Traitors, both of you,¡± she declared under her breath as she plopped herself down at the far end of the table.


    From the corner of my eye, I caught Jade smirking into her coffee cup. She held it with both hands, like it was her shield of invincibility, but the way her lips curled gave her away.


    You tell them, I thought, a quiet pride settling in my chest¡ªwarm and a little foolish. Don¡¯t mess with your man.


    Was this what love felt like? This odd, intoxicating mix of pride and protectiveness¡ªof wanting to shield her from the world while knowing, deep down, she¡¯d gladly shield me right back? I looked at her again, her smile hidden but yeah, maybe I should¡¯ve been scared of what I was feeling¡ªof how fast it was growing, how deep it was already rooting itself.


    But somehow, it didn¡¯t scare me at all. It just felt right.


    <hr>


    The rest of the day passed without incident. We returned to the SuperNot Convention, wandered through the remaining stalls, and soaked in the last bits of the festivities. It felt good to just exist for a while¡ªno clones, no rewinds, no surprise superhero drama smashing through the ceiling. Just people with ridiculous powers doing ridiculous things. By the end, it was a strangely perfect send-off to the weekend.


    By evening, I was back home. Aunt Grace¡¯s cooking had taken over the house, the warm scent of garlic and onions wafting through every room like some ancient spell that promised comfort and a full stomach. Outside, the sunset painted the windows with streaks of orange and gold, softening the edges of the weekend¡¯s excitement as it faded into memory.


    I¡¯d flopped onto the couch, phone in hand, lost in a text conversation with Jade.


    Me: I¡¯m still recovering from the guy who ¡®communed¡¯ with spoons. That¡¯s gonna haunt me forever.


    Jade: He had a vision. ? You just weren¡¯t spiritually ready.


    Me: You laughed for a solid five minutes. You¡¯re not exactly enlightened either.


    Jade: I was laughing with him, not at him. (£à?¡ä )


    I smiled, lounging back into the couch.


    Me: Yeah? And what about the toenail guy? You couldn¡¯t even look at him. (?_?)


    Jade: I was protecting my eyes. That level of glowing power is dangerous.


    I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, shaking my head as I typed back.


    Me: Admit it. You enjoyed yourself.


    Jade: Fine. (£þ^£þ)


    Me: So, favorite part of today? The spoon guy? Glitter sneezes?


    Jade: No contest. The guy with the dancing shadow. Creepy, weird¡ªabsolutely perfect.


    Me: (©V_©V;) I knew it, you falls for the unsettling stuff.


    Jade: It¡¯s called ¡®good taste.¡¯


    Me: Good taste? You literally clapped for a shadow. Who does that?


    Jade: Someone supportive. Maybe try it sometime, Mr. Judgy.


    Me: Oh, I am supportive. I didn¡¯t laugh when you tripped into the glitter sneeze guy¡¯s cloud.


    Jade: You did laugh! You were holding back a full meltdown.


    Me: I wasn¡¯t laughing. I was¡­ concerned for your glitter inhalation. (?_?©d


    Jade: Right. Concerned enough to snort and take a photo?


    Jade: (¨p ?Òæ?)


    I winced.


    Me: Okay, fine, I laughed a little. But you looked cute covered in sparkles.


    Jade: I always look cute. (£þ©`£þ)


    I paused for a second, smiling to myself.


    Me: (???)¤Ä¡Ð You are so full of yourself


    She took a moment before replying.


    Jade: No! I¡¯m only full of surprises. ?(¨°_¨®¡¦)?


    Jade: (£þ^£þ)¥ÎYou¡¯ll get used to it.


    The words tugged at something in me, subtle but there. I paused, the edge of my grin softening.


    Me: (£Þ¨Œ£Þ) I feel spoiled already. ?


    Jade: Please. (??????)?? I haven¡¯t even given you the full package yet.


    I froze for half a second, rereading the text before my thumb hovered cautiously over the screen.


    Me: (¡Ñ¨Œ¡Ñ)


    Me: The¡­ full package?


    Her typing bubble popped up almost immediately.


    Jade: You should feel lucky. (?''?''?) Limited edition girlfriend perks. ? Don¡¯t take it for granted.


    There it was. Girlfriend. Seeing it on the screen hit different, like it solidified something that had been hanging in the air between us all day. My fingers hovered over the keyboard for a second too long before I finally responded.


    Me: Girlfriend perks, huh? ? Sounds exclusive.?


    Jade: It is.? Consider yourself honored.


    I sat back against the couch, my grin spreading a little wider than I¡¯d care to admit.


    Me: Do these perks include letting me win at something, for once?


    There was a pause¡ªa beat too long that made my thoughts wander aimlessly.


    Jade: No chance. I¡¯m not that generous.


    Me: Figures.


    Me: I feel like you¡¯re secretly keeping score. (?¡ö_¡ö)


    Jade: (£þ¨Œ£þ)¥ÎMaybe I am.


    Her reply took a moment this time, and my heart did that stupid thing where it picked up pace like I was waiting for something monumental. I was halfway through forming my response when Aunt Grace¡¯s voice cut through my bubble like a trumpet blast.


    ¡°North! Stop grinning like a fool. I need you to get a carton of milk before the store closes!¡±


    I groaned audibly, throwing my head back against the couch. ¡°Really? Now?¡±


    ¡°Yes, now!¡± Her voice carried that perfect balance of authority and exasperation only she could manage. ¡°Move, or there won¡¯t be any dessert tonight!¡±


    That hit me where it hurt. Aunt Grace¡¯s desserts weren¡¯t just food¡ªthey were events. Missing one was practically a tragedy.


    ¡°Fine,¡± I groaned under my breath, reluctantly peeling myself off the couch. I shot Jade a quick text.


    Me: Hold that thought. Milk crisis. Back in a sec.


    Her reply popped up almost immediately.


    Jade: Milk crisis? Priorities. Don¡¯t let the cow community down.


    I rolled onto my knees, grabbing my jacket with dramatic flair. ¡°This is emotional abuse, you know.¡±


    Aunt Grace had wooden spoon in hand, her eyebrow raised like she was ready to challenge me. ¡°Emotional abuse? You¡¯re the one grinning like a love-struck puppy. What¡¯s her name, anyway? Jade? Don¡¯t think I haven¡¯t noticed.¡±


    I froze mid-motion, my hand halfway into my sleeve. ¡°I¡¯m not¡ªthere¡¯s no¡ª¡±


    ¡°Save it,¡± she cut me off, shaking her head like I was hopeless. ¡°Took you long enough to pull a girl, honestly. I thought I¡¯d have to start arranging blind dates just to keep you from dying lonely.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving now so you can stop traumatizing me, thanks.¡±


    ¡°Hold it!¡± she said sharply, stopping me just as I reached for the door.


    I turned with an exaggerated sigh. ¡°What now?¡±


    She raised an eyebrow, her expression turning sly. ¡°Don¡¯t waste time,¡± she added, pointing the spoon at me like it held the wisdom of the universe. ¡°Invite her. I¡¯ll make my signature dessert. Chocolate cake fixes everything. It might help you move to the next step faster than you¡¯re hoping for.¡±


    ¡°Next step? What next step? There are no steps!¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Aunt Grace shook her head dramatically, lamenting as though I were a lost cause. ¡°How did I end up with such a slow-witted nephew? Back in my day¡ªoh, when I was in college¡ªI had everyone wrapped around my little finger. Professors, classmates, even the lunch ladies! You? You¡¯re circling like a confused duck and calling it progress.¡±


    I blinked at her. ¡°The lunch ladies?¡±


    ¡°Everyone,¡± she said proudly, ¡°You¡¯ve got to learn to move faster. Life doesn¡¯t wait for lovesick fools, and neither will that girl if you keep dragging your feet.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not dragging my feet!¡± I protested. ¡°And Jade¡¯s not¡ªshe¡¯s¡ªgah, never mind!¡±


    Aunt Grace just grinned victoriously, already turning back toward the kitchen as she muttered to herself, ¡°Slow and clueless. Poor boy. At least he¡¯s cute.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving!¡± I called out again, feeling like my very existence had been roasted to ash.


    I stuffed my hands into my jacket pockets and stepped into the cool evening air. The streets were quiet, the orange glow of the streetlights just starting to flicker to life. My footsteps echoed faintly as I walked.


    Then, for some reason, a thought popped into my head and wouldn¡¯t leave: Am I really being driven by hormones?


    I snorted to myself, running a hand through my hair. ¡°Seriously?¡± I muttered out loud, earning a suspicious glance from an old man walking his dog across the street.


    Our neighborhood was that perfect mix of cozy residential streets and bustling storefronts. I could walk two blocks and pass everything from bakeries to laundromats, with just enough late-night buzz to keep things interesting. The evening air carried the first bite of chill, urging that nighttime was settling in, and the streets brimmed with energy¡ªfamilies heading home, couples walking toward dinner, and kids dragging their feet reluctantly inside.


    The convenience store''s fluorescent lights buzzed faintly as I grabbed the milk and made my way to the counter. The man behind the register was built like a linebacker but looked like he¡¯d wrestled with the entire day and lost. His gaze locked onto me with all the suspicion of someone who¡¯d seen too many teenagers shove candy into their pockets when they thought no one was watching.


    I plastered on my most non-threatening smile.


    His gaze lingered suspiciously as I placed the milk on the counter. ¡°Just the milk?¡±


    ¡°Unless you¡¯re offering something better,¡± I said, deadpan.


    He didn¡¯t look amused. I paid, grabbed my carton, and made my grand escape back into the cool evening


    I popped my earbuds in, letting the quiet stroll home lull me back into a decent mood. That was, until someone shouted.


    Startled, I yanked out one earbud and turned, my heart already doing an uncomfortable flip. Up ahead, a man was sprinting full tilt down the street. He was dressed in all black, his face hidden beneath a cheap, ragged mask that made him look like he¡¯d crawled straight out of a sewer grate. His hair was wild, his clothes stained and rumpled, and he moved like someone who had nothing to lose.


    Behind him, a boy¡ªno older than fourteen or fifteen¡ªwas tearing after him with all the determination of an underdog hero in his first big moment.


    ¡°Hey! Stop!¡± the boy yelled, his voice cracking slightly as he sprinted.


    ¡°What the hell¡­¡± I muttered to myself, my feet rooted to the pavement.


    I watched as the masked man darted from across the street, narrowly missing a car that honked and swerved. The driver rolled down his window just to shout some choice insults, but the man didn¡¯t even glance back. The kid, meanwhile, stumbled onto the crosswalk, arms pumping furiously as he tried to keep up.


    The thief¡¯s eyes darted around like a cornered animal, his frantic gaze sweeping the street for options. He reeked of sweat and garbage, the stench so sharp I nearly gagged. Without warning, he bolted past me, boots skidding on the pavement as he yanked open a nearby manhole cover with a groan of metal and stone. Before I could blink, he disappeared into the darkness below, the clang of the cover slamming shut behind him echoing like a gunshot.


    I stood there, staring at the open hole in the road, my feet frozen to the ground. Everything inside me told me, Walk away, North. Don¡¯t even think about it. What do you expect from me? I thought. I¡¯m not a hero.


    Moments later, the boy in the superhero hoodie stumbled to a stop beside me, doubled over and gasping for air. His face was flushed, hair sticking to his forehead with sweat. He couldn¡¯t have been more than fourteen or fifteen, and judging by the way he struggled to catch his breath, his meta nature hadn¡¯t kicked in yet.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you stop him?¡± he demanded between gulps of air, looking up at me with pure disbelief.


    His gaze bore into me like I¡¯d personally betrayed humanity. I shifted uncomfortably under the weight of it. ¡°I ain¡¯t no hero,¡± I said flatly, shrugging like it was the simplest answer in the world.


    The thief was gone, swallowed by the city¡¯s underbelly, and I wasn¡¯t about to risk my neck chasing someone who clearly wanted it more than I did. That¡¯s how humanity worked, right? Relying on others¡ªbetter, braver others¡ªto step in and handle the things we couldn¡¯t, or just wouldn¡¯t.


    But the boy wasn¡¯t done. ¡°Bro, you formed your meta nature!¡± he shot back, straightening up. ¡°You¡¯ve got powers. You could¡¯ve done something. I don¡¯t have anything yet!¡±


    I froze mid-step, his words hitting me in a way I hadn¡¯t expected. When I turned back to face him, his frustration was etched clearly across his face. He looked at me like I was some kind of disgrace¡ªa failed contender who didn¡¯t even try.


    ¡°He was a thief,¡± the boy added, his tone sharper now, more accusatory. ¡°I saw him steal. You could¡¯ve stopped him.¡±


    I sighed heavily, searching for an out. I wasn¡¯t about to stand there and get scolded by a teenager. ¡°Yeah, but¡­¡± I waved a hand vaguely, the lie sliding out surprisingly smooth. ¡°I can only see, like¡­ colors in the air. That¡¯s it. Nothing useful.¡±


    The transformation in his expression was immediate ¨C judgment melting into sympathy so fast it almost gave me whiplash. "Oh," he said, voice softening. "Well... then I can let that pass."


    He nodded with all the gravity of a judge issuing a pardon. "You could''ve gotten hurt."


    I stared at him, caught between relief at the easy out and a weird sense of insult. Was this pity? Was he pitying me? The kid had just called me useless, but he did it so gently I almost thanked him for it. For a moment, we stood there in awkward silence. The milk in my bag was probably warming up, and somewhere beneath us, the thief was making his grand sewer escape. I should¡¯ve just walked away, but instead, I tilted my head and sized the kid up.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± I asked, unable to resist the curiosity.


    He straightened up, shoulders squaring like he¡¯d been waiting for someone to ask. ¡°You can call me Leo Jupiter.¡±


    I blinked. ¡°Leo Jupiter?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± he replied, chin lifted like he¡¯d just declared himself king of the block. ¡°Something wrong?¡±


    I shook my head, amusement tugging at the corner of my lips. ¡°Well, Leo, what are you, some fifteen-year-old vigilante wannabe? Trying to fight crime without any powers?¡± I raised an eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯re the one who could¡¯ve gotten hurt out there. The practical thing to do in situations like this is call the City Protectors hotline, file a report with police, and let people who actually know what they¡¯re doing handle it. You¡¯d contribute more that way than half the people in this city.¡±


    Leo straightened up, still breathing hard from his earlier adrenaline rush. ¡°Someone has to do something. I can¡¯t just let them get away,¡± he shot back, his voice laced with defiance. But then, softer, as if admitting it to himself, he added, ¡°I guess that¡¯s the only option left now.¡±


    I smiled faintly, pleased that he was finally starting to listen. He wasn¡¯t a total idiot after all. But something about the way he said that last bit¡ªso resigned, so stubborn¡ªmade me pause.


    ¡°You live in the area?¡± I asked, eyeing him curiously.


    ¡°I live nearby,¡± Leo said, still staring at the manhole like it might spit out answers.


    ¡°It¡¯s getting dark. You should head home,¡± I said, turning away and starting to stroll off. To my surprise, I heard his sneakers scuff against the pavement as he fell into step beside me.


    Apparently, we were heading in the same direction¡ªeither by coincidence or fate. Great.


    Leo broke the silence, his voice brimming with something close to desperation. ¡°When did you form your meta nature?¡±


    ¡°When I was fourteen,¡± I replied, figuring a little conversation wouldn¡¯t kill me.


    Leo¡¯s shoulders straightened with hope, like he¡¯d just heard he was on the cusp of something life-changing. ¡°Oh,¡± he chuckled nervously, ¡°I¡¯m fourteen now. Do you think I¡¯ll form mine soon?¡±


    I stopped walking for a second, turning to look at him properly. His face was full of expectation, a mix of excitement and fear. I considered the question for a moment before answering, ¡°You should. Most people form their meta nature around fourteen or fifteen. But it can vary. Some people are late bloomers.¡±


    Leo latched onto my words like they were gospel. ¡°I¡¯ve got some friends who¡¯ve already formed theirs!¡± he said, his voice bubbling over with enthusiasm. ¡°One of them can levitate for a few seconds¡ªjust hovers there like it¡¯s nothing. Another can shape water into anything without it freezing. It¡¯s so cool!¡±


    He paused just long enough to take a breath before launching into his next story. ¡°Oh! And there was this girl at my school¡ªshe could hypnotize people, but only if they agreed to do her one request. She caused a huge problem.¡±


    ¡°Hypnotize people?¡± I asked, arching a brow. ¡°What kind of requests?¡±


    ¡°Nothing too crazy,¡± Leo said quickly. ¡°At first, it was small stuff. Like asking someone to hold a door for her. But then she realized she could ask for bigger things. Someone gave her their homework for a week straight before they realized what was happening. She could¡¯ve done a lot worse, though¡­¡±


    ¡°What happened to her?¡± I asked, genuinely curious.


    Leo¡¯s tone dipped into something quieter, though not exactly sad. ¡°She started getting a lot of attention¡ªpeople were scared, you know? Parents complained. The school brought in some heroes to talk to us about using powers responsibly, and after that¡­ her family pulled her out.¡±


    I hummed in understanding. ¡°That¡¯s the norm.¡±


    I listened quietly as Leo kept talking. It wasn¡¯t unusual for newly formed meta natures to cause disruptions, especially among teenagers still figuring out how to control their abilities. A meta nature that fresh was usually limited¡ªlike the kid who could hover for a few seconds or the girl who managed to hypnotize just a handful of classmates before it spiraled out of control.


    Schools were prepared for these incidents. Over the years, the education system had adapted, with heroes or meta-human staff on hand whose sole job was to keep abilities in check. They¡¯d even woven it into the curriculum: ethics classes drilling us on the moral implications of power use¡ªgood versus bad, responsibility versus temptation.


    The system¡¯s goal? To prevent exactly what Leo was describing. Stop problems before they got messy. But reality wasn¡¯t as neat as the system liked to pretend. For every well-behaved student with powers, there was someone who discovered their meta nature through trauma, or worse¡ªsomeone who used it to cause trauma. Bullying turned deadly. Friendships shattered. Power, even in its earliest form, always found an outlet, whether the schools liked it or not.


    I let Leo talk himself out before finally breaking the silence. ¡°So what are you planning to do once you form your meta nature?¡±


    Leo looked at me like I¡¯d just asked him if the sky was blue. One of those classic teenage ¡°are you seriously asking me this?¡± looks that only kids his age could pull off with such expertise.


    Ugh. Teenagers these days.


    I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Was he giving me attitude because I said my meta nature was useless? Was I the idiot here, or was he just feeling smug?


    After a beat, Leo sighed, as though the answer was painfully obvious. ¡°Of course, I¡¯d be a hero,¡± he said, his voice practically vibrating with enthusiasm. ¡°I want to join the League of Legends. It¡¯s my dream.¡±


    Oh?


    I smiled inwardly, the kind of smile that probably looked way too innocent on the outside but was all mischief underneath. Finally, I thought, this little punk just revealed one of his weak spots.


    ¡°Well,¡± I said, feigning casual interest as I slid my hands into my pockets, ¡°you know, to become one of the League of Legends, you have to join Beyonder¡¯s Academy first.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Leo snapped, his tone now tinged with irritation. ¡°Why do you think I¡¯m out here trying to catch a thief? I¡¯m building my portfolio for my Beyonder¡¯s application. Do you even know how this works? What are you doing with your meta nature? Are you even attending any proper university?¡±


    He threw me a sidelong glance, his expression smug, like he thought I was the clueless one here.


    Oh, you little shit. It¡¯s on.


    Suppressing an evil grin, I slipped my hand into my pocket, casually pulling out my wallet. I flipped it open, grabbed my student ID, and whipped it in front of his face¡ªjust fast enough to stay out of his grabby hands but slow enough for him to read it.


    ¡°Look here, little shit,¡± I said, letting just the right amount of venomous glee drip into my words. ¡°What does the name on this card say?¡±


    Leo squinted at the ID, the confidence draining from his face as realization dawned. ¡°Be¡­ Beyonder¡¯s Academy.¡±


    The falter in his cocky little grin was glorious. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing outright as his expression sank like a ship hitting an iceberg.


    His jaw dropped, his hand snapping out to grab my ID like it might vanish into thin air. He held it delicately, staring at it as though it were the Holy Grail. ¡°Beyonder¡¯s Academy? For real?¡± he stammered, his voice bouncing between awe and disbelief. ¡°You¡ªyou¡¯re really a student there?¡±


    I leaned back, my posture deliberately casual, basking in the moment like a lizard soaking up sunlight. ¡°You bet your portfolio-polishing ass I am.¡±


    Leo¡¯s expression was priceless. For someone who had been lecturing me about getting my life together, he now looked like a kid meeting his favorite superhero for the first time. His wide eyes flicked back to me, then to the card, then back to me. ¡°I mean¡­ wow. That¡¯s incredible,¡± he muttered, still cradling my ID like it might spontaneously combust. ¡°How¡¯d you even get in? Did you¡ªdid you have to fight someone? Or save a city? What happened?¡±


    I shrugged, letting the mystery hang in the air for just a second longer than necessary. ¡°It¡¯s classified,¡± I said, deadpan.


    What could I say? There was nothing to say because I didn¡¯t do a damn thing to get into Beyonder¡¯s Academy. But silence, as they say, was golden. And honestly? I was more than happy to let the mystery stew. For all I knew, Leo was busy piecing together some dramatic backstory about how a random guy he found on the street ended up at the academy of his dreams.


    ¡°Classified?¡± Leo¡¯s voice cracked with excitement. ¡°Holy crap, what does that mean? Like, secret missions? Power trials? Did you beat someone in hand-to-hand combat?¡±


    I gave him a smirk that told him exactly nothing. ¡°Let¡¯s just say Beyonder¡¯s doesn¡¯t accept slackers. You¡¯d better hope your thief-chasing portfolio holds up, kid.¡±


    Leo finally handed back my ID, his reverence still palpable. ¡°I knew you had to be someone important,¡± he said, nodding like he¡¯d just solved some mystery. ¡°You had that look.¡±


    ¡°What look?¡± I asked, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°The ¡®I¡¯m-better-than-you-but-too-cool-to-show-it¡¯ look,¡± Leo replied, grinning like it was a compliment.


    I snorted. ¡°It¡¯s called exhaustion, Leo. That¡¯s the look of someone who¡¯s seen way too much weird shit in one semester.¡±


    Leo didn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°Weird shit like sewer rats with masks?¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± I said, shaking my head as I pocketed my ID again.


    Leo fell into step beside me, the awe still glowing on his face like he¡¯d just walked out of a Marvel movie. ¡°Man¡­ Beyonder¡¯s Academy,¡± he said under his breath, almost to himself. ¡°One day, I¡¯m gonna be there too. Just watch.¡±


    I shot him a sideways glance, the kid¡¯s energy somehow infectious despite my best efforts. ¡°Yeah? Then you¡¯d better get faster. That thief was pulling away.¡±


    He grinned, undeterred. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s a work in progress. Everyone starts somewhere, right?¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± I replied with a smirk. ¡°But maybe leave the heroics to the professionals until you at least form your meta nature.¡±


    Suddenly, ¡°Sorry, my house is here,¡± I said, slowing to a stop and glancing back at him.


    Leo still hadn¡¯t closed his mouth. His wide-eyed shock was the cherry on top of this entire ridiculous encounter. It was too good¡ªtoo perfect. I shot him a smug grin, letting the silence hang between us like a mic drop.


    ¡°Serves you right, kid,¡± I muttered under my breath as I stepped inside and shut the door.


    The familiar warmth of home washed over me instantly¡ªthe smell of Aunt Grace¡¯s cooking still lingering in the air. I kicked off my shoes, only to be greeted by her standing in the kitchen doorway, arms crossed, eyebrow raised like she¡¯d caught me smuggling a dragon into the house.


    ¡°Why are you grinning?¡± she asked suspiciously, taking the milk carton from my hand.


    ¡°Did I?¡± I replied, feigning nonchalance as I wiped the grin off my face. ¡°Must be your imagination.¡±


    She gave me a look¡ªone that said she knew exactly how full of it I was¡ªbut didn¡¯t press. ¡°Uh-huh. Just don¡¯t let the milk spoil next time you get distracted by¡­ whatever that was.¡±


    ¡°Noted,¡± I replied, already halfway to my room.


    I shut the door behind me, tossing my bag onto the floor and flopping onto the bed. My phone buzzed as it lit up with a new message from Jade.


    Jade: What¡¯s taking so long?


    Jade: ©´(£þ¥Ø£þ;)©°


    Jade: (??o??)? Are you rescuing cows?


    The smugness from earlier melted into something softer. My heart did that weird fluttery thing it only ever did when it came to her. Without a second thought, I grabbed my phone and hit the call, tossing my jacket onto the chair like it didn¡¯t deserve to be neatly hung up.


    The line rang only once before her voice came through, soft and familiar. ¡°What took you so long?¡±


    I smiled, my earlier encounter fading completely as the sound of her voice filled the room. ¡°I had to fend off a wannabe superhero. Long story.¡±

 Act 2.8 (Chrysalis)

    My consciousness was synced with HyperSpace, my mind immersed in its endless expanse. I sat comfortably in my virtual personal lounge, scrolling through the never-ending threads of conversations in the chat room dedicated to meta natures and recent headlines. It was a chaotic stream of queries, news, and speculative chatter¡ªsome of it helpful, much of it noise.


    I narrowed my focus, searching for clues or connections that could lead me to someone in my city with magical meta nature. My goal was clear: to find someone capable of casting a permanent spell on me, ideally something to shield my mind from external intrusions. It would be tricky to convince someone to part with such a spell, but with the right price everything was possible.


    I entered a chart room and started to read through the older post.


    <hr>


    [Question] Help with recurring bad dreams?


    <blockquote>


    I¡¯ve had the same bad dream over and over for the last three months. Can anybody recommend someone who can help me with the problem?


    Replies:


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Could be natural, could be someone messing with your head. Hard to tell these days.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Check if anyone new has moved into your building. Dream manipulation usually needs proximity.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">My cousin had something similar. Turned out to be a neighbor testing their powers.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Have you considered reaching out to a psychic or meta who specializes in dreams? There¡¯s a woman in South Ward who might help.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">It might also be stress. Try documenting your dreams to see if there¡¯s a pattern or message in them..</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [Thread] Metahuman controlling women in the East District??


    <blockquote>


    Recently, some metahuman in the East District has been going around controlling women, raping them, and leaving them in abandoned places. Does anyone have any idea which group he belongs to?


    Replies:


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">No confirmation yet, but a rumor suggests he''s part of the Black Lotus Gang.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">My sister''s friend was almost taken last week. She said the guy had some kind of hypnotic power.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Metahumans calling themselves Heroes are useless as usual. They claim they''re investigating but nothing happens.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">This sounds beyond awful. Why hasn¡¯t anyone taken action against this yet? Are the authorities even looking into it?</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Does anyone know if there¡¯s a hotline or support group for victims in this district? People need to speak up before it¡¯s too late.</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [Event] Guru Sankalpa visiting next month


    <blockquote>


    Everyone, important notice: Superhero Guru Sankalpa will be visiting next month. Anyone interested in meditation and inner peace should attend his event.


    Replies:


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">I¡¯ve heard great things about Guru Sankalpa. Even skeptics say his methods work, but only if you¡¯re open to them.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Inner peace wasn¡¯t exactly on my list, but Guru Sankalpa was well-known for his mind meta nature abilities. He could connect people with their higher selves¡ªor so they said. I bookmarked the event. If I didn¡¯t find someone else sooner, he might be my next best shot.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">A friend of mine said he went to one of these events last year. The energy in the room was unreal.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Be careful with these ¡°higher self¡± metas. Sometimes they unlock things you¡¯re not ready to handle.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Is this a paid event? Or is it open to the public?</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [Request] Ways to grow telekinesis power?


    <blockquote>


    Anyone have any idea how to grow their telekinesis power? I¡¯d be very interested if anyone knows exercises or meditations¡ªanything will work as long as it¡¯s not harmful to my body.


    Replies:


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Try MindFlow, it''s very expensive sensory exercise and hard to find, but it deeply expands mental abilities. Expensive, but effective.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Don''t waste money on HyperMindFlow, it''s just overpriced meditation techniques.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">My brother tried it. Said it worked but gave him migraines.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">The real stuff is invite-only. What you find on the market is usually diluted.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">I¡¯ve heard telekinesis can improve through deep-focus practices like lucid dreaming or sensory deprivation.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Be wary of shady programs. Some can mess with your brain instead of helping it.</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [Heads Up] West Ward elemental guy torching hideouts


    <blockquote>


    Be careful in the West Ward. There¡¯s been talk of a guy with elemental abilities¡ªfire, maybe plasma. Witnesses say he¡¯s been torching gang hideouts and leaving graffiti messages in the ashes. ¡®Judgment for the wicked,¡¯ or something edgy like that.


    Replies:


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">A vigilante? A lunatic? No one¡¯s sure, but one of my buddies saw the aftermath last night, and he¡¯s freaked out. Says the bodies weren¡¯t just burned¡ªthey were... melted.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">That sounds horrifying. If he¡¯s targeting gang hideouts, why are the bodies left like that? Is he sending a message?</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">I live near the West Ward, and I¡¯ve noticed a lot of increased fire damage in certain areas recently.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">What happens if he starts targeting civilians? Someone needs to stop this guy before things get worse.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Melted bodies? That sounds more like plasma than fire to me. Could he be experimenting with his powers?</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [Rumor] Mimic guy in South Downtown


    <blockquote>


    Anyone hear about the guy near South Downtown who can mimic voices? There¡¯s rumors he¡¯s working with some crew, posing as people¡¯s friends or family to lure them out. Couple of disappearances linked to him, but nothing concrete. Someone said they heard a recording¡ªit sounded exactly like the missing person. Creepy as hell.


    Replies:


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">This is nightmare fuel. Imagine hearing someone you trust calling you, only to find out it¡¯s not them.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Sounds like he¡¯s part of an organized crew. Mimic abilities are way too dangerous to handle solo.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">How do you defend against something like this? Carry voice verification tools?</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">If anyone has seen or heard more details, please share them. This is terrifying.</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [Warning] North Point docks after midnight


    <blockquote>


    North Point docks are a no-go after midnight. People say there¡¯s a metahuman with shadow abilities hanging around, snatching up smugglers.


    They don¡¯t just disappear, though¡ªwhatever¡¯s left of them gets dumped in the water, sliced up like they were dissected. No one¡¯s seen him clearly, but rumor is he moves like he¡¯s part of the darkness itself. If you¡¯ve got any business there, wrap it up before sundown.


    Replies:


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">I had a friend who worked near the docks and quit after seeing something. He wouldn¡¯t talk about it, though.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">The way he ¡®moves like darkness¡¯ sounds like full-on shadow manipulation. Not many metas have that.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">This person might be trying to clean up crime, but their methods are horrifying.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">If the smugglers are the target, maybe the authorities are turning a blind eye to this.</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [Scam Alert] Healer in West Market


    <blockquote>


    West Market¡¯s got a new street preacher. Guy claims to heal people with a touch, but there¡¯s a catch¡ªhis ¡®cures¡¯ don¡¯t last. When it wears off, they say the pain¡¯s ten times worse.


    Someone confronted him, said he¡¯s draining life energy to keep himself going. Not sure if it¡¯s true, but the guy who accused him vanished a few hours later.


    Replies:


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">I¡¯ve heard about this guy. If the accusations are true, he¡¯s way more dangerous than he seems.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Life energy draining? That sounds like something straight out of horror stories.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">If you go to him, make sure someone knows where you are or bring your friends with you. This disappearance stuff is no joke.</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [Do Not Interact] West side healer


    <blockquote>


    DO NOT INTERACT with that guy on the west side claiming to be a healer. My friend went to him for help with his chronic pain. He came back missing all feeling in his legs.


    The healer said the pain¡¯s ¡®trapped somewhere else now.¡¯ What does that even mean?! And why can¡¯t anyone find him after this?


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [Danger] Telepath in West Bridge¡ª''The Shepherd''


    <blockquote>


    West Bridge area: avoid if you can. There''s a telepath roaming around, calling himself ''The Shepherd.'' People are saying he doesn''t just read minds¡ªhe rewrites them.


    Found a guy wandering last week, couldn¡¯t even remember his own name. He just kept mumbling, ¡®The flock grows.¡¯ Police tried to question him, but he barely reacted.


    What¡¯s worse? There¡¯s been three more like him since. No IDs, no past, just... nothing left.


    Replies:¡®


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">¡®The flock grows¡¯? This guy sounds like he¡¯s building some kind of cult.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">How do you protect yourself against a telepath who can rewrite minds?</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">What happens to the people he takes? Do they ever recover? Someone needs to intervene.</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [URGENT] Missing person¡ªRiverside Park


    <blockquote>


    My sister is missing. Last seen near Riverside Park. She mentioned meeting some guy who claimed he could ¡®cleanse sins.¡¯


    Sounds like that faith-healer meta who¡¯s been scamming people for months, but this one¡¯s different. Saw him once¡ªeyes like he hadn¡¯t slept in years. Something about him made my skin crawl.


    If you¡¯ve seen her or know anything, please PM me. I¡¯ll pay for info.


    Replies:


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">I¡¯m so sorry to hear this. That guy sounds like trouble. I¡¯ll keep an eye out.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">¡®Cleanse sins¡¯? That sounds like he¡¯s targeting vulnerable people. I¡¯ll share this in my community group.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Did she leave behind anything that might help track her? A note, her phone?</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    <blockquote>


    [Creepy] Meta-vampire in East Side?


    East Side: bodies found drained of blood. Second case this month. Meta-vampire, maybe? Keep your necks covered.


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    <blockquote>


    [Threat] Targeting low-tier metas in South District


    South District: someone¡¯s targeting low-tier metas. They find your weakness, exploit it, and... make an example out of you.


    Caught a glimpse of one of the victims¡ªsome guy with stone skin. His arms were shattered, bits of rock scattered everywhere like gravel.


    Whoever did it left a note carved into his chest: ¡®You¡¯re next.¡¯


    Replies:


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">This is horrific. Whoever¡¯s behind this is sending a message, but to whom?</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Low-tier metas are easy targets. We need to find out if this is someone purging weaker metas or just a sadistic killer.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Shattered stone skin? That takes some serious strength or precision. Whoever did this knows what they¡¯re doing.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">If you¡¯re a meta in South District, don¡¯t walk alone. This person clearly enjoys targeting vulnerabilities.</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [Fun Topic] Coolest meta nature you¡¯ve seen in real life?


    <blockquote>


    Let¡¯s lighten the mood a bit. What¡¯s the coolest meta ability you¡¯ve personally witnessed? For me, it was someone who could turn their whole body into this shimmering crystal form. It was like a living gemstone. Absolutely wild.


    Replies:


    <ul>


    <li>I once met someone who could turn their breath into swirling, glowing mist that told stories¡ªlike holographic fairy tales. It wasn¡¯t just random shapes; it would act out legends, history, or even personal memories!</li>


    <li>A guy I met could create illusions of alternate realities. You¡¯d see yourself in an entirely different life for a few seconds¡ªlike living a dream version of your day.</li>


    <li>I saw someone who could turn sound into visible patterns, almost like holographic sound waves. They could paint music in the air.</li>


    <li>One time, I met a person who could weave strands of wind like threads. They¡¯d make scarves and ribbons from pure air, and you could actually wear them.</li>


    <li>


    There was this person who could ¡®breathe¡¯ life into objects. They¡¯d take a stick or rock, and it would sprout legs or wings and scuttle around for a few minutes.


    <ul>


    <li>


    Watching them turn a pile of junk into a temporary mini-zoo was both hilarious and awe-inspiring.


    </li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [Curiosity] Meta pets¡ªdo they exist?


    <blockquote>


    Okay, hear me out: has anyone ever heard of animals with meta abilities? I saw this dog yesterday that seemed to sense things before they happened. Could metas exist in animals too, or am I imagining things?


    Replies:


    <ul>


    <li>Yes! I¡¯ve heard of meta pets, but they¡¯re super rare. Usually, it happens in animals exposed to strong Meta Aspect.</li>


    <li>There was a cat in my neighborhood that seemed to disappear and reappear randomly. Could¡¯ve been a meta pet.</li>


    <li>I think it¡¯s possible. Some animals are already super perceptive, so adding powers wouldn¡¯t be a huge stretch.</li>


    <li>If meta animals exist, they¡¯re probably better at hiding than humans. Makes sense, right?</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [Advice] Balancing a meta ability with a normal job?


    <blockquote>


    Let¡¯s talk about the challenge of juggling a normal job while having a meta ability that¡¯s¡­ not exactly practical or easy to hide. In a world where everyone has a power, but most are less "super" and more "meh," how do you integrate it into daily life?


    I¡¯ll start: I can precisely time when popcorn will pop. It¡¯s not exactly world-changing, but it¡¯s great for hosting movie nights. However, in my day job as an office assistant, it¡¯s completely useless¡ªunless you count being the designated snack-break hero. Still, it¡¯s tough not to feel like I should be doing more with it.


    So, how do you handle your meta nature in a regular job? Do you hide it? Embrace it? Work around it? Share your tips or challenges!


    Replies:


    <ul>


    <li>My meta nature is making paper slightly heavier. At first, it felt pointless, but I work in an art store now, and customers think I¡¯m showing them ¡®high-quality¡¯ paper stock when they feel the weight difference. I leaned into it, and now it¡¯s part of my charm.</li>


    <li>I can detect which chairs are wobbly. It¡¯s weirdly specific, but as a furniture assembler, it¡¯s a game-changer. I catch quality issues before anyone else does. Sometimes, the right niche turns a ¡®meh¡¯ power into a win.</li>


    <li>I glow faintly in the dark. It¡¯s weird, but my coworkers started calling me ¡®The Night Light¡¯ during night shifts. Now it feels like a badge of honor instead of something I need to hide. Embrace the quirks!</li>


    <li>My meta nature is making flowers bloom instantly, but only one at a time. Not useful in a florist shop, but at weddings? It¡¯s a hit. Clients love the special touch during ceremonies.</li>


    <li>I can slightly warp reflections in mirrors. I started working at an escape room and use it to add extra creepiness to the puzzles. People think it¡¯s part of the design!</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [Fun Topic] What¡¯s the most hilariously useless meta nature you¡¯ve heard of?


    <blockquote>


    I was chatting with a friend about this, and she told me about someone whose power was the ability to make food taste slightly more salty¡ªjust slightly. What are the funniest or most "why does this exist" powers you¡¯ve encountered?


    Replies:


    <ul>


    <li>There¡¯s a guy in my apartment complex who can always find the nearest remote control. He¡¯s basically useless unless we¡¯re watching TV.</li>


    <li>I knew a girl who could only make her hair grow faster. She made a side hustle out of being a human wig factory.</li>


    <li>There¡¯s a guy at my gym who can change the direction of air currents, but only small ones. It¡¯s great for fanning himself during workouts.</li>


    <li>I met someone whose meta nature was to make beverages fizz. She calls herself the "Soda Queen," but it¡¯s really just fancy carbonation.</li>


    <li>My cousin can make people sneeze, but only if they¡¯re already on the verge of sneezing. It¡¯s the most annoying power ever.</li>


    <li>A coworker has the ability to unstick zippers. Useful? Kind of. Impressive? Not really.</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [Discussion] How do you make peace with a ¡°pointless¡± meta nature?


    <blockquote>


    I¡¯ll admit it, my meta nature is completely useless (I can make milk spoil faster¡ªgross, I know). How do you learn to accept a power that has no practical use and no chance of becoming cool?


    Comments:


    <ul>


    <li>Hey, every meta nature has some use. Spoiled milk? Instant excuse to skip family dinners with that weird cousin. Perspective is everything.</li>


    <li>First off, stop calling it pointless. Every meta nature has potential, even if it¡¯s not immediately obvious. Start thinking of it as a quirky trait rather than a ''failure.'' That shift alone helps a lot.</li>


    <li>My meta nature is to make things slightly sticky, but only for about ten seconds. I started pranking my coworkers with sticky pens and staplers, and it turned into an inside joke. Just have fun with it!</li>


    <li>I can grow a single flower on my head. Useless? Maybe. But it¡¯s a great conversation starter at parties.</li>


    <li>My power is to make food taste slightly saltier. It sounds silly, but now I¡¯m the designated taste-tester at restaurants. I¡¯ve saved my friends from some seriously under-seasoned meals!</li>


    <li>Ask yourself: what makes you you? Your power might be a small part of your personality, but it¡¯s not the whole picture. Focus on what you love, not just what you can or can¡¯t do.</li>


    <li>Try to find the humor in it. I can make cheese melt slightly faster than normal, and now my friends call me ¡°The Nacho King.¡± Embrace the absurdity.</li>


    <li>At least your meta nature has no side effects. I can glow faintly in the dark, which is cool until you¡¯re trying to sleep and your whole body looks like a weak flashlight.</li>


    <li>I can turn paper transparent for a few seconds. Turns out, my useless power is great for party tricks.</li>


    <li>Pointless meta nature can still make you memorable. People love hearing about the bizarre stuff we can do. Own it.</li>


    <li>Turn your power into a skill. For example, if you can spoil milk faster, maybe you could learn to master fermentation or even make cheese faster! Explore adjacent hobbies where your power shines.</li>


    <li>Don¡¯t compare your meta nature to others¡¯. Someone else might have an amazing power, but they might be struggling with other things you don¡¯t see. We all have our unique challenges.</li>


    <li>If your meta nature isn¡¯t satisfying, work on a skill or talent that you can control. Becoming really good at something else will make you feel more balanced and less fixated on your ability.</li>


    <li>


    Hey, my power is to make ice cubes evaporate faster. No one¡¯s impressed, but I¡¯ve become the ultimate cocktail party helper¡ª''Oops, guess you¡¯ll need another drink!'' It¡¯s a win-win.


    </li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [Challenge] What¡¯s the weirdest way you¡¯ve turned a useless meta nature into a win?


    <blockquote>


    Let¡¯s share stories about how we¡¯ve turned the weird or useless into something awesome. I¡¯ll go first: my power is being able to predict when popcorn will pop, so I started hosting movie nights where I pop the perfect batch every time. It¡¯s become a huge hit with my friends.


    Replies:


    <ul>


    <li>I can magnetize coins, so I started a game with my friends where we bet on who can stack them the highest. Turns out, I¡¯m unbeatable.</li>


    <li>I can ¡°summon¡± dust bunnies. It¡¯s gross, but I use it to freak people out at work and avoid boring meetings.</li>


    <li>I can untangle any cord or string just by looking at it. I¡¯ve become the unofficial ¡®Tech Support Wizard¡¯ at work, saving countless headphone wires and phone chargers.</li>


    <li>I can make soda fizz more, so I¡¯ve started entering speed-chug contests at parties. I always win because no one else can handle the extra fizz. What more, I have even earned myself a superhero name, my fans calls me, "Soda Queen."</li>


    <li>I can fold paper perfectly every time. I started making custom origami for friends, and now they think I¡¯m a genius.</li>


    <li>My ability to instantly cool beverages makes me the hero of summer barbecues. I¡¯m basically the walking fridge.</li>


    </ul>


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


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [Thread] If you could trade your useless meta nature for another useless one, what would it be?


    <blockquote>


    Let¡¯s be honest, most of us aren¡¯t stopping crime or saving the world with our abilities. If you could swap your ¡°meh¡± meta nature for another equally pointless one, what would it be? For example, I¡¯d trade my power to detect weak spots in eggshells instantly for the ability to make soda cans cold just by touching them.


    Comments:


    <ul>


    <li>I¡¯d trade my meta nature to detect spoiled food (which is just gross) for the ability to always know when the toast is done.</li>


    <li>I¡¯d give up my ability to grow extra fingernails (ew) for the ability to make it always rain lightly when I want it to.</li>


    <li>I¡¯d trade my ¡°change the flavor of gum¡± power for the ability to always find my keys.</li>


    <li>My current power lets me make pens write smoother. I¡¯d happily swap that for the ability to always step into the perfect shower temperature.</li>


    <li>I¡¯d ditch my ability to repel mosquitoes (weird flex, I know) for the ability to always win at rock-paper-scissors.</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [Curiosity] What¡¯s the weirdest meta side effect you¡¯ve experienced?


    <blockquote>


    Meta natures can be unpredictable sometimes. What¡¯s the strangest or most unexpected side effect of your ability? For me, every time I use my meta nature, my skin smells faintly like popcorn for hours. Not a bad smell, but still weird.


    Comments:


    <ul>


    <li>When I use my meta nature (making things sticky), my hair stands up like I got zapped by static electricity.</li>


    <li>I get light-headed if I use my ability to cool drinks too fast. It¡¯s like brain freeze, but all over.</li>


    <li>After using my power to slightly change object colors, my vision goes black-and-white for a few minutes.</li>


    <li>My meta nature (causing sneezes) makes my nose itch every time I use it. Annoying as hell.</li>


    <li>Using my ¡°glow in the dark¡± ability makes me incredibly hungry. No idea why.</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    [Speculation] Could "useless" meta nature combine into something awesome?


    <blockquote>


    What if two or more useless meta nature could combine to make something incredible? For example, my ability to make plants smell like random things + someone¡¯s power to grow plants quickly = an instant garden of great-smelling flowers. What combos can you come up with?


    Comments:


    <ul>


    <li>Someone who can make things glow + someone who can control air currents = DIY laser light shows!</li>


    <li>My shoelace-tying meta nature + someone¡¯s ability to magnetize small objects = the perfect team for setting up tricky traps.</li>


    <li>My power to make ice cubes vanish instantly + someone who can create steam out of nowhere = a magical fog machine for spooky events.</li>


    <li>My power to find lost objects + someone¡¯s ability to perfectly stack things = world-class tidying services.</li>


    <li>Combine glowing faintly + sweating glitter, and you¡¯ve got the ultimate party entertainer.</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    I spent the three hours reading through the forum posts, getting a sense of how this place operated. It was chaotic, full of half-serious questions, rumors, and occasional nuggets of real information. If you knew how to filter out the noise, you could sometimes find what you needed.


    <blockquote>


    [Request] Seeking Someone with Magic Meta Nature


    I¡¯m looking for someone in the city with a magic meta nature. I¡¯m open to discussing terms for a transaction¡ªwhether it¡¯s payment, secret information you need, or another form of compensation. DM if you know someone.


    </blockquote>


    After submitting my question, I waited patiently, though I wasn¡¯t too hopeful. Few people truly understood the nature of their spell-granted abilities. Those who did were often already in positions of power, making them highly sought after, governments kept them on classified payrolls, private organizations locked them into exclusive contracts, and criminal enterprises ensured their loyalty through less savory means.


    I''d deliberately kept my request vague about the specific type of magical meta nature needed. Whether Hive or Unique, finding anyone with genuine magical abilities would be significant progress. Mental protection spells were just the beginning - if I could establish a connection with a real practitioner, other possibilities might open up.


    My request was vague enough not to sound desperate but specific enough to draw the right kind of attention.


    The responses started coming in within minutes:


    <blockquote>


    <ul>


    <li>lol, good luck with that. Real mages don¡¯t hang out on forums, bro.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">You¡¯re probably just another government agent fishing for info. Pass.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Why don¡¯t you just summon one? Oh, wait¡­ you can¡¯t. LOL.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">If you find someone, let me know. I¡¯ve been trying to get a permanent invisibility spell for ages.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Magical meta nature¡¯? What even IS that? Are we talking wizards, elementals, or those pseudo-spellcasters who just vibe in ley lines?</li>


    <li>Bro, you¡¯re gonna get scammed SO HARD. Mark my words.</li>


    <li>Careful, dude. You¡¯re asking for trouble with this kind of post. These people don¡¯t like being found.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">I might know someone. What''s it worth to you?</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    I scrolled through the replies, sifting through the usual mix of trolls, skeptics, and opportunists. Most weren¡¯t worth engaging with, but I¡¯d expected as much. The key was to be patient.


    About thirty minutes later, a notification pinged in my messages. Someone had sent a DM:


    <blockquote>


    User: Enchanter_Moonveil


    - I might know someone. But magical favors aren¡¯t cheap, and they aren¡¯t easy. What exactly are you looking for?


    </blockquote>


    This was the first response that felt even remotely promising. I stared at the message for a moment before typing back. My next move would determine whether this lead was worth pursuing¡ªor just another dead end. I hesitated only for a moment before typing my reply. Keeping my tone direct but not desperate, I sent:


    <blockquote>


    Me:


    - I need a mind shield¡ªsomething permanent to protect my thoughts and memories from external interference. Are you offering, or do you know someone who can?


    </blockquote>


    I didn¡¯t have to wait long. The notification popped up quicker than expected¡ªtoo quick, in fact.


    <blockquote>


    Enchanter_Moonveil:


    - I do know someone, but I¡¯m not sure if they might actually be able to help your certain situation. They go by the alias ¡®Fae.¡¯ They¡¯re a recluse, but they have the kind of magic you¡¯re looking for. You¡¯ll need more than money to get their attention. They value things that can¡¯t be bought. Rare artifacts, knowledge, or¡­ interesting trades.


    </blockquote>


    I leaned back in my chair, staring at the screen. Fae. The name meant nothing to me, but that didn¡¯t matter. If Moonveil was telling the truth, I might¡¯ve just found a lead worth chasing. I quickly typed back:


    <blockquote>


    Me:


    - Do you have a way to contact them?


    </blockquote>


    For a moment, I hesitated. This was all coming together a bit too smoothly. Suspiciously so. My brows furrowed as I reread the exchange, doubt creeping in.


    I sat there, fingers hovering over the keyboard, but my mind was already spiraling. What if this was a trap? A con? Or worse, what if it wasn¡¯t a scam at all, but a calculated attempt to lure me into something dangerous? The ease of it made me question not only the credibility of Moonveil but also my own knowledge¡ªand memories.


    Then a more unsettling thought crept in: What if I¡¯m the one missing something?


    Perhaps I had been too quick to judge.


    As I sifted through my memories, trying to piece together what I knew about magical meta-natures, I realized I wasn¡¯t just questioning Moonveil¡ªI was questioning myself.


    And then the realization hit me like a jolt of electricity.


    A rush of realization swept through my thoughts, the kind that left me shaken. Among the countless fragments of knowledge I carried, one surfaced with chilling clarity: events that hadn¡¯t yet unfolded¡ªlike the End Times Discord, which would make magical meta-natures both taboo and vanishingly rare¡ªwere still decades away. Eighty-three years, to be exact.


    I shook my head, the shock fading into frustration. My memories were a tangle of timelines, overlapping and blurring together until I couldn¡¯t tell what was past, present, or future. Unless I actively worked to organize them, this confusion would only get worse.


    I rubbed my temples, the headache forming like an old wound reopening. My own mind¡ªso full of knowledge¡ªwas becoming a burden, and I couldn¡¯t afford to lose focus now.


    What else am I wrong about so far?


    The question lingered, and with it, the weight of doubt settled over me like a heavy cloak. Depression crept in, slow and suffocating. I hadn¡¯t even solved my first problem, yet here was another one knocking at my door. What kind of life was this?


    The implications were terrifying. What would happen if I couldn¡¯t resolve these memory issues? There was a very real possibility that, in the future, I might go mad. My memories from past cycles could blur and twist until they corrupted my present judgment. Eventually, I wouldn¡¯t be able to distinguish one timeline from another¡ªa fate far worse than simply losing my grasp on reality.


    Before I could sink further into my spiral of worry, another notification flashed across the screen:


    <blockquote>


    Enchanter_Moonveil:


    - Twenty-five thousand hyperspace credits for rough details. Exact location and full information, one hundred thousand.


    </blockquote>


    I opened my HyperSpace account to check my balance. Just over a hundred and fifty thousand credits remained¡ªthe last of my betting money that I¡¯d transferred into my digital wallet. Fortunately, the lottery payout I was expecting would hit my account in a day or two, so even if this was a scam, I wouldn¡¯t be entirely broke.


    Still, I hesitated. What if this person was just another scammer? But on the other hand, what if they weren¡¯t?


    I weighed my options. The credits would either lead me to someone who could help protect myself, or I¡¯d be wasting a small fortune on another dead end. It was a risk, but at this point, what choice did I have?


    After a moment¡¯s consideration, I authorized the transfer. The credits vanished from my account instantly¡ªno way to take it back now.


    Almost immediately, a reply appeared:


    <blockquote>


    Enchanter_Moonveil:


    ¡°If you visit the One Stop Convenience in the west district, the shop owner there deals in magical exchanges. Ask for ¡®Kavi.¡¯ Tell him you¡¯re looking for Fae, and he might point you in the right direction. But be careful. Fae isn¡¯t someone to trifle with.¡±


    </blockquote>


    I stared at the message, reading it over a few times to make sure I hadn¡¯t missed anything. It wasn¡¯t much to go on, but it was something.


    Outside my window, the moon hung bright in the night sky. I leaned back, letting the glow wash over the room as I contemplated my next steps.


    Tomorrow, I¡¯d visit the One Stop Convenience. Whether this lead would bring me closer to solving my problems or land me in even more trouble, I¡¯d find out soon enough.


    For now, I logged off, my thoughts swirling between anticipation and unease.


    <hr>


    The next day, I found myself abruptly yanked into the academy emergency stairwell by the arrogant dragon. Its grip was unyielding, and fear kept me frozen as it pressed me firmly against the cold stone wall. Its fierce eyes locked onto mine, intense and unwavering, its sharp claws pinning me in place. The air around us crackled with magic, the stairwell doors sealed shut by some ancient force, cutting off any chance of escape.


    Just as panic threatened to overwhelm me, drown me, but then¡ªunexpectedly¡ªits demeanor began to shift. The ferocity in its eyes gave way to something softer, something curious. It lowered its massive head, sniffing my neck with the careful intensity of a predator catching a scent. Its deep, heated breath ghosted against my skin, leaving it tingling. The fire in its exhale didn¡¯t burn; it lingered, singeing in a way that felt strangely alive.


    And then, as if responding to some invisible call, the dragon¡¯s form began to change. The monstrous scales faded, replaced by smooth, delicate skin. In moments, the fearsome beast had transformed into a strikingly beautiful girl. Her lips, warm and impossibly soft, pressed against mine with an urgency that left me no room to resist.


    I surrendered to the inevitable. The force of her presence was overwhelming, and her lips consumed every rational thought. My hands found her waist, pulling her closer as I flipped our positions, pressing her back against the wall. Her breath hitched, her skin warm beneath my touch. My lips trailed down her neck, tasting the warmth of her skin, and she shivered under the touch. Her hands clung to my shoulders, holding me in place as if afraid I might slip away.


    ¡°Wait,¡± she whispered, her voice unsteady, a mix of embarrassment and desire. Her cheeks were flushed, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she caught her breath. Her eyes¡ªbright, intense, and locked on mine¡ªbetrayed the conflict within her.


    ¡°We should go home early,¡± she said softly, though her words wavered as her gaze lingered on my lips, refusing to pull away.


    ¡°Huh?¡± I gasped, my lips brushing hers, but gently I refused. ¡°Not today.¡±


    Her expression faltered for the first time, and in her eyes, I saw something I hadn¡¯t expected¡ªa tinge of sadness.


    ¡°I have some important work,¡± I said softly, my thumb brushing against her soft cheek. The warmth of her skin seemed to calm the storm between us, even as the moment felt impossibly fragile. ¡°But we can meet in the evening.¡±


    Her gaze lowered, her voice subdued. ¡°Hmmm.¡±


    What was that supposed to mean?


    Her hand moved slowly, hesitating for a fraction of a second before her fingers brushed against my lips. The touch was light, almost tentative. For a moment, I froze. With surprising care, she wiped away the faint pink shade left behind by her lip gloss. It tasted sweet though.


    She then took a small step back. I watched her reconstruct her composure piece by piece.


    ¡°Do I¡­¡± She paused, her voice faltering for the first time. ¡°Do I look okay?¡±


    I blinked, caught off guard by the question. The once-arrogant dragon now seemed uncertain, her hands brushing down her clothing as if smoothing invisible creases. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly redder than usual, evidence of what had just happened between us.


    ¡°You look perfect,¡± I said honestly, unable to stop the small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.


    She glanced up at me, her lips twitching as though she wanted to say something but couldn¡¯t quite find the words. ¡°Perfect?¡±


    I did a second careful scan, ¡°Though your hair could use a little fixing.¡±


    Her eyes narrowed, her confidence snapping back into place like a rubber band. ¡°Oh, really?¡±


    ¡°Yes, really. And I¡¯m just the person for the job,¡± I chuckled, reaching out to gently straighten a stray strand of her hair. She had chosen a wavy chop for today, and they looked quite good on her.


    For a moment, she stood still, letting me adjust her hair without protest. But when I finished, she pulled back slightly, crossing her arms with an exaggerated pout. ¡°What would you do without me looking presentable?¡±


    ¡°Cry,¡± I said, deadpan, earning a snort of laughter from her.


    The tension between us softened, our eyes no longer filled with the same intensity.


    However, I realized, the arrogant dragon was still there in her eyes, but it had been gentled by acceptance. I reached out with my hand, wiping out a smudge on her check. Her skin was warm under my fingertips. She didn¡¯t pull away. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, leaning into my touch like she was testing the boundaries of trust.


    As we just stood in silence, I couldn¡¯t help but marvel at her ability to pull off any fashion. She was wearing a bright mustard-yellow open-knit sweater, its oversized sleeves flaring just past her wrists, layered effortlessly over a mini black top that peeked through the sheer texture. The sweater hung loosely, giving her a relaxed air, while her olive-green cargo pants sat high on her waist, cinched perfectly with a brown leather belt. A pink faux fur handbag dangled from her hand, its soft texture a playful contrast to the rugged utility of her pants. She looked impeccable as ever.


    And when she didn¡¯t try to bite me, she was very adorable.


    ¡°What?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± I said.


    <hr>


    I made my way down the crowded road, flanked by rows of old, antique homes that seemed to whisper stories of another time. My phone was in hand, maps open, as I hunted for the elusive One Stop Convenience Store. The directions from Enchanter_Moonveil in our HyperSpace chat had seemed simple enough at the time, but reality had other plans: the search revealed five locations with names suspiciously close to ¡°One Stop Convenience¡± scattered across the sprawl of the West District.


    Considering the sheer size of the district and number of municipalities crammed within it, I suppose I should¡¯ve been grateful there were only five. It could¡¯ve been twenty.


    Still, I couldn¡¯t help but curse myself for not demanding a proper address yesterday. What had I been thinking? Oh, right¡ªI wasn¡¯t. In my rush to secure the information, I¡¯d completed the transaction without double-checking a single detail.


    Impulsiveness. It was unbecoming of someone with the mental age and experience of three centuries. Time traveler or not, I should¡¯ve known better. The growing chaos in my mind¡ªthe erratic thoughts, the fragmented focus¡ªit wasn¡¯t just annoying; it was dangerous. Moreover, it wasn¡¯t sustainable, not in this relentless race where precision and patience were everything.


    I needed to get a grip. Meditation, that¡¯s what I needed. I hadn¡¯t done it in¡­ well, a while. Too long, clearly. If I couldn¡¯t clear this mental clutter soon, it wouldn¡¯t matter how many centuries of wisdom I¡¯d accumulated. I¡¯d lose the race by tripping over my own damn shoelaces.


    Back to the task at hand. The first two hours of my day were wasted trudging to the wrong locations.


    The first ¡°One Stop¡± was just a regular corner shop. Its owner¡ªan older man who looked like he¡¯d seen one too many wannabe adventurers traipsing through his aisles¡ªgave me the kind of look reserved for shoplifters and weirdos. I lingered too long anyway, hoping for a sign of something more, but left empty-handed. The second was even worse: a shell of a building, its windows so coated in grime they looked painted over. Clearly abandoned. I considered poking around inside for a hot second but decided against it.


    After another fifteen minutes of walking, I finally stumbled upon what might have been the right place: a modest-looking store wedged between two old, weathered houses. If I hadn¡¯t been carefully checking every gap between buildings, I would¡¯ve walked right past it. The brick facade blended seamlessly with its neighbors, and even the small display window seemed designed to deflect attention. The whole setup whispered, ¡°Keep moving, nothing to see here.¡±


    I let out a long breath, pausing to double-check the store name above the entrance. The letters were faded, barely legible, but I read them twice just to be sure: One Stop Convenience Store.


    This was it¡ªor so I hoped.


    Without hesitation, I stepped inside, triggering a faint jingle from the doorbell above. The air inside was heavy, carrying the faint scent of old paper and something medicinal that I couldn¡¯t quite place.


    Behind the counter stood a man in his late fifties, his South Asian features weathered but sharp. He radiated the quiet confidence of someone who had seen more than his fair share of strange customers and stranger stories.


    For a moment, I hesitated, taking in the rows of mismatched shelves and the eclectic assortment of goods that seemed more like someone¡¯s forgotten attic than a functioning store. But I was too exhausted from my morning''s wild goose chase to bother with subtlety. I walked directly to the counter.


    ¡°I was told by a friend that you can tell me where Kavi is? I¡¯m here to meet him.¡±


    The words came out blunt, almost resigned. If this was another dead end, so be it.


    The man didn¡¯t answer right away. His sharp, observant eyes roamed over me, sizing me up with the precision of someone who¡¯d spent decades reading people. I knew exactly what he saw: a tired figure in a black t-shirt and an oversized, checkered brown leather jacket and baggy dark blue jeans¡ªa look that screamed North District. Only someone from the heart of the city dressed this casually, and it didn¡¯t take much to place me as an outsider here in the West.


    Finally, he spoke, his voice steady and probing. ¡°Why are you looking for him?¡±


    My spirit lifted slightly at the question. He hadn¡¯t immediately denied knowing Kavi. That was something.


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for some spells that can help me with my troubles,¡± I said, careful to keep my tone neutral. It wasn¡¯t a lie, but it also wasn¡¯t the full truth. I couldn¡¯t afford to give away more than necessary until I knew who I was dealing with.


    The shopkeeper didn¡¯t seem particularly impressed by my answer, but he reached for the phone anyway. His conversation unfolded in a language I couldn¡¯t place¡ªquick, clipped, and efficient. Whoever was on the other end responded in kind, and within moments, the call was done.


    ¡°He¡¯ll be here in some time,¡± the shopkeeper said, nodding toward me. Then, with a brief wave of his hand, he added, ¡°You can buy something in the meanwhile.¡±


    I glanced back at the store¡¯s interior. The shelves were stocked with a mismatched collection of goods that looked like they hadn¡¯t moved since the last decade¡ªor possibly the one before that. Most of the packaging had yellowed with age, and dust motes danced lazily in the beams of light cutting through the window.


    Still, I moved away from the counter, resigned to wait. The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed faintly, adding a constant white noise to the shop¡¯s oddly still atmosphere. I wandered the aisles, pretending to browse but keeping my thoughts elsewhere.


    Minutes dragged on. Five turned into fifteen, which stretched into thirty.


    During my wait, I¡¯d found myself contemplating the store itself. Its survival seemed almost miraculous. The occasional child would dart in, exchange a few coins for candy, and disappear just as quickly. Beyond that, there was no sign of customers¡ªor even any real attempt at attracting them. But it wasn¡¯t my business to untangle the shop¡¯s economics, so I let the mystery slide.


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the doorbell chimed again.


    The man who stepped in moved with a confidence that drew attention without effort. He appeared to be in his early twenties, but there was something about the way he carried himself¡ªan easy assurance, a lack of hurry¡ªthat suggested he was no stranger to commanding respect.


    He went straight to the counter, where the shopkeeper didn¡¯t bother with words. Instead, he pointed silently in my direction.


    The man¡¯s gaze shifted to me, and he approached with the same unhurried pace. His movements were deliberate, like someone who operated on their own schedule and wasn¡¯t inclined to rush for anyone.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one looking for me?¡± he asked, his voice casual, as though we were discussing the weather.


    I studied him as he spoke. His appearance matched his tone: a worn white hoodie hung loosely on his frame, paired with tight jeans that looked more lived-in than stylish. Patches of unshaved beard dotted his jawline, completing the image of someone who chose his unpolished look rather than someone forced into it by circumstance.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I said, inclining my head. ¡°You¡¯re Kavi.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s me.¡± A small smile tugged at his lips, but his eyes remained sharp and calculating. ¡°Well and alive, standing right here.¡±


    He gestured toward the door. ¡°Let¡¯s step outside¡ªno point in disturbing anyone.¡±


    I followed him out to a car that could¡¯ve been mistaken for a relic from a bygone era. Its paint was faded, its body pockmarked with dents and scratches that hinted at a lifetime of close calls and minor accidents. Much like Kavi himself, the car wasn¡¯t built for show¡ªit was practical, reliable, and unapologetically rough around the edges.


    He placed one hand on the driver¡¯s door, pausing before getting in. His casual demeanor shifted, his tone sharpening as he addressed me.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get something straight first,¡± he said, his voice carrying a new weight. ¡°I run an honest business. Second, I don¡¯t deal with gangs, and I can¡¯t help you with revenge schemes. Anything else, we can discuss in detail.¡±


    There was no room for debate in his tone, and I got the distinct impression he meant every word.


    I nodded, acknowledging his terms without hesitation. ¡°Understood.¡±


    That seemed to satisfy him. He opened the car door, gesturing for me to get in. I hesitated for a split second, bracing myself as I slid into the passenger seat.


    The stench hit me like a physical blow¡ªa noxious cocktail of stale cigarettes, old coffee, and garbage that had been left to marinate far too long. I regretted not taking a deep breath of fresh air before entering. The filth felt almost alive, clinging to me the moment I sat down. I already knew my clothes would need a thorough cleaning after this.


    ¡°So, who are you looking for?¡± Kavi asked, starting the conversation with practiced ease. ¡°We provide services in many areas.¡±


    At this point, I had pieced together enough to understand the general nature of his operations. He wasn¡¯t just a random contact; he was part of a network, a broker of sorts.


    ¡°Fae,¡± I replied, my voice slow and deliberate.


    The name lingered between us. Kavi didn¡¯t respond right away. He froze for a long moment, his fingers resting lightly on the steering wheel as he considered my words.


    Finally, he murmured, ¡°Hmm. You know she¡¯s my secret.¡± His voice was low, almost reluctant. ¡°You¡¯ll have to pay a heavy price to request her help.¡±


    ¡°I understand,¡± I said, calm and unwavering.


    He studied me, his dark eyes narrowing as though searching for cracks in my resolve. After a moment, he gave a small nod. ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve got your shit together. Alright, let¡¯s go.¡±


    He twisted the key in the ignition. The car groaned in protest, its engine sputtering before reluctantly roaring to life. With a resigned growl, the vehicle lurched forward, and we pulled out onto the road. At first, it seemed like any other drive¡ªuneventful, the city rolling by in all its gritty monotony, but then my perception shifted, and the world outside transformed.


    The ordinary street scene dissolved into streams of color -Pale blue cut through ribbons of gold and green, each shade swirling and blending into the next.


    Each color carried its own meaning. The light blue spoke of fleeting peace, a calm that couldn¡¯t last. Gold shimmered with unspoken promises, whispering of opportunities waiting to be seized. And green¡ªgreen pulsed with life, the energy of growth and transformation.


    I watched the colors swirl and blend, mesmerized.


    With my right arm resting on the open window, I watched the colors swirl and the buildings pass by.


    I didn¡¯t ask where we were going. I didn¡¯t need to.

 Act 2.9 (Chrysalis)

    After thirty minutes of driving, Kavi and I pulled into a noticeably different part of the district, where perfectly manicured lawns and smooth, pothole-free roads painted a picture of privilege. The contrast with the convenience store¡¯s rough, worn-down neighborhood couldn¡¯t have been starker. Kavi¡¯s decrepit car wheezed to a stop, looking completely out of place next to the well-maintained vehicles lining the street. He didn¡¯t seem to notice¡ªor care. Stepping out, he lit a cigarette. Smoke curled lazily around him as he walked up to a modest but immaculately kept house, its clean lines and neat garden betraying the same care that defined the rest of the area.


    Kavi rang the doorbell with a nonchalant tap, leaning casually against the doorframe. I stood a step behind, unsure of what exactly we were walking into.


    The seconds dragged into minutes, the door remaining resolutely shut. Kavi didn¡¯t seem bothered, taking a long drag from his cigarette as if we weren¡¯t just loitering awkwardly on someone¡¯s pristine doorstep.


    Finally, the door opened.


    A woman in her late twenties stood there, her sharp eyes taking us both in with a glance that felt like it could peel back layers of skin. Her gaze flicked to me first¡ªcurious, skeptical¡ªand then landed on Kavi, her expression twisting into irritation.


    ¡°How many times have I told you not to bring strangers to my house?¡± she snapped, her tone cutting and firm.


    Kavi shrugged, completely unfazed by her sharp tone. ¡°Look at him,¡± he said, gesturing lazily toward me. ¡°Does he look like a criminal? Guys like him don¡¯t even know how to spell crime, let alone commit it. If people like him turned to crime, folks like us would be out of business overnight.¡±


    Before she could respond, he tried to step inside, but she blocked his way.


    Her eyes narrowed at his cavalier attitude. ¡°That¡¯s not the point, Kavi,¡± she said flatly, crossing her arms and blocking the doorway like an immovable gatekeeper.


    Kavi took a long drag from his cigarette, exhaling the smoke into the air between them before flicking the butt into a nearby bush. ¡°Come on, Bee,¡± he said, his voice softening just enough to sound sincere. ¡°He needs help. Only you can solve this for him. Why do you think I brought him here?¡±


    She hesitated, her sharp gaze flicking back to me, then back to him. I could see the conflict play out in her expression. Finally, she sighed heavily, the kind of sigh that spoke of long-standing frustrations.


    ¡°Fine,¡± she said, stepping aside with clear reluctance. ¡°But if this turns into another one of your messes, I swear¡ª¡±


    ¡°Relax,¡± Kavi interrupted, flashing her a grin as he stepped inside. ¡°You¡¯ll thank me later. Promise.¡±


    I followed him in, trying not to feel like I was intruding.


    Though Kavi called her Bee, I knew this had to be Fae. The longer I looked at her, the more fascinating she became - like trying to focus on a mirage that grew clearer rather than fading. Her striking green hair framed her sunken cheeks, giving her grounded presence.


    But it was the wings that sealed her identity. They extended from her back like living stained glass, their translucent surfaces catching the light in a way that seemed to defy physics. They were similar to cicada wings. Fragile or delicate, though; there was strength in their slow, purposeful movement. Her clothing had been carefully tailored to accommodate them, precise slits allowing the wings to move freely as they swayed gently, nearly brushing her ankles. Watching them was hypnotic, their fluidity impossible to ignore.


    She disappeared briefly, returning with a tray balanced with three cups of tea. Her movements were efficient, unhurried, like someone who understood the value of small rituals. She set the cups down in front of us, then took her seat across the room, her wings folding neatly behind her like they had a mind of their own. Her gaze landed on me, steady and assessing.


    "So," her voice carried the same duality as her appearance - both mundane and magical, "what kind of help are you looking for?"


    I hesitated, lifting the tea cup to my lips to buy a moment of thought. ¡°May I ask what your meta nature is?¡± I said eventually, keeping my tone polite.


    Revealing one¡¯s meta nature wasn¡¯t taboo, but those who were cautious or strategic rarely shared it openly. A single word could expose a person¡¯s vulnerabilities, and meta nature was far more than a personality trait¡ªit was an entire classification of power.


    Bee didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, she sipped her tea with the calm detachment of someone perfectly comfortable with silence. She wasn¡¯t going to volunteer anything unless it suited her.


    Kavi smirked beside me, finally breaking the quiet. ¡°He¡¯s just making sure you¡¯re not one of those ¡®meta frauds,¡¯ Bee.¡±


    Her gaze flicked to him, unimpressed. ¡°And you thought this was the way to introduce him to me?¡±


    Kavi shrugged, his smirk widening. ¡°Hey, you always say you like interesting jobs. He¡¯s interesting.¡±


    Bee sighed and turned back to me. ¡°I belong to Creatures of Life,¡± she said simply, placing her tea cup down with deliberate care.


    That answer gave me the confirmation I needed. Creatures of Life belonged to the Hive classification of meta natures, a stark contrast to the more individualistic Unique types. While many Hive meta-natures organized themselves around energy systems like Qi or Mana, or hierarchical ranks and titles, this one was uniquely defined by species¡ªa vast taxonomy of mythological beings. Fairies, dryads, elves, banshees, spirits, and angels were just a few within its catalog.


    It was an ecosystem unto itself, one that blurred the lines between myth and reality.


    Such a meta nature was vanishingly rare in many parts of Earth, though it flourished on worlds where technology hadn''t taken root. Though, I remembered the European continent remained an exception, hosting significant populations - particularly in its ancient forests and remote mountains.


    Their existence, however, was far from idyllic. The Creatures of Life faced a complex web of internal struggles and conflicts. Among them, those with significant power often dreamed of creating a separate world for their kind(they had separated themselves from humanity, calling themselves nonhumans). They called it Forever Heaven, a utopia where they could live as they believed nature intended, free from the pollution and chaos of human civilization.


    This ideological divide would eventually erupt into open conflict, tensions would rise between their factions and humans on earth and everywhere else. At one point in the future, these struggles escalated into an outright war against humanity as they sought to claim what they saw as their rightful place in the world.


    I could spend hours, maybe even days, talking about the complexities of their politics and history¡ªtheir victories, betrayals, and inevitable losses. But now wasn¡¯t the time to get lost in the future.


    Instead, I focused on the defining trait of this meta nature: the transformation.


    Unlike other Hive meta-natures, which often augmented their users with abilities or powers while keeping them physically intact, the transformation of Creatures of Life was absolute. It didn¡¯t just tweak appearances or enhance abilities¡ªit rewrote the very essence of the person. On a cellular level, their biology shifted, adapting to the taxonomy of the randomly given species. But it wasn¡¯t just physical. Their alignment¡ªmetaphysical, emotional, and sometimes even moral¡ªwas altered. They became something new, entirely and completely, leaving behind the human identity entirely.


    Though magical, the Creatures of Life had one notable limitation in my eyes¡ªthey couldn¡¯t bestow magical spells or powers on others. Their abilities were intrinsic, woven deeply into their transformed beings. They could heal, manipulate nature, and bend aspects of reality within their domains, but protective enchantments for others? That was beyond them. It was a curious gap in their capabilities, and while the fact was a little disappointing, it didn¡¯t affect my mood much. After all, they could still perform magic on others, which was more than enough for my purposes.


    Interestingly, the Creatures of Life had a counterpart: the Creatures of Night or Creatures of Death. These beings represented the other side of the transformative spectrum. Their taxonomy included vampires, werewolves, dark spirits, merfolk, zombies, skinwalkers, and demons. While both meta natures fundamentally transformed their users into otherworldly creatures, the traits and alignments of the two couldn¡¯t have been more different. They were two sides of the same coin¡ªopposite in expression but similar in transformation.


    Of course, iIt was important to remember, though, that meta natures themselves weren¡¯t inherently good or evil. The name demon, tied to the Creatures of Night, didn¡¯t automatically brand someone as malevolent, just as the name fairy, associated with the Creatures of Life, didn¡¯t guarantee virtue or kindness. The individual behind the transformation mattered more than the nature itself. Choices and character dictated morality¡ªnot the species one was born or changed into.


    As I observed Bee¡ªor Fae, as her true nature suggested¡ªher species became obvious. The translucent wings, the subtle glow of her skin, her strange presence that filled the house¡­ she was undoubtedly one of the Fairy kind.


    Fairies, like her, were known for their profound connection to life energy and a deeply ingrained sense of empathy. It explained a lot¡ªher reluctance to turn away visitors, even ones like me who¡¯d arrived uninvited. Her power may have been deeply personal, but her nature leaned toward care, even when it was begrudging.


    Yet another concern nagged at me. Fairies, for all their power, rarely worked with mind magic. Their gifts were rooted in the physical and environmental¡ªhealing, growth, nature manipulation, unity. It was a magic of life and connection, not the delicate and dangerous art of tampering with the mind.


    After the effort I¡¯d spent finding her, I could only hope my needs wouldn¡¯t exceed her capabilities.


    I decided to voice my concern. ¡°I was wondering,¡± I began cautiously, ¡°if you¡¯d be able to shield my mind from outside interference¡ªthings like mind magic, memory reading, and mental attacks.¡±


    Bee¡¯s fingers stilled as she set her cup down carefully, the faint clink of porcelain breaking the silence. Leaning back, she fixed her gaze on the now-empty cup, her expression distant. For a moment, it looked as though she were reading something invisible within its depths.


    I sat quietly, watching her perform what I assumed was some form of magical assessment¡ªor perhaps she was simply gathering her thoughts. Either way, the silence stretched, and I had no urge to fill it.


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Bee looked up, her expression calm but thoughtful. ¡°I don¡¯t have what you¡¯re looking for,¡± she said simply. ¡°My proficiency lies in healing and nature.¡±


    Her answer was honest, and it immediately dampened my mood. Still, I tried to read between the lines, holding on to a faint hope that she wasn¡¯t entirely without options. I remained quiet, waiting for her to continue.


    Bee studied me for a moment, her sharp gaze assessing. Then, after a pause, she spoke again. ¡°But,¡± she said deliberately, her tone shifting, ¡°there is another method that might help. However, it¡¯s a lot more dangerous.¡±


    My curiosity piqued, and I gestured politely for her to continue. ¡°Please, do tell.¡±


    Bee nodded slowly, her wings shifting subtly as if echoing her thoughts. ¡°I could scramble your thoughts,¡± she said evenly. ¡°Make them significantly harder to read or manipulate. It would confuse anyone trying to access your mind, but it¡¯s not without consequences.¡±


    Her words struck a nerve. Wasn¡¯t I already dealing with this exact issue? The disappointment settled in my chest, but I tried to keep it from showing on my face.


    ¡°Scramble my thoughts?¡± I repeated.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she replied, matter-of-fact. ¡°Think of it as encrypting your mind. It would make you harder to read, harder to influence.¡±


    ¡°But,¡± I interjected, shaking my head, ¡°wouldn¡¯t that make it harder for me too? To think clearly, to function?¡±


    Bee¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver. ¡°It would,¡± she said plainly. ¡°You¡¯d struggle to organize your thoughts, distinguish between memories, or focus on the present. Over time, your mind would naturally begin to heal, but it¡¯s not a clean process.¡±


    It was, admittedly, a practical solution for someone younger¡ªsomeone whose mind was still a blank slate, a fresh memory card ready to be written on. For someone like me, however, with centuries¡¯ worth of memories crammed into an already overburdened mind, it was a death sentence. Scrambling my thoughts further would annihilate my sense of self. I¡¯d lose the tenuous grip I had on reality and likely become delusional¡ªor worse.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    ¡°This won¡¯t work,¡± I said at last, shaking my head with a sigh of resignation.


    Bee¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. ¡°Then there¡¯s nothing more I can do to help you with your cause,¡± she replied plainly, her tone emotionless. The wings on her back stilled, their subtle movement ceasing as if mirroring her finality.


    I felt a sinking weight in my chest. The options left to me seemed dismal¡ªeither track down someone else with the necessary skills or slowly spiral into madness as my thoughts and memories continued to overflow.


    But then, like a light cutting through fog, I suddenly looked at it from a different perspective. I''d been so fixated on finding spells to shield and reorganize my memories that I''d missed something simpler. What I needed first was a way to calm my mind, to focus my thoughts before more timeline memories drove me toward confusion and delusion.


    ¡°What about something to calm my mind?¡± I asked, placing the cup back onto the table with deliberate care. ¡°Something to help me focus my thoughts. At least temporarily, while I figure out my next steps.¡±


    Bee¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, and she tilted her head, studying me. ¡°Calm your mind?¡± she repeated, her tone thoughtful.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I said quickly, leaning forward. ¡°I don¡¯t need something permanent right now. I just need¡­ clarity.¡±


    She tapped her fingers lightly against the table, her expression unreadable. Finally, she nodded. ¡°I can do something like that,¡± she said. ¡°It won¡¯t solve your problem, but it can help steady you for a time.¡±


    I exhaled, relief trickling in around the edges of my worry. ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°A brew,¡± she explained, her tone practical. ¡°A tea infused with specific properties. It can calm your thoughts, sharpen your focus, and give you a sense of order. But it¡¯s temporary.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow. ¡°That simple, huh?¡±


    Bee smirked, the small curve of her lips carrying an edge of amusement. ¡°You were expecting me to chant over a cauldron?¡±


    ¡°Maybe a little,¡± I admitted with a shrug.


    Bee chuckled softly, the sound light but not mocking. ¡°Every person channels their magic in a way that¡¯s unique to them,¡± she explained. ¡°Some brew potions, others rely on tools or trinkets. For me, my magic manifests through tea. It¡¯s just the form my meta nature takes.¡±


    Her explanation caught me off guard. I hadn¡¯t thought about magic being expressed through something so ordinary¡ªor so creative. It wasn¡¯t what I¡¯d expected, but it made a strange sort of sense.


    ¡°Does that mean the tea we just drank was¡­¡± I trailed off, my brow furrowing as I looked at my empty cup.


    ¡°Laced with anything?¡± Bee finished, raising an eyebrow.


    I nodded.


    ¡°No,¡± she said simply, her lips twitching with faint amusement. ¡°I save the magic for when it¡¯s needed. That was just tea. Normal, comforting, boring tea.¡±


    ¡°Good to know,¡± I muttered, though I wasn¡¯t entirely convinced. Still, there wasn¡¯t much point in thinking about it now. The deed was committed.


    Before departing, I made sure to leave the address for the magical tea delivery. I also asked for Bee¡¯s personal contact information, but she politely declined. It didn''t particularly bother me - I''d gotten what I needed, or at least part of it. If necessary, I could always reach her through Kavi''s convenience store connection.


    The payment terms were clear: I¡¯d pay her once the tea was delivered. Bee wasn¡¯t interested in upfront deals, which was a refreshing change from the usual transactional nature of magic users. Of course, there was still Kavi¡¯s fee to consider¡ªthe helping and meeting fee, as he liked to call it. What a sham.


    As I walked toward Jade¡¯s house, the conversation with Bee lingered in my mind. Her approach to magic was so different from what I¡¯d encountered before. It made me wonder how many other unique expressions of power existed out there, hidden in plain sight.


    My thoughts drifted to meditation as I walked. Maybe it was time to take it more seriously. Organizing the chaos of my time-jumping memories seemed impossible, but if meditation could help even a little, it might be worth the effort. There was that upcoming event with the renowned Guru¡ªwhat was his name again? It had seemed irrelevant at first, but now, it might actually be useful.


    Still, I couldn''t abandon my search for a proper mage or wizard. At least I had time on my side - in this period, they hadn''t yet been driven underground or become scarce. Besides, the real challenge wouldn¡¯t be locating someone with the necessary skills. It would be finding one willing to help without charging an arm and a leg¡ªor demanding favors that could turn into their own brand of chaos.


    As six o''clock struck, I found myself at Jade''s door, knocking softly. The worries about magical teas and memory protection retreated to the background - they couldn''t overshadow this moment. The door opened almost immediately, as if she''d sensed my presence.


    Jade stood at the door in a soft, semi-sheer white long-sleeved top, its fabric clinging delicately to her slender body. The sleeves extended slightly past her wrists, giving her an air of effortless elegance. Her bare legs stretched gracefully, accentuated by white socks, scrunched just below her knees. Her hair was styled in a messy high bun, with loose curls framing her delicate features, adding to the ethereal softness of her presence. For a second, I just blinked, caught off guard. She had never looked quite like this before¡ªher serene, almost dreamlike posture exuding fragility. The way the light touched her, casting gentle shadows, made her seem almost untouchable. But the thought came and went quickly as her right hand lifted toward me. Her hand hung there in the air, hesitant yet deliberate.


    Surprised but without hesitation, I reached out and took it gently. Her fingers were warm, and as she led me inside, an odd, unfamiliar feeling settled in my chest. It wasn¡¯t just excitement¡ªit was something quieter, deeper, something that made the world feel softer in that moment.


    The entire time, she didn¡¯t speak. Her head was bowed, her typically confident stride replaced by smaller, almost shuffling steps. It wasn¡¯t like her at all. My mind raced to interpret the change. Was it shyness? Embarrassment? Something else entirely? Her silence left me fumbling, searching for answers in the way her shoulders hunched slightly or how she occasionally glanced at me without meeting my eyes.


    She led me to her bedroom. To be honest, I had imagined her room to be¡­ well, extraordinary¡ªlike her. But I was merrily letting my imagination run.


    As I stepped in, I found it to be as simple and cozy as could be, like the rest of her house. Plants hung from the ceiling in suspended pots, their leaves draping softly in the glow of a desk lamp. Her bed was irresistibly fluffy, the blankets slightly rumpled and adorned with an assortment of pillows. Two stuffed animals sat among them: a penguin and a T-Rex, both clearly well-loved. A small desk and chair occupied one corner, paired with a compact sofa chair that looked like it had seen its fair share of naps. It was unassuming yet inviting.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ nice,¡± I said, the words slipping out before I could stop myself.


    ¡°Nice?¡± she repeated, finally glancing at me.


    ¡°I mean, I was expecting something with neon lights or¡­ I don¡¯t know, action figure shelves,¡± I joked , trying to ease the tension.


    She rolled her eyes but didn¡¯t bite back with her usual quick wit. Instead, she motioned toward the plush carpet in the center of the room, bypassing the bed entirely. I raised an eyebrow but followed her lead, sitting down cross-legged as she settled across from me. Despite the clear understanding of why I was here¡ªour moment in the stairwell still fresh in both our minds¡ªshe seemed reserved, almost hesitant now.


    I wondered if she was hungry. "Have you eaten anything?¡± I asked softly.


    She nodded briefly, the gesture barely perceptible. ¡°Hmm,¡± she murmured, her voice barely audible.


    I, on the other hand, was starting to feel the pangs of hunger, but the thought of making something for myself felt insignificant in the moment. Not yet. Not before she said¡ªor did¡ªwhatever was clearly weighing on her.


    Her eyes finally met mine, the hesitance in her expression fading just enough for her to speak. ¡°What¡­ do you think our feelings are entirely ours? And not because of the strangeness in our meta nature?¡±


    I let out a slow breath, understanding now what had been holding her back. She wasn¡¯t questioning just me¡ªshe was questioning us. In my eyes, the problem wasn¡¯t as daunting as it seemed to her. Just a week ago, I¡¯d felt the same weight of uncertainty, the same wariness of emotions that seemed to surge without reason. But over time, I¡¯d come to understand those feelings, to dig deeper into their roots. What I found was clarity, a quiet confidence in the truth of my emotions. Whatever strangeness our meta natures brought to the table, it didn¡¯t feel like it had planted false feelings within me. If anything, they had only made me more aware of what I already carried.


    I reached out, taking both of her hands in mine. They felt colder than usual, while mine, oddly enough, seemed warm today. I gave her hands a gentle squeeze, anchoring her to the present, and locked eyes with her.


    I glanced at her, unsure how to begin. The silence between us felt fragile, like it could shatter with the wrong words. ¡°You know, when I¡¯m alone, I think a lot,¡± I started, my voice quieter than usual.


    Jade tilted her head slightly, ¡°Big thoughts or little ones?¡± she asked, trying to keep her tone light, though I could see the tension in her posture.


    ¡°Big, usually,¡± I admitted, cracking a faint smile. ¡°Lately, when I close my eyes, I¡¯ve noticed something strange.¡±


    Her brow furrowed, and she shifted slightly where she sat. ¡°Strange how?¡±


    ¡°Your face,¡± I said simply. ¡°It keeps showing up. I can''t focus on thing anymore like I used to.¡±


    Her expression shifted, her features softening slightly.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like you¡¯re looming over me in the dark or anything,¡± I went on, keeping my tone light but honest, ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ comforting. A reminder that someone cares. That I¡¯m not alone.¡±


    Jade blinked, her lips parting slightly as though she wanted to say something but couldn¡¯t quite find the words. Taking a breath, I decided to push just a little further.


    ¡°Close your eyes,¡± I said softly.


    She hesitated, her brows knitting together in mild uncertainty. ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡±


    ¡°Just¡­ trust me,¡± I replied, a faint smile tugging at the corner of my lips. ¡°Close your eyes for a second.¡±


    She sighed but relented, closing her eyes slowly.


    ¡°What do you see?¡± I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.


    At first, she didn¡¯t say anything. There was a long pause, and I held my breath, waiting. Her expression shifted subtly, like she was searching for the right words. ¡°You,¡± she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I see you.¡±


    I exhaled deeply, not realizing I had been holding my breath. Still, I kept my outward composure, maintaining a calm and steady expression. I couldn¡¯t let her see any hint of weakness¡ªnot now. If I faltered, it might make her question herself all over again.


    ¡°And how do you feel when you see it?¡± I asked gently, though my voice wavered slightly despite my best effort.


    She stayed quiet again, the pause long enough to make me second-guess everything. She always had a way of making moments like this stretch into eternity. But then, her lips curved into a small, almost pleasant smile.


    ¡°Like I¡¯m not falling,¡± she admitted softly. ¡°Like I can¡­ hold on to something. I could keep going, even when I don¡¯t want to. Like I¡¯d want to.¡±


    Her words made my heart race. Before I could respond, she pulled her hands from mine and opened her eyes, breaking the moment.


    ¡°You really think you have it all figured out, don¡¯t you?¡± she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and a hint of challenge, as if daring me to prove her wrong.


    I hesitated, unsure how to answer without sounding either overconfident or completely clueless. ¡°It¡¯s not that I have it all figured out,¡± I said carefully. ¡°I just think... sometimes things fall into place when you stop overthinking them. Whatever brought us here¡ªwhether it¡¯s something bigger than us or just chance¡ªwhat matters now is what we do with it.¡±


    She raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching as though trying to suppress a smile. ¡°Hmm,¡± she murmured, clearly unconvinced but willing to let it slide¡ªfor now.


    Then she hit me with the big one. ¡°Then, how much do you love me?¡±


    I blinked. My brain screeched to a halt like a car narrowly avoiding a deer. What kind of question was that? We had just started liking each other, love was yet too far in the future. Was this a test? Did I need to ace it before earning the privilege of kissing her again? Or was it some kind of emotional landmine designed to obliterate me if I answered wrong?


    I wanted to dodge, but Jade''s lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn¡¯t look away. ¡°I¡¯m serious,¡± she said quietly.


    I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees as I tried to find the right words. ¡°I can¡¯t measure it for you,¡± I said finally. ¡°I don¡¯t know if there¡¯s a way to put it into numbers or comparisons or even words. But it''s more than you could fit in your heart,¡± I said, gently poking her chest with my finger to emphasize the point.


    She immediately pouted, an adorable little frown that almost made me forget we were even having a conversation. ¡°Excuse me! My heart is very big, thank you very much!¡±


    I rolled my eyes, unable to help myself. If your heart were really that big, you wouldn¡¯t feel the need to question it so much, I thought, but wisely held my tongue. Jade didn¡¯t need logical answers right now¡ªshe needed reassurance. I could see that, clear as day. This was new for both of us, and while I might compartmentalize my emotions like a professional, Jade needed time and affirmation to let her feelings grow naturally.


    It was in the nature of men to adapt quickly to circumstances, to compartmentalize emotions and move forward. For women, on the other hand, love often came with a depth of care and consideration that went far beyond the surface¡ªa capacity to nurture and cherish that sometimes surpassed what men were capable of.


    ¡°Really?¡± I said, narrowing my eyes at her theatrics, though I couldn¡¯t keep the grin off my face. ¡°How can you be so sure?¡±


    She met my gaze with a sly smile, her silver eyes catching the dim light in a way that made my stomach flip. ¡°Because every time I look at you, my heart grows a little bigger,¡± she said, her voice soft but with a playful edge. ¡°At this rate, I¡¯ll need a new chest to contain it.¡±


    Her expression was overly serious, almost pained, like this was a genuine medical concern.


    I tried to muster a reply, something sharp or witty to regain the upper hand, ¡°That¡¯s¡­ incredibly cringe.¡±


    Her grin widened, clearly pleased with herself as if she had forgotten the concept of embarrassment. She leaned in slightly, her silver eyes glinting with victory. ¡°You like it. Don¡¯t deny it.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± I said, shaking my head, though the smile tugging at my lips betrayed me.


    ¡°And you¡¯re adorable when you¡¯re flustered,¡± she shot back.


    I suddenly felt my face heating up from her words. Her silver eyes sparkled mischievously, and I knew I¡¯d lost this round. Why were our roles suddenly reversed? I stared at her, dumbfounded, wondering how she¡¯d managed to turn the tables so effortlessly. Shouldn¡¯t I be the one saying these things, making her blush? But no, there she was, basking in her triumph while I struggled to form a coherent thought.


    Perhaps some weight had been lifted from her heart, letting her relax and lean into the moment. Her usual guardedness had vanished, replaced with a softer, freer version of herself that I wasn¡¯t quite prepared for.


    I couldn¡¯t help but smile as I stared at her, looking so happy, so at ease. ¡°You¡¯re so unpredictable,¡± I said quietly, my voice softening, almost reverent.


    ¡°Unpredictable?¡± she echoed, tilting her head curiously. The playfulness in her eyes gave way to genuine curiosity. ¡°Why would you say that?¡±


    Instead of answering right away, I reached out, taking her hand in mine. Her fingers intertwined with mine without hesitation. The silence that followed wasn¡¯t awkward¡ªit was comforting, warm, a moment we didn¡¯t need to fill with words. Her gaze softened, and the usual mischief in her eyes melted into something deeper. I didn¡¯t know what it was¡ªconnection, vulnerability, or something else entirely¡ªbut it pulled me closer to her like a magnetic force I couldn¡¯t resist.


    I leaned in slightly, closing the small distance between us. My voice dropped to a whisper, soft enough to barely disturb the air. ¡°Because you¡¯re making my heart beat.¡±


    Her breath hitched slightly, but she didn¡¯t pull away. Instead, her grip on my hand tightened, just enough to let me know she¡¯d heard me.


    For a moment, we stayed like that, the world around us fading into the background, leaving just the two of us.


    ¡°You¡¯re not supposed to stop it,¡± Jade said softly even as her cheeks flushed the faintest shade of pink.  She was finally feeling embarrassed and it was very fun seeing her squirm. ¡°You just... let it happen,¡± she added.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I couldn¡¯t help but smile, leaning in a little closer, close enough that I could feel the warmth of her breath mingling with mine, ¡°I think I¡¯m starting to figure that out.¡±

 Act 2.10 (Chrysalis)

    Earlier in the day, I had casually informed Aunt Grace that I¡¯d be spending the night at a friend¡¯s house, ensuring she wouldn¡¯t worry or bombard me with questions the next morning. It was a simple, foolproof plan, but also a necessity¡ªI didn¡¯t need her digging for details I wasn¡¯t ready to share.


    The morning greeted me with the soft, ridiculous comfort of Jade¡¯s bed¡ªa far cry from the sad excuse for a mattress I had at home. For a fleeting moment, I considered the idea of buying one like it, only to dismiss the idea immediately. Aunt Grace would take one look at it and assume I¡¯d taken up bank robbery or something equally dramatic to afford such a luxury.


    I shifted slightly, turning my head to where Jade lay beside me, still fast asleep.


    Her face, peaceful and slightly smushed against the pillow, was framed by strands of hair that refused to stay neat. She was curled at an awkward angle that couldn¡¯t have been comfortable, but somehow, she looked absurdly adorable. How did someone manage to look this cute while drooling? Okay, she wasn¡¯t actually drooling¡ªthank God¡ªbut the thought amused me nonetheless.


    As I watched her, her eyelids fluttered, and she began to stir. Half-awake, she reached for my arm, tugging it gently until her head rested against it. Her eyes, still heavy with sleep, stared up at me, the corners of her mouth twitching into a soft yawn.


    ¡°Stop staring,¡± she mumbled, her voice muffled as she nuzzled closer.


    For a second, I was caught off guard. Seriously? The kettle calling the pot black? Despite the thought, a smile was already forming on my lips. ¡°You¡¯re the one who won¡¯t stop clinging to me, but sure, let¡¯s blame me for staring.¡± I retorted.


    She hummed in response, the sound soft and lazy, before burying her face deeper into me. Then, just as I started to relax, she tilted her head and tried to bite me.


    ¡°Hey!¡± I yelped, jerking back instinctively, though I couldn¡¯t move far without toppling off the bed. But the mighty and arrogant dragon had already returned, its claws (which felt suspiciously like delicate fingers) wrapped firmly around my neck. It loomed over me, silver eyes gleaming with predatory delight, like a villain discovering a new, shiny toy to torment. The grin on its face was absolutely wicked. I couldn¡¯t decide if I was genuinely in trouble or just hopelessly amused.


    Before I could formulate a plan to escape, she lunged at my face with a playful ferocity that sent shivers down my spine.


    One peck. Two pecks. Four. Nine. Twenty. Fifty.


    ¡°Stop! Stop! Stop! I can¡¯t breathe!¡± I managed to sputter in protest, lying utterly defenseless beneath her relentless assault of kisses.


    Every laugh or protest I tried to make was drowned out by her delighted giggles and the unmistakable sound of victory in her voice. I was pinned, overrun, hopelessly outmatched by her mischievous onslaught. Finally, the ferocious dragon paused, shedding its fierce demeanor and revealing the adorable girl underneath. Her smile stretched wide, radiating pure, uncontainable joy¡ªthe kind of joy that could make even the brightest morning sunlight seem dull.


    ¡°Hehehe,¡± she giggled, landing another peck on my cheek, which was already sore from her affection. ¡°When I was sleeping, I dreamed you were just a figment of my imagination.¡±


    Another giggle bubbled up, and she leaned in to plant yet another kiss¡ªjust because she could. ¡°But imagine my surprise when I woke up and saw you staring at me like that.¡± Her words carried a softness buried under the giggles and kisses. One more peck followed, and for a fleeting moment, I could feel the lingering fear behind her confession. Maybe, deep down, she was worried that this¡ªus¡ªmight somehow be too good to be real.


    My face was thoroughly covered in her spit by now. Ugh! I groaned internally, though I couldn''t really bring myself to mind. Still, this arrogant dragon needed teaching a lesson.


    I suddenly wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug. ¡°Gotcha!¡± I announced ¡ª the arrogant dragon needed humbling before its arrogance grew any further ¨C flipping her onto her back as she squeaked in surprise. The dragon immediately sensed danger and began squirming, her mock desperation surprisingly convincing. ¡°No! Let me go!¡± she cried, but I held firm. The arrogant dragon needed humbling before its ego grew out of control.


    Now it was my turn. I launched a counter-attack of kisses, swift and unrelenting, until she surrendered¡ªor so it seemed. Her squirming slowed, giving way to soft, breathless laughter as she clutched at me in defeat. But something wasn¡¯t right.


    I paused, narrowing my eyes. The supposedly defeated dragon looked far too pleased with itself, its grin sly and far too calculated for someone who¡¯d just lost a battle.


    Suspicious, my gaze shifted briefly to the stuffed T-Rex perched on her bed. Its button eyes seemed to be smirking at me knowingly, like it was privy to some inside joke I wasn¡¯t in on.


    Had I fallen into a trap? Was this all part of her plan?


    The dragon giggled again, its silver eyes gleaming with mischief, and I realized the truth. The arrogant dragon was indeed far shrewder than I had realized. She¡¯d played me. This was no surrender¡ªthis was a carefully orchestrated victory disguised as defeat.


    As I was lost in thought, Jade shifted, propping herself up slightly. Her silver hair spilled around us like a shimmering curtain, framing her face in a way that made the air feel just a little thinner. Her eyes found mine, and the intensity in her gaze made my heart skip a beat, like she was reading some secret part of my soul I hadn¡¯t meant to reveal.


    Then, with absolutely no warning and a tone that could only be described as accusatory, she broke the silence.


    ¡°You¡¯re thinking something weird again.¡±


    Weird? Weird! What did she even mean by weird? I hadn¡¯t thought of anything remotely weird! Well¡­ maybe. But it wasn¡¯t that weird. Either way, I denied it fiercely in my mind, keeping my outward expression calm and composed.


    ¡°Not weird,¡± I replied smoothly, my tone soft. ¡°Just thinking about how cute and adorable you are.¡±


    Her reaction was immediate¡ªand deeply satisfying. Her face flushed a brilliant shade of pink, the mighty, all-powerful dragon instantly shrinking into a flustered, shy girl. She froze for a heartbeat, her wide eyes betraying a mix of shock and embarrassment. Then, with a sound that could only be described as a muffled squeak, she dove down, burying her face into her fluffy blanket like it was the only escape from the world.


    ¡°You can¡¯t just say things like that¡­¡± she mumbled inside, her voice muffled but tinged with a mix of bashfulness and protest.


    A soft laugh slipped out before I could stop myself. ¡°Why not?¡± She didn¡¯t respond, though I could feel her grip tightening slightly and she buried herself deeper in the layers.


    The mighty and arrogant dragon was, for now, completely under control.


    <hr>


    The three weeks passed peacefully¡ªquiet, uneventful, and without any immediate trouble looming on the horizon.


    My search for a sorcerer, however, had hit a frustrating dead end. Despite my efforts, I had made little to no progress. Adding to the mix, the lottery check had finally cleared into my bank account, causing my balance to swell like an overfed balloon. Seeing those numbers brought a surprising sense of contentment, a warmth that settled deep in my chest. For once, something felt secure, even if everything else remained uncertain.


    The only thorn in this otherwise tranquil stretch was Jade. She¡¯d started pestering me¡ªrelentlessly¡ªabout going villain hunting again. To her, it wasn¡¯t just a necessity; it was a thrill, a game where she was the apex predator, eager to seek out her prey, toy with it, and destroy it when the time came. The problem was, I knew she could. If Jade ever used her full meta nature, I doubted there¡¯d be anyone in the city who could stand against her. What more, to this day, I still didn¡¯t know what her primary meta was, and the mystery only added to my unease.


    But it wasn¡¯t just her power that worried me. It was her attitude toward it.


    Her enthusiasm for violence made my stomach turn.


    I didn¡¯t like it.


    She didn¡¯t flinch, didn¡¯t hesitate, didn¡¯t even blink when she killed villains.


    But at the end of the day, they were still human¡ªjust like us. Flawed, yes, but human nonetheless. And if she kept going down this path, I feared she¡¯d lose something vital, something that made her so uniquely herself. The empathy and innocence that still lingered within her, no matter how buried, might be snuffed out entirely. The worst part was, she didn¡¯t seem to grasp the danger of what she was doing. Not just the danger to others, but the danger to herself. She thought she was untouchable, invincible, but I knew better. If she went too far, there¡¯d come a day when the weight of her actions would hit her all at once. And by then, it might already be too late. She might be too far gone to save.


    I couldn¡¯t let that happen.


    I needed to figure out a way to steer her away from that abyss, to ground her before she became something she¡¯d later despise.


    ¡°North, your friend is here.¡±


    Aunt Grace¡¯s loud voice from downstairs broke through my thoughts, yanking me out of my quiet moment of peace.


    ¡°Let him come upstairs,¡± I called back with a sigh. Who else could it be but my self-proclaimed number-one fan, Leo Jupiter? I really had no one to blame but myself¡ªshowing off to him that first day was like giving a stray cat a bowl of milk. Ever since then, he¡¯d made it his mission to show up at my house almost daily.


    Still, I couldn¡¯t stay annoyed with him. Leo was a good kid, despite his slightly chaotic energy and unfortunate knack for invading my personal space. His mother wasn¡¯t around, and his dad, a cop, seemed to think fatherhood was a part-time gig. Somehow, though, Leo hadn¡¯t turned into one of those insufferable attention-starved brats who caused trouble for kicks.


    ¡°What¡¯s up!¡± Leo shouted as he barged unceremoniously into my room. I winced at his overly energetic entrance. He grabbed the extra chair in the corner, rolled it over, and plopped down next to me without hesitation.


    ¡°How was the academy?¡± he asked, his tone brimming with curiosity and excitement. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    No one taught him about others'' personal space. I pushed his chair away with my feet, and scanned him. At least offer me a bribe to spill the details, I thought. Did he think I was some benevolent saint eager to share my every thought for free?


    ¡°Nothing you should be concerned about,¡± I replied plainly, keeping my focus on the song playing through my headphones.


    Leo blinked at me, unbothered, and leaned back in his chair like we were in the middle of some casual afternoon chat. Meanwhile, I turned my attention to my tea, brewed by Fae. It had the subtle bitterness of green tea, the kind that was somehow both calming and satisfying. A small part of me couldn¡¯t help but marvel at how effective it seemed¡ªI felt calmer already, more focused. Or maybe I just liked the idea of drinking something that made me feel like a sophisticated adult.


    ¡°You know, you should help your friend out,¡± Leo grumbled, crossing his arms as if that would make his argument more compelling.


    Oh, wow¡ªfriends all of a sudden? I was speechless for a moment, then turned my gaze toward him, side-eyeing him slowly.


    ¡°Tell me,¡± I said flatly, locking eyes with Leo. ¡°Do your friends call you a nerd at school?¡±


    The question hit its mark. Leo¡¯s cheeks flushed slightly, and he snapped back, ¡°You look like a nerd!¡±


    I scoffed, shaking my head. ¡°What are you, fourteen?¡± I asked mockingly, though the answer was obvious¡ªI knew he was fourteen.


    What struck me, though, was how different he seemed compared to most kids his age. I¡¯d seen plenty of them around¡ªon the streets, on trains, in parks. Most of them acted and dressed like they were trying to skip adolescence entirely, jumping straight into adulthood. Leo wasn¡¯t like that. He still had that awkward, unpolished energy of a kid figuring himself out. Still, there was no denying it: Leo was a nerd. And not just a casual, undercover nerd¡ªa classic, fully certified one. Hopefully, he had some friends who appreciated his quirks. Then again, nerds seemed to be in demand these days. Maybe he was thriving. Maybe he even had a girlfriend¡ªor two. Stranger things had happened.


    ¡°How¡¯s your portfolio coming together?¡± I asked, steering the conversation before he could throw another middle-school insult my way.


    Leo¡¯s confident front faltered, and he slouched a bit in his chair. ¡°It¡¯s hard,¡± he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. ¡°I haven¡¯t caught anything significant yet¡ªjust a few pickpockets at the market. It¡¯s too weak. Do you think Beyonder¡¯s Academy would count thieves like that?¡±


    I frowned slightly, unsure how to respond. Truthfully, I had no idea what Beyonder¡¯s Academy looked for in candidates. I was a backdoor student myself. It felt like asking a beggar for advice on becoming a king¡ªan absurd question bound to lead to disappointment.


    Leo¡¯s tone softened as he leaned forward, practically pleading. ¡°Dude, can you help me a little? Just share a few secrets. If I could catch something bigger, I might have a shot at qualifying for the entrance exam.¡±


    I sighed, leaning back in my chair. ¡°It doesn¡¯t work like that,¡± I said firmly.


    How could I tell him the truth? Without an extraordinary meta nature, he¡¯d never even make it past the first round of tests. The academy wasn¡¯t a place for ordinary kids, no matter how determined or resourceful they were. But I couldn¡¯t bring myself to crush his dreams outright. Better to let him down gently than leave him shattered.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got potential, Leo,¡± I said after a moment, my tone softer. ¡°But you¡¯ve got to figure out your angle. If you keep chasing what you think they want to see, you¡¯ll burn out. Focus on what makes you stand out.¡±


    I locked eyes with Leo and raised an eyebrow. ¡°Besides, what does your dad have to say about you running around trying to catch villains?¡±


    Leo shrugged nonchalantly, as if the question had never occurred to him. ¡°He has to know first,¡± he replied, completely unfazed.


    I blinked, stunned by the casualness of his confession. ¡°Oh, my! Another secret!¡± I muttered, shaking my head in mock disbelief. ¡°What would you do if you actually got hurt while catching a villain?¡±


    Leo turned his head toward the door, his confidence faltering for just a moment. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he admitted, his voice quieter, almost sheepish.


    I sighed, exasperated but unable to ignore the determination in his voice. ¡°Fine,¡± I finally said. ¡°I¡¯ll help you.¡±


    Leo¡¯s face lit up like a firework, a wide grin spreading across his face as he practically vibrated with excitement. His constant pestering from the last three weeks finally seemed to bear some fruits. I sighed inwardly. Maybe I¡¯d regret this decision, but leaving him to fumble around unsupervised was worse. What if he provoked the wrong kind of "villain"? Someone unfriendly enough to kill him in a back alley? His death wouldn¡¯t affect me personally, but it would weigh heavily on my conscience.


    Leo sprang out of the chair, almost bouncing. ¡°Should we go now?¡± he asked, his eagerness practically spilling over.


    ¡°Let¡¯s wait,¡± I replied, leaning back and forth in my chair. ¡°We¡¯ve still got plenty of time before the academy qualification opens for you to submit your portfolio.¡±


    ¡°But we can¡¯t just sit around and wait!¡± Leo rebuked, his voice carrying a tone of urgency. ¡°It¡¯s always better to catch a few more villains. After all, everyone says: the more, the better!¡±


    I clicked my tongue in annoyance, tapping my foot against the floor. Why was everyone in my life so impatient? First Jade, now Leo. Maybe it wasn¡¯t them¡ªmaybe I was the one tired of always running, of constantly being dragged into other people¡¯s frantic energy.


    ¡°Fine,¡± I said at last, throwing my hands up in defeat. ¡°We¡¯ll go out when I¡¯m free this week.¡±


    Leo¡¯s grin somehow grew even wider, and he gave me a sharp nod, his enthusiasm unchecked. ¡°Thanks, North! You¡¯re the best!¡±


    I wasn¡¯t entirely convinced that helping Leo was the best idea, but I knew one thing: if I didn¡¯t keep an eye on him, he¡¯d inevitably land himself in trouble. On the bright side, having Leo around might teach Jade something about the difference between good and bad¡ªor at least keep her occupied. Plus, with him in tow, I wouldn¡¯t have to actively search for dangerous places to entertain her.


    As the thought settled, I couldn¡¯t help but sigh. Unknowingly, I had somehow ended up raising two troubled kids.


    One was too eager to catch villains, and the other... well, I wasn¡¯t even sure if Jade cared about catching them as much as she did while toying with them.


    She was more villainous than any villain I had seen.


    <hr>


    Meanwhile, life at the academy continued to be as boring as ever. Being a first-year student meant we were stuck in an endless loop of theory lessons. Every day was a slog of learning, note-taking, and struggling to stay awake¡ªrinse and repeat¡ªwith little to no hands-on practice. The only practical class we had was self-defense, and even that felt like a chore. It was less about actual skill-building and more about going through the motions while the instructors barked instructions like we were in boot camp.


    Once a week¡ªor whenever the academy decided to ¡°mix things up¡±¡ªthey brought in retired local heroes to give us lectures. In theory, it was supposed to be inspiring. In practice, these sessions were just long-winded talks about the same tired topics: the problems of metahuman society, intergalactic political disputes, and the ever-raging wars on different systems.


    It wasn¡¯t that these issues weren¡¯t important¡ªthey were. But when you¡¯re sitting in a dark lecture hall, listening to someone drone on about galactic diplomacy, it¡¯s hard not to zone out and start wondering what you¡¯ll have for dinner instead. Every time I walked into one of those sessions, I came out more exhausted than I was going in.


    ¡°Fucking hell, that was long,¡± Vinico muttered as we dashed out of yet another mind-numbing lecture.


    Rarely did I feel a sense of camaraderie with him, but this was one of those moments. For once, it felt like we were on the exact same wavelength.


    ¡°I think my life was more interesting before I joined the academy,¡± Gina chimed in from the side, her tone dripping with boredom. ¡°Nowadays, I¡¯m not even sure what¡¯s fun anymore.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t wrong. Life had started to feel like a monotonous cycle, endlessly repeating itself.


    It was hard not to think back to the days¡ªlong before our time¡ªwhen metahumans were rare. Three hundred years ago, everything about powers felt new and electric. The novelty of abilities made the world sharper, more vibrant. There was a clear distinction between heroes, superheroes, and villains, and every new discovery felt like something extraordinary. But now? Metahumans were as common as cabbages in a grocery store, their powers as unremarkable as having brown eyes or black hair. What once had been awe-inspiring now felt mundane, a part of everyday life that barely turned heads.


    The old, stark lines between good and evil had blurred into countless shades of gray, leaving behind an uneasy balance. Even with supernatural abilities, society couldn¡¯t afford to collapse into chaos. We might have evolved beyond normal human limitations, but we couldn¡¯t escape the need for structure¡ªthe fragile scaffolding that kept us from devolving into violent primates with fancier toys.


    As always, humanity adapted. Traditional jobs disappeared, replaced by new professions tailored to handle the realities of a powered populace.


    The insurance industry was perhaps the most obvious example. Companies now employed meta analysts with meta abilities to calculate risks of everything from property damage by telekinetics to reality distortion claims. They had entire departments dedicated to "Act of Meta" coverage, and premium rates varied based on the concentration of powerful meta users in your area.


    The legal system had evolved too. Courts now required meta-sensing judges who could detect power usage in their courtrooms. Legal precedents had been established for everything from accidental reality warping to consciousness transference. Murder trials became particularly complex when dealing with body-swapping abilities or temporal manipulation.


    Architecture and urban planning had undergone complete revolutions. Modern buildings needed to account for flying individuals, teleporters, and strength-enhanced humans. Public spaces included designated zones for power usage, while sensitive areas incorporated meta-dampening technology. Even simple things like traffic laws had been rewritten to account for aerial travel and teleportation.


    The education system where we now sat had perhaps changed most dramatically. Schools weren''t just teaching reading and arithmetic anymore - they had to prepare students for a world where physics could be bent and reality could be reshaped. Career counselors needed to understand thousands of different meta abilities and their potential applications. Safety protocols had to account for everything from emotional meta abilities affecting classroom dynamics to reality-bending powers accidentally rewriting test answers.


    In the end, the extraordinary had become mundane, and with that transformation, something intangible had been lost. The wonder had faded, replaced by a collective sense of "is this it?" that seemed to permeate every aspect of life.


    And here we sat, products of this evolved society, dragging ourselves through lectures that felt as uninspiring as the cycle we were trapped in. Even in a world where people could bend reality and reshape probability, somehow we''d managed to make it boring.


    ¡°I think I¡¯ll be heading home now, guys,¡± Henry announced, raising his hand like a kid asking for permission to leave class.


    ¡°Me too,¡± Gina chimed in immediately, her voice dragging with exhaustion.


    I glanced at Lore, who had been unusually quiet until now, her gaze fixed on the floor. She seemed lost in thought, her brows slightly furrowed. After a moment, she looked up, her expression unreadable. ¡°You guys want to do something fun?¡± she asked, her voice carrying an odd energy that immediately put me on edge.


    ¡°Duh!¡± Alex replied enthusiastically, completely oblivious to the undertone of her question.


    ¡°I have some ideas,¡± Lore said, her voice steady¡ªtoo steady¡ªand calm. Too calm.


    ¡°Do tell, m¡¯lady,¡± Henry teased, turning to her with a lazy grin.


    Lore¡¯s lips curved into a slight smile. ¡°We can go camping,¡± she began, ¡°or scavenger hunting.¡±


    Vinico groaned immediately, flopping back in his seat. ¡°That¡¯s just normal stuff. What¡¯s fun about that?¡±


    ¡°At least let me finish,¡± Lore snapped, shooting him a glare sharp enough to cut glass. ¡°What I mean by camping is we each infiltrate a villain group and see how far we can go before getting caught¡ªor dismantling them.¡±


    Her words dropped like a bomb in the middle of the group, the silence that followed punctuated only by the collective sucking in of breath.


    But Lore wasn¡¯t done.


    ¡°As for scavenger hunting,¡± she continued, her tone so casual it was almost unnerving, ¡°we hunt as many villains as we can within a set time and see who comes out on top.¡±


    I stared at her, my mouth slightly open, unable to fully process what I¡¯d just heard. Was she serious? Of course she was serious¡ªthis was Lore.


    From the corner of my eye, I noticed Jade. Her eyes were practically glowing with excitement. like a predator spotting its next prey.


    At that moment, something clicked. I finally understood what it truly meant to be a student of Beyonder¡¯s Academy. These weren¡¯t just ambitious, talented individuals. No, this place was a magnet for lunatics¡ªeach of them walking a razor¡¯s edge and each with a loose screw rattling around in their heads. The academy didn¡¯t just hand-pick talented individuals; it seemed to attract the power-hungry, the reckless, and the outright insane. If this was what it took to belong here, then everyone was walking a fine line between brilliance and madness.


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    I need to distance myself from these people before things spiral completely out of control¡­

 Act 2.11 (Chrysalis)

    ¡°Hahaha,¡± Alex burst into laughter, his glee practically echoing off the walls. ¡°My god, how can you be so good at everything you do?¡±


    The group seemed utterly captivated by Lore Lovelace. She stood there like a shining beacon, her every word igniting their excitement. They looked at her like she was their leader, their muse, their golden ticket to¡­ whatever this madness was supposed to be.


    But instead of being swept up in the glow, I felt a chill creep into my heart.


    Then, as if summoned by my very thoughts, Lore turned her gaze to me. Her eyes were sharp, unrelenting, the kind of look that felt like it was peeling away layers to get at something buried underneath. ¡°What do you think, North?¡±


    I froze. Why me? Why not Alex? He¡¯s already halfway to worshipping you. Ask him!


    I wasn¡¯t even remotely interested in her harebrained scheme, whatever it was. All I wanted was to shrug and give some noncommittal response, maybe mumble something about needing more coffee before I could form an opinion. But no. The weight of their stares pressed down on me like a lead blanket, the kind they use before an X-ray to make sure you don¡¯t accidentally radiate the rest of the hospital. Even Jade was watching intently, her silver eyes narrowed in that particular way that said don¡¯t mess this up. Maybe they thought I was the wise one, the voice of reason in the group? Fantastic. Peer pressure, thy name is ¡°a room full of people who think I know what I¡¯m doing.¡±


    My shoulders slouched from all the invisible weight.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ very good,¡± I said finally, keeping my tone as neutral as humanly possible. My face didn¡¯t twitch, didn¡¯t falter¡ªyears of dealing with awkward situations had given me the kind of poker face you could sell to a Vegas casino.


    Lore tilted her head slightly, waiting for more, and the rest of the group leaned in, practically salivating for my next profound insight.


    I furrowed my brow slightly, adopting what I hoped was a thoughtful expression. Maybe if I looked like I was taking her idea seriously, they¡¯d stop staring. ¡°Why don¡¯t I¡­ add one more thing to camping?¡± I suggested calmly, my voice betraying none of my reluctance.


    If they were going to dive headfirst into insanity, I wasn¡¯t about to let them think I was the odd one out.


    ¡°Whoever can take control of the entire villain gang wins,¡± I said, delivering the line with calculated confidence.


    The group stared at me, a mixture of surprise and intrigue lighting up their faces.


    ¡°Whoa,¡± Alex said, eyes wide. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ actually kind of brilliant.¡±


    Lore¡¯s lips curled into a slow smile. ¡°Interesting twist. I didn¡¯t think you had it in you.¡±


    Inside, I wanted to bang my head against a wall. Outside, I gave a slight shrug, like it was no big deal.


    Fine. If someone was determined to leap off the metaphorical cliff, I might as well yank away their floaters while they¡¯re midair. That¡¯s just how I operated¡ªpetty by nature. Push me an inch? I¡¯ll shove you the rest of the way. Philosophy 101, courtesy of myself, North. As I was already at the short end of this cliff¡ªthank you, Lore¡ªI figured I might as well lean into it. If chaos was what they wanted, chaos was what I¡¯d give them. Wrapped up neatly, tied with a silver bow, and with a handwritten note saying, ¡°Enjoy!¡±  Let¡¯s see who regretted it first.


    ¡°That¡¯s a very good idea,¡± Gina said, her voice practically sparkling with enthusiasm. She clapped her hands together, ¡°I knew we could rely on you¡ªyou¡¯re the best!¡±


    My eye twitched involuntarily. It took every ounce of restraint not to roll it. It felt like watching a group of naive kids making increasingly reckless decisions, while all I could do was brace myself. Let¡¯s see how far this trainwreck would go. I could only hope for the best¡ªor at least that no one got themselves killed.


    ¡°Well,¡± Lore said, her tone smooth as ever, ¡°if we¡¯re going to do this, we¡¯ll need to approach it strategically. No haphazard attempts. We should each choose gangs that match our skillsets and let''s take a few days to do a through research.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Alex said, practically bouncing on his heels. ¡°This is going to be amazing. Think of all the intel we¡¯ll gather!¡±


    As the group began to disperse, their heads buzzing with ambitious plans, I grabbed Jade¡¯s hand and pulled her along with me.


    ¡°You¡¯re finally taking me to your home,¡± she said, her voice bubbling with excitement. The corners of her lips lifted in a radiant smile that made it impossible to look away. Before I could even respond, she leaned in and planted a quick peck on my cheek.


    I froze, blinking in surprise. My brain stalled. Was this really something to get excited about?


    I glanced at her, utterly baffled, as she practically skipped beside me, her energy infectious. She seemed completely unfazed by my stunned reaction, her silver eyes sparkling as she swung our joined hands lightly between us.


    To be honest, I didn¡¯t get it. Compared to Jade¡¯s house, mine wasn¡¯t much to write home about. It was small and cramped, nothing like her spacious place with its hanging plants, superhero-ready basement, and cozy corners for deep thoughts or tinkering with gadgets. My house didn¡¯t have ¡°character.¡± It had a living room that doubled as storage for Aunt Grace¡¯s endless knick-knacks and a kitchen where the microwave still had a blinking 12:00. But when I looked at Jade, I saw nothing but genuine enthusiasm radiating from her. My bafflement melted into mild embarrassment. Maybe she¡¯s not comparing, I thought. Maybe it¡¯s just the idea of being invited into my space that makes her happy.


    And for some reason, that made me feel¡­ warm. Warm and slightly awkward.


    I felt her infiltrating more and more of my heart. And there wasn¡¯t a damn thing I could do about it.


    Jade was practically bouncing on her tiptoes by the time I unlocked the front door. ¡°Is there anything I should know before stepping in?¡± she asked playfully, her eyes gleaming. ¡°Is your bedroom secretly a villain lair? Or is it one of those rooms where the floor is just clothes?¡±


    ¡°No villain lair,¡± I said dryly, rolling my eyes as I pushed the door open. ¡°And I¡¯m not that messy.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ll be the judge of that,¡± she teased, leaning in like she could peer through the door before I even unlocked it.


    Finally, the lock clicked, and I pushed the door open. To my relief, the house was quiet. Aunt Grace was still at work, sparing me the awkward task of explaining why I¡¯d brought a girl home. Not that she¡¯d disapprove¡ªif anything, she¡¯d be thrilled¡ªbut I wasn¡¯t in the mood for her winking and nudging commentary. The house was quiet, the faint hum of the refrigerator the only sound. Jade stepped inside, her eyes scanning the small living room. She didn¡¯t say anything right away, just took it in, her expression thoughtful.


    ¡°Well?¡± I asked, breaking the silence. ¡°It¡¯s not much, but¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s cozy,¡± she said sincerely, her gaze flicking to me. ¡°I like it.¡±


    I cleared my throat, gesturing vaguely toward the staircase. ¡°My room¡¯s upstairs,¡± I said.


    She nodded, slipping off her shoes at the door without me needing to ask. Then she paused at the doorway, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.


    I found this habit of hers peculiar. She had a pattern of sniffing everything new, as if her nose needed to approve before her brain could process it. It wasn¡¯t even pleasant scents either¡ªif given the chance, I was pretty sure she¡¯d even sniff rotten eggs. Maybe it made her feel grounded or comfortable, like how some people bite their nails or chew their lips or maybe it was just Jade being Jade.


    ¡°Everything okay there, detective?¡± I asked, leaning casually against the doorframe.


    She ignored me, stepping inside with an exaggerated air of curiosity. And before I could say anything else, she launched herself onto my bed, landing face-first in the blankets with a muffled fwump.


    I froze for half a second, grateful I¡¯d taken the time to clean the room the day before, anticipating this visit. There was nothing for me to worry about¡ªeverything was in order and spotless¡ªno stray pants or jackets, no forgotten coffee mugs, no mystery crumbs lurking in the corners.


    As expected, she grinned, then sniffed the air again like some sort of curious puppy exploring unfamiliar territory. ¡°It smells like you,¡± she said simply, her tone matter-of-fact.


    I blinked. ¡°Uh¡­ is that a good thing?¡±


    Jade tilted her head, her silver eyes sparkling with amusement. ¡°I haven¡¯t decided yet.¡±


    ¡°Great,¡± I muttered, rolling my eyes as I sat down in the chair by my desk. ¡°So glad my personal scent is up for debate.¡±


    She laughed, rolling onto her side and propping her head up on her hand. ¡°Don¡¯t take it personally. I just like to¡­ catalog things.¡±


    ¡°Catalog?¡± I repeated, raising an eyebrow. ¡°What are you, a librarian?¡±


    ¡°Maybe,¡± she teased, wrinkling her nose playfully. ¡°I like knowing the details. Like how your bed smells like¡­ lavender and¡­¡± She paused, sniffing again dramatically, ¡°...cinnamon?¡±


    ¡°Laundry detergent,¡± I corrected. ¡°And maybe the air freshener Aunt Grace uses.¡±


    ¡°Mm-hmm,¡± she said, unconvinced. ¡°Sure.¡±


    That¡¯s when it hit me: she didn¡¯t see me as a stranger anymore. Jade was entirely comfortable around me¡ªcomfortable enough to let this odd, curious side of herself come out without a second thought. It was endearing in a way I hadn¡¯t expected, and I found myself smiling despite the chaos she was causing. Placing both our bags on the table, I was about to sit quietly on the chair to watch her antics when she suddenly sprang up again. This time, she started scanning everything in the room with wide, curious eyes, as though every corner held a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered.


    I watched in mild amusement as her focus shifted to my wardrobe. Without hesitation, she slid the door open and began rummaging through the contents. Her fingers flitted over shirts, jackets, and pants like she was appraising fine art.


    ¡°I guess, make yourself at home,¡± I muttered, leaning back in the chair.


    She either didn¡¯t hear me or chose to ignore it, because she pulled out one of my sweatshirts, holding it up as if it were a prize.


    After two minutes of shuffling, ¡°Can I have this?¡± she asked, her voice casual but tinged with excitement.


    I blinked, caught off guard. The sweatshirt wasn¡¯t anything particularly special in my eyes. Sure, it was one of the unique pieces I¡¯d picked up from an artist recently, but it was nothing extraordinary. ¡°Uh¡­ sure?¡±


    Her grin widened, and she set the sweatshirt aside, then reached for another. By the time she was done, a small pile of my clothes had formed beside her¡ªsweatshirts, two expensive and fancy leather jackets, and even one of my hoodies.


    I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow as she inspected her haul. ¡°You planning to start a collection or something?¡±


    She looked up at me with an innocent expression that was anything but. ¡°What? You¡¯ve already stolen two sets of my clothes. Fair¡¯s fair.¡±


    Her words made me hide my face by diverting my attention at the window. Okay, fine, I admitted to myself. She¡¯s got a point. I still hadn¡¯t returned her clothes, and I wasn¡¯t planning to. They were just too comfortable¡ªlike wearing a cloud. I¡¯d even tried to find similar fabric online and failed miserably. Her wardrobe was basically luxury disguised as casual wear.


    When her curiosity finally settled, she plopped down in front of me on the bed, her legs tucked under her as she tilted her head, staring at me like a curious cat.


    ¡°What?¡± I asked, raising an eyebrow as her gaze lingered.


    ¡°You,¡± she said simply, a small smile playing on her lips.


    "Me?" I echoed.


    She nodded.


    My heart skipped a beat, and I leaned closer without thinking, our faces just inches apart. Her heartbeat seemed to sync with mine. I didn¡¯t know what it was about her in moments like this, but it felt like the world had slowed down, narrowing to just the two of us.


    <hr>


    Two Hours Later¡­


    ¡°Our hands are almost the same,¡± Jade murmured, her fingers entwined with mine as she compared them.


    We were lying in my bed, under the blanket, bare, our bodies tangled together like they¡¯d been made to fit this way. This had practically become our everyday ritual over the past three weeks¡ªwrapped around each other like snakes and rabbits, fighting and teasing but never wanting to let go. Usually, this happened at her place where she lived alone, but today, we¡¯d broken routine. Between academy classes and these moments, we were spending more than fourteen hours a day together, and somehow, it still felt like the day was too short.


    ¡°But yours are prettier,¡± I noted, studying her fingers as they wove between mine. Her skin was softer, smoother, almost luminescent in the dim sunlight pouring through the curtains.


    ¡°Hehehe, how pretty?¡± she teased, her laughter light and mischievous as she turned her head to meet my gaze.


    ¡°Like¡­ if angels did hand modeling,¡± I replied, pretending to be serious but cracking a grin. ¡°I mean, I¡¯m not an expert on celestial anatomy, but they¡¯d probably be jealous of you.¡±


    She snorted, burying her face in the pillow for a moment before looking up at me with that radiant, uncontainable smile of hers. ¡°Angels? That¡¯s a lot of pressure. What if they revoke my wings because I keep smacking you with these ¡®pretty hands¡¯ every time you say something dumb?¡± The warmth of her breath brushed against my neck as she shifted closer, the blanket slipping slightly to reveal the curve of her shoulder, smooth and golden in the dim light filtering through the curtains.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    But without warning, the arrogant dragon returned in full force, aggressive as ever. Her silver eyes gleamed with a playful ferocity, and before I could react, her teeth found my shoulder¡ªnot hard enough to hurt, but enough to make me jolt. Sometimes, I wondered if she was secretly a vampire.


    ¡°Hey¡ªouch!¡± I yelped, my hand instinctively grabbing her waist as she laughed against my skin. Her giggle was light and breathy, the sound vibrating between us as she pressed closer, the softness of her chest brushing against mine.


    ¡°Let me go!¡± she teased, though the gleam in her eyes said she had no intention of stopping.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re asking for it now,¡± I growled playfully, twisting us over in a smooth motion. My hands found her hips, fingers sinking into the warmth of her skin as I rolled her beneath me.


    Her laughter bubbled up again, wilder this time as she squirmed beneath me, her legs tangling with mine. The friction of our bodies, the press of her against me, made it hard to focus on anything but the way she felt¡ªsoft and warm, but strong, her muscles taut as she fought back. ¡°Surrender!¡± I demanded, breathless and grinning as I pinned her wrists above her head.


    ¡°Never!¡± she gasped, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled in vain. Her skin glistened faintly.


    Her resistance didn¡¯t last long though. Eventually, her strength gave way, and I managed to pin her properly, holding her wrists above her head while she lay sprawled beneath me. She was gasping for air, her chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath. The arrogant dragon had to be punished again. It never learned from its mistakes, and worse, it seemed to enjoy repeating them over and over¡ª though I was beginning to suspect it orchestrated these ¡®defeats¡¯ deliberately.


    "You never learn, do you?" I said quietly. Her hair a wild mess sprawled across the pillow, and despite her ¡°defeat,¡± she had the most satisfied smirk on her face.


    My other hand brushed along her jawline, my thumb skimming her warm, flushed cheek. Her skin was soft beneath my touch, and I felt the faintest shiver run through her.


    Then her lips curved into a small smirk, though her breathing was uneven. "Maybe I just like losing to you," she murmured mischievously, her voice low, her breath mingling with mine as the space between us shrank. "Or maybe I''m just pretending."


    ¡°Is that so?" I asked, leaning down until my forehead nearly touched hers. ¡°Then keep dreaming.¡±


    Her laughter bubbled up again, soft and genuine this time. ¡°Keep telling yourself that,¡± she said, poking my chest lightly. Then, with a sudden spark of defiance, she added, ¡°You know, if you weren¡¯t so cocky about it, I might actually let you win sometimes.¡±


    ¡°Oh, is that how it works now?¡± I asked, tilting my head ¡°You let me win?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± she said, grinning like she¡¯d just uncovered some secret truth. ¡°Maybe¡­ I just like being close to you.¡±


    My grip on her wrists loosened, and her hands slipped free. She didn¡¯t push me away, though; instead, her fingers trailed down my arm, slow and deliberate, leaving a trace of warmth in their wake. When her hand came to rest over my heart, she stayed there, her touch light but grounding, as if she was listening to the rhythm beneath. For a while, we just lay there, the tension from earlier replaced by a calm warmth. She rested her head against my shoulder, and I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer.


    The arrogant dragon might never learn from its defeats, but maybe that was part of its charm.


    As we settled back into the quiet comfort of the moment, she shifted slightly, propping herself up on one elbow. The blanket slipped down, exposing her shoulder to the cool air, and the way her silver eyes softened, catching the faint glow of sunlight through the window, made my heart flutter.


    ¡°You know,¡± Jade began, her voice barely above a whisper, ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever been this happy.¡±


    I reached up, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, letting my fingers linger against her temple.


    ¡°Me neither,¡± I said softly, my voice barely audible as I met her gaze. And it was true¡ªevery word. Nothing in my life had felt as vivid, as electric, as right as this.


    For what felt like forever, we stayed that way. Neither of us moved, our bodies pressed close, our hearts beating in perfect sync. The world outside could have fallen apart, and I wouldn¡¯t have noticed. It was just us¡ªtwo souls wrapped in a cocoon of quiet intimacy, the kind that made time feel irrelevant. Her fingers brushed over my chest, tracing idle patterns, and I couldn¡¯t help but close my eyes, enjoying the sensation of her touch. ¡°Do you think it¡¯ll always be like this?¡± she asked, her tone laced with a rare fragility that made me want to hold her even tighter.


    ¡°It can be,¡± I said, tilting my head to press a kiss to her forehead. ¡°As long as we keep fighting for it.¡±


    Her lips curved into a soft smile, ¡°I¡¯ll hold you to that.¡±


    But the universe had other plans for us. Just as she settled back down, her body curling instinctively against mine, the sharp sound of a knock on the door shattered the stillness. We both froze, the spell broken in an instant.


    ¡°Seriously?¡± she groaned, burying her face in my chest like she could will the interruption away. ¡°Can¡¯t we just pretend we didn¡¯t hear it?¡±


    I chuckled, though I shared her frustration. ¡°As tempting as that sounds, I don¡¯t think they¡¯re going to give up.¡±


    With a sigh, I shifted out from under her, the loss of her warmth hitting me immediately. I sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for the clothes we¡¯d discarded hours earlier. She propped herself up again, her expression a mix of reluctance and amusement as she watched me.


    ¡°We need to go,¡± I said, glancing over my shoulder at her. The expression she made could have stopped my heart if I let it.


    ¡°Do we have to?¡± she whined, dragging the blanket up to her chin like a stubborn child. Her silver eyes sparkled with defiance, though the corners of her lips twitched with a hint of a grin.


    ¡°Yes, we have to,¡± I said, tossing her a towel along with her clothes. ¡°But you can pout all you want¡ªit¡¯s not going to change anything.¡±


    She caught the towel, letting out a dramatic huff as she rolled off the bed. The blanket fell away as she stretched, her movements languid, deliberate, like she was trying to drag out every second of this. For a moment, I forgot to blink, staring at her. Her fingers trailed over my shoulder as she passed, breaking the spell. With a slight shake of my head, I grabbed my own clothes and headed downstairs, knowing I couldn¡¯t afford to take my time. Sure enough, as I entered the kitchen, Leo was already there, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. His expression was a mix of impatience, the kind only a bored teenager could manage.


    ¡°What took you so long,¡± he complained as I walked past him to the downstairs bathroom.


    ¡°You¡¯re so annoying,¡± I shot back, closing the door behind me. "You could have come a little late."


    <hr>


    About thirty minutes later, the three of us were strolling down the street, looking like we were out for a casual evening walk. The air was crisp, the sun beginning its descent.


    I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, half expecting him to burst into one of his usual rants about superheroes or villains, but instead, his gaze kept drifting toward Jade, who was now making her way down the stairs. Her damp hair was tied loosely over one shoulder, and the oversized hoodie she¡¯d stolen from my closet hung off her frame in a way that was almost annoyingly attractive.


    Leo, clearly trying and failing to be subtle, sidled up next to me. He tugged at my sleeve, leaning in close like he had some top-secret mission to discuss.


    ¡°She¡¯s your girlfriend?¡± he whispered, his tone somewhere between awed and incredulous.


    I couldn¡¯t help the grin that spread across my face. A smug sense of pride crept into my chest, ¡°What do you think?¡± I replied, letting my tone drip with arrogance.


    Leo¡¯s face lit up, his grin so wide it was almost cartoonish. He gave me an enthusiastic thumbs up like this was some kind of achievement unlocked. ¡°Nice,¡± he said with exaggerated approval. Then, after a beat, he asked, ¡°She also goes to Beyonder¡¯s Academy?¡±


    I nodded, keeping my answer short to see where this was going. Somehow, Leo¡¯s grin managed to double in size. He turned to glance at Jade again, and I could see the gears turning in his head


    ¡°She¡¯s¡­ cool,¡± he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. Then, after a pause, he added, ¡°Cooler than you, for sure.¡±


    ¡°Wow,¡± I said, turning to give him a flat look. ¡°Thanks for that boost of confidence.¡±


    Leo waved me off like my feelings were irrelevant. His curiosity, as always, bulldozed past any semblance of tact. ¡°How¡¯d you even¡ªlike¡ªget her to like you?¡±


    I raised an eyebrow, pretending to look hurt. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±


    "I mean, she¡¯s so¡­ perfect,¡± he said, gesturing toward Jade. ¡°And pretty,¡± he added, which explained everything. He had developed a crush on her, I realized.


    ¡°Wow, Leo,¡± I said, folding my arms. ¡°You¡¯re making it sound like I¡¯m a charity case.¡±


    He shrugged unapologetically. ¡°You said it, not me.¡±


    Before I could come up with a scathing reply, Jade looked back, her eyes flicking between us. ¡°What are you two whispering about?¡±


    ¡°Nothing!¡± Leo said quickly, his voice shooting up an octave. Then, clearly unable to help himself, he turned to her with the enthusiasm of a puppy. ¡°You¡¯re really cool. Like, really cool. Cooler than him, for sure.¡±


    Jade raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into an amused smile as she looked at me. ¡°Is that so?¡±


    ¡°Apparently,¡± I said, throwing my hands up. ¡°I don¡¯t know why I keep this guy around.¡±


    ¡°Because I tell you the truth,¡± Leo quipped, grinning like he¡¯d just delivered the punchline of a joke.


    Jade laughed, her silver eyes sparkling, looking at me, ¡°You''re right. He¡¯s annoying and not cool as me, still he¡¯s not that bad.¡±


    ¡°See?¡± I said, turning back to Leo with a victorious smirk. ¡°She likes me.¡±


    Leo rolled his eyes, muttering, ¡°Yeah, yeah. I still don¡¯t get it, but good for you, man.¡±


    Then, as if realizing he¡¯d said too much, his face flushed slightly, and he mumbled something under his breath¡ªtoo quiet for me to catch¡ªbefore stepping back, putting a little space between himself and us. It was the classic move of a kid trying to play it cool while clearly being overwhelmed. To Leo, this must have felt like the ultimate dream come true¡ªnot just one, but two people from Beyonder¡¯s Academy hanging out with him, walking by his side like it was no big deal. I could practically see the gears in his head spinning, his thoughts racing through all the possibilities.


    As we continued down the street, a strange thought crossed my mind. Could Jade¡¯s abilities extend to manipulating possibilities to such a degree that she could influence how another person¡¯s meta nature would form? It was a fascinating, albeit slightly unsettling, concept. Experimenting with something like that would have been exhilarating, but of course, I wasn¡¯t Jade, and her meta nature wasn¡¯t mine to wield.


    Still, I knew better than to voice such thoughts aloud. The idea alone could make me seem villainous¡ªlike someone willing to cross moral lines for curiosity¡¯s sake.


    The thought led me down a darker path, and I suddenly felt a strange pang of sympathy. Isn¡¯t this what supervillains often did? Challenge the norms of their world, ask questions that society didn¡¯t want to answer? And for that defiance, they were labeled as villains of humanity and relentlessly hunted. How pitiful. Of course, not all villains were guided by philosophical ideals or the need to challenge societal constructs. That was only a small percentage of them. Most villains, in my perspective, turned to crime out of fear, desperation, or pain. They did bad things because they were scared of losing something, lacked what they needed to survive, or had been hurt so deeply that they lashed out against the world.


    The truly evil¡ªthe ones who committed crimes for the sake of chaos or to spread suffering¡ªwere rare. Their existence was more a reflection of the darkness humanity tried to suppress than a norm.


    ¡°Are there villains in this area?¡± Jade asked, her tone laced with curiosity and unmistakable excitement. ¡°Are we going to hunt them?¡±


    Of course, she¡¯d phrase it like that¡ªhunt, not catch or stop, but hunt, like villains were wild animals meant to be chased down for sport. Where is your humanity hiding, my precious Jade? I wondered silently, suppressing the urge to roll my eyes.


    Outwardly, I kept my composure. ¡°I thought we¡¯d just go on a walk today, like other couples,¡± I said, glancing at her. ¡°You don¡¯t like it?¡± I wanted to see how she¡¯d react.


    Jade didn¡¯t hesitate. She slipped her arm around mine, her sudden closeness making my heartbeat falter for a moment. ¡°I like everything I do with you,¡± she said simply, her voice calm but unwavering.


    My body stiffened as warmth crept into my face. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Leo biting his lip, trying¡ªand failing¡ªnot to burst into laughter. I shot him a glare that clearly said, don¡¯t even think about it, then turned back to Jade.


    Silently, I begged her with my eyes not to say things like that in front of other people. She either didn¡¯t notice or didn¡¯t care.


    I cleared my throat, desperately trying to regain some semblance of composure. ¡°There is one person in the area,¡± I said, steering the conversation back to safer ground. ¡°Hiding in the city tunnel. Leo¡¯s seen him stealing a few times over the past couple of weeks.¡±


    Jade¡¯s eyes sharpened, her focus immediately narrowing. ¡°Is he alone?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I said, relieved to have redirected her attention. ¡°It¡¯s a gang. The Tunnel Underground gang. Most of their members have bug-related meta natures.¡±


    ¡°Bugs?¡± Jade¡¯s nose scrunched slightly. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ unsettling.¡±


    Leo, who had been uncharacteristically quiet up until now, suddenly spoke up. ¡°Why do people even join gangs when they could use their powers to earn money? It¡¯s so odd.¡±


    His question lingered in the air, and I glanced at him, considering my response. He wasn¡¯t wrong¡ªon the surface, it did seem strange. But life was rarely that simple. Leo¡¯s reasoning was straightforward, the kind of perspective that comes from someone who hasn¡¯t yet seen the broader complexities of the world.


    I nodded thoughtfully, deciding to guide him toward a deeper understanding. ¡°Money only matters to those who can¡¯t live comfortably day to day,¡± I said, keeping my tone measured. ¡°But once someone earns enough to live well, they start craving something else. They can¡¯t just sit still, doing the same thing over and over for the rest of their lives.¡±


    Leo furrowed his brow slightly, his young mind trying to grasp the concept.


    ¡°So, most people look for adventures,¡± I continued. ¡°Something to break the monotony, to stimulate themselves, to escape the cycle. Sure, they could join a reading group or take up gardening¡ªthere are hundreds of normal activities for that. But let me ask you this: What would thrill you more¡ªjumping from the sky or cycling?¡±


    ¡°Skydiving,¡± Leo answered immediately, his face lighting up.


    ¡°Exactly,¡± I said with a small smile. ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean people who enjoy cycling don¡¯t get satisfaction from it. Everyone has their own preferences, their own purpose. But for some, the ordinary isn¡¯t enough¡ªthey need something extraordinary. Now, let me ask you both: What could be more exciting than skydiving?¡±


    ¡°Going to the moon!¡± Leo exclaimed, his enthusiasm unshaken.


    I chuckled, shaking my head before turning my gaze to Jade. ¡°And you?¡±


    ¡°Robbing a bank,¡± she said without hesitation, her expression as serious as ever.


    Leo burst out laughing, and I couldn¡¯t help but smile as well. Leave it to Jade to cut straight to something outrageous. In a twisted way, she wasn¡¯t wrong.


    ¡°Exactly,¡± I said, catching their attention again. ¡°But most people don¡¯t want to associate themselves with villains or criminals. So instead, they create clubs and social circles with niche habits¡ªsafe outlets for their thrills.¡±


    Leo¡¯s laughter faded as he mulled over my words, the gears in his head clearly turning.


    I paused, watching their reactions carefully. ¡°Have either of you heard of the Spade Society?¡±


    Jade shook her head dismissively, but Leo¡¯s eyes lit up with recognition.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard of them,¡± he said eagerly, practically bouncing on his feet. ¡°They hold cryptic contests for their members every month. The members have to find and solve clues in the real world to win prizes. I read about them on Hyperspace.¡±


    I nodded, pleased by his awareness. ¡°Exactly. The Spade Society is a perfect example of how people channel their desire for excitement without crossing certain lines. They seek thrills, but they do it in a way that keeps them just this side of the law¡ªor at least, that¡¯s what they¡¯d like you to believe.¡±


    Then I turned to Leo, a teasing smirk forming on my lips. ¡°You wanted to join them, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Leo shot back defensively, his voice a little too high-pitched. ¡°They sound fun!¡±


    Jade chuckled softly beside me, and I just shook my head, letting a small smile tug at my lips. ¡°Exactly¡ªthey are fun. But now, think about people who aren¡¯t like you. People who are depressed, hurt, or feel completely lost. How would they find their purpose?¡±


    Leo¡¯s expression shifted, his curiosity still there but now tinged with thoughtfulness.


    ¡°For those people,¡± I continued, my tone more serious now, ¡°a gang isn¡¯t just about committing crimes. Most of the time, they don¡¯t have anyone to support them, no one to guide them toward the light. Villains and gangs scout them out, offer them a sense of belonging. A way to feel seen. Sometimes, that¡¯s all it takes for someone to fall into the wrong crowd.¡±


    Leo looked down at the ground as he walked, clearly mulling over my words. ¡°So¡­ they don¡¯t join because they¡¯re bad people?¡±


    ¡°Not always,¡± I said gently. ¡°Some are, sure. But for others, it¡¯s about survival. Or feeling like they matter, like they have a purpose¡ªeven if that purpose is destructive.¡±


    Jade chimed in, her voice quieter than usual. ¡°It¡¯s easy to judge people when you¡¯re on the outside looking in. But when you¡¯re the one struggling, it¡¯s a lot harder to see a way out.¡±


    I was slightly surprised when Jade said that, once again making me wonder about her story.


    Leo frowned, his brow furrowed as he tried to piece it all together.


    The wheels in his head were clearly turning, and I gave him a moment to process before adding, ¡°And the crimes they commit? They give those people an outlet¡ªa way to release their anger, their pain. For some, it¡¯s a temporary detour, and they eventually realize they¡¯re on the wrong path. They try to change.¡±


    I paused, letting the weight of the words sink in before continuing. ¡°But for others? They get stuck. Deeper and deeper into the cycle, unable to break free.¡±


    Leo nodded slowly, the frown on his face deepening. He didn¡¯t say anything, and I didn¡¯t push. Sometimes silence was the best way for someone to really absorb an idea.


    I glanced over at Jade, who had been quiet during this part of the conversation. Her silver eyes were unreadable, but I hoped she was taking it in too. Maybe she¡¯d reflect on it later, start seeing things from a broader perspective. Jade had a sharp mind and a strong heart, but sometimes she could be quick to judge. This wasn¡¯t just for her own good¡ªit was for the people she might encounter along the way, the ones who needed understanding and empathy, not just her fiery determination.


    Life wasn¡¯t black and white. It was messy, complicated, and filled with shades of gray. My understanding might not have been perfect¡ªthere were probably nuances and experiences I hadn¡¯t considered¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t about being right.


    This was about planting seeds. Seeds that might help them see the world a little differently when the time came. The rest? That would be up to them.


    I let the quiet linger for a few more seconds before clapping my hands together, breaking the tension. ¡°So,¡± I said, my voice light but with just enough edge to snap them out of their thoughts, ¡°who wants to enter the sewers first?¡±


    Jade raised an eyebrow at me, her lips twitching into a faint smirk. ¡°You¡¯re volunteering, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely not!¡±

 Act 2.12 (Chrysalis)

    ¡°So, who wants to enter the sewers first?¡± I asked, doing my best to sound as casual and nonchalant as possible.


    Both Leo and Jade turned to me with synchronized looks of sheer horror and disbelief. It was as if I¡¯d just suggested we kick a puppy¡ªor worse, that we adopt a sewer rat as a pet¡ªnot that I¡¯d ever do such a thing.


    ¡°Ew,¡± Leo made a sound so disgusted and unnatural, it barely seemed human. Meanwhile, Jade¡¯s face scrunched up in visible revulsion as she tried to read my expression, probably hoping I wasn¡¯t serious.


    It didn¡¯t take long for me to realize why they were reacting this way. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. Of course, this was their reaction. It didn¡¯t take a genius to figure out what had them so repulsed.


    ¡°It¡¯s not the sanitary sewer,¡± I clarified, ¡°We¡¯re not diving into raw sewage here. That would be suicidal¡ªwhat with the toxic gases and, you know, all the other delightful things swirling around down there. We¡¯re entering the storm drain system, completely different from the sewer system. The city planned it this way¡ªbig, open, dry most of the time. It¡¯s built to handle the massive supernatural storms that roll in from the ocean. Rainwater goes in, water gets drained out. Simple.¡±


    Leo blinked at me, his head tilting slightly as though trying to process this new information. ¡°So¡­ no poop?¡±


    ¡°No poop,¡± I said firmly.


    Jade crossed her arms, still looking skeptical. ¡°And no¡­ other stuff?¡±


    ¡°Correct. No other stuff.¡±


    They exchanged a look, clearly still a little grossed out but no longer on the verge of outright mutiny.


    I leaned back slightly, shaking my head. ¡°Honestly, how do you two not know this? We all studied city infrastructure in school. Did you sleep through that entire semester?¡±


    Leo rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding my gaze. ¡°I mean¡­ yeah, kind of.¡±


    Jade shrugged. ¡°It wasn¡¯t on the test.¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°This is why people think the world¡¯s ending when they see a storm drain overflow during a downpour. It¡¯s literally doing its job, but nope¡ª¡®end of days¡¯ panic.¡±


    Leo raised his hand like a kid in class. ¡°Uh, to be fair, it does look kinda scary.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Professor Doom,¡± I muttered, shooting him a look.


    We walked along the road until we reached the storm drain. The three of us stood around the heavy manhole cover, its surface scuffed and weathered from years of wear. With a shared nod, we crouched down, gripping the edges and carefully lifting it together. It came free with a metallic groan, revealing a dark void below. The faint sound of running water echoed up to greet us, carrying a cool, damp breeze that smelled faintly of mildew and rain-soaked concrete.


    By my calculations, there shouldn¡¯t have been much water inside¡ªnothing dangerous, at least. But then again, storm drains had a way of surprising you.


    ¡°Remember,¡± I said firmly, looking at both Leo and Jade. ¡°We¡¯re going down to investigate. If we sense any danger, we hide. Then we get back up immediately. No hesitation.¡±


    ¡°I mean it,¡± I continued, locking eyes with Jade in particular. Her confidence was a double-edged sword. ¡°No lone hero stunts, no wandering off. We stick together.¡±


    ¡°I got it,¡± Jade replied, waving me off. ¡°Relax, mom.¡±


    Leo snorted, but my glare silenced him quickly.


    Bringing Leo along was already a stretch, and I knew it bordered on irresponsibility. He didn¡¯t have a meta nature yet, and there were countless ways this could go wrong. But if he wanted to learn, he had to start somewhere. A part of me wondered if I should¡¯ve waited¡ªgiven him more time to grow, to discover his abilities. He had four years to build his portfolio for the academy. What was the rush? But then again, people like Henry, Alex, Vinico, Gina, and Lore must have faced similar challenges before they became the legends they were at Beyonder¡¯s Academy. Growth didn¡¯t come from sitting comfortably¡ªit came from stepping into the unknown, even the dangerous.


    I took the lead, gripping the cold metal rungs of the ladder as I descended into the storm drain. The air grew damper with each step, the smell thickening into a cocktail of mildew, rust, and wet stone. It clung to my skin like an unwelcome second layer, making me want to peel it off.


    Leo came down last, his footsteps hesitant on the rungs. ¡°Is it just me,¡± he whispered nervously, ¡°or does it feel like we¡¯re walking into the start of a horror movie?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a horror movie,¡± I said, glancing over my shoulder at him. ¡°In horror movies, people split up. We¡¯re smarter than that, right?¡±


    Leo didn¡¯t look entirely convinced, but he nodded anyway. ¡°Right¡­ smarter than that.¡±


    When we reached the bottom, our shoes splashed softly against the damp concrete floor. The dim light from above barely penetrated the darkness, but the beam from my flashlight cut through the shadows, illuminating the tunnel ahead. The storm drain was wide enough to stand comfortably, with thick concrete walls streaked by years of water stains. Tiny rivulets of water trickled along the edges, feeding into shallow pools that shimmered under the flashlight¡¯s glow.


    ¡°See?¡± I said, gesturing to the relatively dry path ahead. ¡°Not so bad.¡±


    ¡°Speak for yourself,¡± Jade quipped, adjusting her footing to avoid a puddle. ¡°This place feels like it¡¯s been waiting for something to crawl out and grab us.¡±


    Leo shivered at her words, his eyes darting nervously around the tunnel. ¡°Not helping.¡±


    I sighed, pressing forward. ¡°Alright, keep it down. If there¡¯s anyone down here, we don¡¯t want to announce ourselves. Stay close.¡±


    After a few minutes, Leo complained again, "It smells so bad¡± .


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you want to be a hero?¡± I scoffed, glancing back at him. ¡°You can still go back up and wait for us to return.¡±


    Leo shook his head stubbornly, his expression a mix of determination and disgust. ¡°No way. I¡¯m not chickening out.¡±


    ¡°Suit yourself,¡± I said with a shrug,


    I led the way with the flashlight, keeping my steps steady and quiet. Leo followed in the middle, his nose still wrinkled in distaste, and Jade brought up the rear, her movements light and calculated.


    ¡°What are we looking for though?¡± Leo asked after a few moments, his voice echoing faintly in the damp tunnel.


    ¡°Small animals,¡± I replied, keeping my eyes trained on the path ahead. ¡°Mice, cockroaches, snakes, bugs¡ªanything that might be controlled by a meta nature. If we see them heading in a certain direction, we follow.¡±


    ¡°Great,¡± Leo muttered under his breath. ¡°Because this couldn¡¯t get creepier.¡±


    The air hung heavy with moisture, each breath carrying the faint taste of mildew and rust. Water dripped intermittently from above, the sound punctuating the steady trickle of the stream running down the center. Our footsteps echoed softly against the wet, uneven surface, the tunnel amplifying every sound until even the faintest shuffle seemed unnaturally loud.


    ¡°Stay alert,¡± I said softly, my voice firm but calm. ¡°The quieter it gets, the more we need to watch out.¡±


    Leo¡¯s eyes widened slightly, and he glanced around as if expecting something to leap out of the shadows. ¡°Why quieter?¡± he asked, his voice dropping to match mine.


    ¡°Because if there¡¯s something down here, it¡¯ll go quiet to listen for us,¡± I explained. ¡°Predators don¡¯t make noise unless they¡¯re ready to strike.¡±


    Immediately, Leo shivered glancing around and Inched closer to me.


    We wandered through the tunnels in near silence, our footsteps echoing faintly as we turned left and right at random intersections. By the time an hour had passed, I checked my phone and realized we¡¯d walked over three kilometers. Despite the distance, we¡¯d found nothing remotely interesting. The tunnels were eerily quiet, with the steady trickle of water flowing peacefully down the center as our only constant companion. Occasionally, we spotted mice or rodents scurrying along the edges, but they were quick to vanish into cracks and crevices, too elusive for us to follow. Leo had tried once, crouching down and calling softly to a mouse like it might stop and have a chat, but the creature darted off before he even finished saying, ¡°Hey, little guy!¡±


    Still, there was a strange feeling gnawing at the back of my mind. It was as if something¡ªsomeone¡ªwas watching us. Not directly, but through the eyes of those mice or through something unseen. The thought lingered for a moment before I dismissed it.


    The world doesn¡¯t revolve around us, I reminded myself. I wasn¡¯t the main character in some grand, secret narrative where every shadow hid a spy or every mouse carried a hidden camera. If I were, I¡¯d probably never leave my house, too paranoid about stumbling into an incredible conspiracy or being dragged into a decades-long underground scheme.


    That kind of life sounded exhausting. Constant battles, endless stress¡ªwho even had the mental stamina for that? Only people lacking serious self-reflection could survive such chaos.


    Fortunately, everyone had their own lives.


    Things happened and the world kept turning, whether I existed or not.


    It was a comforting thought, one that helped me shake off the paranoia as we trudged forward.


    Eventually, we climbed out through another manhole, emerging into the fresh evening air. It felt oddly liberating after the damp, oppressive atmosphere of the tunnels. I checked my phone again to get our bearings and realized we were about five kilometers from where we¡¯d started.


    ¡°We¡¯ve searched quite a bit today,¡± I told Jade and Leo, brushing off my hands. ¡°Next time, we¡¯ll cover other sections of the tunnel.¡±


    That said, I wasn¡¯t confident our aimless wandering would yield any results. Without clear clues or leads, we were just running in circles. What we needed was someone to follow¡ªpreferably a member of the Tunnel Underground gang. An idea began to form in my mind, but I decided to save it for the next day. Meanwhile, Jade had begun sniffing herself and her clothes, her nose wrinkling in obvious disgust. She looked up at me with her signature innocent expression, her silver eyes wide and imploring. ¡°Me and my clothes¡ªboth smell!¡± she declared, her voice carrying just the right amount of melodrama.


    Her face was so adorably pitiful that I found myself staring, caught off guard by the sheer cuteness of her complaint.


    ¡°Well,¡± I said, snapping myself out of it before Leo could catch me zoning out. ¡°We¡¯re all going home now, and unfortunately, I don¡¯t have any self-cleaning powers, so I don¡¯t have a solution for you.¡±


    She pouted, crossing her arms as if my lack of magical hygiene abilities was somehow a personal failing.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    After thinking for a moment, I suggested, ¡°How about we book a hotel for the night? Just to take a bath and freshen up.¡±


    Jade¡¯s face lit up immediately, her earlier pout vanishing like it had never existed. ¡°Yes! Let¡¯s do that!¡±


    Leo perked up as well, nodding enthusiastically. ¡°Please. I can¡¯t show up at home smelling like I crawled through a dumpster.¡±


    I nodded. It wasn¡¯t the ideal solution, but it was the best we had. At least we¡¯d end the day clean¡ªand I wouldn¡¯t have to come up with an excuse to Aunt Grace for why I smelled like I¡¯d been rolling around in a sewer.


    <hr>


    Dinner at home with Aunt Grace was quiet, the occasional clink of utensils and the faint dialogue of her favorite TV drama filling the air. She seemed preoccupied with whatever plot twist was unraveling on-screen, so I was grateful she wasn¡¯t bombarding me with questions about where I¡¯d been all day.


    The silence was oddly comforting, but it didn¡¯t last. As I got up to wash the dishes, Aunt Grace¡¯s voice cut through the quiet.


    ¡°You know,¡± she began, her tone light but laced with curiosity. ¡°When I came home earlier, it smelled quite nice. Like someone secretly brought a girl home.¡±


    My grip on the plate faltered slightly, but I recovered quickly, turning to her with the most nonchalant expression I could muster. ¡°Must be your nose,¡± I replied, my voice as casual as I could manage.


    Her eyebrow rose, her gaze sharpening. ¡°Oh, really?¡±


    I nodded firmly, dodging her probing stare as I darted toward the sink. ¡°Maybe you¡¯re just imagining things,¡± I added over my shoulder, scrubbing a plate with slightly more enthusiasm than necessary.


    Grace let out a huff of mild irritation, but I could tell she wasn¡¯t buying it. ¡°Hmm. I don¡¯t imagine things, you know.¡±


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s a first time for everything,¡± I quipped, hiding a smirk as I focused on the dishes.


    Her muttered response was lost beneath the sound of running water, but I could feel her eyes still on me as I finished cleaning up.


    By the time I escaped to my room, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a small sense of victory. Grace might be sharp, but I wasn¡¯t going to hand her ammunition that easily. At least, not tonight.


    <hr>


    After dinner, I spent the next two hours scrolling through HyperSpace, falling into my usual routine. I alternated between chatting with Jade, reading old posts about different meta natures, and scanning the news for anything that might be relevant. Every now and then, I¡¯d search for mentions of magical meta natures¡ªnot common, but they popped up occasionally in discussions. I also checked my own post for replies. As expected, there were a few personal messages, most of which turned out to be scams. Over time, I¡¯d gotten pretty good at spotting these grifters. Desperation, as they say, breeds ingenuity¡ªand apparently, so does dealing with internet scammers.


    But one message stood out. The username, ¡®DoingDirty,¡¯ was¡­ interesting, to say the least. Unlike the usual spam, the sender hadn¡¯t asked for money¡ªnot upfront, at least. That was unusual.


    The message read:


    <blockquote>


    "I know a person with magical meta nature. Though, he¡¯s a reclusive old man and hates company. But, nowadays, he¡¯s searching for something. I recently had the pleasure to meet him personally and we talked, though I was unable to fulfill his request. I saw your post and thought perhaps you might be of some help with what he¡¯s looking for. Hit me up if you want to go through."


    </blockquote>


    I stared at the message, rereading it carefully. The username alone should¡¯ve been a red flag, but the content intrigued me. It was specific enough to sound legitimate¡ªor at least not outright ridiculous.


    Still, caution came naturally these days. I tapped my fingers on the desk as I considered my options. The message wasn¡¯t demanding money or personal details right away, and it didn¡¯t seem to be one of those typical ¡°enlarge your powers instantly¡± scams. But there was always the possibility it was a bait-and-switch.


    Jade¡¯s chat pinged again, breaking my train of thought.


    Jade: What¡¯s got you so quiet? Lost in the rabbit hole of HyperSpace again?


    Me: Maybe. Found a lead on something, but it smells a bit off.


    Jade: Everything on HyperSpace smells off. Comes with the territory.


    Me: True. But this one seems¡­ interesting. Think I should bite?


    Jade: Why not? You¡¯re not committing to anything just by replying. Besides, if it¡¯s a scam, I¡¯ll help you track down the grifter and scare them straight.


    Her casual confidence made me smile. Jade could turn anything into an adventure.


    Me: Alright, I¡¯ll give it a shot. If I go missing, avenge me.


    Jade: You¡¯re so dramatic.


    Shaking my head, I returned to the message from DoingDirty and clicked on the reply button.


    <blockquote>


    "I¡¯m interested. Can you tell me more about this old man and what he¡¯s looking for?"


    </blockquote>


    I hit send, then leaned back in my chair. Whether this would lead anywhere or not, it was better than aimlessly wandering tunnels without a plan. If nothing else, it would give me something to think about while I waited for tomorrow¡¯s adventure to begin.


    After that I decided to log off for the night, it was already twelve.


    And when I logged in the next morning, I found a reply waiting for me from DoingDirty. I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the username. Just don¡¯t do me dirty in real life, I thought, opening the message.


    The content was straight to the point:


    <blockquote>


    "Glad you¡¯re interested. The old man is looking for a way to extend his lifespan. He¡¯s been searching for years and even went through the White Palace in recent years. You strike me as resourceful from your post. If you can help him, he might just owe you a big one."


    </blockquote>


    Extend his lifespan? My eyes lingered on the words, the weight of the task sinking in.


    Even with all humanity¡¯s advancements¡ªmetahumans, miraculous genetics research, new tech¡ªthe human lifespan still had a limit. Two hundred years, give or take. Beyond that, death claimed its due, regardless of power or wealth. Life extension or immortality-related meta natures were extraordinarily rare, their existence carefully guarded by governments, corporations, and the most secretive of organizations.


    If this old man was searching so openly, he had to be desperate.


    I leaned back, drumming my fingers on the desk. I¡¯d come across whispers during my time cycles¡ªrumors of methods to extend life. Some sounded like myths, others like the sort of schemes desperate people clung to. I¡¯d never pursued them. The burden of living through multiple cycles had been enough. Who would willingly sign up for more of this?


    Still, this was intriguing. If the old man had been searching for years, he might have accumulated information worth knowing¡ªpieces of the puzzle I could use for my own purposes. A favor from someone with magical meta nature could be invaluable: protection spells, enhanced powers, or rare knowledge.


    I tapped out a reply quickly:


    <blockquote>


    "Can you provide me with the exact address or directions to meet this old sorcerer?"


    </blockquote>


    Barely a moment passed before my phone vibrated with a response:


    <blockquote>


    ¡®742 Maplewood Drive.¡¯


    </blockquote>


    I frowned slightly, recognizing the North district address. That area wasn¡¯t just well-off¡ªit was the kind of place where wealth practically radiated from the cobblestones. The old man was clearly rich, and if he could afford a house there, he¡¯d likely made a fortune with his abilities.


    As for why the guy who messaged me was helping, three possibilities came to mind:


    First, he could simply be a troll, spinning an elaborate story for his own amusement, knowing he¡¯d never have to face the fallout.


    Second, he might be acting as a middleman, hoping to curry favor or earn a reward from the sorcerer by bringing someone useful.


    And third¡ªthe most concerning¡ªthis could all be a trap. Perhaps there were people who wanted me dead for reasons I couldn¡¯t yet fathom.


    The truth, however, could only be confirmed by going to the address.


    Still, I wasn¡¯t overly concerned. My Likeness had been showing signs of growth and fortune recently, and I trusted my ability to handle whatever came my way. Why not? There weren¡¯t many things that could deter me from my goals. Well, unless my Likeness decided to swap in a black coffin, dark fog, or ominous swords dripping with blood hanging overhead. Then I might reconsider.


    <hr>


    At the academy in the afternoon, I was enjoying lunch with Jade. She¡¯d brought something homemade¡ªan unusual occurrence¡ªand her nervousness about having me taste it only made me more curious. She placed a small box on the table, her hands fidgeting slightly as she pushed it toward me. ¡°Here,¡± she said, trying to sound casual but failing to hide the tension in her voice. Inside the box was a single cupcake, meticulously presented. She handed me a spoon, her silver eyes glued to my every movement. ¡°It¡¯s nothing fancy,¡± she muttered, clearly bracing herself for judgment.


    I picked up the spoon, taking a closer look at her creation. The texture looked spot-on, with a soft crumb and smooth frosting. Sliding the spoon through the cupcake, I cut a small slice and placed it in my mouth.


    Hazelnut.


    The taste was sweet, not just from the sugar, but from the effort and care she had poured into making it. I could tell she must have practiced this recipe several times to get it right¡ªthere wasn¡¯t a single burned edge or inconsistency. This was no small feat for Jade.


    By the time I finished the cupcake, I realized I hadn¡¯t actually said anything about it yet. Jade was still watching me intently.


    ¡°It was very good,¡± I said finally, raising my hand and spreading my fingers wide for emphasis. ¡°Five stars.¡±


    Her expression brightened, though she still seemed hesitant. ¡°You think so?¡± she asked, her voice soft, but her face was already beginning to light up.


    ¡°Really?¡± she asked, her tone softening.


    ¡°Really,¡± I said firmly, taking another bite. ¡°You nailed it. Perfect balance of flavor, texture¡ªeverything.¡±


    She let out a breath she¡¯d clearly been holding. ¡°Good. I wasn¡¯t sure if I¡¯d gotten it right. The first few batches were¡­¡± She trailed off, making a face.


    ¡°Terrible?¡± I guessed, laughing.


    She shot me a playful glare. ¡°They weren¡¯t that bad. Just¡­ maybe a little burnt.¡±


    ¡°A little?¡±


    ¡°Okay, a lot,¡± she admitted, laughing along.


    The fact that she¡¯d put in this much effort just for me wasn¡¯t lost on me. Jade, who lived on five-star meals and effortless elegance, had stepped into the kitchen and battled against her lack of experience¡ªprobably with a fire extinguisher nearby¡ªto create something meaningful.


    A simple praise was all it took. Her face broke into the brightest smile I¡¯d ever seen, her confidence blooming like a flower in sunlight.


    Maybe this is love, I thought. Doing things for someone else that you wouldn¡¯t usually do.


    Jade had stepped out of her comfort zone, experimenting with baking¡ªof all things¡ªjust to make something for me. The effort behind that cupcake was tangible, and it hit me like a punch to the gut. What had I done for her lately? A pang of guilt tightened in my chest. Sure, I¡¯d been there for her in big ways¡ªsupporting her, fighting alongside her¡ªbut small gestures like this? I¡¯d been slacking.


    How infuriating, I thought, half-scolding myself. I resolved right then to make something for her next time. A meal, a gift, something. It was only fair.


    Jade¡¯s voice broke my train of thought. ¡°Are we entering the tunnels again?¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°No. I¡¯ve got some other work to do.¡±


    Her shoulders slouched slightly in disappointment, but she quickly looked back up at me, her curiosity reigniting. ¡°You found the leads on the magic meta nature?¡±


    I nodded. She knew about my search from a call we¡¯d had two weeks ago, so it wasn¡¯t surprising that she¡¯d ask. ¡°Someone in the North district,¡± I explained. ¡°An old man, apparently on his last breath. I¡¯m going to meet him.¡±


    ¡°Can I come too?¡± she asked, her tone laced with eagerness and a spark of excitement.


    I paused, considering it. Truthfully, I needed someone to watch my back. I couldn¡¯t fully trust the person who¡¯d messaged me online¡ªthere was always the chance this was some elaborate setup. Having Jade with me wasn¡¯t just reassuring; it was practical. With her luck and meta abilities, she was the best contingency plan anyone could ask for.


    ¡°Sure,¡± I said with a small nod. ¡°Why not?¡±


    Of course, there was also a selfish reason behind my decision¡ªI wanted to spend more time with her. Her company was something I genuinely enjoyed. With her by my side, whatever lay ahead didn¡¯t seem quite as daunting.


    Once the academy ended, I booked a cab for our ride to the North district. As the car sped through the city, weaving past traffic and skyscrapers, I mentally reviewed the next part of the plan. This wasn¡¯t just about showing up¡ªI needed to leave an impression, the kind that made people think twice before dismissing me. I couldn¡¯t just appear as some random person off the street. In this dangerous world, where reputation and connections carried as much weight as power, no one would take me seriously¡ªespecially given my relatively limited abilities.


    To make the most of this opportunity, I decided to act as though I were part of an organization. A sense of legitimacy was crucial, not just for gaining trust but also for reaping any potential benefits. People respected authority, systems, and the implication that there was a network of people behind you. It added layers of mystery and leverage.


    Jade, sitting beside me, broke the silence. ¡°What¡¯s your plan when we get there?¡±


    I glanced at her, appreciating her straightforwardness. ¡°I¡¯m going to present myself as part of a group¡ªa fixer organization that specializes in solving niche problems.¡±


    She raised an eyebrow, her silver eyes sharp with curiosity. ¡°A fixer organization? Since when do you have one of those?¡±


    I smirked. ¡°Since five minutes ago. It¡¯s not about having one¡ªit¡¯s about making them believe I do.¡±


    She let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. ¡°You¡¯re unbelievable. What¡¯s the name of this imaginary organization?¡±


    I hesitated for a moment. ¡°It¡¯s still¡­ under development.¡±


    Jade rolled her eyes. ¡°Right. Just don¡¯t call it something stupid like ¡®The Solution Squad¡¯ or I¡¯m walking out the door.¡±


    ¡°Noted,¡± I replied, chuckling.


    The cab pulled into the North district, and the contrast was immediate. The streets were wider, lined with perfectly trimmed hedges and pristine sidewalks. Houses here weren¡¯t just homes¡ªthey were estates, sprawling and imposing, each exuding wealth and influence.


    Jade leaned closer to the window, her gaze scanning the neighborhood. ¡°Fancy,¡± she murmured.

 Act 2.13 (Chrysalis)

    The driver dropped us off four streets away from the address, and I led Jade to a nearby caf¨¦. It was a cozy spot, the kind of place where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee could make you forget the world outside. I guided her to a table by the window and ordered her favorite latte to soften the inevitable conversation.


    ¡°You wait here and if there¡¯s any danger, I¡¯ll contact you for backup,¡± I said as I placed the steaming cup in front of her, keeping my tone light.


    Jade took the cup, her fingers brushing the warm ceramic. ¡°So, I¡¯m a sidekick now?¡±


    I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve always been a sidekick.¡±


    Her mouth dropped open in mock offense. ¡°Coming from someone whose power is to literally read faces and colors?¡± she shot back, pouting as she took a sip of her latte.


    Touch¨¦. I leaned back in my chair, pretending her jab didn¡¯t sting even a little. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s a very important skill. If a dangerous shade of magenta ever shows up, you¡¯ll be thanking me.¡±


    The truth was, her coming with me wasn¡¯t just about protecting her from potential danger. I couldn¡¯t risk revealing too much. Jade was sharp¡ªtoo sharp. She had a knack for reading her surroundings and piecing together the things people tried hardest to hide. If she came along, she might start connecting dots I wasn¡¯t ready to share, uncovering secrets about me that I wasn¡¯t even sure she should know yet.


    Not because I didn¡¯t trust her¡ªI did¡ªbut because some truths carried burdens I didn¡¯t want to share with her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon,¡± I said, standing to leave.


    Jade simply nodded, her eyes lingering on me for a moment longer than usual.


    I opened the maps app on my phone and navigated the streets, walking the rest of the way to the address. When I arrived, the sight that greeted me was undeniably impressive. The bungalow was massive¡ªeasily five times the size of our house. It had a grandeur that was impossible to miss, with its towering columns and pristine landscaping. Still, for all its architectural magnificence, it didn¡¯t appeal to me personally. There was something cold about it, something excessive. It screamed wealth, but not warmth. What caught my attention more than the house itself was the lack of visible security. No guards paced the grounds, no cameras peered from the corners of the property. For a place this grand, it was a conspicuous absence. Even modestly wealthy homes in this district had at least some form of visible surveillance.


    Instead, a massive gate made of strange, unidentifiable metal stood at the front. Its design was intricate, with patterns and etchings that looked almost alive. Out of curiosity, I raised my hand to inspect it.


    The moment my fingers got close, my hand stopped abruptly, meeting an invisible barrier. Glowing runes shimmered into view, flickering and shifting in a myriad of colors like a living kaleidoscope. The barrier wasn¡¯t visible to the naked eye¡ªat least not to most¡ªbut with my vision, its intricate details unraveled before me like the pages of an ancient, magical tome. It was breathtaking. The barrier enveloped the entire estate, forming a protective dome that shimmered faintly, as though alive with purpose. Even though I¡¯d encountered such barriers before, they always left me in awe. This one was particularly intricate, each rune pulsating with mysterious glimmer I couldn¡¯t fully comprehend.


    Shaking myself free from the spell of its beauty, I noticed the bell on the marble gate. I strolled over and pressed the button softly. The chime that followed was subdued but clear, echoing faintly through the air.


    For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, a faint crackling sound broke through, and a clear voice finally came through the intercom.


    ¡°Who is this?¡±


    The sound was sharp, with an edge of authority that made it clear they weren¡¯t in the mood for nonsense.


    Clearing my throat, I replied confidently, ¡°I¡¯m from the Rose Red Order. I heard the owner of the house has been searching for something for a long time. I believe we have some clues that could be of help.¡±


    There was a pause, the crackling of the intercom the only sound. Then the voice returned, colder this time. ¡°State your purpose clearly.¡±


    ¡°My purpose is simple,¡± I replied calmly. ¡°I¡¯m here to help solve a problem. If your employer isn¡¯t interested, I¡¯ll leave.¡±


    Another brief silence followed. I waited outside in the sun, unsure if my words had even registered. Finally, after what felt like two long minutes, the gate slowly slid open, and the barrier shimmered as a small opening appeared. Raising my eyes to take in the sight, I stepped through the opening and into the estate. At the front door, I was greeted by an elegant man dressed impeccably in black and white servant attire. His sharp features and unflinching posture made it clear he was no ordinary butler¡ªthis was someone who took his role seriously.


    ¡°Sir is waiting for you in his study,¡± he said with a polite bow, his tone respectful but devoid of warmth.


    I nodded, and without another word, he turned and gestured for me to follow. The interior was a sharp contrast to the facade¡ªan intricate maze of corridors, rooms, and hallways filled with an eclectic mix of styles. It quickly became apparent that you couldn¡¯t judge someone¡¯s tastes just by the exterior of their home. On our way, I spotted several other servants, all of them young and strikingly handsome. Their presence made me wonder briefly if the master of the house had particular tastes and desires. Whatever the case, it wasn¡¯t my place to judge. Rich people lived in an entirely different reality, detached from the mundane struggles of the average person. Finally, we descended a flight of stairs into what could only be described as a vast library. Whether this was the basement or the entire basement had been converted into a library, I couldn¡¯t tell. The shelves stretched high above, filled with countless volumes whose spines were gilded and embossed with symbols and languages I couldn¡¯t recognize. The magnitude of the room, coupled with its eerie, quiet grandeur, gave me pause.


    I silently wondered if I could escape this place if things took a turn for the worse. The more I thought about it, the lower my chances seemed.


    The servant stopped in front of a large wooden desk at the center of the room, but before I could take a seat, a voice spoke from nowhere, deep and rasping, yet carrying an undeniable weight:


    ¡°You can take your seat, Mr. North.¡±


    I turned just as an old man stepped out from behind one of the shelves. His movements were deliberate, almost calculated, and his presence was¡­ unsettling.


    He looked ancient¡ªreally ancient¡ªwith skin so pale it seemed translucent, as if he¡¯d spent centuries out of the sun or been drained dry by a team of especially motivated vampires. But it wasn¡¯t the pallor of illness. No, this was something else, something that hinted at a life touched by forces most people couldn¡¯t comprehend. Despite his apparent frailty, the man stood tall, well over six feet, his posture unnervingly straight. His eyes were the first thing I noticed¡ªunsettlingly alive, as if they housed their own consciousness, watching me in ways that went beyond the physical. And then there were his bones.


    Yes, his bones.


    They weren¡¯t made of ordinary calcium¡ªoh no. Beneath his pale flesh, they shimmered faintly, as if forged from pure gold. The sight was equal parts mesmerizing and unsettling, and I had to resist the urge to gape.


    Truly a man of magic.


    ¡°Ah, Sir Nash,¡± I said as I took a seat on the surprisingly comfortable sofa opposite him. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to run a background check on me in such a short time.¡±


    The old man chuckled softly. Though his face bore the marks of time, his posture was upright, his back as straight as a bamboo stalk. He radiated an uncanny vigor that belied his apparent frailty.


    ¡°You misunderstand my intentions, Mr. North,¡± he said, his tone carrying a quiet amusement that hinted at something far deeper. ¡°I simply asked the wind.¡±


    I blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Of course he did, I thought. Because why bother with technology when you could interrogate air currents? I nodded slightly, masking my surprise with a carefully practiced expression.


    ¡°Truly marvelous,¡± I replied, forcing a respectful smile. Inside, my brain was turning gears: The wind?! What does that even mean? Did the wind rat me out? Do I need to worry about breezes now?


    Sir Nash¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking but was too polite¡ªor too amused¡ªto comment on it. His golden-bone fingers clasped in front of him, and he leaned forward slightly.


    ¡°You¡¯ve come with questions,¡± he said, his piercing gaze boring into me. ¡°And perhaps answers.¡±


    I sat up a little straighter, brushing off the lingering absurdity of my internal commentary.


    Sir Nash tilted his head slightly, his golden eyes narrowing. ¡°Why have I never heard of this Rose Red Order before?¡±


    Probably because it hasn¡¯t existed yet, I mused silently. The name was stolen straight from a future organization I¡¯d encountered in the first cycle. It was an excellent choice¡ªvague, mysterious, and entirely unverifiable. Perfect for situations like this.Outwardly, I maintained my composure, giving a faint smile as though I¡¯d expected the question. ¡°The Rose Red Order is relatively new,¡± I said smoothly, leaning back just enough to look at ease. ¡°We don¡¯t operate openly, so it¡¯s not surprising you haven¡¯t heard of us before now.¡±


    Sir Nash raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting to genuine surprise. He nodded slowly, as if turning the idea over in his mind. ¡°They must be remarkably good at keeping secrets,¡± he said, the faintest hint of admiration creeping into his tone.


    I couldn¡¯t help the small, satisfied smile that crept onto my face. Of course they¡¯re good at keeping secrets¡ªthey don¡¯t even exist.


    ¡°Discretion is paramount,¡± I said simply, as though I were reciting a company mantra. ¡°It¡¯s how we maintain our¡­ effectiveness.¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    Sir Nash¡¯s gaze lingered on me for a moment longer, as though he were trying to peel back the layers of my answer. I met his eyes steadily, maintaining just the right balance of mystery and credibility. Inside, I was very pleased with myself. Convincing a century-old sorcerer that I was part of an underground organization he¡¯d never heard of? That was a win. But I didn¡¯t let it show¡ªtoo much, anyway.


    ¡°Well,¡± Sir Nash said, his tone softening just slightly. ¡°It seems I¡¯ve underestimated how much the world has evolved.¡±


    I inclined my head politely, resisting the urge to pat myself on the back right then and there. ¡°We all have to adapt,¡± I replied. ¡°That¡¯s how we stay ahead.¡±


    ¡°We could treat it as a trade,¡± I added, keeping my tone calm but deliberate. ¡°Something that benefits all of us.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t a lie. Not entirely.


    Sir Nash didn¡¯t react visibly, but his eyes¡­ there was something happening there. The strangeness I¡¯d noticed earlier was intensifying, the colors in his irises shifting, converging rapidly toward his pupils like whirlpools of liquid gold. It was mesmerizing, as if something alive was moving just beneath the surface. And then, because my brain is sometimes my worst enemy, a ridiculous thought crossed my mind: I want to touch his eyes. Worse, the urge to keep them¡ªlike some sort of bizarre trophy¡ªlingered for a fleeting moment. What was wrong with me? Was this the effect of his magic? I shook my head slightly, shoving the unsettling thought aside. Focus, North.


    ¡°You should know,¡± Sir Nash said, his voice breaking through my spiraling thoughts, ¡°I seek a method to extend my lifespan. As for the trade, as long as it is within my power, it will be done.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m aware,¡± I replied, holding his gaze steadily. I wasn¡¯t going to let his shifting, hypnotic eyes unnerve me. ¡°And I may have what you seek.¡±


    ¡°Then do tell,¡± There was a practiced warmth to his voice, like someone skilled at putting others at ease.


    Yet, beneath that surface, I could sense the faint tremor of excitement. It wasn¡¯t loud, but it was there¡ªpulsing in his words, in the flicker of his golden, shifting eyes. For a brief moment, I questioned whether I was doing the right thing. His hollow frame and pale, unnatural features carried an air of madness barely contained, like a dam about to crack.


    ¡°I would require five permanent spells as payment,¡± I said, leaning back in my seat, deliberately maintaining an air of relaxation.


    Sir Nash paused, his gaze sharpening. His interest was unmistakable now, and he regarded me as though I¡¯d just become far more intriguing.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to refuse,¡± he said slowly, his voice carrying a weight that hinted at unseen depths. ¡°But the Arcane is corruption. Are you sure you want this? A method to extend lifespan could win you many other prizes.¡±


    His words lingered in my mind, swirling with layers of meaning. Arcane is corruption. What exactly did he mean by that? I tried to dissect it, but my knowledge didn¡¯t offer any immediate clues. Still, if there was a problem, I reassured myself, the time loop would reset everything in the next cycle. No risk was truly permanent¡ªat least, not for me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± I replied firmly, pushing aside my hesitation. ¡°That¡¯s a problem for us to deal with.¡±


    Sir Nash¡¯s lips curved into a thin smile, one that didn¡¯t quite reach his strange, shifting eyes. ¡°Very well,¡± he said, his tone carrying a note of finality. ¡°How about this: you reveal half of your method first. If I can confirm its legitimacy, we¡¯ll proceed with your deal. Then, you can provide the full method.¡±


    It was a reasonable request, and one I¡¯d anticipated. I nodded in agreement. A servant appeared shortly after, carrying a pen and paper, which he set down on the desk before me. The servant moved with the same polished grace as the others in the house, his expression unreadable as he stepped back and vanished into the shadows once more. I glanced briefly at Sir Nash, whose gaze remained fixed on me, unblinking and expectant. Then I turned my attention to the paper and began writing. The method I scribbled was something I¡¯d heard about long ago¡ªa rumor, a whisper carried through cycles. It was dark, untested, and potentially dangerous, but it was the only thing I could recall in full detail. My pen scratched across the paper, the words forming faster than I could consciously process them, as though my mind was retrieving them from a dusty, half-forgotten archive.


    When I finished, I set the pen down and slid the paper across the desk to Sir Nash. He took it with deliberate slowness, his bony, gold-shimmering fingers clutching it delicately.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± Sir Nash murmured as he read the paper. ¡°Very ingenious, but it seems more like a concept. Has anyone actually used it before?¡± His curiosity was evident, though tinged with caution.


    I repeated the method aloud for clarity: ¡°Find the *** Bizarre meta nature, and use it to slowly replace your life with someone else¡¯s, gaining their fate while keeping your essence.¡±


    Sir Nash stared at me for a long moment. ¡°A truly evil method,¡± he said, neither condemning nor approving, but simply stating a fact. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say. But tell me¡ªwhat is this bizarre meta nature I must seek?¡±


    I met his gaze evenly, refusing to flinch. The answer would come, but not until I had what I needed. My silence was deliberate, and Sir Nash, to his credit, caught on quickly.


    ¡°Very well,¡± he said, leaning back slightly, his bony fingers interlaced. ¡°What kind of spells do you want? Even if this method is only half-complete, it¡¯s worth far more than most spells.¡±


    My original intention had been modest: to acquire a single spell that could shield my mind. But now, with five spells on the table, I realized the power of restraint. Sure, I could have asked for more, but greed was a pitfall I wasn¡¯t willing to stumble into. Hunger was the downfall of many, and it was best to take only as much as I could handle. Sir Nash¡¯s warning lingered in my thoughts: Arcane is corruption. I didn¡¯t fully understand the implications of that yet, but I couldn¡¯t ignore the risk. How would five spells affect my being? Would they make me stronger¡ªor drive me mad? I could only hope for the best.


    ¡°A spell to shield my thoughts,¡± I said without hesitation. ¡°And one to organize my mind.¡±


    Those two were obvious choices¡ªnecessary to solve the issues I was currently facing.


    But when it came to the remaining three spells, I hesitated. I hadn¡¯t given them much thought, and now the weight of too many options pressed down on me. Someone had once said that having too many choices was a curse, and I was beginning to understand why. My mind felt tangled, trying to determine what I might need most.


    What was I missing?


    Briefly, the idea of asking for something to protect Jade crossed my mind. She was reckless, always throwing herself into danger with little regard for her own safety. But no¡ªI needed to test these spells on myself first. If there were any unforeseen side effects, it was better that I bore them. Jade¡¯s meta nature was already unstable, and I couldn¡¯t risk making it worse. Still, the idea stuck with me. Jade¡¯s safety was paramount, and if I could prepare for her as well, it would be worth it. I forced myself to focus, narrowing my choices. The spells needed to be practical, versatile, and manageable in case of side effects. Simple was better¡ªat least for now.


    ¡°A spell for defense, a spell for escape, and a spell for strength,¡± I said finally, my voice steady despite the swirl of thoughts in my head.


    They were simple yet versatile. If there were side effects, they would hopefully be manageable. Besides, I could always make adjustments in the next cycle if needed. It was better to suffer losses now than to risk losing myself entirely.


    Sir Nash nodded, his expression unreadable but his agreement evident.


    With a simple wave of his hand, a twisted staff materialized in his grasp, its surface pulsating with a faint, otherworldly glow.


    He tapped the floor gently with the staff, and the world around us dissolved instantly. Colors drained away like water down a sink, leaving behind a void of absolute nothingness. For a moment, I felt weightless, floating in a disorienting expanse of emptiness. But before I could panic, my feet landed on a surface. The floor beneath me glowed with a blinding white light, steady and soft, like energy condensed into a physical form. It wasn¡¯t solid in the traditional sense¡ªit seemed to be made entirely of energy. I steadied myself, taking in the surroundings.


    The space was infinite and featureless, stretching endlessly in every direction. There were no walls, no ceilings¡ªjust a vast, glowing plane beneath us and the unbroken dark void above.


    I glanced at Sir Nash. He stood calmly, his twisted staff resting lightly in his hand, as though this transition were as mundane as walking into another room.


    It was both fascinating and unsettling.


    ¡°What is this place?¡± I asked, my voice echoing faintly in the void. The sound was strange, as if it were swallowed by the darkness around us before it could travel too far.


    ¡°This,¡± Sir Nash said, gesturing faintly with his staff, ¡°is the Blank Plane. A space untouched by time, reality, or consequence. It exists between our minds and reality.¡±


    I blinked, trying to process his words. ¡°So¡­ it¡¯s like a pocket dimension?¡±


    He tilted his head slightly, ¡°You could call it that, though it would be an oversimplification. The Blank Plane is not created¡ªit simply is. A place where the arcane operates without interference.¡±


    Then, he lifted his staff once more, swinging it through the air with an elegant precision that belied his skeletal frame. In an instant, hundreds of unknown runes burst into existence, materializing as if drawn from the very fabric of the emptiness around us. Each rune glowed with its own distinct color and intensity, their forms swirling and shifting like living entities. They danced in intricate patterns, weaving through the air at varying speeds, creating a mesmerizing display. I couldn¡¯t help but stare. The runes felt like they carried centuries of meaning, a language I couldn¡¯t even begin to comprehend. Each one seemed significant, as though it held a piece of some vast, unknowable puzzle. Gradually, they began to gather, drawn together by an unseen force. They moved with a magnetic pull, coalescing toward Sir Nash¡¯s outstretched hand. Slowly, they formed into a small orb, no larger than an avocado seed. The orb shimmered with countless colors, its surface flowing and shifting like liquid metal infused with light. It pulsed faintly, as though it were alive. The way it moved¡ªmorphing and flowing¡ªreminded me of ferrofluid reacting to a magnetic field, but far more ethereal and otherworldly.


    ¡°Every spell in this world is a unique existence,¡± Sir Nash voice was steady and almost reverent as he regarded the orb in his hand. ¡°Once you assimilate it, there will be nothing else like it. Recreating it¡ªor even deducing something similar¡ªwould take years, perhaps decades.¡±


    He turned his sharp, penetrating gaze toward me, the orb still hovering in his hand like a living entity.


    ¡°This spell in my hand is a combination of the first two spells you requested: Splinter and Mindfield. I created them long ago and used them myself for a time. Until now.¡±


    ¡°What do they do?¡± I asked.


    His eyes flicked back to the pulsing orb. ¡°The Splinter spell will transform your thoughts and memories into glass-like shards, fractured but precise. Should anyone attempt to infiltrate your mind, the Mindfield spell will trigger, turning your mental space into a field of volatile mines. The intruder¡¯s consciousness will collide with these shards, resulting in one of two outcomes: madness, as your fragmented memories pierce their mind¡ªor death.¡±


    I stared at the orb as a chill field my heart. The spell was both beautiful and terrifying, a dual-edged sword designed to protect while ensuring no one who tried to intrude would leave unscathed.


    ¡°It¡¯s as lethal as it is protective,¡± Sir Nash added, his tone calm but firm. ¡°As for your other three spells.¡±


    The staff swung again, this time with greater intensity. I could feel the strain it was putting on Sir Nash, though his body showed no outward signs of fatigue. It was his eyes, however, that unsettled me. The strangeness within them had grown more volatile, swirling wildly as though alive. The eerie, golden liquid seemed ready to spill out, dark tendrils threatening to cascade down his face like tears of molten gold.


    Whatever that was¡ªwhatever that was¡ªevery instinct in me screamed to keep my distance. A hundred feet might not even be far enough.


    Once again, a storm of glowing runes gathered around us in the void. Half of the runes emerged from the darkness above, while the other half rose from the radiant light below. Despite their contrasting origins, they moved in harmony, swirling and colliding with precision before coagulating into three separate orbs. Beside, each orb had its own unique glow and texture, distinct from the others. First was translucent, its surface swirling with ghostly light. The second shimmered with a metallic sheen, pulsing steadily like a heartbeat. The third was dark and dense, exuding an almost gravitational pull.


    ¡°Weight of Time, Breakdown, Leave a Face Behind.¡±


    ¡°These three remaining spells fulfill your final requests.¡±

 Act 2.14 (Chrysalis)

    Sir Nash gestured to the first orb, which swirled with ghostly opalescent light. ¡°Weight of Time accumulates defense based on how long it has been since your last battle. The longer the interval, the stronger your defensive power becomes.¡±


    The second one pulsed faintly like it had a heartbeat of its own, ¡°Breakdown reveals your opponent¡¯s weaknesses. It shows you precisely where and how to strike to bring them down with maximum efficiency.¡±


    I nodded slowly, trying not to look too impressed. A cheat sheet for fights? Now we were talking.


    Finally, his hand moved to the third orb, this one dark and dense like a tiny black hole. ¡°Leave a Face Behind,¡± he said with a faint trace of amusement. ¡°If you¡¯re in a fight you can¡¯t win, this spell creates a perfect copy of you from thirty seconds ago. The copy stays behind while you escape undetected.¡±


    That one gave me pause. I could picture it now¡ªleaving a version of me to face whatever nightmare I was running from. The thought of abandoning my past self to die for me felt¡­ odd. But hey, survival first, right?


    These wizards were truly loved by the world to have such strong meta natures. They seemed to operate without limitations, their power stretching into realms I couldn¡¯t begin to fathom. As I observed Sir Nash, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder whether he was a unique or hive-type meta nature.


    I leaned toward him being unique. No visible threads extended from him into the void¡ªa hallmark of hive-types, where energy radiated outward and connected to a larger collective. Sir Nash¡¯s energy was different. It swirled inward, entirely self-contained, like a whirlpool consuming itself. There was something deeply unsettling about his Likeness, too. Otherworldly, almost monstrous. It looked like a creature pulled from liquid darkness or dredged from a vat of crude oil, reshaped into a man.


    The magic Fae used to create a mind-calming tea for me was fundamentally different from Sir Nash¡¯s. Though I struggled to articulate exactly how. Yes, one was Unique and the other Hive type, but the distinction felt deeper than mere classification. The two seemed to draw from entirely distinct forces, almost as if they operated under separate laws of existence.


    Fae¡¯s magic was organic, flowing effortlessly through her process, like water seeking its natural course. Sir Nash¡¯s Arcane, on the other hand, was something else entirely¡ªalien, imposing itself on reality rather than harmonizing with it. It didn¡¯t flow; it warped. His spells felt like they¡¯d been carved out of raw chaos, refined into tools too sharp and strange for mortal hands.


    For now, this was the only plausible explanation that made sense to me.


    As Sir Nash finished his explanations, the strange space between realities began to dissolve. The infinite void of light and shadow faded rapidly, peeling away like the layers of a dream. In its place, the familiar library reappeared¡ªits towering shelves, the muted smell of aged paper, the soft glow of candlelight. Within moments, it was as though we¡¯d never left.


    Well, except for the four luminous orbs now hovering in Sir Nash¡¯s hands.


    Sir Nash extended the four glowing orbs toward me, ¡°You can test them here if you¡¯d like, Mr. North. Ensure their legitimacy. But remember¡ªeach spell carries its own weight, and the arcane is never without consequence.¡±


    I shook my head politely, keeping my tone steady. ¡°These aren¡¯t mine to use just yet. If it¡¯s possible, I¡¯d prefer to take them with me.¡±


    Sir Nash studied me as though weighing the merit of my request. After a short pause, he gave a slow nod. ¡°Sure,¡± he agreed.


    The orbs, which had been moving with a strange, almost organic rhythm and gleaming with impossible colors, suddenly froze in place. With a casual flick of his sleeve, they were encased in crystalline shells¡ªsmall, ice-like cubes that sparkled faintly, each containing the condensed spell within.


    ¡°Before using them,¡± he instructed, ¡°simply crush the shell. The spell will bond to you instantly.¡±


    Next, I retrieved the paper where I¡¯d written down the name of the bizarre meta nature he needed. Handing it over, I watched as Sir Nash folded it meticulously and tucked it into his pocket without a word. How he intended to find the meta nature wasn¡¯t my problem. For someone like him, it shouldn¡¯t be a challenge¡ªbut whatever happened next, it would be far from ordinary.


    ¡°Very well,¡± Sir Nash said, waving his hand as this was the end of our small meeting. ¡°Our business for now is concluded. If you uncover anything of interest in the future¡ªor find yourself in need of my expertise¡ªyou can reach me by letter. As long as the price is right, we can work together again.¡±


    I inclined my head in acknowledgment. ¡°Understood.¡±


    With that, the meeting concluded. I left the library and followed the same path back through the labyrinthine corridors of the estate, led silently by the elegant servant who had greeted me. As the grand gates slid open to let me out, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.


    As I stepped out onto the road, I couldn¡¯t help but reflect on how smoothly everything had gone. Almost too smoothly. Sir Nash was powerful¡ªterrifyingly so¡ªbut I¡¯d walked out of his lair with four potent spells and no visible strings attached. That kind of outcome was rare. Lucky, I thought. Or maybe not. There was always a price, even if you didn¡¯t see it right away. The man wasn¡¯t a villain in the traditional sense¡ªat least, not openly¡ªbut his aura, his presence, was deeply unsettling. He wasn¡¯t someone you wanted to owe a favor to, nor someone you wanted as an enemy. Whatever his motives or alliances, they were none of my business, and I planned to keep it that way.


    The best outcome, I thought, would be for us never to cross paths again in this cycle.


    His magical meta nature, though awe-inspiring, unsettled me on a level I couldn¡¯t entirely explain. It was like standing at the edge of an abyss and feeling it stare back. Power like his wasn¡¯t just dangerous¡ªit whispered of consequences and complications.


    And then there were the spells. I¡¯d gotten what I came for, but I knew I¡¯d have to test them before relying on them. Spells that strong weren¡¯t free of complications. I could already hear the small, persistent voice in the back of my mind warning me about hidden costs. For now, all I could do was hope the consequences wouldn¡¯t be too dire.


    <hr>


    Once I was far enough from the mansion to feel a semblance of safety, I pulled out my phone and messaged Jade.


    Me: Meet me at the train station. We¡¯re heading home.


    Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I continued walking. The streets were quiet, but a sense of unease clung to me. I glanced over my shoulder more times than I cared to admit, searching for something that wasn¡¯t there¡ªor maybe was.


    A nagging thought crept into my mind: What if Sir Nash had planted a tracking spell on me?


    It was entirely possible. With someone of his level, there was no telling what he might have done without me noticing. My experience¡ªthree centuries of trial and error¡ªhad taught me to respect individuals like him. They didn¡¯t operate on the same logic or rules as the rest of us. Even with my knowledge, in his eyes, I was likely a small fish swimming obliviously through a shark-infested sea.


    Dealing with the powerful was always a gamble. They thought differently, acted differently. Their methods were incomprehensible at times.


    Still, I thought, glancing up at the skyline, if he wanted to harm me, he had plenty of chances already. Paranoia can only do so much.


    Jade met me at the train station as planned, her usual cheerful demeanor doing wonders to ease the knot of tension that had settled in my chest. We boarded the train together.


    ¡°How did it go?¡± Jade asked, her voice soft and steady, her hand resting lightly on mine.


    I smiled, ¡°All went according to plan,¡± I replied, keeping my tone casual.


    She tilted her head slightly, her silver eyes searching mine for a hint of anything unsaid. Her curiosity was practically tangible, but she didn¡¯t push. That was the thing about Jade¡ªshe let you share things at your own pace, even if her curiosity was eating her alive. As we sat in a quiet corner of the mostly empty train, a thought struck me. I hadn¡¯t told her the full details of my visit to Sir Nash. Should I? Perhaps sharing this new knowledge could broaden her understanding of the dangers we might face. After all, having more knowledge often meant being better prepared.


    ¡°That¡¯s great,¡± she squeezed my hand warmly.


    Glancing around to ensure we were alone, I reached into my pouch and carefully pulled out one of the crystalline spheres. Its faint glow shimmered against my palm as I opened my hand just enough for Jade to see.


    Her eyes widened, lighting up like a kid spotting their favorite toy. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± she squealed, her voice a hushed whisper as she leaned closer.


    ¡°A spell construct,¡± I whispered back, grinning at her reaction.


    Her gaze darted between me and the sphere, her curiosity morphing into intrigue. ¡°That¡¯s what you got from the sorcerer?¡±


    I nodded. ¡°One of four, actually. Each of these contains a spell.¡±


    Her silver eyes locked onto the sphere like it held the secrets of the universe. ¡°What kind of spells?¡±


    ¡°Defensive, offensive, and¡­ one for escape,¡± I said, choosing my words carefully. There was no need to overload her with details just yet.


    Jade glanced up at me, a playful smirk forming on her lips. ¡°So, basically, everything you need to keep me safe while I do all the dangerous stuff.¡±


    I chuckled, shaking my head. ¡°You¡¯ve got it backwards. These are to keep me alive while you try to out-crazy the bad guys.¡±


    Jade¡¯s hand reached out toward the glowing sphere in my palm, but I quickly stopped her with a gentle grip. ¡°Not here,¡± I said firmly, sliding the sphere back into my pocket.


    She puckered her lips in annoyance, but her focus quickly shifted, ¡°So, how does it work?¡±


    ¡°Once assimilated, I can use the spell as if it¡¯s part of my meta nature,¡± I explained, keeping my voice steady.


    Jade raised an eyebrow, skepticism coloring her expression. ¡°That sounds way too good to be true.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because there¡¯s a catch,¡± I replied, glancing at her to gauge her reaction. ¡°Once a spell is given away, the original sorcerer can never use it again.¡±


    Her eyes widened in shock, her voice rising slightly. ¡°What? Why would anyone give up something like that?¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    ¡°It¡¯s not something they do lightly,¡± I said, trying to keep my tone calm. ¡°It¡¯s permanent¡ªcompletely irreversible.¡±


    She stared at me, her suspicion growing with every second. ¡°Then how did you get these?¡±


    I smiled wearily, unable to resist the urge to tease her a little. Her suspicious expression was so endearing it made me want to reach out and pinch her cheeks. ¡°It was a trade,¡± I said simply.


    Jade wasn¡¯t having it. ¡°A trade?¡± she repeated, her brow furrowing in frustration. ¡°What kind of trade would make someone willingly give up their spells forever?¡±


    I held her gaze for a moment but didn¡¯t answer. My silence spoke volumes, and she knew it. She huffed, crossing her arms with a dramatic pout. ¡°Acting mysterious again,¡± she muttered under her breath.


    Her reaction made me chuckle softly. Some things were better left unsaid¡ªfor now.


    <hr>


    Mrs. Marlee wasn¡¯t the kind of professor who needed to demand attention¡ªher energy and enthusiasm drew it naturally. After two months in her class, I had come to realize that she had a knack for turning complex concepts into engaging discussions that left everyone eager to learn more.


    ¡°Today, we¡¯ll be exploring the classification of meta-natures.¡± She began, ¡°And let me be clear: this is not the same as classifying powers. That¡¯s a topic for next week¡¯s lecture. Today, our focus is on understanding the nature of what makes your powers tick at their core.¡±


    She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing. ¡°Over the past two months, we¡¯ve studied the three main types of meta-natures: the Hive, the Unique, and the Bizarre. We¡¯ve dissected their defining characteristics, what sets them apart, and the ways they overlap. Now, we¡¯re going deeper. It¡¯s time to look at how these powers connect to something much more fundamental.¡±


    Mrs. Marlee turned to the board and drew a large triangle, each side labeled: Body, Mind, and Soul. ¡°This is the Life Triangle. It represents the three essential components of a living being.¡± she announced, tapping the chalk against the diagram.


    ¡°The Body is your physical vessel, the foundation for all movement and action. The Mind is your center of thought, perception, and control. And the Soul¡ªthe most mysterious of the three¡ªis what ties everything together, serving as the core of identity and connection to the universe.¡±


    The room was silent now, everyone hanging on her words. ¡°Humans exist at the intersection of these three. They need all three to function. Remove one, and you lose what it means to be human.¡±


    She turned back to the board and began connecting the dots. ¡°Meta-natures, as we know, often correspond to one or more parts of this triangle. Let me break it down further:


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Meta-natures focused on the body primarily manifest in physical powers or enhancements. These include abilities like super strength, speed, or the power to manipulate physical elements such as fire or water.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Meta-natures centered around the mind involve powers related to thought, perception, and control. Examples include telekinesis, mind reading, and heightened cognitive abilities.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Meta-natures connected to the soul are often more conceptual and abstract. These include abilities that influence fate, manipulate time, or engage with fundamental universal principles.¡±</li>


    </ul>


    She gave the class a moment to process before moving on. ¡°Now, here¡¯s where things get interesting. Many meta-natures aren¡¯t confined to just one part of the triangle. Instead, they exist as combinations of two or even all three aspects. For example, someone with both physical enhancements and mental acuity might exhibit powers that bridge the body and mind. Similarly, conceptual powers that manifest physically may indicate a link between the soul and body.¡±


    Mrs. Marlee smiled, her enthusiasm lighting up the room. ¡°If we take a closer look, most of you here likely possess meta-natures that combine all three of these aspects. This is what makes you so special and, frankly, why you''re at Beyonder''s Academy. Now, let¡¯s open up the floor. Can anyone guess which part of the triangle their own meta-nature aligns with? Are you body-dominant? Mind-focused? Or is there a deeper, soul-driven quality to what you do? Reflect on how your powers manifest and try to identify their roots.¡±


    The students began murmuring to each other, the wheels in their heads visibly turning as they tried to place themselves within this framework.


    ¡°Take a moment,¡± Mrs. Marlee prompted, leaning against her desk.


    I glanced around the room, watching my classmates furrow their brows in thought. Lore, sitting a row ahead, looked confident, as if she already knew her place on the triangle. Alex, with his aura of invincibility, seemed to be wrestling with the idea of where exactly his power originated. Jade, on the other hand. For a moment, I thought she was taking detailed notes¡ªabsorbing every word of the lecture like the studious type she was definitely not.


    Curious, I tilted my head to get a better view. What I saw nearly made me choke.


    She wasn¡¯t writing notes¡ªshe was doodling again. Another cartoonish sketch of two figures: one unmistakably me, with my slouch and perpetually unimpressed expression, and the other unmistakably her, grinning mischievously. She¡¯d drawn herself holding a bouquet of flowers, while "mini North" looked like he was trying to escape.


    I stifled a laugh, shaking my head. Of course. This was Jade¡¯s idea of ¡°engaging with the material.¡±


    She caught my glance and immediately slapped her hand over the notebook, her cheeks flushing pink. ¡°What?¡± she whispered, glaring at me with mock indignation.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± I replied innocently, the corner of my mouth twitching. ¡°Just admiring your dedication.¡±


    I returned my attention back to the lecture. For myself, my meta nature also didn¡¯t fit neatly into a single corner of the triangle. I knew my human nature was mental, and my meta nature reached more into the abstract territory of the soul.


    ¡°Consider someone with the meta nature to manipulate fire. At first glance, you might think it¡¯s purely body-focused¡ªa direct, physical manifestation of energy.¡± She paused, letting the idea settle before continuing. ¡°But what if that fire is controlled by the user¡¯s emotions or thoughts? Suddenly, it¡¯s not just physical¡ªit has a mental component.¡±


    The room seemed to collectively lean in, captivated.


    ¡°And what if,¡± Mrs. Marlee said, her voice dropping slightly, ¡°that fire can burn intangible things¡ªlike memories, guilt, or even fear? At that point, we¡¯re stepping into the realm of the soul.¡±


    ¡°Meta-natures are rarely as straightforward as they appear on the surface.¡±


    The class erupted into quiet chatter, everyone debating their own powers and those of their friends.


    Mrs. Marlee raised a hand to quiet them. ¡°Your assignment for the week is to analyze your own meta-nature and determine where you fall on the Life Triangle. Bring your findings to our next session, and be prepared to discuss how understanding your place within this framework could improve your control and effectiveness.¡±


    <hr>


    After an engaging discussion hour of debate, the class finally ended for the week. Jade and I walked down the hallway together, the bustling noise of students filling the air. Jade was wearing another striking outfit¡ªa gray cropped sweater with a loose, textured knit and slightly flared sleeves that draped elegantly over her pink turtleneck top, the soft pastel color peeking through. She paired it with baggy, washed-out green cargo jeans, their patchwork details and large pockets adding a rugged, casual vibe that contrasted beautifully with the delicate knit. Her long, wavy hair framed her face perfectly, enhancing her effortlessly cool look. Then, I looked at myself. I think I was dressed well too, at least others couldn¡¯t say I didn¡¯t have a taste or didn¡¯t know how to style.


    We eventually found our way to the student lounge and claimed an empty sofa tucked into a quiet corner. It was a nice escape from the noise and chatter of the main crowd.


    Jade wasted no time making herself comfortable. She slouched against me, her back resting snugly against my side. The warmth of her proximity was familiar¡ªand more than a little distracting.


    ¡°I¡¯m tired,¡± she declared dramatically, tilting her head back to rest it on my shoulder. Her voice carried the exaggerated tone of someone begging for sympathy, but her actions were far from passive. Without warning, her fingers slid into my hair, combing through the strands like it was her personal stress toy.


    ¡°Let me cut your hair,¡± she said suddenly.


    I turned my head slightly to glance at her, raising an eyebrow. ¡°You know how to cut and style hair?¡±


    Her lips pursed for a moment, her face the picture of innocent contemplation. Then, with a cheeky grin that could only mean trouble, she replied, ¡°No. But I could always practice on you.¡±


    I snorted. ¡°I¡¯ll pass.¡±


    ¡°Oh, come on,¡± Jade teased, her fingers ruffling my hair playfully. ¡°What¡¯s the worst that could happen?¡±


    ¡°I walk into class looking like a half-plucked chicken?¡± I shot back, earning a giggle from her.


    ¡°You have no sense of adventure,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°And you have no qualifications,¡± I retorted with a grin.


    Jade laughed softly, finally letting her hand drop to her lap. ¡°Fine, fine. But one day, you¡¯re going to let me try,¡± she said with mock determination.


    ¡°Not unless I¡¯ve completely given up on social interaction,¡± I replied, shaking my head.


    ¡°Deal,¡± she said brightly, like she¡¯d already won the argument.


    I shook my head at her antics. It wasn''t annoying, not really¡ªit was just Jade being Jade, and I found myself smiling despite my attempts to focus. Her little distractions, her ways of demanding attention without words, had become as natural as breathing. Or perhaps I was still in that honeymoon phase of our relationship, where even her interruptions felt endearing, my perception clouded by the rose-tinted glasses of new love.


    I wondered if I should be concerned about how easily she could derail my thoughts, how readily I accepted these distractions. Maybe this was temporary, these feelings that made everything she did seem charming rather than disruptive. Eventually, time would wear down the sharp edges of new love, revealing whatever lay beneath this initial infatuation.


    Meanwhile, I had a notebook in my hands, the pages filled with hastily scribbled notes and sketches. My mind wasn¡¯t on the lounge or the people moving around us. Instead, it was occupied by the runes I had seen Sir Nash create during spell creation. The intricate patterns were etched into my memory, each line and curve imbued with a purpose I was trying to decipher. I was attempting to recreate them, not with magic, but with pen and paper¡ªan effort to understand their structure before I even thought about using them.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Jade¡¯s voice broke my concentration as she leaned in, her hair lightly brushing against my cheek. She craned her neck to get a better look at the page I was working on.


    ¡°The runes that make up a spell,¡± I explained, my hand pausing over the intricate sketches.


    ¡°Like atomic particles?¡± Jade guessed, her tone curious.


    ¡°You could use that analogy to get an idea,¡± I said, setting my pen down for a moment. ¡°But their nature is inherently different.¡±


    ¡°Have you assimilated the spell already?¡± Jade asked, sitting up straighter, her gaze fixed intently on my notebook.


    ¡°No,¡± I replied, shaking my head. ¡°I want to understand the potential side effects first.¡±


    Her expression shifted, the playful light in her eyes dimming as she considered my answer. ¡°If they¡¯re not safe, why do you still want to use them?¡±


    I paused, her question cutting deeper than she realized. Should I tell her the truth¡ªthat my mind was fraying, that I could feel myself unraveling little by little? That I wasn¡¯t sure how much longer I could hold myself together without help? No. She¡¯d worry, and Jade worrying was a Pandora¡¯s box I didn¡¯t want to open.


    Instead, I just smiled faintly. ¡°Some risks are worth taking,¡± I said evasively.


    Jade frowned at my non-answer, her lips forming a pout. She knew I was dodging her question, but rather than press further, she pivoted. ¡°When are you going to try it?¡±


    ¡°Later today,¡± I replied, shifting my focus back to my notes.


    ¡°I want to be with you when you do it,¡± she said firmly, her tone brooking no argument. Her silver eyes locked onto mine, and I could see the stubbornness gleaming in them like polished steel.


    I smiled softly, letting out a quiet sigh of defeat. ¡°Sure,¡± I agreed. Better to let her be there than to fight her on it.


    Jade¡¯s pout transformed into a small, triumphant grin. ¡°Why don¡¯t you let me see the spell now?¡± she asked, tilting her head and trying for a look of mock innocence. ¡°I could help, you know.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow, suppressing a chuckle. ¡°I doubt it,¡± I said teasingly. ¡°Unless you¡¯ve suddenly become an expert in magic.¡±


    She huffed, crossing her arms with exaggerated indignation. ¡°I¡¯ve got plenty of expertise! I¡¯m great at moral support. And I¡¯d probably look amazing holding a magical artifact.¡±


    I laughed, shaking my head. ¡°I don¡¯t doubt the second part. But for now, I think I¡¯ll manage on my own.¡±


    Jade narrowed her eyes, her lips curling into a mock scowl. ¡°You don¡¯t know what I¡¯m capable of,¡± she shot back, her tone dripping with exaggerated offense. ¡°Maybe I am a secret expert in ancient magic. Maybe I¡¯ve been holding back this whole time just to see you struggle.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sure,¡± I said, leaning into the banter. ¡°And next you¡¯ll tell me you¡¯ve been secretly controlling my fate all along.¡±


    She grinned, her silver eyes glinting with mischief. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that explain a lot?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t hold back a chuckle. Jade had a way of making even absurd scenarios sound oddly plausible.


    With an exaggerated huff, she let her head fall back onto my shoulder, clearly deciding I wasn¡¯t going to give her much more. ¡°One day, you¡¯ll have to spill all your secrets to me.¡±


    I smirked, ignoring her attempts to get a reaction out of me. The arrogant dragon, predicting the future now?  It was a funny thought, but somehow, it wouldn¡¯t surprise me if she turned out to be right.


    ¡°Keep dreaming,¡± I muttered, tapping her on the nose.


    She shot back, poking my ribs, ¡°Oh, I will.¡±

 Act 2.15 (Chrysalis)

    As I scribbled in my notebook, Jade¡¯s body leaned comfortably against mine. She peered over my shoulder, her curiosity radiating off her in waves but surprisingly restrained¡ªfor now.


    Her warmth was grounding, like a cozy blanket, though I couldn¡¯t ignore the subtle distraction she brought. Every now and then, I¡¯d feel her shift or fidget, her fingers brushing against my arm. For a while, she behaved herself, simply watching me. But of course, this was Jade. Her patience had the shelf life of a carton of milk left out in the sun. Before long, her ¡°restraint¡± turned into little attempts to gnaw at my arm or shoulder¡ªor even my cheek¡ªlike a mischievous cat trying to assert its dominance. I¡¯d shoo her away, but the smug little grin she wore told me she wasn¡¯t even trying to hide her intentions.


    I should¡¯ve known better. Jade¡¯s tolerance for being ignored had its limits.


    Eventually, she reached out with both hands and gently nudged the notebook, trying to push it out of my grasp. When that didn¡¯t work, she went straight for the nuclear option. With a dramatic sigh, she closed the notebook with a definitive thump and turned to me.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go home,¡± she said simply, like she¡¯d just solved all my problems.


    I blinked, staring at her with a mix of disbelief. ¡°You can¡¯t just¡ª That¡¯s illegal.¡±


    ¡°Oh, but I can,¡± she interrupted, her smirk daring me to challenge her authority.


    I blinked at her sudden mood change. ¡°Stop messing around when I''m working,¡± lightly pushing her face away like she was a pesky cat. ¡°There¡¯s just a little left to finish. Give me five minutes, and then we¡¯ll go.¡±


    She tilted her head, clearly unimpressed. ¡°You said that five minutes ago. And ten minutes before that.¡±


    I sighed, reaching to reopen the notebook, but she stopped me with a hand on my wrist. ¡°Fine. But if you take longer than five minutes, I¡¯m holding your notebook hostage.¡±


    ¡°Noted.¡±


    Then she huffed, flopping back into her seat with the air of someone who had been gravely wronged.  Propping her chin in her hands, she stared at me with exaggerated boredom, making no effort to hide her annoyance. But ten minutes later, Jade broke the silence with a groan.


    ¡°So, are we investigating the tunnels today?¡± she asked, her voice filled with barely concealed impatience.


    I paused, glancing up from my notes to meet her gaze. ¡°Depends on how much time we have left at the end of the day,¡± I replied evenly, returning to my work.


    Her groan grew louder, and she slouched further into her chair, muttering something about ¡°workaholics¡± under her breath. I ignored her theatrics and returned to my work.


    After thirty minutes, I finally closed the notebook with a sigh of relief. It had taken me two painstaking hours to sketch out just thirteen runes from memory¡ªthirteen out of the thousands I¡¯d glimpsed. The runic symbols were far too complex for me to recall perfectly, and even these thirteen had taken significant effort. My brain felt like mush, but at least I¡¯d made some progress. Experimenting with these spells would require patience, focus, and, frankly, a miracle.


    I paused, thinking about my second cycle knowledge. Perhaps it was time to put some of that to use¡ªit might help me move forward more efficiently.


    That¡¯s when I noticed Jade. I had stretched my promise of five minutes into fifteen.


    She had shifted to the edge of the sofa, sitting with her back to me, perfectly quiet. Too quiet. Was the dragon angry? I chuckled softly at the thought. Jade¡¯s moods were as mercurial as her mischief, but an angry dragon wasn¡¯t something I wanted to provoke further. I decided to approach carefully. Sliding closer without making a sound, I caught sight of something new: her nails, painted a delicate shade of blue. It was subtle but striking, and I realized I hadn¡¯t noticed earlier. Curious and emboldened, I reached out and gently took her hand. She didn¡¯t pull away, but her silence was as cold as her deliberately blank expression.


    The dragon was digging in, determined to punish me with stubbornness.


    Yup, definitely angry.


    The dragon, it seemed, wasn¡¯t just arrogant¡ªit was infuriatingly stubborn when it wanted to be.


    I held back a laugh and leaned in, planting a feather-light kiss on her cheek. It was a page straight out of her own playbook¡ªthe ¡°Kiss attack¡± technique she¡¯d perfected to catch me off guard and kill me with affection. Though her hand trembled ever so slightly, but she stayed stoic, her sulken face as solid as stone. I could practically hear her inner monologue screaming:


    Don¡¯t give in! Don¡¯t you dare let him win!


    Alright, I thought. I kissed her nose next, soft and teasing, my lips brushing against her skin just long enough to make her twitch.


    Still nothing.


    The dragon was putting up a fight. But, if the arrogant dragon won¡¯t yield, it¡¯s time for the ultimate weapon.


    Smirking, I decided to bring out the heavy artillery. I cupped her face with both hands, holding her still as I launched a barrage of rapid, relentless kisses all over her cheeks, her forehead, her temples¡ªwherever I could reach. The aggressive onslaught was playful and shameless, entirely designed to break her stubborn defenses.


    That did it.


    Her cold mask shattered like glass as she burst into giggles, her laughter high-pitched and uncontrollable. ¡°Stop! Hehehe, stop! I can¡¯t breathe!¡± she squealed, her hands flailing in a half-hearted attempt to push me away.


    But I wasn¡¯t done, ¡°You asked for this.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay! I surrender!¡± she cried between giggles, finally squirming free of my grip. She flopped back onto the sofa, her cheeks flushed and her silver eyes shimmering with happiness.


    ¡°Next time, maybe try communicating instead of sulking,¡± I teased, ruffling her hair.


    ¡°Next time, maybe finish your work faster,¡± she shot back, sticking her tongue out at me.


    Ah, the dragon was back in full form. Peace restored.


    This was my life. I held Jade close, resigned to the fact that these "attacks" came two or three times a day. The arrogant dragon, as shameless as ever, was always quick to surrender when faced with relentless affection, laughing in defeat. Seriously, what kind of dragon gives up so easily? It was almost embarrassing¡ªan insult to the entire dragon species. But, admittedly, I was happy with her antics.


    But the moment I let her go, though, Jade turned on me, taking advantage of my relaxed guard. With a gleeful grin, she lunged at me with a grin, ready to return the favor in full force. And before I could react, her arms wrapped around me in a flash, and I felt her lips attack my cheek in a relentless flurry of kisses.


    ¡°Payback time!¡± she declared, her silvery eyes sparkling with mischief.


    I groaned, half-laughing, half-suffocating, as she peppered kisses along my jaw, my temple, and even¡ªugh¡ªmy ear. I squirmed and tried to wiggle free, but her grip was ironclad. Where do people like this even come from? I wondered, exasperated. Is there some secret academy for chaos-makers with a curriculum on weaponized affection?


    Then, our playful bubble was rudely popped by an unexpected voice.


    ¡°Ugh,¡± muttered someone nearby, loud enough for the half lounge to hear, dripping with exaggerated disapproval. ¡°In every fucking corner, there¡¯s someone with their tongue inside each other¡¯s mouths.¡±


    We both froze, turning to see a group of two boys and three girls, roughly our age, walking past.


    "Seriously, get a room. Or better yet, a muzzle.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s like public spaces don¡¯t exist anymore. Do people think this is a rom-com?¡±


    One of the girls shook his head dramatically, clearly unimpressed with our PDA. I frowned, confused and irritated. What was their problem? We weren¡¯t breaking any laws, and last I checked, we weren¡¯t living in some dystopia where a kiss in public was punishable by stoning.


    As I wasted precious seconds debating whether or not to engage, Jade was already two steps ahead of me¡ªas usual.


    She dove into her bag with a fire in her eyes, pulling out something that made my blood run cold. A blaster. An actual freaking blaster!


    ¡°Seriously?¡± I hissed, panicking as she raised it slightly, her expression livid. ¡°Jade, put that down!¡±


    ¡°How dare they!¡± she fumed, her voice shaking with rage. ¡°Do they think they own the place? Let me at ¡®em!¡±


    I leapt into action, wrapping both arms around her and yanking her back down onto the sofa before she could do anything stupid¡ªor, worse, illegal.


    Why did she even have a blaster with her in the academy? How was it even possible to sneak it in successfully? I wondered frantically. Was she not worried about getting caught and facing serious consequences?


    I snatched the blaster from Jade¡¯s hand and hid it behind me, my heart pounding. ¡°Calm down!¡± I hissed under my breath, my eyes darting to see if anyone nearby had noticed. ¡°They¡¯re just ignorant kids.¡±


    Jade¡¯s head snapped toward me, ¡°Why don¡¯t you say anything to them? They''re annoying.¡± she demanded.


    ¡°Because they¡¯re not worth it,¡± I replied, trying to keep my tone calm while clutching the blaster tightly behind me. ¡°You can¡¯t just go blasting people for being annoying.¡±


    I tightened my hold on her as the group glanced back, noticing the commotion. They sneered, their expressions dripping with disgust, before continuing on their way, completely oblivious to how close they¡¯d come to actual danger.


    I shook my head, These rich kids are really looking death right in the eyes and laughing. Must be nice to have zero survival instincts. I thought, exasperated.


    Jade huffed beside me, and I could feel the storm brewing. Her meta nature bled into reality like a broken dam, making the air around us ripple with bad luck. The Likeness of the place was rapidly shifting, turning orange: unpredictable chaos.


    The Meta Aspect Reading Alarms in the hallway and lounge immediately roared to life, blaring like fire alarms in an inferno. Their purpose wasn¡¯t to detect flames but to read the changes in the very basic fabric of reality and notify authority and people if someone was using their meta to cause huge amounts of reality altering changes in the localized space.


    They were practically everywhere.


    I braced myself for whatever storm was about to follow.


    Subsequently, the group suddenly froze mid-step.The boy who had made the snide comment froze mid-step, his hand flying to his chest, his face contorted with pain. Another student, pale as a ghost, wobbled before vomiting blood. The rest didn¡¯t fare any better¡ªtwo collapsed unconscious, their bodies hitting the floor like ragdolls. The room fell into a stunned silence. A few nearby students gawked, unsure whether to stay or run. Others scrambled to call for teachers or medics, their voices panicked and shaky.


    A human body is a delicate machine. Billions of interdependent processes hum along seamlessly¡ªuntil someone like Jade decides to throw a wrench into the works. It doesn¡¯t take much to disrupt it: a subtle shift in blood pressure, an untraceable spike in adrenaline, or a tweak to cellular balance. That¡¯s all it takes to turn a cocky fool into a gasping wreck. The boy had no idea how close he¡¯d come to brushing against death itself.


    I grabbed Jade by the shoulders and made her look directly into my eyes. ¡°Not here,¡± I said firmly


    My voice was resolute, leaving no room for argument. I was worried she might whisk away their souls before I or them could even blink. But, I seriously couldn¡¯t understand why such a small comment had sparked such uncontrollable anger in her, but I knew this wasn¡¯t the place to unleash it. The other students in the study lounge looked on, spooked and uncertain about what had just happened. Six students collapsing in quick succession wasn¡¯t something anyone could easily overlook. A few students scrambled to call for teachers and medics. Meanwhile, I quickly dragged Jade to a more secluded corner. My mind raced, shocked at what had just occurred. I didn¡¯t think we would escape unscathed from this incident. We would certainly be called in by the discipline committee and might even receive severe detention.


    The academy¡¯s security measures were extensive: Meta Aspect Alarms, cameras, they even had unconventional means ¡ªpossibly the ability to rewind time in the area to reconstruct the event.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here first,¡± I said, grabbing Jade¡¯s hand and pulling her along.


    As we hurried through the hallways, I kept a firm grip on her hand, leading her toward the nearest exit. Her usual defiant energy had been replaced by a simmering anger that radiated off her like heat waves. She stayed quiet, her jaw clenched, and her silvery eyes glinting with an unsettling light. I needed to diffuse her emotions before they spiraled further. Outside, the cool evening air hit us like a slap, but it did little to cool her mood. I pulled her to the side, out of view of passing students and staff. Her breathing was uneven, her fists balled at her sides. She wasn¡¯t ready to talk, but I wasn¡¯t about to let this go without addressing it.


    ¡°Jade,¡± I said firmly, releasing her hand and stepping in front of her. ¡°What the hell was that?¡±


    Her silvery eyes flashed as she crossed her arms tightly over her chest. "They deserved it.¡±


    I ran a hand down my face, exhaling slowly to keep from snapping. ¡°Do you hear yourself? You pulled a blaster on a group of kids because they muttered some sarcastic comment. This is a school, not the Wild West.¡±


    ¡°They mocked you,¡± she growled, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Us. I won¡¯t let anyone insult what we have. Not now, not ever.¡±


    I pinched the bridge of my nose, fighting the urge to laugh at the absurdity of it all. ¡°So your solution,¡± I said, incredulous, ¡°was to escalate the situation to Defcon One? We¡¯re at the academy. They can probably review the incident frame by frame if they want.¡±


    ¡°Maybe they should think twice before opening their mouths next time.¡± She scoffed, crossing her arms defensively. ¡°Do you think I care? Let them figure it out. I¡¯ll handle whatever comes.¡±


    I pressed my palm against the wall, trying to steady myself.


    In that moment, I seemed to grasp more about Jade¡¯s nature. She operated on a wavelength entirely different from normal people.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go home,¡± I said softly, booking a cab.


    The ride home was silent, neither of us attempting to speak. I wanted to let Jade cool down and think without interference. She wasn¡¯t the type to reflect and realize she¡¯d made a mistake; she was the type to fiercely protect what she cared about, consequences be damned. Though I couldn¡¯t decide whether I should feel grateful or unsettled. Once we reached home, our usual dynamic shifted. Instead of jumping on each other like hungry animals, as was typical for us, Jade quietly retreated to her plants. I watched as she picked up her watering can and tended to them with a precision that spoke volumes. It was her way of processing emotions, turning her anger into something constructive.


    I gave her the space she needed and busied myself in the kitchen. If words wouldn¡¯t work, maybe something sweet could. Strawberries and cream were always a safe bet, and before long, I had a simple trifle bowl ready. The layers of bright fruit, soft sponge, and airy cream were almost too cheerful for the somber mood.


    When I returned, Jade was curled up on the sofa, scrolling through Hyperspace with a distracted expression. She barely noticed me sit beside her until I nudged her arm lightly. She blinked, startled, and slipped the chrome band off her head.


    Her gaze drifted to the trifle bowl in my hands, and I didn¡¯t say a word.


    Instead, I scooped a spoonful and held it near her lips. Jade hesitated for a moment, then leaned in and took a large bite.


    Her expression softened instantly as the sweetness melted into her mouth. ¡°It¡¯s good,¡± she murmured, almost begrudgingly.


    I smiled, glad to see even the smallest crack in her armor. ¡°There¡¯s plenty,¡± I said, offering her another spoonful.


    This time, she took it without hesitation, her demeanor easing with each bite. The tension in her shoulders began to melt away, and I could see hints of the Jade I knew returning.


    After the third bite, she finally spoke, her voice quiet and hesitant. ¡°Are you not angry with me?¡±


    I leaned back slightly, thinking for a moment. ¡°Angry? No,¡± I replied honestly. ¡°Concerned? Absolutely.¡±


    Her brows knit together, and she averted her gaze, staring into the half-empty trifle bowl. ¡°I just¡­ I couldn¡¯t stand it. The way they looked at us, commented about us. Like they had a right to judge.¡±


    ¡°I get it,¡± I said gently, setting the spoon down. ¡°But next time, let me handle it. You don¡¯t need to take everything on yourself. And¡­ blasters aren¡¯t exactly subtle.¡±


    A faint pout formed on her lips. ¡°You¡¯re seriously not mad anymore?¡±


    ¡°Why would I be?¡± I chuckled, taking a small bite myself. The trifle had turned out really well; no wonder it managed to melt Jade¡¯s anger. It felt worth the effort.


    She didn¡¯t meet my eyes. ¡°I thought you¡¯d be mad,¡± she admitted, her tone unsure.


    I sighed, scooting a little closer to her on the sofa. I wasn¡¯t sure if she realized the mistake she¡¯d made or if she was just worried I¡¯d be upset and stop caring about her. Either way, it didn¡¯t matter much to me. There weren¡¯t many things in the world I cared about deeply, and Jade was one of them¡ªundoubtedly at the top of that short list.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing about you that could make me mad,¡± I said firmly, placing the trifle aside. ¡°So what if you gave some entitled brats a scare? They should be blaming their superhero parents for not teaching them better. They¡¯ve grown up thinking their shiny, powerful meta natures and famous families make them untouchable. Honestly, they¡¯re lucky I stopped you from blasting them into a pile of burnt regrets. If you want, we can always go back tomorrow and teach them round two.¡±


    The corner of Jade¡¯s mouth twitched, and then, as if against her will, she burst into laughter.


    I leaned forward, cupping her cheeks gently in my hands. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I said softly. ¡°For not standing with you in that moment. For not understanding what you needed from me.¡±


    Her shoulders slumped slightly, and she turned her head, as if trying to hide her face from me. Her silver eyes glistened, and for a brief moment, I worried she might start crying. But then she spoke, her voice cracked and filled with emotion. ¡°You don¡¯t have to apologize. It was my mistake for lashing out in the first place. You were right¡ªwe shouldn¡¯t care about a dog barking on the street.¡±


    There was a pause, and then, with a faint, almost sweet smile, she added, ¡°Besides, we both can¡¯t be hotheaded in a relationship. Someone has to keep the other grounded.¡±


    I grinned, brushing my thumb lightly against her cheek. ¡°And here I thought you were the one keeping me grounded.¡±


    ¡°Well, sometimes,¡± she leaned into my touch, her smile growing. ¡°But you¡¯ll have to take over when I¡¯m busy plotting revenge.¡±


    ¡°Did I ever tell you that I love you very much?¡± I asked softly, pulling Jade into a tight hug.


    Her arms slowly wrapped around my neck, her fingertips lightly grazing my skin. ¡°No,¡± she whispered, ¡°because I love you more.¡±


    I let out a relieved laugh, happy to see her old self returning.


    Our faces were inches apart. ¡°We¡¯re really arguing over this?¡± I whispered, my fingers brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.


    Before she could respond, I leaned in, capturing her lips in a slow, deliberate kiss. Her body melted against mine, her hands moving up into my hair, tugging gently. Her lips parted slightly, inviting me deeper, and I didn¡¯t hesitate. The kiss intensified, her soft sighs sending sparks down my spine. My hands traced the curve of her waist, pulling her even closer, until there was no space left between us.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Jade broke the kiss for a moment, her breath ragged, her eyes locking onto mine. ¡°You can¡¯t win this,¡± she whispered, her voice low and full of mischief.


    ¡°Guess I¡¯ll have to keep trying,¡± I replied, smiling, before diving back in, my lips finding hers again.


    <hr>


    Three hours later.


    As I tried to stand, ¡°Are you going home already?¡± Jade asked quietly, tightening her arms around my chest.


    I paused, looking at her with mock indecision. ¡°Should I, or should I not?¡±


    Her lips curved into a playful smile. ¡°How about we flip a coin?¡±


    I raised an eyebrow but couldn¡¯t help smiling back. ¡°A coin flip for my fate? Seems risky.¡±


    Jade¡¯s face lit up, and before I could say another word, she bounced out of bed with surprising energy. ¡°You¡¯re my most favorite person in the world!¡± she declared, her voice practically singing.


    I chuckled softly, shaking my head. ¡°And you¡¯re mine.¡±


    She rummaged through my jacket, pulling out my wallet with the practiced ease of someone far too familiar with it. ¡°Here we go,¡± she said, fishing out a coin like she¡¯d just uncovered buried treasure.


    ¡°Let me do it,¡± I offered, extending a hand toward her.


    Jade¡¯s expression turned mock-serious as she pulled the coin closer to her chest. ¡°No. You¡¯re not lucky enough for this.¡±


    ¡°No powers,¡± I reminded her, trying to level the playing field.


    Her silver eyes sparkled mischievously as she flipped the coin high into the air. It spun, catching the faint light, and landed neatly in her palm. She peeked at it, then turned to me with a grin that practically screamed victory.


    ¡°Heads or tails?¡± she asked, barely containing her laughter.


    ¡°Tails,¡± I said, already sensing where this was going.


    Jade peeked at the coin again, then slowly revealed it with exaggerated drama. ¡°It¡¯s heads!¡± she announced triumphantly, her eyes dancing with delight.


    I sighed, shaking my head. ¡°Sure, the coin definitely has your back. Even if it had been tails, you¡¯d still say it was heads.¡±


    Jade grinned mischievously. ¡°What can I say? The universe just knows who the main character is.¡±


    I gave her a deadpan look but couldn¡¯t hold back my smile. Jade¡¯s charm always managed to outmaneuver my frustration. She leaned closer, poking my cheek. ¡°Don¡¯t pout. It¡¯s unbecoming of my favorite servant.¡±


    ¡°Servant?¡± I gasped with mock indignation. ¡°I¡¯ll remember that the next time you¡¯re begging me for a favor.¡±


    Jade laughed, her head tilting back like a villain.


    After our usual activities, I dragged her with me to the basement. It was time to assimilate the Splinter and Mindfield spells. Despite the risks, my deteriorating memories state left me little choice. I was walking a razor''s edge - on one side, the terror of others accessing my timeline memories, on the other, the growing risk of delusion and madness as those memories continued to bleed together.


    ¡°Camera¡¯s ready,¡± Jade announced, giving me a thumbs-up as she approached. She leaned in and planted a quick kiss on my lips that seemed to say, You¡¯re not doing this alone. Then she stepped back to the corner of the room.


    I appreciated her presence but was insistent on her staying as far away as possible in case something went wrong.


    ¡°Don¡¯t come closer if you see anything wrong with me or the process,¡± I warned, though I wasn¡¯t sure I believed my own words. If the roles were reversed, I¡¯d have done exactly what I was telling her not to.


    Jade crossed her arms, her expression stubborn. ¡°You think I¡¯m just going to run if something happens? You know better than that.¡±


    I sighed. ¡°I¡¯m serious. I don¡¯t want you to get hurt.¡±


    She nodded reluctantly but didn¡¯t move farther back.


    Taking a deep breath, I retrieved the cube containing the sealed spells. Sir Nash¡¯s instructions echoed in my mind: Break the cube when you¡¯re ready to assimilate the spell.


    The cube felt deceptively ordinary in my hand¡ªsmooth and cool, like polished glass. My fingers brushed its edges as I tested its resistance, feeling the faint hum of energy emanating from within. Slowly, I applied pressure to its corners, first gentle, then firm. The cube gave way with an almost imperceptible crack, fragile as an eggshell despite its solid appearance.


    The moment it broke, the air shifted.


    A ripple of energy pulsed outward, making the hairs on my arms stand on end. The spell emerged, uncoiling like liquid light, its surface shimmering with a kaleidoscope of infinity colors that bled into one another with hypnotic fluidity. It hovered before me, weightless and alive, as though it were examining me just as I was examining it.


    The holes dotting its structure expanded and contracted rhythmically, almost like breathing. The sight was mesmerizing, and for a moment, I forgot to breathe myself. Rapidly, the feeling of strangeness crept into my mind again.


    With no warning, the spell began to expand. Its fluid, glowing form grew rapidly, stretching outward until it enveloped me entirely. I was swallowed by its presence.


    In an instant, my consciousness severed from my physical form.


    Then the pain hit me like a tidal wave, sharp and all-encompassing, flooding every corner of my mind. I felt I was falling through the endless abyss and all my memories playing before my eyes for the one last time. My thoughts, once fluid and seamless, felt like they¡¯d been thrown into a grinder, each one scraping painfully against the other. The world outside faded, replaced by an intense internal struggle as my mind tried to make sense of the strangeness now coursing through it. It was as though the spell was dismantling me, shattering the delicate threads that held my mental fabric together, only to reweave it in ways I didn¡¯t understand.


    Then came the moment of fracture.


    Each memory began to splinter, twisting and contorting as though wrung through the hands of an unseen force.


    Then, with an audible, glass-like shatter, they broke apart. Every thought, every moment of my existence, fragmented into glittering shards. They floated in a surreal, infinite void, suspended like stars in a night sky. I recognized pieces of myself within them¡ªa laughing child in the sunlight, my mother¡¯s warm smile as she put a piece of cake in my mouth, the cold emptiness of my first heartbreak, and the shattering loneliness of nights spent wondering who I was meant to become.


    The beauty was undeniable, but so was the terror.


    The shards hung in a chaotic maze, twisting and turning in impossible patterns that defied logic. Some memories seemed close enough to touch, but when I reached for them, they slipped further into the void. Others hovered ominously, sharp-edged and threatening, as though they might cut me if I dared come closer. The deeper I looked, the more lost I became. It was disorienting¡ªan infinite labyrinth of myself, my past, my very essence scattered into a fragile, glittering minefield. And that¡¯s when I realized the truth.


    The shards weren¡¯t just memories. They were traps.


    I tried to reach out, to piece them together, but my hand¡ªor rather, my soul¡ªwas frozen. The glass didn¡¯t follow the familiar rules of three-dimensional space; they hovered in loops, twists, and spirals that bent in ways I couldn¡¯t fully perceive. Some pieces seemed close, but when I reached for them, they slipped impossibly farther away.


    The deeper I gazed, the more disoriented I became. It was an endless maze, each twist and turn revealing another fragment of my life, scattered and fractured. And then the minefield took shape.


    Some fragments shimmered with a warm, inviting glow¡ªmemories of love, joy, and triumph. But as I reached toward them, I saw the faint threads of energy coiled around their edges, razor-thin and deadly. They weren¡¯t safe. Touching them would unleash an eruption of agony that could rip through my mind like wildfire. Others hummed with an ominous vibration, their jagged edges reflecting distorted images of pain and failure. Their energy was suffocating, toxic even from a distance.


    This wasn¡¯t a sanctuary anymore¡ªit was a battlefield. The spell wasn¡¯t just protecting me; it was reshaping my mind into a labyrinth of defense, a weapon forged from the fragments of my past.


    And then the whispers began.


    Faint at first, they grew louder, incomprehensible voices rising and falling in a chaotic symphony. They weren¡¯t mine. They didn¡¯t belong here. They carried the weight of countless lives, stories, and secrets¡ªfragments of the spell itself, speaking its alien truths directly into the core of my being. I gritted my teeth, fighting against the tidal wave of thoughts, but every move felt like stepping into quicksand. The glass minefield shifted with me, reshaping itself to block any path forward. I realized then: this wasn¡¯t just about breaking me down. The spell was building something new, using the fragments of my past as raw materials.


    I couldn¡¯t let it. I wouldn¡¯t.


    However, the next moment, my eyes snapped open, and I found myself still sitting in the chair, my body and clothes drenched in sweat like someone had emptied a bucket of water on me. My chest heaved as I tried to catch my breath. Beside me, Jade was staring at me with palpable nervousness, her face pale.


    ¡°Thank God, you¡¯re fine!¡± Her voice broke through, trembling with relief.


    She was at my side in an instant, wrapping her arms tightly around me. Her hands trembled as she held me, her emotions bleeding through in waves of relief and fear. Her heart thudded against mine, its frantic rhythm a mirror of my own. ¡°You scared the hell out of me.¡±


    I wanted to reassure her, but my mind was racing too fast to process everything. The remnants of the spell lingered like the aftertaste of something acrid, and I felt a deep unease. The bizarre glass minefield¡ªwas no longer accessible. Jade finally pulled away, her voice trembling with residual panic. ¡°I¡­ I tried to touch you, but it was like you weren¡¯t even there,¡± she stammered, her eyes wide and searching. ¡°My hands went right through you, like¡­ like you were slipping away. It was terrifying.¡±


    I shook my head, trying to ground myself in her words. It must have been my newly acquired intangible meta nature activating¡ªtriggered instinctively by fear to protect me. My consciousness being dragged out and into the labyrinthine space was likely tied to my meta nature too. Damn it! That old bastard Nash hadn¡¯t said anything about the side effects as such or what the spell¡¯s process would feel like. Typical.


    ¡°I¡¯m here now,¡± I said softly, though my voice betrayed a tremor I couldn¡¯t suppress.


    Her brows furrowed in concern. ¡°Are you okay now? Do you feel¡­ different?¡±


    I paused, scanning myself internally. Physically, I felt the same¡ªtired, yes, but intact. Yet beneath the surface, something fundamental had shifted. My thoughts were no longer fluid but sharp and fast, leaping from one idea to another as if overclocked cpu. It was as though my brain had been rewired, like an old system replaced with bleeding-edge tech. And then I noticed something peculiar. As Jade spoke, I found myself predicting her next words before they even left her lips. My mind wasn¡¯t just faster¡ªit felt illuminated, as if every thought, every neuron, wasn¡¯t firing through electrical currents anymore but through beams of light, refracted through those strange glass-like memories. Could this be the glass nature of my thoughts?


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ fine, I think,¡± I said hesitantly, waving my arm.


    Though my own voice sounded foreign to me, too measured, too precise. And, my arm, which was supposed to move with my words, didn¡¯t move.


    Then, out of nowhere, the arms finally moved, completing the gesture I had thought about for what felt like an eternity.


    I sat still in the chair, trying to process what was happening to me. My mind raced, firing off thoughts and calculations at an unimaginable speed. It was like a supercomputer, processing thousands of variables in an instant. Every observation, every detail, was vividly clear and perfectly categorized in the endless library of my thoughts.


    But my body¡­ my body refused to keep up.


    It felt like an old, sluggish machine compared to the razor-sharp efficiency of my mind. The disconnect between the two was overwhelming, like watching a high-speed train screech to a halt while still expecting it to fly down the tracks. The disorientation hit me hard.


    I decided to test it. Slowly, I willed myself to stand. The thought was clear: Rise, put weight on the legs, balance.


    But my body betrayed me. By the time the signal reached my legs, my mind had already moved on, mapping out the next action I needed to take. My knees wobbled, and before I could recalibrate, I toppled forward, collapsing in a heap on the floor.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± I muttered, frustration seeping into my voice as I tried to sit up. Movements that once happened effortlessly, without conscious thought, now felt foreign and deliberate. I didn¡¯t need to think about walking or moving my hands before¡ªit was instinctual, muscle memory seamlessly bridging mind and body. But now, something was fundamentally altered.


    The Splinter and Mindfield spells had done more than enhance my mental capacity¡ªthey had changed me or my mind on a physical level.


    Suddenly, a realization struck me, surfacing like a shard of light in the darkness. These arcane spells didn¡¯t work magically in the abstract sense. Their effects were literal, tangible.


    If my deductions were right, then if someone cracked open my skull right now, they wouldn¡¯t find the soft, squishy gray matter of a normal brain. No, they¡¯d find a literal lattice of glass shards¡ªa damn mindfield encased in a crystalline matrix.


    I couldn¡¯t help but think of Sir Nash and his golden bones, glimmering beneath his pale, paper-thin skin. Those weren¡¯t just aesthetics or some magical party trick. Or byproduct of his arcane mastery; they were evidence of the spells¡¯ physical impact.


    The same was now happening to me. My thoughts and memories were more organized, yes, but the how of it wasn¡¯t magical mysticism¡ªit was structural. Real, as if my gray matter was being systematically replaced with crystalline architecture. Each memory, each timeline, being cataloged and stored in geometric precision in four dimensional space, thoughts flowing through lattices of transformed matter rather than neural pathways. The spell wasn''t just affecting how I thought - it was fundamentally changing what I was thinking with. This wasn''t magic in the traditional sense; this was biological reconstruction at its most intimate level.


    The idea spiraled further: If my brain had transformed, what about the rest of me? Was I becoming a walking glass factory? What if my organs were next? Would my lungs turn into crystal bellows? My stomach into a shiny gemstone pouch? Hell, what if my heart was already pumping something far more sparkly than blood? Shouldn¡¯t I be dead by now?


    Magic wasn¡¯t just magical¡ªit was too fucking magical.


    "What happened?" she asked, her voice edged with alarm as she crouched down, placing a firm hand on my shoulder.


    "I... I don¡¯t know," I gasped, struggling to catch my breath. "It¡¯s like my body¡¯s out of sync with my mind. My thoughts are moving too fast, but my body¡­ it can¡¯t keep up.¡±


    Her frown deepened as she pulled me upright, "Be careful," she said softly. "You¡¯re shaking."


    And she was right. My legs trembled beneath me, unsteady and unpredictable. Each attempt to balance felt like playing a broken video game¡ªdelayed responses and overcorrections. I tried to stabilize myself, but the effort only sent me lurching sideways. Jade caught me with ease, her arms steadying me before I could collapse.


    She caught me easily, her grip strong and steady. ¡°You¡¯re moving like you¡¯re drunk,¡±


    I managed a weak chuckle despite myself. "Not my usual post-spell assimilation side effect."


    Her unease grew, her grip tightening slightly. "Are you sure you¡¯re okay? Because it doesn¡¯t look like it. Let me call someone¡ªa doctor, a meta healer, anyone."


    "No," I said quickly, raising a trembling hand to stop her. "Not yet. First, I need you to check something." My voice was shaky but resolute. "Do you see¡­ anything strange about me? Anything unusual?"


    She raised a shaky hand, pointing to the mirror across the room. "You¡­ you should see yourself."


    Curiosity and dread warred within me as Jade helped me stand and guided me to the large mirror nearby. When I finally stood before the mirror, the reflection staring back at me made my blood run cold. My irises weren¡¯t brown anymore. They were black¡ªpitch black¡ªbut not in any natural way. It wasn¡¯t just a dark shade; it was alive, swirling faintly within my eyes like an endless abyss.


    I stared, unable to tear my gaze away from the eerie sight. The blackness moved, twisting and rippling as though it had a mind of its own.


    The sight was eerily familiar, too familiar, and my stomach churned as realization hit me.


    It was the same darkness I¡¯d seen in Sir Nash¡¯s eyes. At the time, I had thought it was just a characteristic of his meta nature, an oddity unique to him. But now, staring into my own corrupted reflection, I realized my notion had only been half true.


    This was the so called Corruption of Arcane he had warned me about.


    The memory of his explanation resurfaced, and for the first time, I truly understood what he had meant. The darkness wasn¡¯t just a part of the spell¡ªit was a manifestation of something deeper, a price for dabbling in powers that bent the natural order. The Strangeness! It sat calm on the surface for now, but I had seen it in Nash¡¯s eyes. The more the spell was used, the more of that darkness would rise, growing and merging into itself like a living thing. It was not just a side effect¡ªit was alive, parasitic, and insidious.


    Fear gripped me, coiling tightly around my chest. I had known there were risks before I assimilated the spell, but facing the reality of them was another matter. Was this irreversible? I wondered. Was this strangeness now an intrinsic part of me, marking me as something¡­ other?


    I stared at my reflection, trying to suppress the rising tide of unease. My mind raced with questions, but no answers came.


    Then, as if sensing the storm within me, Jade¡¯s hand slipped into mine. Her touch was warm, grounding, and her soft voice cut through the chaos.


    ¡°Take a deep breath,¡± she asked, though her tone tinged with concern. "Everything will be fine."


    Her question momentarily pulled me out of my spiral of thoughts.


    I needed a scan of my brain¡­ That thought settled firmly in my mind. These spells, as promising as they had sounded, had consequences¡ªones that couldn¡¯t be ignored. If I couldn¡¯t sync my actions with my thoughts, then I was, for all intents and purposes, useless. Jade helped guide me back to the chair, her support steady as I struggled with my coordination. Once I was seated, I took a deep breath. ¡°Get a stopwatch, pen, and paper,¡± I instructed, my voice calmer than I felt.


    To her credit, Jade didn¡¯t bombard me with questions. She simply nodded, retrieved the items, and handed them over. Her silence, focused and understanding, was something I deeply appreciated in that moment.


    ¡°How fast do neurons in our brains communicate?¡± I asked as I gripped the pen, my fingers trembling slightly.


    Jade furrowed her brows and searched online. ¡°Electrical signals travel at approximately 80 to 120 meters per second,¡± she began. ¡°Chemical signals take about 0.5 to 1 millisecond.¡±


    I nodded and began scribbling a series of messy calculations on the paper. The numbers weren¡¯t perfect¡ªI wasn¡¯t trying to win an award. I just needed a rough estimate of how fast my thoughts were now being generated and transmitted. If the medium had indeed changed, and my neurons were communicating at speeds closer to¡ªor even half¡ªthe speed of light, then the shift in my perception and actions made a lot more sense.


    Finally, I placed the notebook down with a sigh. The conclusion wasn¡¯t shocking, but it was sobering.


    It wasn¡¯t about the difference in timing. The adjustments were still measured in milliseconds, only slightly faster than the original speed. The real issue was that while my brain now worked exponentially faster, the signals travelling down my spinal cord and throughout my body were still moving at the normal human speed.


    It was like my mind was overclocked, running on a futuristic processor, while the rest of my body remained an old, clunky machine trying to catch up.


    The solution, at least for now, was clear: I needed to calm my mind and stop overthinking. My brain was firing too fast for its own good, and I had to forcibly slow it down.


    Taking another deep breath, I focused on wiping my mind clean of any thoughts, letting the chaos dissipate.


    I stopped thinking.


    For the first time since activating the spell, I felt a semblance of balance returning.


    My body began to feel less sluggish as my mind''s overclocked pace gradually slowed, inching closer to alignment with my physical actions.


    Tentatively, I tried lifting my hand¡ªand voil¨¤! It moved effortlessly.


    I waved it back and forth, testing it further, then thought of another action. There was a slight delay, close to half a millisecond, but it was manageable. Encouraged, I stood on my feet cautiously, holding my breath as if the balance might betray me again. But this time, there was no wobble. I let out a deep sigh and instinctively turned to Jade, who had been watching me with a mix of worry and anticipation. A deep breath filled my lungs, and relief washed over me. Without a second thought,I reached for Jade, pulling her into a tight hug. My arms wrapping around her like a lifeline. For a fleeting moment, the fear¡ªthe possibility of being trapped within my own mind¡ªfaded into the background. All that mattered was her. I clung to Jade as if she were the only thing keeping me tethered to reality.


    She stiffened in my arms, her body freezing in surprise. Then, with a soft sigh, she relaxed, her arms wrapping around me in return. Her embrace was warm, ¡°You scared me,¡± she murmured, her voice muffled against my chest. ¡°Don¡¯t ever do that again, you idiot.¡±


    "I swear, I didn¡¯t mean to,¡± I murmured, burying my face in her hair. ¡°But I¡¯m okay now. I think¡­ whatever the spell did, it¡¯s manageable.¡±


    She pulled back slightly, her hands gripping my shoulders as she looked up at me, her silver eyes narrowed. ¡°Manageable or not, if you pull another stunt like that, I¡¯ll¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªbeat me until I understand?¡± I finished for her with a soft chuckle, my smile betraying how much I enjoyed her concern.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she huffed, her cheeks puffing slightly in annoyance. ¡°You¡¯re laughing, but I¡¯m serious. This¡ª¡± she gestured vaguely at me and eyes, her voice rising slightly, ¡°¡ªthis isn¡¯t something you should mess around with. Do you even realize what would¡¯ve happened if you didn¡¯t come back from... whatever that was?¡±


    I nodded, taking her words to heart. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    For now, I couldn¡¯t shake the apprehension about the remaining three spells. What kind of changes would they bring? Could I risk using them on myself¡ªor even giving them to Jade? They were bound to reshape us in profound ways, and that thought left me unsettled.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go upstairs,¡± I said, agreeing to her demands without hesitation, ¡°I feel exhausted.¡±


    <hr>


    We sank back into the sofa, the tension in the air slowly ebbing away. I closed my eyes, letting the silence envelop us. My mind drifted to the possibilities¡ªwhat the spell had done to me, how it might have altered my very being. The sharp clarity of my memories was startling. Events from my past, even those buried deep in the folds of time, surfaced with an intensity that made them feel fresh.


    Tentatively, I reached further back, daring to touch the edges of a timeline that felt almost forgotten: my first cycle.


    And then, without warning, my vision blurred and shifted.


    I was back.


    The mindscape¡ªor the mindfield, as I¡¯d come to call it¡ªunfolded around me.


    The space extended infinitely in all directions, a breathtaking maze of double helix structures, their spiraling forms towering endlessly above and below me. Their translucent glow pulsed faintly, like the rhythm of a distant heartbeat. Each strand was laced with crystals of varying shapes, sizes, and hues, forming a seemingly endless lattice. But what truly caught my attention was the four-dimensional nature of the space¡ªheight, width, depth, and time itself interwoven into the geometry. The helixes and crystals shifted in ways that defied comprehension, as though they existed in a space that only the subconscious could fathom.


    Also it didn''t feel hostile anymore, as though the spell had finished its task of reshaping my mental landscape. This time, I didn¡¯t feel like a trespasser in my own mind.


    Relief washed over me, loosening the knot in my chest. The earlier terror that the spell had irreparably damaged me began to dissipate. With a clearer head, I could finally study this strange, otherworldly space for what it was¡ªa construct, built from fragments of my past and bound together by the spell¡¯s design. Each crystal it it was alive, playing fragments of my memories across its shimmering surface. I reached out, tentatively brushing my fingers against one, and immediately, a vivid scene from my life sprang to life in my mind.


    It wasn¡¯t just a memory. It was all of it¡ªthe sights, the sounds, the emotions, the very thoughts I had in that moment. A perfect replica, preserved in crystalline clarity.


    Focusing on the memory caused the lattice to ripple. The double helixes twisted and rotated, moving in an intricate yet incomprehensible motion, carrying me through the space. Yet, I wasn¡¯t moving myself; the mindfield shifted around me. No, opposite. Ugh! I couldn''t tell. It was too confusing.


    Then another cluster of crystals came into view, glowing faintly with a familiar light. On their surfaces, moments from my first cycle began to play. My heart raced as I stared at the vivid images of a life that felt both alien and mine. These were memories I had thought long lost¡ªburied under layers of time and repetition. Yet here they were, pristine and untouched. I stepped closer¡ªor rather, the mindfield brought me closer¡ªexamining the memory more closely. The crystal pulsed, and as I reached out, it seemed to respond to my touch, unraveling its contents further. The scene grew larger, filling my vision entirely. I saw my younger self, laughing with my family in the garden, the scent of freshly cut grass almost tangible. The emotions of that moment¡ªpure joy, warmth, and belonging¡ªsurged through me.


    I pulled back, overwhelmed.


    The shards weren¡¯t just memories¡ªthey were living pieces of me, suspended in a way that made them feel more real than ever before.


    And for anyone who dared to invade this space. If someone tried to read my mind without my me being a guide, they would be drawn to these glass shards as they detonate in this consciousness like stepped on a minefield¡ªand the consequences would be catastrophic.


    ¡°Impressive work,¡± I muttered, a wry smile tugging at my lips. ¡°But let¡¯s hope I never have to use it.¡±


    The experience was both scary and exhilarating, and my earlier fear of the spells mostly faded. My thoughts raced. I came to the conclusion, this space wasn¡¯t just a repository of memories¡ªit was alive, reacting to me in ways I couldn¡¯t fully perceive and fanthom. However, for now, I didn''t know if it was a good thing or bad. And, I couldn¡¯t think of possibly using the other spells at the moment.


    Suddenly, a familiar voice pulled me back to reality.


    ¡°North?¡± Jade¡¯s voice was soft but laced with concern. My eyes snapped open, meeting her gaze. She was perched on the edge of the sofa, watching me closely.


    ¡°You zoned out,¡± she said, her brow furrowed. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Nothing bad,¡± I assured her. ¡°Just¡­ testing the new hardware.¡±


    She raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°And it¡¯s seemed to be working,¡± I replied with a small grin.


    Jade let out a soft laugh, though the worry in her eyes lingered. She shifted closer to me on the sofa, her curiosity palpable.


    ¡°You never actually told me,¡± she began, taking my hand in hers and playing with my fingers to get the words out of me more easily, ¡°What was this spell supposed to do, exactly?¡±


    I hesitated for a moment, trying to gauge how much I should share. The truth? Too complicated¡ªand potentially alarming. Instead, I opted for a more superficial explanation.


    ¡°It¡¯s supposed to¡­ make me think better,¡± I said with a casual shrug, avoiding her eyes.


    Jade raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching ¡°Think better? That¡¯s your big, impressive spell? What¡¯s next¡ªone that helps you tie your shoes?¡±


    I shot her a mock glare, ¡°Hey, don¡¯t knock it. Thinking better is an underrated skill.¡±


    ¡°Underrated or underutilized?¡± she quipped.


    ¡°Wow,¡± I said, clutching my chest dramatically. ¡°Straight for the heart. Remind me why I let you stay around again?¡±


    ¡°Because you¡¯d be lost without me,¡± she replied, her grin softening into a fond smile.


    I sighed, leaning back into the sofa. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong,¡± I admitted quietly, meeting her gaze. ¡°But seriously, the spell¡¯s more complicated than that. I¡¯ll explain it properly¡ªsomeday.¡±


    ¡°Someday,¡± she echoed, rolling her eyes but letting it slide.


    ¡°Fine. Just don¡¯t let it fry that better-thinking brain of yours.¡±

 Act 2.16 (Chrysalis)

    Arcane¡­ How was it different from other forms of magic?


    It didn¡¯t just manipulate energy or elements¡ªit seemed to bring things to life.


    The more I tried to understand its nature, the more convoluted and branched out the concept became. It was like pulling at the thread of a tangled web, only to find more layers hidden beneath, each more complex than the last.


    <hr>


    The next day, Jade and I attended our lectures as usual. For half the day, everything felt normal, as if the storm that had been brewing was now lying dormant. But I knew better¡ªthis was the calm before the inevitable punishment. I was sure by now, the academy had figured that Jade and I were the reason for the bad situation. And then, the moment of judgment arrived. Halfway through our lecture, a woman in a sharp suit appeared at the door. Without a word, she gestured for me to follow. My pulse quickened, but I kept my expression neutral. I gathered my belongings, trying not to meet the curious gazes of my classmates, and left the room. Now that I had time to think about it, I might be the most problematic student in our class.


    As I followed the woman down the long corridors, my mind raced with possibilities. The academy was notorious for its unconventional methods of handling discipline. They didn¡¯t believe in simply casting students out; no, they preferred to mold, reform, or¡ªif all else failed¡ªbreak them down until they fit the institution¡¯s ideals. Even if Jade had killed those students¡ªand I doubted it had gone that far¡ªthe harshest penalty wouldn¡¯t have been expulsion. Whatever awaited me at the end of this walk, I had no doubt it would be... memorable.


    In just two minutes, I found myself outside the disciplinary office.


    The assistant, without so much as a glance, motioned for me to sit in the lone chair by the wall. Then, as if I were invisible, she vanished inside, the door clicking shut behind her.


    I sat down, the silence of the hallway pressing in on me. My eyes darted around, half-expecting to see Jade already waiting. But there was no sign of her. My thoughts churned as I tried to piece together what might have happened. Jade must have been called in earlier, given our different class schedules¡ªI hadn¡¯t seen her since morning.


    Had they spoken to her first? Was she facing the brunt of the consequences?


    My silent questions were soon answered. The door creaked open, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts and I saw Jade stepping out. Her shoulders were slouched, her usual confident air completely stripped away. She looked like a rose cloaked in gloom, her radiance dimmed by something heavy weighing her down. She moved quietly to the seat beside me, her movements slow and subdued. She didn¡¯t look at me, didn¡¯t say a word. Her expression was a mix of frustration. I wanted to ask her what had happened, what punishment had been doled out, but the words caught in my throat.


    Before I could say anything, the assistant reappeared, ¡°Mr. North,¡± she called, her tone clipped and professional.


    I stood, glancing back at Jade, then leaned down to give her a soft hug, reassuring hug. Her faint nod was all the response I got, but it was enough for now.


    I turned and entered the office, my curiosity piqued. In two cycles, I¡¯d never once been dragged to the disciplinary office, so this was... new. A first, like trying out a weird dessert you weren¡¯t sure you¡¯d enjoy but couldn¡¯t resist.


    The air inside the office seemed heavier, oppressive. My gaze shifted immediately to the six students standing by the desk. To my no surprise, they looked perfectly fine¡ªno signs of the collapse or their hearts giving up from twelve hours ago. Their expressions, however, suggested they were perfectly aware of why I was here.


    ¡°Take your seat, North,¡± came the calm but firm voice of the disciplinary officer, Madam Olran.


    Her nameplate gleamed under the overhead light, and her sharp gaze cut through my thoughts. I sat down without a word.


    ¡°I assume you¡¯re aware of why you¡¯ve been called here.¡± Madam Olran said, her hands folded on the desk.


    I nodded slightly, ¡°I have an idea.¡±


    Though my mind couldn¡¯t help but wander. Were Jade and I the only ones facing the axe for this? Meanwhile, these six clowns¡ªwhose unprovoked insult had started the whole mess¡ªstood there untouched. Untouchable, more like. I guessed the Academy wouldn¡¯t waste much effort on them. It was always easier to focus on those who fought back rather than those who started the fight.


    ¡°Yesterday¡¯s incident,¡± Madam Olran began, ¡°was, let¡¯s say, disruptive. While the exact details remain unclear, our preliminary investigation suggests that you and Ms. Jade were involved.¡±


    ¡°And by ¡®involved,¡¯ you mean...?¡±


    Her lips twitched, ¡°Let¡¯s not play coy, Mr. North. The aftermath speaks for itself. four students sustained serious injuries, other three minor but notable, and several more were psychologically rattled. You¡¯ve stirred the pot, as they say.¡±


    I remained silent, unsure of how much to admit¡ªor deny. The administrator leaned forward, her eyes narrowing.


    ¡°This behavior violates not only the Academy¡¯s student code of conduct but also basic moral expectations as metahuman.¡± Madam Olran''s tone was cool but unyielding.


    ¡°The Academy values discipline highly,¡± She continued. ¡°But we also value potential. So, Mr. North, I¡¯ll ask you this once: What do you have to say for yourself?¡±


    I considered my words carefully. ¡°It was¡­ a regrettable incident,¡± I began, my tone measured. ¡°But it wasn¡¯t without provocation. I¡¯m not excusing what happened, but it wasn¡¯t entirely unprovoked.¡±


    The six students stiffened, and I could feel their resentment simmering. One of them, a lanky girl with sharp features, glared at me from the corner of her eye. Then she opened her mouth, likely to protest, but Madam Olran raised a hand sharply, silencing her before a single word escaped.


    ¡°This is not the time for excuses,¡± she shut her instantly, her tone flat yet sharp. ¡°Every person in this room is responsible for what happened, though the level of accountability differs. And each of you will face consequences.¡±


    Then her eyes landed back on me. ¡°North, and your classmate Jade, the two of you displayed a lack of control and recklessness, threatening your fellow students'' lives using your meta nature. I understand tempers flared, but that does not absolve you of your actions. This academy has protocols for conflict resolution, and you chose to ignore them.¡±


    I tried not to sigh audibly. Of course, she had a point, but who had time for ¡°measures¡± when arrogant dragons were already going for the flamethrower?


    ¡°It¡¯s fortunate no one was seriously hurt, but that doesn¡¯t erase what happened. You¡¯re both being given a chance to learn from this, but make no mistake: this is your warning. Any future incidents like this will result in much harsher consequences.¡±


    I nodded, mostly to make it end faster. There was nothing else to say, and it was clear she wasn¡¯t asking for an explanation. Still, my thoughts wandered briefly. How were the families of these students feeling about the incident? Would they let this slide, or would I have to start watching my back every time I left the academy? There were a lot of vengeful, well-funded people out there who didn¡¯t take kindly to their offspring getting a metaphorical smackdown.


    Madam Olran¡¯s gaze shifted to the group of six students standing to the side. Her already sharp tone hardened further. ¡°And as for you six. Your behavior was equally unacceptable. Provoking others, creating a hostile environment in the academy¡ªit¡¯s childish and dangerous. Words have power, and you used yours irresponsibly.¡±


    The lanky girl¡¯s jaw tightened, her fists clenching at her sides, but she didn¡¯t dare speak this time.


    ¡°Do you think the world outside this academy will tolerate such arrogance?¡± Madam Olran pressed, her voice growing colder. ¡°Do you believe your meta natures or your family names will protect you forever? They won¡¯t. Actions have consequences, and out there, in the real world, your recklessness could cost you your life¡ªor someone else¡¯s.¡±


    With a final warning, Mrs. Olran dismissed the six students. They shuffled out with a mix of shame and suppressed irritation, their heads low. The door clicked shut behind them, leaving the room significantly quieter.


    Mrs. Olran¡¯s assistant turned her focus to me, and Mrs. Olran herself didn¡¯t waste time.


    ¡°Because this was your first offense and you actively attempted to deescalate the situation, I personally don¡¯t hold you fully accountable,¡± she began, her tone surprisingly calm. ¡°However, you and your fellow classmate were still the catalysts and lacked proper discipline.¡±


    Catalysts, I thought, fighting the urge to raise an eyebrow. Sure, let¡¯s call us that.


    ¡°An official letter detailing the event and its consequences will be sent to your home. As for your punishment: you are barred from using your meta nature on academy grounds for the next three months. Additionally, you will be required to complete one year of community service and attend a year-long course on power ethics.¡±


    I nodded, absorbing the information. Three months without using my meta nature? A minor inconvenience. Community service? Annoying, but survivable. Power ethics class? Okay, that one might sting¡ªmostly because I¡¯d probably fall asleep halfway through each session. All things considered, I¡¯d gotten off pretty lightly.


    Mrs. Olran¡¯s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. ¡°However,¡± she said, her tone sharpening, ¡°if there are any further signs of aggression or misuse of your meta nature against fellow students, the consequences will be far more severe. They won¡¯t be limited to simple detention or community service. You could face prison time of up to a year or early deployment to a dangerous system¡¯s frontline.¡±


    Frontline deployment? That escalated quickly. I nodded again, this time with a touch more seriousness. Not because I was scared¡ªI just didn¡¯t want to give her the impression that I wasn¡¯t taking this seriously.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    ¡°Understood,¡± I said, keeping my tone steady. Inside, I was already mentally drafting an excuse for the letter that would soon find its way home. Something involving ¡°helping a friend in trouble¡± might work. Parents loved noble-sounding excuses.


    After a pause, I rose from my chair, feeling a small wave of relief wash over me. This could¡¯ve gone much worse. I¡¯d managed to avoid expulsion, and I wasn¡¯t being sent to a cosmic deathtrap¡­ yet.


    Just as I was about to stand up, Mrs. Olran¡¯s voice stopped me mid-motion.


    ¡°North,¡± she said, her tone softer but no less commanding. I turned, my expression carefully neutral.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s one more thing,¡± Mrs. Olran said, her tone shifting slightly. It wasn¡¯t ominous, but it wasn¡¯t casual either. That got my attention.


    I froze, halfway out of my chair, and slowly lowered myself back down. ¡°Go on.¡±


    ¡°We received a personal message for you¡ªfrom Jade¡¯s parents.¡±


    Ah, there it was. My heart sank faster than a rock in a river, and for the first time during this meeting, my mask of calm cracked just a little. Whatever was coming, it wasn¡¯t going to be a warm invitation to family dinner.


    Mrs. Olran clasped her hands, her expression neutral but her tone now overly careful, like she was handling a live grenade. ¡°Normally, the Beyonder¡¯s Academy doesn¡¯t interfere in students¡¯ personal lives. You¡¯re free to form friendships¡ªor relationships¡ªas you see fit. However, Jade¡¯s parents specifically requested that I deliver this message to you.¡±


    Oh, great, I thought. Because nothing screams "mind your business" like sending a formal message through the disciplinary office.


    She cleared her throat, her gaze steady. ¡°They wanted to acknowledge that you¡¯re a bright student with a promising future. That much is clear. However, they believe it¡¯s in your best interest to reconsider your relationship with Jade.¡±


    I blinked, stunned by the sheer audacity. ¡°Reconsider,¡± I echoed flatly. ¡°As in¡­?¡±


    ¡°As in, they think you should not see each others,¡± she clarified. ¡°They¡¯ve advised¡ª¡± and here she did a great job of not rolling her eyes, ¡°¡ªthat Jade isn¡¯t who you think she is. In their words, your lives are incompatible, and it would be wiser to part ways now rather than regret it later.¡±


    I tried to keep my face blank, but my thoughts were running at full speed. Lives are incompatible? Regret it later? What is this, a dating show where parents get a veto?


    Madam Orlan must¡¯ve noticed my rising tension, because she added, ¡°This isn¡¯t meant as a threat. They¡¯ve framed it as advice¡ªfor your own well-being.¡±


    ¡°Advice,¡± I repeated, my voice dry. ¡°That¡¯s thoughtful of them.¡±


    Mrs. Olran didn¡¯t respond.


    ¡°Is that all?¡± I asked finally, keeping my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me.


    Mrs. Olran nodded, ¡°That¡¯s all. You¡¯re free to leave.¡±


    I rose from the chair, my movements deliberate, and left the office without a backward glance. The hallway outside felt eerily empty, and I quickly noticed that Jade wasn¡¯t waiting there anymore.


    Did she already leave?


    Then it crossed my mind that she might have spoken to her parents while inside and received a similar warning or piece of "advice." That would explain her earlier gloom. Jade wasn¡¯t one to let punishment weigh her down; if anything, she would have brushed it off with defiance. After all, she had been ready to stand by her actions, consequences be damned. The thought unsettled me. If she had spoken with them, had their words affected her? Or was she simply fuming in her own way, refusing to let anyone¡ªincluding me¡ªsee it? Perhaps they thought I was a bad influence, that I was the reason she¡¯d acted out so recklessly. The idea unsettled me. Did they believe I was dragging her down, making her decisions for her, or worse¡ªleading her into situations she¡¯d regret?


    I glanced down the empty hallway one last time before heading toward the exit. Whatever they¡¯d said to her, I¡¯d find out soon enough. And while the idea of her parents trying to interfere annoyed me, it didn¡¯t change anything.


    <hr>


    In the next class, I barely had time to settle into my seat before the group of Alex, Lore, Gina, Henry, and Vinico surrounded me, their curious eyes fixed on me like a spotlight. Their voices overlapped in a flurry of questions and guesses, leaving me no room to respond.


    ¡°So, are you going to tell us what happened?¡±


    ¡°Did you fight someone?¡±


    ¡°Was it Jade¡¯s idea?¡±


    ¡°Do we need popcorn for this story?¡±


    ¡°Guys, guys, calm down!¡± Alex finally stepped in, trying to restore order by physically pushing them back a step. ¡°At least let him explain before you start grilling him!¡±


    I sighed, leaning back in my chair. It wasn¡¯t as though I could escape this interrogation, so I might as well give them something to chew on. ¡°There was an incident yesterday,¡± I said, choosing my words carefully. ¡°Let¡¯s just say some people couldn¡¯t keep their mouths shut, and Jade and I might¡¯ve... overreacted.¡±


    Vinico¡¯s eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. ¡°Overreacted how?¡± he pressed, leaning in so close I could smell the mint gum he was chewing.


    I hesitated, debating whether or not to downplay the details. But judging by their expressions, they wouldn¡¯t be satisfied until they got something juicy. ¡°Let¡¯s put it this way: if the academy hadn¡¯t stepped in, things could¡¯ve gotten¡­ messy.¡±


    Gina¡¯s brow furrowed as she folded her arms. ¡°Messy how? Spilled drinks or spilled blood?¡±


    Before I could answer, Lore¡¯s eyes widened, a spark of realization lighting up her face. ¡°Wait,¡± she said, her tone sharp and accusatory. ¡°You mean the students who mysteriously got sent to the med wing yesterday? The ones who were barely clinging to life?¡±


    Vinico practically jumped out of his seat. ¡°That was you two?!¡± he exclaimed, a mix of awe and disbelief in his voice.


    I pinched the bridge of my nose, already regretting not keeping my mouth shut. ¡°It wasn¡¯t just us,¡± I muttered. ¡°They started it.¡±


    ¡°Classic villain defense,¡± Henry quipped, smirking. ¡°They started it.¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°You weren¡¯t there. Trust me, you¡¯d have done the same thing.¡±


    Alex crossed his arms, tilting his head curiously. ¡°what¡¯s the damage? Are you guys in trouble?¡±


    ¡°A little,¡± I admitted, keeping my tone casual. ¡°Punishment¡¯s not too bad¡ªjust some community service, ethics classes, and no using meta nature on campus for three months.¡±


    The group collectively groaned at the mention of ethics classes, their shared disdain for the mandatory lectures evident.


    ¡°The punishment is too light,¡± Henry said, crossing his arms. ¡°You two got off easy without serious repercussions.¡±


    I nodded, agreeing with his sentiment. We truly had gotten lucky, all things considered.


    Vinico whistled low. ¡°Wow, you¡¯re lucky they didn¡¯t expel you. I mean, you guys almost killed them. That¡¯s gotta be a new level of overkill.¡±


    Alex leaned closer, ¡°Also did you guys hear something else about the student lounge?¡±


    Gina arched an eyebrow. ¡°No, what about it?¡±


    Alex grinned. ¡°Apparently, the academy closed it for a few days. Officially, they¡¯re saying it¡¯s for ¡®construction¡¯ or some routine maintenance. But I heard some students talking about weird stuff happening there.¡±


    ¡°What kind of weird stuff?¡± Henry asked, leaning in, clearly intrigued.


    ¡°You know, the usual... drinks spilling for no reason, people tripping over nothing, homework disappearing into thin air,¡± Alex said, ticking off each point on his fingers. ¡°One guy swears he walked in and immediately lost his lucky charm. Another said the lights flickered, and he dropped his entire lunch.¡±


    Lore gave him a skeptical look. ¡°You¡¯re saying the lounge is cursed?¡±


    ¡°Not cursed,¡± Alex replied, wiggling his eyebrows. ¡°But... you have to admit, it sounds like bad luck central. And it all started yesterday, right after¡ª¡± He trailed off, his gaze darting toward me meaningfully.


    I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, keeping my face carefully neutral. Inside, though, my thoughts churned. Of course, it was Jade¡¯s meta nature bleeding into reality. Her emotions had destabilized the localized space in the lounge.


    The academy wouldn¡¯t be able to fix it with some basic repairs or recalibration of the area. They¡¯d need a high-level meta with spatial restoration abilities¡ªsomeone who could literally reset the metaphysical properties of the space. And even then, it wouldn¡¯t be easy. It might take days, weeks even, to stabilize the lounge fully. If they didn¡¯t call in help soon, the whole area might remain semi-hostile to anyone who dared enter.


    ¡°Come on,¡± Lore said, her tone dripping with suspicion. ¡°You can¡¯t tell me this has nothing to do with Jade. We all know how... her meta works.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Gina chimed in, ¡°if anyone¡¯s meta nature could mess with a place like that, it¡¯s hers.¡±


    I shrugged, feigning ignorance. ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about. Maybe the lounge just needs better management.¡±


    Then Alex turned to me, ¡°Jade? Is she okay?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admitted with a slight frown, leaning back in my chair. ¡°The last I saw her was outside the disciplinary office. She didn¡¯t say much.¡±


    The group exchanged uncertain glances, their curiosity mingled with genuine concern for Jade¡¯s well-being. Even Vinico, who rarely expressed any serious emotion, looked momentarily thoughtful.


    ¡°She¡¯s tough,¡± Lore finally said with a shrug. ¡°If she¡¯s upset, she¡¯ll bounce back. But maybe we should check on her later, just in case.¡±


    I nodded, already planning to do so. Jade wasn¡¯t one to let her emotions show easily, but I knew her well enough to see when something was bothering her. For now, I just needed to give her space.


    Gina shifted uncomfortably, breaking the silence. ¡°Honestly, after hearing all this, I¡¯m kind of glad I wasn¡¯t involved in the mess. I wouldn¡¯t survive a second in the disciplinary office. My parents would kill me.¡±


    ¡°You mean your parents would kill the disciplinary officer for daring to punish their precious daughter,¡± Vinico quipped, earning a round of chuckles.


    ¡°Maybe,¡± Gina said with a smirk, not entirely denying it.


    Shortly, the conversation naturally shifted away from Jade and me being pulled out of class, gravitating toward the topic of villain gangs. Each of us had taken the task of infiltrating a gang or villain group, collecting information, and potentially dismantling parts of their operations from within.


    ¡°Has everybody finally picked which gangs they¡¯re going to infiltrate?¡± Lore asked, taking the seat across my table.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be joining the Black Sun villain group,¡± Alex declared confidently. ¡°They¡¯re a medium-sized organization with about thirty or so members across different ranks. Their main activities are in the West District, where they control a lot of businesses. Most of it¡¯s dirty¡ªexploitation of young or homeless girls, running clubs, and prostitution rings.¡±


    The group nodded collectively. Alex¡¯s choice was calculated, targeting a group with tangible influence but not so large that it would be impossible to navigate their structure. He clearly wasn¡¯t afraid to dive into murky waters.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be targeting the Sinister Hands,¡± Gina announced next. ¡°They¡¯re involved in smuggling high-end tech and arms, operating under the radar in the North District. Their leader is someone with techno meta nature, which means they¡¯ve got access to some serious tech-savvy members and technology.¡±


    When it was my turn, I straightened up slightly in my seat. ¡°I¡¯ll be going after the Tunnel Underground. They¡¯ve been ramping up their criminal activities in my neighborhood lately¡ªextortion, illegal substances, even some underground fighting rings. They¡¯re smaller, but well-connected. Jade and I have been tracking their movements for the past two weeks.¡±


    I paused, glancing at the group. ¡°I know it¡¯s not conventional, but Jade and I will be working together on this one. With their growing network, it¡¯s better to have two sets of eyes and hands.¡±


    Gina was the first to break it, her expression lighting up with approval. ¡°No problem, no problem!¡± she said, her voice cheerful and encouraging. ¡°Makes sense. It¡¯s a very large villain group, spanning the entire city. It¡¯s a smart move.¡±


    The others exchanged glances but soon nodded in agreement, following Gina¡¯s lead.


    ¡°Looks like everyone¡¯s made their choices. However, don¡¯t forget to ask for help if anyone gets stuck in some tough situation. After all, our lives are more important than winning a so-called game.¡± Lore leaned back in her chair with a faint smile.


    ¡°Good luck, then.¡±

 Act 2.17 (Chrysalis)

    "Are you sure you''re okay?" Leo''s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts.


    He sat slouched in the chair beside me, one leg draped over the armrest and a book lazily propped on his lap. Not that he was reading it¡ªhis eyes were fixed on me with the intensity of someone who had way too much free time.


    "I''m fine," I replied, a little too sharply.


    <blockquote>


    (Skip to the red line halfway through the chapter if you¡¯d rather avoid the emotional drama.)


    </blockquote>


    Leo arched an eyebrow, completely unfazed. "You sure? Because the way you¡¯ve been staring at that phone for the past thirty minutes, it looks like you¡¯re either expecting a message from God or trying to mentally summon one."


    I sighed, gripping the phone a little tighter. "Can you not?"


    Leo leaned back in his chair, letting out a dramatic sigh of his own. "Just saying, I don¡¯t think notifications work faster through sheer willpower. You¡¯ve checked your phone ten times in the last five minutes.¡±


    I shot him a warning look. "Leo, can you try¡ªjust try¡ªfor once in your life to be quiet?"


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m just trying to help,¡± he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. Then, as if unable to help himself, he added under his breath, "Not my fault your girlfriend¡¯s ghosting you."


    That did it. I turned to glare at him, but my usual fire was missing. He wasn¡¯t entirely wrong, and that only made his words sting more. I let out a frustrated groan and sank back onto my bed, staring up at the ceiling like it held all the answers.


    Dammit! I think I was going mad and my life was coming to an end.


    Love was scary!


    "See?" Leo continued, his tone maddeningly cheerful. "Now you¡¯re doing the classic ¡®existential ceiling stare.¡¯ That¡¯s at least Level Three Worry. You¡¯ve got it bad, man."


    ¡°Do you have an off button?¡± I muttered, looking lifeless.


    "Nope," Leo replied with a grin. "But I do have suggestions. Why don¡¯t you just go check on her? You know, like a normal person."


    I peeked over, frowning. "And do what? Knock on her door and say, ¡®Hey, why aren¡¯t you replying to my messages?¡¯ That¡¯s not desperate at all."


    Leo shrugged. "Desperate? Maybe. Effective? Definitely. I mean, what¡¯s worse¡ªsitting here going insane, or just ripping off the Band-Aid?"


    I frowned, my mind racing. Should I?


    The thought of showing up unannounced was tempting¡ªbut it also felt¡­ reckless. What if she needed space and I just made things worse? But then again, what if something was wrong? What if I was sitting here moping like an idiot while she actually needed me?


    "You¡¯re overthinking it," Leo chimed in, as if reading my mind. "Either you go check on her, or you sit here driving yourself crazy. Those are your options, bro."


    I sat up, immeditly jumping up. His words, as irritating as they were, made sense.


    "Fine," I muttered, dashing to grabbing my jacket. "I¡¯ll go check on her."


    My heart was already teetering on the edge, needing just a little push to leap into action. Without a second thought, I rushed downstairs. Aunt Grace wasn¡¯t home, sparing me the trouble of answering any questions or dealing with her knowing glances. The ride to Jade¡¯s house felt both too fast and agonizingly slow. Twenty-five minutes, but each mile felt like a trial. When the car finally pulled up in front of her home, I sat there for a moment, staring at the front door. My palms were clammy, and my heartbeat was loud enough to drown out the engine¡¯s noise. With a quick tip to the driver, I stepped out, the cool evening air doing little to calm my nerves.


    Knock. Knock.


    I rapped on the door, trying to strike the balance between polite and urgent. One minute passed. Then two. Then three.


    Knock. Knock. Knock.


    This time, I knocked harder, my frustration and worry spilling into the motion.


    ¡°What are you doing, trying to break my door down?¡±


    Jade voice, sharp and irritated, came from behind the door.


    I froze, a strange mix of relief and nervousness washing over me. Before I could process her words, the door swung open to reveal Jade. Her eyes were puffy and red, her expression a swirl of exhaustion and barely concealed frustration.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± she asked, her voice sharp but unsteady. The crack at the end gave her away more than anything else.


    I hesitated for a moment, words escaping me. ¡°I can leave if¡ª¡±


    ¡°Stupid,¡± she interrupted, her glare cutting through my hesitation like a knife. ¡°Then why did you come in the first place?¡±


    Her tone was biting, but it didn¡¯t match the trembling of her hands as she gripped the edge of the door. She was trying to hold it together, but the cracks in her armor were showing, fragile and unmistakable.


    ¡°I was worried about you,¡± I said softly, taking a cautious step closer. ¡°You haven¡¯t been answering my calls. I just¡­ I wanted to make sure you were okay.¡±


    "Now you have it. Look, I''m fine," She said rubbing her eyes as to wipe away any evidence, but she avoided directly looking at me.


    I shook my head at her falling attempts to hide her emotions and state, "Jade," I called out gently. My voice barely above a whisper. ¡°It¡¯s okay to not be fine.¡±


    Her expression faltered for a moment, like she wanted to respond but couldn¡¯t figure out what to say. Without a word, she turned on her heel and walked back inside, leaving the door open. It was then I noticed she was wearing one of my hoodies¡ªthe same one she¡¯d stolen from my room weeks ago. Was she missing me, or was it just a coincidence? The thought lingered, tugging at me in a way I wasn¡¯t ready to unpack. Shaking my head, I followed her in and gently closed the door behind me. The living room was dim, illuminated only by the faint light filtering in through the curtains. A handful of crumpled tissues littered the coffee table. Jade plopped onto the sofa, her arms crossing defensively over her chest. Her back was rigid, her gaze fixed stubbornly on the floor. I hesitated for a moment before sitting down beside her, leaving a little space between us.


    I began carefully, my tone soft. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You don¡¯t have to deal with this alone. You can talk to me.¡±


    She shook her head, her hair falling over her face like a curtain. ¡°Nothing¡¯s wrong,¡± she said, her voice flat. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have come.¡±


    Her words rang hollow, a flimsy wall that didn¡¯t match the tired red of her eyes or the faint tremor in her hands as they clutched at the fabric of her sweatpants. She was holding on to something¡ªmaybe her pride, maybe her anger¡ªbut whatever it was, it was locking me out.


    I didn¡¯t want to push too hard, but I couldn¡¯t just sit there and accept her silence, either.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me nothing¡¯s wrong,¡± I said gently but firmly. ¡°I know you better than that.¡±


    Her head snapped up, her silver eyes meeting mine. They shimmered with unshed tears, her walls threatening to crumble. For a moment, she said nothing, just stared at me as though weighing the cost of letting me in.


    ¡°Please,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling. ¡°Don¡¯t push me to open.¡±


    The rawness in her tone froze me in place. It wasn¡¯t just a plea¡ªit was a warning, a fragile, desperate attempt to hold herself together.


    I exhaled slowly, fighting the urge to press her further. ¡°Okay,¡± I said softly, taking a small step back, though my voice stayed steady. ¡°I won¡¯t push. But I¡¯m here. Whenever you¡¯re ready. You don¡¯t have to do this on your own.¡±


    She blinked, and the first tear slipped down her cheek. She swiped at it hastily, ¡°Why do you always do this?¡± she muttered, her voice breaking. ¡°Why do you always have to be so¡­ so stubborn?¡±


    ¡°Because someone has to be,¡± I said softly, my voice steady but gentle. ¡°And if it means being stubborn to remind you that you don¡¯t have to face this alone, then so be it.¡±


    Her hands clenched around the fabric of her sweatpants, her knuckles whitening. ¡°You don¡¯t get it. You can¡¯t just¡­ fix things by showing up and saying the right words. Life doesn¡¯t work like that!¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± I replied, ¡°I¡¯m not here to fix anything. I¡¯m here for you. There¡¯s a difference.¡±


    Her breath hitched, and she looked away, her shoulders trembling slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t need anyone,¡± she whispered, though her tone lacked conviction.


    ¡°Maybe not,¡± I said, lowering my voice. ¡°But that doesn¡¯t mean you don¡¯t deserve someone.¡±


    For a moment, the room fell silent except for her uneven breathing. Her walls were crumbling, piece by piece, and I knew better than to rush her.


    ¡°Fine,¡± she muttered, ¡°Just¡­ stay.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± I said softly. ¡°I¡¯ll stay.¡±


    I moved carefully, lowering myself onto the couch a few feet away from her. Close enough to be there, but not so close as to crowd her. Jade stayed where she was, her back to me, her breaths shallow but slowing. After a minute, I got up and walked to the kitchen, grabbing a glass from the cupboard. The faint clink of ice against the glass as I filled it with water echoed in the quiet house with snivels coming from the living room. I offered her the glass wordlessly. She hesitated before taking it, her fingers trembling slightly. She brought it to her lips, taking a few small sips. Her eyes stayed fixed on the water, as if avoiding mine on purpose.


    I studied her face¡ªpale under the warm glow of the lamp, faint tear tracks streaking her cheeks, and the redness around her eyes.


    What was eating her up like this? It was painfully obvious that her parents had told her to stay away from me, but was that really enough to bring her to tears? Maybe I didn¡¯t know her as well as I thought.


    When she finished, she set the glass on the coffee table and leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees. Her hands moved to her hair, fingers threading through it as she let out a shaky breath.


    ¡°It¡¯s my parents,¡± she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°They¡¯re trying to control everything again.¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t trust me,¡± she continued, her fingers tightening in her hair. ¡°They never have. It¡¯s like... no matter what I do, it¡¯s never good enough. I¡¯m always just their stupid project, their puppet, something to manage.¡± She laughed bitterly, the sound hollow and brittle. ¡°And I hate it.¡±


    I leaned forward slightly, resting my forearms on my knees to match her posture. ¡°What are they trying to control this time?¡±


    ¡°¡°Everything. My choices, my time, who I¡¯m allowed to be with. They think I¡¯m distracted,¡± she admitted, her voice wavering. ¡°They think I¡¯m distracted. That I¡¯m not focused enough on their plans, on why I¡¯m even here. They don¡¯t like you, North. They think you¡¯re... dangerous for me.¡± Her hands fell to her lap as she lifted her gaze, meeting mine. Her silver eyes shimmered with unshed tears. ¡°They told me I should end things now. Before it¡¯s too late. Before something bad happens.¡±


    ¡°Something bad happens?¡± I echoed, confusion flickering in my voice. ¡°What does that even mean?¡±


    Jade shook her head, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her sweatshirt. ¡°Yesterday, I didn¡¯t realize the academy would inform my parents about the incident. And apparently, they¡¯ve been keeping tabs on me the whole time.¡± she muttered, her voice tinged with frustration and fear. ¡°They¡¯ve always been like this¡ªcontrolling, manipulative. But this time¡­¡± Her voice trailed off. ¡°They¡¯re not good people, North. You shouldn¡¯t come in contact with them.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean they¡¯re not good people?¡± I hesitated, unsure how much to push. ¡°Why did they send you here in the first place, then? If they don¡¯t trust you or think you can handle yourself?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the thing,¡± she said, her voice tinged with frustration and something else¡ªfear. ¡°I don¡¯t know. None of it makes sense. They¡¯ve always had a plan for me, always made every decision. But this?¡± She gestured vaguely, her hands falling to her lap. ¡°Sending me here, letting me come to Earth¡ªit doesn¡¯t fit. They never explained why, and now they¡¯re trying to control me from a distance, like they¡¯re scared I might actually start thinking for myself.¡±


    I slipped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a half-hug. Her body was stiff, but she didn¡¯t pull away. My hand moved instinctively in slow, soothing circles on her back, the same way you¡¯d comfort someone in the middle of a nightmare. That¡¯s what it felt like¡ªlike she was trapped in something she couldn¡¯t wake up from. Sometimes, parents are the worst thing that can happen to a child, I thought grimly. Jade¡¯s few words had revealed more than she probably meant to. This wasn¡¯t just about control. Her parents didn¡¯t just oversee her life¡ªthey dictated it, manipulating everything around her, ensuring that no one, least of all Jade, ever stepped out of line.


    I could feel the weight of it in her trembling shoulders, in the way she pressed her lips together like she was trying to swallow the pain whole.


    ¡°They can¡¯t keep you like this forever, you know,¡± I said softly, my voice low enough that it wouldn¡¯t startle her.


    Her head tilted slightly, just enough to show she¡¯d heard me, but she didn¡¯t reply.


    ¡°You¡¯re not something they get to own, Jade,¡± I continued. ¡°Not a tool, not a puppet. You¡¯re allowed to live for yourself. They don¡¯t get to take that away from you.¡±


    ¡°You make it sound so simple,¡± she murmured, her voice tinged with bitterness. ¡°But it¡¯s not. You don¡¯t know what they¡¯re capable of.¡±


    "Look," I said quietly and calmly. "Whatever they are, whoever they are, I¡¯m not scared. They¡¯re not going to push me away from you. I¡¯m not going anywhere."


    Her fear was evident - that our relationship would bring danger to my door. And while, maybe her parents were likely connected to some underground network, perhaps even leaders in their world. But that wasn¡¯t the whole picture. Someone else¡ªsomeone bigger¡ªwas behind the scenes. Perhaps the mastermind could be tied to the original time traveler or someone they controlled. The pieces were there, scattered like a jigsaw puzzle, but putting them together would take time. For now, all I could do was wait for the picture to come into focus.


    Jade leaned back slightly, her head tilting just enough to look at me. Her eyes were wide and wet, shimmering with unshed tears that caught the dim light. She looked like she wanted to believe me but couldn¡¯t let herself.


    ¡°You don¡¯t get it, North,¡± she whispered, her voice cracking on my name. ¡°They don¡¯t just control me¡ªthey control everything. People, systems, entire lives. If they see you as a problem, they won¡¯t stop. They¡¯ll do whatever it takes to¡ª¡±


    ¡°Do you trust me?¡± I asked, cutting her off gently.


    Her lips parted, her breath hitching as if she wanted to argue. But after a moment of hesitation, she nodded, the motion barely perceptible. ¡°I do.¡±


    ¡°Then trust me when I say I¡¯m not going anywhere,¡± I said, brushing a stray tear from her cheek with my thumb. Her skin was cold, and it made my resolve burn even hotter. ¡°Even if you push me away, I¡¯m staying. I¡¯m not letting them win.¡±


    She shook her head, frustration bubbling over as her voice rose slightly. ¡°You¡¯re not listening! You don¡¯t understand how dangerous they are. They don¡¯t just threaten people¡ªthey erase them. If they see you as a problem, they won¡¯t stop until you¡¯re¡ª¡±


    ¡°You know why I like you?¡± I interrupted again, this time more firmly.


    Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she shook her head, clearly more interested in protecting me than hearing my reasons.


    I exhaled slowly, searching for the right words. This wasn¡¯t a moment for anything less than honesty.


    ¡°Because I need a reason to keep moving forward,¡± I said, my voice steady.


    Her brow furrowed, confusion breaking through the storm in her eyes.


    My hand moved to her chest, resting lightly over her heart. The rhythm beneath my fingers was uneven but strong, like it was fighting to keep her standing. ¡°You make my days shorter,¡± I said softly, my voice quieter now but no less certain. ¡°You make the hours slip through my fingers faster than they should. No matter how much time I spend with you, it¡¯s never enough. And that¡¯s never happened to me before.¡±


    Her gaze darted to mine, a mix of confusion and vulnerability flashing across her silver eyes. I pressed on, wanting her to hear me, to understand.


    ¡°Believe me when I say, time doesn¡¯t mean the same thing to me as it does to you,¡± I continued. ¡° Chaos? It¡¯s just free entertainment. I wasn¡¯t afraid of it yesterday, and I won¡¯t be tomorrow.¡±


    I caught her gaze again, holding it steady as I spoke, my tone firm but gentle. ¡°So, you don¡¯t have to worry about me. Whatever they are, whoever they are, they¡¯re not going to scare me off. I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡±


    Her expression shifted slightly, the tension in her shoulders loosening, like a tightly wound spring beginning to unwind. I couldn¡¯t tell how much of what I said she truly believed. But something was changing. Maybe it was relief that I wouldn¡¯t abandon her, or maybe she was finding her own strength to push back against the fear that seemed to haunt her.


    Sometimes, all it took was knowing someone else believed in you.


    Jade exhaled deeply, the sound carrying the weight of the turmoil she¡¯d been holding inside. Her head leaned against my shoulder, a quiet surrender of her defenses. For a moment, the mighty dragon let her walls drop, and in that moment, she wasn¡¯t a force of nature¡ªshe was just Jade.


    ¡°You¡¯re so stubborn,¡± she murmured, her voice low and almost teasing. ¡°Why can¡¯t you just leave me alone? It would be easier.¡±


    Easier for whom? The thought crossed my mind, but I didn¡¯t say it aloud. Instead, I brushed a strand of her hair from her face, letting my hand linger there for a moment.


    ¡°Maybe it would be,¡± I admitted quietly. ¡°But easy doesn¡¯t mean right. And you¡¯re not something I could ever give up.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t deserve this,¡± she murmured.


    I glanced at her, surprised. ¡°Don¡¯t deserve what?¡±


    ¡°This,¡± she said, gesturing vaguely at the space between us. ¡°You. Any of it. You don¡¯t even know what you¡¯re risking.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t get to decide what you deserve. That¡¯s not how this works.¡± I replied stubbornly.


    Her eyes flicked up to meet mine, a flicker of vulnerability shining through the fear. ¡°But I¡¯ve done things¡­ things I can¡¯t fix.


    I cut her off, my tone firm but kind. ¡°Do you think I care what others think? About what you¡¯ve done? You think I don¡¯t know the risks?¡± I paused, searching her face. ¡°I¡¯m here because I want to be. Because you¡¯re worth it.¡±


    Her breath hitched, and she shook her head, her hands balling into fists against my chest. ¡°Why? Why would you do that? It doesn¡¯t make sense.¡±


    ¡°Because you¡¯re the first person who¡¯s ever made my life feel bigger than just me,¡± I said, my voice steady. ¡°You make it matter. And no one¡ªno parent, no enemy, no shadow¡ªis going to take that away from me.¡±


    Her tears came silently this time, streaking her cheeks as her fingers curled into the fabric of my shirt as if holding onto it could steady the storm inside her. ¡°You¡¯re so stupid,¡± she whispered, a small laugh escaping through her tears. ¡°But I¡¯m glad you¡¯re stupid.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± I feigned surprise, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°I thought you already knew that.¡± Then, with a playful smile, I flicked her forehead gently. ¡°But only a real idiot falls in love with another idiot.¡±


    ¡°Ouch!¡± she yelped, her hand flying to her forehead as if I¡¯d seriously hurt her. But the sound was followed by a laugh¡ªlight and genuine¡ªand a real smile broke through the tears still clinging to her lashes.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± she said softly, her voice steadying as she looked up at me. ¡°I guess I must be stupid too.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re,¡± I replied with a grin, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her closer. ¡°That makes two of us. Let¡¯s figure this out together, okay?¡±


    Her nod was slow, but it carried a certainty that hadn¡¯t been there before.


    Her arms slid around me tightly, her grip almost desperate, as if letting go would make me vanish.


    ¡°Okay,¡± she whispered, her voice muffled against my chest. ¡°Together.¡±


    I pressed a kiss to the top of her head, letting the warmth of the moment settle around us. I held her as close as I could, as if I could shield her from everything she feared.


    ¡°Together,¡± I promised, my voice low but unwavering.


    ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????


    For the next two weeks, Jade and I kept our interactions more discreet, avoiding open spaces where prying eyes might be watching. I was worried, her parents were probably keeping tabs on us, and we couldn¡¯t afford to give them a reason to interfere. Instead, we made the academy''s emergency stairwell our secret meeting spot. It wasn¡¯t glamorous, but it was ours. The lack of cameras and its usual state of being locked made it a safe haven for us.


    It felt like a necessary sacrifice to keep her close to me. I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of her parents deciding to pull her out of the academy and moving her back to their home planet. The mere idea was horrifying.


    Meanwhile, I had my own burdens to deal with: the 24 hours of weekly community service and endless ethics lectures. They were a pain in the ass. I found myself wishing every day for some miraculous reprieve, but, as always, my prayers fell on deaf ears.


    During this time, I also made a significant investment¡ªan idea that had been rattling around in my head for weeks. I bought an old research lab in the Western District. It wasn¡¯t cheap. Fifty million dollars evaporated from my account in a single transaction, but I didn¡¯t hesitate. The place had once been a cutting-edge lab where scientists studied particles and energy, but the company had gone bankrupt and while their downfall was unfortunate, it left behind exactly what I needed: an empty lab with specialized tools and instruments I could repurpose for my own needs.


    I intended to transform it into my personal lab, a base where I could dive into my research on Arcane magic and spells.


    This felt like a worthwhile pursuit¡ªa field vast and mysterious enough to challenge me, to give purpose to this third cycle.Stolen story; please report.


    The first time I walked into the lab, it felt surreal. Dust covered most of the surfaces, and the air carried the faint metallic tang of disuse. Rows of complicated machines lined the walls, their screens black. The silence was heavy, like the place had been waiting for someone to wake it up again.


    I spent hours wandering through the small facility, imagining what it must¡¯ve been like when it was buzzing with dozens of scientists. Every corner held some potential. I sketched out plans for where I¡¯d start setting up my work, which areas I¡¯d clear for testing, and which equipment needed repairs or upgrades. It was overwhelming but kind of exciting in a way. And then, the next month flew by in a blur of fixing, tweaking, and setting things up. Having been a student of science in my second cycle, I had a pretty good grasp of handling machines and solving technical issues. Each success, no matter how small, filled me with a quiet sense of pride as the lab slowly transformed from a dusty, abandoned relic into something functional¡ªsomething mine.


    The work wasn¡¯t glamorous. Most days, I was up to my elbows in grease or fiddling with outdated instruments and circuits. But there was a strange satisfaction in the repetition, in seeing my plans come to life one wire, one screw, one recalibrated machine at a time. The equipment, once dead and silent, now lit up softly, signaling progress.


    Still, the venture was turning out to be a black hole for money.


    Even though my lottery win had filled my account to the brim, it was draining faster than I anticipated. Equipment repairs, software updates, special tools¡ªI had budgeted for all of it, but the reality of running a full-scale lab, especially that dabbled into magic, hit harder than expected. Every week, I saw the numbers in my account dip lower and lower. I wasn¡¯t worried¡ªyet. After all, luck was still on my side. I had been cautious about overusing it, mindful of the delicate balance that kept it from turning against me. But today, it was time to dip into that well again.


    Today was the lucky day of the month, the day when someone would scratch another winning lottery ticket.


    I had mapped out the patterns, observed the timings, and now I just needed to follow the plan meticulously. Being in the right place at the right time was all it would take to tip the odds in my favor.


    Another lottery scratch. Something to refill the coffers and keep my plans afloat.


    Hopefully, I won¡¯t be getting beaten this time around, I thought grimly. The memory of my last ill-fated attempt was still fresh¡ªand painful. Jade had practically dragged my half-conscious body home after that fiasco, muttering something about how my stupidity knew no bounds. The humiliation still stung.


    <hr>


    ¡°Great, now we¡¯re inside the mall,¡± Alex grumbled, his tone dripping with frustration. ¡°You guys still haven¡¯t told me why you dragged me here. I have better things to do.¡±


    ¡°Do you?¡± Jade quipped, her eyebrow arching as she glanced at him.


    Alex scowled. ¡°Yes. Like¡­ not being here.¡±


    Jade turned to me, shrugged, and silently handed off the ¡°explaining¡± part to me. Thanks for that.


    ¡°We¡¯re here to win the monthly lottery draw,¡± I said, keeping my tone as casual as possible.


    Alex blinked at me, clearly unimpressed. ¡°Win the lottery? How exactly?¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± I began, choosing my words carefully, ¡°using Jade¡¯s and my meta natures, we can, uh, pinpoint the winning ticket and, you know, make it happen.¡±


    Alex raised an eyebrow, skepticism radiating off him in waves. ¡°Meta natures. Right. Sure. And the tooth fairy¡¯s in the food court grabbing a smoothie, I suppose?¡±


    Naturally, I couldn¡¯t tell him the full truth¡ªthat I already knew exactly where the winning ticket would show up. Still, I wasn¡¯t technically lying. If I pushed my meta abilities hard enough, I could locate a fortune. The real issue was what kind of cosmic tantrum I¡¯d have to deal with afterward. For example, my meta nature might point me toward a mountain of gold and when I reach there I found a dragon coiling it that would burn me alive. Not Good!


    ¡°Oh,¡± Alex said slowly, his expression shifting as realization hit. ¡°Wait a second¡ªis that why you two are always so close?¡±


    Hold on. Wrong conclusion!


    ¡°No!¡± I said, maybe a little too quickly. Jade shot me a look, part amusement, part ¡°you¡¯re on your own.¡±


    Alex crossed his arms, clearly enjoying my discomfort. ¡°Uh-huh. Sure. But isn¡¯t this whole thing, like¡­ against the rules or something? Manipulating luck to win?¡±


    I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. ¡°First of all, it¡¯s not manipulating luck¡ªit¡¯s redistributing probabilities. Totally different thing. Second¡­¡± I paused, debating how much of this I wanted to explain. ¡°Okay, fine, but who¡¯s going to prove it? Good fortune isn¡¯t illegal. As long as no one sees a ¡®crime,¡¯ then there is no crime.¡±


    I glanced at Jade for backup. She nodded, her expression as unapologetic as mine. Team solidarity.


    Alex hesitated, clearly suspicious. ¡°So, what do you need me for? Pretty sure no one likes sharing their fortune with others.¡±


    Jade stepped in, her voice calm and composed, like she was explaining why we needed eggs for breakfast. ¡°I¡¯ll be increasing North¡¯s fortune for a couple of minutes,¡± she said. ¡°During that time, and for a few hours after, his luck will¡­ recalibrate.¡±


    ¡°Recalibrate?¡± Alex repeated, narrowing his eyes.


    I cut in, helpfully. ¡°Plummet into the negatives. Think sudden chaos, accidents, stuff catching on fire for no reason.¡±


    ¡°Awesome,¡± Alex deadpanned. ¡°And you¡¯re just¡­ cool with that?¡±


    I shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s manageable.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s where you come in,¡± Jade said, picking up the thread without missing a beat. ¡°We need you to keep him alive and in one piece while the universe throws its tantrum. Deal with any random disasters, make sure he doesn¡¯t walk into traffic or accidentally blow something up. You know, basic babysitting.¡±


    Alex stared at us like we¡¯d just asked him to wrestle a bear. ¡°So let me get this straight: you¡¯re going to cheat the lottery, tank your own luck, and I¡¯m the guy who has to babysit you while the universe tries to murder you?¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± I said, grinning. ¡°And hey, you might even get a cut of the winnings. It¡¯s a win-win.¡±


    ¡°For who?¡± Alex muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. ¡°This has bad idea written all over it.¡±


    ¡°Not if you¡¯re good at your job,¡± I said cheerfully.


    ¡°Great,¡± Alex groaned. ¡°This better be worth it. If I end up in the hospital because of one of your schemes, you owe me for life. No exceptions.¡±


    ¡°Deal,¡± I said without hesitation.


    But Our little venture was doomed to hit snags from the start. As we neared the shop in the mall, my steps faltered. There he was¡ªthe goon from last time, jabbing furiously at the lottery machine¡¯s buttons like it had personally wronged him. His frustration was palpable. Worse still, he wasn¡¯t alone. Two burly accomplices loitered nearby, radiating a level of menace usually reserved for bad action movies. I froze just outside the shop, raising a hand to stop both Alex and Jade. They exchanged confused glances before following my gaze through the half-glass window. Jade¡¯s expression shifted instantly to one of righteous indignation, while Alex just looked, well, Alex¡ªclueless and slightly alarmed.


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡± Alex asked, leaning in to peer at the man with the subtlety of a train horn.


    ¡°He¡¯s our competitor,¡± Jade muttered, her voice low but brimming with disdain. ¡°Last time, we almost had to run for our lives because of him. And now he¡¯s brought backup.¡±


    Alex¡¯s gaze flicked back to the shop. ¡°So, uh, what¡¯s the plan here? Because I¡¯m not built for running¡ªor dying, for that matter.¡±


    My eyes narrowed as I focused on the scene inside. Though I couldn¡¯t be entirely sure, I had a strong suspicion this guy might be the second anomaly I¡¯d encountered this cycle, aside from Jade. Trouble seemed to orbit me like a storm cloud that didn¡¯t know how to take a hint.


    ¡°We can¡¯t fight in the mall,¡± I said after a moment, glancing at Jade. ¡°Unless, of course, you¡¯re feeling lucky enough to spend the night in a jail cell.¡±


    ¡°Pass,¡± she replied dryly.


    ¡°Can you reduce their odds of winning?¡± I asked, shifting gears.


    Jade¡¯s eyes lit up, a sly smile curling at the edges of her lips. ¡°Easily.¡±


    ¡°Good. But don¡¯t go overboard¡ªjust enough to make sure they can¡¯t win,¡± I instructed. but looking at her evil grin for a second, I wondered if she would actually hold back.


    Alex, meanwhile, was watching our exchange with growing suspicion. ¡°Okay, but what about us?¡± he asked. ¡°We can¡¯t just hang around here forever.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll wait them out,¡± I explained. ¡°They¡¯re not going to stay in there all day. But timing is critical¡ªif no one draws the winning ticket within the allocated window, the draw¡¯s voided, and we¡¯re out of luck.¡±


    ¡°And if they don¡¯t leave in time?¡± Alex asked skeptically.


    ¡°Then we improvise,¡± I said with a shrug. ¡°But hopefully, it won¡¯t come to that.¡±


    I turned to Alex and handed him my bank card. ¡°You¡¯ll have to go in. They don¡¯t know you¡¯re with us.¡±


    Alex hesitated, looking at the card like I¡¯d handed him a live grenade. ¡°Wait. Me? What about my luck? Isn¡¯t it going to screw things up?¡±


    Jade smirked, already preparing to work her magic. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that,¡± she said, her tone far too gleeful for comfort. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you have just enough luck to pull this off. Any more, and we risk making it obvious.¡±


    ¡°And any less?¡± Alex asked, clearly not reassured.


    ¡°Then you might trip over your own feet and end up in the fountain,¡± she said sweetly.


    ¡°Great,¡± Alex muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. ¡°This is definitely going to end well.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± I said, clapping him on the back. ¡°You¡¯ve got this. Just stay calm, act natural, and don¡¯t make eye contact with the goons.¡±


    Alex hesitated, his brow furrowing. ¡°What about my luck? Won¡¯t that screw things up?¡±


    Jade explained, ¡°It won¡¯t matter. Once I lower their odds of success, the system will be in our favor. They won¡¯t be able to draw the winning ticket no matter how hard they try. That leaves the field open for you.¡±


    Alex¡¯s eyes narrowed, his skepticism plain. ¡°And you¡¯re sure about this? Because I don¡¯t feel like ending up as a statistical anomaly.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s science,¡± Jade said breezily.


    I gave Alex a reassuring nod. ¡°You¡¯ll be fine. Worst case, we get in a fight end up in the hospital for a night.¡±


    Alex squared his shoulders with a sigh, muttered something under his breath about questionable friends, and strode toward the store with all the confidence of someone marching to their doom.


    Jade and I retreated to an inconspicuous spot behind a nearby pillar, keeping a clear view of the shop while avoiding any unnecessary attention. I took a deep breath, finally appreciating the foresight of bringing Alex along. If this trio of misfits decided to start trouble, Alex could flatten them. Reinforcements or not, it wouldn¡¯t even be a fair fight. Of course, there was another reason for involving Alex. Having him draw the winning ticket under his name added a layer of plausible deniability. Jade and I couldn¡¯t afford to leave fingerprints on this little operation¡ªnot if we wanted to keep flying under the radar. Alex was our perfect buffer: unlucky enough to be believable, strong enough to bail me out if this went south.


    We watched, eyes glued to the shop like hawks on a hunt. Inside, the main goon smacked the lottery machine, his face a picture of frustration. He clearly hadn¡¯t noticed his luck taking a nosedive¡ªthough, judging by the way his accomplices were fidgeting uncomfortably, they might have sensed something wasn¡¯t right.


    I allowed myself a small, satisfied grin. This might actually work better than expected without me putting my life in danger.


    I glanced at Jade, who was peering intently into the store through the window. Her outfit today was its own mix of charm: a white high-neck crop top that hugged her slender figure, paired with a fluffy blue-and-navy argyle cardigan draped loosely over her narrow shoulders. Her high-waisted, vintage-style blue jeans added a relaxed, casual vibe, while the pink-tinted round glasses perched on her nose gave her an intellectual edge. Also, her hair was worn straight and loose, with soft bangs framing her face, enhancing the casual and natural appeal.


    In the last two months, things had calmed down a lot between us. The storm of emotions, her parents¡¯ interference, and the fight had all seemed to settle, leaving us in a more peaceful place. And Jade had mostly returned to her usual cheerful and whimsical nature. As I watched her, I wished I could freeze this moment in time. Her smile, her presence¡ªit was a dream I wanted to hold onto, even if I knew dreams like this rarely stayed forever.


    Eventually, I broke the silence. ¡°So, how does this whole luck manipulation thing work for you?¡±


    She didn¡¯t look back, her eyes still locked on the store as she answered. ¡°It¡¯s nothing complicated. I¡¯m just affecting randomness in his surroundings. While doing that, I¡¯m taking away the chances and possibilities of anything good happening around him¡ªor to him¡ªand storing them for later use. That¡¯s how I increased your luck last time. I just borrowed it from someone else¡¯s pool of fortune.¡±


    Her explanation left me a little surprised. It sounded like maintaining a universal balance, shifting fortune like currency from one person to another.


    She finally turned to look at me, "I can''t just create good fortune from nothing. Well¡ª" A shadow crossed her face. "I could, technically. But there''s a ninety-eight percent chance that in the next second, you''d be reduced to strips of ribbons."


    ¡°Strips of ribbons?¡± I repeated, staring at her.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she said matter-of-factly, her lips twitching in amusement. ¡°Messing with randomness too much creates chaos. So I don¡¯t pull from nothing¡ªI just borrow luck and misfortune from the world around me, from what''s already out there. It''s like working with the current instead of against it."


    It made sense in a twisted sort of way. Luck wasn''t some infinite resource you could tap into endlessly¡ªit wasn''t even something you could see or touch. It was subtle, elusive, and those rare few who could manipulate it were like master thieves working with an invisible treasure.


    Moreover, there was rarely anyone at Jade¡¯s level. Just looking at the lucky goon, even though he had meta nature that allowed him to be extremely lucky, it wasn¡¯t much before her.


    ¡°Well,¡± I said lightly, trying to shake off the mental image of me as decorative ribbons, ¡°I¡¯d prefer not to be turned into confetti.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± she teased, her smile widening. ¡°Then don¡¯t push your luck.¡±


    Meanwhile, the situation inside the store was heating up fast. The main goon¡ªa thin man with a permanent scowl and a leather jacket that looked two sizes too big¡ªslammed his fist against the lottery machine. His frustration boiled over as the screen displayed yet another losing ticket.


    ¡°Goddammit! This thing¡¯s rigged!¡± he snarled, his voice loud enough to draw uneasy glances from nearby customers.


    One of his lackeys, a scruffy-bearded guy in a faded hoodie, crossed his arms and glared at him. ¡°Rigged, my ass! You¡¯re supposed to be the lucky one, huh? Said you¡¯d lead us to fortune. But ever since we started following you, it¡¯s been nothing but bad luck!¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± chimed in the other lackey, a burly man with a shaved head and a permanent scowl of his own. His voice was low and dripping with bitterness. ¡°First, we lost that stash to the cops because you wanted to ¡®test today¡¯s luck.¡¯ Now we¡¯re standing here watching you punch a damn machine like it¡¯s gonna spit out gold coins!¡±


    The thin man¡ªthe so-called Lucky Rabbit¡ªwhirled around to face them, his scowl deepening. ¡°Shut it, both of you! I know what I¡¯m doing! Luck¡¯s just¡­ outta sync today, that¡¯s all.¡±


    Lucky Rabbit¡¯s scowl deepened, his jaw tightening as he turned to face his lackey. ¡°Shut your mouth,¡± he growled, his voice low and menacing.


    The wiry one, undeterred, threw his hands up dramatically. ¡°Am I wrong? We lost the stash because you said, ¡®Don¡¯t worry, today¡¯s my lucky day!¡¯ We lost the car because, what? You had a hunch it could make it through the alley?¡± He gestured wildly at the machine. ¡°And now this? The machine doesn¡¯t even want to work with you!¡±


    The burly lackey, who had been watching in uncomfortable silence, finally chimed in. ¡°He¡¯s got a point, boss. You said luck was your thing, but lately¡­ it¡¯s not lookin¡¯ so good.¡±


    Lucky Rabbit shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass. ¡°You two idiots wanna do this without me? Be my guest. Go ahead¡ªshow me how much better you are.¡± He stepped back, gesturing at the stubborn machine like it was a challenge.


    For a moment, the tension between them was thick enough to cut with a knife. The burly lackey held his ground, but he didn¡¯t move toward the machine. Instead, he muttered under his breath, ¡°I mean¡­ I didn¡¯t say I could do better¡ª"


    ¡°Then shut up!¡± Lucky Rabbit barked, his voice loud enough to draw a few wary glances from nearby shoppers.


    "You¡¯re gonna keep blaming the universe no matter what.¡± Wiry lackey rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Damn right I am!¡± Lucky Rabbit snapped, turning back to the machine. He gave it one last slap for good measure, then leaned against it, glaring at the flashing lights like they¡¯d personally insulted him.


    From our vantage point behind the pillar, Jade smirked, her amusement barely contained. ¡°This is so much fun,¡± she whispered, her voice brimming with mischief.


    Back inside the store, the wiry lackey folded his arms, clearly still annoyed. ¡°Whatever, man. I¡¯m just saying, maybe stop calling yourself the Lucky Rabbit until, you know, you actually get lucky.¡±


    Lucky Rabbit growled, his fists clenching as he stepped closer to the machine, jabbing at the buttons with renewed frustration. ¡°Just watch. I¡¯ll prove it. You¡¯ll see.¡±


    Meanwhile, Alex moved quietly to the other lottery machine, his posture casual and unassuming. His movements were almost too relaxed, but his sharp gaze darted over the screen and keypad like a predator sizing up its prey. Sliding the bank card I¡¯d given him through the machine with one hand, he hovered his other hand over the buttons, ready to strike.


    Tickets began spitting out with rhythmic precision, each one folded neatly into his pocket. He kept his pace steady and deliberate, his ears tuned to the escalating chaos behind him.


    "Man, I can¡¯t believe this!" the wiry lackey shouted, throwing his hands up. "Why the hell did I even stick with you? It¡¯s like everything you touch turns to crap!"


    Lucky Rabbit whipped around, and barked. ¡°You think I¡¯m the problem? You think I¡¯m the reason things keep going south?¡± Slamming his fist against the machine one last time. This time, the machine responded with a loud, angry beep and an error message flashing across the screen.


    The wiry lackey let out a sharp laugh, pointing at the uncooperative machine. "ha, even the machine¡¯s had enough of you, man!"


    The burly lackey snorted, unable to hold back his own laugh. ¡°Hey, maybe you should change your name, boss. How about Unlucky Turtle? Way more fitting.¡±


    Lucky Rabbit¡¯s jaw tightened, "You two wanna keep running your mouths, or do you actually have something useful to say?¡±


    Alex, meanwhile, smirked subtly, his fingers deftly retrieving another ticket. He pocketed it without breaking stride, his calm, calculated movements making it look like he¡¯d been born for this.


    The two goons¡¯ frustration hit a boiling point as they turned to vent their anger elsewhere. That¡¯s when they noticed Alex, standing at the other machine with an air of calm detachment, smoothly drawing tickets one after another.


    Lucky Rabbit¡¯s eyes narrowed, his suspicion growing as he watched Alex casually pocket another ticket, his movements confident and unhurried, as if he owned the place.


    ¡°Hey, boss,¡± the wiry lackey muttered, nudging Lucky Rabbit. ¡°That guy over there¡¯s pulling tickets like it¡¯s no big deal.¡±


    Lucky Rabbit¡¯s scowl deepened as he squinted at Alex. ¡°What the hell is he doing?¡±


    The burly lackey folded his arms, tilting his head as he studied Alex. ¡°Looks like he¡¯s got it all figured out. That machine¡¯s spitting ¡®em out like candy for him.¡±


    The wiry lackey snorted. ¡°Meanwhile, we¡¯ve got this busted junk heap that doesn¡¯t even want to look at us anymore.¡±


    ¡°Shut it,¡± Lucky Rabbit growled. His eyes stayed locked on Alex, who, oblivious¡ªor perhaps intentionally so¡ªcontinued to draw tickets with an enviable ease.


    ¡°Hey, you!¡± Lucky Rabbit barked, finally stepping toward Alex, his lackeys trailing behind him. ¡°Step away from that machine. We need it.¡±


    Alex didn¡¯t flinch. He drew another ticket, slid it into his pocket, and pressed the button for the next one, all without so much as a glance in their direction. His air of complete indifference only seemed to enrage the goons further.


    "You deaf?" the wiry lackey snapped, stepping in closer, his voice dripping with aggression.


    "Boss said move," added the burly lackey, cracking his knuckles for emphasis.


    "Yeah," the wiry lackey chimed in, cracking his knuckles for effect. "Don¡¯t make us get rough."


    With perfect timing, Alex finally turned to them, his expression utterly bored. ¡°Oh, were you talking to me?¡± he asked, feigning ignorance.


    Lucky Rabbit¡¯s eye twitched, ¡°Yeah. We were talking to you. Get lost before you make this worse for yourself.¡±


    Alex casually pocketed another ticket, his smirk widening just a fraction. ¡°Don¡¯t mind me. I¡¯m just here for the jackpot. You guys seem busy¡­ breaking machines.¡±


    The wiry lackey stepped closer, his patience clearly running out. ¡°You¡¯ve got about five seconds to move, pal.¡±


    Behind the pillar, I stifled a laugh. ¡°He¡¯s really pushing it.¡±


    "You three look like you¡¯ve had a bad day," Alex said dryly, slipping another ticket into his pocket without a care in the world. "I¡¯d recommend you leave before it gets worse."


    The burly goon leaned in, his scowl deepening into something he probably thought was menacing. "You think you¡¯re tough, huh? We¡¯re not asking. We¡¯re telling. Step away, or we¡¯ll make you regret it."


    Alex let out a slow, deliberate sigh, straightening his posture. His calm eyes took on a steely glint, and the easygoing smirk on his face vanished, replaced by something cold and cutting. "Do you idiots even know who you¡¯re dealing with?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.


    The three goons exchanged uneasy glances, their bravado faltering.


    Alex took a deliberate step toward them, his entire demeanor shifting. It was as though the air around him grew heavier, his presence swelling with an authority that seemed completely out of place in a mall lottery kiosk. "I¡¯m a student of Beyonder¡¯s Academy," he said, his words slicing through the tension like a knife. "If you¡¯ve got half a brain, you¡¯d know what that means."


    The wiry lackey immediately paled, taking a hesitant step back. "B-Beyonder¡¯s Academy?" he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "He¡¯s gotta be bluffing¡ª"


    "Shut up," Lucky Rabbit barked, though even his voice wavered.


    It was a lose-lose situation, and they all knew it. If what Alex said was true, then picking a fight with him was about as smart as poking a sleeping bear. Lucky Rabbit tried to hold his ground, but Alex¡¯s piercing stare and effortless confidence made him falter.


    Alex took another step forward, letting the silence stretch out just long enough to unsettle them further. "Let me spell it out for you," he said icily. "You mess with me, you¡¯re messing with my friends from the academy. You think you¡¯ve had bad luck today? Try crossing paths with a few of my seniors. They don¡¯t ask questions. They don¡¯t negotiate."


    The wiry lackey swallowed hard, his earlier bravado evaporating like mist in the sun. "M-Maybe we should listen to him, boss," he muttered nervously, glancing at Lucky Rabbit.


    The burly lackey nodded in agreement, his posture shrinking. Even Lucky Rabbit¡¯s hand twitched at his side, his confidence visibly crumbling.


    "I¡ªI don¡¯t think it¡¯s worth it, boss," the wiry one added, a faint tremor in his voice. "Let¡¯s just go. He¡¯s not worth the trouble."


    Alex smirked, folding his arms across his chest. His stance was unyielding, like a storm wall standing firm against the wind. "Smart choice," he said coolly. "Now, back off before I decide to teach you a lesson myself."


    The wiry lackey didn¡¯t need to be told twice. He grabbed the burly goon by the sleeve, tugging him away with surprising urgency. "Come on, man. Let¡¯s go."


    Lucky Rabbit lingered for a moment longer. As Alex threw one final glare over his shoulder, something shifted in Lucky Rabbit expression¡ªa flicker of genuine fear. Bad luck was one thing, but risking his life over a lottery ticket? No matter what that stranger had said, it wasn''t worth it. Besides, with his particular talent, there were always other tickets to scratch, other games to win. Alex waited until they vanished around the corner before turning back to the machine with practiced calm. The ticket that emerged had an unmistakable golden sheen in my vision. He caught our eye through the window, and his subtle smirk said everything.


    ¡°All clear,¡± he murmured, his tone smug yet calm, as if scaring off three grown men was just another mundane task on his to-do list.


    Suddenly, I could feel Jade tense beside me, her hand gripping mine tightly. She turned to me, her eyes wide with barely contained energy. ¡°Should we take action?¡± she whispered urgently.


    ¡°And do what?¡± I asked, genuinely surprised.


    She pressed closer, her eagerness palpable¡ªlike an overexcited puppy, albeit one with a penchant for violence. ¡°We could... you know... beat... no, teach them a lesson,¡± she mumbled, her cheeks tinged with redness as though she realized how absurd she sounded.


    I blinked at her, caught between exasperation and amusement. This wasn¡¯t the first time she¡¯d suggested ¡°beating¡± someone as a solution, but it never failed to catch me off guard. Looking at her, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder about the peculiar upbringing that had shaped her. This strange mix of childlike need for approval and casual ruthlessness was as endearing as it was baffling. Maybe her parents had a very... unique approach to teaching problem-solving. Either way, her answer to most problems was always a decisive (if not entirely rational) ¡°beat them.¡±


    I shook my head firmly. ¡°It¡¯s not worth getting into trouble. Besides,¡± I added, gesturing toward Alex, ¡°our mission here is already a success.¡±


    Jade huffed, crossing her arms in a pout but relenting. ¡°Fine,¡± she grumbled, though the spark of annoyance in her eyes made it clear she wasn¡¯t thrilled with my decision.


    Moments later, Alex strolled out of the shop, stretching leisurely like he¡¯d just wrapped up a satisfying workout. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a neat stack of tickets, handing them over to me with an exaggerated flourish. ¡°Here. Your fruits of hard work,¡± he said, grinning like he¡¯d just delivered a priceless treasure.


    ¡°More like your hard work,¡± I replied, taking the tickets and tucking them away. ¡°And don¡¯t get too cocky. That was only phase one.¡±


    Alex arched an eyebrow. ¡°Phase one? Do I even want to know what phase two is?¡±


    I smirked. ¡°No. But don¡¯t worry¡ªyou¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡±


    Jade perked up at that, her earlier annoyance vanishing. ¡°Does phase two involve teaching lessons?¡± she asked hopefully.


    ¡°No,¡± I said firmly, shooting her a look.


    She sighed dramatically.


    I took the tickets, flipping through them briefly. Most of them appeared ordinary to the naked eye, but in my vision, the golden one stood out vividly. Its glow was almost blinding, a clear indicator that it was the winning ticket.


    I pulled the golden-looking one out from the stack and held it up. ¡°This one stays with you.¡±


    Alex arched an eyebrow, clearly curious. ¡°Is this phase two?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I replied, handing the rest of the tickets back to him. ¡°I can¡¯t have more than one big winning ticket linked to me directly. You¡¯ll draw it online. Once the money comes in, we¡¯ll split it.¡±


    He hesitated for a moment, glancing between the ticket and me, as if weighing the implications. Then, a sly smirk tugged at his lips. ¡°Smart move. It makes sense, considering we don¡¯t want anyone sniffing around for foul play.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± I said with a nod, my tone serious. ¡°Better safe than sorry.¡±


    Jade, who had been watching the exchange, finally chimed in with mischief., ¡°Just remember, Alex, if they trace anything back to you, we¡¯re not bailing you out.¡±


    To be honest, Alex was the only one within our small friend group, whom she felt comfortable talking. They could even be called good friends.


    Alex turned his head slightly, giving her an exaggerated look of mock betrayal. ¡°Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence, Jade. Good to know I can always count on you in a pinch.¡±


    Jade shrugged nonchalantly, ¡°Oh, you can count on me¡ªfor moral support. From a safe distance.¡±


    I chuckled, shaking my head. ¡°Don¡¯t let her fool you, Alex. If it gets bad, she¡¯d probably send flowers to your hospital room. Maybe even a card.¡±


    ¡°Handwritten or printed?¡± Alex asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he pocketed another ticket.


    ¡°Depends on how bad it is,¡± Jade quipped, leaning casually against the pillar. ¡°If it¡¯s just a minor scuffle, you¡¯re getting a printed one. But if it¡¯s a full-on fight?¡± She paused dramatically, her grin widening. ¡°I might break out the glitter pens.¡±


    Alex let out a soft laugh, tucking the golden ticket safely into his pocket. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not planning on getting caught. Besides, who¡¯d suspect someone as charming as me?¡±


    Jade and I exchanged a glance, her expression skeptical, mine slightly amused. For all his smugness, Alex had proven reliable so far, and this arrangement really was the safest option.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Alex said, clapping his hands together with finality. ¡°I¡¯ll get this ticket submitted tonight. When the money comes in, I¡¯ll let you guys know.¡±


    The tension of the day dissolved as we moved on, deciding to kill time browsing the mall¡¯s shops together. Alex, much to my surprise, turned out to have strong opinions about leather jackets, critiquing every one he tried on as though he were preparing for a biker fashion show. Jade, on the other hand, was drawn to every expensive clothing or accessory that caught her eye. By the time she tried on an oversized pair of rhinestone sunglasses and a neon pink scarf, she looked like she was starring in an avant-garde fashion show. ¡°What do you think?¡± she asked, striking a dramatic pose.


    ¡°Perfect,¡± Alex said without missing a beat. ¡°If you¡¯re planning to fight crime in Las Vegas.¡±


    Even I couldn¡¯t hold back a laugh.


    Eventually, evening rolled around, and we prepared to part ways. By this point, my hands were overflowing with Jade¡¯s shopping bags. There were at least four of them, all packed with everything from limited edition boots and jeans to a small stuffed animal she¡¯d insisted was ¡°too cute to leave behind.¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± Alex said, shooting me a knowing smirk. ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve got your hands full, North.¡±


    ¡°Literally,¡± I muttered, adjusting my grip on the bags.


    ¡°Good luck with that,¡± he added, waving us off as he disappeared into the crowd to ¡°handle business.¡±


    As Jade and I walked toward the exit, the cool evening air brushing against us, she glanced up at me, her eyes soft and warm. ¡°Today was fun,¡± she said quietly.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I replied, trying to shrug despite the awkward load in my arms.


    She stopped just before the entrance, standing on her toes to press a light kiss to my cheek. Her smile turned slightly mischievous as she gestured to the bags in my hands. ¡°Consider it your reward for carrying all my treasures.¡±


    I rolled my eyes but couldn¡¯t stop the smile spreading across my face. ¡°Oh, lucky me.¡±

 Act 2.18 (Chrysalis)

    The next day, instead of heading home after academy classes, I made a beeline for my personal lab.


    Once there, I immediately set to work, carefully retrieving the newly arrived distortion rods from their case, setting them up in the room¡¯s corners. The rods were heavier than they looked, their polished surfaces catching the low light. As I adjusted their alignment, the faint vibration of their activation thrummed through the air, steady, rhythmic, and a little annoying.


    ¡°Can you reduce the margins for error?¡± I asked, glancing toward Jade. She was perched on the edge of the workbench, her legs swinging idly.


    She didn¡¯t answer right away, her gaze fixed on me with a faint smile. I shook my head, she simply liked staring when I worked.


    Finally, she leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. ¡°Yeah, sure,¡± she agreed, ¡°But seriously, what¡¯s these glowing sticks supposed to do, anyway?¡±


    I didn¡¯t answer immediately, keeping my focus on the task at hand. Instead focused on fine-tuning the final alignment. Once the last adjustment clicked into place, I stepped back to inspect the setup. The containment field shimmered faintly, a subtle distortion at its edges, signaling that everything was functioning as intended. Satisfied, I let out a quiet breath and turned toward Jade, who was still perched on the table, her legs swinging idly. She was still looking at me with the kind of patient curiosity that wasn¡¯t entirely patient¡ªlike she was waiting for something interesting to happen and ready to pounce the moment it did.


    ¡°These glowing sticks are called Distortion Bars,¡± I explained. ¡°They¡¯re the cheapest tools available for detecting and recording any alterations in reality within a localized parameters. They work by creating a localized containment zone that¡¯s sensitive to reality altering changes.¡±


    Jade¡¯s eyes lit up and she quickly drew a connection. ¡°So, these rods¡­ they¡¯re basically budget versions of the academy¡¯s alarms? To catch students using their powers on campus?"


    I chuckled, shrugging. ¡°Pretty much the same concept. But the academy alarms use a different version of this device. They use something called Meta Aspect. It¡¯s a type of radiation¡ªunique to metahumans¡ªthat gets released whenever we use our powers. Every meta nature leaves a distinct signature.¡±


    Jade¡¯s eyes lit up with understanding, ¡°So, like a magical fingerprint.¡±


    ¡°Wait! Wait!¡± But suddenly, her expression shifted to one of surprise and skepticism. She narrowed her eyes slightly, her tone sharper. ¡°How do you know that? I¡¯ve never read anything like it in the books.¡±


    I allowed myself a small smile, enjoying the rare moment of seeing her genuinely curious. To be honest, in certain topics related to her meta she was more knowledgeable than me.


    ¡°Of course, you haven¡¯t,¡± I replied, leaning back slightly. ¡°This exactly isn''t common knowledge. The government keeps this information classified for a reason. But here¡¯s the gist¡ªany cause that alters reality, no matter how subtle, leaves behind a signature. It could be radiation, a distortion field, or some other measurable disturbance like: false memories, how your own meta destabilize the reality for a long periods of time, causing other bad lucks, or even sudden habits appearing in a group of people. You¡¯ll cover it in your later years at the academy.¡±


    Jade furrowed her brows, her expression thoughtful as she mulled over my words. I could almost see the gears turning in her head, connecting the dots and picking apart the implications.


    ¡°So,¡± she said slowly, her voice taking on a curious edge, ¡°how does the device differentiate genuine reality shifts from perceptual anomalies? What if the matter itself is inducing a localized truth, causing our observational framework to accept a false baseline reality as the correct temporal constant?


    Her insight was impressive, but not surprising. I nodded, acknowledging her perceptiveness. ¡°That¡¯s a valid concern,¡± I said, meeting her gaze. ¡°The scientists who developed this had the same worry. So they came up with something clever. They discovered that reality itself has a kind of... weight to it. Not the kind you can measure on a regular scale, but more like a conceptual weight. Think of it as how solid and immovable the rules of the world are in any given spot.¡±


    ¡°The weight of reality?¡± Jade echoed, tilting her head in curiosity.


    ¡°Exactly,¡± I confirmed. ¡°It¡¯s a conceptual metric used to gauge the stability of reality in a defined space. When the rods are active, they measure this ¡®reality weight¡¯ within the containment field. Then¡ªand here''s the tricky part¡ªthe measured value is cross-referenced against what we call the Universal Reality Constant¡ªor URC¡ªwhich represents the standardized quantum-mass signature of undistorted space-time across all observable dimensions. Any deviation from this baseline indicates a manipulation of fundamental reality parameters, regardless of perceptual interference or localized reality distortion fields.¡±


    I leaned forward slightly, shifting my tone to something lighter. ¡°Think of it like a bathtub full of water. You know exactly how much water should be in there. If someone splashes around, pulls some out, or pours more in, you¡¯ll notice because the water level changes.¡±


    Jade¡¯s lips twitched into a faint smirk. ¡°So, reality has a ¡®water level,¡¯ and these rods are your measuring cup?¡±


    I chuckled, shaking my head. ¡°Crude metaphor, but yeah, that¡¯s the gist. Any deviation from the constant is a clear indicator that something has happened¡ªwhether it¡¯s a minor disturbance or a major shift. The universe has its own normal ''water level'' of reality. When someone uses meta or changes things, it''s like they''re making waves in that reality-water or adding a color to it. These rods can spot those waves and colors, even if our eyes think everything looks normal. That''s how we know when something''s been messed with, even if the thing doing the messing is trying to hide it."


    ¡°Okay,¡± she said, tilting her head, ¡°but what if someone messes with the rods themselves? Like, what if their powers alter how the rods detect reality? Wouldn¡¯t that hide the changes?¡±


    Her question caught me off guard, and I couldn¡¯t help but give her an approving nod. ¡°Smart,¡± I admitted. ¡°That¡¯s actually a big concern in labs where they rely on this tech. If someone can alter the rods¡¯ ability to measure reality, it makes it harder to detect manipulation.¡±


    ¡°So, it¡¯s possible?¡± she pressed.


    ¡°It is,¡± I admitted, ¡°but there¡¯s multiple safeguards. The rods are designed to self-calibrate against the URC at regular intervals. If their readings fall out of sync, they shut down to prevent corrupted data. It¡¯s not perfect, but it makes tampering a lot harder¡ªunless the person doing it knows exactly what they¡¯re doing.¡±


    ¡°Still, that¡¯s pretty cool,¡± Jade said, her lips quirking into a faint grin as she clapped her hands lightly. ¡°Can you measure how much weight I¡¯m pressing on reality?¡±


    I shot her a look, half amused, half exasperated. ¡°We¡¯ll get to that later,¡± I promised, waving her off as I focused on the task at hand.


    I handed her a few small items to position around the room. ¡°For now, just put these where I showed you.¡±


    Jade took the items with a mock sigh of exaggerated effort, but she complied, moving to the other side of the room as I approached the center. Suspended in midair was the containment chamber.. It hung there, completely ignoring the pull of gravity, as though it existed in its own pocket of reality.


    With careful precision, I reached into my pocket and extracted the spell cube. The smooth, iridescent surface caught the light as it left my fingers, drifting into the containment field as if guided by an unseen hand, pulling the cube into its center, where it began to hover and rotate, slow and deliberate. I didn¡¯t waste time lingering near it. I quickly stepped back, putting a safe distance between myself and the field. I had no desire to be caught in the feedback when the cube''s casing finally cracked.


    "Which spell is this one?" Jade asked, eyeing the floating cube. She knew I carried several spells, but I didn¡¯t often discuss them.


    ¡°Leave a Face Behind,¡± I explained, keeping my eyes on the cube as it slowly rotated. ¡°It creates a thirty-second clone of someone from their recent past. Handy for making a quick escape, or...¡± I shrugged. ¡°Fighting alongside yourself for half a minute. Comes in useful more often than you¡¯d think.¡±


    ¡°Hard to believe magic has all these tricks,¡± Jade muttered, her expression carrying an edge of distrust that was impossible to miss.


    I smirked faintly at the irony. ¡°Coming from someone who bends randomness and probability to her will, that¡¯s a bold take.¡±


    Her head snapped toward me, eyes narrowing. ¡°That¡¯s not the same,¡± she said defensively, crossing her arms. ¡°My meta doesn''t entirely rewrite reality¡ªthey make adjustments to it. Subtly.¡±


    ¡°To most people,¡± I countered, meeting her gaze evenly, ¡°your adjustment might as well be magic. Subtle doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s not incredible.¡±


    She merely shrugged, not caring, but then her expression hardened. ¡°You still haven¡¯t told me what the first spell you assimilated was supposed to do. I know it¡¯s not just about making you ¡®think better.¡¯¡±


    I sighed, running a hand down my face. Guilt prickled in my chest, but I stayed silent, unsure how to answer without cracking open a door I wasn¡¯t ready to face.


    Jade¡¯s eyes flashed with frustration. ¡°You expect me to share my secrets with you,¡± she said, her voice rising, ¡°while you keep locking yourself away? Relationships don¡¯t work like that, North! It¡¯s not fair. You might think keeping me in the dark makes me safer. It doesn¡¯t. It just makes me feel... alone. Like you don¡¯t trust me. And that hurts more than anything else ever could."


    She took a deep breath and continued as I listened in silence, "I don¡¯t need you to protect me from everything. I¡¯m not asking for perfect. I just need you to let me in. Give me a chance, to be there for you the way you¡¯ve been there for me.¡±


    Her words struck like a hammer, harder than I expected, sharper than any argument we¡¯d had before. And the worst part was, she wasn¡¯t wrong. The secrets I kept¡ªabout my past, my meta, my choices¡ªwere a wall I¡¯d or we¡¯d built between us. Now, it was up to me whether I wanted to tear it down or let it grow taller.


    I exhaled slowly, glancing at her. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± I admitted quietly. ¡°It¡¯s not fair. You¡¯ve trusted me with so much, and I... haven¡¯t done the same. I¡¯ll tell you about the spell. But rest not here¡ªnot now. Just... give me some time.¡±


    Her scowl softened, but only slightly. ¡°Time,¡± she echoed skeptically. ¡°You keep saying that, but it feels like you¡¯re just stalling.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± I promised, ¡°I mean it.¡±


    She studied me for cracks in my sincerity. Finally, she let out a breath and looked away. ¡°Fine. But don¡¯t think I¡¯ll let this go.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t expect you to,¡± I said, forcing a small smile.


    I guided the still-fuming Jade to sit down, her resistance evident in the way she stiffened at first. Eventually, she relented, settling into the chair with a huff. It hit me then, as it always did in these quiet moments, how lucky I was to have her in my life. And how much I couldn''t afford to lose her. I settled into the chair across from her, taking a moment to straighten my thoughts. Should I make an excuse, or just tell her the truth? She deserved honesty, but the truth wasn¡¯t easy to share. It wasn¡¯t pretty, and it might scare her. After a moment of deliberation, I decided to be open.


    ¡°It was for my head,¡± I said quietly. ¡°The first spell I assimilated¡ªit was to fix my mind. I was¡­ losing my memories. Slowly, but steadily. And it wasn¡¯t just memory¡ªI was becoming delusional.¡±


    Jade¡¯s expression shifted instantly. Her irritation melted away, replaced by concern so fierce it almost made me flinch. She reached out, grabbing my hand with a firm grip. ¡°You are sick?¡± she asked, her voice tight with worry. ¡°We can find someone¡ªa healing meta nature or someone in the city who specializes in mental health! I have a friend back home who¡¯s amazing at editing problems like that. I¡¯ll send him a message. Or we could hire someone¡ª¡±A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    ¡°Jade,¡± I interrupted gently, squeezing her hands to calm her. ¡°It¡¯s fixed now. The spell worked. You don¡¯t have to worry.¡±


    But she shook her head, her jaw tightening in defiance. ¡°Have you even seen your eyes? Every time I look at them, I feel like¡­ something¡¯s moving inside. Watching. There¡¯s this dark¡­ mass. Strangeness. It shifts constantly when you¡¯re concentrating, like it¡¯s alive.¡±


    This was news to me. Of course, I didn¡¯t have a habit of staring into mirrors while lost in thought. Her words sent a cold ripple through me. Was this strangeness growing? Was it a symptom of something worse?


    ¡°Is it growing?¡± I asked quietly.


    She leaned closer, studying my eyes intently. Finally, she shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t think so. Right now, it¡¯s the size of a drop. But it moves.¡±


    I nodded, though her words unsettled me more than I let on. If the Arcane spell had fixed my mind, what was this¡­ strangeness? A leftover fragment? Corruption? I still wasn¡¯t sure. Hopefully, the experiments would yield some answers soon, or I¡¯d be walking blindly into something I couldn¡¯t control.


    Jade¡¯s grip tightened on my hands. ¡°I don¡¯t want to lose you,¡± she said, her voice soft but trembling with intensity. ¡°So, please¡ªdon¡¯t take any more risks like this.¡±


    I opened my mouth to respond, to promise something reassuring, but before I could, her tone shifted. It was like a blade sliding free of its sheath, sharp and cold. ¡°And if you do,¡± she continued, her gaze locking onto mine, ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you stop. Myself, if I have to.¡±


    The sheer conviction in her voice made it clear she wasn¡¯t making some empty threat. I blinked, momentarily speechless, my brain scrambling for a response.


    She was downright scary when she got serious.


    ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± I promised, trying to reassure her.


    Her grip on my hands loosened just slightly, but her eyes still searched mine, as if trying to gauge the sincerity of my words.


    ¡°And let¡¯s not forget,¡± I added with a sly smile, trying to lighten the mood, ¡°you¡¯re the one who likes to take risks, not me.¡±


    ¡°But I don¡¯t lose,¡± Jade shot back, her confidence unwavering. "Never."


    I couldn¡¯t argue with that. Jade never lost¡ªat least, not in the ways that mattered.


    ¡°I promise,¡± I said again, softer this time, as I stepped closer. I cupped her face gently between my palms, as if holding something infinitely precious, "no unnecessary risks."


    The effect was immediate¡ªJade''s tension melted away under my touch. It fascinated me how this simple gesture always seemed to calm her. Did she secretly like it when I cupped her face? I filed away that observation.


    She let out a small, reluctant sigh, her lips pressing into a thin line. ¡°You¡¯d better mean it.¡±


    ¡°I do,¡± I replied, my thumbs brushing lightly against her cheeks. ¡°For you, I mean it.¡±


    Thereafter, I turned my attention back to the Arcane spell suspended in the air, It had broken out of the shell. Its ever-morphing form mesmerizing in its stillness. It hung there, unaffected by the world around it.


    After taking a final look, I turned to Jade. ¡°Let¡¯s go home.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± she asked, tilting her head slightly.


    I nodded. ¡°Hmm. We¡¯ll come back tomorrow to review the observations,¡± I explained. ¡°The instruments need time to gather data.¡±


    I turned toward the door, ready to leave the lab behind for the day. But before I could take more than a step, I felt her hand wrap around my arm, tugging gently.


    ¡°Wait,¡± she said softly, her voice low and hesitant.


    I stopped, turning back to her, surprised by the sudden shift in her tone. ¡°What is it?¡±


    She hesitated, her fingers tightening slightly on my sleeve. The sharp confidence she carried a moment ago seemed to falter, replaced by a quiet vulnerability. Her gaze dropped, and she clutched the hem of her skirt nervously, a soft redness creeping up her neck and cheeks. ¡°It¡¯s our space,¡± she murmured, her voice trailing off as she glanced away. ¡°There¡¯s no one else here¡­ Do you think... I mean... we...¡±


    For a moment I was unable to close my mouth. My lips curled into amused smiled as I stepped closer, Jade¡¯s breath hitched slightly, her silver eyes flickering upward to meet mine.


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    I took a moment to admire her effortlessly elegant appearance. She wore a strapless black corset-style bodice adorned with silver buttons and a statement bow at the neckline, paired with sheer, billowy white off-shoulder sleeves that gathered delicately at the wrists. From the bodice flowed a tiered white ruffled skirt and white pattern tights, giving her a dreamy presence. Her hair was styled into a messy updo, with a long, thin ribbon tied into a bow at the top, its ends cascading down softly for a whimsical touch and the soft strands framing her face like a masterpiece. A delicate choker necklace accentuated her neck, while the faint tattoo on her shoulder hinted at an edgy, mysterious side. She looked every bit like the graceful mystery she was.


    We stood like that for a moment, staring at each other, neither of us blinking. Her nervousness was endearing, stirring something protective and tender inside me. I couldn¡¯t help but smile. My fingers trailed up her thighs slowly, feeling the delicate tension in her body as I leaned in, resting my forehead lightly against hers.


    I was struck again by how delicate and fragile she felt beneath my touch; sometimes I feared she might break if I wasn¡¯t careful with my touch.


    I slid my hands to her waist, lifting her effortlessly and placing her on the table behind us. She gasped softly, her hands gripping my shoulders for balance. Then her hands slid upward from my shoulder to my neck, her fingers tangling gently in my hair. She pulled me closer, erasing the last space between us. I leaned in, trailing soft kisses along her jawline, down to the sensitive spot just below her ear. She gasped, her grip on me tightening as her legs instinctively wrapped around my waist, holding me to her.


    "..."


    "..."


    ¡°Wait,¡± she whispered softly, stopping me.


    ¡°What?¡± I asked, breathless, my chest rising and falling as I tried to steady myself.


    She leaned closer, her lips brushing against my ear as she whispered, ¡°I love you.¡±


    The words hit me like a wave, crashing over everything else. I brushed end of ribbon off her face, letting my fingers linger against her cheek. ¡°I love you too,¡± I whispered, the words carrying every ounce of truth I felt in that moment. Her lips curved into a smile, soft and radiant. The tension in her body eased as she relaxed against me, her arms still wrapped around my neck. We stayed like that, the rest of the world fading into irrelevance.


    Time blurred, and for the next hour, nothing else existed but the warmth of her touch and the steady rhythm of our hearts, beating as one.


    <hr>


    From the moment Jade entered my life, my evenings had transformed into something tranquil and cherished. They had become my favorite part of the day¡ªquiet, uninterrupted moments spent in her presence, far more beautiful than any other mystery in the world.


    With her, even silence felt full.


    After we finished at the lab, we decided to take the train home. I didn¡¯t have my driver¡¯s license yet¡ªnot because I didn¡¯t want it, but because other things always seemed more urgent. The train didn¡¯t bother me, though. In fact, I kind of liked it. Tonight, it gave me more time to spend with her. As the evening train hummed along the tracks, I glanced down at Jade. Her head rested against my shoulder, fitting there like it was made to. Her hair had grown longer over the past few months, spilling down like black ink over my arm. I couldn¡¯t help but notice how seren she looked.


    Outside, the sun was setting, bathing everything in warm, golden light. It poured through the windows, illuminating her face in a way that made her look almost unreal. Her lashes cast delicate shadows against her cheeks, her lips slightly parted as she dozed. She was always beautiful, but like this, she was... dreamy.


    I didn¡¯t want to disturb her, but the moment was too perfect to let it slip by. Quietly, I opened my notebook and slipped a pencil from my pocket.


    The train car was relatively quiet, a low murmur of conversations in the background blending with the hum of the iron wheels. A few passengers were reading; others were immersed in their phones. A group of teenagers in the corner shattered the calm with their animated chatter, but even their noise felt distant.


    I began sketching, my strokes light and deliberate. I wasn¡¯t an artist, not really, but I liked to draw when it felt important¡ªand this felt important. I traced the curve of her jaw, the delicate arch of her brows, the way her hair fell like silk across her shoulders. A small, involuntary smile tugged at my lips as I worked, the drawing slowly taking shape.


    The train jolted as it rounded a bend, but Jade didn¡¯t stir. I glanced down at her again, chuckling softly. She could sleep through anything when she felt safe. I liked to think it was because she was with me. She was a fiery storm in most aspects of life but had this uncanny ability to relax completely in moments like these. Maybe it was because she wore herself out so completely¡ªburning bright until she needed to retreat and recharge. Or maybe it was her impish habit of biting and scratching when she was impish or frustrated left its mark¡ªliterally. My shoulders and arms still had reminders of her mischief. Maybe she was a cat in her past life, picking fights for no reason and curling up with an air of contentment when she decided it was time.


    I smiled at the thought, my pencil gliding across the page. The drawing was starting to mirror her.


    The train slid into an underground tunnel, and the warm sunlight was replaced by the artificial glow of overhead lights. The world outside vanished into shadows.


    I was just adding the finishing touches to her hair when a violent impact suddenly rocked the entire train.


    It was sudden, violent, and deafening.


    The train car lurched, throwing passengers forward in their seats.


    The air filled with the horrific screech of grinding metal, a sound like nails dragging across the universe itself.


    My pencil clattered to the floor, forgotten, as my instincts kicked in.


    I grabbed the armrest with one hand and wrapped my other arm tightly around Jade. The train shuddered again, a second, harder impact sending more people tumbling from their seats. Cries of confusion and fear rose around us as the car rocked violently, the fluorescent lights flickering overhead.


    Jade stirred, her head lifting abruptly from my shoulder. Her silver eyes were wide, her expression groggy but laced with concern. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± she asked, her voice slightly unsteady.


    The screeching sound came again, this time sharper, closer. The train groaned against the rails as if something massive was forcing it off track. Passengers screamed. A backpack skidded across the aisle, and a man¡¯s phone slid under a seat, spinning to a stop. The lights blinked out again, plunging us into brief, suffocating darkness before they flickered back to life.


    ¡°Stay close to me,¡± I commanded, my voice steady despite the chaos. I tightened my grip on Jade¡¯s hand, scanning our surroundings for anything that might give me a clue as to what was happening¡ªor how we could escape if it got worse.


    The train shook violently again, harder this time, throwing people sideways. Someone¡¯s luggage slammed into the wall with a dull thud. The air filled with the acrid scent of burning metal. My mind raced, adrenaline surging as I tried to assess the situation. The sound of crunching metal came again, this time so loud it felt as though the entire train might split in half. Whatever was out there, it wasn¡¯t just an accident. Something¡ªor someone¡ªwas interfering.


    Supervillain attack, my mind supplied grimly. The scale of this chaos suggested nothing less.


    The train¡¯s jerky motion slowed, the brakes screeching with an ear-piercing wail. Before we could catch our breath, a deep, guttural roar echoed through the tunnel. The sound was unnatural, vibrating through the metal walls like the growl of something massive. It sent chills down my spine.


    ¡°Did you hear that?¡± Jade asked, her grip on my hand tightening. Her silver eyes, wide with concern, flicked toward the darkened windows.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I replied, my voice low, steady despite the storm of thoughts racing through my head.


    My gaze swept the train car. Most passengers were frozen in fear, clutching seats or each other, but a few¡ªlike us¡ªwere scanning the surroundings, trying to make sense of what was happening.


    Had anything like this ever happened in the last two cycles?


    My memories, crystal-clear since assimilating the Splinter and Mindfield Arcane spells, told me no. I could recall buried fragments of my past, trivial details I hadn¡¯t thought about in years. Yet this? There was no precedent for this, no news stories, no media buzz. Nothing like it.


    ¡°Something¡¯s not right,¡± I murmured, my mind racing.


    Was this an attack? Sabotage? Or something worse?


    The train jolted again as it came to a final, jarring halt. The screech of metal-on-metal ended with an eerie silence. The lights flickered once, twice, and then failed completely, plunging the train into darkness. The faint, flickering glow of emergency exit lights along the floor was all that remained, casting long, eerie shadows across the car. Someone near the front of the car shouted, their voice cracking with fear. ¡°What¡¯s happening? Someone do something!¡± A ripple of nervous energy spread through the passengers as others chimed in, their voices overlapping in panicked confusion.


    A sharp whoosh drew my attention to a man a few seats away who had conjured a small flame in the palm of his hand, likely hoping to illuminate the space. Instead, the light cast flickering, distorted shadows on the walls, making the already eerie atmosphere even more unnerving. Someone yelped and scrambled back, bumping into another passenger, who promptly retaliated with a defensive burst of static electricity that crackled ominously in the air.


    ¡°Stop! You¡¯re going to start a fire!¡± a woman yelled, trying to push past the flame conjurer. But her own attempts to form a barrier of water splashed wildly, drenching the nearby seats and sending people scrambling.


    Another passenger, a wiry man near the center, closed his eyes tightly and began muttering under his breath. The air around him shimmered faintly, suggesting he was trying to locate something¡ªor someone¡ªthrough his meta. But whatever he was doing clearly wasn¡¯t helping. His muttering turned to frustrated groans as he stumbled forward, knocking into a younger woman who squeaked in alarm and reflexively released a puff of colored smoke from her hands. The smoke billowed out, spreading confusion and obscuring everyone¡¯s already limited visibility.


    ¡°Everyone, calm down!¡± a voice shouted from somewhere in the back, though it was drowned out almost immediately by the growing cacophony of fearful passengers wielding their often useless¡ªand now dangerous¡ªpowers in desperation.


    ¡°This is not helping!¡± I growled under my breath, scanning the car as panic threatened to spiral further out of control.


    Jade¡¯s grip on my hand tightened, anchoring me. ¡°Idiots,¡± she muttered, her voice low but cutting. ¡°They¡¯re going to tear this place apart before anything actually happens.¡±


    I nodded, my mind racing as I tried to tune out the chaos and focus. Whatever had stopped the train was still out there¡ªand from the distant, guttural roar that echoed through the tunnel again, it was closing in.


    ¡°Jade,¡± I said, keeping my voice calm but firm, ¡°we need to get out of here now. The longer we stay, the worse this is going to get.¡±


    She nodded sharply, her expression hardening into her usual look of determination. ¡°Nearest exit?¡±


    ¡°Through there,¡± I said, pointing toward the end of the car. ¡°If we move quickly, we can¡ª¡±


    My words were cut off by another sudden jolt. This time, the train car lurched sideways. Passengers screamed again, but the louder cries came from from the last car. The panic rose to a fever pitch as another burst of wild metas filled the space¡ªmore flashes of light, another gush of water, and the faint hum of an uncontrolled levitation attempt that sent a bag sailing across the aisle.


    This wasn¡¯t just chaos anymore¡ªit was a powder keg ready to blow.


    I cast my gaze around, scanning everything as my mind raced, analyzing and discarding possibilities at lightning speed.


    FIrst and foremost, I didn¡¯t have a blaster or any kind of weapon on me¡ªa mistake. My powers were cerebral, not physical, and though I had a few tools at my disposal, they weren¡¯t exactly standard combat gear. If whatever was out there came for us, I¡¯d have to rely on ingenuity and quick thinking to get us through.


    Jade¡¯s voice cut through the noise like a knife, steady and firm. ¡°Whatever it is, we need to stay sharp.¡±


    I nodded, my free hand instinctively brushing against the notebook in my arms. I placed it in my bag.


    From the sound and actions, I figured whatever it was not human. The thoughts in the back of my mind also flashed to the two spells I hadn¡¯t yet used. Those weren¡¯t for casual use, but if this turned life-or-death¡ªand it was certainly heading that way¡ªI¡¯d have to break them out.


    ¡°We need to figure out what¡¯s happening,¡± I said, keeping my voice steady, though the words felt hollow in the chaos around us. ¡°But first, let¡¯s get to the nearest exit.¡±


    Jade nodded, her usual determination flashing back into her eyes as we both braced ourselves for whatever villain or monster had suddenly decided to attack.

 Act 2.19 (Chrysalis)

    The oppressive air of the underground subway was growing heavier with each passing second.


    The dim, flickering lights added fear to the sense of unease that filled the cramped train compartments.


    I jumped to my feet, instinctively scanning the surroundings. The train wasn¡¯t large¡ªonly eight compartments¡ªbut the slight bend in the tunnel hindered my line of sight to the far end.


    My pulse quickened as I shifted into my meta perception, letting the mundane world peel away like a film. The world of intent and possibility erupted into view, soaked in colors that told their own sinister story. Above the train, the air swirled with fractured rainbows¡ªnot the kind that inspire awe but the kind that warned of something broken. The colors fractured violently, their jagged edges slicing through the space like a warning. Darkness hung like a thick, choking fog over everyone¡¯s heads, shadowing their fates. Woven into it were crimson ribbons that pulsed with malevolent intent, a clear indication of the malice fueling this attack. Dark green threads snaked through the chaos, coiling with manipulation and control¡ªa shadowy hand pulling the strings. And streaking across it all were orange flashes of chaos, growing brighter and more erratic with each passing heartbeat.


    A piercing scream shattered the silence, snapping my perception back to the grim present.


    Then came the stench¡ªsharp, metallic, and unmistakable. Blood.


    The coppery tang filled my nose. My stomach churned as a wave of nausea rolled through me. I barely had time to process it before the first figures appeared.


    They came from the far end of the train, frantic, stumbling, sobbing, and screaming¡ªa human tide of terror and desperation, trying to break windows and escape. Their clothes were soaked in blood, streaks of crimson painting their faces and arms. Some clutched at wounds, others at loved ones. Fear widened their eyes as they shoved and clawed their way forward, frantic to escape whatever nightmare was closing in behind them.


    The coppery stench of blood grew thicker, suffocating, as more and more people with gruesome injuries pushed in. People screamed louder, the sound rising into an unbearable pandemonium. Someone near the front collapsed to their knees, vomiting violently, and the sickly retching only added to the frenzy. A child¡¯s cry pierced through the noise, high-pitched and wrenching, and I could feel the panic feeding on itself, spiraling out of control.


    Beside me, Jade¡¯s hand tightened around mine. I glanced at her; her silver eyes were darting around. She wasn¡¯t panicking¡ªshe was calculating, ready to act.


    But the train car wasn¡¯t filled with most people like Jade and me. Most of the passengers were caught in a storm of pure hysteria, their meta natures triggering in unpredictable, useless ways.


    ¡°Get it off me!¡± someone shrieked, clawing at their arms. A series of loud popping sounds followed as bubbles of translucent jelly formed all over their skin, oozing out and splattering across the floor. A nearby woman slipped on one of the bubbles and went crashing to the ground with a scream, her arms flailing as her skin turned momentarily translucent like glass¡ªher meta power activating in response to the impact.


    ¡°Stop pushing me, or I¡¯ll¡ª!¡± another voice shouted, but they were cut off as a loud hiss tore through the noise.


    My head snapped toward the sound. An orange haze was spreading rapidly through the air¡ªa gas, citrine-colored and cloying, curling through the car with unnatural speed. Someone¡¯s meta nature, no doubt triggered by panic, had released it, either by accident or desperation.


    The effect was immediate and brutal. People around us started coughing violently, their eyes red and streaming with tears.


    The fear in the atmosphere was already palpable, and the gas amplified it, making people hysterical.


    I rubbed at my own eyes as tears stung, my throat burning from the gas. I coughed, doubling over slightly as I struggled to think. Around me, metas were erupting chaotically.


    A man stumbled forward, tripping over a fallen bag. As he hit the ground, his hair erupted into thick, tangled vines that shot out in all directions, wrapping around the legs of everyone near him. ¡°Help! I can¡¯t stop it!¡± he shouted, flailing helplessly as the vines continued to grow, tripping and tangling the crowd further.


    ¡°Get off me!¡± another voice screamed as a woman¡¯s skin shimmered and hardened into reflective patches of metallic sheen.


    Someone bumped into her, and the contact sent a deafening clang reverberating through the car, momentarily silencing some of the screaming. But only for a second. The next moment, someone else yelped as sparks erupted from their body¡ªtiny, harmless flickers that grew more intense as people jostled against him. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me! I can¡¯t control it!¡± he shouted, but the panicked crowd paid no attention. Most of these people had no combat experience, and their meta natures, whatever they were, clearly weren¡¯t suited for fighting or controlling the situation.


    Jade pulled her scarf over her nose and mouth, her other hand yanked me back against the wall to avoid the frenzied crowd. ¡°North!¡± she shouted, her voice muffled but urgent. ¡°Let''s move¡ªnow!¡±


    I nodded as I wiped at my burning eyes again. The gas, the noise, the chaos¡ªit was all becoming too much.


    ¡°Stay close to me,¡± I managed to rasp, my voice barely audible over the screams.


    Jade¡¯s gaze sharpened, her hand tightening on mine. ¡°This gas is going to push them over the edge,¡± she said, her tone low but fierce. ¡°If we don¡¯t act fast, someone¡¯s going to die.¡±


    ¡°I think many already are,¡± I muttered, glancing at the people soaked in blood, their faces painted with terror.


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    Many in the crowd had broke the side windows, shattering the glass into jagged edges. Passengers shoved and clawed their way toward the openings, crawling and climbing over one another to escape. A man tumbled through, landing outside in the darkness with a sickening thud.


    I squeezed Jade''s hand to draw her attention and pointed toward the window. ¡°We¡¯ll use that to get out of here. If we can find the emergency exit in the tunnel, we¡¯ll stand a better chance.¡±


    Jade agreed, following my finger.


    Then, another scream rose from near the window. ¡°It¡¯s coming! It¡¯s coming!¡± a woman shrieked, pointing wildly into the tunnel.


    Her meta nature triggered with her panic, and for a brief moment, her body split into two shadowy duplicates, flickering like unstable projections. ¡°We¡¯re all going to die!¡±


    Finally, amidst the madness, I saw the cause of this nightmare¡ªa rat.


    No, not just a rat.


    A monstrous, dog-sized abomination, its body grotesque and raw. Its skin stripped away to reveal pulsing red and blue muscles and exposed veins glistening with blood hidden underskin. Bones jutted out at unnatural angles, and its movements were jerky and erratic. The creature looked like something torn from the depths of a horror novel. The sight was enough to churn my stomach. It wasn¡¯t just horrifying¡ªit was wrong, an abomination that looked like it had been forcibly mutated into a monstrous form.


    Who the hell could¡¯ve done this?


    The abomination¨C bloody demon rat wasn¡¯t alone.


    Behind it, more rats poured in¡ªbloody, hairless, pulsating horrors with teeth as sharp as razors. Their claws gleamed like steel, effortlessly slicing through metal as they moved with unsettling speed and precision. It was as if someone had unleashed an entire horde of bio-engineered nightmares into the subway.


    Fighting one or two of them might¡¯ve been manageable, but this? They were fast¡ªfaster than I¡¯d expected for creatures so deformed¡ªand their sheer number was overwhelming.


    As I watched, one of the bloody rats leapt toward a fallen man, its gaping jaws dripping with a sickening mix of blood and saliva. The man¡¯s scream cut through the cramped space, raw and terrified.


    ¡°Get it off me! Please, someone! Help!" he shrieked, his voice cracking.


    Before the creature could make contact, a man wearing an office suit stepped forward, wielding a jagged metal bar torn somewhere from the train compartment. With a grunt, he swung with brutal force. The improvised weapon connected with a sickening thwack, sending the bloody rat flying. The massive bloody rat hit the ground with a wet splat, its malformed body disintegrating into a pool of blood and flesh.


    The man stood tall, his broad shoulders heaving as he scanned the advancing swarm of rats. For a moment, his sheer presence brought the crowd a shred of hope.


    But it was false hope, a fleeting illusion.


    ¡°You want some of this? Come on!¡± the man bellowed, gripping the bar tightly as more rats surged toward him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there! Help him!¡± someone shouted, their voice trembling with desperation.


    ¡°I-I can¡¯t!¡± another stammered, holding their arms close to their chest as tiny, flickering images of themselves appeared and disappeared erratically.


    In the next moment, the air was filled with a chorus of terrified voices.


    ¡°Run! Just run!¡± another woman screamed, clutching a child to her chest as she scrambled toward the far end of the car and jumped over the window.


    ¡°We¡¯re trapped! They¡¯re everywhere! We don''t have enough time to escape.¡±


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    My mind raced, grasping at options. Intangibility seemed like the best shot, but it came with its limits. Like holding my breath underwater, I could only maintain it for a couple of minutes before my body demanded stabilization. A misstep, and we¡¯d both be sitting ducks. Leaving Jade behind wasn¡¯t an option, even if I knew she was far more capable than she let on.


    The swarm of bloody rats halted at the entrance, sniffing the air, drawn to the crowd¡¯s fear like predators to prey. Their companion¡¯s brutal death moments earlier didn¡¯t faze them in the slightest. If anything, it seemed to spur them on. With razor-sharp focus, they suddenly lunged forward like a living tide, their claws scraping against metal, their glowing eyes locked onto the panicking passengers.


    But then, something strange happened.


    An invisible force seemed to block their advance. The lead rat, mid-leap, suddenly dissolved into a wet splash of blood, its flesh melting into a puddle before it hit the ground. Another reared back, its body convulsing as it shrank, reverting to its original, non-mutated size. It barely had time to squeak before it was torn apart by its larger, bloodier kin.


    ¡°What the hell is happening?¡±


    ¡°Someone killed them,¡± a woman muttered, clutching her knees to her chest as she stared wide-eyed at the scene.


    A third rat, larger than the others, collapsed mid-charge, vomiting chunks of metal. The others faltered, their frenzy giving way to chaotic spasms as they fell one by one. Within seconds, the overwhelming horde of hundreds was reduced to nothing¡ªbroken bodies, crimson puddles, and a stench that clawed at the back of my throat. The compartment fell into stunned silence.Only twenty or so passengers remained inside; the rest had already fled into the tunnels outside. The stench of blood and rot hung thick in the air, mingling with the sharp tang of panic and sweat.


    ¡°What the hell just happened?¡± a man croaked, his voice trembling. ¡°Are they¡­ dead?¡±


    ¡°Gone,¡± a younger woman murmured, her face pale and streaked with tears. ¡°They¡¯re just¡­ gone.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s over!¡± another voice barked. A wiry man, his hands trembling but his expression fierce, pointed toward the open window. ¡°There could be more out there. We can¡¯t just wait here!¡±


    He wasn¡¯t wrong. From the silence outside, I could hear the faint scurrying of more rats in the subway tunnel. The threat wasn¡¯t over yet.


    I turned toward Jade, who was leaning against the wall, taking deep, controlled breaths. Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead, and though her scowl was fierce, it carried a weariness I rarely saw.


    ¡°You okay?¡± I asked, wiping her forehead with my fingers.


    Jade exhaled sharply, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she said, her tone clipped but steady.


    "But whoever¡¯s behind this¡­ their meta nature is strong and produces quite a lot of resistance.¡± She glanced at end of the carnage, her silver eyes narrowing. ¡°These rats are fast and mindless. It wasn¡¯t easy to stop them all at once.¡±


    I nodded, understanding her caution. The bloody rats might be manageable for now, but the situation could escalate quickly. Jade¡¯s powers were formidable, but they needed time to take effect¡ªespecially on such a large scale. And what if one of them suddenly lunged at us in the darkness?


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± she said firmly, grabbing my hand. ¡°We don¡¯t have time to waste.¡±


    Jade jumped out of the window first, her boots crunching against loose gravel as she hit the ground with practiced ease. I followed close behind, landing on the gritty tunnel floor.


    The cool, damp air was a sharp contrast to the stifling, thick atmosphere inside the train.


    At the far end of the compartment, the man in an office suit with the metal bar stood, his expression a mixture of confusion and suspicion. He was clearly trying to piece together why the rats had suddenly died, but he wasn¡¯t na?ve enough to not piece two and two together. Despite his bewilderment, his grip on the bar was tight, his knuckles white, and his stance was firm and ready¡ªalert, but not aggressive.


    I walked up to him, studying the delicate silver threads that emanated from his head¡ªvisible only through my perception.


    They stretched into the void like ghostly spider silk, marking him as someone with a Hive meta nature: Probably the System. That explained his resilience and quick adaptation. The System users like him had one notably useful trait: they could increase their strength through combat and rank by defeating other System meta users.


    If my hunch was right, the man might have seen this chaos as an opportunity rather than a catastrophe. But there was no time to dig deeper into his motivations.


    I approached the man, keeping my tone neutral. ¡°Thanks for what you did back there. You saved lives.¡±


    His sharp eyes met mine, his grip on the metal bar firm. For a moment, I thought he might brush me off, but then he gave a short nod. ¡°What do you want?¡±


    His tone was gruff, weary, and suspicious. I couldn¡¯t blame him. For all he knew, I might have been here to exploit the situation.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± I said evenly. ¡°Just wanted to say thanks. No one else had the chance.¡±


    His expression softening slightly. ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± he muttered, glancing toward the tunnel. ¡°But you¡¯d better keep moving. This isn¡¯t over.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± I replied, turning back to Jade, who was waiting near the front of the derailed train. Her eyes flicked between me and the man as I approached.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± I said quietly.


    We cautiously moved forward, the tunnel was cold, dark, and suffocating, the stale air carrying the stench of blood that clung to every breath. Flickering emergency lights painted eerie shadows along the walls, making it impossible to tell if the faint scuttling sounds came from rats or our imaginations. It felt as though everyone else who had escaped had vanished into thin air or fled so quickly they left no trace. Despite this, I could still sense the presence of people behind us, moving cautiously¡ªincluding the man with the metal bar.


    One of our suspicions was soon answered when we stumbled upon a grim sight.


    A young man¡¯s body lay sprawled across the tracks, brutally torn apart. His throat and stomach were shredded, intestines spilled onto the gravel. His chest was hollow, his heart ripped clean out. Bite marks marred the mangled flesh, unmistakably from the rats.


    Personally, I had seen worse, but the state of the dead man¡¯s body still caused me to falter for a moment.


    Beside me, Jade¡¯s reaction was immediate and visceral. She doubled over, her body trembling as she retched violently. The sound of it broke through the dark silence of the tunnel.


    ¡°Jade,¡± I said softly, stepping closer. I placed a steady hand on her back, feeling the tension in her muscles as her breaths came in ragged gasps. She waved me off weakly at first, but I stayed, holding her hair and purse.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± I murmured. ¡°Just breathe. Take your time.¡±


    I searched through my bag and handed her a half filled water bottle. She took big gulps before spitting the water back onto the gravel and wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Her silver eyes, glassy and unfocused, finally turned to me, a flicker of embarrassment mixed with her obvious distress.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she rasped, though her voice betrayed her. ¡°I just¡ª¡± She gestured vaguely toward the mangled corpse of the young man, but couldn¡¯t bring herself to look at it again. ¡°That¡¯s... not something you just brush off.¡±


    I crouched slightly to meet her gaze, keeping my voice gentle but firm. ¡°You don¡¯t have to explain. This is... awful. Anyone would react the same.¡±


    She straightened slowly, her hand gripping mine tightly as if to anchor herself. ¡°Not you,¡± she said, her voice steadying but carrying an edge of frustration. ¡°You didn¡¯t even flinch.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen worse,¡± I admitted quietly, my eyes flicking briefly back to the torn body. ¡°Doesn¡¯t make it easier. though You okay to keep moving?¡±


    Jade took a deep breath, wiping her hands on her jacket for final as she nodded. ¡°Yeah. Hopefully, no more dead bodies¡±


    At this point, the man with the metal bar and three youngsters in his tow had rushed forward, their faces grim as they glanced at the body. They looked younger, likely in their late teens and were perhaps coming home after having fun. They vomited immediately, their bodies trembling in fear. But, the man knelt beside the corpse, his frown deepening as he examined the mangled corpse.


    ¡°Do you think the bloody rats are still nearby?¡± Jade asked, her silver eyes flicking toward the darkness ahead.


    I let my perception guide me, my meta vision revealing a foreboding truth: everyone nearby was painted in pure red, a color that screamed imminent danger. The answer was obvious¡ªwe were still in extreme peril.


    I nodded, my eyes scanning every shadow and crevice. ¡°The rat that killed him is still nearby, hiding.¡±


    The man with the bar didn¡¯t look up, his tone grim. ¡°They don¡¯t run far after a kill like this. They¡¯re hunting.¡± His fingers curled tighter around the bar, his knuckles whitening. ¡°If they¡¯re not here now, they will be soon.¡±


    One of the teens whimpered. ¡°We can¡¯t fight those things. Not like this.¡± His voice cracked, his hands gripping his knees as he tried¡ªand failed¡ªto stop shaking.


    ¡°Then don¡¯t fight,¡± the man barked, his tone sharp enough to cut through the rising panic. He rose to his feet, towering over them as he swung the bar over his shoulder. ¡°You survive. You keep moving.¡±


    Jade¡¯s grip on my arm tightened. Her voice was quieter now, but firm. ¡°He¡¯s right. We should linger around here. The smell of blood might attract other rats.¡±


    I agreed as I scanned the shadowed tunnel ahead. ¡°Let¡¯s move. The longer we stay, the worse this gets.¡±


    However, the big problem was, I didn¡¯t have a proper weapon to defend myself. My fists would be next to useless against these unnaturally strong, steroidal creatures. They were more like demons than rats, with teeth and claws built to tear through flesh and bone. Desperation spurred me to improvise. I rummaged through my bag and pulled out a pencil and a pen¡ªthe only usable items I had. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was better than nothing. I handed the pen to Jade, who raised an eyebrow at it, her disbelief palpable.


    ¡°This is your plan?¡± she asked flatly, holding up the pen as if it might sprout wings and fly us out of the tunnel.


    ¡°Use it if they come close,¡± I said grimly, ignoring the dry humor in her tone. ¡°Aim for the eyes, throat, or anything, well¡­ I don¡¯t think it¡¯d do much in useless hands to be honest.¡±


    Jade stared at the pen for a moment, then back at me. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and with a curt nod, she adjusted her grip.


    What surprised me wasn¡¯t the skepticism but how quickly her disbelief shifted into pure determination. She wasn¡¯t backing down, not after everything we¡¯d seen today. There was steel in her, hidden beneath the sharp remarks and biting wit.


    ¡°Got it,¡± she said simply, her voice steady.


    She wasn''t the type to crumble under pressure, which gave me some comfort even as danger surrounded us.


    I noticed her meta manifesting differently now¡ªshe wasn''t bleeding influence into reality like before. Instead, she''d become more like an oil droplet suspended in water, completely separate from her environment. Periodic ripples spread out from her form, but I couldn''t decipher what she was attempting. Her meta nature had always been mysterious, but this was something new entirely.


    The group strode forward in uneasy silence, eyes darting in every direction. The stench of blood and rot was suffocating. The man with the metal bar glanced back at me and Jade, his brow furrowed. He must have sensed we weren¡¯t ordinary passengers, especially how calm we both acted despite our grim situation.


    Jade leaned closer to me, ¡°If hundreds of them attack again, we¡¯re in no shape to fight them off. You¡¯ve got to have some other plan.¡±


    I kept my eyes on the dark expanse of the tunnel ahead, the flickering lights making it impossible to tell where safety might lie. ¡°We need to keep moving,¡± I said quietly, ¡°If we¡¯re lucky, we¡¯ll find a maintenance shaft or another group of survivors.¡±


    ¡°Lucky,¡± she muttered under her breath, her tone edged with dry humor. ¡°I don¡¯t think luck¡¯s been on our side tonight.¡±


    I shot her a glance. ¡°Then we make our own.¡±


    The man with the bar, clearly overhearing, snorted softly but didn¡¯t comment. He turned his attention back to the blinding path ahead


    Our steps were deliberate as the faint echoes of our footsteps bounced off the cold, damp tunnel walls. My perception flared faint red glimmers in the darkness, faint but unmistakable.


    My perception flared again, revealing faint red glimmers flickering in the darkness. They were subtle, barely there, but undeniable. More and more of the bloody rats were stalking us. I didn¡¯t need to see them directly to feel it.


    Fear had a taste¡ªmetallic and bitter¡ªand it lingered in the air like a thick fog.


    ¡°Does anyone hear that?¡± whispered one of the teenage girls. Her voice trembled, barely audible, but it was enough to make everyone freeze.


    The question stopped us all in our tracks. The faint pattering of claws against the cold concrete floor was growing louder, more deliberate. The sound wasn¡¯t distant anymore; it was close. Too close. A sickening squelch joined the pattering, and then wet, guttural growls followed¡ªlow, primal, and suffused with malice. The dim emergency lighting did us no favors. As the bloody rats surged closer, shadows twisted and stretched unnaturally along the walls, jagged and monstrous. My breath halted, and the group collectively stiffened. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    The metal bar man stepped forward, raising his makeshift weapon, his muscles taut and ready. "Stay behind me," he barked, his tone brooking no argument.


    The group of teenagers huddled closer together, fear etched into their pale faces.


    The boy beside him swallowed hard, his hand shaking as he clutched a broken pipe. ¡°How many?¡± he asked, his voice barely more than a croak.


    ¡°Too many,¡± Jade answered quietly, her eyes fixed on the shifting darkness.


    Another one of them picked up a shard of stone, trembling but determined.


    Soon I saw dozens of similar bloody demon like rats running on their four feats, almost as fast as a cat or dog. I couldn¡¯t help but feel a moment of stunned disbelief again. How were these things even alive? Their exposed insides should have left them crippled or dead, but they moved with the energy of predators who had just caught the scent of their next meal.


    There was no clear way out. If we ran, they¡¯d catch us. If we stayed still, they¡¯d overwhelm us.


    The walls of the tunnel felt like they were closing in and we were trapped in cramped space, unable to dodge.


    I tightened my grip on the pencil in my hand. It was absurd to think this flimsy tool could defend me, but having something¡ªanything¡ªfelt better than nothing. My gaze flicked to the metal bar man. His strength had already proven invaluable, and right now, he was the closest thing we had to a real weapon.


    The first rat burst into view, a monstrous blur of raw muscle and exposed sinew. Its glowing red eyes locked onto us, and it lunged forward with a guttural screech that made the hairs on our necks stand on end. The man with the metal bar moved instantly, no hesitation in his reaction. He swung with raw force, the improvised weapon connecting with the rat¡¯s head with a sickening crack. The creature was hurled sideways, slamming into the wall with a wet thud. It twitched violently for a moment before going still. But for every rat that fell, three more seemed to pour out of the shadows, their glowing red eyes multiplying like embers in the darkness. They were relentless, their movements fueled by an unnatural hunger that bordered on pure insanity.


    Jade vision captured every movement of the bloody demon rats.


    She didn¡¯t say a word. She didn¡¯t need to.


    Her meta seemed to create a field of likely collapsing probabilities around us.


    The first few rats lunged, sinewy and swift, their leaps coiling like a spring. Before they could land, their front legs crumpled under its weight, sending them skidding to a halt. A gurgling screech escaped as they body twisted violently, spine snapping with a sickening finality. they twitched once and went still, neck grotesquely askew. Another group darted in low and fast from the side. Mid-stride, their hind legs faltered, yanked back as though by unseen strings. They hit the ground hard, its momentum snuffed. A heartbeat later, their head wrenched upward unnaturally, and the creature went limp. Two more rushed headlong toward her. Jade tilted her head, a faint glimmer of curiosity in her gaze. One froze in place, claws scraping futilely at the earth as its body turned rigid as stone. The other barely made it halfway before its muscles seized, folding it inward with a sickening crunch, leaving a crumpled heap in its wake.


    ¡°What the¡ª¡± one of the teens stammered, his eyes wide as he clutched his rusted pipe. ¡°What¡¯s she¡ªhow¡ª?¡±


    The man with the metal bar swung hard, sending another rat flying, ¡°Stay focused and keep moving, kid! She¡¯s buying us time¡ªdon¡¯t waste it!¡±


    Another swarm of rats came, but their numbers in hundreds this time, scaling the walls and leaping toward us. But before they closed in, the small part of tunnel ceiling cracked and gave way. Concrete rained down, crushing them mid-air. The rest of us screeched and skittered back, the space filling with choking dust. More surged from behind, weaving through the rubble with chilling speed. One darted ahead, faster than the rest, lunging at a frozen teen clutching a rusted pipe. Its leap faltered as a nail pierced its paw, sending it sprawling into another rat. The two collided, limbs twisting, crushed under the momentum of the horde behind them.


    Jade¡¯s gaze shifted upward. A frayed power line swung precariously, sparks trailing from its ends. As another wave of rats closed in, the cable dipped low. A flash of electricity lit the tunnel, and the swarm convulsed, collapsing into charred, smoking piles.


    ¡°They¡¯re endless!¡± the thin boy cried, stumbling back, his voice breaking. ¡°We¡¯re going to die here!¡±


    ¡°Not if you keep moving!¡± Jade snapped angrily. ¡°I can¡¯t hold this forever.¡±


    Meanwhile, my perception showed the silver threads connected to each rat thickening. I realized they weren¡¯t just acting on instinct¡ªthey were being controlled.


    My thoughts raced, piecing together the fragments of the nightmare we¡¯d been dragged into. After we had walked on the tracks, escaping the train. The passengers¡¯ bodies¡ªso many of them were missing. If they had been killed, why weren¡¯t they left behind like the others?


    The rats weren¡¯t just killing.


    They were taking.


    The purpose behind it eluded me, but the thought sent a chill down my spine


    All of this bloody chaos could have been avoided if I¡¯d just paid more attention¡ªtaken a second to check my own or someone else¡¯s Likeness before boarding the train. Only if I had used my meta nature more actively, but it was too late for regrets. What was done, was done. I¡¯d made my bed, and now I was lying in it. Unfortunately, it was covered in rats. I glanced at Jade. She stood ahead of me like a defiant shield, her stance firm despite the chaos. She knew my powers weren¡¯t meant for fighting, and she had stepped into the fray without hesitation.


    As if sensing my gaze, she turned and offered a weary smile, her voice steady despite the madness around us. "Stay close to me. Don¡¯t run off."


    Did she think I was some child in need of constant reminders? I frowned.


    The arrogant dragon believed she could shield me from everything, as if her wings alone were enough to hold the world at bay for me. Her confidence, her sheer nerve¡ªit was infuriating, and yet oddly comforting simultaneously.


    And yet¡­ I couldn¡¯t just stand there, hiding in her shadow while she took all the risks.


    Nearby, the tired, black suit man swung the metal rod like it was an extension of his arm, each blow landing with deadly precision. The rats scattered with every strike, but the bar itself was showing the strain¡ªbent, dented, and riddled with bite marks. It wouldn¡¯t last much longer.


    We wouldn¡¯t last much longer unless something changed.


    To be honest, most of the rats were being handled by Jade alone, and watching her meta-nature in action was nothing short of surreal. I couldn¡¯t fully wrap my head around how it worked¡ªor whether I wanted to.


    Any rat that wandered into the invisible boundary around her, roughly a ten-foot radius, met a gruesome end. Some burst into flames without warning, disintegrating into piles of ash that scattered into the air. Others staggered and convulsed as sudden, bloody holes appeared in their bodies, as if invisible rods had skewered them. And then there were the unlucky few that outright exploded, showering the area with gore and bits of flesh.


    But it was her eyes that unnerved me the most. Whenever her gaze locked onto a rat, it froze mid-sprint, its body trembling violently.


    Moments later, it twisted and contorted in a silent scream of agony before collapsing in on itself, vanishing as if consumed by a miniature black hole.


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    Her meta-nature¡ªher primary side¡ªwas a riddle that refused to unravel. The mechanics of it were beyond comprehension, too strange and too alien for my mind to follow. I shoved the thought aside; it wasn¡¯t the time to ponder on the unknowable.


    Jade was showing signs of flagging, her breath coming in uneven bursts as she carved through the unrelenting swarm. The rats just kept coming¡ªhundreds dead, yet hundreds more surged forward, undeterred, filling the already cramped tunnel with the stench of blood and decay. The sheer press of their numbers was suffocating, and still, they showed no signs of stopping. And we found it hard to move forward as their dead bodies had started to create a small mountain onward in small tunnel.


    Suddenly, a flicker of satisfaction tugged at the back of my mind, sharp and almost petty. If Jade wanted to accuse me of withholding secrets later, I could turn this moment against her. How about your secrets, Jade? The thought of it almost coaxed a smirk to my lips. Almost.


    Not far away, three teenagers huddled together, pale and trembling. One boy and the girl had wet themselves, the dark stains stark against their jeans. I didn¡¯t blame them; I might have done the same in their place. The girl seemed to possess some heightened senses¡ªnot extraordinary, but enough to make her jump before any rat neared her. If looked more closely, I noticed her meta nature seemed to be eveloing mid fight in the territory of danger sensing, a boon amidst the insanity.


    The other boy was utterly frozen, his face locked in a grimace of pure terror, too paralyzed even to flinch as the rats skittered ever closer. Not that I could blame him. If I didn¡¯t have the experience I did¡ªor Jade by my side¡ªI¡¯d probably be in the same state, crying for a peaceful death than torn apart by mouths filled razors. The third one, however, was putting up a fight. He¡¯d stripped off his leather jacket, screaming incoherently as he used his minor telekinetic ability to whip it around like a weapon. The jacket wrapped around rats, slamming them into walls, grinding them against the floor, or flinging them into bloody pulp. It was crude, sure, but it worked¡ªbetter than my damn pencil, anyway.


    For a moment, I almost felt proud of him, but the surge of rats pushed us back relentlessly. They didn¡¯t tire, didn¡¯t stop, didn¡¯t hesitate. The group was forced into a corner, the walls pressing in like a cage. I moved quickly, grabbing the shoulders of the boy and girl who were still frozen with fear. They flinched at my touch, their wide eyes filled with terror, but I tightened my grip to keep them steady.


    ¡°Hey, focus,¡± I snapped, leaning in close. My voice was firm, but not unkind. ¡°You¡¯re not dead yet. Scan the tunnel¡ªlook for an emergency hatch, a maintenance door, anything that can get us out of here.¡±


    The girl blinked, her trembling slowing as my words cut through her panic. The boy nodded hesitantly, his breath still shaky but more controlled. They started scanning the walls, their desperation channeled into purpose, and for a moment, it felt like progress. I turned my attention back to the fight. The perimeter was breaking. Jade¡¯s meta was still wreaking havoc, rats disintegrating or crumpling within her radius, but the ones that slipped past her were pouring into our corner like a flood. The man with the metal bar swung wildly at the swarm, his movements frantic and uncoordinated now, his improvised weapon visibly bent under the relentless assault.


    My jaw tightened as an idea struck me¡ªa brutal one, but the only one I had left. Intangibility. If I phased through the rats, I could disrupt them internally, rip apart their lungs or brains from the inside. It had to work. It had to.


    I stepped forward to the edge of the fray, steeling myself as I activated my power. The first rat lunged at me, snarling, and I let it phase through my arm like a ghost. Its insides were exposed to my touch, raw and vulnerable. I reached for what I assumed was its brain, wrapping my fingers around the soft mass and yanking.


    The result was... disappointing.


    The rat didn¡¯t stop. It thrashed violently, biting and clawing as though nothing had happened. Its body flailed like a decapitated snake, undeterred by the absence of what should¡¯ve been vital organs. My breath caught in my throat as I stumbled back, momentarily speechless.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± I muttered, shaking my head as another rat lunged at me. I tried again, grabbing at what looked like its lungs. The same result. It kept moving, feral and unstoppable, as if its body didn¡¯t care about its missing parts.


    Jade¡¯s voice cut through the chaos. ¡°North, what are you doing?!¡± she shouted, her filled with frustration as another cluster of rats collapsed on itself within our shrunken domain of ten feet.


    ¡°Experimenting!¡± I shouted back. ¡°Turns out these things don¡¯t care about biology!¡±


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    ¡°STOP PLAYING! Figure something else out!¡± she snapped, her voice sharp and biting as another rat crumpled in front of her, its body folding like paper under her invisible force. Her exhaustion was written all over her¡ªragged breaths, a tremor in her voice.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a few minutes, max!¡± she barked again, desperation edging her tone. ¡°My head¡¯s buzzing, I¡¯m feeling dizzy¡ªI can¡¯t keep this up much longer!¡±


    Her words jolted me into action, forcing my thoughts to refocus. The rats didn¡¯t care about losing lungs or hearts. Their frenzied, unnatural existence defied everything I knew. If dismantling them piece by piece wouldn¡¯t work, I needed a new approach.


    My eyes darted toward the nearest rats, their bloody and fleshly bodies lunging closer, claws and teeth gleaming in the flickering light. An idea sparked¡ªa terrible, desperate idea. I phased my hands through the backs of two of them, gripping their spines tightly. Their bodies twitched and spasmed in my grasp, their claws flailing wildly and jaws snapping with manic energy. The pain only seemed to drive them into a deeper frenzy. They were heavy, their weight pulling against me like dead anchors, but adrenaline burned away the strain. I gritted my teeth, my lips curling into a dark, wicked smile. These rats weren¡¯t just liabilities anymore¡ªthey were weapons.


    As I swung them around, their claws and jaws tearing into the other rats nearby. The bloody rats screeched and writhed as other frenzied rats met their ends, ripped in half.


    Once the rats in my hands expired, their broken bodies spent, I lunged to grab another two without missing a beat.


    The relentless tide of bloody rats crashed against me from all sides, a writhing mass of fur, claws, and teeth. They clambered over each other in their frenzy to reach me, their shrill cries echoing through the tunnel, but instead their body passed through me straight, as I didn¡¯t exist in the same space as them.


    I slammed them into the oncoming horde, feeling the sickening crunch of bone and the wet tear of flesh with each impact. The rats that were struck flew backwards, their broken bodies crashing into their kin in a domino effect of carnage. Despite being intangible, I felt my muscles tear in pain, but I didn¡¯t stop attacking. Not Yet. I pushed on, my arms burning with exertion, my lungs screaming for air.


    In less than a minute, a small mountain of rat carcasses had formed around my feet.


    All the pent-up anger and frustration from the last ten minutes poured out of me in a cathartic release. I had never advocated for killing, but these bloody rats had pushed me to my limits. Slaughtering them felt strangely satisfying, like lancing a festering wound. The violence was primal, instinctive¡ªa way to reclaim control in a situation that had spiraled into madness.


    As the three-minute mark of my intangibility approached, I staggered back into the shrinking circle of safety created by Jade¡¯s meta-nature. The once-wide perimeter was now halved, its invisible boundary crackling with exhaustion. The rats still came, but their numbers had dwindled to less than half of the original swarm. Yet, the danger hadn¡¯t lessened. Not really.


    The strain on our group was obvious. Now, Jade was visibly struggling, her silver eyes flickering with fatigue. She could even take breath properly as if she stopped the safe parameter would collapse. Her shoulders trembled slightly as she stood her ground. She didn¡¯t say anything, but I could see her exhaustion written on her face. Beside her was the man I¡¯d mentally dubbed ¡°One Hit Man,¡± though his metal bar¡ªonce his weapon of choice¡ªwas long gone, either discarded or consumed by the bloody rats. Now, he fought with his bare fists, smashing the creatures with brutal efficiency. Blood coated his hands, dripping onto the ground with each swing, and I could see jagged pieces of bone peeking through the torn skin of his knuckles. The sight was bloody horrifying, but the man seemed to feel no pain and he even grew stronger with each punch he landed and killed.


    ¡°Jade,¡± I said, stepping closer to her as I phased back into solidity. My voice was low, steady, but edged with concern. ¡°How much longer can you keep this up?¡±


    She had killed thousands of bloody rats if not ten thousands as they continued to poured in from the both sides of the tunnel, drowning us.


    She didn¡¯t look at me, her gaze locked on the swarm. Another rat froze mid-lunge, its body contorting before it exploded into bloody bits. ¡°As long as I need to,¡± she replied, her tone sharp but strained. ¡°What¡¯s the alternative? Let them eat us?¡±


    Yet, Jade¡¯s powers weren¡¯t limitless.


    No meta-nature was.


    Every ability had a breaking point, a moment when it stopped working or, worse, started to backfire. My intangibility faded after overuse, like running out of breath underwater. Jade¡¯s, however, was far more dangerous. Her meta-nature didn¡¯t simply stop¡ªit bled. Dangerously. Her Likeness was seeping into reality, the barrier between her and the world dissolving like oil mixing into water, creating an iridescent, rainbow-like shimmer in the air. It was beautiful in a haunting, unnatural way¡ªbut also a dire warning. if this went on much longer, the damage to her¡ªand everything around her¡ªwould be irreversible.


    My throat tightened as I glanced at her, eyes sharp but dimming, sweat dripping down her face. She could have escaped this hell. Easily. She could have left me and the rest of the group to fend for ourselves. I doubted she cared about the others enough to even look back. No¡ªshe was doing this for me. She was holding the line, draining her life away, for me.


    And here I was, standing useless, wielding a pencil like it was some kind of meaningful weapon. But now, even that was lost somewhere in the belly of dead rat.


    It had been almost over ten minutes since the rats first attacked the train. Where the hell were the Sups? My thoughts screamed.


    These were supposed to be monitored tunnels¡ªhow could they not have responded by now? Heroes were supposed to appear in moments like this, larger than life, saving everyone. But the tunnel remained a vacuum of hope.


    And why the hell, in an age of technological miracles, was there no damn signal in these tunnels? Was it too much to ask for telecom companies to penetrate a few meters of soil?


    My uselessness clawed at me, pushing me to darker places. I could take someone''s meta. They wouldn¡¯t need them if they¡¯re just standing there shaking. My gaze flicked briefly to the cowering survivors. If I absorbed even one¡­


    I froze, my breath catching as the thought cut through me like a blade. What the hell is wrong with me? Taking someone¡¯s powers meant killing them. That wasn¡¯t just a line¡ªI didn¡¯t even want to look at it.


    ¡°North,¡± Jade¡¯s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts, sharp but trembling. ¡°Focus. I can¡¯t¡ª¡± She faltered for a moment, her legs wobbling before she steadied herself. ¡°I can¡¯t do this much longer. My head is about to burst.¡±


    I stepped forward, gripping Jade¡¯s shoulder to steady her. The heat radiating off her was staggering, like standing next to an engine on the verge of meltdown. She was burning up, her body tearing itself apart to keep us alive. My chest tightened, every instinct screaming at me to do something¡ªanything¡ªbut my mind wrestled with the impossible choices.


    Stop her? The swarm would engulf us in seconds. Let her keep going? She was killing herself, every pulse of her meta draining what little life she had left.


    The thought of losing her made my stomach twist, the idea too cruel to bear. I loved her¡ªtoo much to let this be the end. Survival didn¡¯t matter if it meant watching her destroy herself. But then, instinct cut through the chaos. My arms moved before my mind could catch up, reaching to pick her up and run. Forget everyone else. If her meta could shield just the two of us for a few precious moments, I¡¯d find a way out. I¡¯d carry her through hell if that¡¯s what it took.


    Just as my hands slid under her knees to lift her, a voice shattered the tension like glass breaking. ¡°There! There! I see a green light!¡± The teenage girl¡¯s cry rang out, sharp and clear, cutting through the oppressive noise of claws, and screeches.


    We all turned toward her, startled. In the frenzy, we hadn¡¯t paid much attention to our surroundings, but I remembered telling them to keep an eye out for emergency exits. Sure enough, a faint green glow was visible in the distance¡ª It shone like a beacon of hope amid the carnage.


    Jade staggered slightly beside me. Her aura flickered like a dying flame, the shimmering iridescence around her growing denser.


    ¡°Just a little longer,¡± I said, my tone firmer and I dashed toward it to make a hasty path.


    I stomped on a rat that tried to skitter past me, its body crunching under my boot. ¡°We¡¯re almost there.¡±


    I wore another pair of bloody rat gloves and my arms swung wide in vicious arcs, while my muscles burned with the strain. The darting, writhing bodies of the bloody rats flew through the air as my fists smashed into them. Flesh and bones splattered the tunnel walls and floor, painting everything a glistening crimson. I waded through the writhing horde, kicking and stomping. The dead ones still attached to my hands grew heavier with every swing, their limp bodies adding to the mangled weight.


    Meanwhile, my mind churned with more questions as I pressed on.


    Whoever was behind this¡ªit must have taken them an obscene amount of time and effort to transform entire city rats into a bloody army. Why target a random passenger train? It didn¡¯t make sense.


    Unless¡­ This wasn¡¯t just a random attack.


    My thoughts crystallized even as I fought. A test. This was a test.


    The attack definitely belonged to Tunnel Underground. Jade, Leo, and I had been collecting clues about them for the last three months from the shadows. We explored the tunnels and followed people around, but our discoveries didn''t lead to any significant breakthroughs. We didn''t push to search harder, as it was all for Leo''s portfolio, and I wasn''t keen on infiltrating a gang, so I was taking my time. However, the group was more hidden than they appeared on the surface. Today''s commotion and the deaths of hundreds of people would surely cause the police and sups organizations to take action. Still, I couldn¡¯t rely on them. They were too slow, too scattered, too useless. I had to approach this from a different angle. Our investigations had been limited to passive observation, but it was clear now that we had underestimated Tunnel Underground''s capabilities and the threat they posed. The scale and audacity of this attack indicated a level of organization and resources that went far beyond what we had initially suspected.


    Fighting these rats with hands was a stupid idea. But I pushed on, pouring all my rage and desperation into the onslaught.


    Rats claws scrabbled ineffectually against my intangible body as I plowed through the horde, leaving a trail of broken, twitching bodies in my wake. The stench of blood and offal was overwhelming, the coppery tang coating my tongue and invading my nostrils. I slammed the rat-gloves together, pulverizing the hapless creatures caught between them into a chunky paste as it was ripped to shreds by its two brothers in my hand. Bits of fur, bone shards and gobbets of flesh flew in all directions, phasing through my face and chest. I barely noticed, lost in the red haze of battle-lust.


    Finally, the metal door came into view, just ten feet ahead. It felt impossibly far and tantalizingly close all at once.


    Breathing felt painful due to exhaustion. But, I couldn''t give up now. Despite my legs feeling like lead, I dashed back to Jade¡¯s side.


    She was slumped against the wall, her silver eyes dim and unfocused. A weary, strained smile curved her lips, but it barely masked the pain etched into her face. ¡°It hurts... very bad.¡± Her eyes pleaded with me to put an end to it.


    <div>


    <div>


    Her pleading voice broke something inside me, splintering my resolve into shards. I turned to the trembling boy and girl, grabbing their shoulders in a grip that left no room for argument. My voice filled with exhaustion and desperation, came out like a bark.


    ¡°Help her. Now. Get her to that door.¡±


    My glare sharpened, my tone a warning. ¡°If anything happens to her before we¡¯re up those stairs, I¡¯ll bury you both in this tunnel.¡±


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    The fear in their eyes was unmistakable, but it did the job. Without hesitation, they scrambled to Jade¡¯s side, each wrapping an arm around her to hold her upright. For a moment, her short breaths began to even out, and some of the strain seemed to lift from her face.


    I¡¯d seen centuries of war, endured horrors that would break most men, but watching her like this¡ªher strength unraveling, her face ashen with pain¡ªhit me in a way no battle ever had. It was like a knife driven straight into my chest, twisting with a cruel precision.


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    But there was no time to make sense of it. Not now.


    I forced myself to turn away, my eyes locking on the danger. The rats numbers had thinned significantly, but they were still a threat. My grip tightened on the dead rat carcasses clinging to my hands.


    ¡°Stop using your power,¡± My gaze flicked to her, and she met my eyes briefly, a flicker of defiance in her silver irises. ¡°I¡¯ll take it from here.¡±


    She hesitated, her jaw tightening as if she wanted to argue. But the teenagers¡¯ trembling hands steadied her, and exhaustion won out. She gave me a faint nod, her affects of meta dissipating as her body slumped further against the teens. Though, the damage her meta caused her to the surroundings space remained. I didn''t think any train could ever run on these tracks again. This part of the tunnel would surely become a forbidden zone where luck came to die.


    The One Hit man was already at the emergency door, his hands braced against the dented metal as he prepared to force it open. I moved to cover him, swinging the rat-gloves in wide arcs, smashing the few remaining rats that lunged at us.


    ¡°Go!¡± I shouted, nodding toward the open door. ¡°Get her inside!¡±


    Jade and the teenagers slipped through first, their movements clumsy.


    The One Hit man followed with a final nod, his expression grim but resolved. I stayed back, clearing the last few bloody rats, when suddenly I felt sharp claws latch onto my legs. I was forced out of intangibility due to time.


    Three of them swarmed up my calves, their claws digging deep, shredding through my jean pants and into my skin. I stumbled, pain flaring as their weight dragged me down. I kicked violently. One rat¡¯s spine snapped under my heel, its body going limp. Another clawed higher, its jaws snapping at my thigh. I slammed it against the wall with force of my entire body, the crunch of flesh and bone sharp in my ears. The last one clung stubbornly, its claws raking my shin until I grabbed it with both hands and smashed its head against the ground.


    The door groaned shut behind me, but the rats screeches continue to pierce the air as they clawed at the metal, tearing into it with savage determination.


    I turned quickly, ignoring the pain in my legs as I hoisted Jade onto my back. Her arms wrapped weakly around my shoulders, her weight heavier than it should have been. ¡°Hold on,¡± I muttered, my voice strained. I glanced at the trembling duo, their third friend was already at the top. ¡°Run! Fast!¡±


    The climb was punishing, every step a battle against the limits of my body. My legs screamed, each movement sending sharp stabs of pain through the open bite wounds. My heart hammered so hard it felt like it might burst. The weight of Jade on my back didn¡¯t help¡ªshe was light, but my exhaustion turned her into an anchor.


    Behind us, the metallic screech of tearing metal continued to echo like a death knell. My blood ran cold as the sound grew louder, unmistakable¡ªthe rats had breached the door.


    The thought of those relentless demons pouring into the stairwell sent adrenaline surging through my veins, pushing me onward.


    The air subtly shifted as we neared the top. A faint, cool breeze slipped through cracks in the emergency exit. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was enough to spur me forward.


    At the final landing, the One Hit man paused for a moment.


    The side of his body blocked the heavy metal door as he gripped the handle. Both his suit and his skin was in tatters with blood continuously dripping onto the concrete floor. He glanced back at us, his face unreadable, but there was a glimmer of relief in his eyes.


    With a grunt of effort, he shoved the heavy door open, the hinges groaning in protest.


    And then, the night greeted us.


    The cool night air rushed in, brushing against my sweat-soaked skin. Faint streetlights glowed in the distance, and the hum of the city¡¯s traffic was a strange comfort. We were somewhere near a highway.


    For a moment, it felt unreal¡ªthis sudden return to normalcy after the bloody horrors of the subway.


    But we didn¡¯t stop to admire it. There was no time for relief. We ran, stumbling onto the empty street, putting as much distance as we could between us and the exit. Behind us, the bloody rats scattered into the wild, their erratic movements fading into the shadows. They wouldn¡¯t last long, I reasoned. Their frenzy would drain them of energy soon enough, and without sustenance, they¡¯d likely die within a day or two. And those left would be killed and captured by Sups.


    Finally, after crossing the road and reaching the edge of an abandoned parking lot, we stopped. My knees buckled slightly as I set Jade down gently, leaning against a rusted metal railing to catch my breath. Every muscle in my body felt like it had been stretched to its breaking point, but at least we were out. Alive.


    Meanwhile, the trio of youngsters huddled together a few feet away, their faces pale and streaked with tears and grime. They hugged each other, trembling like leaves in a storm.


    The girl, her voice still trembling, ¡°Oh my god,¡± she whispered, her words barely audible at first.


    ¡°Oh my god. We made it out. We¡¯re alive. I thought...¡± Her voice cracked, tears spilling freely down her cheeks. ¡°I thought we were going to die.¡±


    The boy with the torn jacket dropped to his knees, his head in his hands. ¡°I can still hear them,¡± he muttered, his voice hollow. ¡°The screeches¡­ those claws. I thought they were going to rip us apart.¡±


    The girl eyes darting toward the subway entrance in the distance. ¡°They might still come after us,¡± she said, her voice quivering. ¡°What if they¡¯re still down there? What if¡ª¡±


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    I had no doubt¡ªthey would never be the same again. This experience would scar them, leaving behind a trauma they¡¯d carry for the rest of their lives.


    ¡°They won¡¯t,¡± One Hit Man interrupted, ¡°Not for now. They¡¯ll scatter without direction. But we¡¯re not hanging around to find out.¡±


    ¡°You alright?¡± I glanced at him.


    He held up his mangled hands with a grimace. ¡°Good? I¡¯m alive. That counts, right?¡±


    <div>


    <div>


    He looked like he¡¯d stumbled out of a slaughterhouse, not like someone returning from a day at the office. His tattered clothes clung to him, soaked with blood, and his hands¡ªGod, his hands. The skin and flesh were stripped away, exposing bone, torn muscle, and frayed ligaments. It was a grotesque sight, and I knew the adrenaline numbing his pain wouldn¡¯t last much longer. When it wore off, the agony would hit him like a freight train.


    ¡°It does,¡± Yet he¡¯d earned that smile¡ªmy gratitude. I nodded back at him, offering a small, tired smile of my own. ¡°For now, it counts.¡±


    Out of six of us, only Jade and two timid teengaers were without any visible injuries,


    But, Jade¡¯s exhaustion was more apparent than any wound. She leaned heavily in my arms, her once presence now impossibly fragile. Her body, which had burned with feverish heat, had cooled¡ªbut now the temperature was plummeting too quickly, making me more worried and panicked I already was. Her eyes stayed shut, her body limp, and her puffed sleeves and fancy white tights were smeared with blood¡ªmine mixing with hers.


    She stirred in my arms, her eyelids fluttering. ¡°North¡­¡±


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    I looked down at her, a wave of emotion surging through me. ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± I said softly, my hand moving to rub her shoulder in reassurance. ¡°We¡¯re safe now. Just rest. It¡¯s over.¡±


    Without her, we¡¯d all be dead.


    <div>


    <div>


    Unlike One Hit Man, I wasn¡¯t gravely injured, though my pants were soaked with blood leaking from the bites on my thighs and legs. I hoped I wouldn¡¯t bleed out tonight or get rabies. As from that, exhaustion wracked my body. Blood and gore coated me from head to toe, an almost suffocating layer that seeped into my clothes and clung stubbornly to my skin. The sticky, sickly warmth was unbearable, leaving me acutely aware of every inch of myself. It wasn¡¯t just disgusting¡ªit felt like an invasion,


    I felt the weight of it, not just physically but emotionally.


    Yet, for now, survival was enough.


    Moments later, the faint noise of distant sirens cut through the night. Within minutes, teams of Sups descended on the scene like a well-coordinated storm.Their flashy costumes crisp and glowing insignias marking their affiliations with multiple organizations, a few jumped from the sky, and a few hovering in the air on their hoverboards. The parking lot was quickly crowded. Police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances flooded the road, their flashing lights painting the surroundings in red and blue.


    ¡°Over here!¡± a voice shouted, and a team of Sups approached us.


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    We all lay sprawled on the ground, too exhausted to move. The adrenaline in my veins was fading, replaced by a bone-deep weariness that seeped into every inch of me. I glanced at the One Hit man, he seemed to be biting his lips and his face was ready to give up to pain.


    The medic team scanned us for immediate injuries,.


    A man in a navy-blue costume, his chest emblazoned with the emblem of the official City Protectors, crouched beside us. ¡°You two all right?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re... alive,¡± Jade managed, her voice hoarse. She had woken up due to all the blaring light and voices.


    ¡°That¡¯s good enough,¡± he replied, signaling for another team of paramedics.


    Moments later, the six of us were shuffled toward the waiting ambulances. The medics worked quickly as they ushered us inside, immediately patching us with dozen of machines to take readings.


    Jade winced as the medic administered an injection into her arm, but the medical equipment around her was in chaos. Every reading went haywire, leaving the paramedics frustrated and overwhelmed. She was too unstable, her condition defying their understanding. They¡¯d wrapped her in four thick silver blankets designed to contain meta radiation leaks, but even those couldn¡¯t keep up. The blankets turned black within minutes, forcing them to replace them three times already. It was clear they wanted nothing more than to rush her to the hospital, sedate her heavily, and wait for her meta-nature to stabilize¡ªuntil she stopped warping and damaging reality around her.


    I leaned in closer, two paramedics quietly worked on giving me one injection after another to stop the whatever infection they said was spreading through my legs and body. As my body below the hips was swollen like elephant legs, so I didn''t complain or stopped them.


    I kept my voice low. ¡°You were amazing down there,¡± I said, trying to catch her gaze.


    She looked at me, her lips quirked into the faintest smirk, though it didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°You weren¡¯t so bad yourself,¡± she murmured.


    Subsequently, the ambulance doors shut with a solid thunk, cutting off the loud wail of sirens and the hum of emergency crews. Jolting as it started moving, the sirens rising to a steady wail. I leaned back against the cool interior wall, letting the motion lull my thoughts. The ordeal was over, but the questions lingered.


    What was the purpose of this attack? Was it really a test? What comes next?


    Jade shifted slightly on the bed, ¡°Stop overthinking,¡± the faintest trace of exasperation in her voice.


    I blinked, caught off guard. ¡°How do you always know when I¡¯m doing that?¡±


    She gave a faint smile, her smirk returning despite the pain beneath. ¡°Because...we¡¯re connected. Like freaky mental Wi-Fi.¡±


    I stared at her for a second, my mouth slightly open.


    She wasn¡¯t wrong¡ªnot entirely.

 Act 2.20 (Chrysalis)

    One of the undeniable perks of being a student at Beyonder¡¯s Academy was access to the kind of medical care most people could only dream of. That night, we were rushed to a specialized hospital, a team of elite meta doctors were called specially as they worked tirelessly on Jade and me. Their meta-natures accelerated our recovery in ways that felt almost miraculous. Wounds sealed within minutes, fatigue ebbed like a distant memory, and the crushing weight of exhaustion lifted enough to breathe again¡ªat least physically.


    The city, meanwhile, was ablaze with the news. Reports of the tunnel train attack spread like wildfire, flooding every channel and feed with speculation and outrage. The Sups had already mobilized, sweeping the tunnels to eliminate any remaining demon rats and scouring for survivors. But I knew the grim truth¡ªthey wouldn¡¯t find many.


    Of the four hundred passengers on that train, only six of us had made it out alive.


    I could see the horror replaying in my mind as I tried to grasp the scale of what had happened.


    ¡°This is insanity,¡± a nurse muttered under her breath as she passed, her tablet glowing with scrolling headlines. ¡®Largest civilian-targeted attack of the year: Who¡¯s responsible?¡¯ blared across the screen.


    I caught her eye, and she hesitated. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said quietly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be,¡± I replied, my voice flat. ¡°Save it for someone else. We¡¯re alive¡ªthat¡¯s more than most can say.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    As the only survivors, we were whisked into secure hospital rooms, surrounded by layers of protection.


    I slept for two full days after the ordeal, my body healed but my mind too worn out to even consider waking up. When I finally did, groggy and disoriented, I opened my eyes to find my parents and Aunt Grace sitting beside me. Relief and warmth spread through me at the sight of their familiar faces. Despite the weight of the last few days, it felt surprisingly good to have them near. I was lucky; my relationship with them was solid¡ªsomething not everyone could claim.


    ¡°Finally awake, huh?¡± Aunt Grace¡¯s sharp wit tinged with obvious worry.


    ¡°Grace,¡± my mother scolded softly, though the corners of her mouth twitched into a brief smile. Her hand found mine, her grip firm but trembling. ¡°We¡¯ve been so worried, sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve no idea,¡± my father added, his voice gruff but cracking at the edges. He ran a hand through his graying hair, his usual calm exterior cracked wide open. ¡°When we saw the news¡ªGod, I thought¡ª¡± He stopped himself, clearing his throat. ¡°You¡¯re okay. That¡¯s all that matters.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to see that. I didn¡¯t mean to¡ª¡±


    ¡°Stop,¡± my mom cut in, her voice firm but gentle. ¡°This isn¡¯t your fault. Don¡¯t even go there.¡±


    ¡°Listen to your mother,¡± Aunt Grace said, her eyes narrowing. ¡°For once.¡±


    I chuckled weakly, the sound surprising even me. ¡°Thanks. You always know how to lighten the mood.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m here for.¡± She winked, ¡°But seriously, kid. Don¡¯t scare us like that again."


    Then, after a pause, her brows knit together, and she tilted her head slightly. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you use your meta to notice something this big was coming?¡±


    To which I could only stare in silence blaming my stupidity and the past for giving me unforgettable trauma.


    Grace¡¯s gaze lingered on me, her lips pursed as if she wanted to say more. Before she could, my mom¡¯s hand found mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± she said softly, her tone calming but firm. Then she threw Grace a sharp side glance. ¡°Don¡¯t push him. You know how much he struggles with his meta nature. He barely has any control over it.¡±


    Her words sent a flush of embarrassment up my neck. I shifted awkwardly in the bed, feeling exposed even though she was defending me. It wasn¡¯t the first time she¡¯d tried to shield me like this, but it didn¡¯t sting any less.


    Mom rubbed my forehead. ¡°You did everything you could,¡± she reassured again.


    I swallowed hard, forcing a small nod. She wasn¡¯t wrong, not entirely. At this point in the first timeline, my meta was a mess. All I saw were confusing shapes and colors, fragments that I could barely interpret. More often than not, when I shared my so-called ¡°insights,¡± they were just guesses, half-truths stitched together to avoid humiliation¡ªor worse, being left out.


    They stayed for hours, their voices filled with a mix of relief and worry as we talked. I could see the lines of tension in their faces, hear the unspoken fear laced beneath their words. But they were here, and that meant everything.


    When they finally left, my mom kissed my forehead, whispering, ¡°We¡¯ll be back tomorrow, okay? Rest. Let them take care of you.¡±


    As the door clicked shut behind them, the quiet returned, leaving me alone with my thoughts.


    But the peace didn¡¯t last long.


    A knock barely preceded the door swinging open, and suddenly my small hospital room was filled with investigator Sups and City Protectors, dressed in flashy uniforms. They moved in like a wave, notebooks in hand, devices glowing, their presence overwhelming in the confined room. Questions came at me rapid-fire, their words a blur at first until I forced myself to focus.


    ¡°What triggered the attack?¡±


    ¡°Did you see anything unusual before the swarm arrived?¡±


    ¡°How did you manage to survive when almost no one else did?¡±


    Each question dragged me back into the bloodbath of the tunnel, forcing me to relive the sounds of screams, the littered dead bodies, the endless waves of bloody mutated rats. My answers came measured and deliberate, sparing no detail. I knew the importance of precision¡ªthey weren¡¯t just collecting facts; they were building a narrative.


    One officer¡ªa tall man with sharp eyes that missed nothing¡ªfinally addressed it head-on. ¡°You¡¯re from Beyonder¡¯s Academy, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I said evenly, meeting his gaze. ¡°First-year.¡±


    That earned a subtle shift in the room. Eyebrows rose, glances were exchanged. Students from the beyonders¡¯ academy weren¡¯t ordinary. Everyone knew that. Surviving an attack of this scale wasn¡¯t just luck¡ªit was expected of someone with our training and abilities.


    ¡°You¡¯re saying you six fought off thousands of these things?¡± another officer pressed, skepticism bleeding into his tone.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I replied, my voice steady but cool. ¡°We did what we had to do.¡±


    Still, I couldn¡¯t deny the truth. Ninety percent of the credit for our survival belonged to Jade. Without her, we wouldn¡¯t have lasted minutes. Unless someone had a meta-nature powerful enough to collapse the entire tunnel system¡ªand somehow survive the fallout¡ªthere was no way we could have fought off the sheer numbers of those monstrous mutated rats. Ten thousand. That was the approximate number of demon rats Jade had wiped out in the chaos. Ten. Thousand. The thought was staggering. Her meta-nature wasn¡¯t just powerful¡ªit operated on a level that defied logic. Watching her in action, I realized just how much I didn¡¯t understand about her true capabilities. Even now, the memory of her standing in the tunnel, her eyes shifting with impossible speed, sent a shiver through me. The rats had collapsed like dying stars, their existence snuffed out as though they¡¯d never been born. The image stayed with me, vivid and unsettling.


    Another soft knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. It was getting tiring.


    I straightened in bed as the door creaked open, revealing a group of familiar faces. Alex stepped in first, his usual confidence was somewhat subdued, followed by Lore, Gina, Vinico, and Henry. They crowded into the small hospital room.


    ¡°Look who¡¯s alive and kicking,¡± Alex quipped, flashing me a grin as he leaned casually against the wall beside my bed.


    "Alex!¡± Lore scolded, giving him a sharp glare before turning to me with a softer expression. ¡°Don¡¯t mind him. How are you feeling? We heard about what happened¡­ and, well, we had to come see for ourselves.¡±


    I offered a small smile, ¡°I¡¯m better now. Just tired, I guess. They¡¯ve been keeping us under watch to see if everything was alright before the discharge.¡±


    Gina perched herself on the foot of my bed, ¡°So, are they feeding you hospital mush, or do you actually get real food here? Because if it¡¯s the first, I¡¯ve sneaked in some snacks.¡±


    I laughed lightly, shaking my head. ¡°It¡¯s not that bad, better than I had expected. But I¡¯ll gladly accept the snacks.¡±


    ¡°You know you scared the crap out of all of us, right? When the news broke, there was chaos everywhere in the city. We couldn¡¯t believe it when we found out it was you and Jade on that train.¡± Henry told, leaning against the wall.


    I glanced away, the memories replaying themselves again in my mind like a movie. "It felt like a bad dream," I said, "Swarms of those bloody mutated rats coming at us from every direction, relentless. Like a nightmare made real. If it weren¡¯t for Jade¡­ we wouldn¡¯t have made it out."


    Lore shifted closer, her expression softening. "They¡¯re not letting any outsiders see her," she said quietly. ¡°Doctors said she¡¯s in one of those special meta-human containments rooms, you know, the ones for¡­ when things get out of hand.¡±


    I exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of my neck. ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean she¡¯s not okay,¡± I muttered, more to myself than anyone else. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ a precaution.¡±


    In case something went wrong. The memory of her Likeness bleeding uncontrollably into reality before we were brought to the hospital was still fresh in my mind, thinking about it made me depressed and sad for pushing her like that.


    Lore hesitated. ¡°Sure,¡± she said, but the way her brow furrowed told me she wasn¡¯t fully convinced. ¡°Still, people are talking. Weird things are happening around the hospital. Medical instruments breaking down for no reason, people tripping over nothing, stuff disappearing¡ªone nurse swore her sandwich vanished from her hand mid-bite."


    She paused, her expression growing more serious. ¡°And it¡¯s not just inside the hospital. There¡¯ve been accidents outside too¡ªmore than usual. Traffic lights failing, random car pileups, freak weather patterns, you name it. It¡¯s gotten so bad that the Sups had to seal off the entire area and divert traffic to other hospitals. People are saying it¡¯s cursed.¡±


    I blinked, ¡°Cursed? That¡¯s¡­ dramatic.¡±


    Lore crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°You tell me. Jade¡¯s in the epicenter of all of this, and I¡¯ve seen firsthand what her meta can do. "


    ¡°It¡¯s not her fault,¡± I cut in sharply, as if they were blaming her. How could they? ¡°She¡¯s not doing it on purpose. She¡¯s still recovering."


    Lore raised a brow. ¡°I didn¡¯t say it was her fault."


    ¡°You know,¡± Gina said, tapping her chin as if in deep thought, ¡°maybe the nurse¡¯s sandwich just¡­ gave up. Hospital food¡¯ll do that to you.¡±


    Henry snorted from her spot by the window.


    However, various rumors indeed had begun to circulate among the doctors and nurses or every patient. Yet amidst the growing sense of unease, there were also murmurs of miraculous occurrences.


    ¡°We also heard the other side of it,¡± Lore continued. ¡°Patients near Jade¡¯s room are practically walking miracles. Chronic conditions suddenly stabilizing, people recovering from injuries way faster than they should. One guy woke up from a ten-year coma after losing control of his meta. Ten years. And it happened hours after being moved closer to Jade¡¯s wing.¡±


    ¡°Someone also won a lottery on a scratcher,¡± Gina chimed in, her tone somewhere between disbelief. ¡°A literal, million-to-one shot.¡±


    ¡°Broken bones knitting overnight,¡± Lore added, "Even the long-term cases¡ªpatients doctors had given up on¡ªare bouncing back. Most of the hospital is already empty as a lot of patients had gone home healed. But, some also got worse and dead."


    Henry, who had been quietly leaning against the wall, sniggered, shaking his head. ¡°People are nuts. I overheard a couple of rich patients talking about bribing staff to get rooms closer to her. Like she¡¯s some kind of healing beacon. One guy even offered triple the normal fee to switch wards.¡±


    ¡°Lucky for them,¡± I muttered, as a sudden wave of sadness hit me. ¡°Not so lucky for her.¡±


    On one hand, it was easy to laugh at the absurdity of it all¡ªlottery tickets, rich patients scrambling for proximity like she was a magic charm. On the other hand... At what¡¯s the cost? I couldn¡¯t stop the thought from creeping in. If people were benefiting from her presence, who was paying the price? The image of Jade in the tunnel surged back¡ªher face pale, her body trembling in as her meta bled uncontrollably into the world around her. The way she held it all together, the pain etched into every movement, despite her body practically burning from the inside out. All of it just to keep me alive. To save us.


    I clenched my fists, the guilt twisting like a knife in my gut. She deserved so much more than this.


    ¡°She¡¯s not alone in there, is she?¡± I asked. ¡°Tell me she¡¯s not just locked up like some science experiment.¡±


    Alex shook his head ¡°No, no. I heard they got a full team monitoring her. It¡¯s just¡­ after what¡¯s happening, they¡¯re being extra cautious.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, cautious,¡± Gina said with a snort. ¡°More like scared out of their minds.¡±


    Vinico, who¡¯d been leaning against the wall in his usual silent way, finally spoke up. ¡°I mean, accidental or not, it¡¯s kinda impressive. Her powers don¡¯t stop, even when she does. Good, bad¡ªit all just happens around her. Reality bending just by existing? Not everyone can pull that off.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, and not everyone wants to,¡± Gina shot back, ¡°This isn¡¯t something she¡¯d ever ask for. You know that.¡±


    As if picking up on my unease, Lore smoothly shifted gears. ¡°Do you have any idea what could¡¯ve caused this? People and news are talking¡ªvillains, conspiracies. Several super organizations have already launched full-scale investigations into the incident."


    I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair. ¡°It¡¯s not concrete, but those rats clearly weren¡¯t natural. Someone engineered them. If I had to guess, Tunnel Underground is a good candidate. Twisted animal experiments are kind of their thing.¡±


    ¡°Figures,¡± Gina muttered, crossing her arms. ¡°Creeps. Can¡¯t even leave rats alone.¡±


    ¡°Well, whatever it was,¡± Alex chimed in, leaning against the wall with his usual air of confidence, ¡°you made it out. That¡¯s what matters. And you¡¯ve got us. You¡¯re not dealing with this alone.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for coming,¡± I said, my voice quieter but filled with sincerity.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get mushy on us,¡± Lore said with a small smile. ¡°That¡¯s what friends are for.¡±


    The mood lightened after that, the conversation shifting to safer topics. Gina launched into a dramatic monologue about her newest hero crush. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, he¡¯s got the perfect jawline. And the voice? Like honey and thunder.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t let her fool you,¡± Vinico said dryly, adjusting his glasses. ¡°She only noticed him because he lifted a bus. It¡¯s always the show-offs.¡±


    ¡°Oh, please,¡± Gina shot back. ¡°Like you don¡¯t have a thing for brainy types who can calculate physics in their sleep.¡±


    ¡°Which reminds me,¡± Alex cut in, clearly relishing the attention. ¡°Did I tell you I have successfully infiltrated the BlackSun Gang."


    For the next half hour, the room was filled with laughter, banter, and the kind of casual teasing that made everything feel, for a little while, normal. Eventually, they had to leave, promising to visit again soon.


    The door clicked shut behind them, and the room fell quiet once more.


    I leaned back against the pillows, sighing. Physically, I felt fine¡ªcompletely healed, even¡ªbut the hospital insisted on keeping me for another night. Their reasoning? Some nonsense about observation. I didn¡¯t argue, but in my head, I was already plotting my escape.


    Then, out of nowhere, a sudden thought gripped me, a sharp and irresistible urge I couldn¡¯t shake. Before I could second-guess it, I swung my legs off the bed, my body shifting instinctively as I became intangible. I seeped through the door, stepping into the quiet hallway beyond. Alex had mentioned Jade¡¯s floor number earlier. I hadn¡¯t gone to see her yet, worried about running into her parents or someone else who might raise questions about our relationship. But now that visiting hours were over, the halls were quiet, and Jade was likely alone.


    I made my way to the elevator and descended to the eighth floor underground¡ªthe section of the hospital designed specifically for patients with volatile or out-of-control meta-natures. The corridors here felt different, tougher and oppressive, as if even the walls themselves were bracing for the unexpected.


    Exiting, the corridor stretched ahead, eerily quiet. Small windows dotted the heavy metal doors lining the hallway, I moved like a whisper, peering through them to look inside each room. Whenever a nurse or doctor passed by, I phased into the walls, waiting until their footsteps faded. It was slow going, but eventually, I found her. I peered cautiously through the window and saw Jade lying on her bed, propped up slightly. She wasn¡¯t asleep¡ªher eyes were half-lidded, weary but aware. A nurse stood by her side, handing over medicine in a small cup. I pressed into the wall, watching silently until the nurse finished her tasks and exited, disappearing down the corridor.


    The moment the coast was clear, I slid through the door, stepping cautiously into the dimly lit room.


    The soft shuffle of my shoes on the floor made Jade¡¯s head snap toward me, her eyes widening. She gasped softly, her breath catching as if she couldn¡¯t believe what she was seeing. But then her expression shifted¡ªsurprise melting into something warmer, her eyes sparkling even in the low light.


    ¡°North?¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible to not alert the nurses. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    I stepped closer, unable to stop the smile forming on my lips. ¡°Breaking all the rules, apparently.¡±


    Her brow furrowed, though the corners of her mouth twitched upward as she gripped her blanket. ¡°You¡¯re going to get in so much trouble,¡± she murmured, her voice tinged with exasperation but laced with something softer¡ªrelief, maybe.


    ¡°Worth it,¡± I said, moving to the edge of her bed. ¡°I couldn¡¯t just sit up there, knowing you¡¯re stuck down here.¡±


    Jade pouted, shaking her head, ¡°You¡¯re so annoying,¡± she said, but her tone was light, almost fond.


    Annoying? Really? What did she even mean? I was clearly here to check on half of my heart and make sure she was alright. That¡¯s not annoying¡ªit¡¯s heroic, if anything.


    I shrugged casually, my lips curling into a mischievous smirk as I took a step closer. ¡°Annoying, huh?¡± I said, my voice teasing. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll just have to lean into it.¡± Without giving her a chance to respond, I reached down and lifted the edge of her blanket, ignoring her soft, half-hearted protests.


    ¡°North!¡± she hissed, though the brightness in her eyes betrayed her happiness.


    ¡°What?¡± I said, feigning innocence as I settled beside her.


    ¡°You can¡¯t just climb in here! What if someone walks in?¡± she whispered, her cheeks brightening.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll say I¡¯m a new type of advanced thermal therapy,¡± I replied, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. ¡°It¡¯s freezing out there, and this is the only warm spot I see.¡±


    She rolled her eyes even as she leaned into me.


    ¡°Besides, you missed me?¡± I said smugly.


    She didn¡¯t respond at first, but then she nodded heavily, her head bobbing like it weighed too much to hold up.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought,¡± I whispered, pressing a light kiss to her temple.


    The scholars always said actions spoke louder than words, and she was proving them right.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get cocky,¡± she murmured, though her tone lacked bite.


    ¡°Too late,¡± I said with a grin, before peppering her face with kisses.


    One peck. Two pecks. Five. Ten. Twenty.


    By the twentieth, she couldn¡¯t hold it in anymore. ¡°Hehehe, stop it,¡± she giggled, her laughter bubbling out uncontrollably as she tried to fend me off with her hands. But her attempts were as weak as her earlier protests. If anything, she seemed to be encouraging me, her cheeks glowing a brighter pink with each kiss. Her smile stretched impossibly wide, her laughter filling the small room. Beneath the blanket, I felt her legs coil around mine like a snake, locking me in place and making any escape impossible.


    My eyes narrowed playfully as realization struck me. Was this her plan all along? Was the arrogant dragon always one step ahead?


    It left me wondering¡ªbut only for a moment.


    I finally paused, taking a deep breath as I leaned back slightly to look her in the eyes. My voice dropping to barely above a whisper. ¡°How are you feeling?¡±


    Jade pouted, her lips curling into an exaggerated frown that only made her look more adorable. ¡°They said I¡¯m leaking high amounts of radiation. Probably from overusing my meta-nature.¡± She let out a dramatic huff, crossing her arms with a flair of indignation. ¡°Do they think I¡¯m some kind of atomic bomb or something?¡±


    Her innocent frustration drew a chuckle from me. ¡°Well, you did practically obliterate ten thousand bloody rats in one go,¡± I replied thoughtfully. ¡°That¡¯s gotta earn you at least a small atomic bomb comparison.¡±


    She glared at me, though the corners of her mouth twitched upward. ¡°You¡¯re not helping,¡± she grumbled, leaning back against the pillows. ¡°And, as if that wasn¡¯t enough, they banned me from using my meta-nature. Prohibited! Like I¡¯m gonna go nuclear in the middle of the hospital.¡±


    ¡°Probably a wise precaution,¡± I said, ¡°You are a bit¡­ unpredictable right now.¡±


    ¡°Oh, please,¡± she pressed her hand on my lips, stopping me from speaking. ¡°I¡¯m perfectly stable. You¡¯re the unpredictable one.¡±


    ¡°Fair,¡± I conceded as I took her hand in mine. ¡°But listen to them, okay? No meta stuff until you¡¯re in safe territory?¡±


    Jade hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line, thinking. ¡°Okay,¡± she admitted reluctantly. ¡°Not like I have much of a choice. They¡¯d probably tackle me if I tried anything.¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± I said, squeezing her hand gently, ¡°if they do, make sure to call me.¡±


    The moment the words left my lips, Jade smacked me on the shoulder, her narrowed eyes gleaming with mock anger. ¡°Rude!¡± she huffed.


    I clutched my shoulder dramatically, feigning pain as I let out an exaggerated groan. ¡°Hey, let me finish! I meant so I could beat up the backroom doctors for touching my love,¡± I said, my tone dripping with mock indignation.


    Jade froze for a moment, her cheeks instantly turning a deeper shade of red. Her hand flew to her neck, fingers brushing against the skin as if trying to cool the heat radiating from her face. ¡°Oh, well¡­ in that case¡­¡± she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.


    But then, something flipped¡ªlike her brain short-circuited from the overload. Her lips pressed into a pout, and her expression shifted, her voice sharper now. ¡°Still rude, though!¡±


    How was it still rude? What logic was that? I blinked at her, my eyes wide for emphasis, hoping she¡¯d realize how absurd she sounded. But the look on her face told me there was no convincing her otherwise.


    But inwardly, I wanted to thank her¡ªfor not leaving me to die in that tunnel. She could have escaped easily if she¡¯d wanted to, leaving the rest of us behind. But she hadn¡¯t. She¡¯d stayed, fought, and nearly pushed herself to the brink for my sake.


    Yet as much as the words sat on the tip of my tongue, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to say them.


    Between us, expressing thanks felt¡­ wrong. Like it would build some invisible wall, something that would wedge itself between our bond and make it fragile. It wasn¡¯t just a feeling¡ªit was more than that. My meta-nature occasionally gave me premonitions, small glimpses of truth, and they were always right. This was one of them, I was sure of it. We both knew each other¡¯s secrets, yet we silently agreed not to address them. It wasn¡¯t the right time. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future, moments when the weight of those truths could be shared without fear or hesitation.


    So, I held my tongue. Instead of words, I let my actions speak for me.


    I stayed by her side, my hand brushing hers lightly under the blanket as if to say, I see you. I appreciate you. I¡¯m here.


    ¡°You¡¯re being quiet again,¡± Jade said after a moment, tilting her head to look at me. ¡°That¡¯s suspicious.¡±


    ¡°Me? Quiet? Impossible,¡± I pulled myself back into the moment. ¡°Just thinking about how lucky I am to be here, getting scolded by the most terrifyingly cute person I know.¡±


    "Huh?" Jade blinked at me, clearly unprepared for that. But instead of replying, she gritted her teeth and grabbed the edge of the blanket, pulling it over her head to hide her face from all the embarrassment she felt in the moment. ¡°Stop! Please!" she mumbled. "You¡¯re going to make me die of secondhand embarrassment.¡±


    I chuckled, leaning back against the pillows as I watched her burrow deeper into her makeshift cocoon. ¡°Embarrassment is just love trying to fight its way out,¡± I teased, letting my hand rest lightly on the edge of the blanket. ¡°And it¡¯s my job to make sure you smile¡ªwhether you like it or not.¡±


    "You¡¯re so annoying." A muffled laugh escaped from under the covers, and I knew she was cracking despite herself. "Stop talking!¡±


    I just shrugged again, completely unfazed. ¡°Nope. This is who you signed up for, Jade London. Might as well embrace it.¡±


    As I spoke, my eyes drifted to her Likeness, the subtle shifts in her meta-nature that seemed to shift and ripple with her emotions. It was fascinating to watch¡ªwhen she was happy, truly at ease, her meta-nature seemed to stabilize on its own. The toxic colors that had been bleeding into surroundings, damaging the reality around her, were slowing down significantly, fading into something softer, more controlled.


    It was as if her joy was pulling her back to balance, restoring the world around her as much as it was restoring her. I couldn¡¯t help but smile, the realization sinking in.


    Jade let out a sigh, ¡°I signed up for this, huh? Is there a refund policy?¡±


    ¡°Refunds are non-existent,¡± I continued to see far I could push, ¡°But there is a lifetime warranty.¡±


    ¡°A warranty on you?¡± she raised a skeptical eyebrow. ¡°What does that cover? Overexposure to cringe?¡±


    I tilted my head, pretending to consider. ¡°Unlimited hugs, infinite kisses, and unconditional love. It¡¯s a premium package. You won''t find it anywhere.¡±


    Jade flipped the blanket off her head. ¡°Sounds like a scam,¡± Her face still red. ¡°Where¡¯s the fine print? What¡¯s the catch?¡±


    ¡°No catch, seriously¡± I said, shrugging casually. ¡°Lifetime guarantee. No! Future Proof.¡±


    Jade opened her mouth, probably to shoot back some clever retort, but before she could get another word in, I leaned forward and wrapped my arms tightly around her, pulling her close before she could retreat under the blanket again. She was so warm in my arms, ¡°I don¡¯t want a future where you don¡¯t exist,¡± I murmured, the words spilling out before I could stop them. ¡°And not just that¡ªI don¡¯t want a future where you¡¯re not mine.¡±


    Jade stiffened slightly at first, and I held my breath, wondering if I¡¯d said too much. Then she pulled back, just enough to meet my gaze, I saw a kaleidoscope of emotions swirling in the depths of her eyes¡ªsomething that looked suspiciously like love. Her eyes softened, her hands still cradling my face as if I might vanish if she let go. The gesture was so gentle it caught me off guard. In that moment, I felt cherished, treasured, as if I was the most precious thing in her world. My heart beat peacefully yet mixed with a powerful cocktail of emotions


    ¡°You don¡¯t get it, do you?¡± she murmured, her voice carrying an edge of emotion that made my breath hitch. ¡°It¡¯s not about futures or choices. You¡¯re already a part of me. Losing you isn¡¯t an option¡ªit¡¯s not even a possibility.¡±


    ¡°And before you start with your self-sacrificing nonsense,¡± she added, a faint smirk tugging at her lips, ¡°just know that if you try to cut yourself off or protect me by pushing me away, you won¡¯t be able to escape me. You¡¯d only coil around me back to back. I''ll make sure of that.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re stuck with me,¡± she continued, a faint smile tugging at her lips. ¡°For better or worse. Forever. In this version of this life, or next.¡±


    A laugh escaped me, shaky but real, ¡°You think you¡¯ve got me figured out, huh?¡±


    ¡°Completely.¡± She said resolutely.


    I couldn¡¯t speak, couldn¡¯t move. All I could do was look into her eyes, filled with a fierce, unyielding love that left me breathless.


    Love was the fastest and cruelest poison in the world. Yet here I was, willingly drowning in it.


    Suddenly, the door handle twisted, and before I could react, Jade shoved me under the blanket with surprising force. ¡°Stay still!¡± she hissed, her voice a frantic whisper.


    The door creaked open, and the nurse peeked inside, her eyes scanning the room with a polite but suspicious air. ¡°Is everything okay?¡± she asked, her gaze lingering on Jade. ¡°I thought I heard a voice. Do you need anything?¡±


    Jade quickly pressed her hands to her cheeks, trying to smother the obvious blush spreading across her face. ¡°N-no, I¡¯m fine!¡± she stammered, her voice a little too high-pitched to sound natural. ¡°Just, uh¡­ talking to myself. You know, trying to stay sane in here.¡±


    The nurse raised an eyebrow, scanning the room.


    Meanwhile, under the blanket, my face pressed against her stomach. Jade¡¯s hands held my head firmly, keeping me hidden. Her cozy clothes were warm against my cheek. I couldn¡¯t help the small grin tugging at my lips as I shifted slightly. Unable to resist, I tugged her shirt up just enough to feel the smoothness of her skin beneath. Her waist was impossibly soft, her skin warm to the touch, like the finest silk. Her stomach rose and fell with each breath, the faint sounds of her insides a quiet rhythm that I found oddly comforting. Without thinking, my lips brushed against her skin, immediately, her stomach tensed, and her breath caught as her hands froze, holding me in place. Encouraged by her reaction, I let my tongue slip out, gliding lightly over the warm, smooth surface of her skin.


    Jade¡¯s breath hitched audibly, her hands tightening against my head as if to keep me from going any further.


    ¡°North,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling, ¡°Stop that,¡± half a warning and half something else entirely.


    "I¡¯m not doing anything?" I chuckled, my breath tickling her skin. ¡°You''re holding my head.¡±


    Her grip on my head tightened briefly in frustration, but I felt her stomach quivered, her muscles flexing involuntarily under my bites. ¡°If you get us caught, I swear I¡¯ll¡ª¡± She paused, probably realizing she didn¡¯t have a real threat ready. ¡°Just stay still!¡±


    The nurse''s eyes flicked briefly to the blanket lump where I was hiding, and I held my breath, praying I didn¡¯t sneeze or do something equally incriminating. But, I wondered if Jade had already shifted the possibility of her finding me. Despite no meta warning.


    ¡°Alright,¡± the nurse said after a pause. ¡°Let me know if you need anything.¡±


    As soon as the door clicked shut and the nurse¡¯s footsteps faded, Jade let out a shaky breath. ¡°Okay, coast is clear.¡±


    I emerged from under the blanket, ¡°Well, that was cozy,¡± I suggested, brushing some hair out of my face. ¡°Should we make this a regular thing? Blanket hideouts and all?¡±


    Jade glared at me, ¡°What if she had actually checked under the blanket?¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t,¡± I said, shrugging as if it had been no big deal. ¡°You handled it perfectly. Quick thinking and all.¡±


    She groaned, ¡°You¡¯re lucky she didn¡¯t notice anything, or we¡¯d both be in trouble.¡±


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯d take all the heat,¡± I pointed out, ¡°You¡¯d just have to sit there and look cute saying you don¡¯t know me, while they kick me out.¡±


    Her hands were still tangled in my hair, and she tugged hard, making me yelp in surprise. "Ouch! Ouch! Sorry." She looked absolutely adorable like this¡ªher frustration and amusement blending into an expression that made her cheeks puff out slightly. It was so endearing I couldn¡¯t help but get lost, despite knowing it would earn me more grief.


    Her squinted eyes said everything. ¡°I¡¯m calling the nurse,¡± she threatened, her finger already pointed at the door.


    I laughed, holding up my hands in surrender. ¡°Alright, alright! No need to bring in reinforcements. I¡¯ll behave.¡±


    She didn¡¯t look convinced, her finger still hovering mid-air. ¡°You? Behave? I¡¯ll believe it when I see it.¡±


    I shrugged, letting the peace settle, ¡°By the way, have your parents visited?¡± I asked, steering the conversation to a different topic.


    ¡°No,¡± Jade¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, remaining calm and composed. She gently shook her head, as if the question didn¡¯t carry much weight for her. ¡°My aunt and uncle visited me this morning,¡± she said softly. ¡°But my home is too far from here. Even with FTL or dimension hoping, it¡¯d still take them about a week to get here.¡±


    ¡°Is that so,¡± I murmured, more to myself than her, and I didn¡¯t press further. Actually, there wasn¡¯t much else to say, unless I started to judge her parents, which I already was internally.


    Instead, noticing the subtle tension in her expression when I mentioned her parents, I decided to steer clear, ¡°At least someone got to visit the queen of the hospital.¡±


    Jade retorted, ¡°Queen of the hospital? More like a lab specimen. I swear, they keep poking at me like I¡¯m about to explode.¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± I leaning back beside her, ¡°you did kind of save the day like an action hero. Maybe they¡¯re just in awe.¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°Yeah, right. More like they¡¯re terrified I¡¯ll cause another incident.¡±


    ¡°Hey,¡± I said firmly, squeezing her hand. ¡°You kept us alive. Don¡¯t downplay that. Don¡¯t even joke about it.¡±


    She looked away, as if the weight of my words made her uncomfortable. ¡°I just¡­ did what I had to,¡± she murmured. ¡°And now I''m locked here.¡±


    I shook my head, ¡°You did more than that. Don¡¯t let others make you feel like that¡¯s nothing. If they can¡¯t see that, it¡¯s their problem¡ªnot yours. People are stupid anyway. While other might not care, I care. I¡¯ll always care.¡±


    She looked like she wanted to argue, her lips parting as if to counter me, but then her shoulders sagged slightly. ¡°You make it sound so simple."


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    For a moment, I almost felt bad, but the faint quirk of her lips betrayed her frustration.


    The arrogant dragon probably realized she couldn¡¯t win this one against me. Not today

 Act 2.21 (Chrysalis)

    Though I had just survived a massive villain attack, that didn¡¯t mean I was off the hook for long. As soon as I was discharged, my regular responsibilities returned¡ªchief among them, my weekly community service assignment from Beyonder¡¯s Academy. This wasn¡¯t the kind of service that felt particularly fulfilling, either. I was tasked with supervising teenagers who had yet to grasp the seriousness of their abilities. These weren¡¯t just any kids, though¡ªthey were the children of influential families, kids who had grown up with everything handed to them. For them, powers weren¡¯t a responsibility; they were a game.


    Worse still, these teens weren¡¯t even enrolled in Beyonder¡¯s Academy yet. Their parents had paid exorbitant fees to get them into preparatory training¡ªa head start to boost their chances of eventual acceptance. It was a system that rewarded wealth over merit, and I was there to ensure their powers didn¡¯t cause any disasters while they played at being heroes.


    And me? I was doing this as part of my academy responsibilities, unpaid and unnoticed, disguised as community service. Babysitting a group of entitled brats no younger than myself, forced to teach them skills their parents should¡¯ve instilled. The irony wasn¡¯t lost on me, and yet, here I was.


    It was Friday, and after classes wrapped up early, I reluctantly hugged Jade goodbye. Her arms clung tightly around me, as though she didn¡¯t want to let go.


    ¡°Good luck,¡± she murmured, her voice soft. ¡°Call me when you¡¯re free.¡±


    I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. ¡°I will.¡±


    The hardest part wasn¡¯t the goodbye¡ªit was knowing we wouldn¡¯t see each other that evening. As I pulled away, her absence already settled in, lingering like an ache I couldn¡¯t quite shake.


    Meanwhile, I had to pick up the youngsters I was assigned to mentor¡ªor, as I liked to call it, ¡°babysit.¡±


    Jade, for her part, wasn¡¯t off the hook either; she had her own trio of rich, entitled prot¨¦g¨¦s to manage. Honestly, it was hard to imagine how someone like her¡ªquiet, focused, and not exactly the nurturing type¡ªdealt with those kids. I often joked to myself that maybe she kept them in line by Perhaps beating them everyday like the entire class at the academy until no one was willing to come near her. The thought amused me enough to keep me from grumbling too much about my own predicament.


    I took the train to the North District, heading to pick up my first "student," a bratty seventeen-year-old named Louvel Delacour.


    From what little I¡¯d gleaned about his family, it seemed his parents were often absent¡ªmuch like Jade¡¯s. That probably explained why Louvel was such a troubled kid. He wouldn¡¯t listen to anyone, and his wealth had only made him more insufferable. I wasn¡¯t a fan of his attitude, but I did the bare minimum required of me. It wasn¡¯t my job to teach him common sense or basic decency, just to guide him through his power training. Still, our dynamic had developed over the past two months, and we¡¯d reached a sort of understanding. Louvel knew I wouldn¡¯t tolerate too much nonsense, and I knew how to keep him engaged without sparking an argument.


    When I arrived at the park where he was playing volleyball, he spotted me standing by the gate. True to form, Louvel ended the game early, fist-bumping his friends before strolling over with an easy smile.


    ¡°Hey, how¡¯s it going?¡± he greeted, his tone as relaxed as his posture.


    I nodded politely. ¡°Not bad,¡± I replied. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re a regular MVP around here.¡±


    He chuckled, running a hand through his perfectly tousled hair. ¡°Eh, not really. I just don¡¯t like losing, so I make sure we don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Modest,¡± I said, my voice laced with dry humor.


    Louvel grinned, unfazed. ¡°Well, somebody¡¯s got to keep these guys in shape.¡± He gestured lazily toward the court, where his friends were already starting a new game without him. ¡°You play?¡±


    ¡°Not really,¡± I admitted, keeping pace with him as we started walking. ¡°Team sports were never my thing.¡±


    ¡°Shame,¡± he said, glancing down at me. ¡°You look like you could use some cardio.¡±


    I shot him a sidelong look but decided not to rise to the bait. ¡°I think I¡¯ll manage.¡±


    Louvel was taller than me¡ªeasily six-foot-six¡ªand his casual confidence matched his striking looks. Even in a simple tank top and shorts, he carried himself like he owned the place. It was hard to ignore how much he fit the image of a quintessential playboy: charm, good looks, and just enough arrogance to make him aggravatingly likable.


    As we walked, his tone shifted, growing slightly more conversational. ¡°So, where to next?¡±


    ¡°Your place first,¡± I replied. ¡°We¡¯ll pick up my second assignment after you¡¯re done changing. Unless you¡¯re planning on showing up everywhere in your game gear.¡±


    He smirked, unfazed. ¡°My place it is, then.¡±


    His mansion¡ªor what most would call an estate¡ªwas just a few blocks away. Once inside, he disappeared for about fifteen minutes to freshen up. When he reappeared, dressed in a tailored shirt and jeans that somehow managed to look both effortless and expensive, he grinned. ¡°Alright. Let''s go.¡±


    We headed to the nearby mall to pick up Placid.


    Although her name, Placid, meant calm, she was anything but.


    Louvel drove his sport car out from the underground garage and it didn¡¯t take us long to find her. She was near a fancy tea stand, surrounded by a group of friends, gesturing wildly as she spoke. Her voice carried over the noise of the food court, bright and full of energy, punctuated by bursts of laughter from the group around her.


    ¡°There she is,¡± Louvel said, nodding toward her. ¡°In her natural habitat.¡±


    Placid spotted us almost immediately, her sharp eyes catching on Louvel first. She waved enthusiastically, practically bouncing off the bench as she called out, ¡°Hey! Over here!¡±


    ¡°Placid,¡± I greeted, my tone friendly. ¡°You ready to go?¡±


    She turned toward me, her face lighting up with excitement. ¡°You kept me waiting!¡± she exclaimed, ignoring my question entirely. ¡°Oh, wait, hold on¡ªguys, this is the mentor I was telling you about.¡± She gestured dramatically to me, then to Louvel. ¡°And this is Louvel. He¡¯s, like, alright, I guess.¡±


    ¡°Charming,¡± Louvel muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets.


    Placid ignored him, turning her attention back to me. ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan? Please tell me it¡¯s not boring. And did you see that store upstairs? They have the cutest shoes¡ª¡±


    I cut in, giving her a look. ¡°We¡¯re on a schedule. No shopping detours.¡±


    She pouted but grabbed her bag. ¡°Fine, fine.¡± Then, turning back to her friends, she waved dramatically. ¡°Catch you later, guys. Try not to miss me too much!¡±


    The third person in my group, however, had a slightly different story. She was already eighteen and had taken the Beyonder¡¯s entrance test once¡ªbut failed. So, I wasn¡¯t sure what her family was getting out of the training, she couldn¡¯t take the exam a second time. Naturally, I wasn¡¯t in the position to ask and didn¡¯t care enough.


    After picking up Louvel and Placid, we arrived at our third destination¡ªa mansion that dwarfed the previous two in grandeur and significance.This wasn¡¯t just any opulent estate; this was the Qi Mansion. Its very name carried weight, a symbol of power and influence that extended beyond just their wealth. The Qi family was one of the most powerful families in the world, and their reputation wasn¡¯t built on mere money or connections. It was their exclusive meta-nature that truly set them apart: ¡®The Logos.¡¯


    The Logos was more than just a meta nature, it was a legacy. Each individual in the Qi family had their own unique manifestation of this meta-nature, said to be tied to a defining characteristic of their soul¡ªa "character" they were born with.


    The family had a saying, one that resonated with me despite the complexity of their methods:


    ¡°Every person in the world is born with a character, and it is the essence of their story.¡±


    The Qi family lived and breathed this mantra, monopolizing the Logos to such an extent that it became a symbol of their identity and influence. Of course, no one could predict with certainty what meta-nature a child would develop, but the Qi family had perfected ways to stack the odds in their favor, they employed methods that straddled the line between inspiration and morally questionable. The first involved paying an exorbitant price to the so-called Lord of Changes¡ªthat what he liked to call himself ¡ªhe could exchange a person¡¯s inherent meta nature with someone else. The second method was equally ambitious: divining the birth of a child with the highest probability of developing The Logos and then offering to "adopt"¡ªor outright purchase¡ªthe child from their parents. It was also the most employed method.


    Then there were other, more extreme measures as well. For example, reading a person¡¯s fate to pinpoint their potential meta-nature or even looking decades into the future to confirm the birth of a Logos-compatible individual. But these methods came with steep costs¡ªcosts so enormous that even the wealthiest families rarely considered them worthwhile.


    After all, unless the meta-nature in question was truly heaven-defying, no one was willing to pay such a hefty price for a guarantee.


    Naturally, the Qi family wasn¡¯t alone in monopolizing a specific meta-nature or perfecting methods to cultivate it. Many powerful families and organizations did the same, ensuring rare and potent meta remained tied to their bloodlines or controlled through other means.


    As for The Logos meta-nature, it was a Hive-type meta with extraordinary potential for growth. Users of The Logos were born with at least one character, a core building block of their power.


    Through significant milestones or personal breakthroughs, they could gain additional characters. These characters could then combine to form a phrase, which granted even greater abilities. A phrase could evolve further into a personal Quote, a unique and powerful manifestation of their will. The strongest and most disciplined users could eventually craft a Poem, the pinnacle of The Logos, capable of shaping reality itself.


    The most powerful member of the Qi family, known as The Weave, was rumored to have transcended all known limits of this meta-nature. In my past cycles, I¡¯d heard whispers that she could rival beings like The Crown, Limitless, or even Cheat Engine, individuals considered untouchable by most standards. It was said that The Weave had transformed her characters into a literal essay¡ªa feat so extraordinary it bordered on legend. However, no one knew how many secret hands she had in the background to achieve this feat, or how many fates she was calculating at any given time.


    As for Temple, the person I was here to mentor, I found her character and demeanor pleasant, perhaps shaped by her upbringing in such a large and influential family. She had many siblings, which likely tempered the ego often associated with the privileged. Still, her story was not without its shadows.


    She had once mentioned, almost casually, that she was "bought" by the Qi family when she was just two years old. Twenty years ago, the Qi family¡¯s patriarch had paid an astronomical price to divine the births of children with extraordinary potential¡ªthose who might manifest phrases or even Quotes at a young age. Seven of Temple¡¯s siblings had lived up to these high expectations, each earning their place in the family¡¯s legacy.


    Temple, however, was considered a disappointment.


    Which I couldn¡¯t really understand. Because Temple wasn¡¯t someone born with a single or double character. Instead, she also had a phrase like rest of her siblings¡ªa rare and beautiful one that should have been celebrated:


    "Ink flows where thought cannot reach."


    To me, it was a breathtaking expression of potential, but in the Qi family, beauty and artistry weren¡¯t always enough. What mattered most was living up to the relentless weight of expectation.


    Louvel was driving his car, as he refused to travel in what he called "dirty" buses and trains. Placid and I sat in the passenger seats, and honestly, I didn¡¯t mind. If it saved us time, I wasn¡¯t about to complain. By the time we pulled up to the gates of the Qi Mansion, Temple was already waiting outside. She stood casually, dressed in black tights, shorts, and a matching top. The back door of the car opened automatically as we rolled to a stop, and Temple slipped in smoothly, nodding a quick greeting.


    ¡°Hey, Temple!¡± Placid greeted.


    Temple didn¡¯t even have time to respond before Louvel slammed the accelerator, and the car lurched forward like a rocket. All of us were thrown back into our seats as the engine roared.


    ¡°Seriously, Louvel,¡± Placid muttered, her tone a mix of annoyance and unease. ¡°Can¡¯t you drive a little slower, like a normal human being?¡±


    ¡°Slow is boring,¡± Louvel replied, grinning. ¡°Besides, this car was built for speed.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s also built for not killing your passengers,¡± I added dryly, gripping the door handle for support. ¡°Might want to keep that in mind.¡±


    Temple, remarkably calm despite the turbulence, adjusted her seatbelt. ¡°If we crash, Louvel, I¡¯m taking it out of your hide.¡±


    Louvel glanced at her through the rearview mirror, smirking. ¡°Relax, I¡¯ve got this under control.¡±


    Placid huffed, crossing her arms. ¡°Control? You¡¯re one sharp turn away from us flying out the windows.¡±


    ¡°Then buckle up,¡± Louvel shot back, clearly enjoying himself.


    ¡°Already did!¡± Placid snapped, leaning her head back against the seat. ¡°And if you wreck this car, I¡¯m not helping you explain it to your parents.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t expect you to,¡± Louvel said breezily, his grin widening. ¡°I¡¯d just pin it on North.¡±


    ¡°Why am I suddenly involved?¡± I asked, glaring at him.


    Louvel¡¯s grin didn¡¯t falter as he steered us onto the highway, ¡°Because you¡¯re our mentor. Aren¡¯t you supposed to take responsibility for your students?¡±


    There was no need to bicker with them. I stayed quiet, squinting out the window, though the scenery blurred by the speed of the car didn¡¯t really give me anything to focus on.


    Placid, her attention now shifting, glanced at Temple. ¡°Where were you? I couldn¡¯t get through to you for two days. You just disappeared.¡±


    Temple replied calmly, glazing at Louvel, feeling slightly irritated. ¡°I was in Japan. My cousin¡¯s birthday party. It was a last minute plan and I barely had time to grab my luggage before heading here. I just got back late last night.¡±


    Placid raised an eyebrow. ¡°You couldn¡¯t have given me a heads-up? I was starting to think you ghosted me.¡±


    Temple shrugged, unfazed. ¡°I was busy,¡± she said casually. ¡°You know how it is when you¡¯ve got six cousins scattered across the world. Plans get... complicated.¡±


    Placid huffed, leaning back in her seat. ¡°Fine, fine. Just don¡¯t do that again. It was hard to survive my own boredom without you.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, ¡­ Japan? It¡¯s been two months since I was last there. How was it?¡± Placid paused, curious. ¡°Did you visit Tokyo?¡±


    Temple nodded casually, ¡°I was in Tokyo. It was my cousin¡¯s twenty-first birthday. We rented out a rooftop venue. The view was breathtaking¡ªthe whole city lit up like something out of a dream.¡±


    Placid¡¯s eyes widened with envy. ¡°That sounds amazing,¡± she said, practically sighing. ¡°And here I am, stuck being grounded last week because I accidentally destroyed one of Dad¡¯s tennis courts.¡±


    Louvel snorted, glancing at her in the rearview mirror. ¡°How do you accidentally destroy a tennis court? Hit the ball too hard?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Placid shot back, her tone defensive. ¡°I was practicing with my meta, and I might have misjudged my energy calculation. The court¡¯s surface was no match for the blast.¡±


    Temple raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. ¡°You mean you got carried away showing off.¡±


    Placid crossed her arms, pouting. ¡°That¡¯s not true. It was an accident.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Louvel teased, grinning. ¡°And I bet your dad was thrilled.¡±


    Placid groaned, flopping back in her seat. ¡°He lectured me for an hour. Then he had me help oversee the repair crew for ¡®educational purposes.¡¯ Honestly, I think he just wanted to make an example of me.¡±


    I shook my head at Placid¡¯s chatter. She had a remarkable talent for proving all my thoughts about her right in real time. The girl could go from gushing about rooftop parties in Tokyo to recounting her tennis-court demolition saga without missing a beat.


    Meanwhile, the car zigzagged through the North District streets at breakneck speed, and I clung to the door handle like a lifeline. Still, the smooth growl of the sports car¡¯s engine was oddly satisfying, almost enough to make up for Louvel¡¯s reckless driving. Eventually, we entered an older part of the district. The architecture here stood in stark contrast to the sleek modernity we¡¯d left behind, with its preserved facades and a distinct sense of history. Thankfully, the car slowed down and finally came to a complete stop in front of a corner building. I glanced outside. There, tucked into the corner, was a fighting gym¡ªowned by Louvel¡¯s family.


    Over the next twenty minutes, we got ready. I swapped out my sweater and jeans for sweatpants and a T-shirt. Louvel wore athletic shorts and a fitted tank top. Placid changed into a simple black sports bra with matching leggings, tying her hair back into a no-nonsense ponytail. Temple, meanwhile, took her time and finally emerged in a headband, workout skirt and a cropped top.


    The gym was well-equipped, its space filled with weights, punching bags, and state-of-the-art training gear. A few people were scattered around, working out, but we headed straight to the back, where a private arena awaited us.


    Once ready, we started with the basics: light stretches and a jog around the ring to warm up.


    I didn¡¯t waste time with one-on-one guidance or any sort of hand-holding nonsense. I wasn¡¯t their trainer; I was just here to make sure they understood what it meant to fight before an overwhelming opponent. Louvel, Temple, and Placid each claimed a corner of the arena, their eyes tracking my movements like predators sizing up prey.


    Louvel was the first to step forward, flipping a couple of gold coins between his fingers with practiced ease. His Hive meta-nature was the GhostWriter,


    And then there was his title: The Rich Guy. Yes, that was his actual title. I wish I were joking.


    However, Louvel was still a rookie with his title. I knew of someone in the future who could literally bribe reality itself with their meta-nature, and do a lot more unthinkable.


    Besides, I didn¡¯t expect much more from The GhostWriter in the first place. After all, it wasn¡¯t the kind of meta-nature that turned everyone into the Protagonist or the Savior. But that didn¡¯t mean Louvel¡¯s powers were weak¡ªfar from it. In fact, they were more practical than most flashy abilities, rooted in the raw, unyielding power of wealth itself. Simply put, The more money he carried, the stronger he became¡ªhis offense and defense tied directly to his fortune, making his riches his ultimate weapon. Of course, there was a catch: every loss came at a literal cost. Each defeat chipped away at his wealth, and in Louvel¡¯s world, losing money wasn¡¯t just a blow to his ego¡ªit was a threat to his very power.


    ¡°Alright, team meeting,¡± Louvel said smoothly, jerking his chin toward the edge of the ring.


    Temple raised an eyebrow but didn¡¯t argue, jogging over to join him. Placid, on the other hand, sighed dramatically. ¡°You¡¯re really doing this? I thought we were just supposed to hit stuff.¡±


    ¡°Keep that attitude, and you¡¯ll get wiped first,¡± Louvel shot back.


    ¡°I won¡¯t go easy,¡± I called out, leaning casually against the ropes, watching them. ¡°Better make this good.¡±


    After breaking, Louvel clenched the gold coins tightly in his fist, the metal shimmering as it began to melt. The liquid gold flowed seamlessly over his hand, solidifying into an out of game, golden gauntlet. The more money he used, the heavier the force behind his punches became.


    Without missing a beat, he charged forward, his steps purposeful. With each stride, his fist swelled, growing impossibly large until it filled my field of vision. He was good¡ªbetter than most, with a natural aptitude for fighting that paired well with his Hive meta-nature. But good wasn¡¯t enough. Not against someone like me. I could read his movements as easily as flipping through a book. Instead of dodging, I adjusted my posture, locking his arm mid-swing. With a swift, deliberate motion, I slammed my elbow into his face. The impact was solid, and one of the gold coins in his hand slipped free, clattering to the floor.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    The coin spun in a wide arc before vanishing into thin air, as if it had never existed¡ªdispersed to wherever The GhostWriter sent it when wealth was lost.


    Louvel staggered back, his gauntlet cracking slightly. He gritted his teeth and steadied himself. He adjusted his stance, but his golden fists had lost some of their luster.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to win just by chipping away at me,¡± Louvel said, his voice laced with irritation but underpinned by confidence. ¡°Money¡¯s the only thing I never run out of.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± I smirked, cracking my knuckles.


    Louvel responded with a sharp whistle, and three more coins materialized between his fingers, each glinting brilliantly in the dim light. With a flick of his wrist, the coins spun rapidly before launching toward me like bullets, slicing through the air with a piercing whistle. I sidestepped the first, leaning back to dodge the second, but the third coin curved midair, its trajectory shifting toward my chest.


    Clever.


    I ducked low, letting the coin skim past with inches to spare, though it took every ounce of focus to pull it off. Louvel wasn¡¯t just hurling coins recklessly¡ªeach projectile moved with precision, an extension of his will. The gold coins weren¡¯t just weapons; they were guided by intent, their strength amplified by the wealth they represented.


    Like the saying goes, money moves.


    The split-second distraction was all Louvel needed. By the time I regained my footing, he was already closing in, his fist glowing brighter as it absorbed another coin. The golden gauntlet swelled in size, its surface hardening as he brought it down in a crushing arc aimed at my shoulder. I planted my feet and twisted my body, catching the strike on my forearm. Pain shot up my arm as the force reverberated through me, but I held firm. My counterattack was immediate¡ªI swept his legs out from under him with a quick low kick, sending him crashing to the ground.


    One, two and three¡­


    The coins fell off his body almost magically, clinking as they scattered across the mat like a cascade of golden rain. It was comical¡ªlike watching a game character lose a life and drop their loot.


    It almost made me chuckle. I always liked fighting him because every time I would land a hit, money would consequently fall off his body, making a sound that was pleasant to my ears. He was the best fighting partner anyone could ask for. Louvel grunted but recovered quickly, rolling to his feet with an agility that belied his size. Without missing a beat, another coin appeared between his fingers. This time, with a flick of his wrist, it disintegrated into a fine golden mist that swirled around him like a protective aura. The air shimmered faintly, bending the light in subtle ripples as though he¡¯d summoned an invisible barrier.


    ¡°Not bad,¡± I said, adjusting my stance, keeping my focus locked on him. ¡°But I¡¯m not paying for damages if this place turns into Fort Temple.¡±


    Louvel smirked, his confidence undeterred. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯re not getting past this one.¡±


    Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, Placid¡¯s leg appeared, swinging toward my face. She had launched herself into the air, her leggings and skin-tight top emphasizing her short yet athletic frame. Despite being only five-foot-two, every muscle in her body was meticulously defined. She moved with precision and agility, her knee descending toward my head like a hammer.


    Did she really think my meta was just for show?


    Ever since the bloody mutated rat incident, I¡¯d started relying on my meta perception a lot more, to not become a prey to the same accident again.


    At the moment, my field of perception was alive with vibrant rainbow colors, like swirling clouds of multi-colored patches floating through the air. While it didn¡¯t reveal exactly what kind of attack was coming, it allowed me to anticipate where the next strike would land. Without it, I wouldn¡¯t have stood a chance against the three of them at once. As her knee came closer, I didn¡¯t flinch. My hand shot up, grabbing her ankle mid-air. My smile shifted into a smirk as I tightened my grip. With a swift, decisive motion, I slammed her into the floor as hard as I could


    My strength wasn¡¯t superhuman, but it was very well at the peak of human capability through relentless practice. Against someone like Placid, who relied on her speed and agility, I knew exactly how to counter. But before I could fully relish the moment, Placid vanished into the floor in a flash of light, reappearing ten meters away.


    She landed awkwardly, her body tumbling forward before she collapsed heavily onto the mat. Even with her teleportation, the space didn¡¯t magically erase the momentum from my throw. Gritting her teeth, she pushed herself back to her feet, her arms trembling slightly from the impact.


    Placid¡¯s teleportation had its limits. Each jump required a recharge, drawing energy directly from her body. Her meta-nature converted calories into the power she needed to leap across space. It made me wonder¡ªif she ever decided to bulk up, could she teleport more than a few meters? But teleportation wasn¡¯t her only trick. Placid could channel the same energy that fueled her jumps into objects, charging them until they detonated like miniature energy bombs. This made her far more dangerous than she looked. Her petite frame and cheerful demeanor might fool most people, but her abilities marked her as the only Unique-type meta in the group¡ªand one of the most versatile.


    Not wanting to give her time to recover, I charged forward.


    But Louvel wasn¡¯t going to let me have it easy. Taking advantage of my distraction, he sneaked upon me and swung another golden fist. I ducked under the punch, driving my palm into his chest. His golden aura absorbed the blow, but faint ripples spread across its surface, signaling the strain. He tried to counter with a sharp knee strike, but I spun to the side, driving my elbow into his ribs.


    Another ripple spread across his golden aura, and one more gold coin fell free off his body, clinking against the floor before rolling away.


    I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle again at the satisfying sound.


    Before I could press my advantage, Temple finally made her move. She ran in a wide circle, building momentum. I noticed the subtle glance she exchanged with Louvel and Placid. Their eyes connected for just a moment, and it was enough. They¡¯d decided to cooperate.


    From her shadow, Temple pulled out what looked like a heavy club.


    Meanwhile, Placid rummaged in her pockets, producing small coat buttons that began to glow ominously as she charged them with energy. The buttons emitted a faint whine, growing brighter as they filled with destructive power.


    Placid hurled the glowing buttons toward me with deadly precision.


    They whistled through the air, aimed directly at my head. I could feel the heat radiating from them, knowing full well they¡¯d explode on impact.


    My perception was filled with blood red, there was no escape.


    My gaze hardened as the fight turned serious as I waited for the right moment to take action.


    ¡°Are you sure you can handle this, North?¡± Temple baited, her smirk barely visible beneath the shadows cast by the overhead lights.


    The practice arena was a huge, open space designed to contain even the most chaotic powers, with reinforced walls, and adaptive barriers.


    ¡°Don¡¯t hold back,¡± I replied, my tone calm but challenging. ¡°I¡¯d hate for this to be over too quickly.¡±


    The glowing buttons came hurtling toward me, their whine escalating to a sharp, high-pitched scream. The faint shimmer of energy around them distorted the air like a heatwave, and every instinct screamed at me to move. I had to act.


    Placid couldn¡¯t control the object''s direction as well as Louvel could with his mind. I took advantage of the fact.


    With a deep breath, I jumped right in the air at the last possible second, doing a backflip. The buttons missed their target, embedding themselves in the wall behind with a deafening boom. The force of the explosion sent shockwaves through the arena, causing loose debris to scatter and a thick plume of smoke to rise. Temple was already on me before the smoke cleared, her shadow-forged club swinging down with crushing force. I pivoted sharply, narrowly dodging the first strike. The weapon slammed into the ground, creating a spider web of damage where I¡¯d been standing.


    ¡°Impressive teamwork,¡± I muttered, catching my breath as I darted back.


    Temple¡¯s darted to catch my movements, as she swung the heavy club again, this time faster.


    I sidestepped and countered with a quick jab to her shoulder, throwing her off balance.


    Placid was relentless. While Temple pressed her close-quarters assault, Placid unleashed another barrage of glowing buttons, focusing her energy on blasts, their high-pitched whine growing louder with each throw. This time, they exploded mid-air, creating a dazzling display of destruction that boxed me in.


    I had no choice. I used intangibility, letting the concussive force of the explosions pass harmlessly through me.


    As the explosion cleared, Louvel seized the opportunity, he seemed to know I wouldn''t be affected by the explosion and charged straight at me, his golden fists glowing with power. His punches were quick, calculated, but predictable. I ducked under the first swing and sidestepped the second, planting a quick jab to his ribs. The impact rippled through his golden armor but didn¡¯t faze him. He grinned, the glow intensifying as his strength increased.


    ¡°Not bad,¡± I muttered, darting back as Placid suddenly hurled another charged button in my direction.


    It took her a couple of seconds to prepare another set. The charged button exploded against the ground where I¡¯d been standing, sending up a wave of searing air. Before I could react, she was already moving, launching a rapid barrage of smaller, precise bursts of attacks to cut off my escape routes. I spun through the flames, narrowly avoiding them, and closed the gap between us. Placid¡¯s grin faltered as I grabbed her wrist, twisting it just enough to disrupt her concentration. The flames fizzled out, and I used the momentum to toss her in the air toward Louvel, both crashed down, heavily.


    ¡°Focus, Placid!¡± Louvel snapped, pushing her aside.


    Placid grunted angrily, trying to jump back up. But before I could capitalize on their misstep, Temple struck from sideways. The baseball bat in her hand whipped toward my side in a blur, forcing me to twist and block with my forearm. The impact sent a sharp jolt through my arm, and her follow-up strike came too fast for me to dodge completely. The bat caught my shoulder, pins and needles spread through my entire body, forcing me to stagger back.


    Temple smirked. Her ability to pull items from her and other¡¯s shadows made her unpredictable¡ªher arsenal was only limited by what she and her opponents had ever used.


    Pain was fleeting. As I retreated, she reached into the shadow behind herself again, this time withdrawing a pair of chains with the proficiency of someone who had used them hundreds of times. She hurled them at my legs, the dark metal glowing with an eerie luster. I leapt into the air, the chains snapping shut on empty ground, and retaliated with a sharp kick aimed at her wrist. The chains flew from her grip, clattering across the floor. Temple growled, diving into a shadow to retrieve another weapon, but Louvel was already upon me again. This time, his gauntlets had morphed into a massive golden hammer, its weight causing the floor to groan as he dragged them. He swung with a roar, forcing me to roll to the side. The hammer struck the ground with a deafening crash, leaving a crater where I¡¯d been standing.


    ¡°You¡¯re persistent,¡± I said, darting behind him and delivering a sharp kick to his back.


    Louvel stumbled forward, but Placid was ready, she teleported almost behind my back and was about to hit me with another recharged button.


    I had no time to evade the incoming flames. In a split-second decision, I again shifted into being intangible.


    As the fire passed harmlessly through my incorporeal form, I felt a fleeting sensation of warmth before the flames dissipated against the far wall behind me. Using my intangibility was typically reserved for emergencies, but in this situation, I had no qualms about employing it. The people here already knew nothing about me, and they always assumed intangibility was my primary meta-nature. There was no need to hide my abilities in front of this small crowd.


    Shifting back to my tangible state, I took a moment to assess my opponent. The surprise on their face was evident.


    Placid gaped. ¡°That¡¯s cheating!¡±


    I sniggered back. ¡°No such thing in a fight.¡±


    This was no ordinary sparring session¡ªit was an all-out brawl.


    As the three of them pressed their attack, I shifted tactics. Using my meta perception, I timed my movements perfectly, weaving through their combined strikes with precision. Louvel¡¯s fist grazed my shoulder, Temple¡¯s spear missed by inches, and Placid¡¯s buttons exploded harmlessly behind me.


    I finally saw my opening.


    With a swift, calculated move, I grabbed Temple¡¯s bat mid-strike and yanked her forward, using her momentum to send her sprawling into Louvel. The two collided, tumbling to the ground in a heap. While Placid was recharging her teleport, I closed the distance between us. She stumbled back, throwing another button and almost disappearing, but I deflected it with a sharp kick, sending it careening into the far wall where it exploded harmlessly.


    I pulled her half disappeared body out of the portal by her leg before delivering a kick to her side, sending her sprawling across the floor. I showed no mercy while fighting to any.


    Only when the three were beaten up good and I had emptied my frustration did I raise my hand to stop.


    ¡°Let¡¯s end this for today,¡± I said, taking a deep breath.


    My gaze swept over the three of them as they picked themselves up, their breaths ragged and their expressions a mix of frustration and grudging respect.


    Louvel dusted off his clothes, and all the gold covering his hands and pockets disappeared into nothingness as agreed to defeat. ¡°You¡¯re a real pain.¡±


    I agreed, he had lost a lot of gold coins in the fight.


    Temple wiped sweat from her brow, her shadow weapon dissolving back into the floor. ¡°I hate how good you are at this,¡± she muttered.


    Finally, Placid stumbled back up, ¡°Okay, fine. You win¡ªthis time.¡±


    I took another deep breath, feeling the exhaustion in every part of my body, though I tried not to let it show. My arms and shoulders ached, numb from all the hits I¡¯d taken. The soreness was biting, but I dragged myself over to the cooler and grabbed a drink. The cold water felt like a small relief in my stomach. I was thoroughly exhausted.


    Placid appeared beside me with a sudden pop, reaching for an energy drink. She cracked it open and glared at me. ¡°You don¡¯t have to kick me so hard, you know,¡± she grumbled, her voice laced with irritation. ¡°It hurts! And it leaves red and blue bruises all over my skin. How many times do I have to tell you that?¡±


    I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms. ¡°It¡¯s a sparring match, not a tea party. Did you expect me to pull my punches?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± she shot, ¡°At least a little! I¡¯m not a punching bag.¡±


    She glanced back at Louvel and Temple, who were still catching their breath and wiping off sweat on the other side of the gym. ¡°Why don¡¯t you hit Temple like you hit me and Louvel? What? You got a soft spot for her or something?¡±


    I rolled my eyes, leaning against the wall. ¡°It¡¯s not about a soft spot. Temple actually blocks my hits instead of whining about them.¡±


    Placid gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. ¡°Wow, the audacity! So now I¡¯m whiny?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just saying,¡± I replied, shrugging. ¡°You spend more time complaining about bruises than focusing on the fight.¡±


    ¡°To be honest,¡± I crossed my arms and leveling a look at Placid, ¡°I¡¯ve fought a lot of people who can teleport or disappear. Your ability is one of the strongest out there, but honestly? You¡¯re the worst at using it.¡±


    Her grin faltered, blinking.


    ¡°You don¡¯t play to your strengths,¡± I continued, ¡°Today, instead of rushing in to fight me up close, you could¡¯ve grabbed me and teleported somewhere I couldn¡¯t fight back¡ªlike the roof or halfway across the gym. Hell, you could¡¯ve stayed at a distance and hit me from a block away if you¡¯d thought it through.¡±


    Placid¡¯s gaze dropped slightly, her hands tightening around the now-empty energy drink can.


    ¡°But no. You keep rushing in like it¡¯s a boxing match. You¡¯re making things harder for yourself, not me. I can¡¯t teach you how to use your power creatively. That¡¯s on you. Start thinking like someone who¡¯s got an edge, not like someone trying to prove something.¡±


    Her expression stiffened, and I caught the faint sheen in her eyes before she vanished with a sharp pop, leaving the air around me tense and heavy. The empty energy drink can was still in my hand, and I sighed, glancing at the spot she¡¯d been moments before. Maybe I¡¯d pushed too hard, but she needed to hear it. Didn¡¯t she? We called off training for the day. In my eyes, it had been enough. The three of them were improving quickly, and besides, they already had personal coaches to train them daily. Even though we had five more hours left of the eight I¡¯d set aside for today, I didn¡¯t see the point in dragging it out further.


    After the fight, we cleaned up, changed into casual clothes, and headed to a nearby caf¨¦. We found a small table by the window and sat down, the energy much more relaxed.


    I took a sip of my coffee and glanced at Louvel. ¡°How much money did you lose today?¡±


    Louvel shrugged, swirling his drink. ¡°Pocket change.¡±


    I rolled my eyes inwardly. Then why don¡¯t you give me some of your money as compensation? I¡¯d be eternally grateful.


    Placid leaned forward, ¡°Pocket change? Like enough to buy a bike or enough to buy a house?¡±


    ¡°Does it matter?¡± Louvel replied, raising an eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯m still richer than all of you combined.¡±


    Temple stirred her tea, her tone flat. ¡°Maybe if you fought smarter, you wouldn¡¯t lose so much.¡±


    Louvel smirked. ¡°Smarter? I¡¯m pretty sure I was the MVP today.¡±


    ¡°You landed hits,¡± I said, deadpan, ¡°and then landed on the mat. Many times in fact. Big difference.¡±


    Laughter rippled through the table, Louvel shaking his head.


    I glanced at Temple, the question that had been nagging at me finally surfacing. ¡°What¡¯s your plan for the future, Temple?¡±


    She lifted her gaze, her tone flat a little defensive. ¡°Why?¡±


    My God, did I ask you to give up your dog or something? I thought, but kept my expression neutral. ¡°Just curious.¡±


    Louvel and Placid, sensing the shift in conversation, turned their attention to her as well, their curiosity matching mine.


    Temple hesitated, her fingers lightly tapping the side of her cup. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Her eyes drifted toward the window, as if the answer might be out there somewhere. ¡°The great-grandmother hasn¡¯t decided anything for me yet.¡±


    Louvel raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. ¡°Decided? Sounds like you¡¯re not the one making the call.¡±


    Temple shrugged, her tone indifferent but with a flicker of something deeper beneath. ¡°That¡¯s how it works in my family. She decides where I¡¯m needed. Lately, there¡¯s talk of me overseeing a branch¡­ probably in the far outer systems.¡±


    Placid blinked, sitting up straighter. ¡°The far outer systems? That sounds... intense. What, like some mining operation or shipping hub?¡±


    ¡°Something like that,¡± Temple replied, her tone noncommittal as her gaze returned to the table.


    The Weave. Temple¡¯s great-grandmother meticulously controlled her family and their futures. The Weave likely already had a plan for Temple, one that could either maximize Temple potential or polish her ability out whatever made her special. It was just a matter of time before Temple was folded into it.


    Placid leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table, her expression caught between sympathy and curiosity. ¡°Honestly it sounds lonely. Do you at least know anyone out there? Friend? Boyfriend?¡±


    Temple shrugged, ¡°Not really. You know how it is¡ªpeople who leave to settle in other systems don¡¯t exactly look back fondly on Earth. Most of them think we¡¯re a backward society and make it a point to distance themselves.¡±


    Placid frowned at the topic. ¡°Seriously! I mean Earth was, like, the cradle of civilization or whatever. Don¡¯t they have any pride in that?¡±


    Temple let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. ¡°Pride? Sure, until they¡¯re a few light-years away. Then it¡¯s all about proving they¡¯re ¡®better¡¯ than the planet they came from. Nobody wants to be tied to what they see as the past.¡±


    Louvel leaned back in his chair, smirking. ¡°Makes sense. It¡¯s always easier to talk trash about home when you¡¯re not there to deal with it.¡±


    We all nodded silently, understanding Temple¡¯s sentiment. She suddenly became quite pitiful in my eyes. Luckily, I didn¡¯t have to deal with those kinds of expectations. Coming from a humble background with an equally modest meta-nature had its perks. I chuckled to myself at the thought.


    Our light moment was interrupted by the sudden buzz of Louvel¡¯s phone. He pulled it out, frowning as he glanced at the screen. ¡°It¡¯s Adam,¡± he muttered, swiping to answer. Bringing the phone to his ear, he leaned back slightly. ¡°Hey, man, what¡¯s up?¡±


    For a moment, the light-hearted atmosphere around the table dimmed as we watched his expression change. His usual laid-back demeanor suddenly stiffened, his brows furrowing as his lips tightened into a grim line.


    ¡°Wait, slow down,¡± he said sharply, sitting upright. ¡°What do you mean someone stole your girlfriend?¡±


    Placid nearly spat out her drink. ¡°Excuse me, what?¡±


    Louvel held up a finger to silence her, his focus still on the call. ¡°No, no, start from the beginning. What exactly happened?¡±


    Temple and I exchanged a glance, both unsure whether to laugh at the absurdity of the situation or feel bad.


    ¡°What does that even mean¡ª¡®stole¡¯?¡± Placid whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief. ¡°Is she a wallet?¡±


    Perhaps she¡¯d been kidnapped¡ªsome people really don¡¯t know how to communicate clearly, and words like ¡°stole¡± could be taken the wrong way.


    "Where are you now?" Louvel''s voice had dropped into something serious, his carefree tone replaced with sharp urgency. "I''m coming now. Don''t do anything stupid, Adam."


    He hung up, his jaw clenched as he stood abruptly, shoving his phone back into his pocket.


    "What happened?" Placid asked with genuine concern, at least from what I could tell.


    Louvel ran a hand through his hair, clearly trying to stay composed. ¡°Adam¡¯s girlfriend was kidnapped,¡± he said, his voice clipped. ¡°Some gang grabbed her right off the street. He¡¯s hiding nearby and has no idea what to do.¡±


    Temple raised an eyebrow, her tone calm and direct. "And he called you because...?"


    Louvel turned to Temple, frustration flashing in his eyes. ¡°Because he trusts me to help him! I can¡¯t just leave him hanging.¡±


    Temple¡¯s expression didn¡¯t waver. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to question his choice. I¡¯m asking if you have a plan.¡±


    Placid immediately stood up, ¡°You¡¯re not going alone, are you?¡±


    Louvel hesitated, his gaze shifting between her and the rest of us. Finally, he said, ¡°I could use some backup.¡± His voice softened as he looked at each of us. ¡°Look, I know it¡¯s asking a lot, but he¡¯s a good friend. I can¡¯t handle this alone. North, Temple, Placid¡ªwill you come with me?¡±


    Temple leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms as she eyed him skeptically. ¡°Running into a situation blind doesn¡¯t sound like the smartest move,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°I¡¯m not asking for a full-scale battle,¡± Louvel replied quickly. ¡°Just help me assess the situation. We won¡¯t fight unless we have to.¡±


    Placid glanced at me, then back at Louvel, a mischievous glint in her eye. ¡°If North¡¯s in, I¡¯m in. We need someone to take the blame if this all goes sideways.¡± She winked at me.


    I rolled my eyes, also leaning back in my chair.


    But then Temple turned her attention to me too, her stare weighing on me like a silent demand.


    Why is everyone looking at me? I thought. Honestly, if they wanted to go off without me, I¡¯d be perfectly fine with that. They could handle this, right? I could go home, catch up on some much-needed sleep, maybe even spend some time with Jade. That plan sounded infinitely better than diving into whatever mess Louvel had found.


    ¡°North?¡± Louvel eyes practically begged for my agreement.


    I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. ¡°Fine,¡± I muttered. ¡°But if this turns into a disaster, we¡¯re taking a U-turn.¡±


    Louvel¡¯s face lit up with relief, a grin spreading across his face. ¡°As you say.¡±


    Rich people are weird, I concluded silently. They even manage to get their girlfriends stolen¡ªor kidnapped, depending on their vocabulary. Like, how does that even happen? Do they put up a sign? ¡°Priceless Girlfriend, Handle With Care.¡±


    And here I was, dragged into their drama like some kind of discount hero-for-hire.


    At least Placid seemed to be enjoying this. She was practically bouncing on her heels, probably already imagining herself as the star of some high-octane rescue mission.


    Temple, on the other hand, looked as unflappable as ever


    We left our half-drunk coffees behind, and Louvel¡¯s car once again tore down the road at a speed that made my stomach churn. With his daddy¡¯s money, he could probably buy off the police¡ªor, hell, the entire department. The guy didn¡¯t even pretend to care about breaking every traffic law in existence. Honestly, if he ran someone over, I half-expected him to shrug it off with a ¡°They¡¯ll send the bill.¡± I stared out the window, watching the world blur by, the chaotic energy of the group settling uncomfortably in my gut. They weren¡¯t the best company¡ªtoo reckless, too self-centered. Yet here I was, riding shotgun in a rich kid¡¯s car, dragged into another mess I hadn¡¯t asked for.


    The realization hit me like a sucker punch: every time I stepped out of the house, trouble found me.


    Whether it was a minor inconvenience or some catastrophic disaster, chaos seemed to have me on speed dial. It was almost funny in a dark, ironic way. Almost.


    Did I somehow become the protagonist of some ridiculous story? The thought sent a shiver down my spine. No, no, that can¡¯t be right.


    But what if it was?


    ¡°Fuck,¡± I muttered under my breath, the weight of realization settling in. ¡°I need to stop sticking my nose into other people¡¯s problems.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t just a passing thought¡ªit was a decision.Right there and then, I vowed to change. To stay out of the drama. To stay alive. I¡¯d seen enough disasters to know that being the center of chaos was a terrible survival strategy. But as I mulled it over, doubt crept in. Would my words hold any weight? Or was trouble already lurking around the corner, ready to pull me in again?


    With one hand on the wheel, Louvel used the other to dial a number. The call connected, and Adam¡¯s voice came through the car¡¯s speakers.


    ¡°Where are you?¡± Louvel asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m on Sr. Jones Street,¡± Adam replied quickly. ¡°Hiding behind a tree. I see them. It¡¯s the college rowdy student gang¡ªit has to be. They deliberately kidnapped her to draw us out. I¡¯m watching their movements, but hurry the hell up.¡±


    The car surged forward, Louvel slamming his foot on the accelerator. My grip tightened on the door handle as the engine roared, the tires screeching against the asphalt. The sharp turn into a residential area sent a jolt through the car, nearly throwing us against the doors. The rich neighborhood blurred past the windows. The houses here were modest, far smaller than the grand estates we¡¯d passed earlier in the North District. This area looked like it belonged to people who were only rich in name¡ªenough to maintain appearances but not much else.


    The car screeched to a halt near a small park, the tires kicking up a thin layer of dust. Before the engine had fully settled, we stepped out.


    In the park nearby, Adam was standing under the shadow of a tree. He was a young man around our age, wearing a red hoodie and jeans. A cap pulled low over his face didn¡¯t hide the unmistakable relief that washed over him as Louvel emerged from the car.


    ¡°Thank God you¡¯re here,¡± Adam said, hurrying over.


    I took a moment to size Adam up as he moved closer. He didn¡¯t have the polished, arrogant air of Louvel¡¯s usual crowd. His clothes were simple, worn but clean, his posture unassuming. He looked like just a regular guy. So, Louvel has normal friends too? The thought caught me off guard. It was unexpected, to say the least.


    Louvel didn¡¯t waste time with pleasantries. ¡°Where are they? Take me there.¡± he said, his tone curt and impatient.


    Adam nodded briskly. ¡°Follow me.¡±

 Act 2.22 (Chrysalis)

    Adam led us toward what looked like a frat house¡ªI couldn¡¯t think of a better way to describe it. The bass was thumping so hard I could feel it in my teeth from a block away.


    "Please tell me we''re not going in there," Placid groaned, eyeing the building like it might be contagious. "I just got these shoes, and I can smell the cheap beer from here."


    "Your shoes will survive," Temple deadpanned. "Your faith in humanity, however..."


    "Bold of you to assume I had any left," Placid shot back.


    "Could be worse," I offered, trying to be optimistic. "Remember that warehouse party last month?"


    "Oh god," Placid shuddered. "The one with the guy who thought he could breakdance?"


    "And somehow managed to break everything except dance," Temple finished.


    Adam turned back to us, his expression a mix of anxiety and irritation. "Can we focus? My girlfriend''s in there!"


    "Right, sorry," I said. "Rescue mission. Got it."


    We cut through a small park, following Adam around a corner that desperately needed a streetlight. The house loomed ahead¡ªa two-story testament to poor life choices. Music poured out of every window, and the whole place reeked of what I generously decided to call "college experience."


    "You know," Louvel spoke up for the first time, his voice carrying that dangerous calm, "I''m starting to think these guys need a lesson in hospitality."


    "And basic human decency," Temple added.


    "And interior design," Placid muttered, squinting at the neon beer signs in the windows. "This place looks like a sports bar had a midlife crisis."


    "Ten bucks says someone''s already thrown up in the garden," Temple muttered, stepping carefully around a suspicious puddle.


    "Twenty says it was the garden''s owner," I countered.


    "Fifty says it was multiple someones," Placid chimed in, then paused. "Wait, is that a... is that a LAWN CHAIR in the TREE?"


    We all looked up. Indeed, there was a lawn chair tangled in the branches.


    "Now that''s just impressive," Temple mused.


    "Focus, people," Adam hissed, but I caught him doing a double-take at the chair.


    The front door was hanging wide open like a mouth mid-yawn, spilling out noise and rgb lights. Inside, it looked like someone had crammed an entire nightclub into a space meant for family dinners. Bodies were everywhere¡ªdancing, stumbling, probably questioning their life choices.


    "Hey!" A clearly drunk guy stumbled up to Temple, caught in her pretty looks. "You look like... like someone who can solve a really important debate. Is a hotdog a sandwich?"


    Temple stared at him. "Is this really the time¡ª"


    "PHILOSOPHICALLY speaking," he insisted, swaying slightly in his attempts to flirt.


    "Move," Louvel said quietly, and something in his tone made the guy practically teleport out of our way.


    Adam pushed through the crowd like a man on a mission, completely ignoring the chaos around us. The floor made concerning sticky noises with every step. "They''re on the second floor," he called back over the music.


    "What?" Placid shouted.


    "He said second floor!" Temple yelled back.


    "WHAT?"


    "OH MY GOD, JUST FOLLOW HIM!"


    The living room was pure mayhem. Some guy was attempting to juggle empty beer cans and failing spectacularly. A group on the couch was having what appeared to be a very intense philosophical debate about pizza toppings. Someone had drawn a mustache on their passed-out friend and was now adding a monocle.


    "Ah yes," Placid narrated in her best documentary voice, "here we observe the college student in its natural habitat. Note the remarkable lack of survival instincts."


    "And basic coordination," Temple added as the would-be juggler dropped another can.


    "This," Placid announced, dodging a wildly gesturing arm, "is why I don''t do house parties. Give me a nice, quiet rooftop bar any day."


    Temple snorted. "Last month we went to a ''nice, quiet bar'' you started a karaoke riot."


    "That was ONE time¡ª"


    "You got three different couples to break up during ''Sweet Caroline.''"


    "They were weak! Their relationships couldn''t handle my raw emotional delivery!"


    "You made the bartender cry."


    "He said my rendition of ''Total Eclipse of the Heart'' brought up repressed memories!"


    "Guys," Adam interrupted, "can we save the greatest hits for AFTER we rescue my girlfriend?"


    A guy nearby overheard and perked up. "Ohhh, you''re here for the hostage situation!" He immediately wilted under our collective glares. "I mean... what hostage situation? I know nothing. I am but a humble drunk person."


    "Ladies," I interrupted, "maybe we can reminisce about Placid''s greatest hits later?"


    We pushed through the crowd, getting way too many stares for comfort. A group playing cards looked up as we passed, and their expressions made me wish I''d brought pepper spray. Or a hazmat suit.


    "Up here," Adam whispered when we reached the stairs, suddenly moving like he was in a stealth video game.


    The stairs protested under our weight, making sounds that suggested they''d really rather be lying down.


    "Christ," Temple muttered, looking around. "What a mess. I wonder what their parents think of them."


    Adam stopped outside a door, his hand hovering over the handle. "They''re in here," he said, voice tight with worry.


    Louvel didn''t waste time with subtlety. He shouldered past Adam and threw the door open like he was making an entrance in his own movie.


    The scene inside was like a bad crime drama. Six guys around a card table, whiskey bottle center stage, and enough weed smoke to hotbox a cathedral. Adam''s girlfriend sat in the corner, tied up with what looked like a Designer scarf. The ringleader looked up with the kind of grin that made you want to introduce his face to a brick. "Well, well," he drawled, leaning back like he was auditioning for a villain role. "If it isn''t the rescue squad. And you brought friends!" He looked us over like we were items on a menu. "How thoughtful."


    "Wow," Placid stage-whispered. "Someone''s been practicing their bad guy lines in the mirror."


    Louvel stepped forward, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop. "What do you want?" Each word came out sharp enough to cut.


    The guy''s smirk widened as he watched Adam rush to untie his girlfriend. "Chill out, man. We were just having some fun."


    "Fun?" Adam whirled around, looking ready to commit murder. "You kidnapped my girlfriend for FUN?"


    "Calm down, bro. No one¡¯s hurt. You¡¯re so dramatic. And kidnapped is such an ugly word," the guy chuckled. "We prefer... surprise social gathering."


    Adam started toward the table, but Louvel¡¯s hand shot out, stopping him in his tracks. ¡°I¡¯ll handle this,¡± he said coldly.


    The leader''s ¡®Darren¡¯ smirk faltered slightly at Louvel''s composure, but he recovered quickly. "Alright, alright," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "You want her back? Sure. Let''s make it interesting." He gestured to the cards on the table with exaggerated hospitality. "Have a seat. Play a few hands. Win, and she walks. Lose..." His grin widened. "Well, let''s cross that bridge when we get there."


    Placid rolled her eyes from the corner, muttering just loud enough to be heard. ¡°This guy¡¯s watched too many bad gangster movies.¡±


    We stayed silent by the door, scanning the room. I noticed Temple''s hands resting at her sides, her fingers dancing lightly over the shadows cast by the table lamp. Always ready, that one.


    Louvel stepped forward, and suddenly the room felt different¡ªheavier, like the air itself was holding its breath. He pulled out a chair with deliberate slowness. "Poker, then?" His voice was casual, but there was steel underneath. "Fine by me. But let''s make it worth our time."


    "Oh?" Darren leaned forward, intrigued. "What did you have in mind?"


    "Simple enough. I win, we walk out of here¡ªall of us. And you leave her alone. Actually, you leave everyone alone." Louvel''s eyes flickered to the other students in the room. "I''ve heard about your little... recruitment tactics."


    "Wow, throwing shade and making deals," Placid whispered. "I''m getting emotional whiplash here."


    Darren''s eyebrow arched up. "And if you lose?"


    Louvel''s smile was sharp enough to cut glass. "I don''t lose."


    "Everyone loses eventually," Darren shot back, but something in Louvel''s confidence made him shift in his chair.


    That''s when I saw it¡ªa golden number materializing above Darren''s head like a Vegas marquee. Another Ghost Writer meta-user. Well, this just got a whole lot more interesting.


    "Hold up," one of Darren''s friends called out. "Are we really letting this rich boy¡ª"


    "Shut up, Mark," Darren snapped.


    He picked up the deck, shuffling it with smooth, practiced motions. The golden number above his head gleamed faintly as it pulsed in rhythm with his movements. The number held steady at 100, its presence imposing. Everyone in the room noticed it. Immediately, the casual banter from earlier evaporated, replaced by an almost reverent silence as the room shifted focus to the match


    "Five-card draw," he announced, his voice carrying that fake-casual tone of someone trying too hard to sound in control. "Winner takes all."


    Louvel nodded, his posture deceptively relaxed, but his eyes locked onto Darren like a hawk circling its prey. Around him, a faint golden shimmer rippled through the air, subtle yet heavy. It was his wealth aura¡ªbarely visible but suffocating if you paid attention. At the moment, the all the gold coins he carried, and more he brought along with himself had transformed into a tangible force that seemed to crush the air from the room.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Then things got wild.


    The pressure in the room suddenly doubled, then tripled. One by one, people started dropping to their knees like they were being crushed by invisible weights. It was like gravity had decided to play favorites, and anyone without a solid bank account was getting the short end of the stick.


    "Jesus," someone wheezed from the floor. "What the hell is this?"


    "That would be the weight of compound interest," Placid commented, standing perfectly fine alongside Temple.


    Rich kids and their immunity to wealth-based attacks, I swear.


    I was barely staying upright myself. Thank god for that lottery win last month¡ªwithout it, I''d be kissing the floor like everyone else. Still, my knees were shaking like I was doing squats with a truck on my shoulders. Finally, I simply squat down, saving myself from the torture.


    "Cute party trick," Darren said, still sitting comfortably. Either he was loaded too, or his meta-nature was giving him some serious perks. He dealt the first hand with a flourish that screamed ''I watched too many card-shark movies.'' "So, what are we betting here? Besides pride, of course."


    "Pride''s enough for now," Louvel replied. "Unless you''re scared to put that golden number of yours on the line?"


    A chorus of "Ooohs" rose from the floor, followed by several groans as the wealth pressure reminded everyone of their current predicament.


    The first hand started with Darren''s usual flair. He snapped his cards up with practiced showmanship, his golden number glowing strong at 100. "Watch and learn, rich boy."


    One of his lackeys tried to peek at Louvel''s cards. Suddenly, a golden coin materialized and flicked itself at the guy''s forehead. "Ow!"


    "Keep your distance," Placid warned, examining her nails. "Unless you want to find out what good beating feels like."


    Darren revealed three of a kind, kings. The smile on his face screamed victory¡ªuntil Louvel quietly laid down a pair of aces. The room temperature seemed to drop ten degrees.


    The golden 100 above Darren''s head flickered and dropped to 93. For a split second, I saw him flinch as Louvel''s wealth pressure found its first crack in his armor.


    "That''s impossible," one of Darren''s friends muttered. "He never loses the first hand."


    "First time for everything," Temple commented softly from the shadows. "Including humility."


    The second hand raised the stakes. Darren''s leg was bouncing under the table now, and I noticed beads of sweat on his forehead. The wealth pressure that had been bouncing off him was starting to stick.


    "Having trouble breathing?" Louvel asked casually, adjusting his cards. "The air gets a bit thin up here in the one percent."


    Darren slapped down a straight, diamonds from 4 to 8. "Read ''em and¡ª"


    Louvel''s flush hit the table like a guillotine blade. The number plummeted to 84, and Darren''s chair creaked as he suddenly found himself supporting what felt like double his body weight.


    "Anyone else feel like gravity''s playing favorites?" Placid mused, watching Darren struggle. "Or is it just the crushing weight of inevitable defeat?"


    "Just deal," Darren growled, but his voice had lost its edge. He glanced nervously at his dwindling number, then at his cards, then back at the number.


    The third hand was where it all fell apart. Darren''s full house¡ªqueens over tens¡ªwould have been the talk of any normal poker night. But when Louvel revealed a royal flush, even Temple let out a low whistle.


    The number crashed to 71, and this time Darren physically buckled. His shoulders hunched as if someone had draped a lead blanket over them. The wealth pressure that had been keeping his followers pinned was finally breaking through his defenses.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me,¡± Darren muttered, his voice shaking. He stared at the cards as if willing them to change.


    Louvel leaned forward, ¡°One more loss like that,¡± he said, his tone sharp enough to cut, ¡°and you won¡¯t just lose this game.¡±


    The number above Darren¡¯s head flickered again, dipping erratically between 71 and 65 as if struggling to stay stable. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his fingers twitched as he gathered the cards for the next hand. The once cocky leader now looked like a cornered animal.


    "All in," he declared suddenly, desperation clear in his eyes. His hands shook as he pushed his chips forward, and not just from anger this time¡ªLouvel''s wealth aura was really bearing down on him now.


    "You sure?" Louvel asked mildly. He let the implication hang in the air.


    "Just. Play. The. Hand." Each word seemed to cost Darren more energy than the last.


    The final hand played out like a slow-motion car crash. Darren''s four of a kind¡ªaces, no less¡ªearned an appreciative murmur from the crowd. For a moment, his number stabilized, the crushing pressure easing slightly.


    Then Louvel''s straight flush appeared, and everything came crashing down. Literally, in Darren''s case¡ªhe slumped forward, finally feeling the full weight of Louvel''s power as the golden number above Darren¡¯s head plummeted to 53, its glow flickering like a dying bulb.


    Immediately, his face went ghostly pale. The room seemed to hold its breath. Darren¡¯s mask of composure shattered as his humiliation hit him like a freight train. The game had spiraled out of his control from the very beginning, and now it was utterly lost. He¡¯d never even considered this outcome, never once thought he could be outmatched.


    "That," Temple observed with clinical detachment, "is what rock bottom looks like."


    "I think," Louvel said softly, gathering up the cards, "we should talk about that deal we made."


    "This can''t be!" Darren roared, his voice cracking with frustration.


    In a fit of rage, he flipped the table, sending cards, chips, and a half-empty whiskey bottle crashing to the floor. The sound rang out like a gunshot, and the students around him scattered, flattening themselves against the walls in fear.


    "Darren, chill!" one of his friends shouted, but Darren was beyond reason. His eyes locked on Louvel, wild with fury.


    "You smug little bastard!" he snarled, lunging forward like a cornered animal.


    Louvel didn''t just sidestep¡ªhe emanated a sudden pulse of golden light that made Darren''s movement stutter mid-lunge.


    The Golden Aura of Influence shimmered around Louvel like a second skin, and for a split second, doubt flickered across Darren''s face. The room seemed to move in slow motion as Darren, fighting against his own body''s sudden hesitation, careened past Louvel and through the second-floor railing.


    A beat of silence passed before Placid let out a low whistle. "Well, that''s one way to make an exit."


    Temple folded her arms, glancing over the shattered railing. "He''s alive. Unfortunately."


    With a guttural growl, Darren shoved himself upright. The golden number above his head flickered to 49, but something else was happening¡ªhis power truly manifested as ribbons of Golden light erupted from his body, bathing him in a brilliant glow that made him look like a vengeful god.


    Then, the very air around him began to ripple with the collective energy of every person who''d ever believed in him. He stormed back up the stairs.


    "I''m not done with you!" he bellowed.


    My focus was split between the fight and the realization that had just hit me. The pieces finally clicked, and a grin tugged at my lips.


    I¡¯d figured it out.


    Darren was a Popularity-Powered Hero.


    His title was likely something along the lines of Hero of the Crowd. The stronger his audience, the stronger he gets. How fitting¡ªand how foolish.


    At the moment, he was running on fumes because he had lost the popularity contest.


    Darren had such a strong meta-nature, yet instead of using it for something meaningful, he squandered it. Fighting people he could befriend to gain power? How shortsighted could someone be? I sighed, shaking my head at the sheer stupidity of Darren¡¯s strategy.


    Louvel''s response was immediate and spectacular. Golden light erupted from his body, but instead of dispersing, it began to take shape. First came the armor, liquid gold flowing over his form like a living stream. Then, the very air around him began to shimmer with what looked like falling golden coins, each one catching the light and reflecting his influence throughout the room.


    "Good," Louvel replied coolly, his voice carrying an otherworldly weight that made several onlookers change their sides immediately from Darren to Louvel. "I didn''t think you would give up so easily."


    The lights flickered, and the sound was deafening¡ªlike thunder cracking indoors.


    Darren charged, but this time he wasn''t just running in rage. He unleashed his Mob Mentality Strike¡ªa technique that amplified his strength based on how many people were watching the fight. The air around his fists began to crystallize with the solidified faith of his followers. Louvel met the charge with a new strategy. As Darren''s fist approached, a shimming golden vault materialized between them, its surface etched with intricate patterns of wealth and power. Darren''s punch connected with the vault''s door, and the impact sent shockwaves through the building¡ªbut the vault held.


    "Is that all?" Louvel taunted, his golden aura intensifying. "Let''s see how your popularity holds up against true power."


    The vault suddenly dissolved into a swarm of golden particles that surrounded Darren like a glittering tornado. Each particle began to pulse with Louvel''s Bankruptcy Strike, attempting to drain away the accumulated power of Darren''s popularity. But Darren countered with his Fanbase Shield¡ªa defensive technique that let him draw on his followers'' unwavering loyalty to resist power-draining effects. The number above his head fluctuated wildly with each exchange, dropping to 45 before surging back to 47.


    Louvel''s eyes narrowed. His Bank Vault Fortress reformed, but this time it appeared in segments around the room, mirrors of wealth that began reflecting and amplifying his Golden Aura of Influence.


    "You''re strong," Louvel acknowledged, "but popularity is fickle. Money? Money endures."


    ¡°I¡¯m the strongest here!¡± Darren''s Viral Velocity kicked in, letting him move at speeds proportional to his trending popularity. He became a blur of motion, landing hits that would have pulverized ordinary opponents. But Louvel''s Money Shield held firm, each impact sending ripples of golden energy across its surface.


    "You''re not the only one who can play with perception," Louvel taunted, intensifying his Golden Aura of Influence. The aura began to affect the spectators, making them question their loyalty to Darren. With each seed of doubt planted, Darren''s number ticked down¡ª46, 44, 41.


    Realizing his power was waning, Darren activated his ultimate technique: Popularity Singularity. His body began to glow with an intense light as he channeled every ounce of fame, every moment of recognition, every scrap of admiration he''d ever received into a single point. The number above his head surged dramatically to 55, the highest it had ever been.


    "This ends now!" Darren roared, his voice carrying the weight of thousands.


    Louvel responded by combining all three of his abilities. The Bank Vault Fortress condensed into gauntlets around his fists, each one pulsing with the Bankruptcy Strike and amplified by his Golden Aura of Influence. "You''re right about that."


    Their final exchange was devastating. Darren''s Popularity Singularity collided with Louvel''s combined assault in a blast that shook the entire house. For a moment, pure white light from Darren''s attack wrestled with Louvel''s golden energy, neither seeming to gain the upper hand. But Louvel had planned for this. While Darren had poured everything into one massive attack, Louvel''s Bankruptcy Strike had been quietly working throughout the entire exchange. Like a leak in a dam, it had been steadily draining away the foundation of Darren''s power base.


    The number above Darren''s head began to plummet. 40, 35, 28¡ªeach drop more rapid than the last. His Popularity Singularity began to flicker and fade as his power reserve depleted. Darren tried to maintain the attack, but his Celebrity Armor was cracking, his Fame Flames dimming.


    "No," Darren gasped, watching his power literally fade away. "This isn''t possible!"


    But it was. The number continued its freefall¡ª15, 8, 3, 1... When it finally hit zero, the counter above Darren¡¯s head vanished completely. With them, every manifestation of Darren''s power¡ªthe armor, the flames, the shimmering aura of charisma¡ªvanished like smoke in the wind.


    Just like that, his title was gone. And with the title gone, so was his Ghost Writer meta-nature¡ªpermanently.


    ¡°No¡­¡± he muttered, swaying on his feet. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ impossible¡­¡±


    I watched Darren collapse to his knees, his earlier rage replaced by a hollow emptiness.


    It was a strict and unforgiving rule of the GhostWriter Hive meta-nature: titles were everything. These users could steal meta-natures from one another, growing stronger in the process. But losing their title? That meant losing their powers entirely. It was a gamble every user with the Ghost Writer ¨C Hive meta nature lived with¡ªand Darren had just paid the ultimate price.


    I glanced at Louvel, wondering if his title would upgrade now that he¡¯d won the match. It was unlikely he¡¯d inherit Hero of the Crowd. Titles like that didn¡¯t transfer to the victor; they passed on to someone else deemed worthy of carrying the metaphorical lantern. But perhaps Louvel¡¯s title might evolve into something new, reflecting his growing strength and reputation.


    Louvel didn¡¯t waste any time. With a final, decisive step forward, he drove a powerful punch into Darren¡¯s chest. The golden armor on Louvel shimmered brightly for a moment before dispersing into a faint mist, coagulating back into coins as the impact landed.


    Darren¡¯s body crumpled to the ground like a marionette with its strings cut. His head hit the floor with a dull thud, and his limbs sprawled out awkwardly. He was out cold.


    The room seemed to exhale collectively. Meanwhile, the remaining students, his taunt followers, who had been watching from the corners with bated breath, shrank back, their bravado vanishing along with Darren¡¯s consciousness. They exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what to do without their leader.


    Louvel stood over Darren¡¯s unconscious body, breathing heavily but otherwise composed.


    ¡°Well,¡± he rolled his shoulders and straightened, ¡°I guess that settles it. Popularity buys you power," he said, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade, coins tinkling softly as they fell around him, "but in the end, Money Reigns.¡±


    He adjusted his cuffs with elegant precision. "And I always ensure my accounts are clear."

 Act 2.23 (Chrysalis)

    I strode to Adam, who had already rushed to his girlfriend''s side. His hands trembled as he fumbled with the silk scarf binding her wrists, the fabric knotted tightly against her pale skin. Her face was a mask of fear, streaked with dried tears that stood out starkly against her ashen complexion.


    "Let me help," I said softly, kneeling beside them. The silk came loose with a gentle tug, and Adam immediately pulled her into his arms, "Emma."


    He whispered something into her hair ¨C probably apologies, probably promises.


    Louvel approached with unusually quiet steps, "She okay?"


    "Yeah," Adam managed, "Yeah, I think so. Just..." He didn''t finish, but he didn''t need to. The word ''shaken'' hung in the air unspoken.


    Temple moved through the room like a shadow, pausing to study Darren''s unconscious form.


    Meanwhile, the remaining students scrambled to collect their fallen leader, their earlier bravado replaced by something closer to fear. They struggled under Darren''s weight, their movements clumsy with panic as they dragged him toward the door. The rest followed in silence, their footsteps hurried on the stairs.


    As the last of them disappeared, the room seemed to exhale.


    Louvel clapped his hands, breaking the lingering silence. ¡°Well, that was fun,¡± he said, his trademark grin slipping back into place. His swagger was fully restored now that the fight was over.


    My phone buzzed against my leg. I pulled it out, and my heart skipped a beat. It was Jade. She¡¯d sent a selfie, standing in front of a mirror, her expression adorably pouty. Beneath it, she¡¯d written Miss You, followed by a bright red heart.


    My heart swelled with happiness. A smile tugged at my lips. How could she be this effortlessly cute? It defied all logic, a mystery I didn¡¯t want to solve.


    I typed back quickly: Miss you too with three hearts, because sometimes more is more. After a moment''s consideration, I added a crying face: Too bad I won''t have time to see you today. I''m stuck!!!


    Sent!


    Even from afar, Jade had a way of making everything better.


    With Adam¡¯s problem resolved, we stepped out of the house, the high tension from earlier finally washed.


    "Well, that''s my cue to leave," I said, already thinking about my bed and how good it would feel to finally crash.


    Louvel walked forward with a smile, extending his hand. ¡°Thanks for your help, North.¡±


    I took his hand, finding myself reassessing my opinion of him. Maybe I''d been too quick to judge ¨C sure, he was richer than most small countries, but money wasn''t everything. Well, except when he literally used it as a weapon. "No problem. While you''re under my care, I''ve got to make sure you all stay out of trouble." I meant it too. Despite my initial reluctance about this whole community service thing, I''d actually step in to protect these three if things went south.


    I glanced at all three of them, meaning every word. If things had taken a turn for the worse during the fight, I wouldn¡¯t have hesitated to step in and protect them.


    I still had three hours left on my community service shift, but honestly, who was counting? The academy might check in, but I had a feeling these three would back me up if anyone started asking questions. Not that I particularly cared ¨C my conscience was clear, and that was what mattered. Sometimes doing the right thing meant bending a few rules.


    By the time I got home, the day was already turning dark. December was creeping in, bringing with it that distinct pre-snow chill that never failed to lift my spirits. I''d always loved snow ¨C the crisp cold, the perfect conditions for snowboarding, the way it made everything feel fresh and new. I found myself wondering if Jade had ever seen snow, if she''d want to learn how to snowboard. The thought made me smile despite my exhaustion. It was strange how often my thoughts drifted to her lately, how natural it felt to include her in my future plans.


    I was still lost in that daydream when I pushed open my front door, already imagining the comfort of my bed. My body felt like it was ready to give out ¨C playing mentor to three meta-powered students was apparently more exhausting than I''d anticipated. I hadn''t even made it to Jade''s place, too drained to properly enjoy spending time with her.


    "North?" Aunt Grace''s voice cut through my plans of immediate unconsciousness. "Perfect timing. We need groceries."


    I turned to find her in the kitchen doorway, empty milk carton in hand. Great. Just great.


    "Aunt Grace," I started, gesturing vaguely at myself, "I''ve been running around all day. I''m pretty sure my legs are about to go on strike."


    She softened slightly, coming over to pat my cheek in that way that always made me feel like I was still ten years old. "I know you''re tired, sweetheart. But we need actual food in this house, and I''ve got a deadline in..." she checked her watch, "three hours. I''ll make it up to you with pancakes tomorrow?"


    Aunt Grace pressed the shopping list into my hand and nudged me toward the door, planting a quick kiss on my cheek. I almost told her that unlike Jade''s kisses, hers didn''t come with magical energy-restoring properties ¨C but I valued my life too much to voice that particular thought.


    The night air had gotten cooler, and I found myself staring at the long list with growing dread. No way was I hauling all this stuff alone. Then I remembered ¨C Leo''s place was on the way to the store. The kid wanted to be a hero, right? Well, here was his chance for some good old-fashioned heroic grocery carrying.


    I walked the short distance to his house, rehearsing my pitch about the noble art of helping others. The porch light flickered as I knocked, and what opened the door wasn''t Leo ¨C it was a mountain that had somehow learned to wear clothes.


    My neck actually hurt from looking up at the man.


    Oh¡­ Leo¡¯s father, I recognized him. Though I had never met him before, Leo had shown me his picture.


    He filled the doorframe like someone had built the house around him, his shoulders practically brushing both sides. The shirt he wore looked like it was fighting a losing battle against his biceps, and his expression suggested the shirt wasn''t the only thing that should be worried.


    "Can I help you?" His voice rumbled out like an avalanche deciding to be polite.


    "Uh, is Leo home?" I aimed for casual and landed somewhere between squeaky and terrified. Great job, North. Very smooth.


    The human mountain studied me with the kind of look usually reserved for analyzing particularly suspicious insects. After what felt like several years, he turned his head slightly and called out, "Leo! Some kid''s here for you!"


    Kid? I bit back the urge to point out that I was practically ancient compared to most people in the entire world. Something told me correcting the man who could probably bench press my car wasn''t the wisest move.


    A familiar face appeared behind Mount Dad, peering around what little doorframe space remained. Leo''s eyes widened in recognition.


    "North?" He slipped past his father with the practiced ease of someone used to navigating around giants. "What are you doing here?"


    "Dad," Leo hissed in a stage whisper, mortification written all over his face. "He''s North, from Beyonder''s Academy."


    The transformation in Mr. Conrad was instant and almost comical ¨C like watching a grizzly bear turn into an excited puppy. His stern expression melted into a grin that threatened to take over his entire face.


    "North!" His hand came down on my shoulder with enough force to make my knees buckle. "The famous North! Leo here won''t shut up about you. It''s always ''North showed me this technique'' or ''North says that''s not how you do it.''"


    I shot Leo a surprised look, and he seemed to be trying very hard to disappear into the wallpaper. "Dad..." he groaned, his face turning the color of a fire truck.


    "What? It''s true!" Mr. Conrad was already ushering me inside with the unstoppable force of an enthusiastic bulldozer. "Come in, come in! Can''t have Leo''s friend standing out in the cold. What''s your poison ¨C tea? Coffee? Coke?"


    "Dad, please," Leo looked like he was contemplating if his meta nature could help him sink through the floor. "He probably just needed something¡ª"


    "Nonsense!" Mr. Conrad''s voice boomed through the house. "Your friend''s taking time out of his busy schedule to visit, and you want to rush him off? That¡¯s not how we do things in this house.¡±


    Leo shot me a desperate look that clearly said save me, but I just shrugged helplessly. When a man built like a friendly mountain wants you to stay for a drink, you stay for a drink.


    The living room was exactly what you''d expect from a family home ¨C well-worn furniture that invited you to sink into it, family photos covering the walls in cheerful disarray. A glass-fronted cabinet caught my eye, displaying an impressive collection of police awards. It seemed Leo¡¯s dad liked to show his accomplishments. Overall, It was the kind of house that felt lived-in, warm, and inviting.


    Mr. Conrad returned with two cans of Coke, handing one to me with a broad smile that seemed permanently etched onto his face. "So, North," he said, settling into a chair and motioning for me to do the same. "Leo''s told me you''ve been helping him prepare for the academy."


    I accepted the can and popped it open. "It''s nothing, really. He''s already very capable. I just teach him a thing or two when I have the time."


    The smile stayed, but something in his presence shifted ¨C the friendly giant replaced by the authority figure. "Just make sure Leo doesn''t get himself tangled up with the wrong people¡ªor the wrong things," he said, his voice firm but not harsh.


    I nodded, choosing my words carefully. "Don''t worry, Mr. Conrad. I''ll make sure Leo knows what he''s doing," I said earnestly.


    His expression softened at my response. "Good," he said firmly, his deep voice resonating in the cozy living room. "Leo''s a good kid, but sometimes he''s a little... impulsive."


    I glanced at Leo, who sat stiffly on the couch, avoiding his dad''s gaze. "I''ll keep an eye on him," I said with a small smile. "But honestly, he''s got a good head on his shoulders. I don''t think you need to worry too much."


    Mr. Conrad leaned back in his chair,and let out a short laugh ¡°You¡¯ve got the kind of steadiness I like to see in young people. Just make sure you keep him out of trouble¡ªand don¡¯t let him drag you into any, either.¡±


    ¡°Dad!¡± Leo groaned, slumping further into the couch. ¡°I¡¯m not some reckless kid.¡±


    Mr. Conrad raised an eyebrow. ¡°Oh really? What about that time you tried to climb the water tower just to prove you could?¡±


    ¡°That was years ago!¡± Leo shot back, his face turning red.


    I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°Sounds like you¡¯ve got some stories to tell, Mr. Conrad.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve got plenty,¡± Mr. Conrad said, grinning. ¡°But I won¡¯t embarrass him too much today.¡±


    Leo rolled his eyes and muttered, ¡°Too late.¡±


    The tension eased as Mr. Conrad¡¯s laughter filled the room, and for a moment, I saw where Leo got his good nature. Despite his stern exterior, Mr. Conrad clearly cared deeply for his son, and that warmth was hard to miss.


    ¡°Well,¡± I said, finishing the last sip of my Coke, ¡°I should probably get going if we¡¯re going to tackle that shopping list. Aunt Grace doesn¡¯t tolerate delays.¡±


    ¡°Smart woman,¡± Mr. Conrad said, standing up. ¡°All right, you two get going before it gets too dark. And North?¡± He met my gaze, his expression turning serious again. ¡°Thanks for looking out for Leo. It means a lot.¡±


    I nodded, meeting his gaze. ¡°Of course. I¡¯ve got his back.¡±


    With that, Leo and I stepped outside. As the door closed behind us, Leo let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair. ¡°Why does he always have to do this?¡±


    I chuckled, shoving my hands in my pockets. "Because he''s your dad. It''s literally in the job description."


    <hr>


    Late at night, Jade and I made plans to go on a hike the next day.


    The following morning was weekend so, we booked a ride to Central Park. Unlike most cities where the central area was a financial hub, a superhero headquarters, or home to some wealthy elite, the heart of Wyster State was a massive, artificially created park simply known as Central Park.


    On the map, it appeared as a small dot, but in reality, it was sprawling and vast, almost too huge to map out in one day. There were rumors about its origin¡ªstories suggesting that two centuries ago, it was nothing more than a small patch of forest. During a battle between superheroes and villains, however, a time-warping supervillain organization had been defeated and buried there by the heroes. The clash caused immense changes in the area, isolating it from the rest of the world in ways no one fully understood. Some even claimed that if the conditions were just right, you might catch a glimpse of dinosaurs from eras long past. I couldn¡¯t completely dismiss the idea¡ªthere was some truth to it. I¡¯d read an old news story about dinosaurs suddenly appearing decades before I was born. It had reportedly taken the city quite some time to contain the situation.


    Interestingly enough, there was a dinosaur park in the country, and I wondered if it housed the very same creatures.


    To be honest, before the creatures that existed on the earth now, they were nothing but ants.


    Jade was effortlessly striding through a muddy path surrounded by dense plants and weeds. While I found the overgrowth irritating, Jade didn¡¯t seem to mind much. She moved with ease, her athletic body navigating the uneven terrain with practiced confidence. She jumped here and then there. She wore a white collared shirt layered under a brown diamond-patterned sweater vest, paired with a high-waisted plaid mini skirt and knee-high white socks. Her chunky boots, now thoroughly coated in mud, didn¡¯t slow her down. A brown baseball cap rested snugly on her head, shielding her face from stray branches, while a small brown leather crossbody purse hung securely across her chest. She had grumbled once about her blazer slipping off her shoulders and her shoes getting dirty, but after that, she stayed quiet, as if deciding it wasn¡¯t worth the fuss and she could buy new ones from lottery winnings. I had joked initially that what she was wearing wasn''t exactly an outing outfit, to which she had replied what I know about fashion. So, I shut my mouth, not willing to argue.


    The constant walking was exhausting. Worse still, Jade kept stopping whenever she found a spot she deemed perfect for a photo.


    When she did, I had to step up as her designated cameraman. She would rattle off a list of complaints: the lighting wasn¡¯t right, I didn¡¯t know how to focus, or, her favorite, ¡°You¡¯re the worst¡ªI¡¯ve never seen anyone take pictures this bad.¡± But then, once I managed to take one she liked, her face would light up with a satisfied smile. If she was feeling particularly generous, I might even get a kiss on the cheek as a reward.


    Fifteen minutes later, the path wound upward through a patch of dense forest, where sunlight filtered through the canopy in scattered beams. The air was thick with the scent of wet earth and pine, and somewhere nearby, a stream gurgled over rocks.


    Ahead of me, Jade effortlessly balanced along a fallen log, arms outstretched like she was on a balance beam.


    "Show off," I called out, watching her cartwheel off the end.


    She landed perfectly, turning to bow with a flourish. "Thank you, thank you. I''ll be here all week."


    "Where''d you learn to move like that anyway?"


    "Competitive gymnastics." She fell into step beside me, nudging my shoulder. "I did it for a few years. Parents'' idea ¨C they thought it would help with discipline. I definitely did not enjoy it."


    I raised an eyebrow, watching her easily hop over a muddy patch. "That explains why you''re so..." I gestured vaguely at her.


    "So what?" Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Graceful? Athletic? Amazing?"


    "I was going to say flexible, but sure, let''s go with amazing."


    A slight blush colored her cheeks. "Careful there," she teased. "Comments like that might make me think you''ve been paying attention to how flexible I am."


    "Maybe I have been," I admitted, feeling my own face warm.


    "Oh my god, North!" She suddenly stopped, making me almost bump into her. "Look at that view!"


    Through a break in the trees, the city sprawled out below us like a living map. Sunlight caught the glass buildings, turning them into mirrors that reflected the clouds. The whole city seemed to shimmer, modern towers rising between patches of green parks.


    "We have to get a picture here," she declared, eyes lighting up with that familiar spark that usually meant I was about to become her personal photographer.


    "Jade, wait¡ª" I started, eyeing the ground warily. Recent rain had turned the hillside treacherous, mud barely held in place by sparse grass. Water still trickled down in tiny rivulets. "That slope doesn''t look stable."


    "You worry too much," she called back, already picking her way up the incline. Her former gymnast''s grace was on full display as she navigated the slippery terrain. "It''s totally fine! This is going to be perfect ¨C look, you can see the whole skyline!"


    "There are probably safer spots¡ª"


    "Just take the picture!" She positioned herself at the edge, the city spread out behind her like a postcard. The wind caught her silky straight hair under the cap, making them dance. "Quick, before we lose this light! It''s perfect!"


    "Jade¡ª"


    Her triumphant pose turned into a startled yelp as the mud gave way. I lunged forward, heart in my throat, managing to catch her before she hit the ground. But her ankle twisted with a sound that made my stomach lurch.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    "Ow, it hurts" she muttered, face pressed against my chest. Her fingers gripped my jacket tightly.


    "Don''t you dare say it," she added quickly, but I could hear the pain beneath her attempted bravado.


    "Say what?" I kept my voice light despite my racing heart. "That maybe you should listen when I say something''s not safe? That this could have been avoided? That¡ª"


    "Okay, okay!" She tried to put weight on her foot and immediately paled. "You were right. Happy now?"


    "Can you still climb?" I asked, watching her wobble.


    She attempted another step and winced, biting her lip. Then she looked up at me, eyes wide and pleading, arms stretched out like a child asking to be picked up. The expression was so deliberately pitiful it was almost comical.


    I narrowed my eyes, suddenly suspicious. For someone who''d just hurt herself, that pose looked awfully well-practiced. "You know, for an ex-gymnast, that was a pretty amateur fall."


    Her innocent expression cracked slightly, a hint of mischief showing through. "Are you suggesting I''d hurt myself on purpose just to get you to carry me?"


    "Would you?"


    She batted her eyelashes. "Maybe? Is it working?"


    I shook my head, already kneeling in front of her. "You could have just asked, you know."


    "What? No, I can walk! I''m not some damsel in distress."


    I gave her a look. "Really? Show me."


    She took one defiant step and nearly collapsed. I caught her again, and this time she didn''t protest. "Okay, fine," she grumbled. "But just because I''m letting you carry me doesn''t mean you were right."


    "Of course not," I said, helping her onto my back. Her arms wrapped around my neck. Her warmth pressed against my back, her breath tickling my ear.


    "It''s good to have a boyfriend," she murmured, the words only half sincere. "Coming to my rescue again."


    "More like your personal ambulance service." But I was smiling as I adjusted her weight. "Next time, maybe we find a spot with actual solid ground?"


    She hummed, resting her chin on my shoulder. Her hair brushed against my cheek, carrying the faint scent of lavender. "But then what excuse would I have to make you carry me?"


    "You could just ask," I said before I could stop myself.


    Her surprised laugh was warm against my neck. "Really?" Her arms tightened slightly around me. "Just ask?"


    "Sure. Though maybe with less dramatic build-up next time."


    "Where''s the fun in that?" She shifted slightly, getting more comfortable. "Besides, I like that you''re always there to catch me."


    The sincerity in her voice made my heart skip. "Always will be," I promised, meaning it more than she could know.


    "Even when I''m being stubborn?"


    "Especially then." I started carefully picking our way back down the slope. "Though maybe we could work on your self-preservation instincts?"


    She laughed again, the sound echoing through the trees. "But then what would you do with all your free time?"


    "I don''t know, maybe actually enjoy a hike without having a heart attack?"


    "Boring," she declared, but her voice was soft with affection. We fell into comfortable silence as I carried her back to the main path, her head resting against my shoulder, the city view forgotten behind us.


    Somewhere on the way, she started pressing tiny kisses along my neck and jaw, each one deliberate and feather-light, making me nearly lose my footing. My skin tingled where her lips touched, sending shivers down my spine.


    "Jade," I warned, trying to keep my balance on the uneven ground. "I''m going to drop you."


    "No, you won''t," she murmured against my skin, continuing her assault. "You''re too careful with me."


    "I''m trying to walk here," I protested weakly, already tilting my head despite myself.


    She giggled but didn''t stop, peppering more kisses up to my ear. "Can''t help it. You''re too cute when you''re being all responsible." Another kiss. "Makes me want to eat you up."


    "I''m not food," I grumbled.


    "Mmm, but you''re delicious." She nuzzled against my neck, making me stumble slightly. Her arms tightened around me, secure and possessive. "My favorite food. My perfect, grumpy, handsome snack."


    I sighed, but adjusted my grip to give her better access. She knew exactly how to push my buttons¡ªand how to reel me back in.


    After what felt like an eternity of walking, the dense foliage finally opened up to reveal our destination. The spot was like something out of a fairy tale ¨C a small clearing nestled between old, tall trees, with a natural pond fed by a modest waterfall that tumbled down moss-covered rocks. The water caught the filtered sunlight, scattering it in tiny rainbows.


    "Oh wow. This is perfect," Jade said against my neck. "How is this even real?"


    "Wait till you hear how I found it," I said, picking my way carefully toward a thick tree trunk. "Got completely lost on a tour first time. Ended up here by accident."


    "Best getting-lost story ever."


    She grabbed onto the tree trunk while I helped her down, both of us wobbling a bit. My back was killing me, though I tried not to show it as I rolled my shoulders.


    "Stop pretending you''re not tired," she said, catching my grimace. "I''m not that light, you know."


    "Are you calling yourself heavy?"


    "Try it and die," she threatened, but she was grinning.


    "Sit," she ordered, already lowering herself to the grass. "I''ll set up. Just hand me the stuff."


    I started to protest,


    "You can barely walk¡ª"


    "Which is why I''ll crawl. Just sit quietly." she fixed me with a look that brooked no argument.


    I knew that tone. Fighting her would be pointless, so I dropped down onto the grass, pulling off the backpack. "Blanket''s in the side pocket."


    She started rummaging through the bag, then began the entertaining process of trying to spread out a blanket while scooting around on her butt. The whole thing kept bunching up under her.


    "This is harder than it looks," she muttered, blowing hair out of her face as she wrestled with a corner.


    "Want help?"


    "Nope." She determinedly crawled to the next corner. "You carried me all the way here. I can handle a blanket."


    I leaned back on my hands, watching her wage war with the blanket. Her nose scrunched up in concentration, reminding me of when she was taking photos. Even with a bum ankle, she was determined to do her part. The waterfall made this peaceful background noise, not too loud but enough to make it feel private. A few birds called from somewhere nearby, and the air smelled like wet stone and forest.


    "Food time," she announced once she''d finally won the blanket battle. She dragged the backpack closer, then started pulling everything out.


    "The fruit might have gotten squished when I was carrying you¡ª"


    She began arranging everything with the same intensity she brought to her photography ¨C the fruit salad placed just so, sandwiches arranged at the perfect angle, the tea thermos lined up like soldier. Her injured leg was stretched out carefully, but she worked around it like it was merely an inconvenience rather than a real hindrance.


    The late afternoon sun filtering through the leaves cast dappled shadows that danced across our makeshift dining area. It was peaceful, secluded ¨C the kind of place that felt removed from the rest of the world.


    "Ta-da!" She sat back, gesturing at her setup. "Not too shabby for someone with a war injury, right?"


    I reached over to pick a leaf out of her hair. "Pretty impressive. Though you really didn''t have to¡ª"


    She clapped a hand over my mouth. "Yes, I did. You can''t be the hero all the time, you know." Her hand dropped, and her expression went soft. "Let me take care of you sometimes too."


    "Even with a sprained ankle?"


    "Especially with a sprained ankle. Now shut up and appreciate my amazing picnic skills."


    A dragonfly zipped past us, skimming over the pond''s surface.


    "This really is perfect," she said quietly, scooting closer until she could lean against my shoulder. "Even if I had to nearly break my ankle to get here."


    "You didn''t have to do that either."


    She bumped me with her shoulder. "Maybe I just wanted an excuse to be close to you."


    "You never need an excuse for that."


    "Aww," she cooed, turning to press a kiss to my cheek. "Look who''s being sweet."


    "I take it back. Stay on your side of the blanket."


    Her laugh echoed off the rocks, mixing with the sound of falling water. "Too late. You''re stuck with me now."


    "Alright," I said, shifting to face her. "Let me see your ankle."


    Jade narrowed her eyes, already wary. "I told you, it''s fine."


    "Yeah, and I don¡¯t believe you." I reached for her leg, gently pulling it across my lap. She huffed but didn¡¯t resist, though her pout was a little too exaggerated to be genuine.


    "Do you always manhandle injured people?" she grumbled as I started unlacing her knee high boots. They were really a struggle to pull.


    "Only the stubborn ones who think they''re invincible," I shot back, sliding the shoe off carefully. Her sock followed, and I was met with the sight of her bare foot and slightly swollen ankle. It wasn¡¯t too bad¡ªnothing a little care wouldn¡¯t fix. "Does this hurt?" I asked, pressing lightly around the area.


    "A bit," she admitted, wincing slightly.


    "You know, for someone with superpowers to shift all odds in her favor, you¡¯ve managed to sprain your ankle twice in the last two months. Impressive track record."


    She rolled her eyes, a grin tugging at her lips. "Maybe I like giving you something to fuss over. Ever think of that?"


    "Looks like a mild sprain." I dug into my backpack for the small can of spray I always carried. "Lucky for you, I come prepared."


    "Of course you do," she said.


    As I pulled out the spray, she fidgeted, her other foot brushing against my thigh. "Uh, just saying, my feet are probably sweaty. Sorry if they smell."


    I replied without thinking, "They never smell bad."


    Her eyebrows shot up. "Oh? And how do you know that? Have you been sniffing them when I¡¯m not looking?"


    I froze for a second too long, trying to process her words, and she burst into laughter, clearly delighted at catching me off guard. "Seriously. If you¡¯ve got a thing for my feet, just say so. I won¡¯t judge."


    With a sigh, I reached over, grabbed her discarded sock, and tossed it square at her face. It landed perfectly, covering her nose and mouth.


    "Gross!" she shrieked, yanking it off and throwing it aside. "That¡¯s foul play!¡±


    ¡°¡®Wow, her pretty feet are the highlight of my day.¡¯ Is that what you think is going through my head right now?¡± I stared at her, deadpan.


    "See, you¡¯re not denying it," she pointed, and then leaned forward to whisper in my ear, "Just saying, you could just share your deep secrets with me. I won¡¯t judge. Much."


    I shook my head, as I started applying the spray. The cool mist made her flinch slightly, but I held her foot steady. "Hold still. This¡¯ll soon fix it."


    "Sure thing, Doc," she said, settling back onto her elbows. I could feel her eyes on me as I worked, my fingers careful around the tender area. "There. Should be good as new by dinner."


    She flexed her toes experimentally, ¡°Thanks. I don¡¯t feel any pain anymore.¡±


    "You don¡¯t have to thank me for this," I said, returning her foot and shoes. "Just try not to fall off any cliffs or something for the rest of the day."


    She grinned, her teasing edge returning. "No promises."


    I groaned, "I can¡¯t win against you. Can I?"


    She tucked her foot protectively under her leg as if I¡¯d make another move. "That¡¯s because I¡¯m smarter, faster, and better looking. It¡¯s science."


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    "Oh!" Then she suddenly sat up straight, nearly knocking over her tea. "I almost forgot!" She scrambled through her bag, movements excited but careful with her injured ankle.


    I watched her rummaging around, wondering what she''d forgotten that could make her this animated. Then she pulled out her camera with a triumphant "Aha!"


    "What are you doing?" I asked, though I had a pretty good idea.


    She spun around, hobbling those few steps back to me with an eagerness that made me worry about her ankle. "I''m going to record our picnic!" she announced, her voice going soft and cute like it did when she was trying to be extra convincing. She held up her camera like it was a trophy.


    Looking at her face, all lit up with enthusiasm, any thought of protesting died in my throat. "Sure," I managed, smoothing out the blanket to give my hands something to do.


    Meanwhile, I focused on unpacking our food ¨C the fruit salad and sandwiches, the thermos of green tea she''d insisted on because it had "better picnic vibes" than my suggested soda. She''d been very specific about the whole aesthetic, vetoing half my snack choices with dramatic eye rolls. She fiddled with the camera settings, tongue poking out slightly in concentration. "Perfect," she murmured, adjusting the angle one last time before flopping down next to me. Her knee brushed against mine as she settled.


    "Here, try this combination," she said after we''d settled in, carefully balancing a piece of mango with a blueberry on her fork. "It''s life-changing."


    "You said that about the last three combinations."


    "Because they were! Now open up." She held the fork to my lips, her other hand cupped underneath to catch any drips. "Trust me."


    Her face lit up as I took the bite.


    "Well?" She leaned in closer, eyes sparkling.


    "Life-changing," I admitted, and her triumphant smile was worth the admission.


    "See? I told you!" She was already preparing another combination. "Okay, now try strawberry with¡ª"


    "My turn," I interrupted, picking up my own fork.


    Jade blinked in surprise, "Feeding me now?"


    "Fair''s fair." I carefully selected a perfect strawberry. "Plus, you look cute when you''re excited about food."


    A light blush colored her cheeks, but she opened her mouth obediently, eyes never leaving mine.


    "Now," she said after swallowing, scooting even closer until she was practically in my lap. "Tell the camera something special. It doesn''t have to be dark-dark. Just something future-us would want to know."


    "Future-us knows everything current-us knows," I pointed out. "That''s how time works."


    "Ugh, stop being logical!" She poked my side. "Fine, then... tell me when you first realized you liked me."


    That caught me off guard. What should I tell? "Well..."


    "Oh?" She perked up, sensing a story. "This should be good."


    I thought carefully about how to answer. Honestly, there were too many instances, she had grown in my heart from a drop of hate to ocean of love, it was hard to chose specifically, so I picked a random stream from the thousands, "Remember that day in class when you fell asleep?"


    "Which time?" she asked, grinning sheepishly.


    "The time you drooled on your notebook and then tried to play it off as an artistic choice."


    She gasped in mock outrage. "I did not drool!"


    "You absolutely did. And when you woke up, you had this pencil mark on your cheek, but you were so confident about it that Gina and Lore thought it was some new makeup trend."


    "That''s not..." she started, then paused. "Wait, that''s when you knew?"


    "I grew to like you more at the moment," I said, remembering how she''d turned what could have been an embarrassing moment into something endearing through sheer force of personality. "You were just so... you about it.¡±


    She was quiet for a moment, then buried her face in my shoulder. "That''s such a weird moment to fall for someone," she mumbled.


    ¡°It''s just one of many, I have more.¡±


    ¡°Tell me, tell me.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I pushed her face away. "Leave them for some other time."


    Later, as the afternoon light softened we had finished all our food and even had gone through a couple of games.


    "Next game?" Jade eyes sparkled.


    "No more cards."


    "No, something better." She tugged me back down to the blanket, arranging us so she was sitting between my legs, her back to my chest. "Cloud watching."


    I wrapped my arms around her waist, resting my chin on her shoulder. "Really?"


    "Really. Look ¨C that one looks like a rabbit."


    "It looks like a cloud."


    She elbowed me gently. "Use your imagination! Oh, that one''s definitely a dragon."


    "Still looks like a cloud."


    "Ugh! Don¡¯t," she complained, but she snuggled deeper into my embrace. "Fine, you tell me what you see."


    I pretended to think about it, mostly just enjoying how soft she felt in my arms. "I see... a beautiful girl who''s terrible at describing clouds."


    She turned her head to bite my shoulder. "Smooth talker." But her hand found mine, fingers intertwining. "Tell me more about what you see."


    "Well," I pressed a kiss to her necks, causing her shiver "I see someone whose eyes light up when she''s excited about something. Who scrunches her nose when she''s concentrating too hard. A fragile girl beneath the tough bravado who would start to cry when she¡¯s overwhelmed, but would never let a single tear spills outside. Someone who somehow manages to look cute even with a sprained ankle..."


    "Keep going," she whispered, running her fingers through my hair.


    "I see future," I said softly, honestly. Her hands stilled, eyes meeting mine. "Even if she''s probably going to make me lose my sleep for the rest of our lives."


    Instead of responding, she kissed me ¨C deep and slow, like we had all the time in the world. Maybe, just for this moment, we did."Actually," Jade said, shifting to face me properly, "want to know when I first liked you?"


    "When I dazzled you with my amazing personality?¡±


    She went quiet for a moment, her fingers tightening around mine. "It wasn''t one moment," she said softly, "It was everything. All these little pieces that kept adding up until I couldn''t ignore them anymore and they began to overflow."


    "Yeah?"


    "Mhmm." She shifted closer, as if sharing a secret. "Remember our meta resonance in the beginning , I was freaking out about it secretly. I didn¡¯t know what was going on, it was so new and scary? I was like you want to harm me." Her thumb traced patterns on my palm. "Then, you just... approached and listened. Found ways to help me understand it better. You didn''t try to fix everything ¨C you just helped me find my own way."


    "Then that night at the party," her voice quieted, but she pressed on. "When those guys... "I was so scared, so ashamed. But you didn''t ask questions, despite I had supposedly erased four guys life . You just got me out of there, made me feel safe again. Protected." Her fingers curled into my sweater. "The whole time you helped me reach home, I kept thinking about how right it felt in your arms. How I never wanted you to let go."


    I pulled her closer, feeling her heart racing against my chest.


    "And when I told you about wanting to be a hero..." She pulled back just enough to meet my eyes. "You explained everything to me. And despite the dangers, you didn¡¯t let me do it alone because you were worried I would hurt myself. You spent your own money, your time, just to help me achieve my silly dream."


    Out of nowhere, tears spilled down her cheeks now. I wasn¡¯t good with emotional stuff and suddenly I found mountain waying on my shoulders. Still, I tried my bes. I reached up to wipe them away, but she caught my hand, pressing it to her face.


    "But it''s more than that," she whispered. "It''s how you see me. Really see me. All the parts I try to hide, the things I''m ashamed of, the ways I mess up... you see it all and you''re still here. Still looking at me like I''m something precious."


    Her voice broke completely. "And now I can''t... I can''t imagine not having this. Not having you. Sometimes when you''re not here, it physically hurts. I''ll be doing something completely normal and suddenly miss you so much I can''t breathe."


    She pressed herself closer, as if trying to eliminate any space between us. "I''ll be lying in bed at night, thinking about how your arms feel around me, or the way you smile when you think I''m not looking, or how you always know exactly what I need... and it terrifies me how much I need you. How completely you''ve become part of me."


    Her hands framed my face, thumbs brushing my cheeks. "I''ve never needed anyone like this before," she confessed, voice barely above a whisper. "Never wanted to. But with you... with you, I want everything. Every moment, every touch, every stupid little detail of your life. And it scares me how much I want it, but I can''t stop. Don''t want to stop."


    I could feel her trembling as she pressed soft, desperate kisses to my face ¨C my forehead, my cheeks, the corner of my mouth. "I love you," she breathed against my skin. "I love you so much it feels like my heart might burst sometimes. And I don''t know what to do with all of it except tell you, show you, hope you understand..."


    I wrapped my arms around her, cradling her. "I''m very sorry for making you feel sad and being so awful."


    "You should be," she mumbled against my skin. "Making me fall in love with you. How dare you...."


    She cried harder. "How am I supposed to hate you when you keep caring about me?"


    Was it also a problem now?


    Honestly, I hadn¡¯t seen her cry like this before. Hell, not even when she¡¯d been on the brink of collapse, her body practically burning from the inside out after overdrawing her meta. Not a single tear then. Her strength had seemed unshakable. But now? Now, she was falling apart right in front of me, her shoulders shaking. What had gotten into her?


    I pressed my face into her hair, breathing in her familiar scent, trying to find words for the emotion threatening to overwhelm me.


    "You know," I said softly, "every morning when I wake up, my first thought is you. Whether you slept well, if you''re already awake, what you might be doing." My hand moved slowly up and down her back. "Sometimes I catch myself smiling at nothing, just because I remembered something you said or did."


    She pressed closer, if that was even possible. "Yeah?"


    "Yeah." I kissed her temple, feeling her gradually relax against me. "And every time something good happens, you''re the first person I want to tell. When something bad happens, you''re the one I want to see. It''s like... like my whole world has rearranged itself around you without me even noticing."


    Her breath hitched. "North..."


    "So maybe we''re both awful," I continued, "Because I can''t imagine my life without you either. Don''t want to."


    She kissed me then ¨C soft and slow and thorough, like she was trying to pour everything she couldn''t say into the gesture. When she pulled back, her eyes were half-closed, a small smile playing at her lips.


    "I like this," she murmured, "Just us, here. Like nothing else exists. Maybe we should buy this mountain and build a house here. We''ll maybe have two three kids, if you want? if not, I think you''re alone enough for me for the rest of my life."


    ¡°Yeah?¡± I was speechless. She really did not make it easy for me to handle her. House? On a government mountain? Three kids?


    The camera was still recording somewhere behind us, capturing this quiet aftermath of confessions and promises. Future evidence of a perfect moment that I desperately hoped would last beyond the next reset.


    We sat like that for a while until it was time to go back as the sun started to hide behind the clouds.


    "North?" Her voice was drowsy now, content.


    "Hmm?"


    "Thank you."


    "For what?"


    She nuzzled closer, her words warm against my neck. "For making it so easy to love you."


    I watched her, my heart tightened¡ªnot with joy, but with a dull ache that spread like cracks in glass. The thought of another reset, of this world and everything in it slipping away, plagued me silently. Her laugh, her words, her very presence¡ªthey didn''t just bring joy; they made me painfully aware of how fleeting happiness could be.


    I wish I could hold back time.

 Act 2.24 (Chrysalis)

    Our picnic ended peacefully. No surprise encounters with villains, no one jumping at me for a fight¡ªby my standards, that was a win. Today, however, I had more focused work to do. After my classes wrapped up, I made my way to the lab.


    It had been a week of continuous experiments on the Arcane Spell, and so far, the results had been underwhelming. I stood outside the containment field, staring at the spell hovering faintly within the area enclosed by the Distortion Bars. Various test items were scattered inside the field¡ªmetals, organic matter, even a few meta-receptive objects.


    Yet, as always, the spell seemed indifferent to them all. The effects, or rather the lack of them, were frustratingly consistent. Sure, there were minor shifts in the local reality constant, but they were negligible. To put it into perspective: if I stood still in one spot for five minutes, I¡¯d release more radiation or meta-aspect into the surroundings than the spell managed to produce in an hour. And Jade, well... she released more radiation every minute than I released in an entire decade. Her meta was terrifyingly volatile.


    I leaned against the observation console, tapping a finger against its surface in thought. Maybe the spell needs specific conditions to activate properly. Something I haven¡¯t accounted for yet¡­Like human.


    It was the only explanation that made sense. But, of course, I didn¡¯t have a spare human locked in my basement to experiment on. So unless I wanted to test it on myself¡ªwhich, let¡¯s be honest, wasn¡¯t exactly ideal¡ªI had to find another way to figure things out.


    And that was why I was here¡ªto make sense of it all. I needed to understand how the spell I had absorbed was affecting me, my surroundings, and, most importantly, my mind.


    "Maybe we should poke it with a stick," Jade suggested from her perch on the lab counter, legs swinging. She''d invited herself along as my ''research partner'', claiming she was fascinated by magic. Though I suspected she was mostly here to keep me company and prevent me from getting too lost in my own head.


    "That''s your solution to everything."


    "Has worked so far." She hopped down, peering at the spell through the Distortion Bars. "What if we played it music? Everything responds to music."


    I couldn''t tell if she was joking. "It''s an magical construct, not a houseplant."


    "Grumpy." She poked my shoulder. "Come on, we''ve been at this for days now. Time to get creative."


    She had a point. Despite hours of careful observation, the spell remained frustratingly passive.


    "Hand me my notebook?" I asked, not taking my eyes off the containment field.


    The notebook appeared in my peripheral vision. "Page 47," Jade said. "That''s where you drew those cute little runes that looked like ducks."


    "They''re not ducks, they''re arcane symbols I saw."


    "Quack quack," she whispered, making me fight back a smile.


    I flipped through my diagrams, thinking aloud. "Maybe if we destabilize it somehow..."


    The notebook contained runes I had been experimenting with, though unlike Sir Nash, I couldn''t conjure them effortlessly. I had to rely on other methods. Then an idea struck me¡ªwhat if I disrupted the spell to create resonance or dissonance? Like how two objects colliding produce an effect, perhaps "knocking" on the spell would elicit a response.


    But the idea came with risks¡ªserious risks.


    ¡°What if the spell¡­minds?¡± I muttered, glancing at Jade.


    The thought lingered uncomfortably in the back of my mind. If the arcane spell decided to take offense at my actions, it could very well blow up the entire building¡ªand us along with it.


    Jade raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet. I appreciated that about her ¨C knowing when to let me think things through. My fingers traced uncertain patterns over my notebook. This could either be brilliant or spectacularly stupid.


    Well, one way or another, we were about to find out.


    I raised my hand, watching the ceiling-mounted robotic arm mirror my movement. It picked up a simple screwdriver ¨C nothing fancy and moved toward the containment chamber where the arcane spell hovered, defying gravity with its unnatural stillness. Naturally, I wasn¡¯t reckless enough to add extra energy, use something like a blaster or any high-powered tool that could trigger an explosion¡ªor worse, some unforeseen reaction that could endanger both of us. I knew enough to avoid direct contact. Even Sir Nash hadn¡¯t dared touch the spell, opting instead to encase it securely within the seal.


    The memory of the spell merging with me was still fresh ¨C not something I was eager to repeat.


    But using an object instead of direct contact? That idea wouldn''t leave me alone. The robotic arm moved forward, holding the screwdriver like some weird mechanical peace offering as it entered the chamber.


    I caught myself holding my breath and glanced at Jade. She was leaning forward, completely focused on the spell, probably not even realizing she was biting her lip ¨C something she always did when things got intense. When she noticed me hesitate, she nudged my arm. "Just do it already," she whispered. "Before you overthink it."


    Right. No more stalling. I guided the screwdriver closer, closer ¨C until it touched.


    I''d expected fireworks, maybe an explosion. What actually happened was way weirder.


    The spell seemed to consume the screwdriver. It wasn¡¯t disintegrating, nor passing through the spell; it was vanishing in a way that defied explanation, as though being swallowed by the hollow arcane mass. My instincts kicked in and I yanked the robotic arm back, but it was too late. The spell had already turned violent. It began to revolve at an alarming speed, its size fluctuating wildly, parts of it trying to separate from itself. One second it was bulging against the containment field, the next it was barely a speck of light. It destabilized in a way that was eerily familiar¡ªjust as the splinter and mindfield spell had assimilated me the first time.


    The monitoring screens around me flickered to red, alarms blaring with urgent beeps. "Reality Weight Constant Critical," the warning lights screamed, as I watched the scene unfold.


    Reality cracked. Literally.


    That''s the only way I can describe it. The containment chamber ¨C no, the whole room ¨C started to split and layer over itself like a glitching video game. The air rippled and fractured, bending in ways that hurt my eyes to look at.


    "North!" Jade''s voice sounded distant and too close all at once. "What''s happening?"


    I opened my mouth to answer, but the words died in my throat. Jade was... multiplying. Two of her stood there, perfect mirrors of each other, both staring at me with identical expressions of shock. My head snapped around instinctively, and there he was ¨C another me, moving in perfect sync with my own movements.


    Leave a Face Behind.


    The arcane spell had revealed its nature¡ªIt could grab moments of us from the past thirty seconds, duplicate them, make them real again. But only for those same thirty seconds before they dissolved back into nothing.


    I turned to face my copy, studying it closely. Something was off about its eyes. They were hollow, lifeless, as though the spell couldn¡¯t fully replicate the soul behind the face. Perhaps it was because I hadn¡¯t fully assimilated with the spell yet. The same eerie hollowness was in Jade¡¯s copy, making them both feel¡­ wrong.


    And yet, the other me was staring at me¡ªnot just idly, but with an unsettling intensity. Its gaze suddenly sent a chill racing down my spine.


    It smiled.


    A slow, deliberate smile that chilled me to the bone.


    And what followed was worse ¨C reality itself seemed to gag and convulse. The distortion bars didn''t just break; they twisted like living things, metal groaning as it warped into shapes that shouldn''t exist. They appeared as if something inside them was trying to break free. Their metal surfaces groaned, stretching and contorting into grotesque spirals that resembled jagged, writhing tendrils. The walls started to breathe. Actually breathe. Steel panels bubbled and swelled like infected flesh, growing what looked like tumors made of liquid metal. They hardened into crystal formations that caught the light wrong, reflecting things that weren''t there.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "North?" Jade''s voice shook slightly. "The stool is... evolving."


    She wasn''t wrong. The lab stool had turned into something from a nightmare, its legs fusing and splitting into a crown of bone-like spikes. Our equipment wasn''t doing much better ¨C the whole workstation had melted together into some kind of techno-organic horror show. Cables slithered across the floor with purpose, and the monitors... well, the monitors were showing things I couldn¡¯t comprehend, as if they were broadcasting from another dimension entirely.


    Even the air was thick with strangeness. It tasted like old pennies and ozone. The light in the room flickered erratically, casting warped shadows that didn¡¯t match their sources. The shadows themselves seemed alive, crawling across surfaces like they had a will of their own.


    Once the transmutation halted, cold sweat dripped down my neck as I watched our nice, normal lab turn into a modern art exhibit designed by someone who''d seen too many horror movies. But worse than all of it was that smile still burned into my brain ¨C that thing wearing my face that had looked at me like it knew something I didn''t.


    As I thought calmly, It didn''t feel like a memory; it was more like an echo, something that refused to leave even though the distortion had faded.


    "What the hell just happened?" Jade''s voice cracked as she backed away from a monitor that was now weeping something that looked uncomfortably like mercury. Her hand found mine, fingers gripping tight enough to hurt.


    "I... I don''t know," I admitted, watching a section of floor that had twisted itself into something that looked like a metal Venus flytrap. It was as if the strangeness had infected everything. Luckily, we were standing outside the spell''s influence and hadn''t been affected in any way whatsoever.


    Still, the fact that this wasn''t even in my top ten weirdest experiences probably said something about my life.


    Jade was still staring at the warped containment chamber, her face pale. "Should we... call someone?"


    "And tell them what? ''Sorry, we broke reality a little bit?''" I took her hand, leading us toward the door. "Come on, let''s get some air."


    The spell had stabilized itself again, but I needed fresh air to process what I¡¯d just seen. We made our way to the garden, and as we reached a quiet spot, the ground beneath my feet shifted slightly as I sat down, thinking.


    The behavior of the spell confirmed one of my suspicions: the Arcane was alive in some way. Not merely a construct or an energy source, but something with awareness¡ªor at least intent. The way it had reacted, the way my duplicate had smiled... this thing was alive. Maybe not in any way we''d understand, but it definitely had its own agenda.


    "Earth to North," Jade waved her hand in front of my face. "Your thinking eyes are getting intense. The strangeness is moving."


    "Just realizing I might have miscalculated." I replied.


    Initially, I''d thought that I could use the Arcane spell against the Tunnel Underground gang, turn it into a weapon. Now I was wondering if I''d been playing with something that was just waiting for a chance to play back.


    ¡°Okay, but why do you sound more fascinated than freaked out?" Jade asked, studying my face.


    I had to laugh at that. She wasn''t wrong. Any sane person would be running for the hills after watching reality have a nervous breakdown.


    But then again... I was just a traveler. Getting worked up over every reality-bending monster or cosmic horror would be exhausting. I''d seen things that would make this look like a kid''s magic trick.


    I plucked a blade of grass, twirling it between my fingers. "You want to know something interesting? Every meta-nature comes from somewhere deep inside us ¨C desires, obsessions, those weird little things that shape us."


    Jade shifted to face me better, already familiar with the concept but curious where I was going with this.


    ¡°For me, my meta-nature came from something almost every child goes through¡ªa strange phase of obsessive fascination with something that doesn¡¯t make sense to anyone else.¡±


    Jade drew her knees up, settling in for the story.


    I paused, the memory surfacing as vividly as if it had happened yesterday. I reckoned it was the effect of the Splinter and Mindfield. Or maybe some memories just never fade.


    "When I was eight, there was this man at the mall," I continued, the taste of grass bitter on my tongue. "He said he could see through anything. And me? I was a kid obsessed with superheroes. X-ray vision, laser eyes¡ªthe whole deal. So when this guy started talking, I was all in. He wasn¡¯t a street magician or one of those weird guys in tinfoil hats. He looked... normal. Like someone¡¯s uncle who got lost on his way to the food court."


    "The way he described his powers was mesmerizing. He made it sound effortless. Just... looking, and knowing. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. But looking back, I think he was just enjoying the attention. Some wide-eyed kid hanging on to his every word."


    I let out a slow breath, rubbing a bit of dirt between my fingers. "Then he did something strange. He reached out, grabbed my hand, and said, ¡®Let me show you.¡¯ And suddenly... I wasn¡¯t seeing through my own eyes anymore."


    "At first, it was incredible. I could see through people like they were made of glass. Their clothes vanished, like some magic trick. But then... it changed. Their skin faded, layer by layer. Muscle peeled away. I could see their lungs expand, their hearts beating, their bones shifting as they moved. Then even those disappeared. It was like looking into nothingness. And in that nothingness, there were beautiful patterns. Coiling, twisting, infinite. Things I didn¡¯t have words for. Things I still don¡¯t."


    I swallowed. Even now, recalling it sent a ripple of unease through me. "I turned to ask him what was happening. But when I looked beside me... he was gone. Just gone. Like he¡¯d never been there at all."


    Jade¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, her curiosity clear, but she stayed silent.


    ¡°The incident didn¡¯t scare me though¡± I admitted, ¡°If anything, it left me fascinated. After that, I¡¯d stare at people for hours, waiting, hoping to see it happen again. I¡¯d watch objects, buildings¡ªanything¡ªjust to experience that strange sight one more time. My parents started getting concerned after our relatives started saying something was wrong with me. I even had to attend therapy for two years. But no matter how long I stared at things, I never saw anything like it again.¡±


    I chuckled, shaking my head. ¡°It wasn¡¯t anything extraordinary in the end, just a fleeting moment that stuck with me for years. Funny how those things work.¡±


    "It became your meta-nature catalyst," Jade said quietly, understanding dawning in her eyes.


    "Yeah. It shaped how I saw reality ¨C or rather, how I wanted to see it." I turned to face her fully. "Want to guess what my real obsession was?"


    She thought for a moment, head tilted. "To see through everything?"


    I shook my head, my smile widening. ¡°No. It¡¯s to see everything through.¡±


    Her brows furrowed as she tried to process my words, but I continued before she could say more. ¡°That day, I was angry at the man for disappearing halfway through¡ªfor not explaining everything to me. He left just when things started to get interesting, just when I felt like I was on the verge of understanding something incredible. I couldn¡¯t see what I wanted to see. So now¡­¡±


    I paused, chewing on the thought, then finished, ¡°I want to see everything through¡ªto the end. No half-measures, no unfinished answers.¡±


    For a few moments, we sat in silence. Jade didn¡¯t speak, and neither did I. The quiet felt almost comforting, but my mind was already drifting to what I needed to do next. I thought about heading back inside to clean up for the next phase of experiments. But the task wasn¡¯t something I could handle alone¡ªI needed someone who had a meta-nature that could build and had a solid grasp of technology. Fortunately, such meta-natures weren¡¯t too rare, about one in ten thousand. Compared to telekinesis, gravity manipulation, or other abilities dealing with abstract concepts, the odds were practically favorable.


    "Let''s go inside," I said, pushing myself halfway up. But Jade''s hand caught mine, the sudden contact making me pause. When I looked back, her expression made me settle back down. "Everything okay?"


    She met my eyes, and something in her gaze made me wait. "It''s control," she said, her voice soft but certain.


    "Control?" I tilted my head, not following.


    She nodded, and this time when she spoke, the word carried more weight, like she was sharing something she''d never said aloud before. "For me, it''s the strong urge to have control over everything."


    That should have made sense, but something didn''t fit. Jade was probably the least controlling person I''d ever met. She''d never tried to dictate my choices, never tried to change me. She was the opposite of controlling, actually. She went with the flow, turned disasters into adventures, made chaos look like an art form.


    "You don''t believe me," she said, reading my expression.


    "It''s not that. Just¡­ You''re the least controlling person I know," I said, settling back down beside her. It wasn''t flattery ¨C just truth.


    The fact that she was sharing this at all felt huge. People''s obsessions were like buried treasure ¨C the dark, precious things we keep locked away where no one can find them. They''re the parts of ourselves we don''t show anyone, the shadows we pretend don''t exist. And here was Jade, willingly cracking open that vault for me.


    She wouldn''t meet my eyes, staring instead at the grass like it held answers. "Promise you won''t... just promise you won''t judge me too harshly?"


    The idea that she thought I could hate her was almost funny ¨C in a sad way.


    "Hey," I said softly, "after everything we''ve been through? You could tell me you secretly control the weather with interpretive dance and I wouldn''t judge."


    That got a small smile out of her, but it faded quickly. "It''s not about controlling things the way you''re thinking," she said, choosing her words carefully. "It''s... the need to impose myself on everything, and imprint myself on the world.¡±


    Her confession left me momentarily speechless. What must someone have experienced to develop an obsession like that? Her words lingered in my mind, pieces of a puzzle clicking into place. I understood now why she¡¯d asked for my promise, why the person in the background had sent her to Earth, and why she constantly bled into her surroundings, distorting reality itself. Why I was always in so much trouble! It all made sense¡ªfinally, a big clue revealed itself.


    "Are you mad?" Jade''s voice was small, uncertain ¨C so different from her usual confidence. She looked ready to bolt, like she''d revealed too much of herself and was waiting for the consequences.


    I couldn''t help but chuckle. Leave it to Jade to worry about my reaction when she''d just dropped a bombshell. "Do you want me to be mad?"


    "Never." The word came out quick, almost desperate, and she looked up at me with those impossibly innocent eyes, making me lose my focus.


    "Then let''s go inside," I said, pushing myself up and offering my hand. "We''ve got a experiment gone wrong to clean up."

 Act 2.25 (Chrysalis)

    For the next couple of hours, Jade and I worked tirelessly, moving equipment and materials between rooms. We were setting up a new containment chamber since our last experiment had rendered the original room unusable. The arcane spell had fused everything together, melting objects into one another until they became an inseparable techno-horror mass.


    I sighed, feeling the weight of the mess I''d made. The only option left was to somehow move the spell to a new space, but I had no idea how to do that yet. Worse, I''d have to spend millions replacing all the machinery and devices I''d lost. What a headache.


    "You really outdid yourself this time," Jade muttered as we passed the sealed door.


    I couldn''t argue with that assessment.


    Complicating matters further, the lab I was running was technically illegal. I hadn''t filed the necessary paperwork with the government to conduct experiments of this nature. The Thaumaturgical Research and Safety Commission had become increasingly strict after the Meridian City incident last year¡ªsomething about a rogue experiment creating a temporary dimensional rift. If this kind of incident happened again and the supers picked up on the disturbances in the area, I''d be in serious trouble.


    Suddenly two objectives became clear in my mind. First, I needed to secure an official license for the lab while sourcing and purchasing the replacement equipment. Second, I needed to find someone with a techno-based meta-nature to help stabilize and streamline my operations.


    As I mentally outlined my next steps, Jade came running toward me, her tote bag clutched in her hand. "My phone isn''t working."


    I frowned and pulled my own phone from my pocket. A few taps later, I sighed. "Mine''s not working either."


    Great. I sighed inwardly. ¡°Looks like it¡¯s time to buy new ones.¡± Fortunately, most data was stored in the cloud these days, so I wasn¡¯t too worried about losing anything important.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get you a new phone,¡± I added, glancing at Jade.


    She agreed, but not without pulling a cute scowl. ¡°You¡¯d better,¡± she muttered, crossing her arms dramatically.


    <div>


    <div>


    I gave her a knowing look for her antics; inwardly, though, I wanted to ask if wasn¡¯t it her who wanted to accompany me during the experiment?


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    How infuriating!


    <hr>


    The Beyonder''s Academy library was nothing out of the ordinary¡ªjust a regular library, albeit one packed with more books and papers than anyone could ever hope to read in a lifetime. The scent of old books and coffee lingered in the air, mixing with the quiet rustling of pages. It was housed in a separate building from the rest of the academy, and I rarely graced it with my presence except during exams. And right now? It was exam season. Predictably, our entire class was spread out across the library floors.


    I found Alex on the third floor, sitting in the open study area where conversation was allowed. Most of the tables were occupied, students poring over their notes and textbooks, some muttering formulas under their breath. Honestly, I had considered sitting down and cramming some knowledge into my head, but in the end, I''d resigned myself to my usual strategy: scrape by with average marks. Studying just wasn''t worth the stress.


    "Hey," I greeted Alex, pulling up the empty chair beside him.


    He had a thick textbook open in front of him and was busy solving dimension and matrix-related physics problems. From what I could see, he was pretty good at it¡ªbetter than I was when I had to tackle those nightmares for the first time. Physics and I had never gotten along, like oil and water.


    Alex set his pen down and leaned back in his chair, stretching with a groan that earned him a few annoyed glances from nearby tables.


    "Tired?" I asked, noting the weariness in his movements and the empty energy drink cans lined up at the edge of his desk.


    "I can''t think straight," he chuckled, rubbing his temples. "How could anyone solve and calculate these?"


    "Well, they are extremely important."


    "Important, my ass," he muttered, flicking his pen at the textbook. "I swear, this stuff is just mathematical torture disguised as science."


    I watched as he shuffled through his jacket, suddenly looking more alert.


    He pulled out his phone, practically bouncing with excitement as he turned the screen toward me. His account balance was displayed in bold numbers: a whopping four hundred and seventy million. His eyes gleamed brighter than I''d ever seen, and he looked ready to burst from sheer glee. I couldn''t help but smirk¡ªit was clear he''d never seen that much money in his life. Honestly, I was relieved he couldn''t just run off with it; otherwise, I might''ve worried he''d forget all about us in favor of the cash.


    "Everything went well?" I asked, glancing up at him.


    Alex nodded eagerly, his fingers still hovering over the phone screen. "I followed your instructions exactly. No issues, no flags, nothing. It¡¯s all there."


    "Good," I replied with a firm nod, relieved our small gamble had paid off. "Now, you can keep twenty percent for your help, and then initiate a bank transfer for the rest."


    Alex¡¯s eyes widened slightly, his brain immediately switching to calculation mode. His lips parted slightly as he did the math, his expression flickering between disbelief and exhilaration.


    "That''s..." he started calculating in his head, "ninety-four million? Are you serious?"


    I leaned back, arms crossed. "Do I look like I¡¯m joking?"


    "Not usually, but¡ªholy shit," he breathed, his hands trembling slightly as he started the transfer. His entire demeanor was a mix of shock, excitement, and nervous energy. "This is insane. Do you even realize how much money this is?"


    To be fair, it was probably a lot of money for someone like him, who lived a relatively normal life. Well, relatively¡ªif you ignored his current involvement in trying to dismantle a villain gang. There was no denying that the little group I was part of was completely mental.


    "I do," I said dryly. "Which is why I¡¯d appreciate it if you didn¡¯t have a heart attack over it."


    Alex let out a short laugh, shaking his head as he keyed in the necessary details. "Man, I don¡¯t even know what I¡¯d do with this kind of money. I feel like I should be buying a yacht or something."


    I snorted. "Please don¡¯t. That would be the worst way to get attention."


    "Okay, okay," he relented, still grinning. "No yachts. Maybe just a really nice gaming setup."


    "Much safer."


    "Thanks again," Alex said, an embarrassed smile spreading across his face as he began the transfer. His hands trembled slightly over the phone. "You can call me if you ever do something like this again," he added, his tone eager.


    Did he just get hooked? I wondered briefly. In the end, he¡¯d earned the money he received, so I didn¡¯t feel bad about giving him a small chunk. He¡¯d taken the risks, after all.


    ¡°Sure,¡± I said with a nod. ¡°We might be doing something similar at the end of this month. I¡¯ll call you then.¡±


    Alex practically buzzed with excitement, his energy almost contagious. ¡°You¡¯re the best,¡± he exclaimed, and to my surprise, he pulled me into a hug.


    I hadn¡¯t expected that, but¡­ it felt good. How odd.


    "Alright, alright," I muttered, patting his back awkwardly. "Don¡¯t get all sentimental on me."


    Alex pulled back, grinning. "Hey, let me have my moment.¡±


    For the next few minutes, we talked about random things¡ªstuff happening around the academy, the city, or even beyond. Villain attacks, supers trying to save the day, and the status of the ongoing investigation. The news on that front wasn¡¯t great; progress was slow. Although the city had managed to capture a few gang members, they hadn¡¯t revealed much about where the rest of the missing people were being held.


    Alex frowned as he scrolled through the latest reports on his phone. "You¡¯d think with all the tech and resources they have, they¡¯d be closer to finding them by now."


    "You¡¯d think," I echoed, my mind drifting to a troubling thought.


    If more than four hundred people were being kept underground, how were the villains feeding them? Assuming they were still alive, keeping that many captives nourished and stable was no small feat. Sooner or later, fear, malnourishment, or worse would set in, and they wouldn''t be able to use them for whatever cause they needed them.


    I tapped my fingers against the table. "They¡¯ve got to be keeping them somewhere that¡¯s at least somewhat sustainable."


    "Maybe," Alex mused. "Or maybe they don¡¯t care if they make it out alive."


    That wasn¡¯t a pleasant thought.


    I exhaled slowly, shifting gears. "Do you know anyone who¡¯s good with computers?"


    Alex arched an eyebrow. "Other than me?"


    "Someone whose meta specializes in security breaches, digital tracking, or maybe even AI analysis."


    Alex blinked at me, clearly puzzled by the sudden question. I elaborated quickly. ¡°I want to track if a large amount of food is being purchased and stored somewhere. Water, electricity diverted. If the villains are keeping those people alive, they¡¯d need to feed, and keep them warm them. Maybe that could give us a lead.¡±


    Alex¡¯s expression shifted, his initial confusion replaced by surprise. ¡°Huh. That¡¯s actually¡­ a really good angle.¡± His fingers drummed against the table before he pulled out his phone. ¡°Let me post a message in our class group. Maybe someone in there has the skills, or at least knows someone who does.¡±


    He began typing furiously, his brows furrowed in concentration. I watched in silence for a moment, then¡ª


    Wait¡­ class group?


    A pang of sadness hit me out of nowhere.


    What class group?


    Why wasn¡¯t I in this so-called class group?


    A wave of melancholy washed over me. These people clearly didn¡¯t consider me important enough to add to their little group chat. How tragic. All those hours spent around them, yet I was still an afterthought. Left out. Abandoned. A lone wanderer in the vast desert of social rejection.


    Alex, oblivious to my sudden inner turmoil, finished typing and looked up at me with a sly smile. ¡°By the way, I saw Jade earlier on this floor,¡± he said, his tone dripping with amusement.


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Yeah? And?¡±


    His grin widened. ¡°Nothing. Just thought it was interesting. She looked like she was deep in thought. Maybe even¡­ avoiding someone.¡±


    I scoffed. ¡°Avoiding who, exactly?¡±


    Alex shrugged, his smirk telling me exactly what he meant.


    Oh, please. Like if she had her ways, she would eat me alive. Avoid me? Ridiculous.


    Still, the thought lingered, a small, unnecessary itch at the back of my mind.


    I waved a dismissive hand. ¡°She¡¯s probably just reading or something. You know, doing normal, productive things. Unlike you.¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡± Alex feigned offense. ¡°I¡¯m being incredibly productive right now. I¡¯m actively seeking out underground tech specialists for a top-secret operation. That¡¯s gotta count for something.¡±


    I let out a small chuckle. ¡°Sure. You¡¯re basically a spy.¡±


    ¡°Damn right I am,¡± he said proudly, tapping his phone screen. ¡°Alright, sent the message. Now we just wait.¡±


    ¡°Let me know when you get a reply,¡± I said, standing up and stretching.


    Alex gave me a mock salute. ¡°Aye, Captain. If I crack the case before you, I want a bonus.¡±


    I snorted. ¡°Dream on.¡±


    And with that, I quickly skittered away from Alex, shaking my head at his antics.


    I began strolling through the tall rows of bookshelves, letting my eyes scan over the endless spines of books. Of course, I wasn¡¯t just wandering aimlessly¡ªI was looking for the other half of myself. I didn¡¯t need anyone to tell me Jade¡¯s location; as long as we were within a few meters of each other, we could feel each other¡¯s presence. It was just how our meta-natures malfunctioned¡ªor resonated, depending on perspective.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    I wandered for a while, my attention occasionally drawn to the sky and clouds outside through the tall windows. It was sunny, and the bubbling clouds were picturesque, almost unreal in their softness. The way the light spilled into the library was oddly calming.


    Still, I quickly refocused and pressed on. The library was too big for to be scoured in dozen minutes.


    After about ten minutes, I caught a glimpse of someone familiar.


    She was far enough away that we hadn¡¯t noticed each other¡¯s presence yet, but I recognized her instantly. Jade was standing between two shelves, flipping through the pages of a book, her brows furrowed in concentration. She was scowling slightly, and it made her look unintentionally cute.


    Her style was expensive, fancy, and elegant; this much we had in common. She wore a fuzzy gradient cardigan that faded from soft white to deep brown at the cuffs, its pearl-like buttons adding a vintage charm. A crisp navy pleated midi skirt flared gracefully as she moved, cinched at the waist with a brown leather belt that accentuated her polished look. Dark brown cowboy boots, adorned with subtle embroidery, peeked from beneath the hem. A structured brown leather handbag dangled from her fingers beneath the book she carried, its gold hardware gleaming under the light.


    Her soft waves cascaded over her shoulders, framing her delicate features, with a pair of gold hoop earrings catching the faintest glimmer¡ªa perfect blend of refined sophistication and effortless grace.


    I had to admire her gift for fashion. It wasn''t just about wearing expensive clothes; Jade had this supernatural ability to make anything look runway-ready. No¡ªit went beyond the clothes themselves. She was just naturally stunning, turning everything around her into something extraordinary by simply existing.


    Of course, her tastes weren''t exactly budget-friendly. Our three shopping trips together had been educational, to say the least. That "simple" fuzzy cardigan? Probably from some limited artist collaboration that cost more than a month''s rent. But Jade never seemed bothered by price tags, treating thousand-dollar purchases like they were pocket change. And now, after our lottery win, her already impressive spending power had reached new heights.


    Still, Jade wasn¡¯t the type to flaunt her wealth obnoxiously¡ªit was more like she just¡­ lived in a different financial reality.


    Anyway, I kept my distance, following her movements as she skipped from bookshelf to bookshelf. She moved quickly, almost methodically, plucking one book off the shelf only to glance at it briefly and put it back before moving to the next. She reminded me of a cat tracking something only she could see. A few other students in this section watched her with bemused expressions, probably wondering if exam stress had finally claimed another victim.


    Yet, books seemed to ripple in her wake as she moved. Most people wouldn''t notice it, but I knew better¡ªthere was meta at work here.


    Finally, Jade''s face lit up with that familiar "gotcha" grin, and she dropped to the floor right there between Psychology and Ancient History, clutching a weathered book to her chest. The triumph in her expression was almost comical.


    Watching her, something clicked in my mind: Jade stumbled into just as many weird situations as I did, maybe even more. The difference was she treated them like adventures while I treated them like problems to solve. Case in point: whatever this current book-hunting expedition was about.


    I immediately phased through the last bookshelf separating us.


    "What are you doing?" I asked, trying to sound disapproving but probably failing. It was hard to be serious when she looked so pleased with herself.


    She jumped at my voice, but her surprise instantly melted into a bright smile. Her hair was wild from her library chase, and her flower choker necklace had gone slightly crooked. "I caught something!" she declared proudly, holding up the book like she''d just won first prize at a competition.


    I raised an eyebrow, staring at what appeared to be ¡®The Lost Writings of Evermore?¡¯ Sounds dramatic .


    "Inside the book?" The way her eyes sparkled told me this was going to be another one of those stories that started with "You''ll never believe what I found..."


    ¡°Come closer, I¡¯ll show you,¡± she said, beckoning me with a happy wave.


    There was a mischievous twinkle in her eyes¡ªthe kind that always made me wary of her antics.


    I crouched down beside her, and she opened the book as though revealing a precious secret. What I saw inside made me freeze.


    A tiny figure, constructed entirely from living text, moved across the pages. Words and letters flowed like liquid, constantly shifting and rearranging to form its body, limbs, and increasingly agitated expressions. The creature paced back and forth, leaving trails of displaced sentences in its wake. When it noticed me staring, it stopped abruptly and glared upward. Its body rippled with indignation, letters rearranging themselves to form "LET ME OUT" across its chest like a protest sign.


    Jade beamed. ¡°See?¡± she whispered, clearly delighted with her discovery.


    I stared in disbelief. ¡°What¡­ is that?¡± I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.


    Jade¡¯s grin widened, like a kid showing off a particularly cool bug she¡¯d caught. ¡°I don¡¯t know exactly, but isn¡¯t it amazing?¡± she said, her tone filled with wonder. ¡°I was flipping through books, trying to find something interesting, and this little guy jumped out of nowhere. Then it kept jumping from one to another. He thought he could get away, but¡±¡ªshe held up the book proudly¡ª¡°I caught him!¡±


    "You... caught him." It wasn''t a question. My brain was too busy short-circuiting to form proper questions. This wasn''t like catching a runaway magical paper airplane or an enchanted bookmark.


    Jade nodded. ¡°Yeah! It took me forever, too. He was fast.¡±


    "You know, that''s not a butterfly. That''s... that''s a living being or person! Probably someone with a meta-nature that lets them enter books."


    I watched as the figure flopped onto its back in theatrical despair, its body spelling out "UNFAIR" like a tiny typographical temper tantrum.


    She shrugged, completely unfazed by the ethical implications. "Well, he shouldn''t have been causing trouble. Do you know how many books he made me run through? The entire Advanced Metaphysics section is completely shuffled!" She pointed accusingly at the figure, which had now arranged itself into what appeared to be a miniature fainting couch made of punctuation marks.


    I rubbed my temple, feeling a headache building. Thanks to her meta, this person¡ªthis living, thinking being¡ªwas now trapped between the pages like a pressed flower. She¡¯d taken away all his existing possibilities to escape without a second thought.


    The horrible realization hit me: She was accidentally torturing someone in a book, treating it like she''d just won a game of hide-and-seek.


    How infuriating¡ªand, in a strange way, very Jade.


    "Just so you forgot, that¡¯s some poor guy inside a book and you¡¯re torturing him right now," I pointed out.


    She huffed. "Oh, please. I¡¯m not torturing him. I¡¯m just¡­ detaining him. For questioning."


    The figure aggressively formed the word "KIDNAPPING!" across its tiny chest, waving its arms in furious protest.


    I turned to her, deadpan. "He disagrees."


    Jade sighed dramatically and leaned closer to the book. ¡°Okay, fine, I¡¯ll let you go. But only if you promise not to run away again.¡±


    The figure hesitated, then quickly rearranged its body into the words "I PROMISE."


    I narrowed my eyes. ¡°That was too fast. He¡¯s lying.¡±


    "Let''s book an empty room first," I suggested, keeping my face neutral despite my growing curiosity about this person''s meta-nature. My choice of words hit me a second later. "We''ll tortur¡ªI mean, investigate him together." Real smooth.


    Jade bounced on her heels, nodding so enthusiastically I thought she might fly off.


    After securing a study room from the front desk , we made our way down the hallway. Jade''s grip on the book never loosened¡ªclearly, she wasn''t taking any chances with our typographical escapee making a break for the nearest dictionary.


    "You''re holding that thing like it''s going to sprout legs and run away," I noted aloud.


    "Because it will," she shot back, her fingers tightening even further. "You can''t see it with your limited perception, but actually, I''m holding onto thousands of future frames with multiple possibilities of him escaping. In one, he slips through page 394. In another, he makes a break for that physics textbook on the next table. There''s even one where he tries to hide in the page numbers. This guy is clearly no ordinary. So, I have to anchor all those possibilities in place so none of them can actually happen. Think of it like... holding down every corner of a thousand paper airplanes all at once, right before they try to take flight. Miss one, and the whole thing falls apart."


    Ah! No wonder she looked so focused.


    ¡°Pretty sure the librarians wouldn¡¯t appreciate us interrogating a book spirit in one of their rooms,¡± I mused as we reached the door.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a spirit, it¡¯s a student,¡± she corrected, nudging the door open with her hip. ¡°And besides, I¡¯m sure people do way weirder things in study rooms.¡±


    She winked at me.


    I clicked my tongue. She was shameless as ever, "I don''t even want to know what you''re implying."


    Jade smirked, stepping inside, ¡°I¡¯m just saying, people get up to all sorts of things behind closed doors.¡±


    I stared at her. ¡°...You¡¯re proud of that logic, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Extremely.¡±


    I sighed, dragging a chair out and sitting down. ¡°Let¡¯s just interrogate the book-person before you get any more ideas.¡±


    Jade pouted but sat down across from me, placing the book in the center of the table. She took the lead, delicately opening it again.


    The figure was still there, now dramatically slumped with its head between its knees, text rippling with what could only be described as sulking. It would have been hilarious if I wasn''t acutely aware this was an actual person we were keeping captive.


    In a library book. On exam week. Sometimes I wondered how this became my normal.


    Jade barely contained her excitement, her feet tapping rapidly under the table despite the serious tone she adopted. ¡°Let me ask him first.¡±


    ¡°By all means,¡± I gestured. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare get in the way of your expert interrogation techniques.¡±


    She ignored my sarcasm and leaned closer to the book. ¡°Who are you?¡± she asked, her voice firm and direct.


    The letters and words on the page morphed rapidly, rearranging themselves into a dialog box. Within the box, more words appeared, forming a response.


    ¡°I¡¯m Callisto, a second-year student at the academy. I¡¯m telling you, let me go, or this won¡¯t end well for you! I¡¯ll report you to the academy¡ªand to my friends! You are in a lot of trouble. You don¡¯t know how far my connections go¡­¡±


    ¡°YOU DON¡¯T KNOW WHO YOU¡¯RE DEALING WITH.¡±


    Jade gasped, ¡°Oh no! Are you secretly a mafia prince?¡±


    ¡°A shadow ruler?¡± I added, playing along.


    Jade leaned in. ¡°A crime lord¡¯s heir, destined to reclaim his lost throne?¡±


    Callisto rearranged himself into ¡°I HATE BOTH OF YOU.¡±


    The little figure gestured dramatically as it yapped on, clearly agitated.


    Jade snapped the book shut without hesitation, cutting him off mid-rant.


    I blinked. ¡°Jade.¡±


    She held up a hand. ¡°Nope. Not listening to threats today. My quota is already full for this month.¡±


    I raised my hands in defeat. I didn¡¯t want to be the one on her chopping board.


    ¡°At least we know his name and that he¡¯s a student,¡± Jade said, tilting her head thoughtfully. ¡°He doesn¡¯t seem like a spy or someone with bad intentions.¡±


    I stared at her. ¡°You¡¯re acting like you caught a stray cat and are deciding whether to adopt it.¡±


    She gave me a look. ¡°He ran around and made me chase him. That is very cat-like behavior.¡±


    Callisto aggressively reshaped himself into ¡°EXCUSE YOU¡± before rolling back into an angry mess of shifting letters.


    Jade smirked. ¡°See? He¡¯s got an attitude too.¡±


    I sighed, leaning back slightly in my chair. ¡°Fine, but maybe we should actually ask him what he was doing inside the books before we start classifying him as a new pet.¡±


    Jade opened the book again, and the figure stood quietly this time. It seemed he¡¯d grown scared, realizing that Jade had no intention of releasing him even after learning his identity. I wondered if he was silently cursing his luck, wondering what kind of lunatics he¡¯d run into today. The thought made me chuckle inwardly¡ªit was darkly amusing, in its own way.


    The guy must be shitting his pants¡ªif he had a real body somewhere to shit in.


    Jade tapped the page lightly. ¡°Okay, okay. What were you doing in the books?¡±


    The words formed again in the dialog box on the page.


    ¡°I was just reading. It¡¯s much faster than staring at the books for hours.¡±


    More text appeared beneath it:


    ¡°I can dive into the text like water and soak everything up like a sponge.¡±


    I frowned slightly. That was¡­ actually a pretty useful ability. Not exactly threatening, just unique. Maybe he was telling the truth.


    But then, the dialog box began to glitch. The words deformed, breaking apart into streaks of ink.


    New text appeared in a frantic scrawl:


    ¡°Please let me go! I swear I¡¯ll never tell anyone about this¡ªand I won¡¯t jump between books ever again!¡±


    The figure inside seemed to tremble, its tiny hands wringing together.


    Then, the letters distorted further, melting into inky tendrils that seeped into the pages, trying to escape. He was clearly desperate, but his methods might¡¯ve worked if he weren¡¯t dealing with Jade.


    Without hesitation, she snapped the book shut again, trapping him once more.


    I watched her, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Okay, I have to ask¡ªwhat exactly are you hoping to get out of this?¡±


    Jade didn¡¯t answer immediately.


    I exhaled. ¡°Because, honestly? He¡¯s not useful to us in any way. If anything, this is just¡­¡± I gestured vaguely. ¡°¡­a little cruel?¡±


    Jade turned her head slightly, her eyes narrowing as she whispered, ¡°He¡¯s lying.¡±


    That caught my attention immediately. She rarely jumped to conclusions without a reason. I leaned in, intrigued.


    She studied my expression as she opened the book again. The trapped figure quivered as her voice took on an edge.


    ¡°I study regularly at the library,¡± Jade said. ¡°And over the past few weeks, I¡¯ve noticed something strange. Books I¡¯ve read before suddenly have missing dates, missing important figures. Some fantasy books have entire chapters or characters gone, like they never existed.¡±


    The figure inside the book froze.


    Jade continued, her tone unwavering.


    ¡°Why do you think I laid a trap to catch you?¡± She leaned in slightly, her eyes sharp. ¡°You¡¯re stealing things from the books, aren¡¯t you? Don¡¯t lie to me¡ªI already know you¡¯ve got some other motive.¡±


    My eyes widened as I processed her words.


    The book figure¡ªthis strange, living amalgamation of words¡ªstood frozen on the page, its previously animated movements eerily still.


    For a moment, the only sound in the room was the faint rustling of the library¡¯s distant air vents.


    Then, finally, the tiny figure began moving again. This time, slowly.


    Deliberately.


    Its tiny head tilted upward, and then, letter by letter, it rearranged itself into a single word.


    ¡°PROVE IT.¡±


    Jade smirked. ¡°Gladly.¡±


    She reached into her bag and pulled out a small, leather-bound notebook. I recognized it immediately¡ªit was her personal reading log, something she kept religiously updated.


    Flipping through the pages, she landed on a specific entry. Her finger tapped the page firmly.


    ¡°Three weeks ago, I read ¡®The Iron Crown Chronicles.¡¯ Chapter 17 was about the war council meeting. When I reread it last week?¡± Her eyes flicked toward Callisto. ¡°There was no war council. No meeting. No mention of the battle plans. It was like that entire piece of history had been erased.¡±


    Callisto said nothing.


    Jade turned another page.


    ¡°Same with ¡®The Moonlit Pact.¡¯ I remember a whole subplot about the second prince. But now? He doesn¡¯t exist. The entire story changed. Not just minor details¡ªwhole narratives shifted.¡±


    Her voice lowered, intense.


    ¡°Someone is either editing or stealing content from the books. And I¡¯m pretty damn sure that someone is you.¡±


    I exhaled slowly, realization clicking into place. If what she was saying was true, this wasn¡¯t just a weird meta-ability. This was something dangerous. Someone who could rewrite knowledge itself.


    The figure stood frozen on the page, no longer the dramatic victim, but instead, caught red handed for his crimes.

 Act 2.26 (Chrysalis)

    ¡°Answer me,¡± Jade demanded, her tone even colder now. ¡°What are you stealing from the books?¡±


    The figure hesitated, its form flickering as though it were struggling to maintain its coherence. Then, slowly, new words began to form in its makeshift dialog box: "I didn¡¯t think anyone would notice."


    "That''s not an answer." The book slammed shut with a sharp crack that made me startle. It wasn''t particularly loud, but in the quiet study room, it might as well have been a gunshot. A wordless warning, precise and calculated. I found myself wincing - Jade could be terrifying when she dropped her usual playful demeanor.


    She reopened the book with deliberate slowness. The figure had abandoned its earlier theatrics, standing unnaturally still in its paper prison. No more dramatic fainting or protest signs - just a being made of text, finally realizing the gravity of its situation.


    ¡°Talk, before I make you myself¡± Jade ordered.


    The sparkle of excitement that had danced in her eyes earlier had vanished, replaced with cold focus. This was no longer a game; this was a proper interrogation.


    I watched the word figure''s form ripple, a motion that somehow conveyed a deep sigh. It was fascinating how expressive simple text could be. The words around it swirled restlessly, like thoughts trying to organize themselves. Under Jade''s unwavering stare. But I knew it was only a matter of time before our prisoner cracked.


    Sure enough, the swirling letters gradually settled, forming a sentence that changed everything: "I''m building another world."


    Jade blinked, looking like someone had just told her the sky was made of cheese. "What now?"


    I shared her bewilderment, both of us frozen in a moment of pure "did-I-hear-that-right" confusion. Another world? Had exam stress finally broken reality, or was this just Thursday at Beyonder''s Academy? The words hung in the air¡ªor rather, on the page¡ªlike a bombshell. Jade¡¯s eyes widened slightly, and I glanced at her, just as stunned. We exchanged a look that said everything we were thinking but couldn¡¯t yet articulate. Another world? What did that even mean?


    I leaned back in my chair, pinching the bridge of my nose. Perfect. Because my life wasn''t complicated enough dealing with Jade''s brand of chaos, now we had apparently caught some wannabe deity with a god complex. Just what I needed - another person with delusions of grandeur to add to my already overflowing plate of problems.


    For a surreal moment, I felt like I''d accidentally wandered into the rough draft of a villain''s origin story. All we needed now was some dramatic background music and maybe a few lightning bolts.


    Jade recovered first. Her eyebrows drew together in that way that meant she was done with nonsense. "Did someone hit you on the head when you were little? Explain clearly."


    Her tone was rude, but there was a glimmer of curiosity beneath it. She had an uncanny ability to cut straight to the heart of things, and I knew she was determined to get answers, no matter how ridiculous they seemed. The words on the page rippled, the ink distorting like a disturbed pool of water. The figure bristled, the chaotic letters surrounding it briefly swirling into a storm before settling into an indignant response:


    ¡°Stop insulting me first.¡±


    Jade scoffed. ¡°I¡¯ll stop insulting you when you stop acting like a cryptic fortune cookie.¡±


    The letters wobbled, rearranging themselves. ¡°You asked a question. Let me answer.¡±


    She tapped one foot impatiently. ¡°Then answer already.¡±


    A pause. The inky figure seemed to sulk, its outline flickering as if debating whether she was worth the effort.


    ¡°You are exceptionally rude,¡± it finally declared.


    Jade huffed, pinching the bridge of her nose. ¡°I am exceptionally tired of this conversation getting nowhere. So unless you want me to start guessing¡ªbadly¡ªjust spit it out.¡±


    A ripple ran through the text, the letters reforming sluggishly, like they were dragging their feet. ¡°¡­Fine. But no interruptions.¡±


    Jade spread her hands wide, ¡°Sure.¡±


    The figure¡¯s mood seemed to improve immediately, as if it thrived on being taken seriously.


    Words began to spill across the page in rapid succession, forming sentences and paragraphs at an almost dizzying speed. ¡°Our world," it began yapping, "is too boring for someone like me. Too many rules, too much monotony. But imagine a world where anything is possible¡ªa world where I¡¯m not just another face in the crowd but the main character. That¡¯s the world I¡¯m building."


    I blinked, utterly baffled. Did this¡­ thing¡­ person¡­ has a Main Character Syndrome? Was this really happening? God save this generation. I was appalled.


    Jade, though, leaned forward though like a shark sensing blood in the water. Her eyes narrowed dangerously as she cut through the dramatics. "And what does this have to do with stealing information, characters, and settings from books? Why can''t you just make it up yourself?"


    The figure hesitated, then without warning, leaped to a fresh page. What happened next made my jaw drop. Words exploded from its form, scattering across the paper like seeds in the wind. But these weren''t just random letters - they were building something.


    Castles sprouted from the page, their spires reaching impossibly upward, tiny ink banners catching an invisible wind. Heroes materialized in mid-stride, their poses straight out of epic cover art. An entire army of knights marched across the table in perfect formation, while above them - my heart actually skipped - a majestic dragon unfurled its wings, its silent roar somehow deafening in ink form.


    "I¡¯m using real world information to build my world," the figure explained. "The characters, the places, the stories¡ªthey¡¯re all templates. Fictional creations trapped in books, waiting to be freed. I can bring them to life in my world. Imagine it: Cinderella''s castle rising from actual stone. Alice''s Wonderland breathing real air. Dragons¡ª"


    Not my precious arrogant dragon, I thought fiercely, a surge of possessiveness catching me off guard. That one''s off limits. It was mine and mine only.


    "¡ªsoaring through skies that used to be mere description," it continued, oblivious to my internal protest. "Or ruling a kingdom as powerful as Gondor. All of it, mine to experience, and where I¡ªme¡ªam at the center of it all."


    For the next half hour, we sat there as the figure rambled on, its words painting pictures that were equal parts impressive and concerning. The more it talked, the more Jade and I exchanged worried glances. This wasn''t just some student with an overactive imagination - this was someone with both the means and the determination to literally rewrite reality into their personal fantasy.


    And judging by its apparent ability to jump between books, it might actually have some power to pull it off.


    Jade''s expression remained inscrutable, though I could see the wheels turning in her head. As for me, I felt a mixture of shock and morbid curiosity. This person was insane, yes, but it wasn''t lying. Its determination was palpable, and its capabilities, though unsettling, were impressive. If it was a student at Beyonder''s Academy¡ªas I suspected¡ªthen it had access to resources and abilities that could turn its outlandish vision into reality.


    And that terrified me.


    "Why not just read the books?" Jade said suddenly, breaking my train of thought. Her tone was almost conversational, "Why go through all this trouble?"


    "Or maybe try writing fanfiction like a normal person?" I muttered under my breath.


    The figure hesitated, its form rippling. "Because reading isn¡¯t enough. To truly understand, to truly create, I need to immerse myself. To absorb every detail, every nuance. Words on a page are just shadows of the real thing. I¡¯m bringing those shadows into the light."


    Jade¡¯s brow furrowed further, her fingers tightening around the edges of the book. ¡°And you think no one will stop you? That the academy, or anyone else, won¡¯t notice you¡¯re erasing entire chapters and characters?¡±


    The figure didn¡¯t respond immediately. When it did, its words were slow and deliberate: "I¡¯m careful. And by the time anyone realizes what I¡¯ve done, it¡¯ll be too late."


    I watched Jade closely, wondering if she would press further. But before she could, the figure continued, its enthusiasm reigniting. "Once the foundation is complete, the stories will blend seamlessly. I''ll be able to step inside, live out every tale, and shape the narrative however I choose. Do you understand what that means? I could rewrite my own story. Be the hero, the savior, the ruler of a world entirely my own."


    "Let me guess," I said dryly, "and everyone will clap at the end?"


    The figure''s letters bristled indignantly, but the sheer audacity of his plan again left me momentarily speechless.


    To be honest, It made me seriously reconsider the academy¡¯s admission process. Clearly, it wasn¡¯t stringent enough if lunatics like this were getting in without proper mental health checks.


    The world was already dealing with a population obsessed with simulated reality and animated waifus, and now this maniac wanted to introduce another layer of chaos.


    I shuddered inwardly. This is how the world ends¡ªwith a madman rewriting it to suit his fantasies.


    But fear didn''t entirely extinguish my curiosity. I couldn''t help but wonder just how far he had gone in building his so-called new world. What did it look like? How detailed was it?


    And more importantly, could I enter it? The thought flickered in my mind, unbidden.


    Suddenly, my phone buzzed. A message from Alex. He¡¯d found someone¡ªor more accurately, someone in the class knew a person with a techno-meta nature. It was time to move.


    I caught Jade''s eye, and something in my expression must have given me away because her posture immediately changed. Before I could even finish explaining about Alex''s contact:


    ¡°I¡¯m coming with you.¡±


    The determination in her voice was touching, but it only strengthened my resolve to keep her safe. The image of her collapsed in those tunnels was still too fresh in my mind. If we landed in another dangerous situation and she pushed her meta-nature too far trying to protect me... no. I couldn''t risk that.


    Simply put, I didn¡¯t want Jade taking unnecessary risks¡ªnot for a while, at least.


    I reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. ¡°I love you,¡± I murmured, my thumb brushing over her knuckles. ¡°There¡¯s nothing more precious to me than you. But the doctors said you need rest¡ªfor a few more days, at least.¡±


    Her fingers twitched in mine, her jaw tightening.


    ¡°You can come next time.¡±The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    "What if you get into trouble? Who''s going to look after you, then?" she huffed, crossing her arms with that fierce scowl that always made my heart skip.


    "You already know me," I said softly, trying to reassure her. "It''s not easy for others to mess with me if I don''t want them to."


    I could see the internal struggle playing out on her face. She wasn''t convinced, but she was holding back her protests, even while hating every second of it.


    Jade huffed again, frustration radiating off her in waves. Between our word-stealing prisoner¡¯s grandiose delusions and now my imminent departure, she was ready to explode. I stood up, closing the book on the table with finality. The snap of its pages shutting felt like a line drawn in the sand. Then, bending down to her level where she sat, I reached out, gently cupping her cheek with my hand.


    She stiffened for half a second before leaning into my touch, her earlier resistance melting away beneath my palm.


    I didn¡¯t hesitate. I leaned in, pressing my lips to hers softly, testing. She responded immediately, like I¡¯d given her permission she hadn¡¯t realized she was waiting for. One of her hands fisted in my shirt, the other wrapping around my neck, pulling me closer with a kind of desperation I hadn¡¯t expected¡ªbut should have.


    True to her nature, her kiss was aggressive, her lips moving with determination. A sharp nip of her teeth on my lower lip made me suck in a breath, half a laugh, half a warning.


    "Ow¡ªJade¡ª"


    She barely pulled back, just enough for her lips to brush against mine, ¡°Stop treating me like a child waiting to get hurt. I¡­ don¡¯t like it.¡± Saying so she was kissing me again, harder this time, as if she could change the inevitable through sheer force of will.


    "Wait¡ª"


    "I need to go," I gasped, barely managing to whisper the words.


    But the moment they left my lips, they dissolved into nothing as she pulled me back in, her mouth warm and insistent against mine. My body betrayed me, answering her with a hunger that made a mockery of my half-hearted attempt at resistance.


    Our eyes met and held.


    And in that frozen moment, I saw it¡ªthat calculated gleam in hers.


    Jade had gotten dangerously good at this.


    At knowing exactly which strings to pull, which buttons to press, which carefully timed glances and wicked smirks would bend my will to hers. Now, rather than simply giving in to her desires as she once had, she''d learned the art of getting precisely what she wanted using them.


    My arrogant dragon, it seemed, had been studying more than just throwing her hands.


    I barely had time to register that thought before she tilted her head, brushing her lips against mine neck, trailing up, softer this time, coaxing rather than taking.


    "Then go," she murmured, her breath warm against my skin. "If you can."


    It wasn¡¯t a challenge. Not exactly.


    It was worse.


    It was an invitation.


    A dare wrapped in silken temptation, laced with the quiet confidence of someone who already knew the answer.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon,¡± I said in a low but reassuring tone.


    Jade''s arms tightened slightly, her fingers curling against my back like she didn¡¯t quite believe me. She wouldn¡¯t say it¡ªnot out loud¡ªbut I could feel the tension in her grip, the way she held on just a fraction too long.


    I chuckled inwardly; she was still a little too short sighted to think I would give to these flaring desires so easily. Instead of giving in to the fire flickering in her gaze, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into a firm hug. She stiffened for half a second, as if surprised, before melting into it with a quiet exhale against my shoulder.


    "Hmph." Her voice was muffled against my shirt. "You''re so damn frustrating."


    I smirked. "You¡¯re one to talk."


    She pulled back just enough to meet my eyes, searching them for something, though I wasn¡¯t sure what. A moment later, she scoffed, shaking her head.


    "Fine," she muttered. "Go, then. But my place tonight.¡±


    I chuckled, pressing a brief kiss to her forehead before finally stepping away.


    "I¡¯ll be back before you even have time to miss me."


    Jade rolled her eyes. "Liar."


    I turned toward the door, picking up my pace as I headed for Alex''s meeting point. Found him exactly where he said he''d be, leaning against the doorframe like he was posing for a student lifestyle magazine, completely absorbed in whatever was on his phone screen.


    "So, who''s the person? Are they here?" I asked, scanning the area out of habit. After recent events, you couldn''t blame me for being cautious.


    Alex pocketed his phone, shaking his head. "There''s a guy in our class whose friend is good at this kind of stuff. We need to go meet him."


    "Alright," I said, crossing my arms as we waited. Didn''t have to wait long - Alex nudged me, nodding toward a small group heading our way.


    One guy broke away from his friends, approaching with the confident stride of someone who owned the place.


    "Alex, my man!" he called out, his voice bouncing off the walls with enough energy to power a small city. Then his eyes landed on me, recognition flickering across his face. "I heard about your accident. You doing alright?"


    "Just fine," I replied, accepting his outstretched hand. His handshake was firm but not trying to prove anything - I appreciated that.


    The guy looked harmless enough at first glance - average height, wiry frame, the kind of easygoing presence that helped you blend into any crowd. His dark curls looked like they''d never met a comb they liked, and his clothes had that deliberately careless vibe that said "I rolled out of bed looking this cool." But there was something in his eyes, a sharp intelligence that didn''t quite match the laid-back exterior. This wasn''t just some carefree student bumming his way through classes.


    "Glad to hear it," he said, keeping his tone casual. "Alex told me you''ve been dealing with some... complicated stuff."


    I shot Alex a raised eyebrow, but he just shrugged like ''what can you do?''


    ¡°Name¡¯s Ethan, by the way.¡± The guy tilted his head toward the street. ¡°My friend¡ªthe one you¡¯re looking for¡ªis at his place.¡±


    ¡°And he¡¯s expecting us?¡± I asked, not entirely sure what to make of Ethan yet.


    Ethan smirked. ¡°Not exactly. But he will be soon.¡±


    That was less than reassuring, but Alex didn¡¯t seem concerned, so I let it slide.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get going¡ªit¡¯s a bit of a drive,¡± Ethan added.


    To my surprise, Ethan led us to an actually decent-looking car in the parking lot. No more juggling train schedules or hunting down taxis - though I couldn''t help feeling a twinge of envy. Here I was, still struggling to get my driver''s license while this guy was cruising around like he was born behind the wheel.


    Alex claimed the passenger seat without a second thought, leaving me to slide into the back. Typical.


    Ethan, at least, drove like a sane person - a refreshing change from certain people I knew who treated speed limits as personal challenges. But karma had other plans. The moment we cleared the academy gates, we hit traffic that could make a saint swear. Thirty minutes of crawling along before Ethan finally managed to escape onto the backstreets of the South District.


    The car eventually pulled into a driveway that had seen better decades. Actually, the whole neighborhood looked like it had fallen through a crack in time - all quiet streets and neat rows of parked cars, with that weird stillness you get in places the world''s forgotten about.


    "He lives in the basement," Ethan said, leading us around to the side of the house. "His parents stay in the main house."


    Alex and I nodded along as Ethan added, "I already messaged him. He should be home."


    Should be home? I fought the urge to roll my eyes. What kind of reassurance was that supposed to be?


    The basement door looked like it belonged in a horror movie set - paint peeling off in sad flakes, glass so grimy it probably hadn''t seen sunlight since the last century. As we approached, footsteps thundered up stairs inside, and the door creaked open with horror-movie perfection. A wave of musty air hit us like we''d opened a time capsule.


    "Wassup, Ethan!" The guy who bounded out looked nothing like I''d expected.


    Instead of some tech wizard, we got a dude in ratty shorts and a superhero shirt that had clearly been through several wars in the washing machine. But his grin was genuine.


    We descended a narrow staircase into a dimly lit basement. The air was cooler, tinged with a faint musky scent that reminded me of the rotten wet wood. The space was open, with no dividers or walls to create separate rooms. My eyes were immediately drawn to the posters plastered across the walls¡ªclassic superhero imagery, ranging from vintage designs to glossy prints of modern-day icons.


    I couldn¡¯t help but take another look as I spotted a few familiar faces among the posters. This guy wasn¡¯t just a fan; he was a full-blown enthusiast.


    My gaze lingered on a poster of Moon Fantasy, her signature crescent emblem shining against the dark backdrop. She was widely regarded as one of the most beautiful women and superhero in the world and honestly? No arguments here. I had the same poster back home, though mine wasn''t nearly as pristine as this one.


    All our attention then shifted to the far corner of the room, where a massive cluster of servers and computers buzzed with activity. At least a dozen screens hung on the wall, flickering with live broadcasts and data streams from all over the world. Most of them displayed news channels, their headlines scrolling ominously across the screens. Others showed maps with marked points of interest and strings of code cascading down in real time. It was a chaotic setup, but clearly functional.


    "His name is Caleb," Ethan whispered as we made our way to what might have once been a sofa in a previous life. "But he goes by Proton. He''s a bit of a conspiracy nut¡ªbelieves the world''s going to end soon or something."


    I flicked a glance toward Caleb, who was hunched over one of his many monitors, his back to us as his fingers danced across a keyboard. Ethan¡¯s words didn¡¯t surprise me. People like Caleb weren¡¯t exactly uncommon, especially in a world where meta-natures and global threats were just part of daily life. The idea of an impending apocalypse also wasn¡¯t far-fetched to someone like me. There were all kinds of people around us, each believing in their own version of the truth. But obsession? That was only good up to a point¡ªso long as it didn¡¯t warp your ability to think clearly or distinguish between right and wrong.


    But looking at this setup? Caleb had definitely crossed that line somewhere in the rearview mirror.


    We sank into the sofa, which surrendered to our weight with a wheeze of ancient springs.


    "Big into conspiracies, huh?" I kept my voice low, eyes still roaming over the room.


    Ethan leaned in slightly, his whisper barely audible over the hum of electronics. "Yeah. He thinks the government¡¯s sitting on a goldmine of secrets about metas and interdimensional threats. Says we¡¯re only getting the sanitized version of the story."


    I snorted. "That¡¯s not entirely wrong."


    Ethan grinned, leaning back into the protesting sofa. "Yeah, but he takes it a step further. Thinks they''ve got, like, hidden bunkers full of people who can rewrite reality or some shit."


    Oh? That caught my attention. This basement dweller had stumbled closer to the truth than he probably realized, even if he was missing some crucial pieces of the puzzle.


    "You''d be surprised what they''re keeping from us," Caleb called out, making us jump. He turned from his monitors, wiping his hands on his shorts.


    "Did you know that during the Marina City Incident last month, they didn''t just evacuate the coast because of the ''weather anomaly''? The satellites picked up massive reality distortions - same patterns we saw during the Vertex Event six months ago when that entire suburb disappeared for six hours."


    "Here we go," Ethan muttered under his breath.


    "So," Caleb continued, his eyes lighting up as he gestured to his wall of screens, "what brings you guys to my humble lair? Need help uncovering the truth about the Shadow Network? Or maybe you''re finally ready to hear the real story behind the Doomsday events happening with increasing frequency lately. In the last three years, the Omega Protocol has been activated three times¡ªcompared to barely half a dozen instances in the past decade. And that''s not counting the four times they used the Lazarus Contingency to cover up major meta-incidents this year alone."


    Hold on. I sat up straighter, my earlier skepticism evaporating. Caleb wasn''t just spouting random theories - he was onto something big. The Lazarus Contingency was supposed to be classified information, known only to a handful of people.


    "And check this out," Caleb rushed to one of his screens, pulling up a map covered in pulsing red dots. "Every time they activate the Protocol, we get these weird energy signatures across the city. But here''s the kicker - they match perfectly with the readings from that classified Zone-7 facility they''re pretending is just a weather station. You know, the one where they supposedly ''contained'' that reality-bending incident last summer?"


    "The one that ''officially'' never happened?" I asked carefully, remembering reading about it online, it was a week when everyone in a three-block radius suddenly started remembering different versions of their lives.


    "Exactly!" Caleb''s eyes lit up. "And it gets better. Two days ago, I was able to detect similar energy spikes in the industrial district. The same kind we saw before the Hollow Men started appearing downtown. And don''t even get me started on the correlation between meta-awakening rates and proximity to those ''maintenance tunnels'' they keep building under the city."


    "Not today, Caleb," Ethan cut in, rolling his eyes. "We''re here to look into some anomalies in the city."


    "Anomalies?" Caleb''s expression turned serious. "What kind? Because last week, three people reported missing time around the old library - you know, the one near where that superhero Resonance had her first public appearance? And get this: all electronic devices in a two-block radius started playing the same numbers station broadcast from 1982."


    I filed that information away carefully. Caleb might be wearing a faded Batman shirt and living in his parents'' basement, but he was tracking patterns that even the Oversight Committee seemed to be missing.


    Or maybe they weren''t missing them at all - maybe they were just hoping nobody would connect the dots.


    "Speaking of patterns," Caleb continued, pulling up another screen filled with scrolling data, "have you noticed how every major meta-incident in the past year has happened within twelve hours of a solar flare? Or how the number of people developing technology-based powers has tripled since they built that new ''research facility'' on the outskirts? The official story is that it''s just statistical variance, but I''ve been monitoring a lot more and... and these things are just the thing happening around us, but the world is a lot bigger with a lot of uncontrolled chaos."


    "Okay Caleb, Stop it," Ethan interrupted again, "Let''s move onto the normal kind of anomalies,"


    But, I already made a mental note. Although, this guy might be paranoid and was spouting a lot of nonsense from his delusions, but he still had access to some right kind of information that could help me understand what was really happening in our city and around the world.


    Caleb studied us for a long moment, then smirked. "You always come to the right people. Fine. Let¡¯s see what we¡¯re working with."

 Act 2.27 (Chrysalis)

    Despite the constant dangers surrounding Earth and humanity, humans weren''t a race capable of existing peacefully¡ªnot even when faced with common threats. The planet remained deeply divided, and global governments seemed to ensure the public stayed unaware of the larger, more ominous picture beyond Earth. Unless someone attended institutions like Beyonder''s Academy, equipped with exceptional talent or intelligence, most people would never leave this small ball of rock to explore farther than the moon or Mars. Of course, the wealthy could afford to vacation as far out as Jupiter''s moons, but they were the exception, not the rule.


    After Ethan explained the reason for our visit, Caleb visibly curbed his enthusiasm. His gaze shifted between us, measured and curious. "So, what exactly are you looking for?"


    I exchanged a quick glance with Alex before leaning forward, elbows resting on my knees. "We''re trying to trace certain activities that might lead us to the villains'' hideout," I began. "Specifically, we need to track large quantities of food being purchased and transported recently¡ªmaybe over the past few months. Also, check for places where a significant amount of energy has been diverted from the electrical grid. Same with water: any reports of drops in water pressure or large quantities being rerouted to unusual locations."


    Caleb raised an eyebrow but didn''t interrupt. A holographic map of the city sprouted from his desk, rotating slowly. I pressed on, gathering steam. "We could also use satellite heat maps of the city showing unusual movement in previously abandoned underground areas. And look for activity in empty or run-down warehouses and factories¡ªanywhere that could be used to cage people."


    "You''re assuming they''re keeping them all in one place," Caleb mused, already typing. The map highlighted various sectors as his fingers flew across the keyboard. "Smart villains would split them up. Harder to track, easier to control."


    "They''re not that smart," Alex cut in.


    "You don''t know that." Caleb argued.


    "If we can gather all that information," I concluded, "I''m confident we''ll find some clue about where the villains are hiding those four hundred civilians."


    "You guys are not messing around, are you?" Caleb exclaimed, pushing back from his desk. His chair hit a stack of old computer parts, sending them clattering to the floor. He didn''t even flinch at the noise, too focused on what I''d just proposed. "I want you to know that what you''re asking isn''t easy. I''m not the Oracle or Private, like them I don''t have the meta nature to control information. It''s a lot of data to dig through. So, I''ll have to break into and search through so many systems. The process is both time-consuming and resource-intensive."


    I shrugged nonchalantly, exchanging a quick glance with Alex. The slight nod he gave me was barely perceptible, "Alex, my friend here, is very rich," I said with a knowing smile, gesturing toward Alex. "If you do this job for us, I''m sure he can help with anything you might need. Let''s not forget who we are¡ªthere are things we could help you with."


    "Like getting your sister into the Interplanetary defence advanced program?" Ethan added quietly, making Caleb''s head snap up. "Yeah, we know about her application. Her test scores are impressive, but sometimes talent needs... a little push in the right direction."


    "It''s important, Caleb. Hundreds of people went missing during the train attack. If they''re alive, we need to find them."


    Caleb rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his gaze drifting to the array of monitors flickering on the wall. He appeared to weigh his options for a moment before nodding. ¡°Well, you two are Ethan¡¯s friends,¡± he said, a faint grin forming. ¡°So of course, I won¡¯t refuse you guys.¡±


    "Alright," he continued, pulling up what looked like city infrastructure maps. "Food, electricity, water, heat maps, and abandoned properties. That''s a lot of angles to cover, but it''s doable." He turned to one of his many monitors, the screen''s reflection dancing in his glasses. "Give me a few minutes. My systems are linked to some unofficial sources¡ªdon''t ask me where I got them¡ªbut they should help narrow things down."


    In thirty minutes, slowly, the data began pouring in spreadsheets, Caleb muttered under his breath, his voice taking on that focused tone I''d heard him use during critical missions. "Let''s start with the basics. Food first. Large orders mean supply chains, and supply chains mean invoices, deliveries, and payment trails." A new window popped up, showing what looked like encrypted shipping manifests. "Even if people try to stay hidden, moving that much food leaves a footprint. Give me some time to scrape illegal data."


    As I silently watched Caleb work, I couldn''t help but wonder if this kind of work was just a hobby for him or if it was somehow tied to his meta-nature.


    "Got something," he muttered, his voice tight with concentration. One of the screens slowly began to populate with charts, invoices, and maps.


    Caleb scanned through them, his eyes darting across the data with inhuman speed. "Interesting. Looks like a few warehouses on the city''s outskirts have been receiving consistent shipments of non-perishables. The kind you''d stockpile if you were planning to go blind..." He paused, jaw clenching. "Or feeding a lot of people."


    Alex leaned forward. ¡°Addresses?¡±


    "Here, here, and here." Caleb clicked, marking them on a digital map. Red pins dropped onto the screen, forming a rough triangle in the industrial sector. "Notice anything weird about the pattern?"


    I stepped closer, squinting at the display. "They''re all equidistant from the train attack site."


    "Exactly," Caleb confirmed, a grim satisfaction in his voice. "These bastards must have planned this well in advance." His fingers flew across the keyboard with renewed intensity. "Electricity next. High energy consumption isn''t hard to track, especially if it''s concentrated in areas that don''t normally require much. Let''s see..."


    Another screen displayed a grid of the city, lighting up with power usage data.


    ¡°Bingo,¡± Caleb said, grinning. ¡°There¡¯s a spike in the industrial district. It¡¯s been consistent for weeks. Way too much power for a few old warehouses.¡±


    I nodded, my mind racing as pieces started falling into place. ¡°What about water?¡±


    Caleb adjusted his search parameters, pulling up reports from the city''s water management system. A 3D model of the underground infrastructure materialized, with certain pipes pulsing an angry red. "Pressure drops in specific areas... Ah, got it. Looks like there''s been unusual activity near an old factory by the docks. Increased flow, unaccounted for, and no permits filed." His voice dropped lower. "Someone''s diverting water, and they''re doing a piss-poor job of hiding it."


    He paused, glancing at me. ¡°You think they¡¯re caging people underground?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a possibility,¡± I replied. ¡°The heat maps might confirm it.¡±


    Caleb switched to a satellite feed, it took him some time to get through it, but soon we had thermal data onto the city map. He highlighted the locations in the south district, and my heart rate spiked. "These spots here¡ªabandoned warehouses and tunnels. Looks like a lot of movement in and out, especially at night." He pulled up a time-lapse, showing heat signatures moving in patterns too regular to be random. "And look at this ¨C the heat signatures are clustered, packed together tight.


    ¡°And the most likely spot?¡± I asked.


    Caleb zoomed in on one particular location, his energy drink forgotten mid-sip. "If I had to bet my sister''s college fund, it''s here."


    The screen showed a sprawling warehouse complex near an abandoned agriculture district. "Matches everything you''re looking for¡ªfood deliveries, power draw, water diversion, and thermal activity." His finger traced a circle around the area. "Plus, it''s got those underground tunnels I mentioned. Perfect for hiding people who don''t want to be found."


    Alex and I exchanged a glance. We''d worked together long enough that I could read the mix of hope and skepticism in his eyes. This felt too clean, too neat.


    "You''ve done it, Caleb," Ethan said, clapping him on the shoulder with enough force to make Caleb''s chair spin slightly. "This could be it."


    But something wasn''t sitting right. In less than thirty minutes, we''d managed to gather a substantial amount of data and pinpoint a potential location for the criminals. It seemed almost too easy. Like following a trail of breadcrumbs that someone wanted us to find. I couldn''t believe villains would be so careless, and it baffled me that the government had made so little progress. Hell, the train incident was still plastered all over TV ¨C my mom called me every night asking if I''d heard anything new. It was like a wildfire that refused to burn out. So why was there such a delay?


    Caleb leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk of pride on his face. ¡°Just doing my part,¡± he said.


    Alex placed a hand on my shoulder. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± I replied, shaking my head. But after a moment, I sighed. ¡°I just feel like something¡¯s off. Suspicious.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Alex pressed.


    ¡°We might not be approaching this correctly,¡± I said, my tone thoughtful. ¡°If we could piece this much together in such a short time, how has no one else figured it out? And the supers¡ªare all of them so incompetent that they can¡¯t put two and two together?¡±


    A tense silence settled between us, the question hanging unanswered.


    "You''re right to be suspicious," Caleb said, reaching for another energy drink.


    "But people, the general populace ¡ª are very stupid. Trust me, I see it every day in their search histories. They ignore the obvious signs, too busy searching for answers in the dark when the truth is right in front of them."


    "Like how everyone freaked out about the new meta-regulation bill last month, but nobody noticed when they quietly passed that surveillance expansion act."


    "As for governments, supers, whoever¡ªthey''re often their own worst enemies," Caleb continued, his tone carrying the weight of someone who''d seen too much through his screens. "We have three official government agencies in play, and I guarantee you they''re all working the same case without talking to each other. Probably got their heads so far up their own bureaucratic asses they wouldn''t notice if the villains posted their address on social media."


    "The Watchmen¡ªat the federal level, they gather intel and monitor threats. Then there''s the City Protectors, your basic law enforcement with some extra muscle, handling minor incidents and local crimes. And finally, the White Knights¡ªthe elite squad meant to take on the big threats."


    He tapped on the keyboard, pulling up profiles of each group. His monitor was filled with official logos and mission statements that looked like they''d been designed by the same marketing team. "The problem is, they don''t work together."


    "The Protectors are spread too thin¡ªI mean, last week they had Silver Strike chasing down purse snatchers while a meta-powered gang robbed the First National." He pulled up a news clip showing a frustrated-looking hero in a silver suit talking to reporters. "The Knights are too focused on global-level threats, probably still obsessing over that alien signal from Jupiter that turned out to be space junk. And the Watchmen?"


    He laughed. "They''re so busy spying on china and russia that they forget to act on the intel they gather. Who knows, they might have had intel about the train attack three days before it happened."


    Alex, who¡¯d been quiet until now, frowned. "So, what are you saying? That government is useless?"


    Caleb chuckled, shaking his head. "Not useless. Just inefficient. And while they''re busy tripping over themselves, private organizations and superhero teams are doing the rest of the work."


    He tossed the can at the recycling bin, missing completely. "But, honestly, what can you expect from them? My cousin applied to the City Protectors last year. You know what they tested her on? Social media management and PR crisis handling. Not, you know, actual protecting."


    "Superheroes these days aren''t what they used to be," he continued, pulling up a trending video of a recent rescue operation. The camera spent more time on the hero''s face than the actual rescue. "It''s all about who can make the biggest splash. Forget heroics; It''s not about saving the day anymore¡ªit''s about who can trend on social media fastest. Hell, my sister''s high school has a ''Hero Influencer'' club now."


    "The real problem is that most superhero teams nowadays," he gestured at a series of team photos, each more posed than the last, "well¡ªthey''re just young teenagers, ambitious, and hungry for recognition, with flashy, somewhat useful powers. They''re like toxic kpop bands from Korea¡ªrunning around the city all day, chasing fame and recognition. I honestly wonder if they even make any money."


    Caleb pulled up some financial reports. "Actually, I know they don''t. Most of them are living off sponsorship deals and energy drink commercials."


    He gestured to the screen, where a flashy website plastered with young superheroes in dramatic poses filled the monitor. Their vibrant, neon-themed suits screamed for attention, complete with QR codes linking to their merchandise stores. A video auto-played showing a team taking selfies with civilians they''d just rescued from a burning building. Caleb snorted. "See? Becoming a hero these days is less about saving people and more about a quick fame scheme. Last week, I watched the ''Neon Knights''¡ªyeah, that''s really their name¡ªstop a bank robbery. Know what they did first? Set up ring lights for their livestream."This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Caleb clicked through several profiles of the super¡¯s team. The blue light from his monitors reflected off his glasses as he pulled up a particularly flashy webpage. "Take the most popular group right now: NovaLine. God, their merch sales alone could probably fund a city."


    "Their concept is space, and their team consists of five members, all with solid powers: Starstrike, their leader, has the light-speed thing going ¨C though between you and me, I''ve analyzed their footage, and it''s more like really fast jogging with good special effects."


    He clicked through their profile photos. "Orbit does gravity manipulation, which is actually pretty impressive when she''s not using it for their signature floating group poses. Flare brings the heat ¨C literally burned down three buildings last month trying to get the perfect action shot. Comet leaves pretty light trails while teleporting, though it''s only a few feet max. Mostly used for their dance routines, if we''re being honest. And Nebula?" He snorted. "Makes these aesthetic force fields that look perfect for social media clips. At least those are actually useful in a fight."


    ¡°They¡¯ve got this whole futuristic, neon-aesthetic vibe going on. Dynamic choreography, dramatic poses¡ªthe works.¡±


    I squinted at the screen, noting the team''s striking designs. It felt more like I was browsing a music band''s fan page than a superhero registry. The ''Shop Now'' button was bigger than their emergency contact information.


    "They''re all sixteen," Caleb added, minimizing a pop-up for their upcoming fan meet. "But their reputation''s rock solid. In just the last week, they''ve taken down more than a dozen villains." He paused, fingers hovering over the keyboard. "Though, I think most of those ''villains'' were probably staged.


    Caleb continued his monologue about the various superhero groups. "Every district has their stars," he explained, scrolling through an endless parade of young faces and flashy costumes. "It''s like high school cliques, but with super powers and PR teams."


    "Take Apex in the North District," he said, pulling up another profile. "They''re basically the jocks of the superhero world. Their leader, Strike, has super speed and reflexes ¨C which he mostly uses to photobomb other heroes'' action shots. Then there''s Jumper, who can leap incredible distances and has the agility of an acrobat. Girl''s got a whole makeup line now, if you can believe it. Ironheart boasts super strength and a degree of invulnerability, while Pulse controls kinetic energy to boost the team''s abilities. Lastly, Glitch can temporarily disrupt enemy powers or tech ¨C though lately she''s been more focused on disrupting social media algorithms to boost their content."


    "Their whole vibe is bold and confident¡ªthey love dramatic visuals and power poses." He showed us their latest campaign. "They''re sponsored by six different energy drink companies.


    Ethan leaned forward, frowning. "I remember when Ironheart first started. She actually cared about helping people. Now look at her ¨C hawking protein shakes and doing superhero workout videos."


    Caleb shifted to another profile. "Now, over in the West District, you''ve got Radi8. They''re all about teamwork and unity, aiming to inspire hope ¨C and sell friendship bracelets, apparently."


    The screen filled with pastel colors and motivational quotes. "Their leader, Glow, emits blinding light and can heal minor wounds. Mostly paper cuts at their autograph sessions, these days. Spectrum creates small illusions, while Dynamo uses kinetic energy for controlled, non-harmful explosions ¨C perfect for their concert-style public appearances. Horizon bends and manipulates light waves, and Shine deflects energy and creates reflective force fields. They''re more subtle compared to other teams, but their teamwork makes them stand out. Plus their merch actually looks decent."


    "Then there''s StormSix from the South District." Caleb clicked again, and the screen darkened dramatically. "They''ve got a dark, mysterious aesthetic¡ªmodern-day goths, basically. Think Hot Topic meets Justice League." He pulled up their latest photo shoot. "Skyline, their leader, can fly at incredible speeds and manipulate air currents. He''s got a solid reputation and might even make it into Beyonder''s Academy ¨C if he can stop posting brooding rooftop selfies long enough to study. Frost creates ice shields and weapons, while Static discharges bursts of electricity. Viper delivers venomous, paralyzing attacks, and Eclipse can obscure themselves or others like a solar eclipse. They play heavily into the whole brooding, enigmatic vibe."


    "I actually saw them in action last week," Alex admitted.


    He scrolled to another team. "Lastly, we have Strik3rs from the East District, the hotbed of violent crime. These kids... they''ve actually got something real going on." His tone shifted, becoming more respectful. "Their leader, Chronos, manipulates time to increase speed or create stasis. Lost his sister in a gang shooting last year ¨C maybe that''s why they take this more seriously than the others."


    The profile pictures were notably less polished than the other teams''. "Slipstream teleports short distances by bending space ¨C saved my cousin once during a meta-gang raid. Fray unravels the structural integrity of objects over time, while Thornspire generates fast-growing, thorn-covered vines. Impulse projects short bursts of telekinetic energy. They''re gritty and efficient, but being in the East District means they''ve got their hands full." He pulled up their activity log. "Three shootings just this week. No cameras, no poses ¨C just work."


    Caleb leaned back, his chair creaking. "These four or five teams are the most famous right now, but there are at least two dozen others out there competing for villains, fame, money, and reputation." He gestured at a wall of smaller profile pictures. "The thing is, most of these groups don''t last. Every year, some teams die off due to dangerous incidents ¨C like the Starbursts last month, total wipeout during what should''ve been a simple bank robbery." His voice caught slightly. "And others break up because they can''t secure enough funding. Superhero work doesn''t come cheap¡ªthere''s equipment to buy, costumes to maintain, weapons, information, and even a base to keep running. Medical bills too, though nobody likes to talk about those."


    He finished with a shrug, clearly unfazed by the churn of heroes and teams.


    In just a short time, he had bombarded me with more information than I¡¯d ever thought to gather. I could only shake my head, trying to process it all.


    Am I getting old? I wondered. I hadn¡¯t realized there were so many superhero groups, nor that most of them weren¡¯t even adults. The whole thing felt chaotic.


    Caleb must have noticed my confusion because he addressed it with a shrug."Most adults work directly with the government," he explained, pulling up the more official-looking pages. "They''re smarter. Steady paycheck, health insurance, retirement plan¡ªwhy risk your neck freelance when you can have benefits? These kids though..." He shook his head. "They''re reckless and idealistic¡ªthey''re the ones who jump headfirst into this circus. Half of them think they''re going to revolutionize heroism or something."


    "Been there," Alex muttered, absently rubbing his left arm.


    I shot him a curious glance.


    "Still," Caleb continued, "most of the heavy lifting is actually done by the City Protectors or the White Knights. These teenage superhero groups might be flashy, but they still have to report to the Watchmen and follow clear instructions before taking any action. So, they''re not entirely running wild." He paused, then added with a grimace, "Though some of them try. Last week the NovaLine kids tried to take on a Class-3 threat without clearance. Nearly leveled a city block trying to get the perfect action shot."


    Caleb suddenly shifted his gaze to Alex, who had been unusually quiet for a while. A mischievous chuckle escaped him, as if struck by a particularly funny memory.


    "Speaking of which," he said, leaning back in his chair with an all-too-pleased smirk, "Alex still has a pretty big fan base. He was a pretty notorious villain just a year ago."


    My head snapped toward Alex so fast I nearly gave myself whiplash.


    "Wait¡ªwhat?"


    Alex groaned, rubbing his face with both hands as if physically trying to scrub away the embarrassment. "Don¡¯t bring that up," he muttered, his voice muffled. "Those were rough days."


    "Rough days?" Caleb repeated, feigning mock surprise. "Buddy, you were on wanted lists. There were forums dedicated to tracking your movements. People still talk about you like some kind of urban legend."


    Alex let out a long, suffering sigh. "I swear to God, Caleb¡ª"


    I stared at him, my mind scrambling to piece this together. Alex? A villain?


    The thought was almost laughable. The Alex I knew was sharp, resourceful, and maybe a little too laid-back at times, but he wasn¡¯t the type to go around terrorizing the city. What could¡¯ve possibly pushed him to join a villain gang?


    I opened my mouth to ask, but the way his shoulders tensed, the way he refused to meet my eyes, made me pause.


    He wasn¡¯t willing to talk about it.


    At least, not now.


    I let the question settle in the back of my mind, a lingering thread I¡¯d have to pull at later.


    Still, I couldn¡¯t resist one comment.


    "So, what was your villain name?"


    Alex groaned louder. "I¡¯m not answering that."


    Caleb, of course, had no such reservations.


    "Oh, it was¡ª"


    "CALEB, I SWEAR¡ª"


    "Fine, fine." Caleb held up his hands in mock surrender but shot me a sly grin. "But if you ever wanna know, I might be persuaded for the right price."


    Anyway, Looking at all this data, the city¡¯s superhero ecosystem began to take clearer shape in my mind. It was a bizarre blend of old-school heroics and modern celebrity culture.


    Part of me wanted to dismiss it all as a flashy sideshow, but the takedown numbers didn¡¯t lie. These groups were making a measurable impact. Still, I couldn¡¯t help feeling that Caleb was exaggerating some of his points with flawed reasoning. Sure, kids could be reckless, but no one willingly threw their life into danger without some deeper reason. If these kids were just brain-rotted fame-chasers, that would be another story entirely.


    Finally, I felt like I had a handle on why the city¡¯s investigation into the train incident was dragging.


    It wasn¡¯t just incompetence¡ªit was a toxic mix of disorganization and self-absorption. The people we relied on to protect us were either buried under mountains of red tape, too focused on their own agendas, or too inexperienced to handle something as large-scale and dangerous as the train incident.


    It was a mess.


    A mess that, apparently, we¡¯d have to deal with ourselves.


    "So, are we going to check out the warehouse?" Caleb asked, practically vibrating with excitement.


    I turned to him, raising an eyebrow. He looked ready to leap out of his chair, his fingers twitching like he was already running through scenarios in his head.


    I wasn¡¯t sure he fully understood what he¡¯d be getting into¡ªespecially if we ran into something like the bloody demon rats again.


    "It¡¯s dangerous," Ethan interjected before I could respond. "You shouldn¡¯t even think about it. I¡¯m not going either, so you should stay put." His tone was firm, the kind of voice that brooked no argument.


    I nodded in agreement. "This isn¡¯t some digital deep dive, Caleb. If we run into something nasty, you won¡¯t be able to ctrl+z your way out of it."


    Caleb scoffed, leaning back in his chair like we were the ones being ridiculous. "Why do you think I helped you guys?" His voice sharpened, frustration creeping in. "I want to be part of whatever mission you¡¯re on. I didn¡¯t go digging just to be left behind."


    Ethan ran a hand through his hair, exhaling through his nose like he was already exhausted by the conversation. "Yeah? And what exactly do you bring to the table in a fight?"


    Caleb crossed his arms, smirking. "Information is power, my friend."


    Ethan rolled his eyes. "Not when something is actively trying to eat you."


    "Look, I get it," Caleb continued, unbothered by Ethan¡¯s skepticism. "You think I¡¯m just some nerd who never leaves his cave. And maybe that¡¯s mostly true. But I¡¯ve been keeping tabs on things like this for years. You need someone who knows how to track patterns, find hidden connections. Besides, you¡¯ll need eyes outside while you¡¯re in there."


    I frowned, considering. He wasn¡¯t wrong. Having someone feeding us real-time intel while we were on-site could be useful.


    Ethan, however, was less impressed. "And you¡¯d do this from where, exactly? That sad excuse for a couch?"


    "I have a van." Caleb shot back, looking almost offended.


    Ethan blinked. "You have a van?"


    "Yes, Ethan, I have a van. What, you think I just sit here in my little hacker cave all day?"


    Ethan and I exchanged glances.


    "Yes," we both said in unison.


    Caleb groaned. "Unbelievable. Look, the point is, I can help. I¡¯ll stay outside, keep comms open, feed you any data you need in real-time. You need me on this."


    Now I had a headache.


    I met Caleb¡¯s gaze directly, making sure my tone was measured but firm.


    "Caleb, you need to understand something," I began. "This isn¡¯t like what you see on TV. We were literally besieged by tens of thousands of bloody rats. Their teeth can shred iron like paper. We¡¯re not talking about one enemy or even a dozen¡ªwe¡¯re talking about a swarm of killing machines coming at you from every direction."


    I leaned forward slightly, ensuring every word landed.


    "There¡¯s no escape. The only path is death¡ªand that¡¯s being eaten alive by those hellish creatures."


    Caleb¡¯s smirk faltered, just for a second.


    Good.


    I didn¡¯t care if he wanted to prove himself, didn¡¯t care if he had some kind of hero complex. But if he ended up dead because of me, I¡¯d carry that weight. And I wasn¡¯t about to let that happen.


    "Guys, guys," Caleb said, waving a hand dismissively. "I¡¯ve seen photos of those things on the internet. I think I can handle them with the gear I¡¯ve got."


    Ethan let out a strangled noise, somewhere between disbelief and barely-contained rage. "Did you just¡ªdid you just say ¡®photos on the internet¡¯ like that qualifies as combat experience?"


    I exhaled sharply, rubbing my temples. "Caleb¡ª"


    But before I could get another word in, he was already on his feet, striding confidently toward a tall cupboard in the corner of the room. With a dramatic flourish, he swung the doors open.


    I blinked.


    Inside was an arsenal of high-tech weaponry. Plasma rifles, blasters, and other advanced firearms gleamed under the dim light, their polished surfaces practically radiating his misplaced confidence.


    Ethan¡¯s mouth actually dropped open. "You have¡ªwhat the hell¡ªhow do you have all this?"


    Caleb grinned like a kid on Christmas. "A little collecting. A little trading. A little ¡®fell off the back of a truck¡¯ situation."


    Ethan turned to me, utterly exasperated. "Why do I feel like we should be reporting this to someone?"


    I barely heard him. My jaw tightened as I stared at the collection.


    This guy is serious.


    But seriousness didn¡¯t necessarily mean preparedness.


    And then it hit me¡ªan uncomfortable realization settling like a lead weight in my stomach.


    Guys like Caleb.


    The ones who overestimate their abilities. The ones who think having the best gear makes them invincible. The ones who assume they¡¯ll be the exception, that they won¡¯t be the ones who freeze up, who panic, who hesitate at the worst possible moment.


    They¡¯re always the first to die in zombie apocalypse movies.

 Act 2.28 (Chrysalis)

    Alex¡¯s brow furrowed, skepticism etched into his expression. "Caleb, it¡¯s not just about you finding someone who killed a mutant rat on the internet. Let¡¯s cut to it¡ªwhat¡¯s your meta-nature?"


    Caleb visibly hesitated, his posture stiffening just a little, his cheeks flushing faintly as if he didn¡¯t often talk about it. "It¡¯s nothing special," he muttered, waving his hand dismissively. "I can¡­ sense leaks."


    I tilted my head. "Leaks?"


    He nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. "It started off vague, you know, like an intuition. But lately, I¡¯ve been honing it¡ªfocused it specifically on technology. So you could say I¡¯ve leveled it up."


    Alex¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. "Explain."


    Caleb exhaled, finally straightening up a bit as he elaborated. "I can detect anything slipping through the cracks¡ªdata breaches, power fluctuations, even faulty code in a system. If something¡¯s bleeding information, I can feel it. I guess you could say I¡¯m like a living diagnostic tool."


    I clicked my tongue, considering his words.


    It wasn¡¯t a flashy meta-nature like super strength or flight, but it was leagues better than, say, the ability to toast a sandwich with your bare hands. With billions of humans on Earth, powers ranged from godlike to downright trivial. Caleb¡¯s ability might not be the most exciting, but it was practical¡ªand already more useful than what ninety percent of the population could boast.


    "Honestly, it¡¯s underrated," I admitted, meeting Caleb¡¯s eyes. His meta-nature was fascinating.


    His lips twitched slightly, like he wanted to brush off the compliment but wasn¡¯t used to hearing one.


    "But," I continued, my tone firm but not unkind, "it¡¯s still not enough if we¡¯re dealing with something like another demon rat horde. Your skills are invaluable for what we¡¯re doing right now, but out there? In the field? It¡¯s a whole different game. Your meta-nature is about precision and insight, not fighting. And frankly, all your weapons in the closet won¡¯t keep you alive if things go south."


    Caleb¡¯s shoulders slumped slightly, and for a moment, I caught a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.


    I wasn¡¯t trying to crush him¡ªI was just being honest.


    Still, after a second, he nodded, as if he¡¯d already known this was coming.


    "I get it," he said, his voice subdued but steady. "You¡¯re not wrong."


    Alex studied him for a beat before sighing. "Look, man, it¡¯s not that we don¡¯t trust your abilities. It¡¯s just that we know what happens to people who overestimate themselves in a fight. And we don¡¯t want you to end up as another cautionary tale."


    Caleb let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "Wow, thanks. Really feeling the love here."


    I smiled. "Good. That means you¡¯re listening."


    Caleb looked between us, his lips pressing into a thin line. For a moment, it seemed like he might argue, but then he sighed, leaning back in his chair. ¡°Alright, I hear you. I¡¯ll stay back.¡±


    The tension eased slightly, and I nodded in appreciation. ¡°Good. We need you here anyway. Someone has to keep an eye on the data, track the movements, and alert us if anything changes. That¡¯s just as important as being on the front lines.¡±


    Caleb let out a dry laugh, his shoulders relaxing. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll play the guy in the chair then,¡± he said, gesturing to the monitors surrounding him. ¡°You guys can be the heroes.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not heroes,¡± Alex corrected, his tone light but meaningful. ¡°We¡¯re just doing what we can. And so are you.¡±


    Caleb smirked, his usual confidence returning. ¡°Fair enough. Just don¡¯t get yourselves killed out there.¡±


    ¡°Not planning to,¡± I said, standing up and stretching. ¡°But if we don¡¯t check in, feel free to raise hell.¡±


    Caleb grinned, his fingers already flying across the keyboard. ¡°Oh, you can count on that.¡±


    Alex, Ethan, and I exchanged glances, letting out a collective sigh of relief. With Caleb safely persuaded, we headed toward the exit. I glanced back at the house one last time, hoping that everything would be alright with him.


    Hopefully, he doesn¡¯t try something stupid. I had a feel that with Caleb, you could never be too sure.


    As we stood outside, waiting for our ride, I turned to Alex. "What do you think?"


    Alex glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. "About what?"


    "About heading to the warehouse."


    A slow, knowing grin spread across his face. "I¡¯m with you. Just tell me when, and I¡¯ll be there."


    I nodded, satisfied with his response. "We should call the others," I added after a moment. "If we¡¯re going to do this, they¡¯ll definitely want in. I don¡¯t think anyone wants to miss a chance like this."


    Alex exhaled sharply, already reaching for his phone. "You¡¯re probably right." His eyes lit up as he scrolled through his contacts, dialing numbers without hesitation.


    I shifted my gaze to Ethan, who stood a few steps away, his hands stuffed deep in his pockets. His posture was relaxed, but there was something distant about his expression, something weighed down.


    "What about you?" I asked. "Do you want to come with us?"


    Ethan hesitated, his jaw shifting slightly as he chewed on his thoughts. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet, deliberate. "Sorry, but¡­ I¡¯m really not interested. It¡¯s just not my thing. Sorry again."


    He meant it. It wasn¡¯t a dismissal, not an excuse¡ªit was the kind of honesty that didn¡¯t need to be justified. After all, he had decided to help us so far was already a blessing and there was no reason for him to force himself for our cause.


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± I said casually. ¡°Better to stay out if you¡¯re not feeling it.¡±


    Ethan¡¯s lips quirked up, "Just¡­ watch your backs, alright?"


    Alex, still on the phone, glanced over and smirked. "Please. You think we¡¯d do anything but that?"


    Ethan rolled his eyes but didn¡¯t argue.


    After two minutes, Alex and I climbed into the car as it pulled up, leaving Ethan standing on the quiet street behind us. He didn¡¯t say anything as we left, just gave a small nod before turning away, disappearing into the shadows of the city.


    As the car rolled forward, streetlights flickered past in a steady rhythm. The silence between Alex and me was comfortable, both of us lost in thought until he finally spoke.


    "I messaged everyone. Where should I tell them to gather?"


    I exhaled, gaze drifting to the window as I thought. "The abandoned warehouse is on the outskirts of the South District." The words left a bitter taste in my mouth. Just saying it made the whole situation feel more real. "It¡¯s hard to believe things like this are happening just around the corner."


    "I live in the South District," Alex pointed out.


    ¡°Same."


    A moment of silence.


    Then, Alex leaned back in his seat, voice thoughtful. "I read in the newspaper that the North District has the least crime out of all."


    I smirked, glancing at him. "Well, you know who runs that place."


    Alex huffed a quiet laugh. "Yeah, I do."


    He didn¡¯t elaborate, and I didn¡¯t push. Some things didn¡¯t need to be said.


    Instead, I shifted back to the task at hand. "Tell them to meet us at Depot24. I¡¯ve got some stuff there that could come in handy." I turned slightly in my seat, eyeing him. "Do you have a weapon or something you carry?"


    "Yeah, at home," Alex replied, already anticipating where I was going with this.


    "Good. Make sure to tell everyone not to forget theirs." My tone was serious. "You can swing by your place to grab it after dropping me off at the lockers."


    Alex nodded, fingers flying over his phone screen as he sent the details. The blue glow of the device illuminated his face, casting faint shadows under his eyes.


    After twenty minutes, the car slowed to a stop near Depot24.


    I stepped out first, the winter air immediately biting through my jacket. The cold made everything sharper¡ªthe scent of damp concrete, the faint flicker of a broken streetlight nearby, the distant noise of a train passing on the tracks.


    Alex stayed in the car, watching as I adjusted my bag.


    "I''ll grab what we need from inside," I said, glancing back at him. "Swing by your place, grab your stuff, and meet me back here."


    Depot24 was a massive storage warehouse. They had branches scattered across every continent¡ªand even beyond Earth¡ªso I could say, it was more than just a storage facility. It was a global corporation, and for good reason. Its storage lockers weren''t ordinary, each unit existed in a pocket dimension. They were the work of a meta-powered superhero whose abilities dealt with manipulating space. This unique design allowed customers to access their belongings from anywhere in the world, as long as they had their unit credentials.


    Unit 2187. My home away from home. My little secret.


    The location wasn''t crowded, so my number was called quickly. An associate led me to the unit, navigating the maze of corridors with practiced ease. She didn''t ask questions¡ªthey never did here. That was part of the appeal. I nodded my thanks as they left, leaving me alone in front of the storage unit.


    I pressed my finger to the scanner nearby, wincing slightly as a needle pricked my skin, drawing a small drop of blood. The lock operated by matching DNA¡ªa security measure that was, frankly, over the top, but necessary given the nature of what people stored here. I didn¡¯t need to guess what some people stored here: experimental meta-tech, banned artifacts, even a few cryo-pods. My stuff probably wasn''t even close to the most dangerous items in storage.


    The scanner beeped, and a green light pulsed. Access granted.


    As the door slid open with a soft hiss, I was greeted by the sight of my stash: racks of guns and blasters, pieces of advanced equipment from my illegal lab, and the suit Jade and I had designed together. It was a collection I couldn¡¯t afford to keep at home¡ªnot with Aunt Grace around. This warehouse had become the perfect hiding spot for everything too dangerous or suspicious to leave lying around.


    This wasn¡¯t my first dive into chaos this cycle.


    And I doubted it would be the last.


    As I zipped up the bag, my phone buzzed against my hip.


    A message from Jade.


    Jade: Where are you? (-"-)


    Me: Busy.


    A few seconds later¡ª


    Jade: I miss you. <3, (£Ô¨Œ£Ô)


    I paused, taking a deep breath. I felt the same¡ªI wanted to see her, to hug her, to feel her heartbeat against mine.


    Me: Miss you too. (¤Ã- ? ¨C ?)


    Jade: Did you find any clues?


    Me: Yeah!


    I recounted the play of events that had played after I left.


    Jade: Wish I could be there. It sounds fun! T^T


    Me: You should rest! I¡¯ll be home soon.


    Jade: ?(????)?


    Jade: Are you going alone? :-S


    Me: Others are coming, don¡¯t worry.


    ¡°...¡±


    For a moment, there was nothing. No immediate reply, no rapid-fire texts, just a lingering silence that made me wonder if she had fallen asleep or busy with something.


    Then¡ª


    Jade: You know, I convinced Callisto to meet us tomorrow in person. He¡¯ll show us his work tomorrow. (^o^)د ¨R¡ó¨Q


    Me: :|, (-"-), (¡ã¡ó¡ã),


    I was speechless. Somehow, she¡¯d managed to convince him to reveal his secret project¡ªa feat that was, by all accounts, completely insane. That man was crazy and had serious problems, and I was pretty sure in my head, I didn¡¯t want to have any relationship with him. I had experienced first hand, when two crazy people join forces, it¡¯s rarely a recipe for anything good. And that¡¯s exactly why I was worried.


    (¡ñ__¡ñ)This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    But what was done, was done. I could only silently lament my fate. There was no way I could turn around now and tell Jade I wasn¡¯t meeting him. That bridge had already been crossed, and I had no choice but to follow through.


    Jade: I made your favorite cookies.


    Me: The chocolate chip ones?


    My mouth actually watered at the thought.


    Jade: And something else...


    I paused mid-typing. Something else?


    Me: ...What something else?


    Jade: But it''s a surpriseeeee! (¡É¨y¡É)


    Yeah, no thanks! (??©n?)


    Her last surprise had been a burnt, salty cake that had the density of a brick. And I, being a good boyfriend and a complete fool, had chewed through it like it was perfectly edible¡ªbefore promptly visiting a dentist the next day.


    But these were just the fears in my head. The things I couldn¡¯t type out loud unless I wanted to break her heart and get guilt-tripped for the next month.


    So instead¡ª


    Me: Can¡¯t wait! (¡Ð?¡Ð)


    My inner self immediately screamed at the blatant lie I had just committed to.


    By the time Alex returned, I was leaning against the warehouse entrance, duffel bag slung over my shoulder, still texting Jade while keeping an eye on the empty lot. My gaze swept the area, my senses tuned for any unwanted company.


    Me: Alex is her, Later! ¦Å=¦Å=


    Jade: Be safe! (¥Î_<¡£)


    Jade: I love you infinity plus one! ?(????)


    Me: Love you more. Infinity plus two. ?


    Jade: NO! I love you more!


    I could practically hear the dramatic stomp of her foot through the screen.


    I chuckled to myself, shaking my head.


    Me: Okiee! £ß|£þ|¡ð


    "What¡¯s with the dopey look?"


    I looked up at Alex, unable to hide my smile. "Nothing."


    He snorted. "Yeah, sure. Tell your girlfriend to stop distracting you before you become a complete fool."


    I rolled my eyes. "She¡¯s not distracting me."


    "Right. And I don¡¯t have a criminal record."


    I shot him a look.


    Then, out of nowhere¡ª


    "I still can¡¯t believe you actually pulled Jade somehow." He questioned, more to himself.


    I blinked. "What?"


    "I mean, I just¡ªhow? How did you manage that?" He waved a hand vaguely, as if trying to physically grasp the thought. "Like, I know you¡¯re not bad looking or anything," he continued, "but dude. She¡¯s just¡ªshe¡¯s unreal. Both her talent and looks are onn other level. And you???"


    I snorted, shaking my head. "You¡¯re making it sound like I won the lottery."


    Alex shot me a look. "That¡¯s exactly what happened!" He gestured dramatically. "I mean, we¡¯re all just normal. And then there¡¯s Jade¡ª In just her first week at the academy, she bullied each and every one of us thoroughly. I think, she wasn¡¯t even trying to be mean, she was just¡ª"He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair¡ª"She came off so cold and cruel. She had that whole ¡®unapproachable, ice-queen, don¡¯t-even-think-about-talking-to-me¡¯ aura going on."


    "She¡¯s not cruel and cold," I muttered, trying to defend her. "She¡¯s one of the sweetest people I know."


    Alex blinked at me, his face a mix of bewilderment and mild betrayal.


    "Sweet?" He repeated, like I had just told him water wasn¡¯t wet. "Jade?"


    I crossed my arms, doubling down. "Yeah."


    Alex side-eyed me. "That¡¯s the most disgustingly romantic thing I¡¯ve heard all day."


    "Tell that to literally everyone who¡¯s ever had a crush on her and got obliterated before they could even shoot their shot."


    I grinned. "Jealous?"


    "Not even remotely. I just think the universe glitched when it paired you two up." He shook his head, "You¡¯re too far gone," he muttered. Then, his expression turned mockingly serious. "Don¡¯t come to me complaining later if she leaves you for someone better."


    I rolled my eyes. "Yeah? And who¡¯s better than me?"


    Alex didn¡¯t even hesitate. "Literally anyone."


    I burst out laughing, shaking my head. "You¡¯re an asshole."


    I was about to fire back another sarcastic remark when, my phone buzzed again.


    Jade: I forgot to tell you. ,,,^..^,,,~


    Jade: I have something special for you, when you come home tonight. :p


    Me: .?oO( ... )


    Suspicious.


    Highly suspicious.


    The last time she said that, she made me join her for karaoke night. Just us, in the living room. Sounds innocent, right? Until she turned it into a full-blown performance, complete with duet choreography that ended with me tripping over the couch and pulling her down with me. She recorded that too. The time before that? She had somehow convinced me to dress as her favorite comic character. Complete with wig, makeup, and an outfit that was entirely too tight in certain areas and too revealing. The photographic evidence still haunted me.


    Me: Whatever it is, I''m not wearing any weird clothes this time.


    Her response came almost instantly.


    Jade: No promises!


    Me: Bye!


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    I groaned, already bracing myself for whatever fate awaited me later. Jade¡¯s surprises were always a gamble¡ªbut, I had to admit, I didn¡¯t exactly hate them. In some ways, I even look forward to them. Even when they left me red-faced and questioning my life choices, they always had a way of sticking with me in the best way. Moreover, they made Jade very happy, so the small sacrifice of my ego and pride was worth every laugh it earned.


    Before I could get lost in my thoughts further, Alex¡¯s voice pulled me back to reality.


    "Got everything?" he asked, leaning against the car.


    "Yeah," I said plainly, adjusting my bag on my shoulder.


    Alex glanced around the empty lot. "No one else is here yet?"


    "Not yet." My eyes swept the surroundings, ever watchful. The air was cold and quiet, but I knew it wouldn¡¯t stay that way for long.


    All we could do now was wait. Five minutes later, headlights flickered in the distance. One by one, cars began pulling up, their engines humming low in the otherwise still night. Soon, a familiar group stepped out, forming a small circle near the warehouse entrance.


    Lore. Henry. Gina. Vinico.


    Our little squad¡ªa mix of talent, confidence, and, honestly, questionable decision-making skills.


    At least Henry had brought his car, meaning we would have to cram into a single vehicle like last time. We piled in, shifting and squeezing into the cramped space as Henry pulled out of the lot.


    The South District was massive, sprawling across miles of industrial zones and forgotten backstreets. The drive would take at least an hour, leaving plenty of time for pre-mission bickering.


    It didn¡¯t take long.


    "I can¡¯t believe it¡¯s actually happening," Gina squealed, practically bouncing in her seat. "We¡¯re finally going on a mission together¡ªlike a real superhero team!"


    I rolled my eyes, leaning my head against the cool window.


    Why were all my friends crazy in one way or another?


    Was it bad luck? A cosmic joke?


    I stared up at the sky, half-expecting some divine answer.


    Nope. Nothing.


    It wasn¡¯t luck. It had to be something else entirely.


    "Curb your enthusiasm," Lore cut in, her voice as even and calm as ever. Out of the six of us, she was the most grounded¡ªwhich wasn¡¯t saying much. "We don¡¯t even know what we¡¯re walking into."


    "So what?" Vinico shot back, leaning forward in his seat. "We¡¯re from Beyonder Academy. Each of us has a meta nature strong enough to cause chaos wherever we go. If I can¡¯t even win a small fight, I might as well pack up, go home, and get a boring desk job."


    I shook my head. Arrogance ran deep in this group.


    Vinico, especially. They were all confident, maybe too confident for their own good.


    Lore sighed, rubbing her temple before turning to me. "Are you sure the villains have people captured in that building?"


    I shrugged. "No. About a thirty percent chance they¡¯re there. There¡¯s also a decent chance the warehouse is just some random villain¡¯s lair."


    The car fell silent for a second.


    Then¡ª


    "So we¡¯re going in blind," Henry said flatly, cutting straight to the point.


    "Pretty much," Alex replied, entirely too casual.


    Gina, still buzzing with excitement, grinned. "Sounds like fun."


    "Let¡¯s get there first," I said, trying to rein things in before they got too carried away. "If it turns out to be something serious, we¡¯ll step in. If it¡¯s just a random villain¡¯s hideout, we back out. It¡¯s not smart to go barging into enemy territory without thinking it through. Our safety comes first."


    Vinico made a dismissive noise, leaning back against the seat. "C¡¯mon, we¡¯re not exactly helpless. What¡¯s the worst that could happen?"


    I gave him a pointed look. "Would you like a list?"


    Lore nodded, backing me up immediately. "He''s right. We have no idea what we''re dealing with. This isn''t one of those Academy simulations where we can reset if something goes wrong."


    "Exactly," I said, locking eyes with Vinico until he finally exhaled and rolled his eyes.


    "Fine, fine," he muttered. "I get it. Be careful, don¡¯t die. Whatever."


    Gina, who had been eerily quiet, suddenly grinned. "I vote we at least get into one fight tonight. What¡¯s the point of all this tension if we don¡¯t get to punch something?"


    Henry groaned from the driver¡¯s seat. "You people are unbelievable."


    "Hey, it¡¯s called team bonding," Gina shot back.


    Alex smirked but stayed quiet, his fingers tapping idly on his knee as he watched the exchange. He wasn¡¯t usually one for long speeches, but I could tell he was on my side about this¡ªwatchful, waiting, ready to step in if things got too reckless.


    I sighed, shifting slightly in my seat. "Listen, I get it. You¡¯re all itching for action. But we¡¯re not just here to flex our powers. If people are actually trapped, we¡¯re getting them out first. That¡¯s the mission."


    Vinico huffed. "And then we punch the villains?"


    "Then," I relented, "you can punch the villains."


    Sometimes I wondered if his simplistic approach to problems was a blessing or a curse. The way he saw it, most problems could be solved with a well-placed punch. Unfortunately, he was often right. Gina fist-pumped the air, looking way too pleased. Her enthusiasm for violence should have been concerning, but I''d learned to appreciate her eagerness. At least someone was looking forward to what was coming. Lore shook her head but didn''t argue, which I took as a small victory.


    From the moment I decided to head to the warehouse earlier in the day, I had been constantly checking the Likeness of everything and everyone around me. The world seemed painted in shades of red, a glaring warning I couldn¡¯t ignore. And as the hours passed and we drew closer to the warehouse, the red deepened, swirling with orange like a brewing storm. It wasn¡¯t just an abstract sense anymore¡ªI could almost see it, a chaotic storm hovering over the area.


    Just above the warehouse, hundreds of illusory pigeons scattered in erratic bursts, flapping blindly in every direction before vanishing into the horizon.


    Henry parked the car a few kilometers away from the warehouse, his usual steady hands gripping the wheel a bit too tightly.


    The area was eerily quiet, a flat expanse of dried grass stretching out in all directions. There wasn''t much here except a scattering of old buildings, likely homes to a few generational farmers. Rusting machinery stood idle in nearby fields, and a handful of cows grazed lazily, oblivious to the tension in the air. Or maybe they were just better at hiding their fear. To anyone else, it might have seemed unremarkable. The Likeness showed me what none could see¡ªthe wrongness that permeated everything. The land carried an unnerving stillness, like something horrible had gone wrong. There was a chill in the air¡ªnot the kind you''d expect from the weather, but something sharper, heavier. It hung over everything, making my skin crawl. This wasn¡¯t just some abandoned warehouse¡ªthis was neutral ground for criminals, the kind of place where even the cops wouldn¡¯t show up unless they had an army backing them. And random shadows flickering in distant only added to my unease. This mission wasn¡¯t going to be simple¡ªit was dangerous, maybe even reckless.


    We sat for a moment, staring out at the warehouse in the distance.


    After a moment of consideration, I turned to Vinico.


    "Vinico, split and get a closer look," I said firmly.


    The words had barely left my mouth when all eyes snapped toward him.


    Vinico froze, visibly startled by the sudden attention. His posture went rigid, his expression flickering between disbelief and annoyance.


    Suddenly, a couple dark figures loomed in the distance, tucked into shadows and alleyways, their movements subtle but unmistakable. They had already spotted us.


    I had no doubt weapons were trained on us, fingers resting on triggers, just waiting for the smallest excuse to turn this into a bloodbath.


    These people weren¡¯t just dangerous¡ªthey were a reflection of humanity at its worst.


    Pitiful in one sense. Monstrous in another.


    Some were so far gone that even the police didn¡¯t have records of their crimes. Killers, traffickers, zealots. Rumors whispered that some were the kind of people who would cut out a man¡¯s heart and eat it while the body was still warm.


    I forced that thought aside. Focus.


    Vinico, still processing his new assignment, finally broke the silence.


    "Wait¡ªwhy me?" he stammered, his shock written all over his face.


    I sighed. "Because you¡¯re the best at recon. You can send a clone in first and stay back."


    "Oh, so now you care about strategy," Vinico muttered under his breath.


    "Didn¡¯t you want to be a hero?" Gina teased, smirking at him. "Why are you complaining now?"


    Henry, who had been quiet up until now, grinned. "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be right behind you."


    Vinico snapped his head toward him, glaring. "''Right behind me,'' my ass. Stop messing with my head."


    Henry laughed, but Vinico wasn¡¯t amused.


    His eyes flicked to Lore, his last hope for an easy way out. "Why can¡¯t you just blow them up from here?"


    Lore barely looked up, her voice calm as ever. "Too far. I don¡¯t have a visual on all of them."


    Vinico groaned, dragging a hand down his face before reluctantly splitting into two identical copies. As Vinico¡¯s copy moved to pull the car door, Lore¡¯s hand shot up, fingers snapping in a sudden halt.


    "Hold on," she said.


    ¡°Invisible,¡± Lore whispered.


    And just like that¡ªVinico¡¯s copy vanished.


    It didn¡¯t fade gradually. It didn¡¯t blur like a mirage. It just¡ªdisappeared.


    Completely.


    The collective gasp that followed was instantaneous. Henry took an actual step back, eyes wide. Gina let out an audible "what the hell?", her expression split between shock and excitement. Even Alex, who rarely showed surprise, furrowed his brows.


    And then there was Vinico¡ªthe real one.


    Standing completely frozen, mouth agape, his brain visibly short-circuiting as he processed what had just happened.


    ¡°Well, you should be safer now,¡± Lore said casually, as if this was no big deal.


    But before any of us could fully appreciate what had just happened, Vinico¡¯s panicked voice broke the moment¡ª


    "Wait, wait, wait¡ªNO. I CAN¡¯T SEE ANYTHING FROM MY COPY!"


    His voice pitched up, laced with frustration and rising panic. "The feedback is all white! It¡¯s like staring into a damn lightbulb!"


    The amazement hanging in the air instantly dissolved, replaced by a collective realization that hit all of us at once. Another reminder that powers were never as simple as they seemed on the surface.


    Henry was the first to put it into actual words, his scientific mind already dissecting the problem.


    "The light''s passing straight through his retina," he said, his frown deepening as he pieced it together. "If nothing''s hitting the retina, no image can form. Makes sense." Leave it to Henry to make even power failures sound like a physics lecture.


    A beat of silence.


    Then¡ª


    "Ohhh," Gina muttered, realization dawning. "Yeah, that would be a problem."


    We all nodded slowly, the novelty of the moment completely overshadowed by the practical nightmare it had just created.


    Lore let out a resigned sigh, shaking her head.


    "Well, that sucks," she muttered. Her expression resigned. ¡°I don¡¯t know what else I can do,¡± she said, her voice tinged with frustration as she flicked her hand to turn Vinico¡¯s copy visible again. The moment the effect lifted, Vinico¡¯s duplicate let out a relieved sigh, its expression mirroring the unease of the original standing a few feet away.


    Suddenly, Lore¡¯s meta nature wasn¡¯t as invincible as it seemed.


    Vinico didn¡¯t seem fazed at all. With a casual gesture, he dissolved the first copy. Its form shimmered briefly before breaking apart into a faint haze and vanishing entirely. Without missing a beat, he created another duplicate beside him. The new copy stepped forward smoothly, as though it had always been there. I watched him work, and the thought crossed my mind: how many copies could he create before pushing his meta nature to its limit? The number had to be in the thousands. I¡¯d seen him replicate like a swarm of bacteria during the guest house competition for rooms, spawning hundreds of duplicates in less than a second, and he¡¯d done it effortlessly.


    He was, in every sense, a one-man army.


    Honestly, I reckoned Vinico alone could overwhelm every villain in the area through sheer numbers, his copies flooding the battlefield until there was nowhere left for anyone to hide.

 Act 2.29 (Chrysalis)

    We cracked the car door open just enough for Vinico''s copy to slip outside. Once he was gone, the door clicked shut, and we settled into a tense silence. Inside the car, Vinico focused on the feedback he was receiving from his duplicate, his eyes narrowing in concentration as he began to narrate.


    "They''re letting me get closer," he muttered, as he processed the dual streams of information. "The road''s empty, but something feels off."


    Through the windshield, his copy continued forward, its body shrinking as it disappeared into the distance. The road stretched long and desolate, abandoned houses standing like rotting husks on either side.


    "There are eight of them," Vinico reported. "They came out of the abandoned houses."


    "They''ve surrounded me. Heavy blasters and EMT rifles. Five of them are using high-grade exoskeletons. Their meta-nature must be useless."


    Alex leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Military spec?"


    Vinico gave a slight nod, fingers tapping restlessly against his knee. "Old generation, from what I can tell."


    Now, this was finally getting interesting. High-grade exoskeletons? This wasn¡¯t just some ragtag group of common thugs. These were professional mercenaries or worse¡ªa network of organized crime wielding military-grade tech. Whatever they were guarding, it wasn¡¯t petty street-level business.


    Drug labs? Unlikely¡ªtoo much security for something that could be moved easily.


    Weapons manufacturing? Possible.


    Human trafficking? Worse, but also possible.


    A gang war? That seemed like the most logical answer, but something still didn¡¯t sit right.


    I kept my thoughts to myself. Whatever was going on in there, it wasn¡¯t small-time.


    ¡°They¡¯re asking what I¡¯m doing here,¡± Vinico added. His brow furrowed slightly as if he were relaying the weather.


    But, the car fell completely silent except for the sound of our breathing, each inhale heavy with suspense. The eerie stillness filled the cramped space.


    ¡°What should I say?¡± Vinico asked.


    Alex and I exchanged uncertain glances.


    No one had a proper answer.


    What could we say? Telling them we¡¯d come to dismantle them wasn''t an option. We¡¯d planned to disable everything quietly, without serious confrontation. Talking our way out of this hadn¡¯t even crossed our minds.


    ¡°Tell them you lost your way and ended up here,¡± Henry said, but it was too late.


    Vinico suddenly flinched. His body shuddered, and a sharp gasp escaped him. Before we could react, he clenched his teeth, sucking in a deep breath. "Damn it, that hurt!" he spat, his voice was filled with pain. His hand instinctively went to his chest where the copy had been shot, even though his body was unharmed. We stared at him, wide-eyed and alarmed, but before any of us could speak, he let out a sharp laugh, shaking his head. "They shot me¡ªvaporized the copy," he said, his voice tinged with a mix of humor and irritation.


    The pain was already fading from his features, replaced by a calculating look. "I didn''t answer fast enough. One of them got impatient and fired."


    ¡°Damn, that feedback stings.¡±


    ¡°So they¡¯re serious,¡± Alex muttered, leaning back against his seat. He dragged a hand through his hair. ¡°Exosuits, blasters, and who knows what else.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± Vinico said, voice taking on a sharper edge. ¡°These guys aren¡¯t amateurs. If we¡¯re not careful, this could get messy fast.¡±


    ¡°No kidding,¡± Alex muttered. He studied Vinico for a moment before smirking. ¡°Didn¡¯t peg you as the type to laugh after getting your ass zapped.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s either laugh or scream,¡± Vinico shot back. ¡°I figured this would scare you all less.¡±


    Despite the sting of the experience, there wasn¡¯t a shred of fear in his eyes. If anything, he looked vaguely entertained, even sniggering at our stunned expressions.


    ¡°There have to be at least two dozen more hiding in the houses and other spots,¡± Vinico said, glancing around at all of us. ¡°What¡¯s the plan? How do we deal with this?¡±


    I took a deep breath, weighing the options. Going in guns blazing would be suicide. We needed something smarter. "Henry, back the car up¡ªfast. Make it look like we''re scared and trying to get away," I said. The last thing I wanted was for these half-baked gang members to open fire on us. If they thought we were running, they might hold their fire¡ªassuming they weren''t the bloodthirsty type.


    But Henry shook his head, his voice carrying a note of disappointment. "They''ve already surrounded us," he said flatly.


    "Well, that''s just rude," Gina quipped. "Don''t people know how to make proper introductions anymore?"


    Before I could respond, a noise from the road ahead grabbed our attention. A deep, mechanical rumble. The ground trembled beneath us.


    Then we saw it.


    A high-grade military tank rolled into view, its dark metal plating gleaming under the artificial lights.


    A fucking tank.


    These people had actually rolled out a tank, ready to blast us out of existence if we didn''t surrender and step out of the car.


    The sight left us all speechless.


    And yet, Alex of all people let out a low chuckle, shaking his head.


    ¡°Wow,¡± he muttered, rubbing a hand over his jaw. ¡°They really brought out the heavy artillery.¡±


    Was he amused? Confident? Maybe he felt invincible, even against a tank designed to vaporize everything in its path.


    Meanwhile, my thoughts spun like a broken carousel. Where the hell did these guys even get something like this? This wasn¡¯t standard military hardware. These tanks, along with the exoskeletons we¡¯d seen earlier, were tech designed by meta engineers working with the military to protect against large-scale threats¡ªlike attacks from other countries or rogue metas. This wasn¡¯t the kind of equipment that just fell into criminal hands by accident.


    I clicked my tongue in contempt. If these people wanted to play this game, I¡¯d oblige.


    I¡¯d entertain them to their heart¡¯s content until there was nothing left of their so-called power.


    Gina, ever the strategist, tilted her head. ¡°Should we just let ourselves get captured?¡± she asked, her tone eerily thoughtful.


    Everyone turned to stare at her.


    She didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Think about it. If they take us in, we might be able to learn their plans more easily. It would get us inside, past all the firepower, without having to fight our way through.¡±


    Lore, sitting opposite her, immediately shook her head. ¡°That¡¯s too risky,¡± she said, voice firm. ¡°Not all of us are immune to blasters or whatever other high-tech weapons they¡¯re packing. One mistake, and someone dies.¡±


    Gina exhaled through her nose, crossing her arms. ¡°I can foresee any mistake we make up to ten seconds ahead,¡± she countered. ¡°I¡¯d know if something was going to go wrong.¡±


    Henry, still watching the tank, scoffed under his breath. ¡°Great. So you can tell us ten seconds before we get obliterated. That¡¯s real comforting.¡±


    Gina shot him a glare. ¡°It¡¯s better than nothing.¡±


    Vinico finally spoke up, his usual smirk returning. ¡°Or¡ªcrazy idea here¡ªwe don¡¯t get captured.¡± He gestured vaguely at the armored beast in front of us. ¡°I dunno about you, but I don¡¯t particularly feel like spending the night locked up in whatever high-tech dungeon these psychos have set up.¡±


    Lore nodded. ¡°He¡¯s right. We don¡¯t know what kind of interrogation methods they have. If they have access to military-level equipment, they might have something that can bypass our usual defenses.¡±


    Henry sighed, running a hand down his face. ¡°Okay, so no capture, no surrender. That leaves us with what? A miracle?¡±


    Alex leaned back, his posture disturbingly casual despite the fact that a tank was aimed directly at us. ¡°Why waste our time getting caught up in conspiracies?¡± he said, voice flat, almost bored.


    The bluntness of his words caught us off guard. It wasn¡¯t just what he said¡ªit was how he said it, like it was the most logical conclusion in the world. It reminded me of Jade. Though, to be fair, even she had a darker perspective. To her, enemies weren¡¯t human. They weren¡¯t even obstacles. They were toys to break. Alex wasn¡¯t like that. Not quite. His indifference didn¡¯t come from cruelty. It came from experience.


    I couldn¡¯t help but wonder¡ªif this were any other group of heroes, one of those city protector teams, would they be so calm? So nonchalant about being surrounded by heavy artillery?


    Somehow, I doubted it. Hell, they probably wouldn¡¯t have even stepped into an area like this. The moment they caught wind of military-grade weapons in enemy hands, they would¡¯ve pulled back, called for reinforcements, feared for their lives.


    But we?


    We just smiled.


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen how these gangs operate,¡± Alex continued, his tone measured, analytical. ¡°These people? They¡¯re bottom feeders. Trash with exoskeletons and stolen blasters. Even calling them villains is an insult to the word.¡±


    ¡°Given the military-grade hardware, there¡¯s a high chance they¡¯re manufacturing something illegal¡ªdrugs, bioweapons, some kind of underground meta tech. That¡¯s why they need firepower. Not because they¡¯re strong, but because they¡¯re scared.¡±


    That actually made a sick sort of sense.


    People who were truly powerful didn¡¯t need to wave their weapons around like threats. They knew their strength. They didn¡¯t need an army to prove it.


    ¡°But,¡± Alex went on, ¡°I¡¯m almost certain the captured civilians aren¡¯t here.¡±


    That caught me off guard.


    I narrowed my eyes. ¡°You¡¯re saying the hostages aren¡¯t even at this location?¡±


    Alex gave a slow, deliberate nod.


    ¡°They wouldn¡¯t waste this kind of protection on people,¡± he said simply. ¡°This isn¡¯t a prison. It¡¯s a fortress. The kind of place you¡¯d guard valuable assets¡ªnot disposable prisoners.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t sure what unsettled me more: the fact that his logic was sound, or that I hadn¡¯t thought of it first.


    Caleb had revealed earlier that Alex was a famous villain, someone with an actual fanbase.


    At the time, I hadn¡¯t thought much of it.


    But now? I wasn¡¯t so sure. Maybe I needed to look him up.


    Still, I found myself leaning toward Alex¡¯s assessment¡ªit made too much sense to ignore. These gang members weren¡¯t just posturing with high-tech weaponry; they were protecting something big. They likely thought we were a rival faction, here to capture or interrogate them. Given the sheer amount of military-grade hardware surrounding us, this wasn¡¯t just some street gang scraping by on stolen goods. This was an operation. A network¡ªmaybe even five hundred to a thousand members¡ªsystematically siphoning resources from the city. But another question lingered in my mind. Aside from Alex and me, was anyone else here willing to kill? Would they cross that line, or was this just talk?


    Before I could dwell on it further, shouting erupted outside.


    Some of these gang members were yelling from the tank, their voices carrying faintly through the walls of the car. I guessed they were wary of approaching us directly, likely fearing what our meta natures might unleash. I glanced at Lore, Alex, and the others, searching their expressions for any sign of a plan. A way out. But the answer came faster than I expected.


    The tank¡¯s barrel shifted, adjusting ever so slightly¡ª


    ¡ªdirectly toward us.


    The air tensed and I felt it in my bones. The impending finality of what was about to happen.


    Then¡ª


    "Explode."


    Lore¡¯s voice cut through the silence like a blade.


    Flat. Devoid of emotion. A command, not a request. A single word. And then¡ª


    BOOM.


    The world erupted.


    A shockwave tore through the air, fire and metal screaming as the tank detonated from the inside out.


    My world was drowned in a blinding flash.


    The car lurched backward, skidding violently as the shockwave from the explosion slammed into us. Tires screamed against the pavement. The impact sent my stomach lurching into my throat, and for a few terrifying seconds, we were weightless. Flames and debris filled the sky, blotting out what little remained of the fading sunlight. My ears rang, an unbearable shrillness drowning out everything else. The world outside turned into a muffled blur of chaos. I ducked down instinctively, clamping my hands over my ears as the vibrations tore through my skull. It felt like my eardrums were on the verge of bursting, and for a moment, I was convinced I could feel blood trickling down the sides of my face.


    By the time the world stopped spinning, I opened my eyes to find the car tilted at an awkward angle, half its wheels no longer touching the ground.


    Smoke and ash clogged the air, stinging my lungs as I struggled to take a breath. My hands trembled as I gripped the edge of the seat, forcing myself not to completely lose my mind.


    And Lore¡ªLore had no chill.


    She hadn¡¯t warned us. Hadn¡¯t even hesitated before turning an entire armored tank into scrap metal. She¡¯d wiped them off the face of the Earth without a second thought. And I was stuck here, in the aftermath, questioning everything about this so-called team.


    Maybe I wasn¡¯t in the right company.


    Or maybe¡­ this was just how everyone at Beyonder¡¯s Academy operated¡ªkillers in disguise, waiting for the right moment to reveal their true selves.


    It would explain the enthusiasm they all had for missions like this. The way they enjoyed it. Taking down gangs and criminals with far too much excitement for my comfort.


    I swallowed hard, my mind racing.


    Mental. These people were absolutely mental.


    What the hell had gone so horribly wrong in their lives to turn them into this? And more importantly¡ªHow had I, a perfectly sane person, gotten stuck in the middle of their madness? I buried my face in my hands, quietly mourning my fate. This wasn¡¯t what I¡¯d signed up for. And then, it hit me.


    We weren¡¯t superheroes. Not even close.


    We were deranged individuals who thrived on chaos.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    True supervillains.


    And this¡ªthis¡ªwas definitely not what I¡¯d agreed to.


    As I wrestled with that horrifying revelation, the others began regaining their footing¡ªthough the wreckage and destruction surrounding us wasn¡¯t making it any easier. The air still crackled with lingering heat from the blast. The smell of burning metal and charred bodies was thick enough to choke on. And that¡¯s when the screaming started.


    ¡°What the hell, Lore?!¡± Gina exploded, her voice raw with fury.


    She was still bracing herself against the dashboard, hands clenched into white-knuckled fists.


    Lore exhaled. ¡°What?¡±


    A single word. Bored. Dismissive. Gina¡¯s face turned red with absolute disbelief.


    ¡°A warning would¡¯ve been nice!¡±


    Henry groaned dramatically from the driver¡¯s seat, his head hitting the steering wheel.


    ¡°My poor car,¡± he muttered, voice thick with devastation.


    Then he rubbed the steering wheel lovingly, as if trying to console it. ¡°You were so young¡­ so full of life¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh my god,¡± I mumbled. ¡°Henry, not the time.¡±


    ¡°No, it is the time!¡± he snapped, his voice cracking. ¡°Do you see this?!¡± He gestured wildly at the dashboard. ¡°My baby is totaled! We are not walking away from this with insurance coverage! Do you think I can explain to my parents and the agency that a psychic lunatic BLEW UP A TANK TOO CLOSE TO MY CAR?!¡±


    Lore sighed. ¡°Relax. You can just buy another one.¡±


    Henry¡¯s eye twitched violently. ¡°It¡¯s. Not. The. Same.¡±


    ¡°Henry, shut up!¡± Gina snapped, then turned back to Lore. ¡°I¡¯m serious. That was excessive!¡±


    Lore tilted her head slightly, like she was trying to process the idea that there were consequences to her actions.


    ¡°They were going to fire,¡± she said simply. ¡°I just beat them to it.¡±


    ¡°YOU MADE US CRASH.¡±


    Lore shrugged.


    ¡°Small price to pay.¡±


    Gina groaned, dragging her hands down her face like she was physically trying to contain her frustration.


    ¡°My ears are still ringing,¡± Vinico groaned, clutching his head as if that might somehow stop the pounding.


    Finally, clearly done with the bickering, Lore snapped.


    ¡°Silence.¡±


    Her voice was ice¡ªsharp. The second the word left her lips, the sound in the car vanished.


    Snuffed out.


    It wasn¡¯t just that we stopped talking¡ªwe literally couldn¡¯t make a sound. No matter how much we yelled, groaned, or tried to protest, our voices never reached the air. It was as if our vocal cords had been yanked out of existence, leaving behind a deafening, crushing quiet. Even the natural background noise¡ªthe distant crackling of fire, the metallic groans of wreckage settling¡ªwas gone.


    The oppressive silence wrapped around us like a vice. Lore turned, her expression painted with irritation, her sharp eyes flicking across each of us like we were children throwing a tantrum.


    "Stop complaining," she said, her voice somehow cutting through the void she¡¯d created.


    None of us could reply. None of us could argue.


    So we just¡­ stared.


    "What did you want? To get vaporized by that tank?" she continued, her tone flat, utterly unimpressed.


    Her words did nothing to improve morale. If anything, it only made the tension in the car worse. Vinico clenched his jaw, fists tightening, but he knew better than to push her. Lore had proven one thing tonight: she did not care for anyone''s approval. And worse¡ªshe didn¡¯t feel an ounce of remorse for what she¡¯d done.


    The fire from the explosion reflected in her eyes, casting flickering shadows across her face. Did she even care about the destruction she¡¯d caused? Or the lives she might have taken? I searched for some hint of regret in her expression¡ªsome flicker of guilt.


    I found nothing.


    However, we had no time to waste. A distant rumble snapped us all. The massive explosion had drawn more villains, and now they were surrounding us from all sides. They were cautious now. After watching us rip apart their strongest defenses, they weren¡¯t taking chances. But that didn¡¯t mean they¡¯d hesitate. If anything, they¡¯d adapt. And I wouldn¡¯t have been surprised if they decided to fire a missile at us next¡ªstandard military tactics.


    The motto was simple: If you can¡¯t capture them, erase them.


    Lore finally lifted her ability, allowing sound to return in a sudden, jarring rush. The crackling flames. The murmurs of the approaching enemies. The distant hum of drones sweeping the sky.


    It was almost worse than the silence. None of us dared to complain too loudly, though.


    We weren¡¯t stupid.


    Alex took the lead, rolling his shoulders as he glanced around at the rest of us.


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯re regrouping at the front of the warehouse,¡± he announced, his voice calm despite the fact that we were surrounded.


    From his bag, he pulled out two sleek metal rods, each as long as his arms. At first glance, they looked simple¡ªalmost too plain to be anything impressive, but faint glowing lines ran along their length, hinting at hidden functions or tech built into the design.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see who¡¯s the fastest,¡± he said.


    Before I could even process what he meant, he moved. His fist slammed into the car door with ridiculous force¡ª


    BOOM.


    The door ripped clean off its hinges. Not just pushed open¡ªtorn. The metal groaned, warping like it was made of foil, before it soared through the air like a missile. It crashed across the road, landing with a deafening clang, embedding itself halfway into the concrete like a wedge driven into stone.


    I stared, speechless.


    Vinico blinked. ¡°Uh.¡±


    Gina muttered, ¡°That¡¯s¡­ not normal.¡±


    Even Lore raised an eyebrow. Meanwhile, I was trying not to look too impressed.


    Because damn. If I were a girl, I probably would¡¯ve swooned right then and there¡ªcompletely floored by the sheer display of manliness and the killer smile he¡¯d flashed just before smashing the door off.


    So strong.


    I let out a quiet, involuntary gasp, and then immediately hated myself for it. Alex must have heard, because his grin widened ever so slightly.


    Oh no.


    I could already feel the smugness radiating off of him.


    Yet, Henry¡¯s anger flared as he stared at the wreckage of the car, but he didn¡¯t have time to yell. Alex¡¯s voice spurred a chain reaction, and within moments, everyone had jumped out of the vehicle.


    Everyone except me.


    I sat there, still processing.


    Just¡­ completely alone.


    ¡°¡­Are you serious?¡± I muttered, blinking at the empty car. These people had zero coordination. None. I¡¯d never worked with such a disorganized group before. Under different circumstances, I might¡¯ve called it a refreshing change of pace. But right now? While we were trying not to get killed by a bunch of heavily armed villains? They could at least try to act like they gave a damn about the mission.


    I huffed in frustration, rubbing my temple.


    ¡°Bunch of lunatics,¡± I muttered under my breath. ¡°How the hell do they even function as a team?¡±


    And then, a sharp slicing sound cut through the air.


    Beep. Beep. Beep.


    My blood froze. I looked up. A shadow flickered overhead¡ª


    And then everything exploded.


    Boom.


    Fire.


    Heat.


    Shockwave.


    A deafening roar swallowed the world.


    Fuck!


    I froze, tilting my head upward. Darkness swallowed my vision.


    My sarcastic prediction had come true far too quickly. Those idiots had actually dropped a bomb right over my head. Flames roared, debris rained down, and I could only curse my luck as chaos consumed everything around me. I barely had time to react before the blast swallowed everything, swallowing the car, the street, and anything unlucky enough to be caught in the radius. Flames tore through the space where I sat, wrapping around me in a raging inferno. But I didn¡¯t burn. I didn¡¯t even feel it. Because I wasn¡¯t there anymore. Phantom in the Fire. The explosion¡¯s force rushed through me like a ghost passing through a wall¡ªan unstoppable wave of destruction that couldn¡¯t touch me. Intangibility was my greatest asset. And at moments like this, I knew it was the best meta nature anyone could ask for. I was untouchable. Fire couldn¡¯t burn me. Bullets passed straight through me. Blunt force? Meaningless.


    Unless someone found a way to corner me, trick me, or use a power that could actually counteract mine, I was unkillable. Uncatchable.


    I should fish more!


    The absurd thought popped into my head again, unbidden and completely out of place. I shoved it aside. Now wasn¡¯t the time for distractions.


    Stepping out of the crater, I took a moment to regain my bearings. My vision swam for a second before the chaos outside hit me.


    The battlefield had already erupted.


    Lore was a blur of motion, weaving through the hailstorm of automatic blaster fire with unnerving precision. Her expression? Cold. Calculating. Lethal.


    The ground beneath her warped, space itself bending and twisting in unnatural ways, making her movements seem disjointed, otherworldly. She didn¡¯t dodge in the conventional sense¡ªshe folded reality around herself, shifting just enough to make attacks miss by a fraction of an inch. A plasma bolt sizzled past where her head had been a second ago. Lore didn¡¯t even blink. She closed the distance to the shooter in an instant, her figure flickering before she reappeared behind him, a single sharp twist of her hands ending him before he could scream.


    Dead before he hit the ground.


    Not far away, Alex was already in the thick of it, charging headlong into a cluster of enemies.


    His confidence was tangible, as solid as the golden aura cocooning him. Plasma bolts ricocheted harmlessly off the glow, each deflected shot only feeding the storm of destruction he was creating.


    The way he fought¡­


    It wasn¡¯t just power¡ªit was belief.


    Alex believed he was invincible¡ªand somehow, that belief became reality. His dual metal rods crackled with energy, arcing like lightning with every movement. He zigzagged across the battlefield, a streak of raw power, each step sending small shockwaves through the ground. One of the gang members tried to raise his blaster¡ªAlex was already there. The first rod connected with the thug¡¯s ribs¡ªa crack rang out, followed by a sickening crunch as the man folded inward, launched backward with impossible force. The second rod came down like a hammer, smashing a metal barricade into twisted scrap. He was relentless, moving too fast for them to keep up, too powerful for them to even slow down. One man swung at him with a baton¡ªAlex caught it mid-air, squeezed, and the weapon shattered in his grip like glass.


    Then he smiled.


    And that was the scariest part.


    Henry, on the other hand, was nowhere near the front lines. At first glance, he appeared to be crouching behind a burnt-out car, as if hiding. But a closer look revealed the truth. His hands were steady, fingers encased in sleek gloves with glowing circuitry lining their surface. And moving at impossible speeds, an almost-invisible disk zipped through the air, flickering in and out of sight.


    It was hard to notice unless you knew exactly what to look for. But the aftermath? Unmistakable. One moment, a villain stood ready to fire his rifle.


    The next¡ª


    His head slid off his shoulders, severed so cleanly only a drop of blood hit the ground. The disk was silent. It didn¡¯t just cut¡ªit erased.


    A gang member dove behind cover, trying to hide¡ªToo late.


    The razor-thin projectile zipped past, slicing through the metal barrier like it was air. A second later, the man collapsed, his torso falling in two. But Henry wasn¡¯t just sniping from a distance. Sometimes, he moved. Too fast. Too quietly. One of the thugs flinched, feeling something shift behind him, Henry had materilled out of his thoughts, standing in his shadow, his voice a whisper in the man¡¯s ear.


    A single flick of his wrist¡ª


    Gone. No struggle. No scream. Just silence.


    He was like a virus, parasitizing their thoughts and then manifesting out like horrible symptoms.


    I shook my head in quiet disbelief. None of them were weak, despite some of their meta natures not being traditionally suited for combat. Everyone had their own ingenious methods, and together, they were a terrifying force to watch. It made me realize just how out of place I felt among them. Not because I was weaker, but because of how far they¡¯d leaned into the chaos. And, for better or worse, I was part of it now.


    Suddenly, the distant sound of shouts and screams caught my attention.


    I turned toward the noise just in time to see it¡ª


    Vinico¡¯s duplicates had flooded the battlefield like a relentless army. They were all naked. Hundreds of them. Identical versions of him dashed through the chaos, swarming enemies like an unstoppable wave.


    Some were engaged in hand-to-hand combat, overwhelming their opponents through sheer numbers. Others darted around the battlefield, flanking enemies, distracting them, and making it impossible for the gang members to focus. The duplicates were falling, sure, but for every one destroyed, another seemed to rise in its place, all wearing that same cocky smirk. It was almost impossible to tell where the real Vinico was.


    I couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of self-awareness.


    I watched the battlefield unfold around me¡ªLore, dancing through attacks. Alex, smashing through everything in his path, a one-man storm of destruction. Henry, silent, precise, and utterly lethal, turning kills into an art form. And Vinico¡ªTurning the battlefield into a game, using impossible numbers to drown his enemies in pure chaos.


    I let out a breath, feeling a strange, gnawing sensation in my chest.


    Compared to these kids¡­


    I felt like I had been left behind. They had no hesitation. No fear. Just audacity, power, and the sheer will to dominate. And me? I was just watching. I shook my head, a quiet chuckle escaping my lips.


    Jade would have loved this. She had always thrived in this kind of chaos. She would¡¯ve dived in headfirst, laughing, tearing through enemies without a second thought.


    Then, movement flickered at the edge of my vision.


    Something blurred in the chaos, closing in fast. I sidestepped instinctively, just in time to avoid a strike from a lanky man wrapped in a small cage of exoskeleton. His bloodshot eyes burned with an unnatural intensity, like he was riding a high from some potent drug. The exoskeleton didn¡¯t hinder him at all¡ªin fact, it made him frighteningly fast.


    I wondered how he¡¯d managed to sneak up on me.


    He adjusted his stance, swinging his shoulder toward me with mechanical precision. Our eyes locked for a tense moment, neither of us speaking. Then he grunted, a guttural noise, and launched another punch, this time with the full power of the exoskeleton behind it.


    The fist came at me like a freight train. A piston-driven punch, powered by the exoskeleton drilled into his spine¡ªa force capable of turning steel into scrap.


    I caught it with my bare hand. The impact drove me to my knees. Pain shot through my arms, radiating like a wildfire through every nerve in my body. The crushing pressure of the exosuit threatened to grind me into the ground, my bones screaming in protest. The raw power behind that strike was inhuman.


    But I remained calm. No fear.


    And in that instant¡ª I released his fist.


    He stumbled forward, his balance broken. Immediately, the exoskeleton reacted, its mechanical servos hissing as it fought to correct his stance, stopping him from collapsing under his own weight. I could hear it struggling¡ªthe gears grinding, the actuators screeching in protest. The brutal efficiency of these old suits was also its greatest weakness¡ªit compensated too fast, overriding human instinct.


    And that was all I needed.


    In that moment of imbalance, I struck.


    My right hand lashed out, wrapping around his exposed neck like a steel trap. The soft, vulnerable skin was warm and slick with sweat under my fingers. His bloodshot eyes bulged, panic flooding them as he realized his mistake. His hands flew to mine, clawing and scratching, but it was useless. The suit¡¯s strength didn¡¯t extend to his desperate, trembling hands. They were only human, after all. And human hands could not break my grip.


    The exoskeleton, however, wasn¡¯t.


    It roared to life, its joints grinding and pistons firing as it tried to wrest control of his body back from me. The servos in his arms hissed violently, the suit jerking his limbs in wild, erratic motions that were more mechanical than human. However, all this was for nothing. The force passed through me as I never existed in the similar space as him. And protected or not, it didn¡¯t matter to me.


    Because what my hand gripped wasn¡¯t just his neck¡ªit was his bones itself.


    I felt the gritty texture of his spine. It was thin and brittle beneath the layers of muscle. For a fleeting moment, I wondered what kind of life he must have lived to end up like this¡ªso bloodthirsty, so far gone. However, I was the same, not really a big difference. But the thought passed as quickly as it came. I wasn¡¯t exactly in a position to judge anyone else¡¯s path, not with what I was about to do.


    His breath came in ragged gasps, his body convulsing violently as my fingers pressed deeper into his throat, sinking past sickly flesh, pressing against the delicate bones of his neck.


    I reckoned the sensation must¡¯ve been horrifying¡ª


    An invasive, crushing pain.


    A feeling like his own body had turned against him, like he was being unmade from the inside out. A wet, choking sound escaped his throat¡ªa grotesque mix of a gurgle and a wheeze. Then came the blood. It seeped from his eyes, his ears, his nostrils¡ª Every vulnerable orifice. The human body was a fragile thing, no matter how much armor you wrapped it in. The suit responded, its programming recognizing the threat to its host. With a screech, it activated an override, forcing his body to lurch backward. The movement was violent, a mechanical whiplash that should have thrown me off. But I held on.


    A cruel smile tugged at my lips.


    I didn¡¯t let go.


    The wars I had fought had turned me into someone I barely recognized.


    The blood of those I had killed stained my soul so deeply that even my own scent repulsed me.


    My hands clenched tighter, fingers locked around the fragile, slippery mix of flesh and bone beneath my grip. It was warm, pulsing¡ª Slick with his blood, his life, his fear. The texture was both smooth and sickeningly soft, like raw meat¡ªlike something that shouldn¡¯t be exposed to air.


    The exoskeleton was pulling one way.


    I was pulling the other. Two forces, opposing each other, tearing him apart. He had no chance of surviving.


    His tongue lolled from his gaping mouth, thick and swollen, as blood poured freely from his jaws, his throat making that horrible, wet gargling noise of a man drowning in his own insides.


    And then¡ª


    I pulled.


    Hard.


    The scream that erupted from him was raw and primal, filled with a desperation that no longer belonged to a man¡ªbut to a dying animal. I had heard screams like this too many times before. They no longer fazed me.


    I didn¡¯t blink. I didn¡¯t flinch.


    Then¡ª


    A grotesque, wet crack split the air.


    The flesh ripped. The bone snapped.


    His head tore free from his body, his spine trailing behind it¡ªa mangled mess of crimson ribbons, tendons, and shattered vertebrae. The exoskeleton collapsed, falling lifelessly to the ground with a dull thud.


    It was a machine, after all. And machines couldn¡¯t function without a living host.


    I stared at the head attached to the long bloody spine in my hand, feeling its weight. The face frozen in horror, twisted in unimaginable pain. The eyes wide open, bloodshot, unseeing.


    Dark, bloody drips fell from the jagged end of the spine, pooling at my feet.


    The battlefield hadn¡¯t gone quiet, the fight still raged on.


    But in my mind? For just a moment, there was silence.


    With a flick of my arm, I hurled the severed head across the road, sending it spinning through the air. It landed with a sickening thud, rolling once before coming to a dead stop, staring blankly into nothing. The man¡¯s headless body crumpled, collapsing into a lifeless heap, spilling out like liquid.


    I stood there, breathing heavily, my chest rising and falling in sharp, uneven gasps.


    There was no victory in this. No sense of accomplishment.


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    My breath hitched.


    My fingers twitched, my hands coated in red, the warm slickness of fresh blood clinging to my skin.


    I stared at them.


    At the proof of what I had just done. At the evidence of something I couldn''t take back.


    Why?


    Why had I done this?


    Panic clawed at the edges of my mind.


    My face twisted, my vision swam.


    WHAT HAD GOTTEN INTO ME?


    I couldn''t scream out loud.

 Act 2.30 (Chrysalis)

    I sprinted across the scorched fields, barely registering the chaos around me as anything more than a distorted blur of destruction. Every attack that flew my way simply passed through my intangible form, like I wasn¡¯t even there. The landscape was unrecognizable. Fires burned unchecked, their embers dancing against the thick plumes of smoke curling into the sky. The ground was torn apart, craters and wreckage littering every inch of space as if hell itself had been unleashed.


    And everywhere I looked¡ª


    It was all Vinico.


    His duplicates swarmed the battlefield like an unstoppable plague of identical bodies, filling every empty space with wave after wave of himself. He was everywhere. Fighting. Flanking. Overwhelming. His numbers were in the thousands now¡ªmaybe more.


    I scratched my head, stunned. What was his limit? Vinico alone had taken care of ninety percent of the villains.


    Truly a one-man army.


    I shook my head, both in awe and disbelief. For a fleeting second, I considered something insane¡ªJumping on one of his clones and riding it to the warehouse entrance. But Vinico might not appreciate being used as personal transportation, so I reluctantly curbed the thought.


    From the corner of my eye, I noticed Gina catching up to me. She was running at full speed, her expression focused. She was wearing a black nylon suit and her hood was like a monster mouth with red teeths covering half her head and face. A half hero costume, then.


    Yet, something clicked in my mind. I hadn¡¯t felt any d¨¦j¨¤ vu yet.


    Which meant¡ª


    She hadn¡¯t rewound time at all.


    But another thought struck me as I watched her move effortlessly through the wreckage. Her meta nature had to have limitations. Surely, she couldn¡¯t rewind the entire universe back ten seconds. It had to be something localized. Maybe just her immediate surroundings. It was a fascinating thought, but there was no time to dwell on it. Gina flashed me a grin, carefree and unbothered, as if she were actually enjoying herself.


    I stared, baffled. Was she mental? She wasn¡¯t even looking forward.


    "When were you able to phase through things?" she shouted, curiosity in her voice.


    ¡°What?¡± I shouted back, unable to hear her clearly over the battlefield.


    And then¡ª


    In the blink of an eye¡ª


    Everything changed.


    A missile slammed into her.


    Direct hit. She didn¡¯t dodge. Didn¡¯t react.


    Didn¡¯t even get a last word in. One second, she was there. The next¡ªShe was gone.


    Her body disintegrated instantly. Chunks of flesh and blood sprayed into the air, painting the ground, the debris, even me. Some of her landed on me.


    I froze, my thoughts blank, my body numb. Did she just fucking die? Just like that? I couldn¡¯t even process it. She had been talking to me¡ªAnd then, she had been blown apart. Not even a scream. Not even a moment of struggle.


    Another projectile screamed toward me, closing in, but it phased harmlessly through my intangible body, detonating behind me, sending dirt and shrapnel into the air. But I was still processing her death.


    I felt¡­


    I felt a little sad.


    Well¡­


    That sucked.


    Then, suddenly, the world lurched. That strange, familiar sensation of d¨¦j¨¤ vu flooded my senses, the hairs on my arms standing on end as time was wrenched backward with almost unbearable force. Everything reversed. The dials of reality spun backward, undoing moments that had just been carved into existence.


    The explosion¡ªgone.


    The blood¡ªrewound.


    The death that should¡¯ve been permanent¡ªnever happened.


    I snapped back into my body, suddenly a hundred meters away from where I had been. My mind reeled from the jolt, the world still spinning around me as I adjusted to the shift. And there she was. Gina. Alive. Smirking. Like nothing had happened. Like she hadn¡¯t just exploded a second ago. Like she hadn¡¯t just died. I gaped at her. Then my gaze snapped forward, and there it was¡ªthe projectile streaking toward her once again.


    The same moment. The same attack.


    But this time, Gina abruptly changed course, veering sharply to the side. I sucked in a deep breath and followed suit, dodging the missile entirely.


    Her meta nature truly worked in mysterious ways. I couldn¡¯t help but marvel. She must have died before, perhaps even a lot to not even flinch.


    And yet¡­I couldn¡¯t shake the thought: What kind of person grins moments before their own death, even knowing they¡¯ll come back?


    Maybe Gina was mental after all.


    I locked onto the man who had fired at me, dashing toward him before he could react. His panic was palpable as he stumbled back, eyes darting wildly. In sheer desperation, he shoved his blaster against my chest and pulled the trigger. The shot fired. Passed through me. Like I wasn¡¯t even there. His expression twisted in horror as I tilted my head slightly, watching the realization set in.


    He couldn¡¯t hurt me, but I could.


    My hands phased through his chest, slipping inside his body as if I were a ghost entering a shell. His heartbeat slammed against my palm, frantic, terrified. I wrapped my fingers around the wildly pulsing organ. He gasped. Twitched. His knees buckled.


    Then, my hands became tangible again.


    And squeezed.


    His heart burst like overripe fruit, a sickening squelch echoing in the air. His mouth opened in a silent scream, body spasming uncontrollably before he collapsed.


    As my body turned tangible again, a horrendous smell hit me like a wall. It was vile¡ªso pungent, so dead, that I couldn¡¯t stop myself from retching. ¡°What kind of meta nature is that?¡± I spat, gagging. The stench reeked of death and decay, almost as if his body had weaponized rot itself.


    Shaking it off, I glanced upward. The warehouse door wasn¡¯t far now. I dashed toward another man perched atop a nearby jeep, firing desperately. The moment he saw me coming, unscathed and relentless, his composure cracked. He banged frantically on the jeep¡¯s window, shouting at the driver to get moving. But before they could make their escape, a sleek, razor-sharp disc sliced clean through the gunner¡¯s neck. Blood sprayed as his lifeless body slumped over. From the other side, Alex was already moving. Fast. Blindingly fast. Before the driver could slam his foot on the pedal, Alex crashed into the jeep like a human battering ram, a force of nature wrapped in golden air. The impact was cataclysmic. The reinforced military vehicle didn¡¯t just flip¡ªit was sent end over end, tumbling like a wrecking ball across the battlefield. Metal screamed. Glass shattered.


    By the time it came to a stop, both the driver and gunner were unequivocally dead.


    Alex grinned, brushing off the dust as if he hadn¡¯t just flattened a vehicle with his bare hands.


    He glanced at me. ¡°Warehouse¡¯s in sight,¡± he said, cracking his knuckles. ¡°Ready to finish this?¡±


    I exhaled, shaking off the last remnants of unease.


    One by one, we regrouped in front of the warehouse door. The massive metal structure loomed over us, solid and imposing.


    The sky was covered in dark clouds, heavy and looming, as if the rain would come any moment now. We stood there in silence, catching our breath. The air around us felt strange, heavier somehow, with an eerie stillness that made my skin crawl. There was something about this place¡ªthe darkness seemed to gather unnaturally around the warehouse, clinging to it like it didn¡¯t want to let go. We could all feel it in our bodies.


    The wind howled softly through the fields, the only sound breaking the silence, making the moment feel even more unsettling. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    It wasn¡¯t just quiet¡ªit was the kind of quiet that gets under your skin, the kind that makes you second-guess everything. It felt like we were being watched, even though there was no one in sight.


    Henry broke the silence first, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°What do you think is inside?¡±


    He looked at Lore, whose calculating gaze was fixed on the door. If anyone could hazard a guess, it would be her, but she shook her head, her breath still uneven. ¡°Your guess is as good as mine,¡± she said, sounding drained. Her usual sharpness was dulled. I wondered if she had pushed her meta nature too far earlier. However, the gang members'' numbers had exceeded our original expectations by many folds.


    From the corner of my eye, I caught Vinico sneaking glances at me.


    His clones were still scattered across the battlefield, scouring the area for anything that might give us any info on what was going on here. When I met his gaze, he looked away quickly, his discomfort evident. Odd, but it was not the right time to dwell on it.


    Lore¡¯s voice cut through my thoughts. ¡°Vinico, anything?¡± she asked.


    He paused, his face grim as he processed the information his clones had gathered. ¡°A few dead bodies,¡± he said, his voice low. ¡°Mostly women. They were holed up in some of the houses nearby. Looks like the gang¡­ kidnapped them, used them, then killed them.¡±


    A heavy silence settled over the group. Everyone¡¯s expressions darkened, a mix of anger and disgust flashing across their faces. If there had been even a shred of sympathy for these gang members, it vanished in that moment. Whatever hesitation anyone might have felt about killing them was gone. They weren¡¯t just criminals¡ªthey were monsters.


    Killing them was justice. A cleansing of filth.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get into position,¡± I said, breaking the stalemate.


    I turned to Alex, who was already clenching his fists, his knuckles cracking audibly. ¡°Think you can break it down? Whatever is inside shouldn¡¯t have any effect on you.¡±


    He didn¡¯t hesitate, nodding. ¡°Easily,¡± he said, his tone confident but not cocky.


    If there was one person you could rely on to get something like this done, it was Alex.


    We moved to the sides of the massive front door, each of us taking cover behind whatever solid surface we could find. The main door was thick¡ªreinforced steel, by the looks of it. It wasn¡¯t going to go down easily, but Alex was more than capable of dealing with it.


    He approached it with deliberate steps, rolling his shoulders as if warming up. Then he took a deep breath, his muscles tensing as his golden aura flared around him, faint but undeniable. He struck the door with a thunderous blow, the impact sending a deep reverberation through the ground beneath us. The steel groaned and dented inward. But it held firm.


    ¡°Damn,¡± Alex muttered, shaking out his hand like he was loosening it up. He glanced over his shoulder at me, ¡°Quite thicker than I thought.¡±


    I didn¡¯t reply immediately, my eyes scanning our surroundings, searching for any signs of movement.


    ¡°Hit it again,¡± I said evenly. ¡°Whatever¡¯s inside, it¡¯s not expecting you.¡±


    Alex grinned, his confidence returning. ¡°One more should do it.¡±


    He stepped back slightly, adjusting his stance, then lunged forward with all his strength. This time, the blow was devastating. The door buckled under the force, its reinforced hinges snapping as it caved inward with a deafening crash. A thick cloud of dust and debris billowed outward, momentarily blinding us.


    Strangely, there was no movement from inside when the door was blasted open, as if the entire warehouse was abandoned. It felt wrong¡ªtoo quiet, too still.


    Alex motioned for us to follow, and we moved cautiously into the darkened space.


    The air inside was thick and suffocating, pressing against us like a physical weight. And the smell¡­A sickly, musty scent clung to the air. Rot. Decay. Stagnant blood. It coiled around us like an invisible shroud, sticking to our clothes, our skin, our lungs.


    Lore¡¯s voice was a low murmur. ¡°Stay close.¡±


    We spread out slowly, flashlights cutting through the gloom. The beams revealed unsettling details that made the place feel even more sinister with every step. The warehouse was devoid of life. But the absence of people only made it feel worse. The concrete floor was streaked with dark, viscous stains¡ªsome old, long dried, others fresh, still glistening under the glow of our lights. Metal tables stood in chaotic disarray¡ªsome overturned, others lined with surgical instruments, their edges crusted with dried blood. I stepped closer to one, my breath calm as I took in the details.


    Not just surgical tools. Restraints. Straps and cuffs, stained and frayed, as if something had fought against them.


    Vinico¡¯s voice was low, almost mechanical. ¡°This wasn¡¯t just an execution site.¡±


    I didn¡¯t have to ask what he meant. It was clear as day.


    People had been experimented on here.


    My flashlight flickered across the far corner. And then it stopped at a large cage sitting ominously. Not empty. But broken. The thick steel bars were warped and twisted outward, like something had forced its way free. Something inhumanly strong. Scattered across the floor were the remains of animals, their bodies decaying and mangled beyond recognition. Interspersed among them were human corpses, grotesquely misshapen, half-transformed into forms that defied nature. Their features stretched and warped as if mid-mutation, leaving them caught somewhere between human and something else entirely.


    Whatever had happened here wasn¡¯t just inhumane¡ªit was horrifying.


    The work of a meta-biologist, I suspected.


    A scientist who played god.


    ¡°What the hell¡­¡± Henry whispered, his voice trembling as he scanned the room.


    Vinico¡¯s duplicates fanned out, sweeping the area with an eerie efficiency. ¡°No heat signatures so far,¡± one of his clones called out. ¡°It seems deserted.¡±


    But it wasn¡¯t just deserted¡ªit felt abandoned in a hurry, as though whoever had been here left the scene incomplete.


    Alex reached a table and picked up a jar filled with a sickly yellow fluid. Floating inside was a malformed creature, its grotesque body a disturbing blend of human and animal features. The thing¡¯s face was vaguely humanoid, but its eyes were unnaturally wide, its mouth stretched too far to accommodate jagged teeth. Its arms ended in twisted, clawed hands.


    ¡°Jesus,¡± Alex muttered, his voice barely audible.


    He set the jar down carefully, as if even touching it felt wrong. His usual confidence had been replaced with something else. Something close to fear.


    Lore knelt beside a workstation.. She seemed to find some scattered pages of notes.


    Her eyes narrowed as she scanned them, then she murmured, ¡°Experiment logs.¡±


    ¡°They were mixing human and animal DNA¡­ trying to create hybrids.¡±


    Gina gagged audibly. ¡°Why? Who would even think of doing something like this?¡±


    ¡°They weren¡¯t just thinking,¡± Lore said grimly, holding up a photo.


    It depicted a monstrous hybrid mid-transformation, its body distorting violently. ¡°They were succeeding.¡±


    Vinico¡¯s clones continued exploring, their collective voice echoing through the warehouse. ¡°The cages weren¡¯t meant to hold animals,¡± one clone said, pointing at another reinforced cell lined with claw marks. ¡°This must be to hold something far bigger.¡±


    Suddenly, Vinico¡¯s voice was drowned out by the sound of something crashing down from above.


    It fell from the roof with a bone-rattling thud, its glowing red eyes slicing through the darkness like twin embers.


    The warehouse shuddered under the impact. The creature¡¯s body was covered in thick, matted hair, its fur wet and clumped, like it had been drenched in something sickly and viscous. At first glance, it resembled a wolf, but its proportions were grotesque. Its stomach was caved in, sunken like something had hollowed it out from within. Yet, its massive chest heaved violently, its breathing erratic, as if its entire existence was fueled by suffering.


    Then, It moved. Faster than my eyes could catch up. In the blink of an eye, it ripped through Vinico¡¯s duplicates, its elongated clawed limbs slicing through them with a ferocity that made the air tremble. Dozens of them were erased in an instant. Their bodies burst into nothingness, but the sheer efficiency of the slaughter made it clear¡ªHad those been real people, they wouldn¡¯t have stood a chance.


    Finally, I saw its face. Its skin was split down the middle, like someone had tried to peel it open, revealing a gaping maw lined with jagged, misaligned teeth. Thick, pulsating veins bulged beneath its distorted flesh, and bones jutted out from its joints at unnatural angles, turning its entire form into a weaponized horror.


    What kind of monstrosity is this? I wondered, my mind racing.


    That familiar sensation hit me.


    A wave of d¨¦j¨¤ vu slammed into my skull, making the world reel backward.


    Gina had died.


    Again.


    This time, the moment Gina sensed danger, she reacted immediately. With no hesitation, she shoved Alex forward as the bloody abomination dropped down again. The impact rattled the ground, the warehouse groaning under the force. But Alex, unlike the rest of us, he wasn¡¯t fragile. His body absorbed the force effortlessly, his muscles coiling with inhuman precision.


    The air of invincibility surrounding him flared, and before the creature could react, Alex¡¯s fist connected with a devastating blow.


    The impact was instantaneous and brutal.


    The creature¡¯s entire body whipped backward, slamming into the concrete wall with a sickening crunch. The entire warehouse trembled as the crack spread across the surface like a spiderweb, stretching out in every direction.


    ¡°What the fuck was that?¡± Alex demanded, gripping his glowing metal rods tightly as he readied for another strike.


    We immediately snapped to attention, forming a tight circle, each of us scanning the darkness for movement.


    Whatever this thing was, there might be more of them hiding in the warehouse.


    ¡°Movement,¡± one of Vinico¡¯s clones called sharply. ¡°The thing is still alive.¡±


    A low, guttural growl echoed from the shadows, sending a chill down our spines. The sound of something massive shifting in the darkness was accompanied by heavy, deliberate footsteps.


    There were two of them.


    The second one stepped¡ªor rather, dragged itself¡ªout of the shadows. It dwarfed the first creature, which was already towering at eight feet tall. But this one¡­ this monstrosity didn¡¯t even resemble the wolf-like abomination. No, its grotesque form was something else entirely.


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± We all exclaimed, ¡°what is that?¡±


    ¡°What were these people trying to make?¡±


    It reminded me of the bloody demon rats Jade and I had fought in the train tunnels. Except this thing was far worse. It had no skin left on its body¡ªjust an amalgamation of flesh and exposed bone, a mangled heap of body parts melded together. Human faces, twisted and distorted, were embedded in the mass, their mouths frozen in silent screams. It rolled across the floor like a living hill of flesh, moving not on legs, but on dozens of long, grotesque arms that shifted unnaturally around its body. It was as if it defied the laws of physics entirely. But then again, these creatures weren¡¯t bound by physical laws. They were products of meta nature, a perversion of science and nature combined.


    Much to our surprise, the flesh-mountain monster didn¡¯t attack. Instead, it let out a low, pitiful growl.


    And that¡¯s when it hit us¡ªthe thing still had some semblance of human consciousness trapped inside. This¡­ thing¡­ was likely made from the very people who had been abducted. Their bodies weren¡¯t just killed¡ªthey were melted together, fused into this horrifying monstrosity without dying. They were trapped in this nightmare, their human consciousness was still lingering within the mountain of flesh. The cruelty required to do something like this to living beings was unimaginable. Even for someone like me, who had seen my fair share of horror, this was different.


    This felt beyond human.

 Act 2.31 (Chrysalis)

    The wolf-like monster moved swiftly, darting between the shadows like a predator on the hunt. Its glowing red eyes flickered with intelligence, but its movements were raw, feral¡ªnothing but instinct driving its speed and precision. The flesh-mountain, on the other hand, was a nightmare made real. Just slithering there in the dark, with all those faces pushed up against its skin like they were trying to get out.


    The monster turned its focus toward us, its body tensing as though ready to pounce. But then, in a blur of movement, it lunged¡ªnot at us, but at the flesh-mountain. Its claws ripped into the mass of flesh, and the thing erupted into violent motion, its dozens of protruding, twisted arms flailed wildly. The embedded faces screamed, their agony piercing through the air like a chorus of horror.


    ¡°What the hell is it doing?¡± Gina¡¯s voice was shaky, her grip on her blaster tightening.


    ¡°It¡¯s using it!¡± I shouted, the realization hitting me. ¡°The monster isn¡¯t just attacking at random¡ªit¡¯s forcing the flesh-mountain to lash out, turning it into a weapon.¡±


    Then, one of the monstrous arms came hurtling toward us, faster than I expected. Alex dove just in time, the limb slamming into the concrete floor with enough force to crack it wide open. Shards of debris exploded outward, slicing through the air like shrapnel.


    ¡°You okay?¡± I yelled.


    Alex rolled onto his back, coughing. ¡°Just give me a second to unsee my life flashing before my eyes.¡±


    ¡°No time for that,¡± Gina snapped. She pulled him to his feet with a sharp tug. ¡°That thing¡¯s still swinging.¡±


    The wolf-monster let out a guttural growl, darting around the perimeter, waiting for an opening. It was fast¡ªtoo fast for any of us to catch with a direct attack.


    "Vinico, clones! Now!" I yelled, my voice echoing off the blood-slicked walls.


    "On it!" Vinico barked back, but his face had began to contort with strain.


    Still, his duplicates poured out like a unstoppable tide, walking out of him. They swarmed the monster from all sides, their synchronized movements creating an almost hypnotic display of violence. But the wolf-monster was unstoppable. Its obsidian claws tore through clone after clone, slicing through them like they were paper. Their bodies dissolved into mist, their silent screams lost to the air. The warehouse grew thick with the stench of coppery blood, mingling with the sickly-sweet rot emanating from the creature¡¯s matted fur.


    And still¡ª


    It wasn¡¯t slowing down.


    The flesh-mountain lurched upward, its writhing limbs and faces reaching toward the crumbling ceiling. Hundreds of mouths gaped in silent screams, their jaws snapping open and shut, some revealing tongues that coiled like wet tendrils.


    But it was the face that stopped me cold.


    A child¡¯s face¡ªdisturbingly intact¡ªturned toward me.


    Its eyes were pools of anguish, its cheeks streaked with black ichor tears. It wasn¡¯t a monster.


    It was a prison¡ªa mass grave given form and breath.


    "We have to stop that thing!" Alex shouted.


    His glowing rods smashed into the ground, propelling him forward like a cannonball. With a burst of speed, he leaped onto the flesh-mountain, his golden aura flaring like a beacon in the darkness. Then¡ªHe struck. His weapons slammed onto the surface flesh, burying deep into the writhing body. A chorus of horrific shrieks tore through the warehouse. The faces twisted in agony, their eyes rolling back, their mouths contorting as one.


    Shockwaves rippled through its body-- if it still could be called that, sending shudders through its sickening pile of flesh and bone.


    But as Alex pressed the attack¡ª


    The wolf like monster saw its chance.


    It lunged for Alex¡¯s exposed back, moving with inhuman speed. Its peeled mouth, revealing rows upon rows of glinting, knife-like teeth, each one slick with blackened saliva.


    "Still." A single word rolled out of Lore¡¯s mouth.


    Everything obeyed.


    The wolf-creature froze mid-leap, its powerful limbs suspended unnaturally in the air, locked in Lore¡¯s absolute command. But even trapped, its burning red eyes seethed with hatred, locked onto us like it would tear us apart the second it was free.


    "Hold it still!" Vinico''s duplicates swarmed forward, their feet splashing through puddles of viscera as they dogpiled the beast. It should¡¯ve been overwhelming¡ªdozens of them attacking from all angles.


    But the monster strength was on an another level.


    Henry''s disk whirred through the air like a steel cyclone, slicing into the creature''s flesh. But instead of weakening, the wolf¡¯s body healed instantly, flesh knitting together with sickening ease. Bone snapped back into place. Muscles tightened, reformed. It was a nightmare with no end.


    Meanwhile, Gina and I focused on the flesh-mountain, our blasters burning deep into its pulsating body. The thing, the flesh mountain was growing. Every impact, every wound, only made it pulse larger, like it was absorbing the damage, thriving on our desperation. Suddenly, then, it writhed violently from another one of Alex¡¯s powerful attacks. Its twisted arms lashed out, smashing into a support column, causing the warehouse to groan under the strain.


    Chunks of concrete rained down, cracks spreading across the ceiling.


    "We can''t keep this up!" Gina''s gritted. "We are only pissing it off!"


    ¡°Then we take out the wolf first!¡± I shouted, already locking onto my new priority. The wolf-like monster was different. It was calculating. It had control over itself, unlike the flesh-mountain, which seemed more like an unstable abomination than a true living being.


    If we could kill it, maybe we could end all of this.


    I spotted a broken metal pipe among the debris, the jagged edge still slick with someone¡ªor something¡¯s¡ªblood. I grabbed it, gripping the cool metal tightly in my hand. Then I sprinted toward the first monster.


    Lore¡¯s grip on the creature was slipping, her jaw clenched in effort, sweat beading at her temple.


    Vinico¡¯s clones had become nothing more than cannon fodder, the monster tearing through them like mist, reducing them to nothing in seconds.


    The monster¡¯s burning red eyes snapped to me. Its snarl deepened, its ears flattening back, recognizing the threat I posed. But, I didn¡¯t stop. One of the flesh-mountain¡¯s writhing arms lashed toward me, but they passed straight through me harmlessly.


    The moment Lore¡¯s power broke, the wolf exploded into motion. Its claws slashed through the air, moving so fast it was barely visible. And I lunged at the same moment. It came at me like a missile of pure death, the air splitting around its body¡ªI ducked low, barely dodging the lethal arc of its claw. The attack whistled past my head, slicing through the air where my throat had been just a fraction of a second ago.


    Using the momentum of my dodge, I drove the metal pipe into its exposed side, aiming for the ribcage, the soft points beneath its armor of fur and muscle. The jagged metal tore through fur, skin, and sinew, puncturing deep into the beast¡¯s side. A horrifying, painful howl ripped from its split maw, echoing through the warehouse like a dying god¡¯s scream.


    The monster immediately staggered back, its massive body buckling, blood gushing from the wound in thick, black rivulets.


    Alex saw his opening and took it. His rods crackled with energy, brighter than before, electricity snapping off them in violent arcs. With a roar, he launched off the flesh-mountain, flipped mid-air, and brought both weapons down hard on the wolf¡¯s head. The impact was deafening. A shockwave rippled outward, shaking the ground, sending debris skittering in all directions.


    The wolf hit the ground like dead weight, its massive body crumpling under the force.


    For a split second, no one moved.


    Then¡ª


    The damn thing twitched.


    It was still alive.


    Still moving.


    Still trying to crawl into the darkness to escape.


    Alex¡¯s expression twisted into something between rage and disbelief. "Oh, hell no."


    He stepped forward and swung again, putting everything behind the hit. But his attack was not just deflected¡ªthrown backward. The force knocked Alex off balance, making him skid a few steps before he caught himself.


    His head snapped up, eyes burning with frustration. "What the fuck was that?"


    The wolf snarled from his mashed head, its red eyes locking onto him as it slinked backward. Vinico¡¯s clones circled it, but they weren¡¯t attacking anymore.


    Henry narrowed his eyes, his fingers twitching at his gloves, readying another strike with his deadly disk. "That thing has a meta-nature."


    Gina cursed under her breath. "You¡¯re kidding me. The fucking monster has powers too?"


    It made sense. This monster had once been human, transformed into whatever the hell it was now. But it hadn¡¯t lost its mind. It had adapted. From what I could tell, the wolf was creating micro air pockets around its body, repelling any incoming attack before it landed. A kinetic redirection ability.


    Lore frowned slightly, the first sign of anything resembling concern. "It¡¯s redirecting force. Not absorbing it¡ªreflecting it back."


    Alex rolled his shoulders, his grip tightening on his rods. "So what? We just hit it harder."


    Vinico scoffed. "Oh, sure, genius. Maybe if you punch the air hard enough, it''ll get scared and drop dead."


    Alex shot him a glare. "Keep talking, maybe I¡¯ll test it on you."


    Before they could keep bickering, Vinico shook his head and turned to Lore, exasperated. "Alright, I gotta ask¡ªwhy don¡¯t you just tell it to die?"


    Everyone went dead silent.


    All of us shot Lore suspicious glances. Yeah, why not? If her power could command abstract concepts with words, why not just end it here and now?


    She blinked at Vinico like he¡¯d just asked her if water was wet. "I can¡¯t."


    That was it. That was her answer.


    Vinico¡¯s expression darkened. "What do you mean you can¡¯t?"


    Lore shrugged, like this was obvious information that we were all too stupid to grasp. "It doesn¡¯t work like that."


    Gina scoffed. "Excuse me? You literally made that tank explode with a word. You can freeze people in place, stop sound, and even warp movement. But you can¡¯t just say ¡®die¡¯ and have this thing drop dead?"


    Lore rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed now. "If I could, don¡¯t you think I would have?"


    Alex exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down his face. "So, what, you have rules? Limits? What is it?"


    Lore stared at the monster, her eyes flicking between its movements, studying it like a puzzle she was one step away from solving. "I can''t use it back to back. It strains my mind like a band and I need some time for the knot to come loose, and the stronger the target, the less effect I have on them. Also, It has to be something that exists within the natural concept of the thing. I can command motion, weight, force, things that already exist. Death¡­? Death is an end. You can¡¯t command an end. You can only cause it."


    Honestly, her Likeness wasn''t what I had expected. As I focused hard to perceive it beyond just the random color mixed of info, It revealed a huge demon, but I couldn''t really see most of it - just this massive shape hiding in dark fog. The only parts I could actually make out were these giant hands reaching out from the darkness. And every time Lore used a command, those hands would move like they were the ones making it happen. Made me wonder if maybe her whole power had something to do with what that demon could do with those hands of its. But that''s just what I thought I was seeing - no way to know for sure what was really going on in there.


    Vinico threw up his hands. "Okay, well, if it doesn¡¯t work, maybe tell it to explode or stop healing or something!"If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Lore tapped her fingers against her chin. "That¡¯s¡­ possible. Maybe."


    "Maybe?!" Gina snapped. "We¡¯re running out of time!"


    Lore¡¯s silence wasn¡¯t reassuring, but I didn¡¯t press like the rest. There wasn¡¯t time. Maybe she had already hit her limit, pushing her meta nature to its breaking point.


    Either way, we needed a new approach.


    I pivoted immediately. "Gina, give me your blaster!¡±


    Gina turned to me, confused, bits of rubble falling from her hair as she steadied herself against the trembling wall.


    "What? Why?"


    "No time to explain."


    She hesitated, fingers tightening around her blaster. I didn¡¯t wait. I snatched it from her hands before she could argue.


    "Hey!" she protested.


    I tore into the gun''s casing, ripping out the energy source as warning signals blared from both weapons. The cells pulsed with an unstable purple glow in my hands. My body shifted, becoming intangible as I sprinted toward the wolf monster, which was still sprawled on the floor trying to block Alex''s bombardment of strikes. Behind us, Lore unleashed her power, and the flesh mountain erupted in a blinding explosion that lit up the chamber like daylight. But compared to what we''d witnessed outside ¨C the tank being vaporized in that earth-shattering blast ¨C this was barely a firecracker. It ripped chunks out of the writhing flesh-mountain.


    For a second, I thought we had it¡ª


    Then I saw it heal.


    It wouldn¡¯t stay dead. None of them would.


    "Alex!" I shouted, my throat burning from the acrid smoke. "Go high! Hit it with everything you''ve got!"


    Alex launched himself skyward. But, the monster anticipated it. At the peak of Alex¡¯s jump, the monster let out a thunderous roar¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t just sound. Compressed air exploded outward, a shockwave ripping through the battlefield. Vinico¡¯s clones never stood a chance. One second they were there, the next¡ªgone. Alex took the hit hard. The blast threw him sideways, his body twisting mid-air before he slammed into the ground with enough force to crack the concrete, sliding across the floor, his clothes and protective suit underneath in tethered.


    But, his body was unharmed, the beast couldn¡¯t waver his belief.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± he cursed, gripping his side as he staggered to his feet.


    The wolf-monster turned its attention to me, sensing an opportunity. It lunged forward with frightening speed, its massive body coiling like a spring before launching at me. Those razor claws extended, each one gleaming in the dim light as they sliced toward my throat. I didn¡¯t flinch. I let go. My body turned to smoke just as the claws ripped through where my chest had been. The wolf-monster landed wrong, its balance thrown. It skidded, snarling, its eyes flashing with rage and confusion. It didn''t understand.


    It had torn Vinico¡¯s clones apart. It had thrown Alex across the chamber. So why couldn¡¯t it touch me? I saw it in its glowing eyes as it tried to process what had happened.


    That moment of hesitation was all I needed. I lunged, fingers phasing through matted fur, thick muscle, and bone like they weren¡¯t even there. I shoved the violent cells deep into its chest, my fingers slipping past the beast¡¯s ribcage, placing them exactly where they needed to be.


    The moment I let go, I yelled at the top of my lungs.


    "Alex, now!"


    Alex roared as he dashed forward. But this time, he didn¡¯t aim directly for the wolf-monster. Instead, he slammed his weapons into the concrete beneath it. The floor erupted in a spider web of cracks, chunks of debris flying everywhere as the ground gave way. The monster stumbled, its massive bulk working against it as its legs scrabbled for purchase on the crumbling concrete.


    But the monster wasn''t done.


    But I was.


    A molten glow spread through its chest, flickering like a furnace had been lit inside it.


    The overcharged cells were leaking their volatile chemicals directly into its body, spreading through its veins like poison. The howl it let out wasn''t just pain ¨C it was pure agony, a sound that made the warehouse shake. Every remaining window exploded inward, glass shards raining down like knives. The beast thrashed violently, its own claws tearing at its chest, raking deep, jagged wounds in a desperate attempt to dig out the poison I''d put inside it. But there was nothing to dig out. It was inside its bloodstream now. And it was eating it alive.


    With another battle cry, Alex surged forward, his rods a blur of motion.


    "Keep it down!" he roared, his weapons slamming into the wolf¡¯s limbs again and again.


    Each impact was like a thunderclap. The smell of melting flesh filled the surroundings, meanwhile, the energy from Alex''s strikes seared into the beast''s hide.


    I barely heard myself over the loud bangs of strikes, but I still shouted¡ª


    "Vinico, keep the clones on it!"


    We couldn''t let the monster escape now. Not when we were so close.


    The unstable energy cells were our best shot at ending this nightmare, but only if we could keep the beast pinned long enough for them to do their work. The flesh mountain behind us was still thrashing, its countless arms reaching for us, but right now the wolf was all that mattered. If we could take it down, maybe we had a chance of stopping this whole thing.


    Vinico didn¡¯t hesitate. His duplicates surged forward, swarming the monster like ants on prey.


    They grabbed at its limbs, pulled at its body, climbing over one another like frenzied ants. The beast thrashed, crushing them beneath its claws, but every fallen clone was instantly replaced by another. More and more piled on, until the sheer weight of their numbers slowed its desperate struggle. Still, the beast refused to die. Its body convulsed violently, the unstable energy cells tearing through its insides. The flesh around its chest bubbled and split, raw muscle and fractured bone glowing from within. Its torso swelled grotesquely, veins lighting up like molten rivers, burning with pure, unstable destruction. The air around it turned scorching hot, stinging my lungs with the sharp, chemical tang of something horribly wrong.


    ¡°It¡¯s gonna blow!¡± Gina shrieked, stumbling backward, nearly tripping over the wreckage.


    Panic flashed in her wide eyes. "We need to move¡ªnow!"


    I spun, locking onto Alex.


    "Alex, OUT!" I bellowed


    Alex kicked off the ground in one fluid motion, his muscles launching him backward just as the monster''s body reached its limit. He landed in a crouch several feet away, his rods held defensively in front of him. Behind him, the monster''s glow turned blinding. Its entire body pulsed, light bursting from its skin like a sun about to go supernova¡ª


    BOOM!


    The explosion rippled through the warehouse with devastating force. The shockwave felt like a giant''s fist, slamming into everything in its path. I phased just in time, feeling the energy pass through my intangible form, but the earlier force still sent me flying. I crashed against the hard floor, the impact knocking the wind from my lungs. For a moment, my vision blurred, my body barely processing the sheer devastation around me.


    Through my watering eyes, I saw the aftermath.


    Alex, protected by his enhanced invincibility, was already back on his feet, his gaze sweeping the battlefield. Gina, Henry, and Lore pushed themselves up, coughing, shaken but alive.


    Smoke choked the air. The walls of the warehouse trembled, the tall ceiling cracked and barely holding together.


    And in the center of it all¡ª


    Finally, the monster was gone¡ªobliterated.


    Following, chunks of its flesh and bone began to rain down like confetti, splattering across the scorched floor and onto us. The foul stench of blood and death filled the air, clinging to everything.


    Gina doubled over, gagging. Henry barely managed to stagger to the side before vomiting onto the floor.


    The spot where the wolf-monster stood was now a massive crater, the concrete blackened and fractured. Littered across it were fragments of flesh and bone, faintly glowing with the residual energy of the unstable cells that had torn it apart. But our trouble was far from over. The monstrosity of the flesh-mountain was still writhing on the floor nearby, refusing to give up. Though Lore¡¯s repeated explosions and the wolf¡¯s self-destruction had caused significant damage, it wasn¡¯t enough. I could see its size had visibly decreased, but its wounds were healing at an unnatural speed, flesh knitting itself together like a horrifying patchwork quilt.


    Vinico, Alex, and I regrouped with the others near the warehouse entrance, outside. We were all short on breath, our exhaustion palpable.


    Alex rolled his shoulders, ¡°We threw everything at those things.¡± His knuckles cracked as he flexed his fingers. ¡°And they still didn¡¯t die fast enough.¡±


    ¡°Almost like someone designed them that way.¡± Vinico wiped at the blood splattered across his cheek.


    Gina exhaled sharply, still shaken. ¡°This is the most fucked-up thing I¡¯ve ever seen.¡±


    Henry, wiping his mouth, spat onto the ground. ¡°Agreed.¡±


    The explosions had ravaged the structure, leaving the walls cracked and crumbling, the roof sagging dangerously above us. Metal creaked and groaned, warning us that the whole damn place might come down at any second.


    My attention was pulled away by Gina nearby.


    "Ugh¡­ so disgusting."


    Gina gagged again, doubling over, her fingers desperately pulling bits of flesh out of her hair. Her curls, thick and tightly coiled, made the task even more revolting¡ªthe flesh had tangled deep inside, sticking to her like wet glue.


    "Get it off, get it off¡ª!" she whined, shuddering as she frantically wiped at her face.


    Blood smeared across her cheek, her fingers shaking, making it even worse. I stepped forward, pulling a particularly nasty chunk from her hair and flicking it to the ground.


    "There. Better?"


    She shot me a glare, her eyes wet with disgust. "I am shaving my head after this. I swear to God."


    Alex then turned to me, "Next time, maybe give me a heads-up before you shove a bomb into a monster?"


    I let out a weak chuckle, brushing the sweat from my forehead.


    "You looked like you had it under control."


    He snorted, shaking his head. "Yeah, well, next time, maybe let me decide if I want to be in the blast radius."


    Gina scoffed. "Yeah, like you would¡¯ve run. You live for that reckless shit."


    Alex shrugged. "Fair point."


    The flesh-mountain, now deprived of the wolf monster¡¯s presence, let out another mournful groan.


    We all turned to look inside.


    "What the hell do we do now?" Henry muttered, wiping a streak of blood from his face.


    None of us answered. Because we didn¡¯t know. With the wolf monster was gone, the flesh-mountain had stopped fighting. It wasn¡¯t thrashing anymore. It wasn¡¯t consuming anything. It just sat there, moaning, a weeping abomination of flesh and agony. And somehow, that was worse. The sight was almost too much to bear.


    "It sounds¡­ human." Gina said.


    Alex¡¯s jaw tightened. "They were human."


    We all stared at it, watching the shifting mass of bodies, seeing the half-formed faces, the reaching arms, the expressions frozen in silent screams. I had thought I couldn¡¯t feel worse after the first one. I was wrong. The realization hit all of us at the same time. This wasn¡¯t just a monster. It was hundreds of people, fused together, forced to exist as this nightmare.


    We''d come here to save them, but now... how could we possibly help them? There was no way to separate them, to give them back their bodies and their lives.


    Gina swallowed hard. "We can¡¯t leave it like this."


    Vinico let out a bitter laugh, but there was no humor in it. "What, you want to save it?"


    She turned to him, glaring. "I don¡¯t know! But we just killed the thing controlling it, and now it¡¯s just¡ª" she gestured wildly, "¡ªstuck like this. What the hell do we do, just walk away?"


    Lore crossed her arms, "It might not be attacking, but it¡¯s still an abomination. If we leave it here, it¡¯s only a matter of time before it starts consuming again."


    Even if we wanted to, even if we tried, I couldn¡¯t think of a single person in the world who could undo this. Returning them to their original forms? Turning back time? That kind of power was beyond any of us.


    Unless someone with reality-manipulation abilities intervened¡ªand let¡¯s be honest, why would they? People like that? The god-tier metas? They had no reason to waste their time here.


    They were too far removed from the struggles of ordinary lives, too high up the hierarchy to care about victims like these. The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth. We¡¯d fought so hard to get here, only to find ourselves facing an unfixable tragedy.


    We all turned our eyes to Lore.


    She stood hunched over her knees, it was clear¡ªshe was barely holding it together. But, out of all of us, she was the only one with reality-bending powers who might be able to solve the horrifying problem at the center of the warehouse.


    She felt our stares immediately and scowled. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me,¡± she said bitterly, shaking her head. ¡°I already told you my meta doesn¡¯t work like that.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s call either the City Protectors or a private hero group,¡± I suggested cautiously. ¡°We can¡¯t handle this on our own.¡±


    Lore immediately shook her head, ¡°The City Protectors aren¡¯t an option.¡±


    Alex said, "Why the hell not? Isn¡¯t this their job?"


    Lore exhaled slowly, "We can''t account for the sheer amount of damage we''ve done here. This entire area is destroyed. We have a couple hundred dead bodies outside." She gestured around. "Do you know how big of a crime that is and what kind of punishment we''ll receive? We might not even live to see sunlight for the rest of our life, locked up inside some volcano or on some abandoned moon. Even as students of Beyonder''s Academy, we''d be in serious trouble if the authorities caught us here."


    Her words hit like a cold reality check. She was right¡ªthis wasn¡¯t something we could just explain away.


    Gina shifted uncomfortably, "We saved people, though."


    Vinico gave a hollow laugh. "And we killed a hell of a lot more."


    Henry frowned. "It¡¯s not like we had a choice."


    Lore¡¯s stare was flat, unyielding. "Doesn¡¯t matter. The law doesn¡¯t care about our choices. It cares about bodies."


    Henry cursed under his breath. "They¡¯ll label us terrorists before we even open our mouths."


    Alex exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. ¡°Fuck.¡±


    Because we all knew¡ªshe was right. No one was going to listen to our justifications. No one was going to see us as heroes.


    "We call a private hero group." Lore continued, her tone more pragmatic now.


    Alex shot her a look. "You just said we couldn¡¯t get help."


    "Official help."


    I caught on. "Private heroes work differently."


    Lore nodded. "They could take the blame for us. Say it was their mission."


    Gina crossed her arms, suspicious. "And why would they do that?"


    Lore didn¡¯t miss a beat. "A little bribe here and there. They call it their cleanup job. They get the credit. We get to walk away."


    Henry let out a sharp laugh, but there was no humor in it. "So a cover-up."


    Lore didn¡¯t even blink. "A cleanup."


    Vinico scoffed. "Same difference."


    Lore shrugged. "Does it matter? If they take the blame, we¡¯re clear. If they don¡¯t, we¡¯re screwed."


    "This is so fucked."


    The idea wasn¡¯t ideal, but it was practical. We exchanged glances, each of us weighing the risk of involving others versus facing the wrath of the authorities. Lore¡¯s plan made sense. We didn¡¯t have much of a choice.


    "Hold on." Alex lifted a hand, stopping the conversation dead in its tracks.


    His tone was casual, but there was an edge to it, like he was already a step ahead of the rest of us.


    "I know someone who might be able to help."


    I raised a brow. So did everyone else. All eyes turned to him. Skepticism, curiosity, and just a little bit of hope flickered through the group.


    Gina crossed her arms. "You know someone?"


    Vinico let out a dry laugh. "The hell kind of people do you have on speed dial, Alex?"


    Alex didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, he just shrugged, pulling out his phone from his jacket. The thing was encased in a thick, military-grade cover¡ªthe only reason it had probably survived the absolute circus of the fight. Given the beating Alex had taken, it was a damn miracle the device was still functional.


    Henry tilted his head, skeptical. "So, what, you got a fixer on call?"


    Alex smirked, scrolling through his contacts. "Something like that."


    Lore narrowed her eyes. "And this ¡®someone''¡ªthey won¡¯t ask questions?"


    Alex met her gaze, smirk fading into something more serious. "They know how to keep things quiet."


    That wasn¡¯t exactly reassuring, but at this point, we didn¡¯t have the luxury of being picky.


    I exhaled. "Fine. Call them."


    Alex tapped the screen, put the phone to his ear, and after a beat¡ª


    Someone picked up.


    Alex¡¯s smirk returned, just a little.


    "Hey. Got a job for you."

 Act 2.32 (Chrysalis)

    So You Killed the Bad Guys... What? You Can¡¯t Just Leave Bodies Lying Around?


    ¡°A Fixer,¡± Alex said cryptically. ¡°You don¡¯t need to know much more than that. He¡¯s not a hero, but he¡¯s not exactly a villain either. He deals with¡­ messy situations like this.¡±


    ¡°Like a cleaner?¡± Lore asked, skeptical.


    Alex nodded. ¡°Exactly. He¡¯s handled messes for bigger names than us. Trust me, if anyone can make this whole thing disappear, it¡¯s him. And after he¡¯s done, we call in the City Protectors or some hero squad to sweep the area. No explanations. No loose ends.¡±


    Henry crossed his arms. ¡°And you trust this guy?¡±


    Alex let out a breath. ¡°Trust is a strong word. Let¡¯s just say I trust that he values his own survival enough not to screw us over.¡±


    Every city had these cleanup guys¡ªpeople with utility-based meta abilities designed to erase evidence or make problems vanish. Some worked in the shadows for villain gangs, others for hero teams, and a few operated on a strictly business basis, selling their skills to the highest bidder. It was a murky business. Many of these individuals operated in morally gray areas, while some even had connections with the City Protectors, which made them unpredictable. One could never be sure whose side they were really on, which meant we needed to be careful about who we involved.


    If we picked the wrong one, it could come back to bite us hard.


    Lore raised an eyebrow. ¡°That¡¯s comforting.¡±


    ¡°As much as anyone in this line of work,¡± Alex replied with a shrug. ¡°He¡¯s reliable, and he keeps his mouth shut. That¡¯s all we need right now.¡±


    Lore still didn¡¯t look convinced, but she didn¡¯t argue. We had no better option. Instead, she motioned for Alex to continue. Meanwhile, I kept my eyes on the flesh mountain, just in case it decided to start moving again.


    Alex pulled out his phone and held it to his ear, pacing slightly as he waited for the call to connect. It didn¡¯t take long. The moment someone picked up, his posture shifted¡ªhis usual cockiness tempered into something more controlled.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s me. Long time no see,¡± he said. ¡°Got a situation. South District, abandoned warehouse. It¡¯s bad¡ªfull cleanup crew bad.¡± He listened for a few seconds before adding, ¡°No, not just bodies. There¡¯s¡­ let¡¯s just say experimental stuff involved. Biological.¡± Another pause. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯ll need to bring everything. Full containment.¡±


    We exchanged glances as Alex continued the conversation.


    ¡°Money won¡¯t be an issue,¡± Alex said, shooting us a look that made it clear we¡¯d be footing the bill whether we liked it or not. ¡°We¡¯ll cover it.¡±


    A few seconds later, he ended the call and slipped his phone back into his pocket with a heavy sigh.


    ¡°They¡¯re on their way,¡± he announced. ¡°About twenty minutes.¡±


    ¡°Twenty minutes?¡± Henry repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. ¡°Do you realize how fast the authorities could show, given how big of a commotion we had caused?¡±


    Alex shrugged again, unfazed. ¡°Then we better make sure they don¡¯t find us here.¡±


    ¡°Great,¡± Gina muttered, rolling her eyes. ¡°Now we¡¯re relying on some shady fixer to clean up our mess. This just keeps getting better.¡±


    ¡°Do you have a better idea?¡± Alex shot back, his tone sharper now. ¡°Because unless you¡¯ve got a secret army stashed somewhere, this is the best option we¡¯ve got.¡±


    Gina opened her mouth as if to argue but snapped it shut, her frustration clear in the tight set of her jaw. She didn¡¯t have a counterargument, and she knew it.


    Lore stepped in before things could escalate. ¡°We need to move any evidence we don¡¯t want discovered,¡± she said, her voice cutting through the tension. ¡°The fixer can handle the cleanup, but if there¡¯s anything here that ties back to us¡ªor to whoever¡¯s behind this experiment¡ªwe need to deal with it now.¡±


    Henry scoffed. ¡°Pretty sure that ship¡¯s already sailed. We left behind enough of a mess to raise about a thousand red flags.¡±


    Alex ran a hand through his hair. ¡°Yeah, well, unless you¡¯re volunteering to go down for this, let¡¯s focus on damage control.¡±


    Everyone nodded, and without another word, we split up, combing through the wreckage in search of anything incriminating or valuable.


    I stepped over a collapsed metal shelf, scanning the ground. Before the fight, the tables had been neatly stacked with paper files¡ªclear evidence of whatever operations had been conducted here. Now, the scene was a disaster zone. Most of the documents had been burned, reduced to scattered ash. The few remaining papers were half-shredded or soaked in blood, the ink bleeding into unreadable smudges.


    I wandered through the rubble, searching for anything overlooked¡ªa cupboard, a hidden safe, something. But the mastermind behind this had been meticulous, leaving nothing crucial behind. The experiments alone revealed their inhuman goals, yet it was clear they had wiped the place clean before vanishing. Research notes, data, tools¡ªanything traceable was gone. Even the failed experiments seemed deliberately abandoned, left only because they were useless or too cumbersome to move.


    After fifteen minutes of fruitless searching, we regrouped outside. Behind us, the warehouse groaned under the strain of the battle, threatening to collapse. None of us wanted to be inside when it did.


    Outside was no better. A different horror awaited¡ªhundreds of eagles and scavenger birds had already descended, tearing into the lifeless bodies strewn across the abandoned fields. Beaks ripped through dead flesh, fighting over strips of meat and organs. One massive eagle yanked out what looked like a length of intestine, others swooping in to snatch pieces as it dangled. And the sounds were the worst part ¨C wet tearing mixed with bones cracking as the birds fought over their meal. Similarly, the air soaked with the smell of blood and something worse, something that stuck in the back of your throat. No wind meant the stench just sat there, heavy and lingering. The villains¡¯ bodies, already mangled from the fight, were now being ripped apart piece by piece. What remained barely looked human¡ªan arm here, half a torso there, everything picked over and shredded by beaks and claws.


    No one spoke. The scene said enough. Besides, we had more pressing matters to discuss.


    We turned our attention to Gina and handed her all the stuff we had found inside, broken or intact. All eyes were on her now.


    Her meta nature could pull specific memories from objects or people, glimpsing flashes of their past experiences from the last twenty-four hours. If anyone could uncover a lead here, it was her.


    She took the paper and her hands slowly touched one item after another like she was pulling strings. Her brows furrowed in concentration, and a faint distortion surrounded her hands. The rest of us stood in tense silence, waiting for her to extract the fragmented memories trapped within.


    A minute passed. Then another.


    She looked pale, her breaths shallow, like she¡¯d just surfaced from drowning.


    ¡°What did you see?¡± Alex asked, stepping forward.


    Gina exhaled shakily, rubbing her hands on her already stained clothes as if trying to wipe away whatever she had just experienced. She didn¡¯t answer right away, her gaze distant as she looked over the wreckage.


    ¡°Give me a second,¡± she muttered. ¡°This¡­ this is going to be rough.¡±


    None of us rushed her.


    Finally, she spoke. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ not just one person.¡± Her voice wavered, ¡°This isn¡¯t the work of a single mad scientist or some small-time villain gang. It¡¯s a group¡ªa highly organized one.¡± She hesitated for just a moment, then added, ¡°They call themselves ¡®The Bakers.¡¯¡±


    ¡°The Bakers?¡± Henry repeated, incredulous.


    We exchanged glances. The name didn¡¯t ring a bell, and from the blank looks on everyone else¡¯s faces, it wasn¡¯t just me. Either, they just sniffed themselves out in future or perhaps they never existed before this timeline, I could only ponder on the fact.


    Lore frowned. ¡°That sounds ridiculous. What kind of name is that for an operation like this?¡±


    Gina¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s meant to be funny. They¡¯ve been running these experiments for weeks, maybe longer.¡± She gestured to the wreckage around us. ¡°This warehouse was just one of their many sites.¡±


    She then looked at me, ¡°The mutated rats you guys were attacked in the train tunnels were also part of their one of the experiments.¡±


    ¡°But their goal wasn¡¯t just experimentation¡ªit was profit and chaos.¡± Gina¡¯s voice was cold, almost hollow. ¡°They¡¯ve perfected a serum. A formula for creating these¡­ hybrids between metahumans and various animals. An army of unstoppable, bloodthirsty killing machines.¡±


    Her eyes flickered to the grotesque remains of the first monster, then to the still-smoldering flesh mountain. ¡°And they¡¯re planning to sell it.¡±


    ¡°Sell it?¡± Vinico echoed, his tone caught between disbelief and disgust. ¡°You¡¯re telling me they¡¯re turning this into a business?¡±


    Gina nodded grimly. ¡°In a secret underground auction. The buyers¡ªpowerful, rich, and completely immoral¡ªwill bid for the serum, the formula, and the means to replicate this horror on their own. They¡¯re holding the auction at the end of this week.¡±


    ¡°What about the people they abducted?¡± I asked, ¡°The civilians¡ªare they still alive?¡±


    ¡°Some,¡± she admitted. ¡°But not many. Most of the abductees died during the experiments. The flesh mountain alone¡­¡± She swallowed hard, shaking her head. ¡°It was made from over hundreds of people, all fused together while they were still alive. They weren¡¯t even given the mercy of death before being used.¡±


    ¡°The ones who survived,¡± Gina continued, ¡°will be used as part of the auction¡ªdemonstrations of the serum¡¯s effects. They¡¯re planning to inject them in front of the buyers to showcase the transformations.¡±


    Lore¡¯s face went pale. ¡°They¡¯re turning people into live test subjects for entertainment.¡±


    Henry clenched his fists, his entire body vibrating with barely contained fury. ¡°Bastards.¡±


    A stifling silence settled over the group, not for lack of thoughts, but because none of us could find the words to express them. Gina¡¯s confirmation landed harder than we had anticipated, despite the fact that the signs had been there all along, waiting to be acknowledged.


    ¡°We can¡¯t let something like this happen again,¡± Lore said firmly, ¡°We need to find out where this auction is being held and shut it down. If they manage to sell this serum, it¡¯ll spread like wildfire. We¡¯ll be facing an entire world of horrors like this.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Alex said, his usual flippant attitude gone, ¡°But how do we find the location? Did you see anything useful, Gina?¡±


    Gina shook her head. ¡°Not directly, but there was a mention of an underground place, likely a train station. The auction will be held somewhere close to that terminal.¡±


    ¡°An underground station? That narrows it down. The city has a bunch of abandoned subway lines from the old metro expansion projects. Some were sealed off, but a lot of them still have access points if you know where to look.¡±


    Henry frowned. ¡°Even if we find the station, how do we get inside? We just waltz in and ask for a VIP pass?¡±


    ¡°More like we get creative,¡± Lore replied. ¡°These types of operations don¡¯t just let strangers in. The people who attend these auctions¡ªbuyers, sellers, guards¡ªthey have a process. A protocol. We need to find a weak link in that chain.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll need to move fast,¡± I said, glancing at the others. ¡°If the auction is at the end of the week, we don¡¯t have much time to act.¡±


    ¡°And we can¡¯t rely on any official channels,¡± Lore reminded us firmly. ¡°The authorities won¡¯t believe us, and even if they did, they¡¯d probably just make things worse.¡±


    Gina exhaled slowly. ¡°She¡¯s right. If we tip off the wrong people, the auction might not even happen at that place or tighten security. We need to be quiet about this.¡±


    I sighed, running a hand down my face. So much for a peaceful week. What day was it? Tuesday? Tomorrow, I had to train three brats too. Great.


    ¡°Our next step should be finding the exact location,¡± I said, pushing my frustration aside. ¡°And to do that, we either search every train station in the city¡ªwhich is obviously insane¡ªor¡­¡± I glanced at Alex. ¡°Maybe Caleb could help. He said he¡¯s good at sniffing out leaks. And Gina could use her ability to confirm suspicious locations and narrow it down further.¡±


    Alex nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Sounds like a plan.¡±


    ¡°Wait,¡± Vinico cut in, frowning. He and the others exchanged glances. ¡°Who the hell is Caleb?¡±


    Alex waved his hand dismissively. ¡°Just a guy who helped us find this place.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Lore¡¯s sharp gaze landed on us, skeptical. ¡°He found this place? How?¡±


    Alex shrugged again, casual but evasive. ¡°Well, it was North¡¯s idea. Caleb just followed the lead.¡±


    And just like that, all their eyes turned to me.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± I muttered under my breath. I was about to explain¡ªor at least deflect¡ªwhen the unmistakable crunch of boots on gravel caught our attention.


    A man in a black suit halted a few feet away, his gaze sweeping over the wreckage as if cataloging every drop of blood spilled, every broken body strewn across the ruins of the warehouse. With each passing second, his expression darkened, twisting into something sharper, colder. And when his eyes finally settled on us, the irritation in them was unmistakable.


    "What the hell did these people do to you," the man asked "for you six to turn this place into a goddamn slaughterhouse?"


    No one answered immediately.


    It wasn¡¯t that we didn¡¯t have an explanation¡ªwe did. It just didn¡¯t sound good when said out loud. Instead, we all focused on him: The man wasn¡¯t particularly tall or physically imposing, he seemed like someone who tried his hardest to look imposing and serious.


    The Fixer.


    Alex walked forward to greet him.


    ¡°Hey, good to see you,¡± he greeted, flashing a lopsided grin. ¡°Appreciate you coming on short notice.¡±


    The Fixer, however, didn¡¯t return the courtesy. He ignored Alex¡¯s outstretched hand at first, pinching the bridge of his nose as he muttered something under his breath. Whatever it was, I was pretty sure it wasn¡¯t complimentary.


    Then, with an irritated sigh, he pulled out a sleek black phone and dialed a number.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s me,¡± he said curtly, his voice devoid of patience. ¡°Bring the full team. No, not the small one¡ªthe full team. This is a priority.¡±


    A brief pause. Then his lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°No, I don¡¯t care if it¡¯s inconvenient. This mess is worse than I expected. You¡¯ll see for yourself soon enough.¡±


    Alex let out an embarrassed chuckle, extending his hand as the Fixer ended the call.


    ¡°I thought you left the industry,¡± Fixer said, trying to sound casual. ¡°But¡­ it looks like¡ª¡±


    The second he ended the call, Alex let out an awkward chuckle and extended his hand again, clearly trying to salvage some goodwill. ¡°Alright, so maybe things got a little out of hand¡ª¡±


    The Fixer shook his hand briefly but didn¡¯t look the least bit amused. ¡°I had better expectations from you,¡± he said.


    Alex rubbed the back of his neck, his grin faltering. ¡°It¡¯s not like we planned this,¡± he said, defensive. ¡°These people tried to drop a bomb on us. We had to do something to save our asses.¡±


    The Fixer exhaled sharply, folding his arms. ¡°So naturally, your response was to turn the place into a war zone.¡±


    ¡°Not my first choice,¡± Alex admitted, kicking at a piece of debris. ¡°But, you know, survival instincts and all that.¡±


    The Fixer didn¡¯t seem convinced, his gaze lingering on the half-demolished warehouse and the guttural growls echoing from inside, sending an involuntary shiver down his spine. He pointed toward the warehouse with fingers that, for the first time, weren¡¯t entirely steady. ¡°There¡¯s something alive in there,¡± he said, his voice low. Not just wary¡ªafraid.


    Alex glanced back at us, a silent question in his eyes. Do we show him?


    None of us answered, but we didn¡¯t need to. We all knew the plan.


    The Fixer¡¯s role was simple¡ªclean up the gang¡¯s bodies, erase the evidence, and make it all disappear. The thing inside, though? It wasn¡¯t a monster; it was an amalgamation of people, victims whose families and friends would need closure. As horrifying as the situation was, it wasn¡¯t something we could sweep under the rug. These people needed to be put to rest, their suffering ended in a way that acknowledged the tragedy of what had been done to them. This was something only the city, with its resources and authority, could handle.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to go in there,¡± Lore said, her voice unusually quiet.


    The Fixer shot her a sharp look. ¡°And why¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°Because some things can¡¯t be erased,¡± she replied.


    Alex turned back to The Fixer, his voice steady. ¡°The bodies outside are your job. Whatever it¡¯s inside¡ªit¡¯s beyond us or you. The city¡¯s going to have to deal with that.¡±


    The Fixer frowned, his fear briefly giving way to annoyance. ¡°I hope you know what you¡¯re doing,¡± he muttered, his tone colder than before.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    With deliberate, measured steps, he crossed the threshold of the warehouse. His gaze settled on the Flesh Mountain, yet his expression remained eerily composed, the weight of experience evident in the way he absorbed the grotesque scene without so much as a flinch. But when he stepped back outside moments later, he shook his head. Even for someone like him¡ªsomeone who had seen the worst humanity and meta powers could conjure¡ªthis abomination defied comprehension. The only sign of disturbance was the slight tension around his eyes, the barely perceptible clench of his jaw.


    ¡°What the hell did you guys pull yourselves into?¡± The Fixer asked, his gaze flicking between us and inside.


    Trailing a few steps behind, Alex ran a hand through his hair. ¡°Some people here were experimenting on abducted civilians. Turning them into¡­ that.¡± He gestured, ¡°we think it¡¯s made up of the same people who were taken from the train tunnel accident the last week.¡±


    The Fixer didn¡¯t react.


    ¡°Save the explanation, kid,¡± he said dismissively, waving a hand. ¡°I¡¯ve got no loyalty to anyone here. My job is to clean up, not take sides.¡±


    Soon, the roar of engines filled the air as a drone, nearly the size of a small airplane, descended from the sky. Its massive rotors churned the air, kicking up a whirlwind of dust as it touched down near the ruins of the demolished houses. A hydraulic hiss cut through the din as the back doors slid open, revealing a dozen figures clad in pristine white hazmat suits. They stepped out in perfect formation. At the front of the group, their leader raised a hand in silent acknowledgment to the Fixer, who gave a curt nod in response. That was all the signal they needed. Without hesitation, they moved with practiced efficiency, unloading an array of specialized equipment¡ªmassive vacuum-like machines and other bizarre, unrecognizable devices that vibrated with a sound that made your teeth ache.


    The cleanup began with chilling efficiency. The vacuums devoured the battlefield¡¯s remains¡ªflesh, bone, and blood¡ªall disappearing into their depths without so much as a trace. The ground was slowly being stripped of its horrors. Meanwhile, several of the team wielded handheld instruments resembling metal detectors, but their purpose was far stranger. Each time one swept the device over a bloodstain or a stubborn fragment the vacuums couldn¡¯t reach, the air charged faintly, and in an instant, the organic matter simply vaporized. No residue. No smoke. Nothing left behind but clean, undisturbed earth, as if nothing had ever happened here at all.


    This was the third oddest sight I¡¯d witnessed today¡ªand by far the strangest.


    The efficiency of these people in white hazmat suits was unsettling. Within minutes, everything from the last drop of blood was scraped, leaving no evidence of the horror we''d created half an hour ago.


    ¡°What are you going to do with so many bodies?¡± Vinico asked, unable to contain his curiosity as he stared at men in hazmat suits.


    The Fixer barely spared him a glance. ¡°That¡¯s my business.¡± His voice was flat, matter-of-fact. ¡°But let¡¯s be honest¡ªyou guys didn¡¯t exactly leave them in pristine condition. Otherwise, they¡¯d sell pretty hot on the black market.¡±


    Vinico rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath. The rest of us stared at him pointedly, knowing full well that most of the massacre was his doing.


    Still, The Fixer¡¯s words lingered like an unspoken accusation.


    The idea of selling human bodies¡ªeven dead ones¡ªon the black market left a bitter taste in everyone¡¯s mouth.


    Gina crossed her arms tightly over her chest. ¡°That¡¯s a joke, right?¡± She looked at The Fixer


    He didn¡¯t blink. ¡°No.¡±


    Henry exhaled sharply. ¡°Jesus.¡±


    Lore, however, held the Fixer¡¯s gaze. ¡°You¡¯re saying people actually buy them?¡±


    The Fixer shrugged. ¡°Organs, bone marrow, metahuman DNA¡ªthere¡¯s a demand for all of it. And that¡¯s just the useful parts. Some buyers are collectors. Others just like trophies.¡± He said it so casually, like he was discussing stocks or real estate. ¡°The right buyer pays well. But¡ª¡± he gestured vaguely to the wreckage ¡°¡ªyou guys went a little overboard. Ruined the merchandise.¡±


    Gina let out a dry, humorless laugh. ¡°Oh, sorry we didn¡¯t keep the bodies fresh for resale.¡±


    Alex exhaled, rubbing his temples. ¡°Can we not talk about selling corpses like it¡¯s a damn business transaction?¡±


    The others exchanged uneasy glances. Gina, Vinico, and Henry in particular looked unsettled, their expressions shifting between disgust and something closer to helplessness. For them, this wasn¡¯t just about the bodies or the bloodshed¡ªit was the realization that they¡¯d stepped into something bigger. Something darker.


    <hr>


    As silently as he had arrived, the Fixer vanished just as quietly, his team of hazmat-suited workers disappearing with him. Alex, ever the one to handle loose ends, had covered the cost of the cleanup himself. His finances were far from strained, considering I¡¯d handed him twenty percent of my lottery winnings. Still, even for him, the price had been steep¡ªeleven million for a job done in under an hour. And that wasn¡¯t even counting the fortune he¡¯d make from selling the bodies on the underground market. A lucrative business, no doubt, though none of us wanted to linger on the thought.


    Instead, we stood, staring at the empty field and the barely stable remains of the warehouse. The destruction felt muted, stripped of blood and gore, sanitized to the point of surrealism.


    ¡°It¡¯s like nothing ever happened here,¡± Gina murmured, astonished.


    She wasn¡¯t wrong. Except for the faint metallic stench of death, there was no sign that hundreds had died here just hours ago. The outskirts had returned to an eerie stillness, deceptively calm. Except for ¡ªbroken buildings, some craters from tanks and missiles¡ªbut nothing that screamed bloodbath.


    ¡°So, who do we call now?¡± Henry asked, snapping us back to the pressing matter. ¡°Does anyone even know which hero team is in charge of this sector?¡±


    Alex ran a hand through his hair. ¡°Hell if I know. It keeps changing depending on budget cuts, PR scandals, and which team hasn¡¯t pissed off the Mayor recently.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just call the City Protectors,¡± I suggested, mulling it over. ¡°No need to get private teams involved. The place is already cleaned up like nothing happened.¡±


    Gina frowned, looking at me skeptically. ¡°How would they know the full details? Only we know that the flesh mountain was actually made of the people abducted from the train attack.¡±


    I shrugged. ¡°We¡¯ll just write it on the floor. Simple.¡±


    Gina blinked. ¡°¡­You¡¯re joking, right?¡±


    Lore, however, caught on immediately. A small, exhausted smile tugged at her lips. ¡°No, he¡¯s right.¡± She turned to Gina. ¡°Think about it. I¡¯m too damn tired to deal with more people or answer a barrage of questions.¡±


    ¡°We all are,¡± Henry muttered, stretching his sore arm.


    ¡°So, what? We just graffiti a confession?¡± Vinico asked, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°More like a distress message,¡± I corrected. ¡°Something simple. Victims from train attack¡ªexperimented on. Site cleared. Stop the Bakers. That should get their attention.¡±


    Alex smirked. ¡°Damn. You might actually have a genius moment there, North.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± I waved him off. ¡°Let¡¯s get it over with.¡±


    But as Alex started pulling out his phone, we all exchanged a look.


    The same thought flashed through our exhausted minds.


    Free labor.


    Vinico was a one-man army. What would take the rest of us an hour, he could do in minutes.


    ¡°What?¡± Vinico asked suspiciously, catching the way we were all staring at him.


    Alex clapped a friendly hand on his shoulder. ¡°Buddy,¡± he said with an easy grin, ¡°split up and get to work. You need to write it on the floor.¡±


    Vinico groaned, rolling his eyes as realization hit. ¡°You guys are unbelievable.¡± He waved a hand vaguely at the wreckage. ¡°I already did more work than all five of you combined, and I¡¯m more tired than you all combined.¡±


    Still, he sat down in exaggerated protest, crossing his arms like a sulking child. We didn¡¯t miss the way his clones had already started peeling away from his body. With a resigned sigh, his duplicates sprang into action, spreading out across the warehouse in a coordinated flurry of movement. Each one grabbed a piece of debris or found an untouched surface to scrawl on.


    Alex watched, leaning against a support beam with a smirk. ¡°It¡¯s like watching a well-oiled machine.¡± He gestured toward the clones, impressed. ¡°If you ever get bored of hero work, you could make a killing as a one-man cleaning service.¡±


    Vinico shot him a glare. ¡°You do realize I can hear you, right?¡±


    Alex shrugged, completely unbothered. ¡°Just giving credit where it¡¯s due.¡±


    Gina chuckled, stepping past one of Vinico¡¯s clones as she checked the markings on the ground. ¡°Honestly? I¡¯d hire him. Think of the efficiency.¡±


    Vinico sighed dramatically, shaking his head. ¡°Great. My legacy isn¡¯t heroics¡ªit¡¯s unpaid labor.¡±


    Lore smirked. ¡°You¡¯re not unpaid. You¡¯re part of the team.¡±


    Vinico gave her a deadpan look. ¡°Oh, so ¡®teamwork¡¯ means I do all the work while you guys stand around and admire my craftsmanship?¡±


    Alex grinned. ¡°Exactly. Glad you¡¯re catching on.¡±


    Vinico huffed but couldn¡¯t fully suppress the twitch of a smile at the corners of his mouth. ¡°Keep talking, and I¡¯ll send a clone to write on your face.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d still look good,¡± Alex shot back.


    Vinico¡¯s clones finished up quickly, the last of them scraping a final line onto the floor before he dismissed them with a wave of his hand. He exhaled, rolling his shoulders like he¡¯d just shrugged off a heavy weight


    ¡°There. Happy?¡±


    ¡°Very,¡± Lore said with a faint smile. ¡°You¡¯re a real hero, Vinico.¡±


    He snorted. ¡°Yeah, yeah. Buy me lunch later, and we¡¯ll call it even.¡±


    With the message complete, we gathered outside the warehouse. The air felt heavier. Dark clouds churned above, thick and restless, threatening to break at any moment.


    ¡°We should go before anyone shows up,¡± Gina said, glancing uneasily at the empty road. ¡°We don¡¯t want to be here when they start asking questions.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Alex muttered, already stepping toward where the car used to be. ¡°Let¡¯s leave this mess to the professionals.¡± He finally pulled out his phone, scrolling to the City Protectors¡¯ public line.


    That¡¯s when a harsh fact hit.


    There was no car left to drive home.


    Silence fell over us as we all turned to the vacant spot where Henry¡¯s car had been.


    Henry¡¯s expression darkened, his jaw tightening. ¡°My car¡­¡± he muttered, his voice trembling with restrained emotion.


    ¡°Oh¡­ yeah.¡± Alex winced. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ gone.¡±


    ¡°It exploded,¡± Gina reminded him, not exactly helping.


    ¡°I¡¯ll buy you a new one,¡± Alex offered quickly, attempting to sound conciliatory. He knew he was partly to blame¡ªhe¡¯d been the one to smash the window right before the villain¡¯s missile obliterated the entire vehicle.


    Henry turned to him, eyes dark with simmering rage. ¡°Shut up!¡± he barked, his anger snapping like a whip. ¡°If you open your mouth one more time, I¡¯ll kick you!¡±


    Alex, wisely, held up his hands in surrender. ¡°Fair.¡± Then, rolling his eyes, he took a few steps back, putting distance between himself and Henry¡¯s impending wrath.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just call a taxi,¡± Gina suggested, rubbing her temples. Her voice was heavy with weariness. ¡°We have to leave somehow.¡±


    Lore, however, shook her head as she gestured to her bloodstained shirt. ¡°Look at us.¡± She motioned toward all of us¡ªour clothes were torn, soaked in dust, smeared with blood, and in some cases, bits of flesh. ¡°If anyone sees us, they won¡¯t just call the cops. They¡¯ll call the supers on us.¡±


    That made us all pause.


    She wasn¡¯t wrong.


    We looked like we had just walked out of a horror movie. There was no way a regular driver was going to let us into their car without immediately alerting someone. Then, from off to the side, Vinico¡ªwho had been uncharacteristically quiet¡ªsuddenly raised a hand like a kid in class.


    ¡°Guys! Driverless taxis.¡±


    We all turned to him.


    "Duh!" He grinned, looking downright smug that none of us had thought of it sooner. ¡°They don¡¯t care how we look.¡±


    The exhaustion clouding our brains momentarily lifted as his words sank in.


    ¡°No driver means no witnesses,¡± he continued, clearly enjoying his moment of brilliance. ¡°Yeah, they record video, but that¡¯s easy enough to handle, right?¡± He looked directly at Lore. ¡°You could take care of that, couldn¡¯t you?¡±


    Lore let out a deep sigh, ¡°I hate that you¡¯re right.¡±


    ¡°I love that I¡¯m right.¡± Vinico smirked, already pulling out his phone to hail the nearest driverless cab.


    The rest of us exchanged a collective groan of relief. It wasn¡¯t a perfect solution, but at this point?


    We were too exhausted to care.


    After another almost painfully boring thirty minutes, the automated car finally rolled up on the road. It stopped just before the section where the asphalt had been obliterated by the missile strikes. Thankfully, we¡¯d anticipated that and were already making our way toward the more intact part of the street.


    Vinico stretched his arms over his head as we approached the waiting driverless taxi. ¡°I swear, if we had to wait any longer, I was going to start riding my clones like a horse.¡±


    Alex snorted. ¡°Now that I would¡¯ve paid to see.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t encourage him,¡± Lore muttered


    Vinico smirked. ¡°I¡¯m just saying, it¡¯d be efficient. Imagine it¡ªVinico Express. No surge pricing, no delays, just me, a few clones, and a firm grip on your sanity.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have a firm grip on sanity,¡± Henry pointed out.


    ¡°Fair,¡± Vinico admitted with a shrug. ¡°But at least I¡¯d get places faster.¡±


    Gina shook her head, muttering under her breath. ¡°We have got to get some sleep before he actually tries that.¡±


    The taxi¡¯s automated voice chimed in as the doors slid open. ¡°Destination?¡±


    Vinico turned back to us. ¡°Alright, where to?¡±


    Lore rubbed her temples, exhaling. ¡°My place is closest. We¡¯ll regroup there and figure things out.¡±


    ¡°As long as you have food and beer,¡± Alex muttered as he climbed in.


    ¡°Food¡¯s negotiable. Beer is available. Hot water isn¡¯t.¡± Lore shot him a look. ¡°You smell like roadkill.¡±


    ¡°We all smell like roadkill,¡± Henry muttered as he slid into the seat next to me.


    Vinico relayed the address, and the car began to move. For a few minutes, none of us spoke.


    ¡°Do you think they¡¯ll be able to trace this?¡± Gina asked finally, her voice quiet. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her jacket, now stained with blood, dirt, and things I didn¡¯t want to think about.


    ¡°They won¡¯t,¡± Lore said with finality. ¡°I¡¯ll scrub the data once we¡¯re done. As far as the system¡¯s concerned, this ride never happened. Thus, it could only be possible if someone has a meta nature similar to yours.¡±


    ¡°And the warehouse?¡± Alex asked, his voice low but firm. ¡°What if someone finds something we missed?¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t,¡± Vinico said from the front. ¡°We left the place in ruins. The message is there, and the evidence we couldn¡¯t use is destroyed.¡±


    Henry sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. ¡°Still doesn¡¯t feel like enough.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s never enough,¡± Lore said softly. ¡°But we did what we could.¡±


    The cab continued its smooth, silent drive through the city, carrying six people who had seen too much, done too much.


    Outside, the city loomed, its lights dimmed by the heavy clouds overhead. The faint glow of streetlights and neon signs reflected off puddles, their distorted images rippling as the rain began to fall.


    By the time we reached Lore¡¯s place, the rain had turned into a downpour, washing away all the impurities and blood clinging to our bodies as we stepped out. Lore¡¯s apartment was on the sixth floor of a nondescript building, the kind that blended into the cityscape without drawing attention. She led the way inside, unlocking the door. Her space was small but immaculately maintained¡ªminimalist, modern, and painfully organized. A faint scent of lavender drifted through the air, likely from a diffuser hidden somewhere.


    Alex glanced around, taking in every detail. ¡°You live alone?¡± he asked, his tone both curious and vaguely impressed.


    Lore nodded without looking at him as she moved deeper into the room. ¡°Yes. I prefer it that way.¡±


    ¡°No offense, but this place is¡­ unsettlingly neat,¡± Gina commented, stepping further inside. ¡°Do you actually use anything in here?¡±


    Lore shot her a look. ¡°I prefer things being in order. Unlike the mess you all leave behind.¡±


    Alex grinned, nudging Vinico. ¡°Careful, Gina. Say one wrong thing, and she might kick us out before we even shower.¡±


    ¡°She wouldn¡¯t dare,¡± Vinico replied first, smirking. ¡°She¡¯d never forgive herself for letting us ruin her perfect floors.¡±


    Lore ignored them, walking toward a hallway. ¡°Bathrooms are down the hall.¡± She pointed with a nod. ¡°First door on the right. There¡¯s another one in the guest room. Towels are in the cabinets. Don¡¯t make a mess.¡±


    Without waiting for a response, she disappeared into her bedroom. Moments later, she returned with a small stack of folded clothes. She handed a hoodie and sweatpants to Alex, who raised an eyebrow but accepted them with a shrug.


    Vinico¡¯s eyes narrowed instantly. ¡°Hold up. Why does he get clothes, and I don¡¯t?¡±


    Lore didn¡¯t even glance at him. ¡°Because you have a meta-nature that lets you make duplicates. Figure it out.¡±


    Vinico let out an exaggerated gasp. ¡°Wow. Favoritism.¡± He crossed his arms, feigning deep betrayal. ¡°After all we¡¯ve been through, this is how you treat me?¡±


    Lore ignored him completely, wordlessly handing Gina a pair of black leggings and an oversized sweatshirt. Gina accepted them with a small, tired smile, too drained to muster any witty remarks. The rest of us weren¡¯t as lucky. Henry and I exchanged a knowing glance before pulling out our phones, hastily ordering clothes through a same-hour delivery service. Fast fashion had never felt so essential. The estimated wait time? Forty-five minutes¡ªjust long enough to sit in our damp, uncomfortable clothes and stew in our own exhaustion.


    Once everyone had cleaned up and changed, the living room became our makeshift gathering space. Lore¡¯s apartment, though impeccably neat, wasn¡¯t particularly large, and seating was limited. Gina and Alex claimed the sofa, while Vinico sprawled out in a recliner, clearly trying to recapture some semblance of comfort¡ªor, more likely, avoid me altogether. I ended up on a sturdy ottoman, shifting slightly to find a stable position.


    The quiet stretched between us, filled only by the pitter patters of the rain outside.


    Finally, Alex spoke, ¡°So¡­ what¡¯s our next move?¡±


    Lore¡¯s eyes flicked to him, ¡°Our next move?¡± she echoed. ¡°We catch who¡¯s running this operation and where they¡¯re holding the rest of the victims.¡±


    ¡°And the auction?¡± Gina asked, her voice hesitant.


    Lore¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°According to the information you pulled¡ªand I have no reason to doubt it¡ªthey¡¯re planning to sell the serum and formula at the end of the week. That gives us three to four days, maybe less.¡±


    Vinico let out a low whistle, shaking his head. ¡°Four days to stop a global underground auction? No pressure or anything.¡±


    ¡°And we¡¯re sure we¡¯re the ones who need to handle this?¡± Henry asked, leaning forward. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we be calling in someone more¡­ qualified?¡±


    Lore¡¯s gaze hardened as she looked at him. ¡°Do you really trust anyone else to take this seriously? You saw the warehouse. You saw what they were doing to those people. Do you think the City Protectors will stop that auction? Hell, who knows they might be on it.¡±


    I glanced at everybody, hesitating before asking, ¡°Has there been any news from the City Protectors? Did they find the warehouse¡ªor the flesh mountain yet?¡±


    Lore and the others pulled out their phones and scrolled through the latest updates.


    Gina shook her head. ¡°Nothing so far. If they¡¯ve found it, they¡¯re keeping it quiet. But I doubt it hasn¡¯t been discovered yet.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯d have to release some kind of statement if they did,¡± Henry said, his tone skeptical. ¡°Something like that¡­ they couldn¡¯t just sweep it under the rug.¡±


    Vinico scoffed from where he lounged in his recliner. ¡°You¡¯d be surprised.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Lore cut in, ¡°It¡¯s actually better if they don¡¯t release it to the public. After all, we saw what the villains did to those people. They¡¯re not human anymore¡ªrevealing this would only cause chaos. Panic, outrage¡­ it wouldn¡¯t help anyone. It¡¯s better if they quietly identify the victims and connect their families, letting them grieve in peace.¡±


    Alex shook his head, his brows furrowing. ¡°I don¡¯t agree with putting everything under the rug. The public has a right to know. Something like this¡ªit¡¯s too big, too important to hide.¡±


    ¡°And then what?¡± Vinico shot back, ¡°Do you want people parading through the streets with guns and sticks? Looting, rioting, breaking things because they don¡¯t know how else to handle it?¡±


    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be like that¡ª¡± Alex began, but Lore raised a hand, cutting him off.


    ¡°It would be exactly like that,¡± she said, ¡°People don¡¯t handle fear well, and this kind of revelation would terrify them. It would turn the city upside down, and in the end, it wouldn¡¯t fix what¡¯s been done. It would only make it worse.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s assuming people can¡¯t handle the truth,¡± Alex snapped back, his frustration evident. ¡°Maybe if they knew what we¡¯re dealing with, they¡¯d start taking things seriously.¡±


    ¡°Or maybe,¡± Gina interjected softly, ¡°they¡¯d spiral into fear and distrust. Do you know what happens when people lose faith in their protectors? They start looking for scapegoats. That could mean metas, that could mean people like us.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t wrong¡ªhuman history was full of examples of what happened when fear turned into paranoia.


    Henry spoke. ¡°I hate to say it, but I think Lore¡¯s right. Some things are better left in the shadows. The City Protectors aren¡¯t perfect, but they¡¯re the ones who¡¯ll take care of this mess. If we step in, we risk making things worse.¡±


    Alex shook his head, his expression grim. ¡°So what, we just do nothing?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not fight, guys,¡± I said, ¡°We don¡¯t need to fight amongst ourselves. It¡¯s up to the authorities now¡ªthey¡¯ll decide what they think is best. Our job is to stay ahead of the curve.¡±


    I glanced at Alex, meeting his gaze head-on. ¡°I¡¯m tied up tomorrow,¡± I explained ¡°But you should take Gina, Vinico, or someone else to meet Caleb. Start digging into the underground auction sites.¡±


    Alex nodded, his brow furrowing in thought. I could see the question forming in his mind, so I didn¡¯t wait for him to ask.


    ¡°From what Gina said earlier, the auction¡¯s likely somewhere in the underground train network. They¡¯re probably using an abandoned station¡ªone that was shut down decades ago, maybe even longer. Tell Caleb to focus on stations that don¡¯t show up on current maps. That¡¯ll help narrow things down.¡±


    The group fell into a contemplative silence, but I wasn¡¯t finished. My mind raced, connecting dots and piecing together possibilities.


    ¡°There¡¯s more,¡± I said, my voice growing sharper. ¡°The people behind this aren¡¯t amateurs. They could have erased records of those stations entirely, maybe even used meta abilities to conceal them. That means we¡¯ll need to dig deeper¡ªlook for rumors, stories, anything weird. Places where people have reported feeling d¨¦j¨¤ vu, like they¡¯re certain a station used to be there, but now it¡¯s just¡­ gone. Anomalies like that could lead us right to them.¡±


    ¡°And one more thing,¡± I added, leaning forward. ¡°We need to get access to surveillance footage from every train station in the city. Look for anyone who doesn¡¯t fit¡ªpeople behaving strangely, like they¡¯re in the wrong place. That could give us our next lead.¡±


    For a second, no one spoke. Then Gina let out a low whistle.


    ¡°God,¡± she exclaimed, staring at me like I¡¯d just solved world hunger. Then, with a smirk, she winked. ¡°Did I ever tell you I like you?¡±


    I blinked, rather liking the idea of staying away from her. ¡°Uh¡­ no?¡±


    She grinned. ¡°Well, I do. Like, a lot.¡±


    Alex snorted, shooting me a look. ¡°Careful, North. Compliments from Gina are rarer than a clean politician.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ruin the moment, Alex,¡± Gina chided, swatting him on the arm. ¡°This is big brain thinking right here.¡±


    Vinico raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. ¡°You sure you¡¯re not just flirting?¡±


    Gina gave him an innocent look, tilting her head. ¡°Can¡¯t it be both?¡±


    I exhaled slowly, ¡°Can we please focus?¡±


    ¡°I am focused,¡± Gina shot back. ¡°Just in a very, very charming way.¡±


    I suddenly felt a bad headache building.

 Act 2.33 (Chrysalis)

    The Jade Wars: Heartbreak, Betrayal, and Cookies.


    I rolled my eyes. Typical Gina. If she thought that kind of flattery would catch me off guard, she was sorely mistaken.


    Still, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if there was an ulterior motive behind her words. Maybe she just wanted to see Jade beat me senseless. After all, Gina wasn¡¯t exactly clueless¡ªshe had a habit of picking up on things most people missed. Unlike someone like Vinico, who probably wouldn¡¯t have noticed if I was on fire unless I specifically mentioned it, Gina had caught me red-handed sneaking into Jade¡¯s room the night of the festival.


    She knew. She definitely understood.


    Meanwhile, Alex tilted his head, curiosity evident. ¡°How are you so good at figuring this stuff out?¡± he asked, leaning forward slightly. His tone wasn¡¯t accusatory¡ªmore intrigued, like he was trying to unravel a puzzle.


    I paused, feeling everyone¡¯s eyes shift toward me. The weight of their attention was palpable, but I maintained a calm exterior.


    ¡°Just a hunch,¡± I said with a shrug, brushing it off.


    Alex wasn¡¯t buying it. ¡°Come on,¡± he pressed. ¡°This is next-level detective work. It¡¯s like you¡¯ve done this a hundred times before. And your weird hunches have been weirdly spot-on. We found the warehouse in no time thanks to you.¡± He narrowed his eyes slightly, teasing but perceptive. ¡°You sure there¡¯s nothing hiding beneath that innocent face?¡±


    I kept my voice casual. ¡°Just common sense. Anyone could¡¯ve figured it out.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit.¡±


    Vinico, who had been lazily sprawled in the recliner, lifted his head. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have thought of half that stuff in a million years. And I¡¯m a genius.¡±


    Lore interjected before the scrutiny could go too far. ¡°North¡¯s always been good,¡± she said simply. ¡°He notices patterns most people overlook. It¡¯s not just intuition¡ªit¡¯s experience.¡±


    She hesitated for a beat, then added, ¡°It might even be his meta nature helping.¡±


    ¡°Alright, there¡¯s no need to put him under the blade,¡± Henry interjected, cutting through the speculation. ¡°Let¡¯s focus on the plan, please.¡±


    The room settled.


    Henry exhaled, then squared his shoulders. ¡°Here¡¯s what we¡¯ll do tomorrow. Alex, Gina, and I¡ªwe¡¯re on Caleb duty. We¡¯ll meet with him and dig into everything we can: closed stations, underground networks, rumors, anything that might help us pinpoint a location.¡±


    He turned to Vinico. ¡°You and Lore will track down every available video feed from the train stations and start analyzing it. Look for anything that stands out¡ªpeople acting out of place, unusual movements, anything weird.¡±


    Finally, his gaze landed on me, ¡°What other days do you have to do community service?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow and Friday,¡± I replied automatically. Then a thought struck me, and I added, ¡°Actually¡­ the three I¡¯m teaching for community service¡ªthey¡¯re not completely useless. If we end up in a fight at the auction, they could be a big help. Their meta nature are strong.¡±


    Henry considered this for a moment, nodding thoughtfully. ¡°Fair enough. I have no problem with that.¡± He glanced at the others, silently asking for their input.


    Gina pursed her lips. ¡°How strong are we talking? Because if they¡¯re gonna be liabilities, we¡¯re better off keeping them out of this.¡±


    ¡°They can handle themselves,¡± I said with confidence. ¡°They¡¯re capable. More hands are always better, especially since we don¡¯t know what¡¯s going to go down at the auction.¡±


    Lore leaned back against the table, arms crossed. ¡°You sure they can handle the stress?¡±


    I met her gaze evenly. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    A brief silence. Then Lore gave a small nod. ¡°Alright, then. If they¡¯re solid, we¡¯ll need every advantage we can get. No telling what we¡¯ll walk into.¡±


    Henry clapped his hands together, signaling that the discussion was settled. ¡°Alright, sounds like we¡¯ve got a plan,¡± he said, his tone more upbeat. ¡°But let¡¯s not get overconfident. Everyone needs to stay sharp, especially with something as shady as an underground auction.¡±


    Gina leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. ¡°What time are we meeting this Caleb guy?¡± she asked Alex.


    ¡°Tomorrow afternoon, after classes¡± Alex replied, already typing something into his phone. ¡°I¡¯ll text him to confirm if he¡¯s ready to help. If so, he¡¯ll need time to pull data and prepare.¡±


    Vinico stretched, groaning. ¡°Cool, so that gives me enough time to sleep for twelve hours straight.¡±


    After the intense discussion, the atmosphere in the room gradually started to relax. Everyone was worn out from the day''s events, but the tension that had been hanging in the air was finally lifting. Lore and Alex took over in the kitchen, opening beers and putting together some light snacks to keep everyone going. While they waited for the takeout to arrive from a nearby restaurant, the rest of the group lounged on the sofas and chairs, chatting idly or mindlessly scrolling through their phones.


    No one had planned for a sleepover, but as the night stretched on, it became obvious that no one was leaving anytime soon.


    Meanwhile, my phone kept buzzing in my pocket¡ªJade. She¡¯d sent me dozens of messages, a mix of curiosity and frustration. Even earlier, while we were making plans, I¡¯d been sneaking glances at my screen, firing off quick replies to keep her in the loop¡ªand, more importantly, to keep her from getting too annoyed.


    She wanted to come over to Lore¡¯s place. That much was obvious. But for whatever reason, she was holding back. Maybe she wasn¡¯t completely comfortable around everyone yet. Maybe it was something else entirely. Either way, from the way she kept texting, I could tell she was struggling with the decision.


    <hr>


    Me: You okay? I can feel you staring at your phone through the screen.


    Jade: Don''t flatter yourself. I''m just wondering what''s taking you so long. (£à¡Ð¡ä¥á)


    Me: We''ve been talking about the plan. It''s complicated. You sure you don''t want to come? Lore and rest won''t bite.


    Jade: Yeah, I''m sure. Besides, I don''t think I can stand Vinico and his jokes for more than five minutes. (£þ¤Ø£þ)


    Me: Fair. But you''d get to see me. (????-)?


    Jade: I see you every day. And anyway, why haven''t you sent me any pictures? (???????¦ä??????? )


    Me: Pictures? Of what? Lore''s apartment? It''s nothing special.


    Jade: Of you, idiot.


    Jade: Gosh, how can you be so clueless. (-???-???-???-???-???__-???-???-???-???-???)


    Jade: I miss you.


    I chuckled under my breath, shaking my head. Classic Jade. Even over text, she was both exasperated and completely unapologetic about it.


    My fingers hovered over the keyboard before I finally replied.


    Me: I look like I''ve been dragged through hell today. You really want that?


    Me: (¡Ð_¡Ð;)


    Jade: Every version of you is my favorite version.


    I felt my face warm up slightly.


    Me: (? ???-??? ?)?


    I glanced around, making sure no one was paying attention before subtly angling my phone. One quick snap later, I forwarded the picture to her.


    A second later, a bright red heart popped up on my screen.


    Then another.


    Then another.


    Jade: See? Adorable.


    I was speechless.


    Jade:(?¨R?¨Q)? ¨E¡­©¥©¥©¥¡ï


    Jade: I changed my mind. What are you doing now?


    Me: Sitting here, watching Alex burn himself with hot coffee. Very entertaining.


    Jade: Poor Alex.


    Jade: But seriously, when are you coming home?


    I glanced up briefly, taking in the mess of people sprawled across Lore¡¯s apartment. Gina was half-asleep, Vinico was claiming way too much couch space, and Henry looked like he was about to start stress-planning again. Alex, meanwhile, was swearing under his breath while fanning his burned tongue, and Lore¡­ well, Lore was trying to pretend none of us existed.


    Me: Not sure. It''s kind of chaotic here. Why? Miss me so much?


    Jade: No. (£à¡Ð¡ä¥á)


    A second later¡ª


    Jade: Yes. \


    Jade: Ugh, shut up. When are you coming back? (>©n<)


    Me: I''ll leave as soon as I can. Promise. (£à???¡ä)©g


    Jade: You better. The cookies I made are already gone cold.


    Me: Please tell me you didn''t eat them all already. (¡ã¥í¡ã)


    There was a long pause.


    Then¡ª


    Jade: Well... (??©n?)


    Jade: There were twenty when I started. (¡Ð_¡Ð;)


    I blinked.


    North: ...How many are left?


    Another long pause.


    Jade: Maybe four. Or three. Or... (??;)©g


    Jade: I don''t want to talk about it. (¡¨??_??¡¨)


    Jade: (? ???-??? ?)?


    I stared at my phone, torn between amusement and horror.


    Me: You ate SIXTEEN cookies?!


    Jade: Listen, in my defense, they were really good.


    Jade: I think I''m really good baker. Even better than you.


    Me: Yeah, definitely better than me.


    I shook my head.


    Me: But, eating so many cookies alone? That¡¯s not a defense. That¡¯s a confession.


    Jade: A delicious one.


    I groaned, running a hand down my face.


    Me: I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m in the middle of stopping a global crime syndicate while you¡¯re out here committing cookie crimes without me.


    Me: What happened to yours partner in crime promise?


    Jade: ¡­I could make it up to you.


    Me: How?


    Jade: By describing how good they are (???)


    Me: I hate you.


    Jade: I love you too.


    Me: Not talking.


    Jade: My greatest achievement. ??


    Me: You need to say one more nice thing.


    Jade: My heart aches. My soul weeps. The world is cold without you.


    Me: ¡­Wow. That was dramatic and cringe even for me.


    Jade: You¡¯re rubbing off on me.


    Me: Alright, but save one cookie for me, at least. I want to taste this masterpiece you keep bragging about.


    Me: (???????¦ä??????? )


    Jade: I''m not bragging!


    Jade: But they are really good. You''ll see when you get here. If there''s any left.


    Jade: (????-)?


    I narrowed my eyes at my screen. She was definitely eating another one as we spoke.


    Me: You''re terrible at surprises, you know that?


    Jade: ( ?? ? ???)


    Jade: I''m not terrible! I''m just bad at waiting!


    Me: Sounds the same to me.


    Jade: Whatever. I had more surprises planned, but now you''ve ruined the mood.


    Jade: No more cookies for you.


    Jade: (¨s¡ã¡õ¡ã£©¨s¦à ©ß©¥©ß


    Jade: (£þ^£þ)©g


    I chuckled under my breath. She was so dramatic sometimes.


    Me: What kind of surprises?


    Jade: Wouldn¡¯t you like to know?This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Me: Jade¡ª


    Jade: Nope. No spoilers.


    Me: Suffering.


    Jade: Too bad. You''ll just have to come home and find out.(?? ? ??)


    I stared at the screen, drumming my fingers against my knee. Now she was just messing with me.


    Me: What if I don¡¯t make it home in time? What if I get eaten by another mutant monster?


    Jade: Then I¡¯ll be sad. But I¡¯ll get over it. With more cookies.


    Me: Wow. Ruthless.


    I sighed dramatically


    Me: Fine, I''ll wrap up here soon. But seriously, you didn''t eat all the cookies, right?(¡Ñ©n¡Ñ)


    Jade: ...I might make another batch. Or maybe something else.


    Jade: (¡¨?¡¨)©g


    Jade: Cheesecake. I know it¡¯s your favorite. (???)


    I groaned. She really knew everything about me.


    Me: You''re impossible.


    Jade: How could you? You know, I''m learning all this just for you.


    Jade: (¨i©n¨i)(???????¦ä??????? )


    Me: You didn''t let me finish.


    Me: I wanted to say, I''m looking forward to it. And... you. (?? ? ??)


    A pause. Then¡ª


    Jade: Of course you are.


    Jade: Sorry.


    Jade: I''m the best thing in your life. (?¦á?).?.:?


    I chuckled under my breath, shaking my head.


    Me: You''re not wrong. (?¡ã¨Œ¡ã?)


    Jade: I want to hug you and kiss you. (¤Ã??¨q¨r??)¤Ã


    My heart fluttered a little at that.


    Me: Me too.


    Me:(¤Ã??¨q¨r??)¤Ã


    Me: I love you.


    Jade: I love you too.


    Me: ¡­That¡¯s it? No teasing? No dramatic response?


    Jade: What, do you want me to be dramatic about loving you?


    Me: Kind of.


    Jade: AHEM¡ª


    Jade: OH, MY BELOVED! The very air I breathe is meaningless without you! My heart weeps in your absence! I yearn for the moment I can hold you in my arms once more!


    Me: ¡­Never mind.


    Jade: Too late. You asked for it.


    Jade: Oh, woe is me! I shall waste away in sorrow until you return!


    Me: Regret. So much regret.


    ...


    Jade: By the way¡­ we need to go shopping this weekend.


    Me: ¡­Why?


    Jade: Because I have nothing to wear.


    Me: That¡¯s a lie and we both know it.


    Jade: It¡¯s not a lie! I¡¯ve checked my entire wardrobe, and there is literally nothing in there.


    Me: Your entire wardrobe?


    Jade: Yes!


    Me: Your wardrobe is bigger than my bedroom.


    Jade: That¡¯s an exaggeration!


    Me: It¡¯s really not. I¡¯m pretty sure if I put a bed in there, I could live inside it.


    Jade: But I have nothing to wear! ( ???????¦ä??????? )


    Me: That¡¯s impossible.


    Jade: Nope. Everything is either: 1) too old, 2) doesn¡¯t match my mood, or 3) something I¡¯ve already worn.


    Me: That last one is how clothes work. You wear them.


    Jade: Not if I want to keep life exciting!


    Me: Deep sigh.


    Jade: Come on, pleaaase? It¡¯ll be fun!


    Me: You bought new ones just last week.


    Jade: That was for a different mood.


    Me: What mood is this for?


    Jade: The ¡°I¡¯m cute and I deserve new clothes¡± mood.


    Me: ¡­That¡¯s every mood for you.


    Jade: Exactly! So, shopping trip?


    Me: Do I get anything out of this?


    Jade: ¡­You get to look at me in cute outfits?


    Me: ¡­Fine.


    ...


    ...


    ...


    Jade: I¡¯m sleepy¡­


    Me: Then go to sleep.


    Jade: Can¡¯t.


    Me: Why not?


    Jade: You¡¯re not here to cuddle me. (¤Ã??¨q¨r??)¤Ã


    Me: Poor Baby.


    Jade: Don¡¯t mock me.


    Me: Just hold a pillow and pretend it¡¯s me.


    Jade: Not the same. Pillow doesn¡¯t kiss me goodnight.


    Me: ¡­I¡¯ll make up for it when I get back.


    Jade: Promise?


    Me: Promise.


    Jade: Okay. I guess I¡¯ll wait. But you owe me so many cuddles.


    <hr>


    ¡°Why are you smiling so much staring at your phone?¡±


    Vinico¡¯s voice interrupted my moment of peace like a stick suddenly stuck in a wheel, and I barely resisted the fall. Of course, he noticed.


    I quickly wiped the grin off my face, shoving my phone into my pocket with what I hoped was a casual movement. ¡°Nothing,¡± I said, a little too quickly.


    That was my first mistake.


    My second mistake was thinking I could get away with it¡ªbecause Gina was already watching me like a hawk, her grin stretching ear to ear.


    ¡°Let him be,¡± she said, voice full of amusement as she leaned back into the sofa. ¡°He¡¯s talking to his girlfriend.¡±


    The word hit the room like a bomb.


    Vinico froze, his eyes narrowing in instant suspicion. ¡°Wait. Girlfriend?¡±


    His expression was pure betrayal¡ªlike I¡¯d been secretly leading a double life and he¡¯d just found out.


    ¡°Since when do you have a girlfriend?¡± he demanded. ¡°And who?¡±


    I sighed. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal¡ª¡±


    That was my third mistake. Because Gina, sensing blood in the water, pounced.


    ¡°Not a big deal?¡± she echoed, her grin turning wicked. ¡°It¡¯s Jade.¡±


    That effectively derailed everything.


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Vinico¡¯s jaw practically hit the floor. He stared at me like I¡¯d just confessed to being a supervillain. Henry, who had been casually scrolling on his phone, suddenly froze mid-swipe. His head snapped up, his face a mix of shock and something else¡ªdisappointment, maybe?


    ¡°Wait, wait, wait.¡± Vinico waved his hands wildly, like he was trying to physically swat away the idea. ¡°You mean Jade? Our Jade?¡± His voice actually cracked on the last word.


    Excuse me.


    What do you mean ¡®our¡¯ Jade?


    She was mine. My Jade. I felt personally offended. It took me three hundred years to find her. How dare they!!!!!!


    ¡°You¡¯re kidding, right?¡± His tone shifted from disbelief to something dangerously close to heartbreak. ¡°Tell me she¡¯s just messing with me.¡±


    ¡°Nope,¡± Gina chirped, clearly reveling in the chaos. ¡°They¡¯re basically inseparable. Every time they¡¯re together in class, she¡¯s always secretly peeking at him.¡± She smirked, enjoying this far too much. ¡°Seriously, Vinico, how have you not noticed?"


    Vinico blinked, his brain struggling to process the words. ¡°Wait, what?¡±


    Gina¡ªno, traitor¡ªleaned in with a smirk. ¡°Oh yeah. She even has an entire drawing book filled with their imaginary scenarios. Full-on sketches. North and herself in all kinds of scenarios. Some are cute. Some are¡­ let¡¯s just say, imaginative. It was only she left it unintended that I had been able to peek inside. Otherwise, she''s very secretive about it.¡±


    Her voice dripping with mischief. ¡°And, apparently, our boy North is no behind her in that department.¡±


    I let out a long sigh, dropping my head into my hands as their reactions hit me full force. ¡°This is exactly why I didn¡¯t say anything.¡±


    ¡°Dude,¡± Vinico said, his voice thick with betrayal. He leaned forward, eyes pleading. ¡°You¡¯re joking, right? Please tell me she¡¯s just messing with me.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not,¡± I said reluctantly, glancing at Gina, who was way too pleased with herself. I want her to beat her, but something in my mind stopped me.


    Vinico¡¯s expression was pure devastation, like I¡¯d personally robbed him of his last shred of happiness. ¡°You¡¯re serious? You and Jade?! ¡­She really has a whole book?¡±


    ¡°I¡ªlook, it¡¯s not like I planned it,¡± I said, trying to sound as reasonable as possible. ¡°It just¡­ happened.¡±


    ¡°Oh, come on,¡± Henry groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. ¡°You and Jade? Really?¡±


    I narrowed my eyes, ¡°Why is this so hard to believe?¡± I felt more cornered by the second.


    ¡°Because it¡¯s Jade,¡± Vinico threw his hands up. ¡°I¡¯ve had a crush on her for about three months now. She¡¯s dead gorgeous, terrifying, and could probably take down an entire room of people without breaking a sweat! And somehow, you¡ªof all people¡ªjust accidentally ended up with her?! I was sure I had a shot if I just found the right moment.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t accidentally end up with people¡ª¡±


    ¡°And Crush? Three months?¡± I repeated, blinking in surprise.


    Henry suddenly stood up and walked to the window. His shoulders were tense, his jaw tight.


    Then he let out a slow, heavy sigh. ¡°You know,¡± he said, voice low, ¡°there¡¯s even a bet going between all the boys in class. About who¡¯d ask her out first.¡±


    I stared at him. ¡°A bet?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Vinico admitted, arms crossed, his tone bordering on bitter. ¡°Everyone¡¯s been trying to see who¡¯d work up the nerve to ask her out first. But she¡¯s, like, impossible to approach.¡±


    He frowned slightly, as if replaying past failed attempts in his head. ¡°Every time I got close, I¡¯d just¡­ magically forget what I wanted to say. It was weird, man. I know my memory¡¯s not bad.¡±


    Henry groaned, rubbing a hand down his face. ¡°Or worse, she¡¯d give you that look¡ªyou know the one. The one that makes you feel like an idiot for even existing.¡±


    I blinked, caught off guard by their sudden confessions.


    ¡°¡­You guys, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°And you?!¡± Henry cut me off, spinning around to glare at me with a mix of betrayal. ¡°You just swoop in and take her like it¡¯s nothing? What the hell, man?¡±


    Vinico slumped onto the couch like he¡¯d just suffered a fatal wound. ¡°I thought I had a shot, dude. I really thought I had a shot.¡±


    They both went quiet for a moment, staring at the ground as if they were mourning a collective lost opportunity.


    I ran a hand down my face, exhaling slowly. ¡°Okay, first of all, I didn¡¯t steal her from anyone. She chose me, alright? We just clicked, and I didn¡¯t force her into anything, okay?¡±


    Henry scoffed, folding his arms. ¡°Doesn¡¯t make it hurt any less.¡±


    Gina, still lounging on the couch, was practically crying from laughter. ¡°Oh my god. This is even better than I imagined.¡±


    Alex finally let out a low whistle. ¡°Man, this is the massacre of century. So entertaining.¡±


    Vinico glared at Alex first¡ªprobably just for existing¡ªthen turned his full scowl on me. ¡°She chose you because you were already hanging out with her all the time. You had a head start. That¡¯s cheating.¡±


    I opened my mouth to argue, but he wasn¡¯t done.


    ¡°And what¡¯s worse?¡± He gestured wildly at me. ¡°You¡¯ve got that whole ¡®mysterious, untouchable¡¯ thing going on. How the hell were we supposed to compete with that?¡±


    Henry nodded, crossing his arms. ¡°It¡¯s true. He¡¯s got that brooding, strategic mastermind aura. Girls eat that up.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not some nonsensical aura, it¡¯s just me,¡± I grumbled.


    Gina snorted. ¡°Yeah, well, it works.¡±


    I felt like I was trying to headbutt a bull. The sheer force of their bottled-up emotions hit me like a freight train, and I had no idea they¡¯d been carrying so much weight beneath the surface.


    To be honest, I had a sneaking suspicion this was Jade¡¯s doing.


    Maybe she¡¯d been subtly messing up their thoughts, distracting them from really thinking about her, making them unable to approach. It wasn¡¯t that far-fetched¡ªJade was way too perceptive to not have noticed half the guys in school were lowkey infatuated with her.


    Because without that explanation? There was no way they¡¯d be acting like this¡ªlike hooligans ready to explode. Their restraint had evaporated, leaving behind raw, unchecked frustration.


    ¡°You¡¯re being ridiculous,¡± I said, ¡°And besides, Jade¡¯s not a prize. She¡¯s a person. Treat her with respect¡ª¡±


    I let my gaze sweep over both of them, my tone lowering as I added, ¡°Otherwise, I won¡¯t mind putting some sense into both your heads.¡±


    Alex raised an eyebrow, clearly amused but also watching closely, like he wanted to see where this was going.


    Gina, on the other hand, let out a low whistle. ¡°Damn. Protective, aren¡¯t we?¡±


    I continued, ¡°And, If either of you had asked her, she would¡¯ve have let you guys know her thoughts.¡±


    ¡°Alright, alright. Relax, man. No one¡¯s disrespecting her.¡±


    Henry nodded, still watching me carefully. ¡°Yeah. We get it.¡± He sat down, ¡°You could¡¯ve said something sooner. Would¡¯ve saved us the trouble of, you know, some sleepless nights.¡±


    I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. ¡°I didn¡¯t think it was relevant.¡±


    Judging by their stares, that was the wrong thing to say.


    ¡°Not relevant?!¡± Vinico repeated, eyes wide again. ¡°Dude. You basically won the life lottery and just¡ªjust forgot to mention it?¡±


    I held up a hand in surrender. ¡°Okay, bad wording¡ªI just meant that I didn¡¯t think it mattered to you guys. But¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to blindside you.¡±


    Vinico let out a deep, heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair. ¡°Whatever. It¡¯s not like I ever had a real shot, anyway. She¡¯s way out of my league.¡±


    ¡°And mine,¡± Henry added quietly, his tone laced with reluctant acceptance.


    Slowly, the tension in the room finally began to fade, giving way to an easy, unspoken understanding. Vinico leaned back in his chair, shaking his head with a wry smile that only appeared on a fool''s face.


    Before long, the dining table was crowded with takeout containers, the rich aroma of Chinese hot food filling the air. Whatever tension had lingered earlier seemed to dissolve as everyone dug in. The quiet clinking of utensils against plates, the occasional scrape of a chair, and the rhythmic sounds of chewing created a comforting, almost peaceful atmosphere.


    ¡°By the way,¡± Alex broke the relative quiet, leaning back in his chair as he pointed his chopsticks directly at me. ¡°You never told us about the whole ¡®phasing through attacks like a ghost¡¯ thing. How come we¡¯ve never seen you use it before?¡±


    I barely suppressed a groan. Why did I feel like I was being interrogated everywhere today? It was frustrating. And sad.


    Everyone on the table turned to look at me, their curiosity sharpened like knives. Even Lore¡ªwho usually had better things to focus on¡ªraised an eyebrow in my direction.


    I tried to play it cool. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal,¡± I muttered, reaching for a piece of soup dumpling, hoping to bury the conversation under carbs.


    Alex, of course, was having none of it.


    ¡°I thought it was really cool,¡± Gina chimed in, grinning. ¡°Seriously, though¡ªhow long have you been hiding that?¡±


    I chewed slowly, dragging out the bite to buy time. ¡°I haven¡¯t been hiding anything,¡±


    Lore hummed, giving me a look like she was peeling back layers with her eyes. ¡°Then why do you sound guilty?¡±


    I sighed, setting my fork down and leaning back in my chair. ¡°Look, it¡¯s complicated.¡±


    Vinico smirked, clearly thriving on the sudden shift in attention. ¡°Complicated? You¡¯ve got an awesome power and just decided to keep it under wraps?¡± He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. ¡°What¡¯s next? Are you secretly a billionaire too?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, and I bet he owns half the city,¡± Alex added dryly.


    ¡°Oh my god,¡± Gina gasped, playing along. ¡°Are you Batman?¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°If I were Batman, I wouldn¡¯t be stuck here getting grilled like a suspect.¡±


    Lore tapped a finger against the table. ¡°So why didn¡¯t you tell us?¡±


    I hesitated, the words sticking in my throat. Part of me wanted to brush it off, to come up with some excuse and move on. But looking around the table at their expectant faces, I realized we were going to fight alongside each other for quite a long time. And maybe, after everything we¡¯d been through today, they deserved the truth.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a meta ability,¡± I said finally, ¡°I didn¡¯t get it like you guys did¡ªthrough my meta nature. It¡¯s a spell.¡±


    The room went silent for a beat.


    ¡°A spell?¡± Henry repeated, blinking like I¡¯d just told him I was an alien.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I nodded, pushing my plate aside. ¡°I got it from a mage. He¡­ well, let¡¯s just say it was part of a deal.¡±


    Alex leaned forward, his curiosity clearly piqued. ¡°What kind of deal?¡±


    I took a slow sip from my glass, letting the suspense build. Then, with a smirk, I leaned back in my chair. ¡°A secret deal.¡±


    The immediate groan from across the table was so satisfying.


    ¡°Oh, come on,¡± Alex muttered, exasperated. ¡°You can¡¯t just drop that and then refuse to explain.¡±


    Vinico scoffed from his seat, rolling his eyes so dramatically it was a wonder they didn¡¯t get stuck. ¡°Ah, I get it now.¡± He jabbed his fork in my direction, ¡°The mysterious act. Classic move.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to elaborate.


    He clicked his tongue in wonder. ¡°This is why Jade fell for you, isn¡¯t it? Acting all cool and untouchable, keeping everyone guessing. How the hell were we supposed to compete with that?¡±


    The table erupted in quiet laughter.


    Gina nearly choked on her drink, clapping her hands in amusement. ¡°Oh my god, he¡¯s right!¡±


    I chuckled softly, shaking my head but not denying it. ¡°Believe whatever you want, Vinico.¡±


    Vinico threw his hands up. ¡°See? He knows it¡¯s true.¡±


    Alex smirked. ¡°Damn. Maybe I should start being more cryptic.¡±


    Gina snorted. ¡°Please. You¡¯re physically incapable of shutting up for longer than five minutes.¡±


    Alex gasped in mock offense. ¡°Wow. Betrayal from my own team.¡±


    Lore, sipping her coffee, muttered, ¡°She¡¯s not wrong.¡±


    As the laughter died down, Henry leaned back in his chair, still watching me carefully. ¡°Jokes aside, that¡¯s pretty interesting.¡±


    I shrugged. ¡°Yeah, well. It is what it is.¡±


    Gina narrowed her eyes playfully. ¡°One day, you are going to tell us the full story, right?¡±


    I rolled my eyes at her, taking another sip of my drink. ¡°Maybe.¡±


    Dinner wrapped up soon after and the conversation gradually shifted to lighter topics.


    One by one, everyone began to leave.


    The atmosphere at Lore¡¯s apartment grew quieter with each goodbye. Henry was the first to head out, muttering something about needing sleep before trudging toward the door. Alex and Gina followed close behind, still caught up in their discussion about Caleb and their plans for tomorrow.


    Vinico lingered by the door, fiddling with his phone. ¡°You sure you don¡¯t want to tell me your secret, North?¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°See you tomorrow, Vinico.¡±


    He sighed dramatically, shoving his phone into his pocket. ¡°Fine. But one day, I will figure it out.¡±


    ¡°Sure you will.¡±


    I glanced at Lore, leaning casually against the doorframe as she watched everyone go.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I said after a beat, offering her a small smile. ¡°For¡­ everything today.¡±


    She met my eyes briefly before nodding. ¡°Yeah. Get home safe.¡±


    I gave her a small wave before stepping outside.


    It was raining heavily.


    I exhaled slowly, watching my breath fog up in the cold night air.


    I picked up my pace, heading home.

 Act 2.34 (Chrysalis)

    Fluff


    After the pounding rain last night, the morning sky was ridiculously clear¡ªlike someone had taken a giant sponge and scrubbed away all the grime. The kind of blue that makes you want to believe in fresh starts.


    Too bad my body didn¡¯t get the memo. Every muscle ached, stiff and uncooperative, and even breathing felt like a chore thanks to yesterday¡¯s brawl. Moving my arm the wrong way sent a sharp protest through my ribs, reminding me that I wasn¡¯t as invincible as I liked to pretend. It wasn¡¯t until I caught my reflection in the mirror that the full damage became clear.


    What had just been a bit of redness under the shower last night had now bloomed into a nasty dark bruise, spreading across my side like spilled ink. I poked at it¡ªwhy did I do that?¡ªand immediately regretted it.


    "Yep. Definitely worse," I muttered to myself, grimacing.


    Well¡­ I wasn¡¯t completely hopeless.


    I had a solution. And, ironically, I had Jade to thank for it. She had this habit. A menace of a habit. She liked to bite. Not in a scary way¡ªmore in a gremlin who thinks I¡¯m a chew toy way. Neck, shoulders, arms¡ªnowhere was safe. For her, it was playful. For me? It was a logistical nightmare when I had to walk around in public looking like I¡¯d been mauled by an angry wildcat.


    So, I¡¯d invested in a special meta-grade bruise spray.


    It was a lifesaver then.


    And it was a lifesaver now.


    Grabbing the spray from my dresser, I gave the bruised area a generous mist, watching as the cooling formula worked its magic, dulling the worst of the discoloration. It wouldn¡¯t fix everything, but at least I wouldn¡¯t look like I¡¯d lost a fight to a train. Or worse¡ªhad to explain to Jade why my ribs looked like a crime scene.


    Because I knew exactly what she¡¯d say.


    "See? This is why you need to let me take care of you more."


    Which, translated, meant: I am never letting you out of my sight again.


    And as much as I liked her attention¡­


    I had other things to do.


    With a sigh, I capped the spray and grabbed my jacket, rolling my shoulders experimentally. Still sore, but manageable. But, it should be healed in a few hours to a day. Good enough. Still, I wasn¡¯t taking any chances. I stuffed a few extra bottles of the meta-grade bruise spray into my backpack¡ªbecause if life had taught me anything, it was that you never know when you might need a quick fix. One minute, you¡¯re fine; the next, you¡¯re wishing you¡¯d packed more damage control. By the time I left the house, my body looked fine. Between the spray and the painkillers I¡¯d downed earlier, I felt almost normal. There was still a dull ache in my ribs, a small throb in my shoulder, but nothing I couldn¡¯t handle.


    The week at the academy was the same as always¡ªsix mind-numbingly predictable lectures spread out across five days, each one dragging on at a pace so slow I could feel my brain cells giving up.


    Wednesday was the one silver lining.


    Only one class, meaning I could actually breathe.


    And, apparently, there was some superhero meet-and-greet happening in one of the halls.


    But did I care?


    Not in the slightest.


    I¡¯d been to way too many of these things before. They were always the same.


    Some big-shot hero would stand on stage, deliver the exact same speech about safety, responsibility, and not misusing meta abilities, all while throwing in a couple of vaguely inspirational lines for good measure.


    "Work hard, train smart, and always be mindful of others!"


    "Your powers are a gift¡ªuse them wisely!"


    "With great power¡ª"


    Yeah, yeah, we get it.


    They always spoke like they were revealing some great truth, but at the end of the day, it was all PR-approved nonsense¡ªa rehearsed script designed to make people feel inspired rather than actually teaching anything useful. If I had a choice between sitting through that or just zoning out in the library for an hour? Library. Every time.


    In the first-years, our class had nothing else to stress about¡ªno practicals, no major exams. Just hours of professors drilling rules, laws, and fundamentals into our heads, making us memorize outdated case studies and analyzing ¡°hypothetical¡± combat scenarios when real training was nowhere in sight. All while we sat there, eagerly taking notes like the next earth-shattering revelation was hidden somewhere between "Always get civilians to safety first" and "Don''t set things on fire unless absolutely necessary."


    (Which, for the record, is really subjective advice.)


    At least by the second year, things started getting interesting. The real training began. Hands-on work. Field exercises. You finally got to push your meta abilities past the kiddie pool restrictions and see what you were actually capable of. But for now? This week? Just another slow stretch of the same old grind.


    Fortunately, my life wasn¡¯t completely dull.


    After the lecture, I found myself inexorably dragged into the stairwell by none other than an arrogant dragon. The door clicked shut behind us, the sound unnervingly final.


    Before I could even process what was happening, it overpowered me, shoving me onto the stairs with startling force. Its weight pinned me down, immobilizing my legs, and I was left staring up into those intoxicating, dreamy, moon-like eyes¡ªpale silver, shimmering like liquid mercury. They weren¡¯t just looking at me. They were pulling me in. Straight into something far beyond reality. That¡¯s when it happened. An illusion¡ªor maybe something more. Softness enveloped me, like I had accidentally fallen into a cloud. My breath hitched. My soul felt like it was being drawn out, leaving my body through my mouth.


    I couldn¡¯t breathe.


    I couldn¡¯t move.


    And yet, it wasn¡¯t panic I felt¡ªit was something strangely intoxicating. Too good to resist. My arms moved before my mind could catch up, instinctively wrapping around the dragon, holding onto the softest, most impossible sensation¡ªlike I was clutching a living cloud. Was it warmth? A trick of the senses? I didn¡¯t know how long it lasted.


    Time seemed to stretch and blur, twisting into something that wasn¡¯t quite real. Finally, when the dragon had decided it had had its fill, it let me go, pulling back and leaving me sprawled on the stairs, breathless, powerless, and completely addicted. The softness, the sweetness¡ªit clung to me, lingering like the memory of a perfect dream I didn¡¯t want to wake up from. My gaze lifted slowly, my mind still catching up to reality.


    And there, standing before me, was no longer a a haughty dragon.


    But a girl.


    An arrogant, impossibly smug, pretty girl, her eyes glinting with amusement as if she knew exactly what she¡¯d just done to me.


    Every day was a new experiment for Jade, and today was no exception. Her long, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders in soft, natural curls, and a fluffy white bucket hat sat atop her head, adding to her cozy, wintery aesthetic. She wore an oversized white button-up shirt with wide sleeves and intricate lace details at the cuffs, layered over a high-neck black sweater and a taupe-colored jacket with ruched sleeves that created a structured yet whimsical aesthetic. A medium-length white lace-trimmed skirt peeked out from beneath the jacket, softening the ensemble with a delicate flair. Her legs were clad in white fishnet stockings, layered with slouchy knee white socks that disappeared into fancy black boots. In her hands, she carried a structured black leather mini bag with a glossy finish, exuding an effortless elegance that seemed almost out of place for a dragon experimenting with humanity.


    "Stop staring at me," Jade muttered, her voice softer than usual¡ªalmost shy. "You''re making me embarrassed."


    That was rich, coming from her.


    Shouldn¡¯t it be my turn to complain? After all, she was the one who had just turned me into an addict.


    But instead of saying that, I grinned, closing the small space between us. "You can''t blame me," I murmured, our breaths mingling "You look too perfect. Like some kind of¡­ angel that got lost in the wrong world."


    Jade blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then¡ª


    Her lips curved into a smirk, that flicker of amusement returning to her gaze. "Angel?" she repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Coming from you, that''s almost believable."


    I tilted my head, feigning deep, heart-wrenching betrayal. "Only almost?"


    She scoffed, but I could see the hint of warmth in her expression. "Don''t push your luck."


    For once, I had no clever remark. Just the realization that I was completely, utterly doomed.


    "I like it," she murmured, her gaze locking onto mine, eyes shimmering with excitement.


    There was something dangerous in the way she looked at me.


    "I like the way you react," she continued, her voice like silk laced with fire. Her fingers ghosted along my jaw before trailing down my chest, slow and deliberate. "Finally, under my control."


    A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips, but before I could respond, her lips were on my neck, pressing soft, lingering kisses that sent a sliver of shiver rippling through my body. Her touch was intoxicating¡ªa mixture of deliberate and unpredictable, teasing me with the contrast between restraint and chaos.


    I let out a slow breath, my fingers tightening around her waist instinctively. "You''re lucky I''m in a good mood today."


    Jade tilted her head, eyes glinting. There was always an edge to her¡ªa carefully controlled fire that simmered beneath the surface. But in these moments? When the walls of propriety and restraint crumbled? I got to see the raw, unfiltered passion underneath. And it was addictive.


    She used to be so innocent. What happened to my Jade? Did I¡­ somehow corrupt her?


    My mind unhelpfully supplied a mental title:


    ¡°How to Corrupt Your Innocent Girlfriend in 10 Easy Steps¡±


    Step 1: Let her hang around you for too long.


    Step 2: Accidentally encourage her chaotic tendencies.


    Step 3: Let her discover the power she has over you.


    Step 4: Watch in real-time as she weaponizes it.


    I was so doomed.


    Her smirk hadn¡¯t faded¡ªif anything, it had deepened, like she could hear my thoughts and thrive on my suffering.


    "What?" she purred, tilting her head slightly, and cupped my cheeks, rubbing them. "You look like you''re having some deep, tragic realization."


    I sighed dramatically. "Just coming to terms with the fact that this will be my life forever."


    She blinked once. Then, laughed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get cocky,¡± she warned, her voice soft. ¡°You¡¯re still in trouble for staring.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow. ¡°Staring? I wasn¡¯t staring¡ªI was admiring. There¡¯s a difference.¡±


    Her fingers still traced lazy patterns against my skin, her touch light but distracting. I tried to focus, but the warmth of her so close was very unhelpful.


    ¡°I feel like I should get some credit for my self-control,¡± I muttered.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    She scoffed. ¡°Self-control? You¡¯ve been looking at me like I¡¯m a particularly delicious dessert.¡±


    I reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair back behind her ear. I hesitated, my thoughts swirling, trying to find the right words. ¡°That there are so many sides to you,¡± I murmured, ¡°Soft, shy, fierce¡­ and then this deeper side.¡± I gestured lightly between us. ¡°Every time I think I have you figured out, you turn and reveal a new pattern, a new shade of yourself."


    Jade¡¯s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. ¡°You¡¯re saying that like it¡¯s a bad thing.¡±


    I chuckled, shaking my head. ¡°I didn¡¯t say that.¡± I met her gaze, holding it. ¡°It¡¯s... surprising. But not bad. If anything, it keeps me on my toes, always wondering what I¡¯ll discover next.¡±


    She stared at me for a moment¡ªthen, to my absolute shock, she actually squirmed, her face turning slightly pink as she buried herself against my chest.


    I froze. Jade. Blushing. Hiding.


    What kind of reverse reality was this? Just as I was about to tease her about it¡ª


    She bit me. Again.


    "Ouch!" I yelped, jerking slightly. "I swear, I¡¯m taking you to the vet to have your teeth removed if you don¡¯t curb this habit of yours."


    She stopped immediately, probably because she saw the genuine pain on my face.


    But, instead of apologizing like a normal person, she pouted. "You should¡¯ve been a dessert so I could just eat you," she muttered, looking thoroughly disappointed.


    I blinked. ¡°¡­What kind of logic is that?¡±


    She sighed dramatically, like I had personally let her down.


    Then something clicked in my brain.


    "Speaking of dessert¡ª" I straightened slightly, realization hitting me. "Wait.... My cookies."


    I looked at her accusingly.


    "Where are my cookies?"


    Jade immediately stepped back, a little too quickly. ¡°Uhh¡ªYou actually remembered?¡±


    I narrowed my eyes. ¡°Of course, I remembered. You made me suffer thinking they were all gone.¡±


    She giggled, ¡°Relax, drama queen. I saved some.¡±


    I exhaled in relief as she pulled a small box from her purse, holding it up like it was some priceless artifact. I reached for it immediately, but she pulled it just out of reach.


    ¡°Ah-ah,¡± she tsked, cradling the box against her chest. ¡°Not so fast.¡±


    I frowned. ¡°Jade.¡±


    She batted her lashes. ¡°Yes, my Cute Bunny?¡±


    ¡°Hand over the goods.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡± She tapped a finger to her chin, pretending to think. ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°¡­Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°I said nope.¡± She grinned, flipping the lid open and picking up a cookie. ¡°I¡¯ll feed you.¡±


    I stared at her. ¡°You¡¯re joking.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t joking. She held the cookie up to my lips, eyes sparkling with mischief.


    ¡°Say ¡®ahh~¡¯¡±


    I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. ¡°Jade¡ªstop it.¡±


    ¡°Ahh~,¡± she repeated, wiggling the cookie slightly.


    I debated whether I had the dignity to argue. Then, I debated whether I cared about my dignity if it came to her.


    ¡­Jade won.


    I sighed in defeat, leaning in and taking a bite. Warm, buttery sweetness melted on my tongue, and I barely held back a pleased hum.


    Jade beamed. ¡°Good, right?¡±


    I chewed, swallowed, and nodded. ¡°It¡¯s unfair how good you are at baking.¡±


    ¡°Say it again.¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Your baking is amazing, Jade.¡±


    Her grin widened. ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°And I am incredibly lucky to have you in my life, oh benevolent goddess of cookies.¡±


    She giggled, clearly pleased. ¡°See? That wasn¡¯t so hard.¡±


    I smirked. ¡°Does this mean I get to eat the rest myself now?¡±


    Jade gasped, scandalized. ¡°Excuse me?! I shared with you¡ªmy cookies. That means I still get some.¡±


    I immediately grabbed the box. ¡°You already had sixteen. This is justice.¡±


    Jade lunged for it, and I twisted away just in time, holding it over my head. She let out an exaggerated gasp. ¡°North, you absolute villain!¡±


    I chuckled, keeping the box out of her reach as she pressed against me like some determined koala. ¡°You started this,¡± I reminded her.


    ¡°And I will finish it!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re five-foot-nothing, Jade. What¡¯s your plan?¡± I teased, leaning back slightly with a smirk.


    Jade immediately pouted, crossing her arms. ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    She looked personally offended, as if I had just insulted the very foundation of her existence. Then, with absolutely zero hesitation, she launched into what I could only describe as an unhinged rant of superiority, revealing another side of her that I only had glimpsed from afar.


    ¡°My genes are superior in every category that exists out there, and I¡¯m already an inch taller than you.¡± She jabbed a finger in my direction. ¡°I¡¯m faster than you, I can learn quick and better; I have more strength than you will ever have in your entire life. Besides, I heal faster, I''m adaptable to most environments, I can even hold my breath for upto three hours underwater. Hmph! You won''t ever find anyone like me.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow. ¡°I feel like that¡¯s debatable.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not.¡± She huffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder dramatically. ¡°my dad once showed me my birth certificate.¡±


    I frowned. ¡°¡­Okay? And?¡±


    Jade grinned, tilting her head slightly, ¡°It stated: 35,436 gene modifications.¡±


    I blinked. ¡°¡­What.¡±


    ¡°Thirty-five thousand, four hundred, and thirty-six.¡± She repeated it slowly, as if savoring the effect. ¡°So don¡¯t think you¡¯re better than me in any way. No one is better than me. I literally have star patterns on my skin, compared to others. I was born to be superior.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± I grinned, tilting my head slightly as realization dawned on me. ¡°How adorable.¡±


    Jade¡¯s smug expression immediately flickered into suspicion. ¡°¡­What?¡±


    I finally knew why she was so completely screwed up in the head. It all made sense now. She was a literal cheat code of a human being. Her parents probably built her like a custom gaming character¡ªmaxed-out stats, ridiculous perks, and absolutely zero concept of normal human limitations. No wonder she walked around like she was untouchable.


    But in no way did it scream that they loved her. Their actions, their choices¡ªnone of it reflected care, none of it felt like love. They built her, sculpted her into something inhumanly perfect, engineered to be stronger, faster, better¡ªbut did they ever once stop and see her? As more than a product, more than a test subject. No.


    My hatred for them deepened further. What an excuse for human beings. They had everything¡ªan extraordinary daughter, someone so vibrant, so alive¡ªand yet, they treated her existence like a project rather than a person. Jade, with all her arrogance, all her fire¡ªshe wasn¡¯t like that because she had been loved too much.


    She was like that because she had to become her own foundation.


    Because if she didn¡¯t believe she was the best, if she didn¡¯t claim her own worth¡­ then who the hell would have?


    Meanwhile, with a huff, Jade crossed her arms, her gaze shifting. Then¡ªher eyes softened, and suddenly, she looked up at me with the most innocent expression.


    ¡°North¡­¡± she murmured, leaning closer. A soft, sensual kiss on my lips.


    Oh, no.


    ¡°Please?¡± she whispered.


    Oh, no.


    I narrowed my eyes. ¡°That¡¯s cheating.¡±


    Her lips quirked up. ¡°Is it working?¡±


    ¡­It was.


    I groaned, handing her a cookie with a dramatic sigh. ¡°Fine. But only one.¡±


    She took it with a victorious grin, immediately taking a bite. ¡°Mmm,¡± she hummed, leaning into me. ¡°Still warm.¡±


    <hr>


    After my cookie date with Jade, I could only walk away, sighing to myself.


    Back when we first met, she¡¯d shown no signs of this side of her. The first month had been¡­ normal, if I could even call it that. She had been more reserved, more composed¡ªstill sharp, still witty, but without the relentless teasing, the shameless demands, the full-fledged chaos she had now weaponized against me. Somewhere along the way, she¡¯d figured out just how far she could push me. And then, the real problem¡ªShe realized that if she demanded something just right, I¡¯d cave. Every. Damn. Time. As for her demands? ¡­Yeah, it¡¯s better to not even go there. Crazy. Freaky. Absolutely unhinged. Those were the only words I was willing to admit to myself.


    After a one-and-a-half-hour train ride, I finally met up with Temple, Placid, and Louvel at the theater.


    We¡¯d planned this hangout for a while, and honestly, it was the perfect excuse to avoid getting into another scrap. With my body already battered and bruised, the last thing I needed was to throw more punches¡ªor worse, take more hits.


    Jade¡¯s handiwork hadn¡¯t exactly helped either. In her pursuit of happiness and pleasure, she had dug her nails into my chest so deep that I was still wincing from it. At this point, I was half-convinced the pain was only going to get worse. And yet, in my defense, Jade had a way of knowing exactly what I wanted¡ªor maybe even needed¡ªin the moment. Possibly better than I knew myself. That¡¯s what made her so dangerous. And, if I¡¯m being completely honest, it¡¯s probably why I kept going back for more. Or why she kept coming back to me.


    Because we both knew what strings to pull to make each other feel wanted. Desired. Happy.


    A dangerous cycle.


    A perfect cycle.


    "Hey, guys," I greeted as I approached Temple, Placid, and Louvel near the theater entrance.


    They were already waiting, their contrasting personalities on full display before I even got close. Louvel casually leaned against a railing, looking effortlessly unbothered as always. Temple was busy on her phone, probably chatting with her cousins in other countries. And then there was Placid, who wasted zero time before starting in.


    "We could have booked a private theater," she grumbled the moment I was within earshot. "Or just watched something at my place. Did we really have to come to this¡­ this uncivilized, dirty place?"


    Her distaste was palpable, her nose wrinkled like she could physically smell the popcorn and overbuttered nachos from outside.


    I sighed, dramatically mimicking her disgusted expression. ¡°Hello, hi, nice to meet you! You know, those are the kinds of things people say when they meet someone. Did no one teach you basic manners?¡±


    Placid huffed, her sharp tongue momentarily muted as she turned away with an irritated flick of her hair. "Hmph."


    Louvel chuckled under his breath, while Temple just shook her head.


    "How bad are you hurt?" Temple asked, his tone light but genuinely curious.


    I shrugged. "It''s nothing serious. I just wanted to take it easy today."


    Placid immediately pounced. "Your actions shouldn¡¯t hinder our training," she cut in, her voice clipped and pointed. "What if we can¡¯t pass the academy test because of you?"


    I let out a slow, exaggerated sigh before turning to face her directly. She was five-foot-five, which made it almost too easy to lean down just slightly, locking eyes with her at a deliberate distance¡ªjust enough to make her uncomfortable.


    I smirked. "If you fail, it¡¯ll be because of your own incompetence, not because I didn¡¯t know how to teach you better." My tone dripped with mockery, every word carefully chosen to poke at her pride.


    Placid¡¯s face flushed instantly¡ªnot just from anger, but embarrassment, too.


    Her mouth opened, ready to fire back¡ª


    But then she snapped it shut, her jaw clenching when she couldn¡¯t think of a fast enough retort.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see what¡¯s playing,¡± I said, straightening up and gesturing for Knox and Louvel to follow. Thankfully, they weren¡¯t like Placid. They didn¡¯t complain or start unnecessary arguments. I was too drained to spar with her anymore.


    With that, we strode inside the theater, leaving Placid to stew in her irritation. For once, I wasn¡¯t about to let her ruin what little energy I had left. The lobby of the theater was emptier than usual due to the weekday crowd and it was afternoon. He projected the movie listings into the air between us, the holographic display from his phone crisp and clear. "We''ve got options. There''s ''Meta Detective'' - that new action thriller about a super investigator hunting down corrupt heroes. ''Starfall'' - sci-fi romance about an alien meta-human. ''The Last Stand'' - typical superhero blockbuster. And ''Ordinary Days'' - actually a regular drama, no powers involved."


    "What''s everyone feeling?" he asked, glancing around our small group. "Third showing for all of them starts in about twenty minutes."


    "Anything but another superhero movie," Placid groaned, crossing her arms. "We live that stuff every day. Can''t we watch something normal?"


    "I''ll have a large popcorn," Knox said to the cashier, ignoring our banter.


    After choosing a movie, I ordered my usual¡ªmedium popcorn and a can of coke.


    With tickets secured for "Meta Detective," we made our way to Theater 6.


    The usher, a bored-looking teenager, barely glanced at our digital passes as we entered. The familiar smell of popcorn and the sound of movie trailers filled the space.


    "These seats better be clean," Placid muttered, pulling out a small pack of wet wipes from her purse. "And why are we sitting in the middle? The back row is clearly superior."


    "Because," I explained with exaggerated patience, "some of us actually want to see the movie instead of just complaining about it. Besides, the middle has the best sound."


    Temple chuckled as she squeezed through the row. "Here we are, F7 through 10."


    I settled into my seat beside Louvel, trying to find a comfortable position.


    The current times lacked the advanced filming technology of two hundreds in the future, but the experience wasn''t bad in this time period. Movie-watching had evolved into something far more immersive than simple screen projection.


    There were two main ways to enjoy a film now: First, the theater could use meta powered technology to integrate viewers directly into the story¡ªa neural device would connect to your mind and make you experience everything as the main character. Personally, I found this exhausting; being the hero wasn''t always as fun as it sounded, especially when you felt every punch and fall.


    The second method, which we were using today, offered a perfect middle ground. While we remained ourselves, our environment would be digitally altered to match the movie''s world. We could walk around and explore the carefully crafted settings, though the story would continue to unfold around us regardless of our actions. Clever directors often hid Easter eggs and special details throughout these environments, rewarding the more adventurous viewers who took the time to explore.


    As the movie began, the transformation was breathtaking in its subtlety. The grand theater hall dissolved piece by piece¡ªfirst the distant lights winked out like dying stars, then the rows of seats faded into darkness, and finally the other moviegoers disappeared until I was alone in my recliner chair. The world shifted and rebuilt itself around me, pixels of reality rearranging themselves into something new and extraordinary. Gone was the theater''s sterile air conditioning, replaced by the humid atmosphere of a rain-soaked metropolis. The ceiling vanished, opening up to a night sky choked with neon-lit clouds. I was suddenly perched near the top of the massive Sky Tower, the city sprawling below in a maze of lights and shadows. The rain felt incredibly real as it peppered my skin, though I knew it was just advanced environmental simulation.


    The bass hit like a physical force as the soundtrack kicked in¡ªa deep, resonant throb that vibrated through my chest. The detective, our protagonist, plummeted past me in a controlled fall from the tower''s peak. I popped a piece of popcorn into my mouth, savoring the buttery taste that somehow enhanced rather than detracted from the immersion. As I watched, I found myself drifting forward in my recliner, floating alongside him as he fell.


    Water streamed upward around us as we descended, each droplet catching the neon lights like tiny prisms. The ground rushed up to meet us with increasing speed, and I felt my stomach flutter despite knowing I was safely seated.


    I shifted my perspective slightly, moving closer to catch the determination in his eyes. The environmental processors were working overtime, rendering each raindrop with perfect clarity, simulating the way his coat whipped in the wind, even generating the subtle change in air pressure as we descended.


    Suddenly, the detective''s hand shot out, grabbing what looked like a maintenance drone that had been quietly hovering near the building''s edge.


    The simulation instantly adjusted, letting me feel the sudden deceleration in my stomach even though I wasn''t actually falling. The drone''s propellers screamed in protest, sparks flying as its motors strained against the detective''s weight. The haptic generators in my recliner vibrated subtly, matching the drone''s struggling movements.


    I noticed something then¡ªa small detail I might have missed if I''d been watching on a traditional screen. As the drone''s lights flickered, they illuminated a pattern of service numbers along the building''s surface. Focusing on them triggered one of the theater''s hidden interactive elements: a translucent overlay appeared in my peripheral vision, showing the building''s maintenance schedule. The drone''s presence wasn''t a coincidence¡ªit was part of a routine security patrol. The detective used the drone''s momentum to swing himself toward a window washing platform twenty floors below. The theater''s environmental systems shifted again, the rain now coming at us sideways as our trajectory changed.


    Just as the drone''s motors gave out completely, the detective released his grip. He rolled onto the platform with practiced ease, the impact rippling through the metal grating.


    The detective rose slowly, water streaming off his coat. But something was wrong. My floating perspective caught a detail that sent a chill through me¡ªa small red dot dancing across his chest.


    The shot came from somewhere above us.


    No sound. Just a sudden flash that cut through the rain like lightning. The detective''s head snapped back, but instead of falling, his entire body fragmented into thousands of crystalline shards. Each piece caught the neon lights of the city, creating a beautiful, horrifying display. Then something even stranger happened. The fragments began moving against gravity, flowing upward like a reverse waterfall. My perspective automatically shifted, following this impossible stream of light. Twenty floors up, the pieces coalesced into the shape of a woman in a white suit, perched elegantly on the edge of a higher maintenance platform. She held a smoking rifle and wore the detective''s face¡ªor rather, what was left of it.


    The real detective stepped out of the shadows behind her, his gun pressed against the base of her skull.


    "Nice trick," he said softly. "But you forgot something." He reached forward with his free hand and plucked a small silver locket from around her neck. "The real Sarah died fifteen years ago. And she never wore her mother''s jewelry on a job."


    The woman''s face¡ªhis face¡ªbegan to melt like wax, revealing something underneath that the rain couldn''t wash away.

 Act 2.35 (Chrysalis)

    Catching Strays Left and Right


    After two hours, the four of us spilled out of the theater, our voices overlapping as we dove into an animated discussion about the movie.


    Louvel was reenacting a dramatic scene with exaggerated gestures, while Temple was already nitpicking the plot holes. And Placid, predictably, had her arms crossed, ready to deliver a scathing critique¡ªbut despite herself, I could tell she¡¯d actually enjoyed parts of it.


    She just wouldn¡¯t admit it.


    "That interrogation scene though," Louvel said, gesturing with his empty popcorn container. "When the detective realized his own daughter was the original shapeshifter?¡±


    "Please," Placid scoffed, though I noticed she seemed less irritated than when we''d entered. "It was so obvious from the locket scene. Who keeps touching their hand every time they lie? Amateur writing."


    Temple tossed her cup into a nearby recycling bin. "What about that twist with the maintenance worker? I didn''t see that coming at all. He seemed so insignificant in the beginning."


    Louvel nodded vigorously, his face lit with excitement. "Right?! I swore he was just background filler. Then, bam¡ªhe¡¯s been orchestrating things the whole time."


    I shrugged, hands in my pockets. "But did anyone else pay attention to the back alleys during the chase scene?"


    Temple turned to me, genuinely surprised. "I was too focused on the main action. What did you see?"


    "The dead wife¡¯s sister." I explained as we pushed through the exit doors into the evening air. "The graffiti showed she''d been tracking the shapeshifters for years. All those symbols we kept seeing weren''t just background decoration."


    Placid tried to hide her interest but couldn''t quite manage it. "Is that why there were all those butterfly motifs? I thought they were just being pretentious."


    "That rooftop scene hit different when you realize she was probably watching the whole time," Louvel mused. "No wonder the detective kept looking over his shoulder."


    Just as we were walking out of the theater, a girl abruptly stopped right in front of us. She didn¡¯t stumble. She didn¡¯t hesitate. She just stood there, blocking our path in the middle of the exit, her stance deliberate. We all frowned, exchanging puzzled glances.


    I blinked, taking in the unexpected sight.


    She couldn¡¯t have been more than sixteen, her school uniform still crisp despite the late hour¡ªtoo pristine for someone who had been out for long. Her wired earphones dangled from her ears, a curious anachronism in current times.


    But what really stood out?


    The black cat at her feet. It wound between her ankles, its sleek body moving with eerie grace. Its green eyes locked onto our group, unwavering, almost too intelligent¡ªlike it was studying us. A strange sense of unease prickled at the back of my mind.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Placid asked, her voice already laced with irritation.


    She was clearly not in the mood for whatever this was. The girl didn¡¯t flinch at Placid¡¯s harsh tone. Instead, she raised a hand and pointed directly at me.


    "I need your help," she said, her tone flat.


    I blinked.


    ¡°¡­Me?¡± I asked, lifting a hand to point at myself, just to make sure I wasn¡¯t mishearing things. My tone was half incredulous, half annoyed.


    The girl shook her head once, unwavering.


    "You."


    No hesitation. No elaboration.


    I glanced at the others. Louvel raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Temple frowned, shifting his weight slightly. Placid, still irritated, looked ready to dismiss the whole thing. But the girl didn¡¯t move. And neither did her cat, which still stared at me like it knew something I didn¡¯t.


    Something in my gut told me this wasn¡¯t random.


    ¡°¡­Okay,¡± I said cautiously, studying her for any sign of deception. ¡°Let¡¯s talk somewhere less¡­ public.¡±


    I gestured toward a nearby caf¨¦ across the street. If we were going to deal with whatever this was, at least we could do it over caffeine. The girl nodded once, stepping aside without argument.


    Her cat?


    It followed¡ªwithout a sound.


    I mean, from the day I¡¯d started the third cycle, I¡¯d figured out one absolute truth¡ª


    Trouble always found me.


    It didn¡¯t matter where I went or how much I tried to avoid it. It had a way of sniffing me out, like some cosmic force had decided I was its favorite chew toy. But this? Dropping a random girl with a cryptic request for help right in front of me like we were in some low-budget detective noir?


    Yeah. This was absurd.


    This wasn¡¯t some fairy tale with knights and noble quests. This was real life¡ªor at least a superhero¡¯s version of it¡ªand there were dangerous people everywhere. Who the hell was I to help someone? And what exactly did she expect me to do?


    I wasn¡¯t a saint.


    As we entered the caf¨¦, the girl followed without a word, her black cat trailing behind like a silent shadow. We settled at a table in the back, away from prying eyes. She slid into the seat across from me, her cat hopping onto the table like it owned the place, curling up into a neat, imperious ball. I stared at it for a second. Then at her. She didn¡¯t blink, didn¡¯t flinch, didn¡¯t even seem remotely fazed by how strange this situation was. I sighed, flagging down the waiter and ordering a cold coffee¡ªhoping it would help cool both my nerves and my irritation. Because, honestly? She¡¯d already managed to ruin my day, and we hadn¡¯t even gotten to the details yet.


    I took a slow sip, exhaled, and finally met her gaze.


    "Alright." I leaned forward slightly, keeping my tone calm but firm. "Let¡¯s try this again. Who are you, and what exactly do you need help with?"


    The sooner I got some answers, the sooner I could figure out how to handle this mess¡ªor at least convince her she¡¯d picked the wrong person. But she didn¡¯t answer immediately. Her gaze flitted between Louvel, Temple, and Placid, who were seated around me, their expressions a mix of curiosity and confusion.


    Her body language was painfully clear¡ª


    She wasn¡¯t going to speak as long as they were here. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose before waving them off.


    ¡°Go sit somewhere else for a bit,¡± I muttered, gesturing to a nearby table.


    They exchanged skeptical glances.


    "Ooh, private meeting? Should we be jealous?"


    Placid rolled her eyes dramatically, Louvel shrugged, and Temple just nodded before following the others.


    As they finally relocated, I turned back to the girl.


    "Okay. Now talk."


    "My name is Vesper," she said curtly, her tone flat and devoid of any real interest.


    Then she fell silent again, sitting there like she couldn¡¯t care less about the world¡ªor the fact that she¡¯d just completely upended my day. I sighed, already regretting every decision that led me to this moment.


    "Okay," I said, rolling my eyes. "What.do.you.want?"


    I leaned back in my chair, my tolerance meter already running low. But then a thought hit me¡ªa very serious one. I straightened slightly, raising a hand like I was swearing an oath.


    "Just so we¡¯re clear," I added, voice deadpan, "if you¡¯re here because you think I¡¯m your lost dad, family or something, I don¡¯t know your mom. Let¡¯s get that out of the way right now."


    Vesper¡¯s entire face twisted in pure disgust, like I had just said the most vile, repulsive, nightmare-inducing thing imaginable.


    "Ugh, creepy," she groaned, physically recoiling like I had personally ruined her life.


    Then¡ªlike nothing had happened¡ªshe casually sipped her cold coffee. The one I paid for. I squinted at her. Had I ever mentioned how much I hated dealing with school kids? They were an entirely different breed¡ªsnotty, dramatic, and always convinced their problems were the center of the universe. And sure, sometimes they were. But why so much attitude? It¡¯s not like I invited her here. Yet here she was, acting like I was the inconvenience in this situation.


    I took a slow breath, internally questioning my life choices, before my mind wandered elsewhere.


    Had Jade been this insufferable at her age?


    Probably not.


    Jade was a lot of things¡ªdangerous, unpredictable, stubborn as hell¡ªbut intolerable wasn¡¯t one of them. She was also super cute and pretty.


    And personally? Cute people were good.


    That was a fact.


    I almost smiled at the thought, but Vesper shifted, drawing my attention back to reality.


    She adjusted her pristine uniform, her other hand resting casually on the black cat that had made itself comfortable, sprawled out across the table like it owned the damn place.


    "There are people trying to kidnap me," she said casually, like she was discussing the weather.


    I blinked.


    "Hmm?" I raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to elaborate.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    But she didn¡¯t. She just sat there, sipping her coffee like she hadn¡¯t just dropped a bombshell into the conversation. Why was she slowly? Though, the statement didn¡¯t spark much in me. Not because I didn¡¯t believe her¡ªbut because I wasn¡¯t a savior. And I had zero interest in playing one. If she was expecting me to swoop in and solve her problems, she was barking up the wrong tree. For all I knew, she had already developed her meta nature, and that wasn¡¯t something I wanted to get tangled up in.


    "Go to the police, the City Protectors, or one of the heroes." I waved a hand dismissively. "Just tag them on social media or something. I¡¯m sure one of them would love to help¡ªit¡¯d make for great PR."


    Vesper shook her head immediately, her expression unchanging.


    "They won¡¯t be of help." She was firm. Certain.


    I leaned back in my chair, unimpressed. "How do you know? Have you even tried?"


    She paused, her hand stilling on the black cat¡¯s head. For the first time, something shifted in her expression. Not fear. Not doubt. Certainty.


    "Because my meta nature tells me so."


    Ah. Of course.


    I exhaled, running a hand down my face.


    "Of course it does," I muttered.


    "And what else does your meta nature tell you?" My tone was flat, bordering on bored, but I couldn¡¯t stop myself from asking.


    ¡°It helped me find you,¡± Vesper blue eyes met mine. Her voice was quiet but carried a strange certainty. ¡°Someone who could help.¡±


    Her words made me sit up straight, an involuntary reaction to the sheer certainty in her tone.


    Trouble had found me again, whether I liked it or not.


    And this time?


    "Well," I said, leaning back slightly, keeping my tone neutral, "I¡¯m sorry for whatever¡¯s happening to you. You¡¯re young, probably scared, and don¡¯t know what to do. But that¡¯s what your parents are there for¡ªto help you. You can¡¯t just come to a stranger and expect them to fix your problems."


    I raised a hand, gesturing vaguely in her direction.


    "Talk to your parents, a school counselor, or someone actually equipped to handle this. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll figure something out."


    It was solid advice. Reasonable. But the moment the words left my mouth, Vesper¡¯s expression again shifted. Her jaw tightened, her frustration radiating off her in waves.


    "You''re not listening," she snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.


    I blinked. "Whoa, calm down," I said, raising my hands in mock surrender. "No need to get worked up. Just explain what you want clearly, instead of going in circles and maybe I¡¯ll consider hearing you out."


    I glanced over at the others sitting nearby, wondering if they¡¯d noticed the sudden spike in tension. But Vesper didn¡¯t care who was watching. The black cat on the table let out a low, rumbling purr.


    I squinted at it.


    Was it... judging me?


    Before I could fully process that bizarre thought, Vesper took another deep breath,¡°I think....these people¡­ they¡¯re not just trying to kidnap me. I think their real goal is to use my meta nature for something.¡±


    That got my attention.


    I exhaled through my nose, my skepticism still intact, but my curiosity now officially engaged.


    ¡°Use your meta nature?¡± I guessed.


    Vesper nodded once, her fingers absently trailing over the cat¡¯s fur.


    "I can locate people, objects, or places based on what I emotionally or physically need the most at that moment."


    I frowned, leaning forward slightly, ¡°So, you¡¯re saying your meta nature lets you find anything you need¡ªlike a built-in GPS?¡±


    My tone was skeptical, but the idea itself? That was¡­ interesting.


    "That¡¯s¡­ convenient."


    Vesper gave me a flat stare. ¡°It¡¯s also a nightmare.¡±


    "It works like a connection," Vesper explained, "Emotional, physical¡ªwhatever I need most, my meta nature locks onto it."


    I frowned, tapping the rim of my coffee cup, turning over her words in my head, "So, these people chasing you¡ªthey want to use you to find something? Something they can¡¯t find themselves?"


    She nodded, ¡°Though, I don¡¯t know what they¡¯re after.¡±


    I let out a slow breath, leaning back in my chair. "And you think I can help you because your meta nature brought you here?"


    "Yes," she said simply. "You¡¯re the one I need to stop them."


    I took a another good look at her. Then let out a dry, skeptical laugh.


    "Right." I dragged the word out.


    Wow, North. You¡¯re really collecting all the strays these days, huh? First, the main character syndrome guy, now this one. What¡¯s next? A magical dog? A talking raven? A mysterious child with forgotten royalty status? I let out a self-deprecating chuckle, shaking my head at my ever-growing list of bizarre encounters. I pondered a possible solution to get out of this unwanted situation, and after a beat, I looked back up, ¡°Alright, but if these people are so dangerous and determined to catch you, how haven¡¯t they succeeded yet?¡±


    I watched her carefully. "Have they even attacked you? Because, sitting here like this, talking safely¡ªit almost sounds like it could just be... I don¡¯t know, a delusion."


    Vesper grip on the black cat immediately tightened, its tail flicking in mild protest at the sudden pressure. ¡°It¡¯s not a delusion,¡± she said firmly, ¡°I know what I¡¯ve felt. There are eyes on me¡ªalways. When I¡¯m in public, I can feel them watching. Every move, every step I take. It¡¯s like a constant shadow.¡±


    I studied her words, my skepticism still lingering, but something about the way she spoke¡ªthe absolute certainty in her voice¡ªmade it harder to dismiss outright.


    Still, there was something off.


    If her ability was as powerful as she claimed, then¡ª


    "And you¡¯ve tried to locate them?" I asked, arching an eyebrow. "You should be able to find whoever¡¯s doing it with your meta nature, right?"


    Vesper¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line.


    ¡°I have,¡± she admitted, her voice dropping to a whisper. ¡°But whoever¡¯s tracking me... they¡¯re using something¡ªsome hidden meta ability to stay out of my reach. They¡¯ve masked their presence completely. It¡¯s like trying to see through a mirror that only shows what you want to see. But I know they¡¯re there. Even now.¡±


    I immediately sat straight, squinting, as I shifted my perception to scan the Likeness of my surroundings.


    The caf¨¦ suddenly felt too quiet.


    The air¡ªtoo still.


    My gaze flicked around the room, searching for anything out of place.


    The barista behind the counter was busy making drinks, the hiss of the espresso machine breaking. A group of teenagers near the door were laughing over their phones, oblivious to anything outside their bubble. Louvel, Temple, and Placid were still at the nearby table, chatting casually and occasionally casting glances their way.


    Nothing seemed unusual.


    And yet...


    My gaze flicked to the windows, then to the corners of the room where shadows pooled.


    ¡°You¡¯re sure?¡± I asked, ¡°Right now, you feel it?¡±


    Vesper didn¡¯t answer immediately. She waited as if searching for something. Then, finally, she shook her head, "Nothing since we entered the coffee shop."


    I tried to piece together her explanation. Something about it bothered me. But at the same time¡­ It aligned with what my perception was telling me. Glancing around again, I read the Likeness of our surroundings. The results were unchanged¡ªNo immediate danger. No unseen threats lurking nearby. Whatever she was dealing with, it wasn¡¯t something that was about to pounce on us here and now.


    As for Vesper herself, her Likeness didn¡¯t reveal anything obviously threatening either. There was no ominous glow or foreboding aura that suggested her life was in immediate peril. But the future? That was always murky, and I couldn¡¯t discern what lay ahead for her.


    Still, her Likeness was fascinating in its own way.


    It appeared as an ancient-looking compass, intricate and weathered, with two needles. One needle pointed in a direction I assumed was tied to her desires, something she was actively pursuing. The other, however, was aimed directly at me. That was the part that unsettled me. It seemed to suggest I was what she needed in this moment¡ªthough I couldn¡¯t say for sure if I was interpreting it correctly. I examined the compass carefully, trying to glean more meaning from the way the two needles moved. But the more I looked, the more questions I had. Why me? Why now? Her situation wasn¡¯t adding up


    I finally let out a deep sigh¡ªthe kind that came from a mix of exhaustion and resignation.


    "Let¡¯s just say, for argument¡¯s sake, that whatever you¡¯re facing is real right now."


    "FYI, it¡¯s real," Vesper cut in immediately, her voice matter-of-fact.


    I resisted the very strong urge to roll my eyes.


    What an ungrateful brat. My patience was hanging by a thread, but being the magnanimous, vastly more experienced, and all-around mature person that I was, I pushed on.


    "Alright then," I said, keeping my calm but definitely irritated, "what, exactly, makes you think I¡¯m the person to deal with¡­ whatever this is?"


    I gestured at myself for emphasis, like her answer couldn¡¯t possibly justify this nonsense. "Do I look like a hero to you?"


    Her response¡ªor lack thereof¡ªwas going to decide whether I walked out of this caf¨¦ or stayed to entertain her increasingly bizarre demands.


    "I don¡¯t know what you look like to anyone else," she said, "but to me, you¡¯re someone who can help. Whether you believe it or not."


    Then, with absolute certainty, she added¡ª


    "I believe that because my meta nature has been wrong, like, never."


    I let out another sigh, rubbing the back of my neck.


    "Alright," I said finally. "Let¡¯s say I believe you. What¡¯s the plan? Do you even have one?"


    She shrugged, sinking a little in her seat as flash of embarrassment and annoyance flickered across her face. She looked like she wanted to say something but didn¡¯t. As much as my heart was screaming at me to stand up and walk away from the table, my mind wouldn¡¯t let me. I couldn¡¯t figure out why, but something kept me rooted to my seat.


    Another resigned sigh escaped me. It wasn¡¯t like I didn¡¯t have enough on my plate already.


    Between the group and me, we still had the big villain gang to track down¡ªa task that was already draining¡ªand now this? It was exhausting. And yet, Vesper was being as stubborn as a mule, refusing to go to the City Protectors or contact any heroes. She was acting like nothing more than a reckless teenager, but maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªshe had her reasons. My irritation flared again, and for a brief moment, I entertained the idea of calling the authorities on her behalf.


    But I quickly shook my head. That would just complicate things, and something about her desperation hinted at a reason she wasn¡¯t sharing.


    With no other options left, I decided on the next best thing: calling Henry. If anyone could handle this mess¡ªor at least give me some help¡ªit was him. I pulled out my phone and dialed his number. He picked up after a few rings.


    ¡°Henry,¡± I said as soon as the line connected. ¡°Where are you?¡±


    ¡°At Caleb¡¯s house,¡± he replied, his voice a mix of focus and fatigue. ¡°Gina and I are scanning and searching through the underground train stations of the city. It¡¯s a huge task. In the last three hours, we¡¯ve barely covered seven percent of the deep search, even with the AI and mapping tools.¡±


    ¡°Great,¡± I muttered under my breath, rubbing my temples. ¡°I¡¯ve got a situation over here, too.¡±


    ¡°Fantastic,¡± Henry replied dryly. ¡°What kind of situation?¡±


    I glanced back at Vesper, who was now focused on her cat again.


    "The kind that just walked in and decided to make me its problem," I muttered. "I¡¯ll explain when I get there. Just keep me updated on your search."


    Ending the call, I shoved my phone back into my pocket and turned to Vesper, leaning forward slightly.


    "Alright, Vesper," I said, tone resigned. "Are you free right now?"


    She blinked, then tilted her head slightly, like she was considering the question on a cosmic level.


    "Well¡­" she began, still idly rubbing the cat¡¯s head. "My parents want me home by six."


    I glanced at my phone. 5:00 PM.


    "We¡¯ve still got an hour," I noted, looking back at her. "What about traveling with strangers? Do your parents have any rules about that, too?"


    Vesper looked mildly annoyed. "What do you want from me?"


    "I have a friend who might come in handy," I explained. "He¡¯s busy right now, so we¡¯ll need to visit him. Are you comfortable with that?"


    She stared at me for a long moment. Then, finally, she sighed. "Fine."


    I stood up and stretched slightly.


    "Great. Let¡¯s go before your parents send a search party."


    Vesper rolled her eyes but followed, the black cat hopping off the table to trail after her like a shadow.


    Because of course it was coming too.

 Act 2.36 (Chrysalis)

    Choices


    I glanced toward Louvel, Temple, and Placid, who were still seated at the nearby table. Their conversation paused mid-sentence as they turned to watch me curiously, their expressions ranging from mild interest to blatant suspicion.


    "I have to leave," I announced loud enough for them to hear, grabbing my jacket. "You three can either call it a day and head back, or if you want, stick around and grab dinner. Your call."


    Placid raised an eyebrow, her skepticism practically oozing off her. "Leaving? Where to?"


    "A friend¡¯s place," I replied vaguely, pulling my jacket on. "Something came up, and I need to check it out."


    Their frowns deepened in unison, like they were collectively debating whether or not to interrogate me further.Honestly, I expected them to let it go. I should have known better. Louvel leaned back, stretching casually like this was the most relaxed decision of his life.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll tag along. My schedule¡¯s wide open.¡± Henry replied.


    Temple casually brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. ¡°I suppose it wouldn¡¯t hurt to see what all this is about.¡± And there it was. That little spark of intrigue in her eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯ll come too,¡± Placid added, sharp as usual. ¡°Though I might have to cancel my evening Pilates class.¡±


    I deadpanned immediately.


    ¡°Oh no, Placid, not the Pilates class!¡± I threw her a mock-concerned look, placing a dramatic hand over my heart. ¡°Maybe you should stay and attend if it¡¯s that important.¡±


    Temple couldn¡¯t hold it in and let out a small chuckle behind her hand, trying and failing to hide her amusement. Louvel just grinned, clearly enjoying the exchange. Placid, on the other hand? She stomped her foot in irritation, her glare burning holes through my soul.She didn¡¯t say anything, though, which was a surprise as she always had something to say about every situation, leaving me with a little to no choice.


    Fantastic. Now it was a group field trip.


    Meanwhile, Vesper shot me a side-eye look. ¡°They¡¯re coming too?¡± she asked, her voice laced with clear disapproval.


    ¡°Unfortunately, yes.¡±


    It was also the moment I realized I was babysitting not just one, but a half dozen people. Why the hell was I suddenly responsible for this circus? Oh my god. I was on a fast track to losing my sanity. If this kept up, I probably wouldn¡¯t survive the next ten days, let alone this one.


    The other three caught her tone and frowned, their gazes shifting to me. I could tell they weren''t exactly thrilled with her attitude. Placid looked especially annoyed, her posture stiffening as if ready for an argument. Rich kids and their egos¡ªGod help me if this turned into a full-blown spat.


    ¡°Do you want me to help you or not?¡± I squinted at Vesper.


    I didn¡¯t care if my tone was blunt as hell. I was officially done with the bullshit.


    Vesper met my eyes, her face deadpan. ¡°Yes.¡±


    Then, without another word, she stood up, adjusting the strap of her schoolbag over her shoulder. The black cat on the table didn¡¯t miss a beat¡ªit leapt gracefully onto her arm, curling around her like a living shadow. Then it stared directly at me with an intensity that normally seemed like a cute-pet kind of stare. Both the owner and the pet were unhinged. There was no other explanation in my eyes.


    Louvel leaned forward, his easy going demeanor cracking just slightly. ¡°You know, for someone who¡¯s asking for help, you¡¯re not doing yourself any favors by being rude.¡±


    Vesper turned to him. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for your help,¡± she said coolly. ¡°I asked for his.¡± She gestured at me.


    "Wow," Placid said, arms crossed as she leaned back onto her chair. "I don¡¯t know what¡¯s worse¡ªyour attitude, or the fact that you think you¡¯re too good to ask for our help properly."


    ¡°Guys,¡± I said, slipping on my jacket, ¡°We don¡¯t have time for this.¡±


    Though, deep down, I secretly kind of wanted them to throw hands. Just a little. How fun would it be to see them go at it? The thought was almost entertaining enough to make me smile. But, of course, the universe didn¡¯t grant me that wish. Instead, the moment I spoke, half of the tension in the air immediately fizzled out. Like some unspoken agreement had been reached. Placid, Temple, and Louvel exchanged looks that made it painfully clear they¡¯d decided they were dealing with nothing more than an angsty teenager. Vesper, for all her unflinching intensity, was suddenly beneath their interest, and they seemed to collectively decide it wasn¡¯t worth wasting their breath on her. How rich of them. Their mannerisms were always so polished, so ¡°top-notch.¡±


    Temple, with her ever-present graceful calm, Louvel with his effortless charm, and even Placid, who could be sharp as a blade, still carried herself with an air of superiority. Watching them disengage so completely was almost more annoying than their previous bickering.


    Vesper, meanwhile, seemed oblivious¡ªor maybe she just didn¡¯t care. She kept petting her cat like she was above the entire situation.


    Is that why the rich were richer¡ªnot just in money but in other aspects too? Their confidence, their composure, their ability to navigate situations like this without breaking a sweat? Meanwhile, the poor often stayed poorer, not just financially but in everything else¡ªopportunity, mindset, even luck. I wondered inwardly, watching the dynamics unfold before me. Maybe it wasn¡¯t just about wealth but the way people carried themselves, the resources they leaned on, the invisible advantages they had. It wasn¡¯t fair, but then again, when was anything ever fair?


    ¡°Alright,¡± I said, glancing around warily. ¡°Let¡¯s keep this moving. And Vesper?¡± I turned to her and explained seriously. ¡°Try not to alienate the people trying to help you. It might save your life.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll try.¡±


    I was glad she didn¡¯t just let my words go in one ear and out the other. For once, it seemed like something had stuck.


    We rode in Louvel¡¯s car, and by the time we arrived at his place, the sun had already dipped below the horizon, casting the street in long, deep shadows.


    Henry greeted us at the door, his gaze sweeping over each of us before his expression softened into a smile. ¡°You can call me Henry,¡± he said, ¡°North¡¯s told me a lot about you guys, by the way.¡± He extended a hand.


    Louvel took a step forward with his usual ease. ¡°Louvel,¡± he shook Henry¡¯s hand firmly. ¡°It¡¯s good to finally meet you. North¡¯s mentioned you, too¡ªsays you¡¯re the one to watch.¡±


    Henry let out a chuckle, ¡°He exaggerates. But I¡¯ll take the compliment.¡±


    Temple followed close behind, ¡°Temple. Nice to meet you.¡±


    They introduced themselves with the kind of confidence I expected from them. After all, Henry was their future senior from the Beyonder¡¯s Academy.


    Meanwhile, Placid, however, lingered at the back. And when Henry¡¯s attention shifted to her, her shoulders stiffened slightly.


    "And you are?" he asked gently but curious.


    ¡°I¡¯m, uh¡ªPlacid,¡± she stammered, stepping forward hesitantly.


    She took his hand, her movements awkward and uncertain, like she wasn¡¯t quite sure how to act.


    "It¡¯s... nice to meet you."


    She was flustered.


    Placid. Flustered.


    The same girl who could tear people apart with words alone was now tripping over basic introductions. She kept staring directly at Henry¡¯s face¡ªhis sharp jawline, piercing eyes, and that stupid, naturally effortless confidence. Watching her fall apart for a second was a rare treat. Henry, for his part, didn¡¯t seem to notice. Or if he did? He was polite enough not to acknowledge it.


    "Well," he said, motioning for us to follow, "come on in."


    He led us through the basement door. Caleb was sitting at the main desk, fully absorbed in a computer screen running hot. Gina sat beside him, her eyes darting rapidly as she sifted through scenes and images already sorted by AI and algorithms.


    The moment Gina noticed me, her expression brightened. ¡°Hey, you made it!¡± she said, flashing a bright smile. Her eyes flicked briefly to the others before returning to her work, the smile lingering as she resumed her task.


    Caleb, on the other hand, reacted with zero restraint. The instant he spotted me, he practically shot out of his chair, ¡°Henry told me about the fight at the warehouse!¡± he exclaimed, his voice bubbling with energy as he rushed toward me.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    I shot Henry a pointed look. He waved a hand dismissively, brushing off my unspoken annoyance. ¡°He wanted the highlights before continuing to help,¡± Henry said, completely unfazed.


    I clicked my tongue, mildly irritated but ultimately resigned. As long as it satisfied Caleb¡¯s curiosity and kept him from pushing to get involved in the fight itself, it wasn¡¯t a real problem.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Caleb said with a grin, clapping a hand on my shoulder. I raised a brow at him. ¡°I¡¯m happy being the computer guy.¡±


    I sighed, ¡°Well, thanks for staying out of trouble. And for everything you¡¯ve done to help us. We couldn¡¯t have made it this far without you.¡± Inwardly, I was very relieved. Caleb understood his role, and I didn¡¯t have to worry about dragging him into something he wasn¡¯t prepared for. The last thing I wanted was innocent blood on my hands.


    We all took seats on Caleb¡¯s now surprisingly clean and organized sofa, I turned to Henry. The last time I¡¯d been here, the place had looked like a madman¡¯s lair¡ªcluttered, chaotic, and borderline hazardous, as if Caleb had been holed up for months without stepping outside. Now, it had a polished efficiency. With computers, servers, and high-tech setups, it almost felt like a proper superhero base.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Alex?¡± I asked, leaning back and stretching out my legs.


    Henry glanced up from his phone. ¡°He went to the warehouse site,¡± he said. ¡°Wanted to make sure the City Protectors handled everything properly.¡±


    I nodded, filing that information away. Typical Alex¡ªalways thorough, always taking on more than he probably should.


    Vesper, sitting quietly on the edge of a chair with her cat curled on her lap, suddenly asked in confusion. ¡°Warehouse? City Protectors?¡±


    Caleb, still busy fine-tuning a cluster of screens filled with maps and satellite feeds, swiveled in his chair to face me. ¡°Speaking of resources. I¡¯ve been digging up everything I can on old train stations and underground locations. Found a couple of leads that might be worth checking out.¡±


    ¡°That was quick,¡± I said, leaning forward to scan the screens, impressed.


    Caleb shrugged modestly. ¡°It¡¯s what I do.¡±


    I glanced at Henry, who lounged casually against the edge of Caleb¡¯s desk. ¡°Just send me the list. Jade and I will check it out tomorrow.¡±


    Henry nodded, tapping something into his phone. ¡°You¡¯ll have it by tonight.¡±


    I turned to Louvel, Temple, and Placid. They had been following the conversation quietly, their expressions shifting between curiosity and confusion. It was clear they had no real grasp of what was happening. I clapped my hands together, drawing their full attention.


    ¡°Alright, here¡¯s the deal,¡± I said seriously. ¡°The reason I brought you here¡ªand yes, I did that willingly¡ªis because I wanted you to see how things work behind the scenes. I know all three of you are sharp enough to have dabbled in¡­ heroes and villains - activities of your own.¡±


    I pointed at the screens. ¡°As for this¡­ the investigation we¡¯re working on is connected to the train accident and the missing people from two weeks ago.¡±


    Placid¡¯s squinted. ¡°Wait. You mean the one all over the news?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly the one,¡± I confirmed.


    Temple frowned, shifting her leg over another, ¡°They said a few people survived, but the city never showed their faces. It¡¯s been two weeks, and still nothing?¡±


    ¡°You could say it was for their safety,¡± I replied, waving a hand dismissively. ¡°Actually, I was one of the six survivors. Barely made it out, to be honest. The only reason any of us did was because we were with someone¡­ incredibly powerful.¡±


    ¡°Wait, really? You were there?¡± Placid blurted out, her usual composure slipping. The surprise in her voice was almost comical. ¡°That explains why you vanished for a week. We thought you were just hiding out or something.¡±


    I nodded, ¡°The investigation we¡¯re working on is directly tied to that train accident and the missing people. We¡¯ve made solid progress, and I¡¯m confident we¡¯re onto something big¡ªsomething that might finally give us answers.¡±


    Temple leaned forward, ¡°And by ¡®solid progress,¡¯ you mean you¡¯ve got some leads? Or are we talking about something concrete?¡±


    ¡°More than just leads. We have results. Real results. Which brings me to the real reason I asked you here.¡±


    Louvel looked at me with flicker of interest, ¡°You¡¯re asking if we want in.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± I said with a nod. ¡°This isn¡¯t something I can force anyone into. At the end of the day, it¡¯s your choice. If you decide to walk away, I won¡¯t hold it against you. But if you choose to stay¡­ You need to understand what that means. This isn¡¯t just an Academy exercise or a sparring match. People have already died, and the risks are only going to grow. If you step into this, you¡¯re stepping into danger. Real danger.¡±


    The room fell silent, save for the heat and noise coming from the computers and servers running in the background. I added, ¡°Take the next two or three days to think it over. Let me know where you stand.¡±


    I scanned their faces, gauging their reactions. Louvel¡¯s lips twitched as though he were already making up his mind. Temple leaned back slightly, her fingers drumming against her knee, thoughtful but not unwilling. Placid¡¯s frown deepened, her mind clearly weighing the risks.


    ¡°Good,¡± I said finally, breaking the silence. ¡°That¡¯s all I wanted to say for now.¡±


    Finally, my eyes landed on Vesper. She¡¯d been listening quietly, but her intent gaze revealed she wasn¡¯t just eavesdropping. Part of me hadn¡¯t wanted her here, simply because she was still in school. But, with how bad her know-it-all attitude was. In hindsight, maybe this wasn¡¯t such a bad thing. She must have formed her meta nature not long ago. So, she needed to see how the world worked beyond the sheltered lens.


    I turned to Henry, who was busy with something on his tablet, concentrating. ¡°Henry,¡± I called, ¡°A minute, please.¡±


    Henry lifted his head up from the tablet, ¡°Sure,¡± he said, setting it down with a quiet clink on the desk. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    I nodded toward Vesper. ¡°Can you put a mental cue on this girl?¡±


    Henry thoughtfully studied Vesper, ¡°Is there a problem?¡±


    Vesper opened her mouth to respond, but I raised a hand to stop her. ¡°Yeah, she has gotten herself mixed up in some bad stuff. I want you to keep an eye on her when she¡¯s out and about¡ªmake sure she¡¯s safe.¡±


    Henry shrugged, ¡°It¡¯s normal for kids who¡¯ve just started tapping into their meta nature to get into trouble. What¡¯s the big deal? Let her enjoy her life. She¡¯ll join some school gang, get into a few fights, maybe take a beating or two. Nothing deadly. Why track her movements?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that simple,¡± I shrugged, ¡°She¡¯s involved in something far worse than silly school gangs. I¡¯m worried about her safety.¡±


    Henry¡¯s brows knit together, but he didn¡¯t push further. Vesper, however, glanced between us, her expression a mix of frustration and confusion. But I wasn¡¯t about to drag the rest of the group into more chaos before I had real leads. If I needed help, we could discuss it later.


    Henry¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line before he gave a small nod. ¡°Alright. Sure.¡±


    He turned to Vesper, his tone shifting to something more direct. ¡°Just make sure you don¡¯t leave the city. My range only extends that far. I don¡¯t know if he explained that to you.¡±


    His gaze flicked to me, and Vesper recoiled, clearly unsettled by the cryptic way we were discussing her situation.


    ¡°What exactly does this ¡®mental cue¡¯ mean?¡± she asked, skepticism laced in her voice.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll break it down for you. Once the cue is placed, I can tap into your senses¡ªwhat you see, hear, and feel. Basically, I can monitor your surroundings. But only when I choose to focus. But, I¡¯m not constantly tuned in.¡±


    Immediately, Vesper squeezed herself smaller as she processed the implications. ¡°You can¡­ see what I see? Hear what I hear? And more?¡± Disbelief edged into her voice.


    "Only when necessary,¡± Henry clarified. ¡°Think of it as a security measure, not an invasion of privacy. Unless you¡¯re in immediate danger or doing something life-threatening, I won¡¯t even bother checking.¡±


    If you need me to step in, just say my name. I¡¯ll tune in and handle it from there.¡±


    Vesper wasn''t impressed by the assurance, ¡°So¡­ would I know when you¡¯re, uh, looking at me?¡±


    Henry shook his head, his tone flat and matter-of-fact. ¡°No, you wouldn¡¯t. When I tune in, it¡¯s seamless. You won¡¯t feel or notice a thing.¡±


    Vesper shot me a hard glare. ¡°I¡¯m not a fan of that,¡± she said bluntly. ¡°How do I know you¡¯re not just¡­ watching whenever you feel like it?¡±


    Henry stiffened, then snapped his gaze to me, irritated. His glare screamed ¡®Really? You¡¯re making me explain this?¡¯ From every angle, it seemed like he was being painted as the bad guy, but he still kept his composure as he calmly explained.


    ¡°That¡¯s fair. But here¡¯s the thing¡ªyou¡¯re not exactly an entertainment channel for me, nor do I have time to waste on nonsense. I¡¯ve got better things to do than spy on someone changing clothes, taking baths, or whatever else you¡¯re worried about. I only pay attention if there¡¯s a clear need. And even then, it¡¯s strictly situational. If you don¡¯t call my name, I¡¯m not checking in. Simple as that.¡±


    Vesper still didn¡¯t look convinced, And what about my privacy? This feels¡­ invasive.¡±


    Henry let out a short laugh, shaking his head. ¡°Right, because I have a personal vendetta against your boundaries? Do you know how many people I could be keeping tabs on instead of you? Important people? Criminals? People who are actually relevant to world security?¡±


    Vesper looked away, afraid to meet his gaze. ¡°That doesn¡¯t make it better.¡±


    Henry sighed, ¡°I swear, if one more person questions my ethical standards today, I¡¯m charging an hourly rate.¡±


    However, if I were in Vesper position, I¡¯d feel the same way. But it was better that she aired her doubts now rather than agreeing and regretting it later. She couldn¡¯t expect me to trail her secretly just to keep her safe¡ªI had my own life and far more pressing responsibilities. And I wasn''t exactly thrilled about helping her, so this was the only option.


    Henry glanced at me, as if silently asking why I hadn¡¯t explained this to her beforehand. Still, he tried for one last time, ¡°I get it¡ªit doesn¡¯t sound great. But think of it this way: if something bad happens, this could save your life. You asked for help, and this is part of how I can give it. But unless you¡¯re in trouble or specifically ask for my help, I won¡¯t interfere. That¡¯s a promise.¡±


    I decided to step in here. ¡°Vesper,¡± I said, meeting her stubborn gaze, ¡°if you want my help, this is the risk you¡¯ll have to take. But you can trust Henry¡ªhe¡¯s my close friend. Secondly, we are Beyonder¡¯s Academy students. Their reputation¡¯s solid across the country. I or he¡¯s not going to do anything to make you uncomfortable. None of us will.¡±


    Vesper eyes widened slightly at the statement, darting between Henry and me. ¡°Wait,¡± she said, the pieces falling into place. ¡°You two are students of the Beyonder¡¯s Academy? Like¡­ THE ACTUAL ACADEMY?¡±


    Henry leaned back with an air of casual confidence. ¡°Guilty as charged.¡±


    I gave a small nod, my expression neutral. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    Vesper stared at us, her skepticism giving way to disbelief. ¡°I thought you guys were just¡­ I don¡¯t know, some randos, working together on some secret investigation. But you¡¯re actually from the Academy?¡±


    ¡°Does it really surprise you that much?¡± Henry asked, amused.


    ¡°Yes!¡± she blurted, then quickly backpedaled. ¡°I mean, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t think you¡¯re capable, it¡¯s just¡­ the Academy is a big deal. Everyone there has one goal¡ªgraduation and making it to the top.¡±


    ¡°I never actually met an Academy student before,¡± she admitted, like it was some rare species sighting.


    ¡°Well, now you have three,¡± Henry said, gesturing toward Gina, who was too focused on her screen to acknowledge the conversation. ¡°And we¡¯re good at what we do. You¡¯ll see.¡±


    Vesper studied us again, her wariness still present, but something else flickered beneath it¡ªcuriosity.


    After a long pause, she let out a breath and uncrossed her arms.


    ¡°Alright. If this is what it takes, then¡­ fine.¡±


    Henry clapped his hands together. ¡°Perfect. Let¡¯s get to work.¡±


    I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. Thinking, ¡°I really hope I won''t regret this.¡±

 Act 2.37 (Chrysalis)

    Santa and Gang Running Loose


    After our work was done, I led Vesper and the trio¡ªLouvel, Temple, and Placid¡ªout of the house. The cool evening air hit us immediately, making all of us shiver as we stepped outside.


    I turned to the trio first, waving them off. "Go home, get some sleep, try not to cause problems."


    Louvel grinned, shoving his hands into his pockets. "No promises."


    Temple tilted her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. "You sound like a tired single dad."


    Placid scoffed, "We¡¯re not children, North."


    I clicked my tongue, "Says the one who complained over missing Pilates."


    Placid huffed, spinning on her heel and marching away, mumbling something under her breath. Louvel and Temple chuckled before following her.


    With them gone, I turned to Vesper, handing her my number. "If you feel like something¡¯s off, call me. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best to come, assuming I¡¯m free. Meanwhile, if you¡¯re in immediate danger, just call Henry¡¯s name. He can¡­ well, let¡¯s just say he can practically teleport to you.¡±


    Vesper nodded, cradling the black cat in her arms, the animal half-asleep, mirroring her own tired expression. The streetlights cast a warm glow around us as the sun had fully set, leaving the world wrapped in early evening shadows.


    I pulled out my phone and booked her a taxi.


    Then, out of nowhere, she asked, "Do you think I can come with you?"


    ¡°Where?¡± I asked, surprise slipping into my voice. ¡°I¡¯m not taking you home with me,¡± I added quickly, raising my hands in protest.


    Vesper groaned, rolling her eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. "Ugh, why are you like this?"


    I muttered under my breath, "What do you mean, ¡®like this¡¯?"


    Seriously. People always accused me of being the difficult one, but maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªit was everyone else who struggled to communicate like a normal human being. Why couldn¡¯t they just say what they meant the first time?


    Vesper sighed, exasperated. "I mean the investigation, genius. I finish school at two, and I¡¯m free after that. So I can tag along."


    I stared at her. "Why would you want to?"


    She shrugged. "Because these people are after me, remember? Wouldn¡¯t it make sense for me to be close to you? I¡¯d rather not sit around waiting to be kidnapped."


    I rubbed my chin, considering it for a second, before shaking my head. "You don¡¯t have the training."


    "I have instincts."


    "You have a cat."


    Vesper¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously. "Excuse you, Morgana is an excellent judge of character."


    I glanced at the black cat. It stared back. Unblinking. Judging.


    I suppressed a snigger. And they say I¡¯m the weird one? It wasn¡¯t my fault I kept running into the oddballs of the world. I raised an eyebrow at her. ¡°How old are you again?¡±


    ¡°I never told you my age,¡± she replied flatly.


    ¡°Exactly.¡± I cut her off before she could add anything. ¡°Because I don¡¯t care enough to ask. So go home and study.¡±


    I barked the words, letting my tone sharpen just enough to end the conversation right there. I¡¯d learned that mirroring someone¡¯s energy was often the fastest way to shut them down.


    Vesper flinched¡ªjust slightly¡ªbefore recovering, looking away as if she hadn¡¯t just reacted.


    ¡°Whoa, no need to shout,¡± she said, her tone shifting to defensive. ¡°I was just asking. Who knew people from Beyonder¡¯s Academy were so arrogant?¡±


    The cat in her arms hissed softly, like it was cosigning her attitude. I stared at the judgmental little furball, my patience dangling by a thread.


    ¡°Arrogant?¡± I repeated.


    Oh, I had a lot to say about that, but I bit my tongue. No point in arguing with a child.


    ¡°You know my meta nature could actually be useful for your investigation?¡±


    I tilted my head, giving her a sideways glance.


    ¡°Hmm?¡± My hum was purely noncommittal¡ªjust enough to let her think I¡¯d entertain the thought, but not enough to actually encourage her.


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk tomorrow,¡± I said curtly, not giving her room to argue.


    Right on cue, the car pulled up, its headlights cutting through the dim streetlight glow. I stepped forward and opened the door for her, giving her a pointed look as I gestured for her to get in. Vesper hesitated, like she wanted to say more, but thankfully, she just exhaled sharply and climbed into the car. The black cat shot me one last look before curling up in her lap, its tail flicking dismissively, like it had decided I wasn¡¯t worth its time. Which, frankly, was mutual. The car pulled away, and I rubbed my temples, sighing deeply.


    What the hell was I even doing? Why was I beefing with a teenager and her overly dramatic cat?


    I needed better hobbies.


    After all my problems had finally left, I spent the next three hours with Henry, Gina, and Caleb, combing through AI feeds from relevant cameras, online forums, and scattered rumors. Despite our efforts, the task was proving to be more difficult than anticipated. The sheer volume of information was overwhelming, and separating useful leads from noise felt like digging for needles in a haystack.


    At some point, Alex arrived back from the warehouse.


    "Everything fine there?" I inquired.


    "It¡¯s been cleaned up," he replied. "I only scanned from afar, though. The City Protectors left two supers to guard the place."


    I nodded, feeling a small sense of relief.


    At least the situation there seemed under control for now. Hopefully, the City Protectors picked up on the memo we left behind. With any luck, they could start identifying the people involved and contact their families to put them out of their misery.


    "Anything new on your end?" Alex asked, pulling out his phone and scrolling through it absentmindedly.


    Gina groaned, slumping into her chair. "Define new," she said, messaging her arms.


    Caleb stretched his arms, letting out a tired sigh. "We''ve been cross-referencing station blueprints with known abandoned structures, but even with AI sorting out, the data¡¯s a mess. Too many dead leads, too much static. If I have to look at another grainy security feed, I¡¯m throwing myself into the system mainframe and never coming out."


    ...


    ...


    ...


    By the time we wrapped up at Caleb¡¯s house, it was ten at night. We hadn¡¯t made as much progress as I¡¯d hoped, but at least we had a few solid threads to follow.


    Tomorrow, I was going to start pulling at them¡ª


    And hope like hell they didn¡¯t snap in my hands.


    <hr>


    The next day:


    Jade dragged me through the quiet hallway of the Academy library, her arm locked firmly into mine like a woman on a mission. I didn¡¯t need to ask why¡ªshe was brimming with excitement, practically glowing with the sheer amount of fortune she was bleeding into her surroundings.


    Just how much good luck the people in the library are enjoying right now? Probably...enough to boost their next test scores.


    And the reason for all this was obvious. Today was the day Callisto had finally agreed to meet us. He was going to show us the imaginary world he was building, filled with characters he had stolen from all kinds of fantasy books. I wasn¡¯t sure whether to be impressed or mildly concerned by the sheer scale of his endeavor, but either way, it was bound to be interesting.


    ¡°Jade,¡± I hissed, glancing at the rows of students bent over their books. ¡°Calm down. I¡¯m walking. You don¡¯t have to drag me.¡±


    She barely glanced back, her tone way too loud for a library.


    ¡°You¡¯re too slow! Honestly, I don¡¯t know why nothing seems to excite you.¡±


    I huffed, matching her brisk pace. I realized, I was really being a too much of pushover and needed to teach this arrogant dragon a lesson to let her know who was the boss.


    ¡°That¡¯s not true,¡± I argued. ¡°You don¡¯t know how excited I feel every morning just to see you.¡±


    Damn it, why did my tongue betrayed me?


    She froze mid-step. Her head snapped around, staring at me like I had just spoken the forbidden words of the universe. Her lips parted slightly, her usual brash energy faltering. For a moment, I thought she might actually blush¡ªbut then, as fast as the hesitation appeared, it was gone.


    She huffed and resumed walking like nothing happened. ¡°That doesn¡¯t count.¡±


    I blinked. ¡°What? Why not?¡± I quickened my steps to keep up.


    ¡°Because it doesn¡¯t.¡± She waved a hand dismissively, like she was declaring it law.


    I stared at her, annoyed. ¡°That¡¯s cheating. Why?¡±


    She abruptly stopped, spinning around to face me, clearly scrambling for an answer.


    ¡°Because¡­¡±


    I raised an eyebrow, waiting. ¡°Because what?¡±


    Her face scrunched up in frustration. Her lips pursed as she thought hard, before finally letting out a frustrated huff. Then, as if annoyed with herself, she grumbled¡ª


    ¡°Because¡­ you love me, and that¡¯s different.¡±


    I stared at her, then slowly smirked.


    ¡°So love doesn¡¯t count as excitement?¡±Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    She opened her mouth, then closed it immediately, realizing her mistake.


    A tiny, visible twitch of frustration crossed her face.


    ¡°¡­Shut up.¡±


    I grinned, victorious.


    "You just admitted it, though."


    But before I could say another word, she moved. Quick as lightning. Soft. Fast. A sensual kiss¡ªbarely there, barely long enough for my brain to process what just happened.


    ¡°Happy?¡±


    I froze, caught off guard. You just did not! Jade straightened just as quickly, her expression mischievous, her lips curling into a knowing smile. Without giving me a chance to recover, she resumed dragging me down the hallway, as if nothing had happened. I opened my mouth to protest, but the words wouldn¡¯t come. My mind, usually sharp and quick to retort, was reduced to a blank slate. I was too stunned to argue, too soft to resist, and far too aware of the lingering warmth where her lips had brushed mine.


    The arrogant dragon, it seemed, had also learned to scheme¡ªand, worse, had discovered precisely how to control his greatest foe. How troublesome.


    Yet, as much as I might have pretended to be annoyed, a quiet happiness bubbled inside me, impossible to contain.


    I let her drag me along, my gaze drifting to her back. She seemed oblivious¡ªor maybe she wasn¡¯t¡ªas she led the way with her usual cheerfulness. Her outfit, now that my brain had started functioning again, was so perfectly her. An oversized, multicolored speckled knit cardigan, its frayed edges giving it a laid-back, artsy vibe. Underneath, a brown lace-up sweater hugged her figure, the neckline dipping just enough to catch my attention without trying too hard. Her pleated brown skirt, worn over winter tights, swayed slightly with each step¡ª


    A small rhythm that somehow became impossible not to watch. I swallowed, forcing my gaze away before my thoughts went anywhere else.


    She was a puzzle of contradictions¡ªeffortlessly chaotic yet meticulously charming.


    And I couldn¡¯t look away.


    How utterly, ridiculously troublesome.


    She stopped just as we reached the tall, arched doorway that marked the far end of the library. The doors, carved with intricate patterns of swirling stars and constellations, were an awe-inspiring sight. I had to admit, the location truly matched our purpose. This large, secluded room had been booked exclusively for the three of us to meet. It was obvious she¡¯d gone through great lengths to arrange this, and I had to give her credit for pulling it off. I didn¡¯t say anything, but she caught my glance and flashed a grin, clearly pleased with herself.


    Inside, Callisto sat at a large brown table, an old, dramatic-looking book sprawled open in front of him.


    The pages were yellowed with age, and the binding looked ancient, as if he¡¯d deliberately chosen it to fit the theme of his presentation. The scene was almost theatrical.


    Callisto himself was an intriguing figure. He was skinny, with a slight frame that might have made him seem inconspicuous if not for the sharpness of his eyes behind the thin metal frame.


    The moment he spotted Jade, his face lit up with a wide smile. Jade, of course, didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªshe strode toward him with confidence, like they were old co-conspirators meeting in secret. For a brief second, I wondered if they had. Had they met before this? Had they planned everything behind my back?


    But Jade never mentioned anything to me, and I doubted she could keep a secret this elaborate without at least teasing me about it first.


    Then again¡ª


    Knowing her, she might have threatened him into agreeing.


    And honestly?


    That seemed more likely.


    "Finally," Callisto said, not even bothering to stand up to shake hands or something as we stepped into the room. "I was starting to think you¡¯d gotten lost."


    "Blame him," Jade immediately jabbed a thumb in my direction. "My boyfriend is allergic to being on time."


    I denied, sliding out a chair for her to sit, "I¡¯m not allergic to being on time. I¡¯m allergic to being dragged around like a sack of potatoes."


    Jade rolled her eyes, but didn¡¯t argue.


    Callisto wiped his glasses, ¡°Well, you¡¯re here now. That¡¯s what matters.¡±


    Jade let go of my arm, skipping over to the table. Her excitement was impossible to contain as she leaned over the edge of the ancient book. ¡°So, this is it?¡± she asked, enthusiastically. ¡°The world you¡¯ve been building?¡±


    Callisto eyes gleamed with pride. ¡°This is just the beginning.¡±


    I took my seat beside Jade as we both curiously stared at the book. Honestly, just from a simple glance, it looked like any other old book in the library. Curious, I shifted my perception, diving deeper into its Likeness. Yet, even then, all I could discern was a rainbow¡ªa swirling, infinite spectrum of colors that defied description. Nothing else. It was beautiful but also utterly baffling.


    I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table. ¡°So?¡± I pointed at the ancient-looking book in front of us. ¡°Is your world inside that? How does it work?¡±


    But, before his answer, my attention was attracted to Jade, who was fidgeting too much for my liking. She was already reaching for the book, fingers hovering just inches from the pages, like she was about to poke something dangerous just to see what happens.


    Before she could, I grabbed both of her hands, locking them firmly in mine.


    Jade flustered immediately. Her cheeks turned red, her composure slipping as she tried to pull back¡ªbut I held firm.


    I leaned in, my voice low, meant for her ears only.


    ¡°Relax.¡±


    She glanced up at me, caught between embarrassment and defiance, her body still tense¡ª


    But she stilled her hands.


    Good.


    I wasn¡¯t about to let her curiosity trigger an unintended catastrophe. Not with Callisto¡¯s meta nature involved.


    Across the table, Callisto raised an eyebrow, watching our exchange. His gaze flicked from me to Jade, then back to the book. His expression was strange, like he was trying to piece something together, but I didn¡¯t care. He already knew what kind of people we were. More importantly, he knew exactly what kind of people had trapped him inside that very book the last time. If anything, he had every reason to tread cautiously.


    ¡°Well,¡± Callisto pointed at the book.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. This book is the new world I¡¯ve been building. I call it the ¡®Diary of Callisto.¡¯¡± His voice gradually picked up elation as he continued. ¡°At first glance, it might seem like just another book. But there¡¯s a fundamental difference: this one is alive.¡±


    ¡°Alive?¡± Jade leaned in with awe. ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I added, my own curiosity bubbling up, infected by Jade''s. ¡°How exactly are you building this new world? I can see your handwriting on the pages, but I can¡¯t make sense of the underlying rules and principles.


    Callisto adjusted his glasses, the faint glint in his eyes revealing how much he relished the opportunity to share his work. It was clear he¡¯d been waiting for someone who could appreciate his ideas without dismissing them as mere eccentricities. ¡°It¡¯s actually quite simple.¡±


    He tapped the book lightly, his fingers lingering on the edge of the pages. ¡°My secondary meta nature allows me to enter books. It lets me explore and navigate the worlds others have written¡ªevery character, every rule, every story.¡±


    He paused for effect, ¡°But my primary meta nature? That¡¯s where things get interesting. It doesn¡¯t make books themselves alive¡ªit lets me bring characters out of the books. Into reality.¡±


    Jade¡¯s gripped the table edge as she leaned closer. ¡°You can bring them out? Like, they¡¯re here in the real world?¡±


    Callisto nodded, satisfaction dancing both in his eyes and voice. ¡°Exactly. I can summon them for a short amount of time. Most of them retain their powers, abilities, and skills from their original stories, which makes them incredibly useful. Imagine having the greatest warriors, sorcerers, or strategists from fiction fighting alongside you.¡± He gestured to the book in front of him. ¡°This isn¡¯t just a storybook. It¡¯s an arsenal.¡±


    I was skeptical, ¡°That sounds¡­ risky. What if one of these characters decides they don¡¯t want to go back into the book?¡±


    ¡°Good question,¡± Callisto smirked, clearly anticipating the question. ¡°That¡¯s the beauty of my meta nature. I¡¯m in control. As long as I¡¯m the one bringing them out, they follow my rules. And when their time¡¯s up¡­¡± He snapped his fingers. ¡°They return to their stories like they never left.¡±


    ¡°And they actually retain their powers?¡± I took another glance at the book. ¡°They can fight for real?¡±


    Callisto nodded, his expression sharpening. ¡°Yes¡­ but there¡¯s a catch,¡± he said, tapping the book lightly. ¡°Their powers depend on how famous they are in the real world. The more well-known the character, the stronger they are when I bring them out.¡±


    Jade tilted her head, ¡°Famous? You mean, like¡­ how many people know about them?¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Callisto replied, adjusting his glasses. ¡°Take someone like Santa Claus, for instance. Almost everyone knows who he is, right? Incredibly famous. That makes him very, very powerful.¡±


    I squinted at Callisto, ¡°Wait a second¡­ have you ever brought Santa Claus out into the real world?¡±


    Callisto¡¯s confident expression wavered. His eyes darted away, and a faint flush crept up his neck. ¡°Uh¡­ well¡­¡± he mumbled, rubbing his eyes nervously.


    Jade¡¯s eyes lit up like a predator spotting prey. ¡°Oh my God, you have!¡± she exclaimed, practically bouncing in her seat. ¡°You totally have! Spit it out, Callisto¡ªwhat happened? What was it like? Did he give you a present?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡± Callisto stammered, his flustered state a stark contrast to his earlier composure. ¡°Look, it was¡ªfine. Everything was fine.¡±


    ¡°Fine?¡± I repeated, narrowing my eyes at him. ¡°You¡¯re acting way too suspicious for it to have been ¡®fine.¡¯ What aren¡¯t you telling us?¡±


    Jade leaned in closer, her grin widening. ¡°Come on, Callisto. Spill. Now. We won¡¯t let this go.¡±


    He let out a long, resigned sigh, his shoulders slumping. ¡°Alright, fine. Yes, I brought Santa Claus out once. But it was a mistake, okay? I didn¡¯t mean to.¡±


    Both Jade and I froze, staring at him in disbelief. ¡°What was the mistake? What happened?¡±


    Callisto sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair as if the explanation weighed on him. ¡°Alright, look. Usually, I can control the characters I summon. That part of my meta nature is solid. But this¡­ this is different. It¡¯s not just about summoning them. To create my new world¡ªthe one inside this book¡ªI couldn¡¯t just pull any character from anywhere. If I did, they¡¯d fade almost immediately, like ghosts disappearing into thin air.¡±


    ¡°So, what did you do?¡± Jade asked, her curiosity overpowering her initial shock.


    ¡°I either need the original or oldest existing copy,¡± Callisto explained, tapping the book in front of him for emphasis. ¡°Characters from the first books ever written or printed by their authors. They¡¯re stronger, more stable¡ªthey have roots, so to speak. If I put them into my book, they¡¯d stay. That was the plan, anyway.¡±


    A shadow passed over his expression. ¡°At first, it worked. I tracked down as many original works as I could, taking their characters and transferring them into my new world. It was going well¡ªtoo well. But then¡­¡± He trailed off, his voice faltering.


    ¡°But then what?¡± I pressed.


    ¡°There was a flaw,¡± Callisto admitted, his expression tinged with frustration. ¡°The book world wasn¡¯t complete. It¡¯s only half-finished¡ªa skeleton of a world, really. I thought it would be enough to hold them, but I was wrong. The most powerful characters¡­ they realized the world was incomplete. It couldn¡¯t contain them. And they escaped.¡±


    ¡°Wait, hold on,¡± Jade interjected, her eyes wide. ¡°You¡¯re telling us all these powerful characters just left? How many are we talking about?¡±


    Callisto hesitated, clearly reluctant to answer. ¡°At least two dozen,¡± he admitted finally, his voice a whisper.


    For a moment, Jade and I were speechless, staring at him like he¡¯d just declared the end of the world. Which, honestly, didn¡¯t feel that far off. ¡°Two dozen?¡± Jade echoed, her voice incredulous. ¡°Two dozen powerful fictional characters are running loose in the real world, and you¡¯re just now telling us this?!¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think it was relevant!¡± Callisto defended, throwing up his hands. The wooden chair groaned beneath him, ¡°It¡¯s been two months since they escaped. Honestly, It¡¯s not like they¡¯re causing trouble¡ªmost of them at least; they are keeping a low profile. Besides, I¡¯m working on a way to bring them back.¡±


    My mind raced with the implications. ¡°You¡¯re telling me there could be gods, warriors, or, I don¡¯t know, dragons walking around out there, and no one¡¯s noticed?¡±


    Callisto flustered. ¡°Look, they¡¯re not stupid. The ones that escaped know how to blend in. They¡¯re not going to announce themselves. And before you ask, no, I don¡¯t know where they all are. Some of them vanished the moment they got out.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s insane,¡± Jade exclaimed. ¡°What¡¯s stopping you from just summoning them back?¡±


    Callisto shook his head grimly. ¡°That¡¯s the problem. I can¡¯t. These characters¡­ they¡¯re too powerful. They¡¯ve broken free of the system. Unless I can track them down and either defeat them in a fight or convince them to willingly return to my book¡ªor back to being lifeless characters¡ªI¡¯m powerless against them. They¡¯re completely outside my control now.¡±


    I stared at him, disbelief growing. "So you¡¯re saying there¡¯s nothing you can do."


    Callisto¡¯s shoulders slumped, his voice resigned. "Not without their consent or submission. And considering how powerful they are, getting either of those isn¡¯t exactly easy."


    The absurdity of the situation nearly made me laugh, but I held it in.


    I glanced at Jade, my expression deadpan. "Well. Christmas is around the corner."


    Her eyes flickered, caught off guard. "Huh?"


    "Fourteen days left?"


    She blinked, startled. "Yeah. Fourteen."


    I shrugged. "Then we might meet him soon."


    Jade¡¯s reaction was immediate.


    She clamped onto my arm like a vice, her silver eyes went wide, staring at me like I¡¯d just handed her a portal to another dimension.


    "This is¡­ actually wild," she squealed, "Even wilder than what I¡¯d normally think of doing!"


    I sighed, letting her shake me in animation.


    Callisto suddenly appeared very embarrassed, "This is exactly why I didn¡¯t want to tell you guys."


    Jade whipped around, "Are you kidding me? This is literally the best thing I¡¯ve ever heard! Santa Claus is real¡ªreal and possibly a criminal?! This is incredible."


    I exhaled, already regretting the chaos I was being pulled into.


    Fourteen days until Christmas.


    Fourteen days until we possibly ran into a rogue Santa Claus.

 Act 2.38 (Chrysalis)

    How to Find Your Girlfriend Lost Across Multiple Timelines


    I finally understood why Callisto¡¯s bookworld¡¯s Likeness felt so bleak¡ªso hollow.


    It wasn¡¯t just because it was incomplete. It was practically empty.


    My god. This wasn¡¯t what I¡¯d signed up for. I thought today was going to be a relaxing session¡ªa chance to sit back, chit-chat, and indulge in some harmless curiosity. Instead, I¡¯d walked straight into another disaster. Had I maxed out on my misfortune, or was there still more waiting to rain down on me?


    Callisto¡¯s gaze snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts. He was staring at us, his sharp, expectant eyes practically pleading¡ªwithout actually saying it. And something in my gut told me I wasn¡¯t going to like what came next. ¡°Are you guys going to help me capture those back?¡±


    I froze. For a solid five seconds, my brain short-circuited trying to process his words. Then, finally, I managed a flat, unimpressed, ¡°What?¡±


    Jade perked up immediately, her eyes practically gleaming with excitement. ¡°Oh, wow. That¡¯s a big ask, Callisto. Huge, actually. Monumental.¡± She leaned back, tapping her chin like we weren¡¯t discussing something ridiculously dangerous.


    Callisto didn¡¯t back down. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t ask if I didn¡¯t need help.¡± His voice carried a hint of desperation, his usually composed expression strained. ¡°You guys are strong¡ªcapable. I can¡¯t do this alone anymore.¡±


    I crossed my arms, my tone dry as a desert. ¡°Clearly.¡± Then, I shook my head. ¡°But you¡¯re forgetting one key detail. We didn¡¯t cause this mess. You did. And now you want us to risk our necks to fix it?¡±


    Callisto flinched, but he held his ground, ¡°I didn¡¯t say it would be easy. But who was it that forced me to reveal all this? If you two had just minded your own business, we wouldn¡¯t even be having this conversation. And I wouldn¡¯t be asking you for help.¡±


    Serves us right.


    I stared at him, deadpan. Then, slowly, I let out another long, exhausted sigh and dragged a hand down my face. ¡°Great. Just great. It was exactly what I was missing.¡±


    My voice was dripping with sarcasm, every word soaked in regret.I turned my glare toward Jade, who was still grinning like this was the most exciting thing to ever happen to her. Her reaction? She actually tried to hide behind my arm. As if that would somehow shield her from my judgment. I blinked at her in disbelief.


    What the fuck, bro?


    I leaned down slightly, and accused. ¡°Why are you always collecting problems like they¡¯re achievements?¡±


    She peeked out sheepishly, her wide eyes making her look more guilty than innocent.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to¡­¡± she mumbled, barely audible.


    Her tone was so pathetic, I almost laughed. Almost. I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to summon every ounce of patience I had left.


    ¡°Well,¡± I exhaled, long and slow, ¡°let me think about it. As of lately, my plate is already full.¡±


    Callisto frowned, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed tightly. ¡°We don¡¯t exactly have the luxury of time.¡±


    His voice was edged with urgency. ¡°The longer these characters stay loose, the harder they¡¯ll be to find¡ªand to stop.¡±


    I stared at him, unimpressed. ¡°Yeah, I get that.¡± My tone was flat. ¡°But in case you missed it, I¡¯ve got my own set of problems to deal with. Adding two dozen evil overpowered fictional characters to the mix? Not exactly high on my priority list right now.¡±


    Before Callisto could argue, Jade perked up, her excitement spiking again. ¡°Can we go in and take a look inside?¡±


    She pointed at the book, her curiosity practically dripping off her words.


    Callisto nervously chuckled, tapping the cover of the book. ¡°Oh, this?¡± He smirked. ¡°That¡¯s impossible.¡± His expression was almost regretful. ¡°Even if I wanted to, I couldn¡¯t take you there.¡±


    I tilted my head, narrowing my eyes. ¡°And why¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°Because the new world isn¡¯t a physical place.¡± Callisto¡¯s gaze darkened slightly, his expression distant. ¡°It exists¡­ between.¡±


    His answer came slowly, ¡°Between what is written and what is remembered.¡±


    He turned the book slightly, running his fingers across the aged pages.


    ¡°Between ink and thought.¡±


    Jade let out a dramatic sigh, throwing her hands in the air, ¡°That¡¯s poetic, but not helpful.¡± She shot him a flat look. ¡°You¡¯re going to have to do better than that.¡±


    Callisto groaned, his face twisting into an expression of pure frustration. He wasn¡¯t annoyed at us, exactly¡ªit was more like he was annoyed at himself for being so brilliant and at us for not understanding. Honestly, watching him sulk was infuriating, but also a little funny.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Callisto said, feeling annoyed. ¡°In simple terms, it¡¯s not complete yet. The world¡¯s structure is still unstable. I need to finish writing the book. That¡¯s the only way it¡¯ll fully exist.¡±


    ¡°You mean¡­¡± Jade interrupted, her eyes lighting up as realization struck. ¡°Worldbuilding.¡±


    Callisto froze mid-rant, clearly caught off guard by her sudden interruption. ¡°Uh¡­ yeah,¡± he stuttered, blinking. ¡°Precisely. I¡¯m still¡­ worldbuilding.¡±


    Jade leaned back in her chair, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you just say that?¡±


    ¡°Because,¡± Callisto grumbled, ¡°I assumed it was obvious.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t,¡± Jade and I said in unison.


    Callisto looked at us, his expression a mix of exhaustion and exasperation, before finally sighing in defeat. ¡°Okay, fine. You¡¯re right. I should¡¯ve just said worldbuilding.¡±


    ¡°See?¡± Jade shot him an obvious look, ¡°Was that so hard?¡±


    ¡°Painfully,¡± Callisto muttered, waving his hand.


    Thereafter, He closed the ancient looking book sprawled open on the table and dragged it inside the bag which took a lot of force as book was quite heavy. I leaned back in my chair. The idea of hunting down two dozen powerful, rogue fictional characters wasn¡¯t exactly on my to-do list. I had enough problems as it was. But then I glanced at Jade. She was looking at me with that earnest, expectant expression that I could never quite ignore. And then there was Callisto. He wasn¡¯t saying anything, but his pleading eyes spoke volumes.


    I sighed. ¡°Alright,¡± I said finally, my voice reluctant. ¡°I¡¯ll help.¡±


    Callisto¡¯s face lit up, relief washing over him. ¡°Really?¡± he asked, sitting up straighter. ¡°You¡¯ll do it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± I muttered, waving a hand. ¡°But not right now. My plate¡¯s full. You¡¯re going to have to wait.¡±


    Jade perked up beside me, clearly pleased with my answer.


    I ignored her, ¡°I¡¯m not jumping into this mess headfirst. Callisto, you¡¯ll get my help, but it¡¯ll have to wait at least two weeks. Maybe more.¡±


    ¡°Two weeks?¡± Callisto echoed, his voice carrying a hint of disappointment.


    ¡°Look, my hands are tied right now,¡± I said, crossing my arms. ¡°We¡¯ve got a lot going on. I¡¯m not throwing all that aside to go chasing Santa Claus and friends. You¡¯ll just have to be patient.¡±


    Jade nodded in agreement. ¡°He¡¯s right, Callisto. We¡¯ve got to finish what we¡¯re working on first. But once things settle down, we¡¯ll help you.¡±


    Callisto hesitated, then sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. ¡°Alright,¡± he said, his voice resigned. ¡°Two weeks. I can work with that. But¡­ don¡¯t make me wait too long, okay? Because recently, I¡¯ve been piecing together clues from the news¡ªstories popping up all over the world. Many of the evil characters have already started to appear, creating chaos wherever they go.¡±


    Jade and I exchanged a glance, her brow furrowing as I leaned forward.


    ¡°Chaos?¡± I asked, my tone skeptical but curious.


    Callisto nodded, his expression darkening. ¡°It¡¯s not just random destruction. Some of them have even started collaborating, forming alliances. And I¡¯m pretty sure they¡¯ve figured out that I¡¯m the one who trapped them in the first place. They¡¯re planning something. Either to attack me¡­ or worse, kill me. To root out their problems permanently.¡±


    Jade¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Kill you?¡± she repeated, her voice rising slightly. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s insane.¡±


    ¡°Of course it is. But these characters don¡¯t play by sane rules. They¡¯re powerful, and they¡¯re angry. And if I don¡¯t stop them, they¡¯ll come for me. They¡¯ll destroy everything I¡¯ve been working on.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± I sighed. ¡°Now we¡¯ve got rogue supervillains plotting murder.¡±


    ¡°What else are you hiding?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all¡±


    "Doesn''t feel like it."


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    It was undeniably funny¡ªCallisto had Santa Claus on the run and a dozen supervillain-level characters plotting to kill him, yet he still liked to boast like he was untouchable.


    We ended up conversing for the next hour, discussing his world, the contracts, and the mechanics of his summoning meta nature. I learned that the characters brought out from the book could only last for about a dozen minutes before fading. It turned out that keeping them in the real world wasn¡¯t just a casual flex of his meta nature¡ªit required his life force to sustain them. The longer they stayed, the more it drained him, which explained why he rarely summoned them for extended periods.


    ¡°It¡¯s taxing,¡± Callisto admitted, looking slightly paler than when he started. ¡°But worth it, when needed.¡±


    Jade, of course, didn¡¯t care about the technicalities. She was too thrilled to have her wish granted: getting to speak with a fictional character brought to life. She had spent most of the time chatting with her favorite characters, her eyes sparkling with the kind of happiness I rarely saw. It was clear that, for her, this was a moment to remember.


    Eventually, the characters began to fade one by one, dissolving into shimmering particles of light before disappearing entirely. Callisto sat back with a satisfied sigh, looking drained but pleased. ¡°Not bad for a day¡¯s work,¡± he said.


    Jade and I stood, stretching after being seated for so long. ¡°Thanks, this was amazing.¡±


    Callisto gave a small nod, his usual smug grin replaced with something almost genuine. ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. Just remember what I said¡ªno promises about the ones on the run.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± I muttered, waving him off. ¡°Try not to get yourself killed before we decide to help.¡±


    He chuckled softly, picking up his heavy bag. Despite his lanky build, he managed to sling it over his shoulder with practiced ease. As he strolled toward the door, he gave us one last wave, his usual air of confidence returning. ¡°See you two around,¡± he called, disappearing down the hallway.


    Jade turned to me, still glowing with excitement. ¡°That was incredible,¡± she said, clutching her bag tightly. ¡°Don¡¯t you think so?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I nodded, staring absently at the end of the table. I was feeling a little tired, like the day had stretched longer than it should. At the same time, I had this strange sensation, like time was slipping rapidly through my fingers. It was an odd, fleeting feeling, and I couldn¡¯t quite place it.


    Before I could sink too deep into my thoughts, Jade¡¯s hands grabbed my face¡ª


    Firm, but not rough, tilting my head upward until I was staring into her eyes.


    "Focus," she whispered, her silver gaze locking onto mine.


    I blinked. "What¡ª?"


    "Why are you always drifting off into your own world?" Jade asked, tilting her head, her brows furrowing slightly. "You do it so much these days, it¡¯s almost a hobby at this point."


    I scoffed, shoving my hands into my pockets. "I don¡¯t daydream always."


    The words felt hollow even as I said them. We both knew I was full of shit. Jade narrowed her eyes, skeptical.


    "Hmm." She studied me like she was trying to catch me in the act right then and there.


    Then, her lips pressed into a pout, and she let out an exaggerated sigh.


    "Alright, fine. From now on, I¡¯ll keep track."


    I blinked. "Keep track?"


    "Yep."


    She whipped out her phone with dramatic flair, thumbs flying across the screen.


    I leaned over, curious, and my eyes landed on the screen just as she typed: My Boyfriend¡¯s Overthinking List.


    I stared. "You¡¯re joking."


    "Oh, I¡¯m very serious," she said, holding up the phone like it was a legal document.


    A mischievous grin spread across her face. "Every time you zone out, I¡¯m making a note. Receipts, baby. We¡¯ll settle this once and for all."


    I chuckled, shaking my head. "You¡¯re actually ridiculous?"


    Jade gasped, placing a hand over her chest dramatically, "Ridiculous? No, no, no¡ªthorough. Unlike you, I don¡¯t just sit there and overthink¡ªI make decisions backed by data."


    I snorted. "Oh, of course. How could I forget? Scientific method and all."


    She stood a little taller, lifting her chin like she was giving a advice of the lifetime on proving me wrong, "Exactly. And soon, I¡¯ll have hard evidence. The ultimate proof that you¡¯re an overthinking menace."The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    I rolled my eyes, "You do realize this means you¡¯ll have to stare at me constantly, right? Just to catch me zoning out?"


    Jade paused, then smirked, "Oh no. What a tragedy. I have to stare at my cute boyfriend. Whatever will I do?"


    I felt the warmth creep up my neck before I could stop it. She winked and grinned, victorious. Then, she stuck her tongue out at me, but the sparkle in her eyes gave her away. Moments like this reminded me why I couldn¡¯t stay stuck in my head for too long¡ªJade always found a way to pull me back to reality. And honestly? I didn¡¯t mind.


    Jade was too cute for me to argue with anyway.


    Which was exactly why I knew I was about to lose this battle before it even began. Because the moment she opened that list again, her expression shifted¡ªThat sly look she got when she knew she was about to catch me off guard. Her fingers hovered over her phone keyboard, her silver eyes locked onto me like she was hunting a confession.


    "Alright," she said, her voice soft, but insistent. "Tell me what you were thinking about just now."


    I paused, letting my gaze linger on her for a few moments longer than usual. Not to answer right away. But to memorize this moment¡ªThe curve of her lips, that amused, teasing smile. The way her eyes flickered with curiosity, waiting, expecting. Moments like these always felt fleeting. Like they could slip away if I didn¡¯t hold onto them tightly enough.


    Finally, after a long pause, I said, "How to find you if you ever got lost in time."


    Jade blinked, her lips parting slightly as if she wasn¡¯t sure she¡¯d heard me right. Then, after a beat, her smile widened¡ªand she let out a soft giggle. ¡°That¡¯s such a silly and cute thought to have.¡± She murmured, tilting her head, studying me like I was some rare, curious thing she wanted to keep forever.


    Then, her voice dropped slightly, playful but touched with something deeper. ¡°Do you love me that much?¡±


    My heart did a weird little thing in my chest¡ªlike it had tripped over itself and decided to keep running anyway.


    ¡°¡­Wouldn¡¯t be asking if I didn¡¯t.¡±


    "Well, if I ever get lost in time..." she mused, her fingers brushing lightly against my wrist, "...then I guess you''ll just have to chase me through eternity, won''t you?"


    But I saw it, that small shift in her expression, the way her eyes flickered just slightly, her mind latching onto the thought instead of brushing it off. She was thinking about it. And the way her gaze went distant for a second, like she was trying to solve the puzzle herself, told me she liked the thought more than she was letting on.


    "Let me think," she murmured, her fingers drumming against her phone, her brows furrowing slightly. "So you''d have an easier time finding me... How could someone lost in time?.... That''s seem impossible...."


    She muttered but, her eyes suddenly lit up, like she¡¯d just solved an equation, and before I could blink, she clapped her hands together, beaming.


    "We have a heart connection!" she declared triumphantly.


    I chuckled softly. ¡°Technically true,¡± I said, leaning closer. ¡°Or at least, that¡¯s what we like to call it.¡±


    The resonance between our meta natures¡ªthat invisible, unbreakable tether that tied us together¡ªwas as close to a ¡®heart connection¡¯ as anything else. It was real, even if it sounded too romantic to admit out loud. But still, I shook my head. ¡°Let¡¯s ignore that for now. Something else.¡±


    She frowned in mock frustration, her lips pursed as she tapped her chin, clearly lost in deep contemplation. ¡°My smell?¡± she suggested, her expression serious.


    I shook my head again. ¡°It could be recreated,¡± I replied, my voice calm but decisive.


    She tried again, her brow furrowing as she considered. ¡°My face?¡±


    I circled around her chair, resting my hands gently on her shoulders. ¡°There could be thousands of other Jades,¡± I said quietly, my voice carrying the weight of my thoughts. ¡°If we follow multiple timeline theories¡­ technically, they¡¯d all be you.¡±


    Jade gave me a side glance, her eyes curious. ¡°And yet?¡±


    I let my hands press deeper into her shoulders, my fingers working in slow, absentminded motions. I wasn¡¯t even thinking about it. Touching her was as natural as breathing.


    "And yet," I murmured, letting the words settle between us, "how could I be sure that they are you? What makes you you?"


    ¡°What makes you you?¡± I murmured, more to myself than to her.


    Her lips parted slightly, but she didn¡¯t answer right away. She thought about it, really thought about it. My mind turned inward, spiraling down the same endless, maddening question that had been troubling me more than I cared to admit.


    What truly makes someone unique? What would tether me to Jade¡­


    No matter the river of time¡­


    No matter the countless multitudes of possibilities¡­


    I exhaled softly, my voice dropping into something softer, quieter, almost too intimate, "What makes you you?"


    Jade reached up, placing her hand over mine,¡°You¡¯re overthinking again,¡± her voice kind.


    ¡°Maybe,¡± I admitted, my lips quirking into a faint smile. ¡°But it¡¯s worth overthinking about.¡±


    Jade let out a small breath of amusement, turning slightly so she could meet my eyes directly. She whispered, "But in the end, the answer is easy. What makes me me¡ªis the fact that I¡¯m yours."


    The fact that I¡¯m yours.


    Something inside me clenched. My fingers stilled on her shoulders as a thought wormed its way to the forefront of my mind. A whisper, an old conversation, one from a past too far.


    There is one who claims to exist in all possible timelines at once.


    Jade¡¯s fingers curled slightly over mine. ¡°What?¡±


    Was she even reading my thoughts now? ¡°Nothing. Just¡­ thinking.¡±


    Her lips pressed together. ¡°No, tell me,¡± she insisted. ¡°You get this look on your face when you¡¯re lost in thought. Like you¡¯re drifting somewhere I can¡¯t follow.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s someone I know,¡± I admitted slowly. ¡°Or knew. He claimed to exist in every timeline at once. Every possible version of himself, coexisting, aware of each and every iteration of reality.¡±


    Jade¡¯s brows lifted, her fingers tapping lightly against my hand. ¡°That sounds¡­ impossible.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± I murmured. But, it was true. I had seen his meta in work.


    I should fish him?


    I immediately let go of the strange thought that emerged, though the shadow of it remined unable to to be wiped clean. I adjusted my jacket, the leather creaking slightly as I pulled it tighter. ¡°Last night, Henry sent over a list of three underground stations I need to check out,¡± I said, keeping my voice casual.


    Jade tilted her head, watching me from her seat, ¡°Let me come,¡± she said without hesitation, jumping to her feet with a fluid motion. ¡°I¡¯m free.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow. ¡°Don¡¯t you have community service today?¡±


    Jade¡¯s lips curled up, the kind that always made me second-guess whether I was about to be outmaneuvered. ¡°I told the academy I¡¯m in no condition to complete my community service because of the accident,¡± she said smoothly, flicking a loose strand of hair over her shoulder.


    Her tone was too casual, too perfect¡ªwhich meant she had planned this down to the last detail. I blinked, caught off guard. ¡°¡­You got a doctor¡¯s note?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± she said casually. ¡°They waived half of my punishment for ¡®saving you people,¡¯ and the rest of the hours? I can complete them slowly¡­ over the next four years.¡±


    ¡°Four years?¡± I exclaimed.


    ¡°Yep!¡± she jumped cheerfully, brushing imaginary dust off her shoulders. ¡°Why rush when I can pace myself?¡±


    For a moment, I just stared at her, my mouth slightly open, trying to process what I¡¯d just heard. ¡°You what?¡±


    Jade shrugged nonchalantly, grabbing her jacket. ¡°It¡¯s called strategy,¡± she said, clearly enjoying my stunned expression. ¡°You should try it sometime.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t close my mouth. ¡°How¡­ how do you even think of things like that?¡± I finally asked, still reeling.


    Jade laughed, ¡°If you stick with me long enough and maybe you¡¯ll pick up a trick or two.¡±


    I stood there, speechless, shaking my head as I silently marveled at her ability to outsmart the system so effortlessly. Why wasn¡¯t I this good at thinking up ideas like that? Perhaps I should change my diet. Because the arrogant dragon was clearly getting smarter and smarter every day, and now¡ªIt had even started to outmaneuver me.


    Just as we were about to leave, Jade suddenly pulled me back. I barely had time to react before she leaned casually against the table, her fancy purse set neatly to the side. Her silver eyes locked onto mine, sharp, unwavering, Intense. I raised a brow, silently asking if she¡¯d forgotten something. But she shook her head, her expression¡ªUnreadable.


    "We still have thirty minutes before their room is available."


    I shrugged, not quite understanding where this was going.


    "So?"


    Jade let out an exasperated groan, her fingers twitching at her sides.


    "Ugh! You¡¯re so dumb," she muttered, punching me lightly on the shoulder.


    Her cheeks were flushed, but it wasn¡¯t just from annoyance. Before I could respond, before I could even think, She grabbed the collar of my jacket, her grip tight, commanding.


    And then¡ª


    Her lips crashed into mine. Not a soft kiss, not a hesitant brush, but a kiss with purpose. With aggression. With every bit of frustration she had bottled up until this very moment. I stiffened for half a second, caught completely off guard. But then, her lips moved against mine, her tongue sliding in, and¡ª


    Oh.


    The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning, striking straight through my thick skull. Her intensity. Her frustration. It wasn¡¯t about thirty minutes. It wasn¡¯t about forgotten plans. It was about this.


    <hr>


    The air breezing from inside was filled with dampness and decay as Jade and I arrived at the entrance of one of the tunnels in our list.


    This was our third underground station stop for the hidden auction site investigation. It loomed before us, a jagged mouth of concrete and rust, half-consumed by creeping ivy and crumbling stone. The faint smell of urine and rat shit clung to the air, mixing with the metallic tang of old rails and machinery. The faint noises of the city above were muffled by layers of earth and silence. But still could be felt through the vibrations under our feets.


    Jade tilted her head, peering into the shadows as she flicked on her flashlight. T


    The beam pierced through the dark, revealing jagged cracks in the walls and scattered debris along the floor. An old train sat motionless on the tracks, its body battered and scarred from years of neglect. Graffiti splashed across its sides in wild colors.


    ¡°This is... spooky and oldly charming,¡± Jade muttered, her voice echoing faintly in the hollow space. Her eyes gleamed in the flashlight''s beam as she turned to look at me. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s on Henry¡¯s list,¡± I said, adjusting the strap of my bag on my shoulder. ¡°Abandoned station, matches the coordinates he sent. If something¡¯s here, we¡¯ll find it.¡±


    At one point in time, it used to be a very busy station, but right now it was eerily quiet with no one in sight.


    Jade let out a low whistle, stepping cautiously onto the cracked concrete platform. The sound of her boots against the ground seemed too loud, like an uninvited guest breaking the solemn quiet. She paused by the train, brushing her fingers along its rusted surface.


    ¡°You think anyone¡¯s been here recently?¡± she asked.


    I scanned the area, my flashlight sweeping over the yawning black tunnel ahead. ¡°Hard to say,¡± I replied. ¡°Doesn¡¯t look like it. But with places like this, you never know.¡±


    After the incident, I had developed a very specific kind of distaste for underground tunnels. The kind of distaste that came with clenched fists and an irrational, bubbling unease that sat like a rock in my stomach. Just stepping near the edge of the platform felt too close.


    She crouched near a pile of discarded trash, poking it with the toe of her boot. ¡°Yeah, well, let¡¯s hope we¡¯re alone. And this place is nothing but an abandoned station.¡±


    I nodded, exhaling slowly as I shifted my perspective to the Likeness. The world around me shifted, its edges softening and blending into the familiar overlay of vibrant threads and subtle pulses. My eyes scanned the tunnel with heightened focus, but nothing extraordinary came into view.


    Well, almost none.


    A few areas near the train were painted in sharp rainbow hues, rippling faintly like heat waves. Sudden danger, but nothing immediate. It was more of a quiet warning: Be cautious. Something¡¯s off.


    If there was anything significant about this location, the Likeness wasn¡¯t showing it.


    Then, ¡°Oh!¡± Jade¡¯s voice broke through my thoughts. She suddenly dashed a few steps ahead and crouched down. ¡°What¡¯s here?¡± she asked, her tone curious but alert.


    I sighed and strode toward her, my boots crunching against the gravel-strewn ground. A pile of refuse half-buried in the dirt¡ªat first glance, just another heap of urban decay. But as Jade prodded at it with a stick that she had found from somewhere, something glinted beneath all the filth. I leaned in, only for my stomach to twist in disgust. Used syringes lay scattered like dead, brittle twigs, condom wrapper were scattered across the dirt¡ªfilthy, questionable, and definitely biohazard material.


    "Jade¡ª" I grabbed her by the arm, hauling her back before she could dig further into the biohazard minefield.


    "Ouch!" She let out a small yelp, stumbling slightly before regaining her balance. When she turned to me, her expression was equal parts indignant and defensive.


    "What?" she huffed, brushing imaginary dust off her mid-skirt. "I wasn¡¯t touching anything, I was just looking!"


    "Looking at what? A free tetanus shot?" I shot back, my nose wrinkling in disgust.


    I crossed my arms, giving her the most exasperated look I could muster. The kind of look that said: I¡¯m not here to babysit you, and your overflowing curiosity does not give you a free pass to poke at every questionable thing you find in the dark.


    Jade exhaled dramatically, throwing her hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, I won¡¯t poke the suspicious garbage pile! You happy?"


    ¡°Ecstatic,¡± I muttered dryly, giving the pile one last wary glance before turning away. ¡°Let¡¯s focus on the actual reason we¡¯re here, yeah? Not on... that, okay.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± she said, falling into step beside me.


    But not before sneaking one last glance at the needles. I caught her. And shot her a warning glare. She grinned, eyes gleaming mischievously, completely enjoying how easy it was to get under my skin.


    The tunnel swallowed us as we stepped inside, our flashlights cutting weak, flickering paths through the heavy darkness. I kept Jade close, occasionally glancing her way to make sure her light was steady and her curiosity wasn¡¯t leading her to do something reckless. My own flashlight moved with purpose, tracing the walls, the floor, the ceiling. Every surface was worn and cracked, layers of grime clinging to old tiles that probably hadn¡¯t been cleaned in decades.


    ¡°We¡¯re looking for anything that stands out,¡± I reminded her. ¡°Marks on the wall, grooves on the floor, even fresh footprints. If someone¡¯s using this place for something as elaborate as a secret auction, there has to be evidence.¡±


    Jade nodded, her expression serious for once. ¡°Got it. So, hidden entrances? Tracks? That sort of thing?¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡± I stopped to examine a jagged seam along the tunnel wall. Running my hand along the rough surface, I checked for unusual textures or gaps¡ªsomething that might indicate a concealed door.


    Meanwhile, I adjusted my perspective again, letting the Likeness filter over my vision. The colorful overlay flickered faintly in the darkness, highlighting faint paths of recent movement.


    ¡°There¡¯s been traffic here,¡± I said, motioning for Jade to join me. ¡°Recent, too. We¡¯re not the first ones down here.¡±


    She crouched beside me, her silver eyes narrowing as she inspected the same area. ¡°Footprints? Could be workers. Or¡­¡±


    We pressed on, searching meticulously. I ran my hands along the edges of rusted panels and inspected the way certain pipes intersected with the walls, looking for discrepancies. Jade worked the other side of the tunnel, her flashlight catching details I might have missed¡ªa faded emblem painted high on the wall, the faint outlines of what looked like old signage.


    After about thirty minutes of cautious exploration, our footsteps slowed as the tunnel ahead widened, only to split into three narrower pathways. We stopped at the junction, our flashlights sweeping over the branching paths like cautious explorers at a crossroads.


    ¡°Well, this is... convenient,¡± Jade said, her voice echoing faintly in the emptiness. ¡°Three tunnels, all equally creepy. Which do we take?¡±


    I didn¡¯t answer immediately, stepping forward to examine the floor and walls more closely. My flashlight illuminated the uneven edges where the tunnels diverged. The middle one had the faintest streaks of what looked like tire marks trailing into the distance¡ªthin and faded but still visible if you knew what to look for.


    The Likeness hinted at subtle flows of fortune moving through the left tunnel, the colors faint and erratic, as though someone¡ªor something¡ªhad passed through recently. The right tunnel seemed almost void of anything, its shadows heavier, its stillness unsettling.


    I crouched, brushing my hand lightly along the faint tire tracks in the middle tunnel. ¡°This one¡¯s seen the most use. If we¡¯re looking for a secret auction, they¡¯d need to move supplies, equipment¡­ maybe even people.¡±


    ¡°This could also be some villain occupying part of the tunnel,¡± Jade suggested.


    I glanced back up, brushing the dust from my hands before pulling a handkerchief from my jeans pocket to clean them properly. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t be the first time,¡± I muttered.


    I took a step toward her, falling beside her.


    Her hair was a little messy, stray strands falling from her usual shoulder length waves. I shook the thought away, focusing on the tunnel stretching ahead of us. The faint tracks on the ground had all but disappeared, and the silence was beginning to stretch too thin. Wandering aimlessly wasn¡¯t getting us anywhere. If there were answers here, we needed a different approach.


    I turned to Jade, her flashlight beam dancing along the cracked walls. ¡°We¡¯re not going to find anything just by walking. We need to flush them out.¡±


    She stopped, tilting her head toward me with curiosity. ¡°Flush who out?¡±


    ¡°The rats,¡± I replied, sweeping my flashlight over the dark expanse of the tunnel. ¡°Whoever¡¯s hiding here¡ªvillains, smugglers, whoever. If they¡¯re lurking in these tunnels, we have to force them to show themselves.¡±


    Jade blinked, her silver eyes lighting up with excitement. ¡°You want me to do it?¡±


    I nodded. ¡°If you think you can. It¡¯s better than wandering in circles hoping we stumble onto something.¡±


    She immediately shifted her stance, her flashlight lowering slightly. ¡°I can do it. But are you sure you want to meet these people? They could be real trouble.¡±


    I let out an exaggerated sigh. "That¡¯s the point," I emphasized, "We need information. If someone¡¯s down here, they¡¯ll know what¡¯s going on. We won¡¯t get anything unless we talk to them directly."


    Jade gave me a slow, dramatic shrug, "Alright, your call," she said, her voice light.


    Then, she smiled, "But don¡¯t blame me if the rats bite."


    I scoffed as I fired back. "They can¡¯t bite harder than you."


    For a split second, I thought I''d won.


    A well-placed jab, smooth delivery¡ªa clear victory.


    But then¡ª


    Pain.


    Sharp fingers bite into my forearm, making me flinch on instinct.


    "Ow¡ª! Hey!" I hissed, jerking my arm back, but it was too late.


    Jade had already huffed in triumph, turning away as if she hadn¡¯t just assaulted me like a rabid squirrel.


    She dusted her clothes, stepping back slightly ¡°Give it a few seconds,¡± she said confidently, ¡°They¡¯ll come.¡±


    Well, this was going to be fun.

 Act 2.39 (Chrysalis)

    Nature of Time


    I waited silently, my eyes locked on the entrances of the three underground tunnels. The stillness in the air felt heavy, the kind that pressed against your skin and made you hyper aware of every sound. I didn¡¯t know what exactly Jade had done to stir the metaphorical hornet¡¯s nest, but her confidence in it was enough to make me believe her words.


    Actually, Too much confidence, if you asked me.


    It didn¡¯t take long for the effects of her meta nature to bleed into the surroundings.


    The tunnels suddenly began to vibrate, a low vibration reverberating through the ground beneath our feet. My eyes darted toward Jade, who stood a few steps away with her head cocked up proudly, like some triumphant chicken parading its territory.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t just cause an earthquake, right?¡± My voice cracked slightly as the tremors intensified.


    Jade giggled. Actually giggled. ¡°Hehehe.¡±


    ¡°Jade.¡±


    Instead, she just kept smiling that maddening, all-knowing smile of hers¡ªthe one that practically screamed, Oh, I know exactly what I¡¯m doing, but I¡¯m not telling you.


    What was wrong with this girl?


    I collapsed inwardly, metaphorically throwing myself onto the tracks of frustration in my head. She was impossible to comprehend. Speechless and stumped, I stared at her as my forehead broke out in sweat. There were a hundred safer ways to forcefully flush something out of these tunnels, but of course, she had to pick the most dangerous of them all. My gaze flickered to the deep, jagged cracks lining the walls¡ªancient, crumbling stone that had probably been hanging on by sheer stubbornness for decades. A small tremor, even a strong gust of wind, might be enough to send them toppling.


    And yet, she had done this.


    ¡°Relax,¡± Jade said suddenly, slinging an arm over my shoulder. Her voice was absurdly casual, like we were discussing dinner plans, not potential death by cave-in. ¡°You¡¯re overthinking again.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t exactly give me much of a choice,¡± I muttered, rubbing my temples.


    She smiled, leaning in. ¡°Oh, come on. I just stirred up a little hysteria in the underground wildlife. No big deal.¡±


    ¡°No big¡ª¡± I choked on my words. ¡°Are you even hearing yourself?¡±


    Jade shrugged. ¡°Can¡¯t you tell? People are already running.¡±


    As if on cue, muffled shouts echoed through the tunnels. Footsteps¡ªhurried, frantic. The telltale scurrying of rats and other unseen creatures. Realization hit me soon. It hadn¡¯t been an earthquake at all. The vibrations, the rumbling¡ªI had assumed the worst, but in reality, she had triggered a stampede of panicked animals, sending the tunnel dwellers running in sheer terror.


    ¡°Oh,¡± I said, eloquently.


    ¡°So silly,¡± Jade snorted, nudging my shoulder. ¡°You totally thought I was about to bring the whole place down, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    I gave her my best I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about look, raising an eyebrow for emphasis.


    ¡°Why would I think that?¡± I asked, tilting my head just enough to sell the confusion. ¡°You really give my imagination way too much credit.¡±


    Jade¡¯s smirk didn¡¯t falter. If anything, it deepened, so much so that it was downright infuriating. ¡°You¡¯re so adorable when you panic.¡±


    I groaned. ¡°I wasn¡¯t panicking.¡±


    She let out an exaggerated gasp. ¡°Liar.¡±


    I flicked a glance at her out of the corner of my eye. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± she said lightly.


    Before I could pry further, the air above us shifted. A cold ripple spread through the space, like a breath of wind that didn¡¯t belong here. Then¡ªout of nowhere¡ªthree hands manifested. I squinted, instinctively scanning the source. That¡¯s when I saw him¡ªa man lunging out of the middle tunnel, his unkempt beard nearly swallowing his face. His wild eyes locked onto me, and for a split second, I could feel his intent like static in the air. The purple hands phased through me harmlessly, dissolving into thin wisps of smoke.


    The man¡¯s expression twisted in confusion, his eyes darting between me and the dissipating shadows. He had expected something else. Expected pain. But instead¡ª


    Snap.


    A quick, unnatural crack echoed through the tunnel.


    From the corner of my eye, I caught Jade looking bored, her posture relaxed yet oddly menacing.


    The man''s entire body stiffened, fingers twitching, legs locking in place. Then¡ªhe started to fold. Not like someone falling to the ground. Not like anything natural. His limbs twisted inward at impossible angles, his very form compressing, sucked into itself like a black hole collapsing in fast motion. His skin, his bones, his everything¡ª


    And then¡ª


    Nothing.


    He was gone. Erased. As if he had never been there at all. A cold chill crawled up my spine. I swallowed hard, my stomach churning. This wasn¡¯t the first time I¡¯d seen Jade¡¯s meta nature in action, but that didn¡¯t make it any less disturbing. I¡¯d thought about her powers so many times, countless hours spent, replaying what little I¡¯d seen in my mind, but I still couldn¡¯t wrap my head around what her meta nature was supposed to be. And now? I was even more clueless.


    I turned to her slowly. ¡°Jade¡­¡±


    ¡°You really shouldn¡¯t kill people like that,¡± I said, exasperated. ¡°I told you before. We first talk patiently and then take action.¡±


    Jade blinked at me, then turned, looking genuinely offended.


    ¡°Huh?¡± She blinked, ¡°I didn¡¯t kill him!¡±


    I squinted, my expression making it very clear that I wasn¡¯t buying it. My silent glare practically screamed: Then what the hell was that supposed to be?


    Jade groaned, rolling her eyes. ¡°Oh my God, you¡¯re so hard to please sometimes.¡± She crossed her arms and huffed. ¡°I just made sure his dad put on a condom while fucking his mom so he was never born in the first place!¡±


    I froze. Staring at her. Mouth slightly open, brain buffering.


    Never¡ªnever¡ªhad I heard her talk like that. It was an eye-opener in more ways than one, and I wasn¡¯t sure what shocked me more: the absolute crudeness of her explanation, or the sheer insanity of the implications.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ what?¡± I managed to stammer, completely baffled.


    Jade huffed again, ¡°What¡¯s so hard to understand? I didn¡¯t kill him¡ªI just erased the circumstances that led to his existence. Totally different.¡±


    ¡°Totally different?¡± I repeated, my voice rising in disbelief. ¡°You erased him from existence!¡± I gestured wildly, trying to find words for how insane that sounded. ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡±


    I stopped myself mid-sentence, realizing that nothing I thought could adequately capture the insanity of what she¡¯d just said. Instead, I settled on the question that suddenly burned in my brain. ¡°How did you accomplish that?¡±


    Jade tilted her head, giving me the kind of look you give a kid who just asked why birds don¡¯t have hands.


    ¡°What¡¯s so hard about it?¡± she asked, sounding genuinely baffled. ¡°Don¡¯t you know how time works?¡±


    I stared at her. ¡°Are you seriously asking me that?¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°Ugh, I hate it when you don¡¯t act smart.¡±


    I blinked. ¡°What did I do now?¡± I muttered under my breath, exasperated. Did I just break one of her fantasies by not acting smart enough?


    Jade either didn¡¯t hear me or decided I wasn¡¯t worth acknowledging. Instead, she stepped closer, her expression shifting into something far too smug for my comfort. "Your idea of time¡ªand pretty much most people''s idea¡ªis different from how I, or others like me, see and experience it."


    I let out a slow breath, trying to keep up with whatever cosmic nonsense she was about to unload. ¡°Wrong about time,¡± I echoed flatly. ¡°Okay, sure. Enlighten me, Professor Paradox.¡±


    She smirked at that, but I could tell she was barely resisting the urge to smack me upside the head. ¡°Oh, I will,¡± she said, her voice dripping with amusement. ¡°And then you¡¯ll feel really stupid.¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°I already feel stupid just listening to you.¡±


    She ignored me. ¡°Time isn¡¯t what you think it is. It¡¯s not a unit of motion or change. It¡¯s not this rigid thing ticking away while everything moves forward.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow. ¡°Okay¡­ then what is it?¡±


    Jade smirked, pleased that I was finally asking the right questions. ¡°Time is an observational unit.¡±


    I stared at her blankly. I waited for her to elaborate. She didn¡¯t.


    ¡°¡­And that means what, exactly?¡± I prompted, waving a hand for her to continue.


    Jade let out a dramatic sigh as if I were a particularly slow student. ¡°It means that time doesn¡¯t exist independently of observation. It¡¯s not some invisible force pushing the universe along. It¡¯s just¡­ a tool to collapse the superposition of matter for a moment of clarity.¡± She flicked her fingers, as if the explanation was that simple. ¡°Easy.¡±


    ¡°Easy?¡± I repeated, my voice dripping with disbelief.


    Before Jade could respond, another voice cut interrupted our moment.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± the voice said dryly. ¡°That¡¯s about as simple as explaining quantum physics to a goldfish. Try again.¡±


    Jade and I whipped around, both startled by the sudden interruption.


    Standing way too close for comfort was a man, his presence unnervingly quiet until now. He looked to be in his late thirties, wearing a rumpled jacket and slightly askew glasses. His expression was one of eager curiosity¡ªlike he had just walked into a very interesting lecture. We jumped, practically like startled cats. My hand twitched toward my blaster. Jade, of course, didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªher weapon was already drawn, aimed directly at the man¡¯s chest. ¡°Who are you?¡± I asked, tilting my head slightly, though my focus was already locked on him, my finger hovering close to the trigger. The man froze, his eyes widening as he threw up his hands in surrender.


    ¡°Whoa, whoa, don¡¯t shoot me!¡± he yelped, his voice going high-pitched with panic. ¡°I swear, I¡¯m not a villain! I was just¡­ interested in your theory of time! That¡¯s all!¡±


    Jade¡¯s eyes narrowed. I feared she might snap her finger and zap him out of existence, but she resisted the urge, ¡°You¡¯ve got about five seconds to explain why you were sneaking around and eavesdropping on us.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t sneaking!¡± the man protested, his words tumbling out in a rush. ¡°I¡¯m a scientist! I¡¯m here in this tunnel to collect a specific type of fungus. It only grows here. I come every week¡ªquietly, by the way¡ªand a few minutes ago, I was doing my usual collection when suddenly a huge number of rats started attacking everything! People, walls, me! I had to run for my life!¡±


    Unimpressed stare.


    ¡°Then I heard you two talking about time,¡± he continued, his voice shaky but undeniably intrigued. ¡°And I¡­ I couldn¡¯t help but listen. It¡¯s fascinating, really! Not exactly something I hear every day in a dark, decrepit tunnel, that¡¯s for sure.¡±


    Jade didn¡¯t lower her weapon. Her gaze flicked to me for a brief moment, silently asking my opinion. I kept my gaze on the man, studying him closely. His panic seemed real¡ªno signs of aggression, no weapons, no meta abilities making themselves obvious. Just a nervous guy in a rumpled jacket who had an unsettling amount of interest in our conversation.


    ¡°You said you¡¯re a scientist,¡± I said slowly. ¡°What kind of scientist?¡±


    ¡°Biology,¡± he blurted out immediately, hands still raised. ¡°My meta nature specializes in fungi and their potential applications.¡± He gestured weakly toward the walls. ¡°This tunnel happens to be home to a species of fungus that¡ª¡±


    I sighed, shaking my head and stepping away from my blaster. ¡°Alright, alright,¡± I said, shooting a glance at Jade. ¡°I think he¡¯s harmless.¡±


    The man exhaled shakily, lowering his hands just slightly, clearly sensing that we weren¡¯t about to shoot him¡ªat least, not immediately.


    ¡°Look,¡± he said, his voice settling into a more even tone. ¡°If it makes you feel better, I¡¯ll leave. I really don¡¯t want any trouble.¡±


    Jade and I exchanged a look.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± I asked her quietly.


    She sighed, finally lowering her weapon¡ªthough not entirely. ¡°I think,¡± she said, her voice sharp and deliberate, ¡°if he asks one wrong question, I¡¯m shooting him.¡±Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    The man gave a nervous chuckle, quickly raising his hands again. ¡°Fair enough.¡±


    ¡°Where was I?¡± Jade asked, glancing back at me.


    Before I could answer, she waved her hand dismissively and continued without missing a beat. ¡°Right, what I was saying was this: think of matter as existing from the very beginning of the universe. It¡¯s constantly evolving, transforming, reshaping itself. And all these transformations¡ªthe changes matter goes through¡ªthey don¡¯t replace each other. They¡¯re superimposed, layered on top of one another, existing simultaneously in multiple possibilities.¡±


    She paused briefly, watching me and our surroundings to check if other villains had existed in the tunnel yet. She continued:


    ¡°Now, just because matter is constantly changing states doesn¡¯t mean the previous states are gone. They¡¯re still there¡ªsomewhere¡ªlike archived information. Think about it like this: you¡¯re an adult now, right? From your perspective, time passed, and you grew up. Simple, right?¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± I said hesitantly, waiting for the twist.


    ¡°But technically, that¡¯s not what happened. In reality, the matter that makes up your body didn¡¯t just move through time¡ªit evolved. It transformed. And it¡¯s still transforming. The only reason you exist in a stable, physical form right now¡ªrather than being, say, a chaotic soup of atoms sloshing around in some bowl¡ªis because something is observing you. Something is collapsing all those possibilities into one coherent state. That ¡®something¡¯ is observation. Or more specifically, your consciousness.¡±


    She paused briefly, letting her words sink in before continuing, her tone more intense now. ¡°You see, consciousness acts like a stabilizer. It observes the superposition of the matter that makes you and collapses it into a single, coherent state. Without that observation, all those possibilities would still exist¡ªbut they¡¯d all be equally valid, equally real, and you wouldn¡¯t have any stable form to call you.¡±


    Her eyes flicked toward the sky, as if envisioning something vast and infinite. ¡°Now, let¡¯s take this one step further. Time itself doesn¡¯t exist as some force pushing everything forward. It¡¯s not an arrow or a river. It¡¯s not tied to motion or events. It¡¯s observed. It¡¯s the mechanism by which we make sense of how matter evolves. It allows us to perceive and interact with one coherent/stable state at a time. Without observation, time has no meaning, because all those superimposed states would simply coexist without order or sequence, constantly evolving into higher states. So, there is no past, no future, just us, present, the only true variable at any given moment.¡±


    Silence.


    Then¡ª


    ¡°Woah.¡± The man standing nearby suddenly clutched his head, his eyes going wide, caught somewhere between pure awe and absolute mania.


    ¡°I¡¯ve only seen theories like this on obscure forums, but never an explanation so clear!¡± he exclaimed, his breath catching as he practically vibrated with excitement. ¡°This is¡ªthis is insane!¡±


    I barely heard him.


    Jade¡¯s words echoed in my head, expanding like an explosion in slow motion. My thoughts spiraled, the walls of my mind stretching, cracking. I pressed my palms to my temples, squeezing, hard. Maybe if I applied enough pressure, I could keep my brain from spinning itself into oblivion.


    Keep it simple, North. Don¡¯t let her pull you into the rabbit hole.


    But it was too late. I was already falling.


    The implications swirled around me, heavy and suffocating. If time wasn¡¯t real¡ªnot in the way I thought¡ªthen what was the point of the time loop? What happens when that observation fades? Do we fade with it? If time wasn¡¯t linear¡ªif it was just observation stabilizing states of matter¡ªthen what did that mean for how we understood cause and effect? And if every possibility exists simultaneously, Was I unique? If there were infinite versions of me, which one was the real me? Was there even such a thing as real anymore?


    I bit my lip hard, the sharp sting bringing the faintest clarity through the fog. It wasn¡¯t enough. If anything, it made the questions worse. If Jade was right¡ªif her view of time and existence was accurate¡ªthen was I even stuck in this so-called time loop? Or was I just one of countless possibilities, a fragment of something far bigger that I couldn¡¯t even begin to comprehend?


    Who was I, really?


    I thought about the idea of parallel timelines.


    They weren¡¯t just theoretical anymore. Not science fiction, not some abstract concept debated in physics circles. Their existence had been proven¡ªhell, they were actively manipulated by metahumans with strange abilities. I had seen them walk between timelines, pull things from them, even collapse them entirely. So what did that make me? Just another product of some anomaly in time? Was I even stuck in time at all?


    The man was still rambling on about theories, online forums, and how ¡°groundbreaking¡± this all was, but I barely heard him. His words blurred into static, white noise against the growing void in my chest.


    I felt hollow.


    A hand on my shoulder.


    Jade.


    Her voice was like a lantern shining through the chaos in my head, pulling me back to reality.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    I met her gaze, her piercing eyes watching me with something dangerously close to concern.


    What was I supposed to say? That I didn¡¯t know if I could believe her¡ªbecause believing her might break me?


    Instead, I swallowed hard and forced a weak chuckle. ¡°Nothing. Just¡­ processing.¡±


    The ground beneath us shook.


    A tremor, violent and deep, but this time, it wasn¡¯t Jade¡¯s doing. From the shadows of the three tunnels ahead came a roar of movement¡ªfrantic footsteps, angry shouts, and guttural growls reverberating through the air. Then¡ªlike a dam breaking¡ªthey poured out. Dozens of them. Villains.


    I instinctively took a step back, my eyes darting to Jade. She was already smiling. Loose, relaxed¡ªcompletely unbothered. She even let out a small giggle, like she had just won a game of chance.


    ¡°Hehehe,¡± she chuckled, stretching her arms above her head lazily. ¡°Looks like I stirred up more than rodents.¡± There was pride in her voice.


    And somehow, in the midst of the incoming chaos, I felt something unexpected¡ªrelief. The villains rushing past us, the sheer urgency of the moment¡ªit yanked me out of my spiraling thoughts. Pulled me away from the existential abyss I was on the edge of falling into. Most of them didn¡¯t even glance at us¡ªthey were too busy trying to save their own skins. But, as expected, a few had other ideas.


    A man with glowing fists caught sight of me and charged, his swings fast and heavy. I didn¡¯t flinch. His fist passed through me like smoke, and he stumbled forward, his momentum carrying him straight into another group of villains. I watched, almost impressed, as they turned on him instantly, fists and kicks flying in a chaotic blur.


    ¡°Damn,¡± I muttered, wincing as one particularly angry-looking guy kneed him in the stomach.


    Jade, still busy with her own fight, glanced over. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°He punched a ghost,¡± I said, ¡°And now he¡¯s getting exorcised.¡±


    Jade snorted. ¡°Natural selection at its finest.¡±


    Behind me, she was already moving. A woman wielding electrified whips cracked the glowing tendrils through the air with a sharp snap. Jade dodged smoothly, shifting just inches away from getting fried.


    The woman, thinking she had the upper hand, stepped forward to press her advantage¡ªonly for her foot to catch awkwardly on a chunk of debris. Her momentum betrayed her. She stumbled. Her whip lashed out uncontrollably as she fell flat on her face, sparks flying as the energy tendrils recoiled and struck her across the back.


    Jade stood there, staring.


    ¡°¡­Seriously?¡± she muttered, her voice almost offended at how easy that was. Then, shaking her head, she dusted off her hands like she¡¯d just finished some menial task. ¡°Whoops.¡±


    Her grin stretched wide, a little too satisfied.


    ¡°Are we keeping score?¡± she called, throwing me a teasing look as she sidestepped a stray shard of glass.


    ¡°No time for games!¡± I yelled back, ducking under a spiked chain that came whistling past my head.


    My body flickered intangible again as the chain swung right through my neck. The attacker snarled in frustration and lunged, clearly not a fan of fighting someone who wasn¡¯t fully solid half the time. Too bad for him¡ªI was ready this time. I turned solid just long enough to drive my fist hard into his ribs.


    Crunch.


    He let out a choked grunt before launching backward, crashing into a pile of crates with a satisfying thud.


    Jade whistled, thoroughly entertained. ¡°See? That should¡¯ve counted.¡±


    I shot her another glare. ¡°We are not keeping score, Jade.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± She pouted, her tone way too playful for the situation. ¡°It¡¯s so much more fun that way.¡±


    Mid-dodge, I asked her incredulously. ¡°This is your definition of fun?¡±


    ¡°Obviously.¡± She grinned, stepping smoothly into the path of a fleeing villain, blocking their escape like a cat toying with a mouse. ¡°Why else would I be doing this?¡±


    Before I could answer, another villain charged her¡ªonly for someone else¡¯s meta nature to go haywire nearby, sending an uncontrolled blast of kinetic force that accidentally slammed into Jade¡¯s attacker instead. The poor guy was flung sideways like a ragdoll. Jade just stood there, watching him crash into a broken emergency lamp, then turned back to me with a completely smug expression.


    I groaned. ¡°That does not count as your point.¡±


    She gasped dramatically. ¡°Wow. Rude.¡±


    And that was Jade in a nutshell. I was here trying to survive¡ªtrying to avoid unnecessary fights¡ªwhile she was actively stopping people from running away just to provoke them into staying and fighting her. Yet, I can¡¯t find a single reason in my mind for loving her so much that I was willing to be lost in her madness.


    ¡°What a strange fucking world I live in,¡± I muttered to myself, flickering intangible again to avoid a stray fireball. Jade must have heard me because she smirked, a quick flash of amusement as if she were in complete control of the chaos around her.


    And she was. But it didn¡¯t make it any less insane.


    The moment I let myself get distracted, I paid for it.


    Hard.


    A fist slammed into my chest, knocking the air out of my lungs and sending me flying backward. I crashed against the wall, pain exploding through my ribs as dust and debris crumbled around me.


    Jade¡¯s voice immediately rang out over the chaos. ¡°Oh noooo, my fragile boyfriend,¡± she drawled, hands on her hips as she peered over at me. ¡°Are you dying? Should I start monologuing about avenging your tragic fate?¡±


    I sucked in a breath and forced myself back to my feet, brushing off the dirt from my jacket. ¡°Very funny,¡± I wheezed, wincing.


    ¡°I thought so,¡± she said cheerfully.


    I shook my head, my eyes darting around as I pushed the pain aside, trying to focus. Because here was the problem¡ª There was no one there. My gaze swept the area, every sense on high alert. I kept scanning the area, my instincts prickling with unease. ¡°Whoever hit me¡ªthey¡¯re either really fast, or they¡¯re invisible.¡±


    Jade let out a low whistle. ¡°Ooooh, fun.¡±


    I shot her a look. ¡°Not fun.¡±


    ¡°Speak for yourself.¡± She cracked her dainty knuckles. ¡°If they¡¯re fast, I wanna see how fast. If they¡¯re invisible, I wanna see if they scream when I set them on fire.¡±


    It seemed the man¡ªor whatever he was¡ªhad not only seen through my intangibility, but he also wasn¡¯t attacking recklessly. That much was clear. Yet his motivations eluded me. We¡¯d stirred up chaos, sure. The animals, the panic¡ªbut as far as I knew, the villains didn¡¯t have a clue that we were responsible. And, honestly? I didn¡¯t care to fight him. My goal here was simple: stop a few escapees, get some answers, and conserve as much energy as possible. Wasting effort on random brawls wasn¡¯t just unnecessary¡ªit was infuriating. I stayed ready, intangible, waiting for the invisible man to strike again. But he didn¡¯t. The air around me remained still, the tension thick but refusing to break. A self-deprecating chuckle escaped my lips as I shook my head. Maybe he just wanted to show off. I rolled my shoulders, letting the stiffness ease before turning back toward Jade. The tunnel was emptier now. Most of the villains had bolted, vanishing into the chaos outside. The only ones left were a few still writhing on the ground in agony, thanks to Jade.


    And, of course, there was her.


    She stood in the middle of it all, grinning, looking entirely too pleased with herself.


    Then there was the scientist¡ªhuddled in the corner like a terrified rat, eyes darting around, probably questioning every life choice that had led him here.


    I barely spared the injured villains a glance¡ªJade had them firmly under control. Whatever she planned to do next, I didn¡¯t have the energy to stop her. She never listened to me in fights anyway, so why waste my breath? My focus shifted to the scientist. I took a step forward, helping him, but a subtle shift in the air around me made me freeze. It wasn¡¯t obvious¡ªjust a faint change in pressure, a whisper of motion too delicate to notice unless you were attuned to it. Years of experience sharpened my instincts, and in that moment, they screamed at me.


    Without hesitation, I shifted slightly and snapped my hand up, catching something solid.


    My fingers tightened around a throat¡ªhot, alive, and struggling.


    A man.


    Invisible¡ªuntil now.


    My grip constricted, my palm pressed hard against his windpipe as he thrashed. I felt the shape of him materializing beneath my hold, his body fighting against my strength. My eyes burned with cold anger. I didn¡¯t care who he was. He had attacked me. Without reason. Without hesitation. That was enough. I didn¡¯t even think¡ªjust acted. My fist lashed out, knuckles crashing into his face with a satisfying crack. Blood sprayed from his nose. He let out a strangled noise¡ªhalf shock, half pain¡ªbut I wasn¡¯t done. I hit him again, my knuckles sinking deep into flesh, knocking his head back violently.


    For the first time, I caught a glimpse of his expression.


    Panic. Pain. Fear.


    Good. He tried to pull away, gasping, his hands clawing at my wrist¡ªbut I didn¡¯t let go. Instead, I lifted my knee and drove it into his leg. Bone snapped.


    He screamed¡ªa raw, agonized sound that echoed through the tunnel as he collapsed. His body crumpled, weight sagging against me as I finally released his throat, letting him hit the ground like dead weight. I took a slow, measured breath, watching as he writhed, trying¡ªfailing¡ªto activate his meta nature. He was struggling. Desperate. Frustration still boiled in my chest from everything before¡ªJade¡¯s reality-breaking nonsense, the creeping existential dread, the ridiculousness of this entire night.


    And now this asshole had the audacity to attack me?


    No.


    No more games.


    I stepped closer, towering over him as he tried to push himself up with shaking arms. My breath was ragged, my patience gone.


    The scientist whimpered from the corner, breaking the silence. ¡°Um.¡±


    Jade wispered. ¡°So cool.¡±


    I barely heard them. The man coughed, spitting blood onto the cracked tunnel floor. His fingers trembled, reaching for something¡ªanything¡ªthat might save him. I nudged his broken leg with my boot. He screamed again, his body twitching violently.


    Jade crouched beside me, resting her chin on her hand. ¡°Soooo¡­ Are we killing this one, or is this just therapeutic violence?¡±


    I exhaled, barely sparing her a glance. ¡°Not helping, Jade.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± She felt offended. ¡°I just like knowing where we stand.¡±


    The man groaned, coughing hard, his voice hoarse. ¡°P-please¡­¡±


    I clenched my fists. If he wanted mercy, he had definitely come to the wrong person.

 Act 2.40 (Chrysalis)

    Self Control


    ¡°Look who¡¯s trying to kill now.¡±


    Jade¡¯s voice was soft¡ªtoo soft. She was crouched beside me, perhaps trying to stop me. I blinked, out of breath as I stared at the man crumpled beneath me. My fingers twitched, and I let go of the mab''s collar. He slumped to the floor, his face barely recognizable beneath the swelling and blood. The mixture of blood and saliva bubbled out of his mouth, and I felt something cold settle in my chest. He was still alive.


    Barely.


    What the hell was wrong with me? My anger had been flaring too easily, snapping at every turn, and I wasn¡¯t sure if I could keep it in check anymore.


    The Arcane Spell.


    That had to be it. I¡¯d used the mind spell, let its power reshape parts of me, and now it was eating into my reasoning¡ªmy emotions¡ªlike a parasite burrowing deeper and deeper. I¡¯d invited a monster into my mind. And I had no idea how to fight it. The realization was just as infuriating as it was terrifying. I exhaled slowly, wiped my bloodied knuckles against the man¡¯s clothes, then reached for a handkerchief, methodically dabbing away the blood smeared across my face. The stark red against the pale cloth made me feel bad.


    I¡¯d seen worse. I¡¯d done worse. But somehow, this felt different. Like I was losing something¡ªMyself. Piece by piece.


    ¡°You feeling okay?¡± Jade¡¯s voice was gentler this time.


    I nodded mindlessly, stuffing the stained handkerchief back into my pocket. ¡°Yeah,¡± I muttered, though the words felt empty. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Jade hummed, unconvinced, but she didn¡¯t push.


    Instead, she tilted her head slightly, her gaze flicking between me and the unconscious man at my feet. ¡°You know,¡± she said lightly, ¡°if you¡¯re gonna keep punching people into the afterlife, at least let me know so I can keep score.¡±


    I huffed a quiet laugh, though it sounded more hollow than I intended. ¡°Funny.¡±


    She smirked faintly but didn¡¯t say anything else. I was grateful for that. I didn¡¯t have the words to explain what was happening in my head¡ªor the fear that maybe I was starting to lose control altogether. And the scariest part? I wasn¡¯t sure I even wanted to stop.


    Taking a deep breath, I walked over to the self-proclaimed scientist. I extended a hand toward him, offering what little kindness I had left. ¡°You okay?¡±


    He hesitated, his eyes darting between me and my outstretched hand, clearly debating whether he should accept it. In the end, he stood up on his own, brushing dust off his coat. I sighed inwardly and pulled my hand back. People really didn¡¯t know how to appreciate kindness these days. Not that I cared. It just made things unnecessarily awkward.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± the scientist muttered, though his tone lacked conviction. His eyes kept flicking nervously toward Jade, and when I followed his gaze, I immediately saw the source of his discomfort.


    She had walked to stand over a group of six¡ªfive men and one woman¡ªlaid out on the floor. They weren¡¯t physically hurt, at least not visibly. She hadn¡¯t even touched them. But I didn¡¯t need to ask to know what was happening. The air above their heads was thick, black clouds of coagulated bad luck swirling like dark coffins. If I didn¡¯t step in, the tunnels would become their graveyard. I rubbed my temple, my brow furrowing. Of course. I had hoped¡ªfoolishly¡ªthat we could get through this without more unnecessary chaos.


    Walking over, I placed a hand on Jade¡¯s shoulder, stopping her. She glanced back at me, her expression lighting up as though I¡¯d given her a reward. Her eyes sparkled with something between satisfaction and curiosity, as if silently asking, Why stop now?


    I almost rolled my eyes.


    Was she always this happy around me because I rarely stopped her from running wild? Or because I never judged the chaos she brought?


    I shook the thought away.


    ¡°They should be enough, right?¡± she asked, hopeful and completely unbothered by the scene before her.


    Bending down to the group¡¯s level, I stared at the six villains, their faces pale and pleading. ¡°Here¡¯s the deal. If you want to get out of here alive, you¡¯re going to answer every single one of my questions truthfully. You miss a detail? Lie? You¡¯ll wish you hadn¡¯t.¡±


    They didn¡¯t need much convincing. ¡°We¡¯ll talk! We¡¯ll talk!¡± one of them stammered, his voice cracking. ¡°Please¡ªjust let us go. We didn¡¯t mean to get in your way.¡±


    The others nodded vigorously, fear written all over their faces. I could practically smell their desperation to escape.


    Jade exhaled dramatically, crossing her arms. ¡°See? That¡¯s the problem with low-level villains.¡± She leaned in slightly, mocking them. ¡°No spine.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, not everyone enjoys being on the receiving end of your hobbies,¡± I muttered.


    She nudged me with her elbow. ¡°You do.¡±


    ¡°I tolerate.¡±


    ¡°Same thing.¡±


    I shot her a look before refocusing on the villains. ¡°Good,¡± I said, straightening up slightly. ¡°Let¡¯s start simple.¡±


    Their eyes darted between us like a pack of cornered prey. ¡°Have you seen any signs of a secret auction? Black market deals? Powerful people gathering down here for shady business?¡±


    The six exchanged nervous glances before one of them, a scruffy man with dirt streaking his face, spoke up. ¡°There¡¯s¡­ a lot of illegal stuff happening in these tunnels. They run through the entire city. Drugs, prostitution, arms deals, illegal gambling¡ªyou name it, it¡¯s here. But an auction? A secret gathering? Not in this area. If something like that¡¯s happening, it¡¯s not anywhere we¡¯ve seen.¡±


    The others murmured in agreement, nodding like bobbleheads. ¡°We stick to small jobs,¡± another one added quickly, his hands trembling. ¡°These tunnels are just neutral ground for scum like us. We don¡¯t mess with the big players.¡±


    I tried reading their faces for any trace of a lie. They seemed too scared to fabricate anything, though that didn¡¯t mean they weren¡¯t withholding information. Still, this was better than nothing.


    I let out a slow breath and straightened fully. ¡°Fine. Now get out of here before I change my mind.¡±


    The six didn¡¯t need to be told twice. They scrambled to their feet and bolted toward the nearest exit, their footsteps echoing through the empty tunnel.


    Jade tilted her head as she watched them flee, ¡°I thought you were going to let me finish my fun.¡±


    ¡°You had enough fun,¡± I muttered, casting her a look as I brushed off my hands. ¡°Besides, we got what we needed. Let¡¯s keep moving. We need to double confirm their information.¡±


    Jade shrugged, clearly unfazed, and fell into step beside me. ¡°Fair enough,¡± she said, ¡°I¡¯ll give them credit¡ªthey were smart enough to listen.¡±


    ¡°Lucky for them,¡± I replied dryly, glancing at the darkened tunnels ahead. ¡°But unlucky for us. If the big players are hiding somewhere else, we¡¯re going to have to dig deeper.¡±


    Jade sighed dramatically, shoving her hands into her coat pockets. ¡°And by ¡®dig deeper,¡¯ I assume you mean more punching and interrogation?¡±


    ¡°More or less,¡± I said, cracking my knuckles. ¡°People like this don¡¯t spill secrets over tea and cookies.¡±


    Jade laughed. ¡°Yeah, but tea and cookies sound way more fun.¡±


    I laughed at her line of thought. ¡°Right, because I¡¯m sure an underground meta-trafficking ring is just dying to host a casual afternoon tea.¡±


    She gasped in mock offense. ¡°What, you don¡¯t think I could charm high-profile criminals over chamomile and shortbread?¡±


    I smirked. ¡°Oh, I know you could. But it¡¯d end with you poisoning the tea just for fun.¡±


    Jade¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Ooooh, now that¡¯s an idea.¡±


    I groaned. ¡°Jade¡ª¡±


    ¡°Kidding. Mostly.¡± She winked before shifting her focus back to the tunnels. ¡°You think anyone else is still down there?¡±


    ¡°Only one way to find out,¡± I replied. ¡°We wait.¡±


    Jade exhaled sharply and kicked a loose pebble across the floor. ¡°Ugh. I hate waiting.¡±


    I arched a brow. ¡°You just like the punching part.¡±


    She gave a quick peck on my cheek, ¡°I like the winning part.¡±


    I sighed, taking her hand in mine as we stood in the eerie silence. ¡°Just try not to start anything before we know what we¡¯re dealing with, alright?¡±


    Jade wiggled her fingers playfully. ¡°I promise absolutely nothing.¡±


    Suddenly, a wiry man with jittery hands tried to bolt past us, but Jade¡¯s foot shot out, perfectly timed to trip him. He face-planted onto the gravel with a loud, undignified grunt.


    Jade crouched down next to him, her tone sickeningly sweet. ¡°Going somewhere?¡±


    The guy flailed, hands scraping against the tracks. ¡°D-Don¡¯t hurt me! I didn¡¯t see anything!¡± he sputtered, his face half-buried in the dirt.


    Jade tilted her head as she spun a loose coin between her fingers, leaving me to wonder if she had secretly cleaned her hands in my jacket''s pocket or stolen from some cave dweller.


    ¡°You say that now,¡± she mused, flipping the coin lazily. ¡°But we¡¯re going to ask a few questions, and you¡¯re going to think very carefully before answering, right?¡±


    The guy made a noise somewhere between a whimper and a pitiful nod. At that exact moment, another group of four came sprinting out of the tunnels, panting like they¡¯d just seen a ghost. Well. They were about to. I let them barrel straight toward me, staying perfectly still until the last second¡ªthen phased intangible just as one of them lunged through my chest. He let out a startled yelp as his momentum betrayed him, sending him sprawling onto the ground. Before the others could react, I solidified, grabbing one of them by the collar before he could take off.


    ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± I growled, yanking him backward as his friends froze in place. ¡°Sit down. We¡¯re going to have a chat.¡±


    Jade glanced up from her own prisoner, looking far too pleased with herself. ¡°How many¡¯s that now? I lost count.¡±


    I adjusted my grip as the guy in my hands squirmed. ¡°Not enough,¡± I muttered.


    Jade snorted. ¡°Spoken like a true workaholic.¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Just focus.¡±


    She grinned, offended. ¡°I¡¯m focused.¡±


    I turned back to our captives. ¡°Alright,¡± I said, voice calm but firm. ¡°Talk.¡±


    One of the guys gulped. ¡°T-Talk about what?¡±


    Jade tapped her coin against the stunned guy¡¯s forehead. ¡°See, that¡¯s already a bad answer.¡±


    It didn¡¯t take long. Again, we asked the same questions¡ªover and over¡ªbeating answers out of the unwilling and intimidating the rest into submission. ¡°Have you seen any signs of a secret auction? A black market? Any powerful players coming through these tunnels?¡±


    The answers came quick and desperate:


    ¡°No, nothing like that here!¡±


    ¡°Just small deals! Drugs, Sex, and Weapons, but nothing big!¡±


    ¡°These tunnels are just for scum like us! We don¡¯t know anything about auctions!¡±


    Jade paced behind me, her long, fancy boots tapping rhythmically against the concrete as I crouched over the last guy we interrogated.


    ¡°You¡¯re all so useless,¡± she muttered, stopping to glare at him like he personally offended her. ¡°Seriously? You spend your whole lives lurking in tunnels, and this is the best intel you¡¯ve got?¡±


    ¡°I swear!¡± the man wheezed, hands raised in sheer panic. ¡°We don¡¯t mess with the high rollers! If something like that¡¯s happening, it¡¯s not here!¡±


    I exhaled, then let him go. He scrambled backward like a kicked dog, his face ghostly pale as he pressed himself against the wall, eyes darting between us like we might change our minds about letting him live. Slowly, I stood, dusting off my jacket before glancing at Jade. Her smile was gone now¡ªreplaced with mild frustration.


    ¡°Well,¡± she said, exhaling hard. ¡°That was fun. And pointless.¡±


    I nodded, jaw tightening. ¡°We only have one more day to find the site.¡±


    Jade let out a long, dramatic groan, stretching her arms over her head. ¡°Ugh. Deadlines. Why do all the fun things in life come with them?¡±


    ¡°Maybe if we found what we were looking for, we wouldn¡¯t be pressed for time,¡± I muttered


    She clicked her tongue. ¡°Pfft. That sounds like quitter talk.¡±


    I shot her a tired look. ¡°That sounds like reality.¡±


    She grinned. ¡°Reality is boooringggg.¡±


    I sighed, pulling out my phone to message the rest of the group. No luck. We need to broaden our search. As we walked toward the tunnel exit, the silence between us felt¡­ off. For once, neither of us had anything snarky to say. That alone was concerning.


    Jade must have noticed too, because she nudged me lightly with her elbow. ¡°Y¡¯know, this is usually the part where you make some dramatic, brooding remark.¡±


    I didn¡¯t respond, just kept walking, my mind too tangled in thoughts to entertain her antics.


    Then¡ª


    I stopped. Mid-step. One foot hovering above the ground, my breath catching slightly as I blinked at the world outside the tunnel.


    Jade nearly bumped into me. ¡°Dude. What are you¡ª¡±


    Then she saw it too.


    Snow.


    Soft, gentle flakes drifted from the sky, twirling as they caught the faint glow of streetlights. The world beyond the tunnel, so grim and gray just hours ago, was now blanketed in white¡ªpristine, untouched, and quiet. I stepped out, the crunch of fresh snow beneath my boots sending a wave of unexpected calm through me. The bite of cold air filled my lungs, removing the stale stench of the tunnels, and for a moment, the weight of everything just¡­ lifted. Snow always did that to me.


    Jade followed close behind, her footsteps muffled. ¡°You okay?¡± she asked, watching me curiously as I stood there, head tilted up toward the sky.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I said softly, my breath misting in the cold air. I couldn¡¯t help it¡ªa faint smile tugged at my lips. ¡°It¡¯s snowing.¡±


    Jade stared up with me, her brows furrowing like I¡¯d just said something incomprehensible. ¡°It¡¯s snow. So what?¡±


    I turned to look at her, my smile widening just a little. ¡°Snow¡¯s¡­ different. It¡¯s quiet, peaceful. It covers everything¡ªmakes even the ugliest places look beautiful.¡±


    Jade blinked at me, clearly caught off guard by the sincerity in my voice. ¡°Wow,¡± she said after a beat, smirking. ¡°Look at you, getting all poetic. What¡¯s next? A monologue about the fleeting nature of life?¡±If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Never mind.¡±


    ¡°No, no, please, continue,¡± she teased, nudging me. ¡°This is adorable. Should I be writing this down? Maybe get you a scarf and a mug of hot cocoa so you can really complete the aesthetic?¡±


    I ignored her and stepped forward. She really knew how to ruin a moment. But¡­Who could I complain to? I was the one who put a collar on a cat¡¯s neck.


    Jade strolled beside me, completely unbothered, humming some out-of-tune song under her breath, but her voice was very good as she somehow made it work. I turned to look at her. Her hair was dotted with flakes, the cold brushing pink into her cheeks. She sang happily, her breath curling into the crisp night like faint smoke. Maybe it was the snow. Maybe it was how still everything felt. Or maybe it was just her¡ªstanding there, singing, looking at me. For a moment, the world froze¡ªjust the two of us, surrounded by white. I don¡¯t know what came over me. Maybe it was the magic of the snow. Maybe it was the fleeting peace that made me forget about everything else. Before I even thought it through¡ª I moved.


    In one swift motion, I grabbed Jade and pulled her toward me.


    Her eyes widened in surprise, a quick intake of breath escaping her lips. ¡°What are you¡ª¡±


    But I didn¡¯t let her finish. My lips pressed against hers, soft but certain, stealing whatever words she had planned to say. Her body stiffened for half a second, caught off guard, and then she stumbled back. I followed, my grip steady but gentle, as her boots slipped against the snow-dusted ground and she fell onto her butt with a soft thud. Even then, I didn¡¯t let go. I followed her down, crouching in the snow, my hands cradling her face as if she might disappear if I let go. Her skin was cold beneath my touch, a stark contrast to the growing warmth between us. Her breathing deepened, each exhale brushing against my lips in soft, nervous waves. Jade¡¯s pale cheeks¡ªalready kissed pink by the cold¡ªturned a deeper red, blooming with heat that had nothing to do with the winter air.


    The kiss lingered, slow and sensual.


    My thumb brushed gently along her cheeks, grounding both of us as I tilted my head, deepening it just slightly. When I finally pulled back, my breath mingled with hers in the cold, our foreheads nearly touching. Her eyes stayed closed for a beat longer before fluttering open, wide and stunned. She stared at me, her lips still parted slightly, as though her mind was struggling to catch up to what just happened.


    ¡°Wow,¡± she exclaimed, her voice barely above a whisper, carried away in a wisp of misty breath.


    I couldn¡¯t figure out where Jade had gotten this habit of saying "Wow" after most of the time we kissed. It wasn¡¯t like a romantic, breathless wow. No. It was a Jade wow. Casual. Silly. Like she was reviewing a new flavor of ice cream instead of locking lips with me. Sometimes it came soft and slow, like she was genuinely amazed. Other times, it was mocking, like she was making fun of herself for reacting too much.


    Anyway, a grin tugged at the corner of my mouth as I looked down at her. ¡°Wow?¡±


    Jade blinked a few times, still dazed¡ªthen burst out giggling.


    I raised an eyebrow. ¡°That¡¯s your reaction? first Wow and then Laughter?¡±


    She covered her mouth, shaking with laughter as she tried¡ªand failed¡ªto compose herself. ¡°I just¡ªI just fell on my butt, and you¡ªyou¡¯re smug about it!¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± I said, offering her my hand, ¡°technically, you fell because you were too caught up in the moment.¡±


    Jade smacked my arm before grabbing my hand. ¡°Oh, shut up.¡±


    I pulled her to her feet, and she stood close¡ªcheeks still flushed, lips still tinged red. And she didn¡¯t let go of my hand. Snowflakes gathered in her hair like tiny crystals, melting against the warmth of her skin.


    ¡°You okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay?¡± she repeated as she looked down at herself, her fancy coat and fancy skirt and top now dusted in snow and damp patches. ¡°Oh, come on,¡± she groaned, brushing futilely at the wet fabric. ¡°Do you know how expensive and limited edition this coat is? I had to tank their company website so no one else could purchase it.¡±


    I paused, tilting my head. ¡°You what?¡±


    She waved it off. ¡°Not important.¡±


    I took a step back, helping her dust off, ¡°I was simply doing what you asked.¡±


    Jade paused mid-motion, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    I smirked, then, with zero warning, reached out and squeezed her cheeks together, forcing her lips into a pout. She let out a muffled, indignant noise, her expression annoyed yet undeniably cute.


    My voice was light, almost casual. ¡°You once said say I should kiss you more often. That you liked it.¡±


    Jade blinked, then her brows furrowed deeper, her hands gripping my wrists as if debating whether to shove me away or break my fingers.


    ¡°Try to remember,¡± I mused, tilting my head. ¡°That morning¡ªyou woke up, bit my neck, and mumbled ¡®let me eat you¡¯ like some kind of feral goblin.¡±


    Jade¡¯s entire face turned red.


    Instantly.


    Her eyes widened in horror, her body stiffening like I¡¯d just exposed her deepest, darkest secret to a stadium full of people.


    ¡°I¡ª¡± she gasped, then immediately shoved me away, her flustered panic turning into pure offense.


    ¡°Oh my god.¡±


    ¡°I WAS HALF-ASLEEP!¡±


    "Are you sure, you heard me right."


    I burst out laughing, dodging the very real threat of her incoming smack.


    ¡°Oh, no no. You don¡¯t get to kiss me and bite me in your half-sleep, call me a midnight snack, and then pretend it never happened.¡±


    Jade groaned loudly, covering her face with both hands. ¡°I HATE YOU.¡±


    But a faint pink already dusting her cheeks spread like wildfire. She blinked rapidly, opening her mouth like she had something more sharp and clever to say¡ªbut nothing came out. Instead, she fidgeted, her fingers fussing with the snow clinging to her lacy top like she could shake off her own embarrassment.


    She gathered herself, ¡°Yeah, well¡­¡± she started, but faltered.


    I shrugged, deliberately nonchalant. ¡°I¡¯m just following instructions.¡± feigning innocence.


    Jade¡¯s mouth opened, then closed, then opened again¡ªlike her brain was short-circuiting in real-time. It was rare¡ªso rare¡ªto see her at a loss for words. And I was enjoying every second of it.


    She finally managed to point an accusing finger at me, her blush deepening. ¡°I¡ªI never said that!¡±


    I nodded firmly, my smile widening. ¡°You did.¡±


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Ohhh, there was actually one more time.¡± I tapped my chin thoughtfully, pretending to recall something critical.


    Jade froze. And I continued smoothly, ¡°Last week, at your place when we were playing games in HyperSpace and I kept losing¡­¡±


    Her eyes widened in horror. I leaned in slightly, drawing out the moment. ¡°You said, and I quote¡ª¡± I paused for dramatic effect, savoring the panic on her face¡ª¡°¡®If you kissed me more often, I would lose to you willingly and even let you have your ways.¡¯¡±


    Jade sputtered, her hands flailing wildly in protest. ¡°That¡ªthat was different!¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± I arched an eyebrow. ¡°Different how?¡±


    ¡°You were frustrated because I kept winning at a game you played a thousand times,¡± she shot back, her voice quick, defensive. ¡°So I had to say that to make you happy.¡±


    I blinked. Then grinned. ¡°Wait, wait, wait¡ªso you¡¯re telling me you bribed me¡­ with affection?¡±


    Jade lips pressed into a tight line. ¡°I¡ª¡±


    ¡°So, what you¡¯re really saying is¡­ you¡¯re willing to use kisses as a bargaining tool to keep me from getting competitive?¡±


    ¡°NO! That¡¯s not what I meant¡ª¡±


    ¡°Ohhh, I see it now.¡± I snapped my fingers in mock realization. ¡°You¡¯re running a full-on emotional economy here. That¡¯s kinda devious.¡±


    Then, she did the only thing she could think of. She grabbed a handful of snow and smashed it directly against my face.


    ¡°THERE! TEST THAT!¡±


    I stumbled back, coughing as the cold seared my skin. Jade grinned victoriously, her confidence fully restored. I wiped the melting snow from my face, deadpanning at her.


    ¡°¡­Okay.¡± I nodded slowly, voice calm. ¡°So that¡¯s how we¡¯re playing now.¡±


    Jade¡¯s smug grin flickered into something closer to caution. She took a single step back, her body tensing, eyes scanning mine for intent. She knew. She knew I was about to make her regret her decision. "Wait¡ª"


    I lunged. Jade yelped, twisting out of my reach, laughter bubbling out of her as she bolted through the snow.


    ¡°Nope! Nope! NOPE!¡± she shrieked between giggles, kicking up white powder as she zig-zagged away from me.


    I took off after her, my boots crunching through the fresh snow, taking in sharp bursts of cold air. Jade was fast¡ªfast in the way someone who had too much energy to burn was. Her hair whipped behind her, stray snowflakes catching in the strands, and her footsteps were erratic, unpredictable. She dodged behind a tree, using it as a barrier, glancing over her shoulder just long enough to smirk at me.


    ¡°You can¡¯t run forever, Jade!¡± I called, clutching my stomach to take more air.


    She whipped her head around, her silver eyes bright with challenge. ¡°Let me inform you, I can never run out of stamina. That''s a fact if you didn''t know before!¡±


    I snorted and scooped up a fresh pile of snow, packed it fast, and hurled it straight at her back. It hit perfectly, exploding in a burst of white.


    Jade stumbled forward, letting out an overly dramatic gasp. ¡°NO¡ª¡±


    I lunged again. This time, she tried to sidestep, but I caught her by the wrist, yanking her back toward me. She twisted violently, her boots sliding across the ice-packed snow as she fought to keep her footing. She lost. Her legs gave out, and instead of regaining control, she grabbed my coat for support. Bad move.


    Because if she was going down, I was going with her. We crashed into the snow, tangled together, a mess of limbs and breathless laughter. I landed first, the impact dull thanks to the powder beneath us. But Jade landed right on top of me, her weight pressing into my chest, her hands bracing against my shoulders. Our faces were so close¡ªtoo close¡ªher breath ghosting across my lips, her eyes wide and flickering with something unreadable. The world went still.


    The chase, the chaos, the laughter, It all melted away in the silence between us. Snowflakes drifted lazily through the air, catching in her dark lashes, disappearing against the warmth of her flushed cheeks. Her breathing slowed, her fingers curling slightly into my jacket. She was close enough that I could see every tiny detail¡ªthe way her lips were slightly parted, the way her pulse thrummed just beneath the delicate skin of her throat.


    ¡°Ha! Victory!¡± she declared.


    That lasted all of two seconds before I bucked my hips, knocking her off balance and flipping us. Then I caught both her wrists in one hand, using my body weight to press her down into the snow. She gasped, half-laughing, half panting, her chest rising and falling beneath me. Her eyes flicked down¡ªto my lips¡ªThen back up to meet mine. I didn¡¯t even think. I leaned in, swallowing her lips. Jade didn¡¯t pull away. In fact, She arched slightly into me, her body pressing into mine as her fingers curled into my coat.


    In the middle, she mumbled something, so softly that it got lost in the whisper of falling snow. I squinted, our breaths still mingling in the cold air. "What was that?"


    She looked away quickly, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Nothing.¡±


    I chuckled softly, my instincts kicking in. I did what she always did to me. I leaned in, staring for her collar bone, her neck her jaw¡ªjust lightly, playful bites mirroring her own usual antics. Jade gasped sharply, her whole body tensing as she whipped her head around to plead. ¡°Not now¡ª¡±


    I grinned, completely unrepentant. ¡°No, no, I definitely heard something there.¡±


    Her cheeks were already flushed from running, but now, with the embarrassment and heat creeping in, they practically glowed. She tried to look anywhere but at me, her fingers fussing with the snow on her sleeves like it was the most interesting thing in the world. With an exaggerated huff, she crossed her arms and muttered again something barely audible.


    I tilted my head. ¡°Didn¡¯t catch that.¡±


    Jade¡¯s glare could have melted steel. ¡°I said¡­ more. I LIKE IT. Happy?¡±


    The single sentence barely left her lips before she turned away again, like she¡¯d just admitted to some grand secret that could ruin her forever. I blinked, a little surprised¡ªbefore a slow, knowing grin stretched across my face. "More?" I repeated, making sure I heard her right.


    Jade¡¯s jabbed a warning finger in my direction. ¡°Don¡¯t make me regret saying it.¡±


    I held up my hands in mock surrender. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dream of it.¡±


    Though I definitely couldn¡¯t stop the smug edge in my voice. ¡°Finally, why didn''t you accepted it before. Jade, Shy? Wow!¡±


    Jade huffed dramatically, her arms crossing over her chest like she was trying to physically shield herself from her own embarrassment.


    ¡°You¡¯re the worst,¡± she muttered under her breath.


    I chuckled softly, letting the moment linger. I didn¡¯t push her any further, though¡ªI knew better than to overplay my hand. Instead, I let the silence settle as we lay there together, half-buried in the snow, the world around us still and quiet. Then, reality kicked in. The cold started seeping through my clothes, and the snow packed under my back was less romantic and more freezing.


    Jade shivered, wrinkling her nose. "Okay, okay¡ªcold, cold, cold."


    I chuckled, pushing myself up first, then reached down, offering her a hand. She hesitated for a split second, then took it, letting me pull her up. A little too forcefully. Jade stumbled slightly, crashing into me for a brief second before she steadied herself, muttering a flustered "Ugh, shut up."


    "I didn¡¯t say anything."


    She stepped back, brushing at her clothes, frowning when she saw how soaked her coat had gotten. ¡°Ugh, now my clothes are completely ruined.¡±


    I looked down at myself¡ªcovered in snow, damp patches forming, ice clinging to my sleeves. I sighed, dusting myself off. Jade shook her head, still brushing at her skirt, flicking away stray bits of snow like it had personally offended her.


    Then, with a loud groan, she shuddered dramatically. ¡°Ugh, it''s so damp! It¡¯s seeping through my clothes¡ªthis is actual torture.¡±**


    I shook off my own coat. ¡°Yeah, well, that¡¯s what happens when you declare war and lose.¡±


    She shot me a flat look. ¡°Excuse me? I didn¡¯t lose. We both got tackled into the snow.¡±


    I shrugged. ¡°Okay, but who ended up on top?¡±


    Jade glared at me. ¡°I will punch you.¡±


    I grinned, brushing some damp snow off my sleeves. ¡°Go ahead. Just means your hands will get even colder.¡±


    She grumbled, rubbing her arms, visibly shivering now. Then she took a step closer, pressing against me just enough to steal warmth, burring her freezing fingers into the pocket of my coat. ¡°It¡¯s so freaking cold, North. You owe me body heat.¡±


    I snorted. ¡°Oh, now you want to be close?¡±


    Jade didn¡¯t move away. Instead, she leaned in just slightly, her cheek brushing against my shoulder.


    "I''m freezing, okay?" she huffed, rubbing her arms for warmth. "And this dampness is making it worse. My tights are completely soaked."


    I glanced down, noticing just how soaked her skirt and tights had gotten. Well, obviously. She wasn''t exactly wearing winter jacket too just a fancy cardigan sweater, and falling into the snow multiple times hadn''t exactly helped. I sighed, relenting, before reaching up to tug my scarf loose. With one swift motion, I wrapped it around her neck, pulling her in slightly. ¡°Better?¡± I asked, voice quieter now.


    She blinked, then muttered, ¡°¡­Maybe.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a yes.¡±


    Jade rolled her eyes, but didn¡¯t pull away. Instead, she stole another moment of warmth before sighing dramatically. ¡°You¡¯re lucky I love you. Otherwise, I¡¯d throw you back into that tunnel.¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°Oh, what an honor.¡±


    Jade finally took a step back, tugging my scarf tighter around her neck, like she was staking a claim on it.


    ¡°Come on,¡± I finally said, nudging her arm lightly. ¡°We¡¯ve got a job to finish. Let''s go to Caleb house, we can dry them their.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± she sighed, shaking her head¡ªthough a faint smile tugged at her lips. ¡°But you owe me new clothes.¡±


    I groaned, dramatically rolling my eyes. ¡°Fine. You can take one from my closet.¡±


    Jade¡¯s head snapped toward me, her eyes gleaming with mischief. ¡°Really?¡±


    "Let¡¯s get one thing straight¡ªI said one thing, not everything.¡±


    Jade waved me off, completely ignoring me. ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ what should I take first? That black hoodie? Your leather jacket? Ooooh, maybe those limited edition jackets you always complain are the ¡®expensivest thing ever¡¯¡ª¡±


    I glared. ¡°If you touch my jacket, we fight.¡±


    Jade grinned like a menace. ¡°Those are the real treasures?¡± She laughed, still shivering slightly, but looking way too pleased with herself.


    Then¡ªseizing the moment¡ªshe added, ¡°Oh, and¡­ I want more kisses.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    She said it too fast for me to process. But, Jade grin faltered for just a second, like she had surprised even herself by saying it. But¡ªJade being Jade¡ªshe recovered instantly, tilting her chin up, her smirk reappearing in full force. ¡°Don¡¯t make me repeat myself.¡±


    Yet, her fingers twitched. She lifted her hands to press the backs of them against her cheeks, like she was checking for warmth. Like she was making sure her body hadn¡¯t betrayed her embarrassment.


    But I¡¯d already heard enough. And I wasn¡¯t about to let her get away with it. I took a step closer, my voice lower now, teasing but serious at the same time, ¡°More kisses?¡±


    Jade refused to back down, ¡°More kisses.¡±


    I hummed, pretending to consider it, rubbing my chin as if I were weighing a serious life decision. ¡°Hmm. I don¡¯t know¡­ That sounds like a lot of work.¡±


    She scoffed, reaching up to grab my coat and tugging me slightly on track, her silver eyes daring me to resist. ¡°Then stop thinking and get to work.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow, mock-offended. ¡°What are you, a roll-the-wheel game? Pick one: Selfish! Greedy! Shameless! Clingy! Needy! Demanding! Obsessed! Materialistic! Aggressive! Lacking any or all moral!¡±


    Jade snorted, completely unbothered, her grip on my coat not loosening in the slightest. ¡°Mmm, I thought you liked me for those qualities?¡± she said sweetly, tilting her head like she wasn¡¯t holding me hostage.


    And yeah.


    I really did.


    Someone or something had damaged my head unfortunately.


    "Bratty!" I chewed the word back in, and didn¡¯t pull away. Didn¡¯t want to. I leaned in, but this time, I took my time¡ªletting the moment stretch, letting her anticipation build.


    Her fingers twitched against my chest, gripping my jacket harder, like she was impatient with the pace I was setting. Her breathing was rapidly turning shallow, her lips parted just slightly, her body stiff but ready, as if she was seconds away from snapping. Her eyes kept flickering down¡ªto my lips. Then back up. A silent warning. A silent demand.


    I ignored her outright, but my mind betrayed me, wandering back to earlier in the day, to the library, where she had pushed me against the bookshelves, where we had devoured each other in a haze of reckless need. Where we had wrestled for more than an hour, until our bodies trembled, until our breaths came out in ragged gasps, until we barely had the strength to stand. Until we had been drowned in pleasure, in each other, completely lost to the heat of it all. And yet, here she was. Silver eyes burning with hunger, nails digging into my chest, pressing closer like she hadn¡¯t had enough. Like she would never have enough of me. Where the hell did she get all this energy?


    I exhaled, half in disbelief, half in surrender. "Insatiable." I whispered, perhaps I was to blame for enabling her. A second later, she snapped. Jade lunged. One hand fisted into my jacket, yanking me forward with zero hesitation, her other gripping the back of my neck, pulling me down to her. So hard, so desperate and searing. It wasn¡¯t slow or teasing¡ªit was hungry. I barely had time to react, to catch up, before she pressed closer, her lips moving, her tongue coiling around in mine like she had something to prove. I groaned softly, my hands automatically finding her waist, pulling her flush against me. Fortunately, she wasn''t bad at kissing anymore, our daily practice had born great fruits. Though, she still lacked delicacy that came with time and experience.


    She made a small noise, something almost frustrated, almost pleased, and I felt her smile into the kiss before she bit my bottom lip


    I exhaled sharply, pulling back just slightly from the pain. ¡°Ouch¡ª¡± My grip on her tighten.


    She pushed right back in. And honestly, I wasn¡¯t about to stop her again. I turned the kiss deeper, shifting my weight, flipping the dynamic back on her, forcing her to take a half-step back into the snow. She whined slightly, caught off guard, but instead of pulling away, she growled before yanking me down into another kiss, hungry and demanding, her fingers curling into my hair like she owned me.


    After a few long heated minutes of make out session, she finally broke away, panting as she pressed her forehead against mine. I could see it in her eyes, possessiveness. The real miracle, though was that she didn¡¯t just rip my clothes off right here in the middle of the damn park.


    ¡°Better?¡± I murmured, my voice soft. I captured her lips again, but only for a second. Though, Jade was unable to go. She let out a slow, shaky exhale as she whispered, "Barely."


    I chuckled, sliding my hands to her waist, feeling the way her body still hummed with want, still pressed against me like she wasn¡¯t ready to let go.


    "You really have no self-control?" I teased, tilting my head slightly.


    She snorted, though it came out more like a frustrated growl, "You have no idea how much effort this takes," her breath hot against my skin. "I still don''t know how you do it. How can you be so calm?"


    My fingers slowly traced along her spine, knowing damn well what I was doing. "Who says I¡¯m calm?"


    Jade stiffened, her fingers twitching against my chest. Her eyes flicked up to mine, searching¡ªtesting, "So you''re just pretending?"


    I smirked, dragging my thumb along the curve of her waist, slow. "I never said that."


    I made a mistake as she immediately lunged to bite my hand she was holding. "You are so unfair." She finally pushed me away, unable to take in all the emotions coursing through her head.


    I groaned, tilting my head back toward the sky like the universe might offer me divine intervention. ¡°I have created a monster.¡±


    Jade let out a breathless laugh, running a hand through her messy, snow-dusted hair, her lips still red, still swollen from the kisses.


    ¡°That¡¯s on you,¡± she said smugly, ¡°You started this.¡±


    I looked at her, deadpan. ¡°Excuse me? I started this?¡±


    Her silver eyes glinting with mischief. ¡°Too late to complain now.¡±


    She hummed thoughtfully, pretending to consider something important. "Besides, you like giving in to my desires."


    ¡°I do not¡ª¡±


    She shot me a look.


    I hesitated.


    ...Okay. Fine.


    Jade¡¯s smirk widened, slow and victorious. "See? Self-awareness is important. Besides You love me. And you love letting me have my ways."


    I rolled my eyes so hard I almost saw another dimension. "That''s not true."


    ¡°Oh? So it¡¯s just all a white lie, then?¡±


    I swallowed. Damn it.


    The next words just slipped out.


    ¡°¡­I simply like making sure you don¡¯t become sad from all loneliness you have in your heart. I can''t imagine that for you.¡± I muttered, voice quieter now, rawer.


    ¡°You¡¯re sweet.¡± Jade beamed. ¡°See? That''s Love.¡±


    I blinked. "What?"


    Jade just watched me, lips pursed like she was debating something.


    Then¡ªwithout warning¡ª


    She stood on her toes, her hands lightly gripping my jacket for balance, and pressed a soft, warm kiss to my cheek. I froze. The warmth lingered, my skin still tingling even as she pulled back, looking far too smug.


    ¡°There.¡± She dusted off her hands like she¡¯d just done something important. ¡°That¡¯s for making me happy.¡±


    I stared at her, dumbfounded.


    ¡°Happy?¡±


    So easy?


    She just smiled, rocking back on her heels. ¡°Mm-hmm.¡±


    Then she turned, starting to walk again, looking completely pleased with herself.

 Act 2.41 (Chrysalis)

    Perfect Porcelain & Meta Classification


    It was early in the morning¡ªat least for me¡ªand the clock mocked me with its bright, unholy glow.


    Eight o¡¯clock.


    Way too soon to be conscious. I¡¯d just woken up from what felt like the shortest sleep of my life.


    After Jade and I had wrapped up our investigation and questionable exploration of the underground auction site, we¡¯d headed straight to Caleb¡¯s place to meet up with the rest of the group. His place had unofficially turned into a mini-base for all of us. He never outright said he minded the invasion of his personal space¡ªbut knowing Caleb? If he did mind, he¡¯d just grumble about it while making us coffee anyway.


    Honestly, I think he liked it.


    Being part of something bigger¡ªsomething that felt heroic¡ªseemed to light him up.


    And it wasn¡¯t just his enthusiasm.


    The guy was so into it that he¡¯d even roped in a few of his online friends¡ªpeople I¡¯d never met, but who he swore by¡ªdigging through the depths of HyperSpace for rumors about the underground auction. Knowing Caleb, they were probably conspiracy theorists or hacker types with way too much time on their hands. Still, it was more help than we¡¯d had before. We stayed there until eleven o¡¯clock, hammering out theories, sharing details, and watching him tinker with his endless collection of computer screens. After that, Jade and I finally left, but the night wasn¡¯t over. Because we didn¡¯t exactly use those next three hours for rest. Or anything productive. Instead, we embraced like we wanted to take as much from each other as possible before the world tried to rip us apart again.


    And despite all the problems stacking up like a bad game of Jenga, if life had less of them? I¡¯d scream it was bliss. By the time I finally made it home and collapsed into my bed at four o¡¯clock, I was completely wrecked. I was wrecked in the best way possible.


    And then, Eight a.m. hit me like a truck.


    "This is why normal people have sleep schedules," I muttered to myself.


    A text notification buzzed on my nightstand. I grabbed my phone, squinting at the screen.


    Jade: Did you reach home safe?


    Oh, I forgot to reply last night. She¡¯d be worried, I typed fast before swinging my legs off the bed and planted my feet on the floor. I ran a hand through my hair and blinked blearily at the faint sunlight bleeding through my window.


    I groaned as I scratched at my cheek, trudging toward the washroom like a sleep-deprived zombie. The cold splash of water on my face helped¡ªa little. Just enough to stop me from collapsing back into bed and surrendering to the void. Freshening up didn¡¯t take long. After a quick brush, I stood in front of the mirror, giving myself a once-over.


    No black eyes. No bruises. No sign that I¡¯d gotten into a fight with anyone¡ªor with life itself.


    A small victory. My hair, though? That was another story. It had gotten long. Naturally wavy, falling past my face in uneven strands like water pooling in messy ripples.


    I blamed Jade entirely.


    She¡¯d once said she liked long hair¡ªand though I normally didn¡¯t care much about mine, she¡¯d requested it. And that was enough for me to give it a shot. I wouldn¡¯t admit it out loud¡ªnot in this lifetime¡ªbut now that I was looking at myself in the mirror, I had to admit¡­


    It didn¡¯t look terrible. Actually¡­ it looked good. Almost too good, if I was being honest.


    Was this the power of Jade¡¯s influence? Was this how it started? One minute, I¡¯m growing my hair out, and the next, I¡¯m wearing rings and accessorizing like I have my life together?


    No.


    Not today. Once I was dressed in an oversized sweater and jeans, I strode downstairs. The house was quiet. Aunt Grace had already left for work, as usual, and wouldn¡¯t be back until three or four.


    That meant the whole house was mine. Which meant breakfast was my responsibility.


    I sighed. Disgusting.


    Still, I wandered into the kitchen, hunting for food like I was on some grand expedition. I yanked open the fridge. Stared inside.


    Closed it.


    Opened it again.


    Nothing had magically appeared, which meant I was officially out of luck. I drummed my fingers on the counter. Cereal? Toast? Last night¡¯s leftovers? I squinted at a lone apple sitting in the fruit bowl like it owned the place.


    ¡°¡­Guess I could eat that,¡± I muttered to myself.


    It was all perfect. Until the doorbell rang.


    I froze mid-bite, glaring toward the front door as if I could scare off whoever dared disturb me. The one rule of my mornings¡ªdon¡¯t interrupt me while I¡¯m eating¡ªshattered like glass. I clicked my tongue, muttering curses under my breath as I stood up and made my way to the door.


    My perception shifted and I scanned the Likeness of the door as I approached, painting faint hues over the entrance. No danger. No urgency. Just an ordinary presence. A delivery, maybe.


    Aunt Grace probably ordered something¡ªsomething that just had to arrive while I was enjoying breakfast.


    With a resigned sigh, I grabbed the doorknob and pulled the door open.


    Instead of a delivery guy, Leo stood there, brows furrowed and expression sour. His dark eyes locked onto mine, and without so much as a greeting or permission, he brushed past me and entered the house like he owned it.


    ¡°Sure, come right in,¡± I muttered sarcastically, shutting the door behind him. ¡°It¡¯s not like I was eating or anything.¡±


    Leo ignored me, his footsteps heavy as he stomped into the living room. ¡°We need to talk,¡± he said curtly, turning to face me. His expression was serious, almost grim.


    I raised an eyebrow, irritation mixing with curiosity. ¡°You could¡¯ve knocked and waited for an answer, you know.¡±


    He ignored that, too, and I knew something was up. Whatever had brought him here wasn¡¯t small talk or one of his usual complaints. Sighing, I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms. ¡°Alright, what is it?¡±


    Leo glanced at me, his jaw tight, as though he was debating where to start. Finally, he exhaled and said, ¡°It¡¯s about my meta nature. I think I¡¯ve... formed it.¡±


    I stared at Leo for a moment, his words sinking in. ¡°You¡¯ve formed it?¡± I repeated, the surprise in my voice clear.


    It wasn¡¯t every day you heard someone announce they¡¯d crossed the threshold into becoming a metahuman. Slowly, my surprise turned into something warmer¡ªa genuine happiness that settled in my chest.


    ¡°That¡¯s huge!¡± I said, a grin spreading across my face as I stepped forward, patting his shoulder. ¡°You¡¯ve crossed the line, man. Congratulations. That¡¯s no small thing, you know? When¡¯s the party?¡±


    Leo didn¡¯t respond the way I¡¯d expected. Instead of excitement or pride, his shoulders slumped slightly, and he looked at me with a sulking expression that wiped the grin right off my face.


    The thought immediately crossed my mind: Maybe it wasn¡¯t what he hoped for.


    It was a common enough story. Not every meta nature was flashy, powerful, or even useful.


    In fact, most of them weren¡¯t. The majority of metas fell into the ¡°useless abilities¡± category¡ªpowers that offered little more than party tricks or frustrations. And judging from the shadow in Leo¡¯s eyes, I had a sinking suspicion his nature wasn¡¯t what he¡¯d dreamed of.


    ¡°It¡¯s not what I imagined,¡± Leo muttered finally, his voice low.


    The spark of happiness dimmed, replaced with curiosity and caution. ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked, my tone careful. ¡°Tell me more. What group? What¡¯s the ability?¡±


    Leo shifted awkwardly, his eyes darting between me and the floor like he wasn¡¯t sure where to start. I leaned back into the couch, giving him the space he clearly needed.


    ¡°Take your time,¡± I said calmly.


    It was rare to see him like this¡ªvulnerable¡ªbut whatever had happened this morning was serious enough to rattle him.


    He let out a slow breath, running a hand through his messy hair before speaking. ¡°It all started almost three weeks ago,¡± he began hesitatingly. ¡°I woke up one morning and just¡­ felt it. This weird itching, all over my body. Not like a rash or an allergy¡ªdeeper than that, like something crawling under my skin. It was that bad, but constant.¡±


    ¡°At first, my dad thought it was nothing. He figured it¡¯d pass, but it didn¡¯t. It got worse. So he took me to the hospital. They ran their tests¡ªbloodwork, scans, the whole nine yards¡ªbut nothing came up. That¡¯s when they referred me to the MMD.¡±If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    The Meta Monitoring Division. It made sense. They were the first stop for anyone experiencing the formation of a meta nature


    ¡°They ran all kinds of tests,¡± Leo went on, his voice growing more animated, as though reliving the frustration. ¡°Scanners, monitors, questions I didn¡¯t even understand. I had to stay there for two days. Two whole days with wires stuck all over me. They even put something in my body¡ªsome device that would monitor my location from now on . Like, seriously, where¡¯s my privacy?¡±


    He scoffed, shaking his head bitterly. ¡°Anyway, after all that, they said my meta nature was forming and my Meta Aspect was under normal. Everything was fine. They told my dad to stay calm and wait for the ¡®good news.¡¯ Like we were supposed to sit back and smile through it. They said symptoms vary depending on the type of meta nature you¡¯re developing, so there was nothing to worry about.¡±


    I listened carefully, watching the way Leo¡¯s hands fidgeted against his jeans. His voice dipped slightly, quieter now. ¡°Except for the itching, everything was fine for a while. It never went away, but I got used to it¡ªmostly. And then¡­¡± He paused, his shoulders tensing as if the next part was harder to say.


    ¡°Then it happened today,¡± he said finally, his voice dropping to a whisper. ¡°When I woke up this morning, everything was wrong.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean ¡®wrong¡¯?¡± I asked gently.


    He looked up at me, his expression somewhere between disbelief and lingering horror. ¡°At first, I thought the room had changed¡ªlike everything was suddenly bigger. The walls, the bed, even the damn ceiling. But it wasn¡¯t the room.¡±


    Leo¡¯s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, his voice unsteady. ¡°It was me. I was smaller. Like¡ªlike I¡¯d shrunk or something.¡±


    I frowned slightly, processing his words as he pushed forward, his tone rising. ¡°But then it got worse. Way worse. I turned my head, and I saw¡­¡± He broke off, his jaw tightening as if forcing himself to say it aloud. ¡°I saw myself. My actual body just lying there on the bed, completely still. Silent. Like a corpse.¡±


    He shuddered, his hands clenched into fists against his knees. ¡°And when I examined myself, I was a freaking porcelain doll. I freaked out. I didn¡¯t understand what was happening. I was standing on my own chest, North. Standing there¡ªlike I¡¯d crawled out of myself. And there was this¡­ this red hole.¡±


    He motioned to the center of his chest with trembling fingers. ¡°Right here. Small but deep, like something had tunneled its way out of me.¡±


    The hairs on the back of my neck prickled. His description was unsettling in a way I hadn¡¯t expected, but I kept my expression neutral. He needed calm, not someone freaking out with him.


    ¡°By then,¡± Leo continued, his voice tighter, ¡°my dad had already burst into the room. He saw me¡ªboth of me¡ªstanding on top of my own chest like some horror movie scene. I could hear him yelling, totally panicking, but what was I supposed to do? I was just as freaked out as he was! I didn¡¯t know if I was dying, or dead already, or¡ªhell, I didn¡¯t know what to think.¡±


    He took another shaky breath, as if trying to steady himself. ¡°My dad ended up calling the emergency MMD line. We both just¡­ waited. Him pacing around the room like a madman, and me¡ªlittle me made up of porcelain¡ªjust standing there, looking at my lifeless body, too scared to move.¡±


    ¡°After about ten minutes or so, there was a knock at the door. My dad practically sprinted to answer it, and these three people from the MMD just... dropped into our house. Like they¡¯d done this a thousand times before. Calm, professional¡ªtoo calm, really. They didn¡¯t say much, just opened up their suitcases and started unloading all kinds of machines.¡±


    ¡°You know those little scanners with lights? Those. Wires. Tubes. Pads. Stuff I don¡¯t even have names for. They were slapping all of it on me¡ªwell, on big me, my body still lying on the bed. It was like watching them work on someone else, except that ¡®someone¡¯ was me.¡±


    Leo shook his head, his voice tinged with disbelief. ¡°It took them two hours, North. Two hours of silent testing, recording god knows what while I just stood there on my chest like some kind of ghost. My dad was pacing the whole time, throwing questions at them¡ª¡®What¡¯s wrong with him?¡¯ ¡®Is he dying?¡¯¡ªbut they didn¡¯t answer him. They just kept working.¡±


    I didn¡¯t say anything, but the image he painted was unsettling¡ªhim standing there, doll-sized, watching as his lifeless body became the center of attention. I couldn¡¯t imagine how surreal, how terrifying that must have been.


    ¡°Then,¡± Leo said, taking a steadying breath, ¡°they told me to ¡®focus¡¯ and ¡®clear my mind.¡¯ Like I was supposed to just meditate while looking at my dead body lying there.¡± He scoffed angrily. ¡°I don¡¯t know how I did it, but somehow, I did. I quieted my thoughts. I don¡¯t know if it was out of exhaustion or desperation, but... I managed.¡±


    ¡°And that¡¯s when it happened,¡± he said, looking at me directly. ¡°An answer popped into my head, out of nowhere. Like someone whispered it to me.¡±


    ¡°What answer?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Perfect Porcelain,¡± he said quietly, watching my reaction.


    I frowned, the term clicking in my mind like a long-forgotten puzzle piece. ¡°Perfect Porcelain? That¡¯s a Hive meta nature.¡±


    Leo nodded sharply, confirming it. ¡°Yeah. How did you know?¡±


    But he continued, ¡°The MMD agents dug through their database the moment I said it. It¡¯s rare¡ªat least from what they told me¡ªbut it¡¯s exactly what you said. Perfect Porcelain grants people... meta like dolls.¡±


    Leo muttered, frustration bleeding into his voice. ¡°But how the hell is someone supposed to know what their meta nature does? It¡¯s not like it comes with a pamphlet explaining it. I thought forming a meta nature would be like¡ªlike unlocking a superpower. You wake up, and bam, you¡¯re shooting fireballs or running faster than light. But instead? I get this.¡± He gestured at himself


    I stayed quiet, letting him vent. He wasn¡¯t wrong¡ªmost metas were left to fumble in the dark until they figured out how their nature worked.


    ¡°Anyway, we brainstormed for a while¡ªme, my dad, and the three MMD agents. They were throwing out theories, asking me questions I didn¡¯t have answers for. Like it was a group project. I was already feeling light-headed, like my whole body was just... coming apart. I kept thinking I¡¯d crumble into pieces.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s when one of the agents suggested something¡­ different. She told me I should try crawling back into the hole. Into my chest.¡±


    My brows lifted slightly, but I didn¡¯t interrupt.


    He shuddered visibly. ¡°At first, I refused. Who wouldn¡¯t? That hole was¡­ wrong. It looked alive. Small, dark, like it wasn¡¯t meant for me. But my dad¡ªhe encouraged me. Said it was the only way to stop whatever was happening. And I¡ª¡± Leo¡¯s voice cracked slightly, but he pushed on. ¡°I had to. I could feel my limbs going weak, like I was being pulled apart.¡±


    He paused, swallowing hard, as if he could still taste the memory. ¡°So I did it. I crawled in.¡±


    I stayed perfectly still as he described it.


    ¡°I¡­¡± He hesitated, searching for the right words. ¡°I climbed onto my body and¡­ into the hole. It was small at first, but as I moved forward, it opened up more¡ªlike it wanted me to crawl inside. The space was dark, wet, and sticky. It felt alive. I could feel this pull, like something was waiting for me deeper inside.¡±


    ¡°Then I felt them. Tiny, hair-like tentacles growing out of my porcelain body. I couldn¡¯t see them, but I felt them. They moved, pulsed, and reached for me. At the same time, I felt the hole in my real body¡ªmy chest¡ªdo the same thing. It was like they were connecting, like...¡±


    ¡°Like they were pulling you back in,¡± I finished for him quietly.


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Leo said, swallowing hard. ¡°That¡¯s when it happened. The moment the tentacles connected, I started feeling¡­ anchored. Like I was being pulled back into myself. The darkness around me started to fade, and I suddenly felt everything again¡ªmy heart beating, my lungs filling with air¡ªbut it was different. Like I wasn¡¯t really in my body anymore, just watching from behind a window.¡±


    His hands clenched against his jeans again, knuckles going pale. ¡°I¡¯m still feeling it now. Even sitting here. It¡¯s like my body isn¡¯t mine anymore¡ªI¡¯m just the driver, staring out from behind the glass.¡±


    I could tell by the look on his face that this was more than frustration¡ªit was fear. His meta nature wasn¡¯t flashy or conventional. It wasn¡¯t something he could show off or easily explain. It was strange, unsettling, and¡ªif I was being honest¡ªterrifying.


    ¡°You¡¯re not broken, Leo,¡± I said finally, keeping my voice steady. ¡°Whatever¡¯s happening, your meta nature is still developing. Abilities tied to Hive constructs are mostly straightforward. But then they''re complex, Intricate Hive natures. They are powerful, like Perfect Porcelain.¡±


    He glanced up at me, his eyes still shadowed with doubt. ¡°Then why does it feel so wrong?¡±


    ¡°Because it¡¯s new,¡± I said, keeping my tone steady and measured. ¡°Your body and mind are adjusting to something entirely different. Don¡¯t forget¡ªyou wanted something you could use to fight villains, and to enter the League of Legends. With this, you¡¯ll have everything you need to achieve that. And hey, you should be grateful you didn¡¯t end up with some useless meta nature like sneezing glitter, changing room temperature with your mood, or making your clothes fit no matter the size.¡±


    A small, hesitant smile tugged at the corner of Leo¡¯s lips. My words seemed to strike a chord, and the tension in his shoulders eased slightly. ¡°Yeah,¡± he said, nodding a little. ¡°I have friends in school with abilities like that. They hate talking about it.¡±


    ¡°Give it time,¡± I added, my voice softening. ¡°We¡¯ll figure this out¡ªtogether. You¡¯re not alone in this.¡±


    Leo exhaled deeply, his eyes finally meeting mine with a flicker of trust. ¡°Thanks. That actually helps.¡±


    I smiled back, but there was still a weight in the air. ¡°When you¡¯ve calmed down and feel ready,¡± I said, carefully watching his reaction, ¡°I¡¯d like to see your meta nature in action. No pressure, but if we¡¯re going to figure this out, I¡¯ll need to understand how it works.¡±


    Leo¡¯s gaze faltered, and he rubbed the back of his neck. ¡°I¡¯d show you today, but... my dad¡¯s taking me to the MMD branch in a few hours. They¡¯ve labeled me a red alert.¡± His voice dipped, frustration evident. ¡°They¡¯re going to install some kind of safety and security system in my body¡ªsomething to track my location in case I ¡®pose a threat.¡¯¡±


    I frowned, keeping my expression neutral but feeling the weight of his words. ¡°A red alert?¡± I repeated. ¡°I guess that makes sense, considering what happened. Perfect Porcelain¡¯s... unique. It¡¯s not powerful in the traditional sense, but¡­.It¡¯s definitely something they¡¯ll want to monitor closely.¡±


    ¡°How is that fair, though? They¡¯re acting like I¡¯m already a villain or something.¡± He sighed, shaking his head. ¡°I get it¡ªthe danger, the risks. But still, it¡¯s like they don¡¯t trust me to control it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not about trust, Leo,¡± I said gently. ¡°It¡¯s about precaution.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve probably seen powers like yours spiral out of control before, and they¡¯re trying to prevent that from happening¡ªnot just for your sake, but for the public¡¯s. When there are people out there with the ability to level entire cities in a fit of anger, the government has to do everything in its power to keep normal citizens safe, even if it means backlash.¡±


    I paused, watching his reaction, before continuing. ¡°You¡ªand others like you¡ªshould already be grateful they haven¡¯t locked you up in some secure facility, given the potential danger your ability poses. Right now, you might not seem like a threat, but once you begin to fully understand your meta nature, that could change. You might become very dangerous¡ªwhether you intend to or not.¡±


    Leo nodded reluctantly, then glanced at me. ¡°What about you? What¡¯s your designation?¡±


    ¡°White,¡± I said simply.


    Leo tilted his head, clearly puzzled. ¡°White? What does that even mean?¡±


    I leaned back slightly, folding my arms. ¡°There are different designations for meta nature,¡± I explained. ¡°Each one represents the potential risks or uses of someone¡¯s ability. Red alert, like yours, is given to people with meta natures that could knowingly harm others¡ªoffensive or destructive abilities. It doesn¡¯t make you a bad person; it just means your meta nature could be dangerous if used the wrong way. Make sense?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he muttered, still frowning but clearly paying attention.


    ¡°Green alert is for Bio-type meta nature,¡± I continued, ¡°people whose abilities are focused on biology, restoration or protection. Think medics, surgeons, people who can repair damaged tissue or even boost someone¡¯s immune system or some could even create new life forms.¡±


    He raised an eyebrow. ¡°Sounds... useful and fin.¡±


    ¡°It is,¡± I said. ¡°Then there¡¯s black alert¡ªthose are the people whose meta natures are dangerous to themselves and others. Black alerts usually require constant monitoring because their powers are unpredictable or inherently unstable.¡±


    Leo grimaced. ¡°That sounds... rough.¡±


    ¡°Blue alert is the opposite¡ªnormal, everyday meta natures. Low-tier abilities that don¡¯t pose a threat. Things like fixing folds in fabric, warming water, or making things glow faintly. They¡¯re harmless, and the people who have them usually don¡¯t get caught up in any of this meta politics. Most of the population falls in this category.¡±


    ¡°And white?¡± Leo pressed, leaning forward slightly.


    ¡°White is... different,¡± I said, choosing my words carefully. ¡°It¡¯s given to people whose meta natures are still a mystery. Abilities that aren¡¯t fully understood, either because they haven¡¯t been tested enough or because they¡¯re... unusual. The system doesn¡¯t know how to classify them yet, so it puts them in a holding category.¡±


    Leo stared at me, his expression unreadable. ¡°So, you¡¯re a mystery?¡±


    I shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s one way to put it. My meta nature doesn¡¯t fit neatly into the categories they¡¯ve built. It¡¯s not destructive, not healing, not mundane. It¡¯s... complex.


    Leo stared at me, his expression unreadable. ¡°So you don¡¯t know everything your meta nature can do either?¡±


    ¡°Nope,¡± I said to curb his curiosity. Though I didn¡¯t add that I also fell into Silver Alert.


    Leo seemed to think about this for a long moment. ¡°Are there any other designations?¡±


    ¡°Yellow alert,¡± I added. ¡°That¡¯s for people with meta-natures tied to knowledge, info or strategy. Think seers, people with super intelligence, or abilities that enhance memory or prediction. Then there¡¯s purple, which is rare¡ªthose are meta natures that can influence emotions or mental states. Mind readers, dreamwalkers, stuff like that.¡±


    ¡°Purple sounds creepy,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°It can be,¡± I agreed, smirking slightly. ¡°But every designation has its ups and downs. What matters is how you use it.¡±

 Act 2.42 (Chrysalis)

    Clones Everywhere


    After a few more minutes of casual chatter, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway caught both of our attention. Leo¡¯s head snapped toward the window. His expression tightened for a second before he let out a slow sigh.


    ¡°That¡¯s my dad,¡± he muttered, pushing himself off the couch.


    I followed him to the door just as his father stepped out of the car.


    Mr. Conrad was tall and broad-shouldered, the kind of guy who naturally took up space. But his usual imposing presence was dulled by the stress lines carved into his face, the exhaustion settling in the way his shoulders dropped slightly.


    His gaze landed on Leo first, scanning him instinctively¡ªlike he was making sure his son was still in one piece.


    Leo shoved his hands into his pockets. ¡°Hey, Dad.¡±


    Mr. Conrad nodded, his eyes flicking to me next. For a moment, he seemed unsure what to say. Then, after a beat, he offered a small, tired smile and extended a hand.


    ¡°North,¡± he called. ¡°Thanks for being here for Leo. I know it¡¯s been¡­ a rough morning.¡±


    I shook his hand firmly and gave a small nod. ¡°Of course. You don¡¯t need to thank me for that.¡±


    He held my gaze for a second longer, the gratitude clear in his expression. ¡°It means a lot, though,¡± he said quietly. ¡°He¡¯s lucky to have someone like you to lean on.¡±


    Leo cleared his throat loudly, shifting awkwardly. ¡°Alright, alright, let¡¯s go before the MMD sends a search party,¡± he muttered, already heading toward the car like he was trying to physically escape the conversation.


    I smirked, stepping back. ¡°Good luck,¡± I called, lifting a casual hand in a wave.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± he replied, voice muffled through the rolled-up window.


    Mr. Conrad gave me one last nod before slipping into the driver¡¯s seat. The car pulled out of the driveway, disappearing down the street. And just like that, the air felt¡­ strangely quiet. I stood there for a moment, hands in my pockets, staring at the empty road. Then, with a sigh, I turned back toward the house.


    ¡°Welp,¡± I muttered to myself, heading inside. ¡°Guess that¡¯s my cue for breakfast.¡±


    My gaze fell to the table, where my now-cold peanut butter sandwich sat¡ªforgotten and forlorn. I sighed, plopping back down and taking a bite. It wasn¡¯t bad, but it wasn¡¯t the same. The warmth was gone, and with it, the tiny sliver of comfort I¡¯d been craving. Now, it was just cold peanut butter on cold bread, a sad excuse for breakfast that somehow made the entire morning feel more deflated.


    "Fantastic," I muttered around my bite. "Love when my food reflects my soul."


    Still, there wasn¡¯t much time to waste on my disappointment. The academy wasn¡¯t going to wait, and I was already pushing it. After finishing my sad, joyless sandwich and rinsing my plate, I grabbed my brown jacket and a thick muffler from the back of the chair and slung my bag over my shoulder. The weight of the morning¡ªboth literal and figurative¡ªpressed down on me as I headed for the door.


    And immediately regretted everything. The chill sliced through my jacket like it was made of wet tissue paper.


    ¡°Oh, come on,¡± I grumbled, hunching my shoulders.


    The snow had settled thick and pristine over everything, untouched and soft like a blanket straight out of a winter postcard. The roads, at least, were clear¡ªprobably salted enough for cars to move without their drivers sliding into existential crises. Even so, every gust of wind wrapped around me like icy fingers, and I shivered as I stepped out into the open air. With my hands stuffed deep into my jacket pockets, I quickened my pace toward the nearest subway stop. The crunch of snow underfoot was oddly satisfying¡ªwould¡¯ve been enjoyable if my entire body wasn¡¯t trying to freeze solid. By the time I finally stepped into the subway, the first thing I noticed was¡ª


    Heat.


    Blessed. Warm. Heat.


    I practically sank into a seat near the window, exhaling slowly as warmth seeped into my bones.My breath fogged up the glass, fading as the train jolted forward, carrying me toward the academy. I rested my head back, closing my eyes for a second.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    At the academy, nothing was happening. At least, nothing worth mentioning.


    Fridays had three classes on the schedule, and I endured them one by one until three o¡¯clock finally rolled around¡ªmarking the end of another painfully boring, yet somehow not-so-trouble-free week.


    By the time I was out in the hallway, I was ready to call it a day.


    That didn¡¯t last long. Henry was waiting for me, like clockwork. He had that focused look on his face¡ªthe kind he only wore when there was work to be done. No preamble, no unnecessary conversation¡ªjust straight to business. Without a word, he handed me a folded paper.


    ¡°More clues,¡± he said simply.


    I unfolded it, glancing over the contents. Four more underground stations.


    My shoulders sagged slightly, but I nodded, tucking the list into my bag. ¡°Got it. We¡¯ll check them out today.¡±


    Henry gave a short nod, his job already done, and disappeared back into the sea of students. The rest of the group was just as drained as I was. Gina, Lore, and Caleb were deep in the depths of HyperSpace, teaming up with Caleb¡¯s shady internet friends to dig up rumors and leaks about suspicious activity in the abandoned train stations.


    Meanwhile, Alex had been interested in joining the investigation¡ªuntil his phone rang.


    Next thing I knew, he was jogging up to me, looking antsy, like he had somewhere to be but refused to leave without saying something first.


    ¡°Hey,¡± he started, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Can¡¯t come with you this time. Got an urgent call. Need to take care of it.¡±


    I arched an eyebrow. ¡°That sounds ominous.¡±


    ¡°It probably is,¡± he admitted, then grinned, that mischievous spark lighting up his face. ¡°But¡ªI¡¯ve got a surprise for everyone tonight.¡±


    I narrowed my eyes. ¡°A surprise?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll see,¡± he said cryptically, giving me a mock salute before hurrying off like some mysterious action hero.


    ¡°Okay, but see what exactly?¡± I called after him.


    He was already gone. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. ¡°Why is it always cryptic with him?¡±


    At some point, Jade had appeared at my side, leaning casually against the lockers.


    In the end, only Jade, Vinico, and I were left to handle Henry¡¯s fresh list of sketchy locations. Jade, as usual, was ready to go¡ªher excitement only slightly dulled by the exhaustion in her eyes.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get this done as fast as possible,¡± Vinico said, slinging his bag over his shoulder. ¡°If we split up and actually focus, we might make some real progress.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± I said.


    My gaze flicked toward Jade just as she let out a big yawn, stretching her arms above her head like a lazy cat. I leaned in slightly, and blew air into her mouth. She jerked back instantly, eyes wide with pure betrayal.


    ¡°What was that?!¡± she choked out, practically stumbling a step away.


    I shrugged, completely unfazed. ¡°You yawned. I filled the void.¡±


    Vinico, who had been adjusting his bag, paused and slowly turned to look at me. ¡°¡­That¡¯s not how yawns work.¡±


    ¡°You¡ª¡± She pointed a threatening finger in my direction. ¡°You air-attacked me.¡±


    I smirked. ¡°I was just helping. You looked like you needed extra oxygen.¡±


    Jade squinted. ¡°Oh. Ohhh, okay. Cool. Noted.¡±


    I knew that tone. I was in danger.


    Vinico sighed, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯m pretending I didn¡¯t see this.¡±


    Before I could even react, Jade lunged forward, forcefully grabbing and holding my face¡ªAnd before I could stop her, she blew air directly into my face.


    I stumbled back, coughing dramatically, waving a hand. ¡°Oh my¡ªWhat is wrong with you?!¡±


    Jade grinned triumphantly. ¡°I was just helping. You looked like you needed extra air.¡±


    Vinico groaned. ¡°I hate you both.¡±


    I wiped my face as if that would help. ¡°That¡¯s unsanitary.¡±


    Jade snorted. ¡°You literally just did it to me first.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but mine was an act of kindness,¡± I shot back.


    She raised an eyebrow. ¡°Oh? And mine wasn¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Jade just grinned wider. ¡°Sounds like a you problem.¡±


    To be honest? Despite the exhaustion, I didn¡¯t mind these long days and nights with her. I hated to admit it¡ªeven to myself¡ªbut spending time with Jade, especially when we managed to have fun in the middle of chaos, was something I actually looked forward to. And yeah, our impromptu ¡®fun¡¯ in the library had been a much-needed escape. Being around her didn¡¯t make me feel more tired. Quite the opposite. It was like she had a way of transferring her endless, reckless energy to me¡ªwhether I liked it or not.


    Anyway.


    I nodded at Vinico, adjusting my bag as we headed out.


    As we were heading out, I suddenly remembered Louvel, Temple, and Placid, we were supposed to meet later for our so-called ¡®community service.¡¯ The academy tried to dress it up like we were doing something noble, but really, it was just combat training with extra steps. Everyone knew it, but no one cared enough to argue.


    I¡¯d talked to them on Wednesday, throwing out the idea of joining the fight we were expecting tomorrow¡ªif we found the underground auction location tonight. That was a big ¡°if.¡± The whole operation was starting to feel like chasing smoke, but I held onto the hope that someone in the group would pull through with a lead.


    Temple, Louvel, and Placid had seemed uncertain, though. Still, I sent them a message to meet us at the location we were heading to right now.


    They were technically free labour, whereas I wasn¡¯t getting paid anything to teach them so I was going to use them when I could. Hmph!


    After thirty minutes of travel, Vinico, Jade, and I arrived at another train station. Unlike the underground stations we¡¯d been combing through lately, this one was above ground and still fully operational. It was one of the oldest stations in the city, with a history stretching back over a century, and its fa?ade reflected every bit of that age. Yellow brass doors gleamed dully in the pale afternoon light, and old-style windows framed the structure like something out of a period film.


    Not that we were here to admire the architecture.


    As we stepped in, Vinico glanced around, his eyes darting toward the ceiling-mounted cameras. He rubbed his chin dramatically, as if preparing to deliver some genius revelation.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to multiply exponentially,¡± he said, turning to face us with the seriousness of a man about to propose a world-changing idea, ¡°but there are cameras everywhere in this building. Splitting into more than three or four copies would definitely attract attention.¡±


    He had a point. Hundreds of Vinicos running around the station would make our job a breeze¡ªefficient, even. We could finish two hours¡¯ worth of searching in twenty minutes flat. But that many clones would also guarantee a police call within minutes.


    ¡°It is a problem,¡± I admitted, scratching the back of my head as I considered the logistics. My gaze shifted to Jade, and as usual, she was already a step ahead.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± she said confidently, turning to Vinico. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the cameras. You focus on searching.¡±


    Vinico¡¯s face lit up like she¡¯d just handed him a golden ticket. ¡°Really? You can take care of them?¡±


    Jade nodded, ¡°Piece of cake. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    But Vinico wasn¡¯t done yet. He squinted, his expression shifting into a look that clearly said, There¡¯s more to this problem than you think.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    ¡°What now?¡± I asked, already feeling the beginning of a headache.


    ¡°The people,¡± Vinico said, throwing his hands in the air. ¡°What if they call the police? You know, a crowd of people suddenly seeing multiples of me running around might raise a few eyebrows.¡±


    I sighed, wondering¡ªnot for the first time¡ªif he just didn¡¯t want to work. Still, the three of us glanced around, surveying the station. It wasn¡¯t exactly packed; only a few people lingered near the platform and ticket counters, most absorbed in their own world.


    ¡°Is this really that big of a problem?¡± I asked, incredulous.


    Jade shook her head. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of that too,¡± she said with an air of finality, brushing her hands off like it was nothing.


    Vinico beamed at her, his grin so bright you¡¯d think she¡¯d offered him a lifetime supply of candy. ¡°Thanks, Jade. You¡¯re such a lifesaver. What would we do without you?¡±


    I froze, my jaw tightening as I stared at him. Are you shameless?


    Jade smiled back at him, like she was actually enjoying the attention.


    Dammit, I thought, feeling a surge of irritation. I¡¯ll beat him.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I said aloud, forcing a calm tone. ¡°If Jade¡¯s handling the cameras and the people, I¡¯m guessing there¡¯s nothing stopping you now, huh, Vinico?¡±


    ¡°Nothing at all!¡± he said cheerfully, practically bouncing on his heels. ¡°Let¡¯s do this!¡±


    I shot Vinico an annoyed look as he glanced past me, his expression suddenly brimming with confidence. It was almost unsettling¡ªlike watching someone flip a switch. For a second, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Jade had stopped using her meta nature to subtly mess with his head. That would explain the abrupt bravado.


    And then he multiplied.


    It started with a simple split: one became two, two became four, and four became eight.


    Then it accelerated¡ªeight to sixteen, thirty-two, sixty-four.


    His clones popped into existence with rapid efficiency, multiplying exponentially like a biological invasion. Within seconds, the number of Vinicos had surged into the hundreds, maybe even more, flooding the station with identical figures.


    The entire train station descended into chaos.


    The people who had been minding their own business moments earlier were now screaming, sprinting toward any available exits like they were fleeing a villain¡¯s attack. The once-muted, sleepy atmosphere of the station was gone, replaced by a cacophony of panicked voices and hurried footsteps. The Vinico swarm dived through every space with such coordinated precision that it looked almost rehearsed.


    Some people tried calling for help, their frantic fingers jabbing at their phones. But it didn¡¯t work. Jade had done her job¡ªnone of their devices were connecting to anything. A few unlucky souls, overwhelmed by the sudden madness, collapsed where they stood, clutching their chests or fainting outright. And the funniest part? Some people actually tried to fight the clones.


    A man in a suit swung his briefcase at a pair of Vinicos, shouting incomprehensible threats, only for them to duck and split again, completely unbothered.


    A group of teenagers tried throwing trash bins at the horde, but the clones scattered like an organized school of fish, regrouping almost immediately and continuing their task.


    One kid tried to karate kick a clone. He missed. Fell flat on his ass.


    I stayed put, watching it all unfold with a mix of fascination and secondhand embarrassment. The way Vinico¡¯s clones swarmed the station made it look like an elaborate Olympic show, each one of them moving with perfect synchronization. Some of them were doing backflips onto ledges, scaling walls with gymnastic ease, and forming military-style formations to check every crevice of the space.


    This wasn¡¯t the chaotic, bumbling Vinico I was used to. It was controlled, efficient, and¡ªdare I say it¡ªimpressive.


    ¡°Maybe he¡¯s not as hopeless as I thought,¡± I muttered under my breath, though my tone carried a touch of skepticism.


    Instead of diving into the fray, I made my way toward the coffee counter nearby.


    The small caf¨¦ was empty except for a young woman crouched behind the counter, her wide eyes peeking over the edge like she¡¯d seen a ghost.


    I gave her a reassuring nod, motioning for her to stay hidden. The clones, for whatever reason, seemed to avoid the caf¨¦ entirely, their focus locked on the rest of the station.


    Meanwhile, I leaned against the counter, watching as Vinico¡¯s army moved like a swarm of ants on a mission. They knocked on every surface, checked every corner, and even pried open air vents to peek inside. One clone climbed a metal column like it was the most natural thing in the world, balancing precariously on the top to scout the area. Another formed a human pyramid to reach the ceiling panels, tapping on them with rhythmic precision.


    It was fascinating to watch, and a small part of me couldn¡¯t help but admire the sheer coordination he displayed. This was a far cry from the disorganized mess of our warehouse fight¡ªthis was calculated, deliberate, almost surgical.


    Jade appeared beside me, a cup of coffee in her hand, completely unbothered by the chaos. ¡°He¡¯s really going for it?¡± she said, taking a casual sip.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I replied, still watching as a group of clones executed a synchronized leap over a row of ticket machines. ¡°I almost don¡¯t recognize him.¡±


    Jade scrunched up her nose, her smirk fading as she stared at the Vinico swarm. ¡°You know,¡± she said, taking another sip of her coffee, ¡°if his clones weren¡¯t... naked, this would be a lot less weird.¡±


    I blinked, caught off guard. ¡°They¡¯re not naked¡ªthey¡¯re genderless. Completely smooth, no... you know.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t make it better!¡± she exclaimed, her nose wrinkling further in exaggerated disgust. ¡°They still look naked. Just because there¡¯s nothing there doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s not creepy. It¡¯s like staring at a bunch of mannequin zombies running around.¡±


    I glanced at the swarm, trying to see it from her perspective. The clones were, indeed, smooth and featureless where it counted, but the rest of them was still very Vinico: same sharp features, same lanky build, same mop of unruly hair. And yet, the lack of detail where it mattered did give them an uncanny, otherworldly vibe.


    ¡°Fair point,¡± I muttered. ¡°They are... unsettling in groups.¡±


    ¡°Though, It¡¯s just a small limitation of his meta nature. I mean, sure, it¡¯s a little unsettling to look at, but it¡¯s not bad. Honestly, he¡¯s still better than a lot of cloning abilities I¡¯ve seen.¡±


    Jade raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. ¡°Better how?¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± I said, gesturing toward the swarm of Vinicos with my coffee cup, ¡°for one, he can split into thousands. Do you know how rare that is? Most cloning powers I¡¯ve heard of can only manage two or three clones at a time before their users hit some kind of wall. And that¡¯s not even the worst part¡ªsome metas can¡¯t even control their clones properly once they split. It turns into a disaster every time.¡±


    Jade tilted her head, considering this. ¡°Okay, fair point. At least Vinico doesn¡¯t have clones running off to start their own lives or getting into fights with each other.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± I said, nodding. ¡°His clones are coordinated, efficient, and, for better or worse, completely under his control. Sure, they¡¯re a little creepy to look at, but compared to those side effects? He¡¯s got a pretty great deal.¡±


    Jade sighed, swirling the last of her coffee in her cup. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll give him credit for that. He¡¯s annoying, but his meta nature is impressive. I just wish it didn¡¯t look like a nightmare come to life.¡±


    I smirked. ¡°Baby steps, Jade. Maybe he¡¯ll develop a clothing update one day.¡±


    She rolled her eyes but smiled, her irritation fading. ¡°A girl can dream.¡±


    Suddenly, the Original Vinico with clothes on leaped over the counter, landing near us with the grace of someone who clearly enjoyed showing off.


    The young woman behind the counter screamed, clutching her apron as if it were some kind of shield. Her wide eyes darted between him and the horde of identical clones swarming the station.


    ¡°Why are you two just sitting here?¡± Vinico demanded, throwing us an annoyed look. ¡°You could at least pretend to be useful.¡±


    Jade remained unfazed, while I shrugged casually. ¡°You¡¯re doing fine. Why mess with perfection?¡±


    Vinico rolled his eyes but didn¡¯t argue. Instead, he turned his attention to the trembling barista, who looked like she was about two seconds away from bolting.


    ¡°Hey,¡± he said, pointing lazily toward the coffee machine behind her. ¡°Can I get a cup too?¡±


    The young woman stiffened. Her voice was barely above a whisper.


    ¡°A-are you a villain?¡± she stammered, her eyes flicking between us and the chaos unfolding outside.


    Vinico froze, blinking at her in sheer disbelief, before tilting his head toward the ceiling¡ªas if asking the universe why it hated him.


    He let out a slow sigh. ¡°No,¡± he said flatly, dragging out the word like it physically pained him. ¡°I¡¯m not a villain.¡±


    Then, with a dramatic wave of his hand, he gestured toward me and Jade, as if our presence alone would somehow reassure her.


    ¡°They¡¯re not villains either.¡±


    Jade raised an eyebrow at me. I smirked. Not villains is technically not the same as good people.


    ¡°We¡¯re¡­ uh, just looking for something,¡± Vinico continued, running a hand through his hair. ¡°Once we find it, we¡¯ll be out of your hair. Promise.¡±


    The girl relaxed slightly, though her hands still trembled as she fiddled with the edge of her apron. She wasn¡¯t entirely convinced, but she nodded stiffly, keeping her distance.


    And then¡ª


    In true Vinico fashion¡ªhe switched gears entirely.


    His usual annoyed demeanor melted away, replaced by that effortless, casual charm he kept stored for moments just like this.


    Vinico leaned against the counter, flashing her a crooked smile.


    ¡°So,¡± he said smoothly, ¡°what¡¯s your name? You in university or something?¡±


    Jade and I both did a double take.


    Jade choked on her coffee, barely managing to stifle a coughing fit as she turned her head away.


    I just stared at him, torn between amusement and disbelief.


    Of course, he¡¯s flirting now.


    The girl¡ªwho had moments ago been on the verge of panic¡ªhesitated, her wide eyes narrowing slightly as she processed his sudden tone shift.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± she started, still cautious. ¡°I¡¯m Lily.¡±


    Vinico¡¯s grin widened, his confidence thriving the moment she answered.


    ¡°Lily, huh? Nice name.¡± He nodded approvingly, like he was judging her parents'' baby-naming skills. ¡°You studying anything interesting?¡±


    She fidgeted with her apron, still glancing nervously at the clones swarming outside.


    ¡°¡­Psychology,¡± she said quietly. Then, her curiosity finally won over her nerves, and she looked back at him. ¡°But¡­ what are you looking for?¡±


    ¡°Nothing you need to worry about,¡± Vinico said smoothly, his tone light and effortless. ¡°We¡¯re just cleaning up a bit of a mess.¡±


    He leaned forward slightly, his usual cocky grin softening into something more genuine.


    And somehow, it worked.


    Lily¡¯s shoulders relaxed, just a little, the wariness still there but no longer screaming in every fiber of her being. A faint hint of color rose to her cheeks.


    ¡°¡­Okay,¡± she murmured, almost inaudibly.


    Vinico leaned back, clearly pleased with himself, and threw me a smug glance as if to say:


    See? This is how it¡¯s done.


    I rolled my eyes, muttering, ¡°Maybe focus on the search, Romeo.¡±


    Jade, to my absolute shock, was beaming¡ªsipping her coffee with barely contained amusement.


    ¡°Oh, come on,¡± she teased. ¡°He¡¯s multitasking. Don¡¯t ruin his moment.¡±


    His moment?


    I squinted at her, genuinely baffled. Since when did she enjoy romance? Was this the same Jade who once solved her social problems by punching people at the academy just for talking to her?


    Growth was terrifying.


    Lily, though still visibly nervous, offered a small, hesitant smile.


    Vinico basked in it for a second before straightening up and giving her a polite nod. ¡°Thanks, Lily.¡±


    And that should have been the end of it. Should have been. Instead, as he turned to head back into the fray, he paused dramatically¡ªthen spun on his heel like he¡¯d just been struck by a brilliant idea.


    I groaned internally. This wasn¡¯t going to end well.


    ¡°To put your mind at ease,¡± Vinico began, his voice dripping with exaggerated charm, ¡°I should probably mention that I¡¯m a student at Beyonder¡¯s Academy.¡±


    Then¡ªbecause of course he did¡ªhe reached into his pocket and, to my utter disbelief, pulled out his academy ID, holding it up like it was a golden ticket.


    Lily froze. Her eyes widened as she took in the ID, realization hitting her like a train.


    ¡°You¡¯re from Beyonder¡¯s?¡± she asked, her voice an odd mix of surprise and awe.


    ¡°Yep,¡± Vinico said smoothly, his smirk stretching wider.


    Then¡ªbecause he wasn¡¯t done being extra¡ªhe gestured toward Jade and me with a grand, sweeping motion.


    ¡°We all are.¡±


    I let out a quiet, disbelieving snort.


    Really?


    He was actually playing the academy card?


    It was such an unnecessary flex. Sure, the girl was cute¡ªokay, pretty¡ªbut this was not the time or place to impress her with our credentials. And just when I thought at least Jade would let him crash and burn¡ª She actually backed him up.


    ¡°He¡¯s not lying,¡± Jade said casually, tilting her head toward me. ¡°We¡¯re all from Beyonder¡¯s. You don¡¯t need to worry.¡±


    I turned to her, genuinely appalled. ¡°Seriously?¡±


    Jade shrugged, completely unbothered. ¡°What? It¡¯s true.¡±


    Vinico grinned, clearly thriving. ¡°See? Validation.¡±


    Lily blinked at us, still absorbing the information. ¡°I thought¡­ I thought Beyonder students weren¡¯t allowed to¡ª¡±


    ¡°Oh, we¡¯re definitely not allowed to,¡± I cut in.


    Vinico shot me a look. ¡°Way to sell it, dude.¡±


    Lily¡¯s fear visibly melted away, replaced by genuine curiosity. Her gaze flicked between the three of us, lingering on the ID in Vinico¡¯s hand.


    ¡°That¡¯s... amazing,¡± she said, her tone soft but filled with wonder. ¡°I¡¯ve heard so much about the academy. It''s every kid¡¯s dream in the city to get into it.¡±


    Vinico¡¯s smirk turned into a full-blown grin, and I could practically hear the smugness radiating from him as he glanced at me. It was the kind of look that said see, I told you I¡¯ve got this.


    I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. Meanwhile, Jade gave me a sidelong glance, her silver eyes dancing with amusement. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that,¡± she said under her breath, barely suppressing a laugh. ¡°He¡¯s not hurting anyone.¡±


    ¡°Yet,¡± I muttered, crossing my arms as Vinico continued his conversation with Lily, clearly reveling in her now-relaxed demeanor.


    Honestly?


    It was hard to stay annoyed.


    For all his antics, Vinico had actually accomplished something I hadn¡¯t expected¡ªhe¡¯d turned a tense situation into something almost¡­ normal.


    Even if he did have to flash his flashiest card to do it. Still, as I watched him lean on the counter and flash another charming smile, I couldn¡¯t resist shooting him a look that said, You owe me for not stopping this.


    As Vinico continued chatting with the cute barista, his clones were still in full swing, combing through every corner of the station with military precision. Their numbers began to dwindle after fifteen minutes, melting back into him one by one until the station was finally clone-free.


    With the last clone reabsorbed, Vinico turned back to us, his face falling into a disappointed frown. ¡°Nothing,¡± he said flatly, shaking his head.


    All three of us furrowed our brows. After all the effort, the chaos, and the scene he¡¯d caused, we¡¯d come up empty.


    I clicked my tongue, my eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°We should get out of here. The amount of commotion we just caused, and from the people who escaped earlier definitely called the police¡ªor worse, the City Protectors. We don¡¯t have much time.¡±


    Vinico sighed dramatically, but he didn¡¯t argue. ¡°Fine, fine. Let¡¯s clean this up.¡±


    We moved quickly, wiping any trace of our presence from the station. Jade, as always, took the lead, using her meta nature to shift the odds in our favor. The surveillance cameras were already glitching but at just the right moments, the electricity itself made a cut, and anyone who might have been suspicious suddenly found themselves distracted by minor inconveniences¡ªa dropped wallet, a spilt coffee, a sudden need to check their phones.


    Meanwhile, Vinico lingered near the counter, exchanging a few last words with Lily. To my growing disbelief, he actually managed to get her phone number, scribbled hastily onto a napkin with a smiley face at the end.


    By the time we left the station, everything had fallen perfectly into place. No one stopped us. No alarms were raised. Even the lingering tension in the air seemed to dissipate as Jade ensured our exit was as smooth as possible. Once we were outside, far enough from the station to feel relatively safe, I glanced at Vinico, who was grinning like he¡¯d just won the lottery.


    I squinted at him, half-annoyed, half-impressed. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you actually got her number.¡±


    Vinico flashed me a smug look before tucking the napkin into his pocket with an unnecessary amount of flair. ¡°What can I say?¡± He sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. ¡°Some people just can¡¯t resist my charm.¡±


    Jade rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile tugging at her lips.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just hope she doesn¡¯t regret it after we¡¯re done with¡­ all this.¡±


    Vinico grinned wider.


    ¡°Not a chance.¡±


    I gave him a look. ¡°You do realize she gave you her number while she was in mild shock, right?¡±


    Vinico shrugged, completely unbothered. ¡°Details.¡±


    Jade sipped her coffee, watching us with amusement. ¡°I give it two days before she ghosts you.¡±


    Vinico scoffed. ¡°Oh, please. I¡¯m un-ghostable.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow. ¡°That¡¯s not a word.¡±


    ¡°It is now.¡±

 Act 2.43 (Chrysalis)

    Hidden Clues


    The taxi slowed to a stop, and the Vinico, Jade and I stepped out into the heart of North District.


    Towering before us was Union Station¡ªone of the city¡¯s busiest and most iconic transit hubs. Its grand fa?ade loomed, bathed in the golden light of late afternoon, rows of massive arched windows reflecting the fading sun.


    We pushed through the towering brass doors, joining the constant flow of bodies moving in and out of the station. Inside, the grandeur unfolded. Vaulted ceilings stretched high above, adorned with ornate chandeliers, their golden glow washing over the marble floors. Beneath our feet, polished mosaic tiles gleamed, a stark contrast to the desolate, forgotten underground stations we had been crawling through earlier.


    The constant sound of footsteps was everywhere; the soft chime of train schedule updates flickering across screens, and the distant crackle of announcements over the speakers.


    It was magnificent. Overwhelming. It felt almost too alive compared to the places we''d been searching through.


    Vinico turned to Jade, his expression a mix of curiosity and frustration. ¡°Alright,¡± he said, gesturing vaguely. ¡°You can shift odds in our favor for everything¡ªcameras, people, even keeping us from getting caught. So why can¡¯t you just make it so we find the underground station immediately?¡±


    Jade squinted at him. ¡°Do you think my meta nature works like a magic wand or something?¡±


    Vinico crossed his arms. ¡°Well, kind of, yeah. You make it seem that way half the time.¡±


    Jade sighed, her tone teetering between patience and exasperation. ¡°It¡¯s not that simple.¡± She glanced around the station, eyes scanning the crowds like she was already adjusting probabilities. ¡°I¡¯ve already shifted the odds in our favor¡ªa lot, actually. Right now, we¡¯re way more likely to find the auction sight. But it¡¯s not like an apple that¡¯ll just fall into your hands from the sky. I can¡¯t make us blindly walk into it.¡±


    Vinico frowned, unconvinced. ¡°Why not? Sounds like you could.¡±


    Jade exhaled through her nose, then stepped closer to Vinico, tilting her head slightly.


    ¡°Okay, genius,¡± she said slowly, ¡°imagine flipping a coin. Now, imagine I make it so the coin is way more likely to land on heads. Like, 90% chance.¡±


    Vinico nodded. ¡°Right. So we¡¯d probably get heads.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Jade shrugged. ¡°But it could still land on tails. And I can¡¯t just decide how it lands¡ªI can only increase the odds.¡±


    Vinico opened his mouth¡ªthen hesitated, clearly chewing on that explanation.


    "My powers sound limitless, but they¡¯re not. There are rules¡ªlogic¡ªI have to follow. If I shift the odds too far in our favor, it¡¯s like stretching a rubber band. The more I pull, the harder it snaps back.¡±


    Vinico raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡°What kind of snapback are we talking about?¡±


    Jade glanced at me her eyes conveying that she was already tired of talking with him and all the energy inside a container labeled Vinico had been drain for the day, Still, she explained with straight face, ¡°If I push too hard, our luck will tank. Like, catastrophically. Say I force the odds so we find the station in the next five minutes. Sounds great, right? Except the moment we find it, something else would balance out the scales. Maybe a superhero shows up to crash the party, or a group of villains attacks us out of nowhere. It would create chaos¡ªand instead of helping, I¡¯d be putting us in more danger. And we might even not reach home alive.¡±


    Vinico¡¯s eyes widened slightly, and I couldn¡¯t blame him. The idea of manipulating probabilities like that was as fascinating as it was terrifying.


    ¡°So,¡± Jade continued, ¡°instead of forcing things to happen all at once, I nudge the odds. Gradually. Maybe we¡¯ll cross paths with someone who knows about the station, or we¡¯ll stumble on a clue that leads us there. I can¡¯t just conjure it out of thin air, but I can make sure we¡¯re heading in the right direction without everything blowing up in our faces.¡±


    Vinico shook his head, muttering. "Wow. Your powers are way less fun than I thought."


    Jade rolled her eyes, exhaling. "It¡¯s not all glamour and easy wins."


    As their conversation continued, I let my gaze drift upward. And then, I spotted them. Louvel, Placid, and Temple were leaning casually against the railing on the second floor of the station. I lifted a hand in a quick wave, catching Louvel¡¯s attention. He nodded back, nudging the others to follow his gaze.


    "Come on," I said to Jade and Vinico, already heading for the stairs. ¡°Let¡¯s go meet them.¡±


    The moment we reached the second floor, Louvel, Placid, and Temple were already watching us.


    "Guys," I gestured toward the trio, "this is Louvel, Placid, and Temple."


    Then, turning toward my teammates, I introduced them, "And this is Jade and Vinico."


    Placid stepped forward first, her energy noticeably brighter, probably thinking about making connections before taking the entrance exam next year. "Good to meet you," she said with a polite smile. "North¡¯s told us a bit about you."


    Vinico extended his hand immediately, flashing a grin, "Vinico," he said, his voice dripping with exaggerated confidence. "The multipurpose multitasker of the team."


    Temple smiled at him, her head tilting slightly, "Multipurpose?"


    Vinico¡¯s smirked. "It means I¡¯m invaluable."


    Meanwhile, the three of them had let their eyes linger on Jade, curious, studying.


    She simply said, "Hii."


    And that was all from her. She slipped right back into her usual reserved state, her posture closing off slightly. Honestly, I expected that. It had taken months for her to open up to Alex, Lore, and the rest of our group. There was no way she was about to start fresh with a whole new set of people today. That was just who she was. I didn¡¯t push her.


    Instead, I clapped my hands once, drawing attention back to the mission, "Alright, now that introductions are out of the way, let¡¯s get down to business."


    Louvel nodded, his smile fading into something more serious. ¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡±


    ¡°This is connected to what I asked three of you about on Wednesday,¡± I said, refreshing their memory. ¡°We¡¯re looking for any hidden room, secret area, or secluded space in this station that could hold an auction¡ªan illegal one.¡±


    "Underground?"


    "Probably," I nodded. "But not necessarily. It could be behind locked doors, disguised as something ordinary, or even hidden in plain sight. We need to search every corner of this place¡ªquietly and carefully."


    To my words, the trio¡¯s earlier casual expressions dissolved completely. Placid and Temple exchanged a quick, silent glance before nodding. Louvel exhaled, rolling his shoulders like he was getting into the zone.


    Outside the grand windows of the station, the sun had already started to set, casting long orange shadows across the floor.


    ¡°We¡¯ll cover different sections. Less suspicious that way." I added. ¡°There¡¯s still another place we need to check after this.¡±


    Vinico, ever the realist, raised a hand slightly to interject. ¡°I can¡¯t split here. There are at least a hundred supers stationed here for security. If I start multiplying, they¡¯ll notice, and we don¡¯t want that kind of attention. Also, I really don¡¯t feel like explaining to the City Protectors and a bunch of heroes why I¡¯m running a clone army through Union Station.¡±


    I nodded, appreciating the practicality of his observation. ¡°Fair point. We keep this under the radar,¡± I said. ¡°We¡¯re splitting into teams of two. Vinico, you¡¯re with Louvel. Temple, you¡¯re with Placid. Jade and I will take the north end. Cover as much ground as you can, but stay discreet. If you find anything, don¡¯t make a scene¡ªjust call me.¡±


    The group agreed.


    ¡°We move now,¡± I said, motioning toward the main hall. ¡°Speed and subtlety. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    The duos dispersed immediately, spreading out.


    Vinico and Louvel headed toward the station¡¯s older wing, where buses, aged staircases, and abandoned ticket counters offered plenty of hidden nooks. Temple and Placid took the lower platforms and train tracks, keeping to the quieter areas where prying eyes were less likely.


    That left Jade and me, navigating through the grand central hall, weaving between the thick crowd.


    If it weren¡¯t absolutely necessary, I¡¯d have called this one of the most mind-numbing jobs I¡¯d ever done. Wandering around Union Station, searching for clues like we were in some low-budget detective show, was about as thrilling as watching paint dry. The crowds didn¡¯t help either; there were so many people and so much security that sneaking anything illicit into this place seemed borderline impossible.


    To make matters worse, the station itself was a sprawling maze of hallways and doors¡ªso many damn rooms, most of them probably filled with wires, mechanical panels, or dusty equipment I couldn¡¯t even begin to identify.


    I sighed, glancing around in mild frustration. ¡°If there¡¯s really an auction happening here, I have to admit, they picked a damn good place to hide it.¡±


    Jade, walking beside me with her hands stuffed in her coat pockets, hummed softly. "Mmm. At least it¡¯s pretty, though."


    I looked at her. "What?"


    ¡°This station. It¡¯s kind of beautiful, don¡¯t you think? I like old places like this.¡±


    I followed her gaze for a moment. She wasn¡¯t wrong. I let out a small breath. "Yeah... I guess it is."


    She turned to me with a small smile. "See? You¡¯re capable of appreciating nice things."


    I chuckled, nudging her gently with my shoulder. "I never said I wasn¡¯t."


    She grinned, bumping me back. "You act like a grump sometimes. I have to remind you to enjoy things."


    I sighed dramatically. "Oh, the burden you must bear."


    Jade laughed, the soft, breathy kind that made me forget we were on a mission. Yet, the more we searched, the more I realized something humbling: My sense of direction was atrocious. By the time we looped past the same vending machine twice, I came to terms with the infuriating truth¡ªWithout Jade, I¡¯d probably get lost forever in a station like this. Finally, I caved. With a sigh, I dropped onto a stiff, unwelcoming chair near one of the station¡¯s massive pillars¡ªthe kind designed to look grand but offer absolutely no comfort.


    Jade, followed suit with zero signs of fatigue. She perched effortlessly on the edge of her seat, her posture perfect, her expression infuriatingly composed. Because, naturally, she was built out of pure, unrelenting stubbornness.


    Then, she glanced at me. "You know, this almost feels like a date."


    "Oh?"


    She shrugged. "I mean, think about it. We¡¯re walking through a historic station, admiring the vibe, holding hands¡ª"


    "We¡¯re not holding hands," I pointed out, amused.


    Without hesitation, she reached over and took my hand, her fingers sliding easily between mine.


    I blinked.


    Her gaze flicked down to our joined hands, a small, knowing smile tugging at her lips. ¡°Okay. Now it¡¯s a date.¡±


    A chuckle rumbled from my chest.


    She squeezed my hand lightly, then threw me a teasing look. ¡°Are you going to buy me coffee? Because I¡¯m pretty sure that¡¯s a requirement for a proper date.¡±


    I sighed theatrically. ¡°Well, I was going to, but now I feel like you¡¯re just using me for snacks.¡±


    Jade laughed again, leaning into my side slightly. "I wouldn¡¯t only use you for snacks."


    "Oh? What else am I good for?"


    She pretended to think. "Carrying my things. Warming me up when I¡¯m cold. Oh! And making sure I never get too bored."


    I raised an eyebrow, giving her a sideways glance. ¡°So basically, I¡¯m your personal pack mule, heater, and entertainment system?¡±


    She grinned, not even pretending to deny it. ¡°Mmm. When you put it like that, it makes me sound kind of spoiled.¡±


    I huffed a quiet laugh, shaking my head. ¡°Kinda?¡±


    Jade tilted her head, nudging me lightly with her shoulder. ¡°I can¡¯t help that I have high standards.¡±


    The station¡¯s loudspeaker crackled to life, announcing yet another delay. I exhaled, leaning my head back against the pillar, staring up at the high-arched ceiling with its intricate designs. Jade, however, seemed unbothered. She stretched her legs out, resting her heels against the edge of my chair like she owned the entire space.


    I sighed dramatically and let my head slump onto Jade¡¯s shoulder, tilting it just enough to make it clear I wasn¡¯t going to move anytime soon.


    ¡°I feel so sleepy right now, and tired,¡± I muttered, my voice edging dangerously close to a whine. Because if I couldn¡¯t complain to Jade, then really, what was the point of having a best girlfriend-slash-partner-in-crime?


    She didn¡¯t even blink. ¡°Drama queen.¡±


    I gasped, lifting my head to stare at her in betrayal. "Excuse you. I am a tragic hero suffering in silence."


    Jade arched an eyebrow at me. "You are literally not suffering in silence. You''re whining in surround sound."


    I scoffed. ¡°You wound me.¡±


    "You''ll live."


    Then, from the corner of my eye, I noticed a door tucked away in a nearby corner.


    It wasn¡¯t the door itself that caught my attention, but the fact that someone in a black suit opened it and revealed a staircase leading down into what looked like a basement. Probably just another storage room or server space, I thought. But still, it was worth checking out. My eyes scanned the area. Two security guards. One was positioned on the upper floor above us, leaning casually against the railing, while the other was stationed just a few meters away. The distance wasn¡¯t a problem¡ªmy legs worked fine¡ªbut slipping through the door without attracting the downstairs guard¡¯s attention? That was another story.


    I sat up straight, nudging Jade¡¯s shoulder to get her attention. ¡°You have to distract that security guard over there,¡± I whispered, nodding toward the man in question.


    Jade furrowed her brows, turning to look at me like I¡¯d just asked her to solve world hunger. ¡°How am I supposed to do that?¡± she asked, her voice dripping with disbelief.


    I blinked, momentarily caught off guard. ¡°What do you mean, ¡®How am I supposed to do that?¡¯¡± I hissed back. ¡°Go talk to him or something for a second and distract him. You¡¯re a girl; you should have more experience with this sort of thing. Has a guy never flirted with you? Just follow their methods.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± she hissed, twisting toward me with an expression that promised violence.


    I blinked, suddenly realizing I had made a grave mistake.


    She scoffed, mock-offended. ¡°Did you seriously just say, ¡®You¡¯re a girl, so you should have more experience with this¡¯?¡±


    I opened my mouth, then closed it, feeling a sudden need to reevaluate my life choices. ¡°¡­That came out wrong.¡±


    Jade eyes were dangerously sharp. ¡°Oh no, I think it came out exactly how you meant it.¡±


    "Unbelievable."


    ¡°FYI, I don¡¯t know how to flirt.¡±


    I stared at her, dumbfounded. ¡°What do you mean you don¡¯t know how to flirt?¡± I asked, genuinely confused.


    ¡°Every girl I know knows how to flirt.¡± I gestured vaguely, like the answer should have been obvious. ¡°It¡¯s normally men who are dumb about it!¡±


    Jade crossed her arms, her silver eyes narrowing with irritation.


    ¡°Well, excuse me for not fitting your stereotype.¡± She snapped, voice dripping in sarcasm. ¡°And do you really think I let anyone near me?¡±


    She tilted her head slightly, her tone growing annoyed. ¡°If someone even thought bad about me, they¡¯d probably trip and fall on their face before they got within ten feet of me. Trust me, I¡¯ve seen it happen." Irritation practically radiating off her.


    I opened my mouth, then closed it again. The air between us grew awkward quickly. Jade¡¯s glare could cut glass, and I suddenly had the sinking feeling that I¡¯d somehow managed to hit a nerve. I glanced back at the security guard, suddenly feeling like this whole situation was spiraling away from me, giving up on my original objective of sending her to distract him.


    After a long, very tense pause, I finally said, ¡°So¡­ you¡¯re saying I was your first real relationship?¡±


    Jade let out an exaggerated huff, crossing her arms even tighter, her annoyance obvious. ¡°Yeah,¡± she said flatly, though I could tell she hated admitting it.


    ¡°How old are you again?¡±


    Her glare intensified, silver eyes burning. ¡°Why does it matter?¡±


    I shrugged, trying¡ªand failing¡ªto keep my amusement in check. ¡°I mean, I already know your birthday¡ªDecember 29th. You¡¯ll be nineteen soon.¡± I gave her a pointed look. ¡°You¡¯re telling me, in all those years, you never had a single relationship? Not even a casual thing?¡±


    Jade scoffed. "Do I look like someone who had time for that?"


    ¡°What did you even do in school?¡± I pressed, my curiosity getting the better of me.


    Even I, as useless as I was back then, had managed to stumble my way into a high school relationship. Jade? Jade was terrifyingly beautiful, sharp as a knife, and effortlessly magnetic. How the hell had she never been in one?


    "Were you in an all-girls school or something?" I asked, half-joking.


    She didn¡¯t laugh.


    ¡°No,¡± she said, adjusting the already-perfect fabric of her woolen coat.


    For a second, I thought it was a nervous tic. Though she masked it well. Her tone softened, her usual fire dimmed just slightly.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a normal school like here on Earth. We weren¡¯t allowed to have thoughts like affection or love, nor did anyone dare. Our one and only goal was to come out on top. Otherwise....¡±


    She stopped there. Like she had already said too much. The atmosphere around her shifted, subtly, but enough. Like a warning. Tread carefully. I leaned back slightly, my earlier teasing replaced with a weightier thought. There¡¯s so much I still don¡¯t know about her. Jade¡ªwho had always been fearless, always been unshakable¡ªwas suddenly a puzzle I had barely started to solve.


    To me, it seemed like there were wounds she hadn¡¯t shared, scars she still carried silently.How could I have spent so much time with her and still barely scratched the surface? The realization sat heavy in my chest. She wasn¡¯t just guarded. She was built that way. Carefully, I reached out, hesitating for just a second before taking her hand in mine. Her fingers were cool, tense, and then, she squeezed back.


    Not much. Just enough. Like she needed reassurance but wasn¡¯t sure how to ask for it.


    Then a sudden vibration in my pocket jolted me back to reality. My phone buzzed insistently, and I reluctantly let go of Jade hand, earning a small huff from her as I reached for it. Swiping the screen, I pressed it to my ear.


    ¡°Henry?¡±


    His voice came through tense and urgent. ¡°Vesper,¡± he said, and the single word was enough to make my back straighten. ¡°Some tried to kidnap her.¡±


    My grip tightened on the phone. ¡°Is she okay? Do you need backup?¡±


    ¡°She called my name,¡± he said, recounting what had happened. ¡°I teleported to her immediately, and the moment I showed up, the people trying to grab her bolted. They didn¡¯t even try to engage¡ªno confrontation at all. I think they panicked. Miscalculation on their part.¡±


    I frowned. That was too clean. Too quick.


    ¡°So, they were after her specifically?¡±


    Henry hesitated for a second. ¡°¡­Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Vesper confirmed it. She¡¯s shaken but sure about one thing¡ªthey were trying to kidnap her.¡±


    ¡°They must¡¯ve known about her meta nature,¡± I said. ¡°If they¡¯re after her, they¡¯re aware of what she can do.¡±


    Henry let out a low sigh. ¡°That¡¯s what I was thinking.¡±


    Her meta nature wasn¡¯t exactly subtle. Vesper had an incredible ability: she could locate people, objects, or places simply by thinking for them. Whatever she emotionally or physically needed most at the moment, her powers would pull her toward it. It wasn¡¯t hard to see why someone might want to exploit or neutralize that kind of ability.


    ¡°Do you know who they were?¡± I asked, though I already suspected Henry wouldn¡¯t have that answer yet.


    ¡°No idea,¡± he admitted. ¡°They were masked. Quick, too. But I¡¯ll keep digging.¡±


    I nodded to myself, already piecing together the few scraps of information we had.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I said. ¡°You¡¯re with her now?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯ll stay here for a while.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but we need to report this. Her parents, the City Protectors¡ªthey need to know.¡± I suggested.


    ¡°I agree,¡± He said. "I''ll that right away."


    "Remember to file a immediate watchlist request."


    Though I had agreed to help Vesper, my plate was already so full that I couldn¡¯t commit my full attention to unraveling the mystery of who was targeting her and why. My focus was stretched thin, and adding another crisis to the mix felt like trying to juggle knives while blindfolded. Still, I understood her hesitation to trust the City Protectors or the police. In cases like this, they were slow-moving and bureaucratic. If they didn¡¯t deem her important enough¡ªor worse, didn¡¯t take her seriously¡ªshe¡¯d be left vulnerable. And even if they did send someone, by the time they dispatched the so-called ¡°big heroes,¡± it might already be too late.


    I sighed internally. A kidnapping attempt like this wasn¡¯t something to ignore. And with proper evidence, it would undoubtedly put her on a safety watchlist of metahumans whose meta nature could be exploited for greater harm; it all meant that she¡¯d be monitored. Someone from the City Protectors would likely be keeping a secret eye on her from now on, even if she didn¡¯t know it. That was both a blessing in disguise. A watchlist meant protection¡ªsometimes effective. And the kidnapper might think twice before taking action. But it also was a curse, as the next time kidnappers took action, they''d be sufficiently prepared to deal with others trying to protect her.


    I leaned against the cold surface of the nearby pillar, letting out a quiet breath as I processed the call.


    My mind was already mapping out what little I could do: offer her the support she needed without losing sight of the bigger picture.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    After what felt like a two hours of combing through Union Station, we all finally reconvened near the central hall. One by one, the duos arrived, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and frustration.


    ¡°Anything?¡± I asked seriously.


    Vinico shrugged, leaning against a nearby pillar. ¡°Nada. We searched every corner of the older wing. Louvel even tried sweet-talking a janitor to let us into a basement locked maintenance room, but it was just a supply closet. Nothing even remotely suspicious.¡±


    Temple and Placid appeared next, their faces similarly grim. ¡°We checked the lower platforms,¡± Temple said, her tone clipped. ¡°Placid found some old, unused storage units, but they were just that¡ªstorage. Nothing on underground tracks, nothing hidden.¡±


    Jade and I exchanged a glance. ¡°Same here,¡± I admitted. ¡°It¡¯s like this place is too public for anything shady. There¡¯s too much foot traffic, too many eyes. If there¡¯s something going on here, it¡¯s buried too deep for us to find in one night.¡±


    Louvel let out a low whistle, running a hand through his hair. ¡°So, what¡¯s next? That was stop number three, wasn¡¯t it?¡±


    I nodded, pulling out Henry¡¯s list and glancing at the final location. ¡°There¡¯s only one stop left. It¡¯s not abandoned, and it¡¯s not underground. It¡¯s¡­ a train museum.¡±


    ¡°A museum?¡± Vinico raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. ¡°That¡¯s not exactly subtle.¡±


    ¡°It was a station,¡± I clarified. ¡°Years ago. It got demolished and converted into a train museum. But now even the museum¡¯s abandoned. If someone wanted a spot for something like a secret auction, it¡¯d be perfect. Out of use, out of sight, and completely off the radar.¡±


    Placid thought carefully, ¡°It¡¯s got potential. Quiet, isolated, but not too obscure. If they wanted something inconspicuous but accessible, that¡¯d fit the bill.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± I said. ¡°It¡¯s not much, but it¡¯s the only lead we have left. If there¡¯s nothing there, we¡¯re out of options.¡±


    Vinico nodded, ¡°Then we¡¯d better get moving. If this really is the place, they might already be setting up. We don¡¯t have time to waste.¡±


    We all agreed in unison, and without another word, we headed for the exit.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    The so-called train museum wasn¡¯t much of a building at all.


    As we pulled up, the scene before us was actually a neglected park. Overgrown greenery sprawled across the area, vines creeping up the sides of what might have once been a ticket booth. Tall trees everywhere. The old tracks stretched out in uneven lines, cutting through patches of wild grass and bushes. A handful of old locomotives stood still on the tracks, their once-majestic frames now rusting under the weight of time.


    It felt abandoned, forgotten¡ªyet oddly well-maintained. The overgrowth was wild, but it hadn¡¯t completely consumed the area. It was as though someone had cared for it, but not enough to stop it from slipping into disrepair.


    ¡°This is supposed to be a museum?¡± Vinico asked, stepping out of the car and taking in the scene. ¡°Looks more like the set of a post-apocalyptic movie.¡±


    Placid tilted her head, scanning the area with a frown. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ not what I expected.¡±


    We first escaped from the security eyes and cameras at the door. Once inside, the group immediately split up, fanning out across the grounds to search for anything out of the ordinary.


    Louvel and Placid headed toward the rusting locomotives, while Temple and Vinico examined what remained of the central track layout. Jade and I moved along the outer edges, checking for hidden entrances or signs of recent activity.


    Soon an hour was wasted and we found nothing, and day completely turned into night. The sound of crunching gravel and rustling leaves was the only thing breaking the silence as we moved through the site. But there was nothing¡ªno signs of life, no clues, no indication that this place had been used for anything but collecting dust and decay. Eventually, we all ended up standing on the tracks near one of the larger locomotives, our expressions mirroring each other¡¯s confusion.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Louvel said, his voice tinged with frustration as he kicked a loose rock off the rails. ¡°No hidden doors, no underground passages. Just rust and weeds.¡±


    Temple ran a hand through her hair, her face etched with annoyance. ¡°This place doesn¡¯t feel like it¡¯s been used for anything in years. If there was something here, it¡¯s long gone.¡±


    Vinico squatted down near the track, running his fingers along the rusted metal. ¡°I don¡¯t get it. This was supposed to be the last lead. Did we miss something?¡±


    I let out a slow breath, my gaze sweeping over the site once more.


    ¡°There has to be something here,¡± I said finally, though my words lacked the confidence I wanted them to have. ¡°An auction like this isn¡¯t just set up anywhere. It has to be hidden, protected. Maybe we¡¯re looking in the wrong places.¡±


    Jade stepped onto one of the tracks, her silver eyes narrowing as she studied the area. ¡°Or maybe,¡± she said slowly, ¡°we need to stop thinking like this is a museum and start thinking like it¡¯s still a station.¡±


    Her words seeped into the cold air, and for a moment, none of us said anything. The confusion on our faces gave way to something else¡ªcuriosity, and a flicker of hope.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I said, stepping forward. ¡°Let¡¯s go over it again. If this was still a station, where would the secrets be hidden?¡±


    We all groaned in unison, our breath puffing out in clouds of frustration as we set off to search the area again.


    The open sky above was stunningly clear, the full moon shining down like a spotlight on the scene. While picturesque, the bitter cold made the task even more miserable. Our steps crunched against the frozen ground, the heavy blanket of snow making it difficult to move as we continued our search and walking all over again was nothing less than a torture.


    Jade trudged beside me, shivering visibly as she wrapped her arms around herself. ¡°It¡¯s so cold,¡± she complained, her voice carrying that faintly dramatic edge she used when she wanted attention.


    I took a quick glance at her. She was wearing an oversized dark brown wool coat, draped loosely over her body, its structured silhouette giving her an effortlessly chic appearance. Beneath the coat, a navy fleece zip-up jacket peeked through, layered over a white turtleneck sweater, creating a cozy yet sophisticated contrast. She paired the layers with a beige tweed skirt, against the flowing outer layers. Her black sheer tights highlighted her long legs, while black shearling leg warmers, secured with metal buckles and buttons, gave her an edgy, utilitarian feel.


    A textured beige faux-fur bucket hat framed her face, and she carried a small structured cream handbag, adding a polished touch. She looked very stylish and comfortable, though I wondered if it was enough to keep her warm for long outside.


    Her comment immediately made me roll my eyes, and I didn''t miss a beat. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t always try to dress like a runway model,¡± I said, my tone dripping with disapproval. ¡°You knew we¡¯d be outside for hours, and yet, here you are...dressed like next runway model of the year. Brilliant planning.¡± I gave her a pointed look. ¡°You should wear something warm on these legs or atleast pants, not fancy tights.¡±


    She shot me a glare, her cheeks puffing slightly in mock indignation. ¡°Thank you very much for your helpful advice, my not-so-caring boyfriend,¡± she said, her tone heavy with mockery. ¡°This is exactly the kind of loving support I expected. How am I supposed to love myself when he doesn¡¯t even care if I freeze to death?¡±


    I huffed, tugging at my scarf.


    "You''re welcome."


    Before she could escalate her guilt-tripping, I swiftly unwound my scarf from my neck and wrapped it around hers¡ªdeliberately pulling it a little tighter than necessary.


    ¡°There. Happy now?¡±


    But¡ªbecause this was Jade¡ªshe wasn¡¯t about to let me have a single moment of peace. Her hands flew up to her throat, clutching the scarf dramatically.


    ¡°Oh no!¡± she mock-gasped, stumbling slightly. ¡°I¡¯m being attacked! Somebody help me!¡±


    I groaned, completely unmoved. "Jade."


    She pretended to choke, her voice raspy, her body swayed left to right. ¡°Tell my family¡­ I loved them¡­¡±


    ¡°You literally just said you don¡¯t have family you care about.¡±


    She gasped again, pressing a hand to her forehead. ¡°Then tell my enemies¡­ I never forgave them.¡±


    I let out a long, suffering sigh, then¡ªwithout warning¡ªgrabbed her wrist and started dragging her toward the nearest train.


    ¡°Unbelievable.¡±


    Jade stumbled after me, still playing along, though I could feel her laughing under her breath.


    ¡°Wowww, so violent, so aggressive. I likeee IT.¡±


    ¡°Stop whining.¡±


    She grinned, adjusting the scarf around her neck before leaning in slightly, her voice quieter now, warmer.


    ¡°¡­It smells like you.¡±


    I paused for half a second, caught off guard by how softly she said it.


    The train compartment was empty, its old frame creaking faintly as we stepped inside. The chill still seeped through the rusted walls, but it was better than being out in the open. Jade turned to say something else, but before she could, I leaned in and kissed her. Her eyes widened in surprise, her face quickly turning a shade of red that could rival the sunset. For a moment, she was completely still, caught off guard. When I finally pulled back, her hand instinctively went to her scarf, her lips still slightly parted.


    ¡°Better now?¡± I asked.


    Her cheeks burned even brighter. She blinked up at me, her lips parting slightly as she seemed to process what had just happened. Her hand went to the scarf, as if trying to hide behind it, and she stammered, ¡°I¡ªI mean, it¡¯s warmer, but¡­¡± She trailed off, looking everywhere but at me.


    But then, something shifted. I think she realized something¡ªthat this wasn¡¯t new to us, that we weren¡¯t exactly strangers to these moments. Her shyness seemed to evaporate. Instead, before I could process what was happening, Jade lunged toward me, her movements sudden and fierce. I stumbled slightly as my back hit the cold metal wall of the train, the floor beneath us groaning faintly under our weight. The confined space seemed to amplify every sound¡ªthe sharp intake of her breath, the faint rustle of her coat, and the creak of the old train¡¯s frame.


    My hands instinctively rose to cup her cheeks, the warmth of her skin a stark contrast to the icy air outside. Her breathing quickened, and so did mine.


    The train creaked faintly, the metal groaning under its own age. Then, without warning, Jade pushed me back, forcing me onto one of the old, dusty seats. Before I could protest, she climbed onto my lap, settling herself comfortably like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Hey," I complained with wide eyes, "It''s cold."


    Jade hummed in mock thoughtfulness, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Mmm. Yes."


    She was completely self-indulgent, taking what she wanted, using me like her own personal space heater.


    ...


    ¡­


    ¡­


    *cough, cough*


    A loud cough followed by a sharp knock on the rusty train door ripped us back to reality.


    Jade froze mid-kiss, her lips still just barely touching mine. I blinked. She blinked. We both snapped our heads toward the door like a couple of teenagers caught sneaking out past curfew.


    "Oh my god."


    Jade''s voice was barely above a whisper, but the sheer horror in it was deafening. We turned in unison¡ªlike guilty criminals¡ªto see Placid standing at the doorway, arms crossed, eyebrow arched in the most judgmental way possible.


    Jade scrambled off my lap, her cheeks flushed a brilliant red, while I frantically adjusted my jacket, trying to look like I hadn¡¯t just been caught mid-makeout. But, the ruined red lip gloss on her lips and the faint yet visible glistening marks of it on my face; Not to mention her soft swollen lips, Yeah. There was no hiding this.


    "Placid¡ª"


    She held up a hand, stopping me. ¡°No. I don''t want to hear it. I walked in. I witnessed." A faint grimace pulling at her lips.


    She didn¡¯t say more at first¡ªjust let out a long, suffering groan as she stepped inside, clearly trying to act like she hadn¡¯t just walked in on us. Then, in the most deadpan voice imaginable, she said, ¡°Good job. We toil away in the cold, and you two seem to be in heat. You even have time to secretly make out.¡±


    "Sorry," my eyes pleaded for her to keep her mouth shut, but she wasn''t built with stop button.


    ¡°No, no. Don¡¯t even try to defend yourselves. I saw it personally. Why? Why? Why?¡± She rubbed her eyes, as if the mere memory was causing her physical pain. "Ugh! I literally heard a gasp before I knocked.¡±


    Her gaze flicked to Jade, but only for half a second¡ª


    Like something about her made Placid¡¯s survival instincts scream at her not to make direct eye contact. Jade, for her part, refused to look up. She was aggressively adjusting her scarf, fingers twitching slightly, as if she could somehow hide in it forever. Placid, a little scared but collected her composure quickly, waving the instinct as a glitch, turned to me instead.


    "You know," she drawled, voice dripping with sarcasm, "if you two are going to¡­ whatever this was, maybe book a room next time? Instead of, letting us do all the work?"


    I cleared my throat, forcing my face into a semblance of composure. ¡°Noted,¡± I said, trying to keep my tone neutral and professional.


    Placid smirked knowingly, clearly enjoying our embarrassment, but her next sentence concluded the short episode, ¡°Anyway, now that you''ve had your little... moment...Temple found something. Deeper in the park.¡±


    The words instantly shifted the atmosphere. I stood, adjusting my jacket and shaking off the lingering awkwardness. ¡°What kind of clue?¡±


    Placid gestured for us to follow. ¡°I¡¯m not sure what exactly it means,¡± she said, her tone contemplative, ¡°but Temple found something odd about one of the train tracks. It¡¯s not rusty like the others.¡±


    Meanwhile, Jade fully regained her composure and stood straighter, her earlier embarrassment erased entirely. I nodded, signaling for Placid to lead the way. She exchanged a glance with me, her expression cool. When Placid looked away, she quickly swiped at my face, trying to erase the evidence.


    As we followed her through the overgrown park, I couldn¡¯t help but take in our surroundings in more detail.


    The wild grass tangled with thick vines and shrubs, and the skeletal remains of trees cast long, eerie shadows under the moonlight. Our step crunched against the undergrowth, and I had to fight the urge to curse the entire situation. Searching for clues in the middle of this chaotic wilderness under moonlight and flashlights felt, frankly, idiotic. It wasn¡¯t just inefficient; it was exhausting. The uneven terrain, the biting cold, and the dense weed and snow all made it incredibly easy to miss details that might have been glaringly obvious in daylight. Yet somehow, Temple had managed to spot something as subtle as a single train track that wasn¡¯t rusty. The thought gave me pause. I¡¯d completely overlooked the tracks while focused on the locomotives and surrounding structures.


    Finally, we emerged from the dense undergrowth into a small clearing. The jungle of weeds and trees parted, revealing an isolated train track stretching into the distance. Unlike the others we¡¯d seen, this track gleamed faintly under the moonlight, its surface was smooth and clean as if well maintained.


    The rest of the group was already gathered around the track, their flashlights creating an overlapping web of light as they made their observations. Louvel stood with his hands on his hips, squinting at the gleaming metal, while Temple knelt by the track, tracing her fingers along its edge. Vinico leaned casually against a tree


    ¡°What do we have?¡± I asked, stepping closer to Temple.


    ¡°This,¡± he said, gesturing to the track. ¡°It¡¯s the only one like it in the whole park. No rust, no wear¡ªit¡¯s like it was regularly used. Doesn¡¯t fit with the rest of the area at all.¡±


    I bent down, running my fingers along the smooth surface of the track. There was no doubt in my mind¡ªit was in active use.


    But as I straightened up, my eyes scanned the area again. There wasn¡¯t a single train compartment in sight, nothing that could have caused the tracks to remain so pristine. That left only one possibility: someone or something was actively using these tracks, and there had to be a working train or compartment nearby. Whoever was using this wouldn¡¯t be hauling train compartments around on their shoulders.


    ¡°Has anyone seen any train compartments on these tracks?¡± I asked, brushing my hands off against a tissue paper.


    Everyone shook their heads. Louvel spoke up, his tone matter-of-fact. ¡°We haven¡¯t gone to check yet.¡±


    I glanced at Vinico, and without needing further instruction, he nodded.


    His body immediately split into dozens of clones, each sprinting off in different directions to follow the tracks. Watching him in motion was always amusing; his clones moved with a level of efficiency that belied the lazy exterior of the original.


    Placid, standing nearby, crossed her arms and stared after the fleeing clones. ¡°Does this have anything to do with the underground auction we¡¯re looking for?¡± she asked, her gaze flicking back to me. ¡°Because I don¡¯t see any underground structures around here.¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°It doesn¡¯t have to be underground. Think about it¡ªif there¡¯s a train, people could board it here and travel to the auction¡¯s actual location. It would be the perfect way to keep things hidden.¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be more conspicuous?¡± Vinico¡¯s voice came from a nearby clone, who was peeking at me from behind a tree.


    I shrugged. ¡°Maybe. But how am I supposed to know all the details? We¡¯re in the dark just like they want us to be.¡±


    Vinico¡¯s clones continued their search as I turned back to him. ¡°Any signs of a train yet?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Nothing so far,¡± one of his clones called back, the voice echoing slightly as the others nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Exactly,¡± I said with a dry chuckle. ¡°Maybe they have ways of cloaking the train compartment entirely.¡±


    Placid frowned, her brow furrowing. ¡°Cloaking it? How? Meta nature?¡±


    I rubbed my chin, pondering aloud. ¡°It¡¯d have to be more than that. No meta nature I¡¯ve heard of could make something invisible for this long without consequences. Even if it were possible, the people using the train would need to see it to board¡ªand once inside, they¡¯d still be visible. No, this feels like something else entirely.¡±


    Jade stepped forward, her silver eyes narrowing as she listened. ¡°A magician, then?¡± she asked thoughtfully.


    I nodded slowly. ¡°This has to be the work of someone with a meta nature tied to magic or Unique Hive powers. A spell, maybe¡ªone that makes the train compartment invisible to everyone except those it¡¯s intended for. That way, it¡¯s hidden but functional. The passengers wouldn¡¯t even notice they were ¡®invisible.¡¯ To them, everything would seem normal.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± I said finally, my voice firm. ¡°We keep searching. If this train exists, it¡¯s our best lead yet. And if it¡¯s hidden by magic, we¡¯ll figure out how to break through the cloak.¡±


    Louvel nodded, his expression resolute. ¡°Then let¡¯s find it.¡±


    As the others brainstormed, I glanced back at Jade and took an inconspicuous step closer to her. She was, without a doubt, the smartest person in our group. Her mind worked in ways I couldn¡¯t fully grasp, and it was always a relief to have her on my side.


    ¡°Do you have any idea?¡±


    Jade¡¯s looked serious, and to my surprise¡ªshe nodded. That quiet confidence sent a ripple of reassurance through me. Of course, she already knew something.


    ¡°What should we do, then?¡± I asked, watching as she stared intently at the tracks, her lips pursed in thought.


    She crouched down, her delicate fingers brushing against the smooth metal of the track. Something shifted in her expression¡ªa flicker of realization. She turned her head slightly, glancing over her shoulder before standing up slowly. I noticed her fingers were now coated in black grime from the track. Her expression soured instantly. Ah. Here we go. Jade glanced at her hands, then at her perfectly tailored coat, and I already knew what was coming. She tilted her head toward me expectantly. I sighed dramatically, shaking my head like I was suffering a great injustice.


    ¡°Yes, m¡¯lady,¡± I muttered, fishing a crumpled tissue from my pocket.


    She held out her hand regally, and without a word, I gently wiped the grime off her fingers. Jade beamed, satisfied, while I¡ªunfortunately¡ªrealized I had just enabled her.


    Before I could even comment on it, she finally spoke. ¡°There is indeed a small train nearby,¡± she said, her voice carrying through the group, grabbing everyone¡¯s attention instantly.


    Even Vinico¡¯s clones stopped their frantic searching to look in her direction. ¡°It¡¯s cloaked¡ªvery well cloaked.¡±


    Placid¡¯s brows furrowed, ¡°How did you confirm that?¡± she asked.


    Jade didn¡¯t answer directly. Instead, she tilted her chin slightly and gestured to her left. ¡°About three kilometers in that direction,¡± she said, her voice certain.


    The rest of us turned to look where she pointed, a stretch of overgrown jungle-like terrain barely visible under the moonlight. Without hesitation, we set off, moving as quickly as the uneven ground would allow. The train museum park was massive, spanning several kilometers, and if we had to cover that distance on foot, we¡¯d be there all night.


    Luckily, Placid stepped in. ¡°I¡¯ll teleport us,¡± she offered. We all agreed.


    Her meta nature, as efficient as it was, came with clear limitations. She stored energy from whatever she ate, using it to fuel her teleportation ability. Internally, it acted like a spring¡ªshe had to ¡°wind up¡± the energy through consumption, and once released, the strain of each jump depended on how far and how many people she carried. With each jump, I could see her energy depleting. The strain was visible in the tightness around her eyes and the tension in her shoulders. She teleported us in pairs, rapidly transporting us closer to the location Jade had pointed out.


    By the time we reached the area, it had taken nearly two minutes¡ªa lot less of the time it would have on foot, but still grueling for Placid.


    Once at the locatio, she leaned against a nearby tree, her energy visibly drained. She took out a chocolate bar from her pocket and chewed on it.


    ¡°You okay?¡± Temple asked, stepping closer to her.


    She waved her off, taking a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she said, though her tone betrayed her exhaustion. ¡°Let¡¯s finding that train.¡±

 Act 2.44 (Chrysalis)

    Cloaked In Magic


    We regrouped quickly, scanning the area. Jade¡¯s pinpointed direction had brought us to a deeper jungle within the park museum, and though the ground was blanketed perfectly with the white snow, the iron tracks shone clear under the moonlight.


    ¡°There,¡± Jade said, pointing toward a seemingly empty stretch of track.


    I followed her finger and squinted hard as I tried to see what she was seeing.


    But no matter how hard I looked, all I could see was a faint shimmer of moonlight on untouched snow.


    Then it clicked. Unlike me or the others, Jade didn¡¯t see the world through normal eyes. To her, it was like viewing reality as a tree splitting into countless branches, each representing a different possibility. Maybe in her sight, the train tracks existed across multiple probabilities, and in one of those possibilities, the invisible train compartment became visible¡ªperhaps due to a specific condition or factor.


    It made sense. Her meta nature wasn¡¯t just about shifting odds; it was about perceiving and navigating those odds with precision.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see anything,¡± Louvel muttered, squinting at the spot Jade had pointed to.


    Jade shrugged, her expression a perfect blend of superiority and mild exasperation, as if silently declaring us all idiots.


    Without a word, she bent down, scooped up a handful of fresh snow, and began compacting it into a snowball.


    ¡°What are you¡ª¡± Vinico started, but Jade didn¡¯t wait. With all her strength, she hurled the snowball toward the seemingly empty space.


    We all froze as the snowball smacked into an invisible barrier mid-air, exploding into a flurry of white powder. My jaw tightened as the faint shimmer of the barrier rippled outward for just a second before disappearing again.


    ¡°There¡¯s something there,¡± I said, my voice steady but laced with excitement.


    The group didn¡¯t need further encouragement. We dashed toward the spot, the fresh snow crunching beneath our boots. As we closed the distance, it became clear just how well-hidden the area was. Tucked away in a remote corner of the park, surrounded by thick, overgrown trees and shrubs, the space was almost completely out of sight from anyone else.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think anyone would come out here,¡± Temple said, his voice low as we gathered near the invisible barrier. ¡°Even if they did, the security at the park entrance would keep them out. This place is practically a fortress of privacy.¡±


    ¡°And yet here we are,¡± Louvel said with a grin, though his eyes were sharp as he scanned the area.


    I stepped closer to where the snowball had hit, crouching down to inspect the ground. My fingers brushed against the faint shimmer of the barrier¡ªit wasn¡¯t just invisible, but tangible, like glass. ¡°It¡¯s definitely cloaked,¡± I muttered.


    I turned to Vinico, my eyes narrowing with focus. ¡°Can you find the door to get inside?¡±


    He grinned, his confidence unwavering. ¡°On it,¡± he replied, already beginning to split into dozens of clones.


    The duplicates swarmed the invisible train compartment, their hands knocking, pulling, and feeling along every inch of the surface. They moved with practiced efficiency, mapping out the unseen structure like ants exploring their surroundings.


    As the Vinico clones worked, Temple tilted his head thoughtfully. ¡°Do you think they might¡¯ve been smart enough to lock the door? What if we need a key to get in?¡±


    ¡°Good suggestion,¡± I said with a nod. Then an idea struck me. ¡°Hold on.¡±


    Before anyone could stop me, I let my body shift into its intangible state.


    The sensation was strange, as always¡ªa fleeting moment where I felt lighter, like I was less tethered to the physical world. I stepped forward, and sure enough, I passed through the cloaking spell with ease. The spell was clever, but it wasn¡¯t designed to block entry. Its purpose was to hide, not to protect.


    From the outside, I could hear the muffled gasps of the group as I disappeared from sight. Inside, the view was completely different. The cloaking spell peeled away like a veil, revealing a single train compartment. It wasn¡¯t grand or overly ornate¡ªjust an old-style subway car, the kind you¡¯d expect to see decades ago. The interior was dusty but functional, its worn leather seats and slightly faded metal rails reminiscent of a bygone era.


    As I took a few steps further in, the compartment''s automatic lights flickered to life. The space was narrow but surprisingly clean, and at the far end, the automatic door slid open with a faint whoosh. To my surprise, as the door opened, the cloaking spell fell away completely, revealing the train car to everyone outside.


    I grinned, stepping forward and leaning casually against the now-visible doorway. ¡°Get in, everybody,¡± I called, my tone light but triumphant.


    The group stared at the now-visible train compartment for a moment before hurrying over. Placid was the first to step inside, her sharp eyes scanning every detail. ¡°You could¡¯ve told us you were going to pull a stunt like that,¡± she muttered, though her tone lacked heat.


    ¡°I figured it was easier to ask for forgiveness than permission,¡± I replied with a smirk.


    Vinico followed, his clones dissolving around him as he stepped into the car. ¡°Alright, Jade is officially the coolest person I know,¡± he said, clearly impressed. ¡°This thing is legit.¡±


    The rest of the group piled in, each taking in the old train compartment with expressions ranging from relief to curiosity.


    Jade stepped in last, her silver eyes meeting mine with a small, approving smile.


    ¡°Thanks¡± I said.


    ¡°Well,¡± Louvel said, brushing his hands off the main driver seat. ¡°Looks like we figured out the first part. Now let¡¯s see where this thing leads.¡±


    Everyone gathered near the driver¡¯s seat, crammed together, all staring at the intimidating mess of dials, switches, and buttons. Nobody seemed to have a clue how to make the train move, but that didn¡¯t stop Louvel from reaching out and pressing a button at random.


    ¡°Don¡¯t just poke things!¡± Placid hissed, smacking his hand away.


    Louvel huffed, rubbing his wrist. ¡°Well, someone has to do it.¡± He shrugged and stepped back like he had zero regrets.


    Jade leaned in closer, squinting at the controls. ¡°It can¡¯t be that complicated. It¡¯s just a train.¡±


    Vinico snorted. ¡°Just a train,¡± he echoed sarcastically. ¡°Sure, because ancient cloaked train compartments are totally standard issue.¡±


    Despite the bickering, the train suddenly jerked forward. Everyone stumbled slightly, gripping onto the nearest surface as the compartment lurched into motion. The automatic doors slid shut, and with a faint shimmer, the cloaking spell reactivated, rendering the train invisible from the outside.


    We all stared at each other, startled. Then, slowly, all eyes turned to Louvel. Louvel, who looked far too pleased with himself.


    He dusted off his hands like a job well done. ¡°See? Told you.¡±


    Placid pinched the bridge of her nose. ¡°I swear to god¡ª¡±


    Temple crossed her arms. ¡°You have no idea what you just did, do you?¡±


    Louvel grinned. ¡°Not even a little bit.¡±


    Vinico sighed, already rubbing his temples. ¡°Fantastic. We¡¯re being driven into the unknown by the guy who presses random buttons.¡±


    I, meanwhile, was still gripping onto the control panel for balance. ¡°¡­Does anyone know how to stop it?¡±


    As the single compartment train rolled forward, we watched the overgrown jungle blur past, the old tracks creaking faintly under the strain. The track extended further than I¡¯d expected, winding through thick clusters of trees and dense brush. After five minutes, the landscape shifted. We approached the entrance of an old tunnel, its arched opening framed by crumbling stone and half-consumed by vines.


    The train plunged into the darkness, red and green lights flickering to life along the interior walls of the tunnel. They illuminated the space in intermittent flashes, giving everything an eerie, strobe-like quality. The air grew damp, the tunnel¡¯s musty scent creeping into the compartment.


    After another three minutes of steady movement, the train began to slow. A low screech echoed through the compartment as it came to a halt beside an underground channel of fresh water. The faint sound of running water filled the air, mingling with the hum of the train¡¯s engine.


    ¡°Leave a few clones behind,¡± I said to Vinico as the group began stepping out cautiously. ¡°In case this thing starts moving back on its own. If it¡¯s programmed to shuttle passengers back and forth, we¡¯ll need to know.¡±


    ¡°Got it,¡± Vinico replied, splitting off a handful of clones who stationed themselves inside the train. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    The rest of us stepped out into the underground chamber.


    The rest of us stepped out into the underground chamber.


    The sight before us was like something out of a villain¡¯s lair¡ªstraight from a comic book or spy movie. Though we were underground, the space was immaculate in its own way. The floor and walls, made of dark stone, had turned black from years of moisture and age. Everything was slick with humidity, the floor slightly slippery under our boots. The air was thick and warm, the sound of dripping water echoing faintly around us.


    ¡°Creepy,¡± Placid muttered, glancing around. ¡°But clean. Too clean.¡±


    Vinico nodded in agreement, wiping a thin sheen of moisture off his arms. ¡°Yeah, this is giving me rich-people-evil-hideout vibes.¡±


    Louvel ran a hand along the slick wall, pulling it back with a grimace. ¡°I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s not a spa retreat, though.¡±


    Jade stepped forward, ¡°No signs of immediate danger.¡±


    She paused, tilting her head slightly as if listening for something beneath the steady hum of water.


    ¡°¡­Yet.¡±


    I, myself, scanned the Likeness of the place. The colors were neutral. Unsettlingly neutral. Not too dangerous, not safe either.


    Vinico nudged Louvel. ¡°So, what do you think? Secret evil hideout? High-stakes auction site? Underground karaoke club?¡±


    As we moved deeper into the underground lair, a nagging feeling settled in the back of my mind. Something about this setup felt off. The train compartment couldn¡¯t possibly be the only way to access this place. I glanced at the underground water channel, its calm surface catching the dim light, glistening like black glass.


    Boats.


    They could easily use boats.


    If the channel led somewhere outside the city, this place wasn¡¯t just a hidden room¡ªit was an entire network of movement.


    I nudged Jade, my voice low but certain. ¡°That waterway¡ªit¡¯s not just for show, is it?¡±


    She followed my gaze thoughtfully. ¡°No chance. If they have an escape route, it¡¯s probably connected to another underground passage. Maybe even a port.¡±


    Vinico, overhearing, whistled lowly. ¡°Damn. So we might be standing on top of an entire secret transit system?¡±


    Louvel crouched near the edge of the platform, dipping his fingers into the water before shaking them off. ¡°It¡¯s clean. That means it¡¯s flowing from somewhere. Which means¡­¡±


    Placid sighed. ¡°Which means there¡¯s another way in and out. Great.¡±


    That wasn¡¯t even the strangest part. I turned my focus back to the room itself. No cameras. No motion sensors. No guards patrolling the halls. Nothing. It was eerily silent, as if the people who operated here relied solely on secrecy, rather than traditional security.


    Jade frowned, scanning the area. ¡°No defenses. That¡¯s weird, right?¡±


    I nodded. ¡°Yeah. Too weird. Either they don¡¯t expect intruders, or¡­ they have a way to make them disappear before anyone can sound an alarm.¡±


    But it worked in our favor. Without guards or cameras, we didn¡¯t have to worry about raising alarms or alerting anyone to our presence. Still, the absence of any form of security gave the place an eerie, almost unnerving feel, as though it was entirely self-assured in its secrecy.


    We pressed on together, each of us scanning the space carefully.


    Meanwhile, Vinico¡¯s clones moved like a well-oiled machine, their synchronized steps silent but effective. They darted through hallways, peered into rooms, and mapped every inch of the hidden estate, feeding him real-time updates.


    ¡°Three rooms down, clear.¡± One of his clones murmured.


    ¡°Second floor hallway¡ªfive doors, all locked.¡± Another relayed.


    Vinico nodded to himself, hands on his hips. ¡°See? Who needs a security system when you have me?¡±


    Jade side-eyed him. ¡°If you compliment yourself one more time, I¡¯m locking you in a closet.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not fair,¡± Vinico complained.


    The interior of the underground site was nothing like the damp, stone tunnels we had entered through. It was pure, unapologetic luxury. An underground mansion. A hidden empire. We moved through the corridors, each step revealing more evidence that this wasn¡¯t just a hideout¡ªit was a world of its own.


    Every modern convenience you could think of had been installed. There were state-of-the-art ventilation systems, climate control, and even subtle, automatic lighting that adjusted depending on the movement in the halls. This wasn¡¯t just built for survival¡ªit was built for comfort. For indulgence.


    Louvel ran his fingers along an ornate gold-trimmed door, ¡°They spared no expense.¡±


    Temple let out a low whistle as we passed a room with floor-to-ceiling mirrors, a fully stocked bar, and imported leather furniture. ¡°This isn¡¯t just a hideout,¡± she muttered. ¡°This is a playground for people with money. Lots of it.¡±


    Vinico popped his head into a private dining area, whistling. ¡°Damn. Full buffet setup. This place is better stocked than my fridge.¡±


    Placid snorted. ¡°That¡¯s not saying much.¡±


    Louvel, peering through a door leading to a spa-like sauna, crossed his arms. ¡°No guards. No cameras. But all this?¡±


    He turned to look at us, expression sharp. ¡°Whoever runs this place¡­ they don¡¯t just have money. They have power.¡±


    Temple exhaled, tapping her fingers against her arm. ¡°Enough power to feel safe without needing physical security. That¡¯s not just confidence¡ªthat¡¯s absolute control.¡±


    Finally, we reached the heart of the lair¡ªa massive hall. The space opened up into a grand circular room, its ceiling vaulted high above us. Fancy round tables with plush chairs were arranged neatly around the hall, their polished surfaces gleaming under the light of glittering chandeliers. The air here felt different, heavier, as though the room itself held the weight of a thousand secrets.


    We paused at the entrance, each of us taking in the grandeur of the space. ¡°What do you think this room is for?¡± Louvel asked, his voice echoing slightly in the expansive hall.


    Jade stepped forward, her silver eyes narrowing as she inspected the setup. ¡°It¡¯s a multipurpose room,¡± she said. ¡°Could be for dining, parties, or¡ª¡±


    ¡°An auction,¡± Temple interrupted, finishing her thought. He pointed toward the slight incline at the far end of the hall, where a small stage sat elevated above the rest of the room. It was empty now, but its purpose seemed clear.


    ¡°It¡¯s all too well-prepared,¡± I said, ¡°The chairs, the tables, the chandeliers¡ªit¡¯s meant for gatherings. And the stage... this isn¡¯t just for eating or partying. It¡¯s where deals are made. Big ones.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± I said finally, breaking the silence. ¡°Let¡¯s spread out and search the hall for anything useful. Clues, records, anything. If this really is an auction site, there has to be some evidence left behind.¡±


    We spent the next few minutes scouring the hall, turning over chairs, inspecting tables, and examining the stage for any trace of evidence. But it was as though the place had been wiped clean. Not a single document, marking, or item of interest remained¡ªwhoever maintained this place had done an impeccable job of ensuring no loose ends were left behind. As I sifted through the pristine room, Gina¡¯s words replayed in my mind. She had been confident about her prediction: the auction was set to open on Saturday. Her ability to see fragments of the past through objects¡¯ memories wasn¡¯t something I¡¯d ever doubted before, and it gave us a solid timeline. But tonight, it was obvious¡ªthere was nothing for us to uncover. The stage was set, but the actors hadn¡¯t arrived yet.


    Eventually, we gathered back at the train compartment, our objective for the night completed.


    I let out a sigh of relief as I leaned against the compartment door, but a small knot of apprehension lingered in the back of my mind. Something about what was to come tomorrow gnawed at me, an unshakable sense of unease that I couldn¡¯t quite name.


    It wasn¡¯t like me to feel this way. Fear wasn¡¯t an emotion I often entertained, but this¡­ this was different.


    What¡¯s wrong with me? I thought, shaking my head to clear it. I shouldn¡¯t feel like this.


    The train compartment shuddered as it began to move, carrying us back along the same hidden tracks we had arrived on. The cloaking spell reactivated as the compartment slid through the dark tunnel, and before long, the faint glimmer of moonlight signaled our return to the surface. It eventually emerged back into the open air, and the fresh breeze hit me like a splash of cold water. The anxiety that had coiled around me underground loosened its grip, fading into the background. I took a deep breath, letting the cool air settle my nerves.


    ¡°I never realized I hated being underground so much,¡± I murmured to myself, though Jade, standing nearby, caught the remark and raised an eyebrow. ¡°What was that?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± I said quickly, waving it off. ¡°Just¡­ thinking.¡±


    The train came to a halt, and we stepped out one by one.


    The crisp night air was a welcome change, refreshing after the humid, claustrophobic atmosphere below.


    I didn¡¯t need to feel anxious. There weren¡¯t many things¡ªor heroes, for that matter¡ªthat could stop me from moving, leaving, or even being captured unless I wanted them to in this world.


    In a sense, I was kind of untouchable.


    Stepping outside the train compartment, we watched as it cloaked itself once again, fading from view like a ghost vanishing into thin air.I scanned the group, noting the way they talked and joked lightly about the place we had just explored. The earlier tension had loosened, but I knew it wouldn¡¯t last. This wasn¡¯t over.


    I cleared my throat, drawing their attention. ¡°Alright.¡±


    Louvel, Temple, and Placid all turned to face me, their expressions shifting into something more serious. They knew what was coming. They had been expecting this question.


    ¡°Which one of you is willing to take part in this mission tomorrow?¡±


    The three exchanged brief glances, and though there was silence, it wasn¡¯t awkward. They had clearly prepared their answers beforehand, each weighing their choices carefully.


    Louvel was the first to speak. ¡°I¡¯ll take part,¡± he said, shrugging casually. ¡°I¡¯m free, so why not? But if things get too dangerous¡ªlike, life-threatening dangerous¡ªI¡¯m out. I¡¯m not looking to die over this.¡± His honesty wasn¡¯t surprising, and frankly, it was understandable.


    Temple was next:


    ¡°I won¡¯t be able to join,¡± she admitted, her voice carrying a hint of regret. ¡°I¡¯ve got other commitments.¡±


    She didn¡¯t elaborate, but her tone made it clear this wasn¡¯t an easy decision for her. Louvel and Placid looked surprised by her answer.


    ¡°Other commitments?¡± Louvel asked, raising an eyebrow.


    Temple let out a soft sigh. ¡°I¡¯ll be leaving Earth on Monday,¡± she said finally. ¡°My family¡ªthe Patriarch¡ªhas already decided.¡±


    Louvel and Placid looked surprised by her answer. ¡°Other commitments?¡± Louvel asked, raising an eyebrow.


    The revelation hit Louvel and Placid hard, though I wasn¡¯t surprised. Temple had mentioned this to us before at the coffee cafe.


    Placid was the last to respond, and though she nodded her agreement, there was clear hesitation in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll take part,¡± she said, though her voice lacked conviction. I had a feeling she was already regretting her decision, but she was too proud¡ªor too loyal¡ªto back out.


    I sighed quietly, shaking my head. ¡°Hopefully, we won¡¯t have to fight tomorrow,¡± I said casually.


    The place will be crawling with powerful villains. Us attacking it head-on would be like trying to topple an elephant. We¡¯d only hurt ourselves. Still, there was no turning back now. I had already messaged the rest of the group about our findings, and we¡¯d be meeting soon to plan our next steps.


    I let out a slow breath, looking at the three of them¡ªLouvel, Temple, and Placid.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I said, my voice genuine. ¡°For everything tonight. You didn¡¯t have to come, but you did, and I appreciate it.¡±


    Placid grinned, stuffing her hands into her pockets. ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡±


    We moved quietly, unseen through the overgrown park, making our way toward the exit


    Once outside, Jade, Vinico, and I flagged down a cab.


    As we slid into the backseat, Vinico stretched, letting out a dramatic sigh. ¡°Alright, place your bets¡ªwhat kind of ¡®surprise¡¯ do you think Alex has waiting for us?¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s another one of his dumb pranks, I¡¯m leaving immediately.¡±


    ¡°You always say that. Yet, you never leave.¡±


    The cab took a turn, the city lights blurring past the window. Alex had sent the address earlier, calling everyone over. Whatever this surprise was¡ªit had better be worth it.

 Act 2.45 (Chrysalis)

    A handful of Fluff


    The sight of the towering hotel in front of us made me pause for a moment. Alex hadn¡¯t just called us to any old place¡ªhe¡¯d invited us to a penthouse.


    I let out a low whistle. ¡°Okay, Alex. I see you.¡±


    Jade raised a brow. ¡°Are we sure this is the right place? Maybe he texted the wrong group chat.¡±


    I chuckled as the realization hit me. Of course Alex was flexing his newfound wealth. Ever since we¡¯d split the lottery winnings, it seemed like he was going all in, flaunting his share with style.


    ¡°Looks like someone¡¯s been enjoying his payday,¡± I muttered, shaking my head as we approached the entrance.


    The doorman greeted us with a polite nod, holding the glass doors open as we stepped inside. And immediately, the space smelled expensive.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know Alex was into this kind of thing,¡± I whispered to Jade.


    ¡°Neither did I,¡± Jade replied, her voice laced with mild amusement. ¡°I thought he¡¯d be more¡­ low-key.¡±


    ¡°Where the hell did Alex get this kind of money?¡± Vinico spun in place, eyes scanning the opulence around us. ¡°This feels like a basketball star¡¯s midlife crisis meets ¡®rich guy¡¯ phase.¡±


    And honestly, that description fit Alex too well. He¡¯d always been the golden boy¡ªthe guy who could walk into any room and leave with ten new best friends. He had that effortless charm, the kind that made people want to like him. Confidence wrapped in an easygoing grin. Charismatic, annoyingly good-looking, and somehow always in the right place at the right time. You couldn¡¯t even resent him for it because¡ªwell, he was Alex. The guy who won every girl¡¯s attention without even trying. The kind of person you could count on, whether it was for a last-minute favor or an overpriced penthouse invitation.


    And speaking of overpriced¡ªthis place? Ridiculous.


    Soon, all six of us gathered in the sprawling living hall, sinking into chairs around a sleek glass table that probably cost more than Henry¡¯s new car. Maybe even my entire year¡¯s rent.


    Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the city, stretching out in an endless sea of lights. The outside view was so breathtaking it made me pause, holding my breath for a moment. The chaos and imperfections of life on the ground faded away from up here. You didn¡¯t see the good or bad, the struggle or strife; you saw the sheer magnitude of it all. The effort, the time, the ambition it took to bring a city to life and keep it moving.


    ¡°It¡¯s something, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Henry''s voice broke through my thoughts. He leaned casually against the arm of an unbelievably comfortable-looking white sofa, his trademark grin firmly in place.


    ¡°¡®Something¡¯ doesn¡¯t even cover it,¡± Vinico said, spinning lazily in one of the sleek swivel chairs near the glass wall. ¡°I feel like I just stepped into a billionaire¡¯s lair. If you tell me there¡¯s a secret vault somewhere, I won¡¯t even pretend to be surprised.¡±


    Gina stood by one of the windows, her arms crossed as she stared out at the view. ¡°It¡¯s impressive,¡± she admitted. ¡°But it¡¯s not like Alex is moving in here permanently. Right?¡± She shot him a questioning glance.


    Alex laughed, running a hand through his already-perfect hair. ¡°Relax, I¡¯m not going full Bond villain on you guys. This is just for the weekend. I figured, why not treat ourselves a little? We¡¯ve been working hard, haven¡¯t we?¡±


    Jade leaned into my side, tilting her head up at me. ¡°Do we work hard?¡±


    I tapped my chin thoughtfully. ¡°Well, you work hard at looking cute, and I work hard at making sure you stay happy.¡±


    Jade giggled, nudging me again. ¡°So silly. I like it.¡±


    Alex rolled his eyes. ¡°Alright, enough of you two being disgustingly adorable.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow. ¡°Jealous?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely not,¡± he shot back. ¡°I like my peace and quiet.¡±


    Gina snorted. ¡°Says the guy who literally invited six people to a penthouse just to show off.¡±


    Alex placed a hand over his chest, feigning offense. ¡°Wow. No faith in me at all.¡±


    Lore leaned back in her seat, studying him. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll bite. What¡¯s the real reason we¡¯re here? You didn¡¯t drag us to your luxury fortress just so we could sit here admiring the view.¡±


    The group exchanged glances, and for a moment, the usual banter fell quiet as we all took in the view once more. From this height, it was hard not to feel small¡ªbut in a way that made you marvel at the sheer scale of the world around you.


    His grin widened. ¡°You¡¯re right. I didn¡¯t.¡±


    Alex smirked, stepping away from the glass table, leaving us standing in the middle of the lavish living room. Without a word, he disappeared into an adjacent room. Moments later, he reappeared, dragging a massive, heavy box across the marble floor. The metallic scrape sent a wince through me, but the noise barely registered against the curiosity bubbling among us.


    All six of us zeroed in on the box like a pack of predators, watching it with suspicion. It wasn¡¯t just any box¡ªthis thing looked high-tech, sleek black with a mirrored green security panel embedded in the lid. Whatever was inside, Alex wasn¡¯t messing around.


    Gina shifted beside Henry. ¡°If a tiny alien jumps out of that thing, I¡¯m leaving.¡±


    He grinned. ¡°Nah, knowing Alex, it¡¯s probably gold bars or a cryogenically frozen celebrity.¡±


    ¡°Guess,¡± Alex said, stepping back with his arms crossed, his grin widening.


    Vinico leaned in slightly. ¡°I swear, if this is some weird rich-guy collector¡¯s item, I¡¯m going to be so disappointed.¡±


    But before any of us could voice our guesses, Alex leaned forward and pressed his thumb against the green security panel. There was a soft beep, followed by a faint hiss as the box unlocked. With a solid click, the lid popped open, and he stepped back to let us see the contents inside.


    I blinked, momentarily stunned, as the interior of the box was revealed. Inside was an assortment of weapons¡ªguns, blasters, knives, and swords, each one polished and gleaming as if brand new.


    The room fell into silence as we all stared at the cache, processing what we were seeing.


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Vinico was the first to break the silence, stepping forward to get a closer look. ¡°You brought us here to show off your arsenal?¡±


    Alex shrugged, his grin never faltering. ¡°Not just to show off. These are for tomorrow.¡±


    I frowned, crossing my arms as I shot Alex a questioning look. ¡°You¡¯re planning to go all out at the auction, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    He met my gaze, his usual smirk absent. ¡°If it comes to that, yeah. We can¡¯t afford to go in unprepared, North. You saw that place. If things go sideways, we need to be ready to fight our way out¡ªor through.¡±


    Vinico whistled low, picking up a blaster and examining it closely. ¡°These aren¡¯t cheap,¡± he muttered, turning it over in his hands. ¡°Where the hell did you get all this, Alex?¡±


    Alex waved the question away like it was unimportant. ¡°Connections.¡±


    Gina scoffed. ¡°That¡¯s vague and concerning.¡±


    Jade, who had been crouching beside the box, reached in and carefully wrapped her fingers around the hilt of a razor-edged sword. The blade was dark, almost obsidian, reflecting the liquid mercury of her eyes and mirroring its edge.


    ¡°I want the sword,¡± she said simply.


    Of course, you want the sword.


    I sighed under my breath and without hesitation, plucked it from her hands, shoving it back into the box. ¡°Nope.¡±


    Jade let out an exaggerated pout, crossing her arms like a kid who just had their favorite toy taken away. ¡°Excuse you?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not bringing a sword to an auction, Jade.¡±


    She leaned into me, tilting her head up dramatically. ¡°But what if I need to defend our honor?¡±


    I gave her a flat look. ¡°Defend our honor from who? The caterers?¡±


    Vinico snorted. ¡°Imagine Jade in an evening gown, heels, and a full-on sword strapped to her back.¡±


    Jade perked up at the mental image. ¡°Now that¡¯s a look. So cool.¡±


    Lore, who had been watching with mild amusement, rolled her eyes and leaned against the arm of the couch. ¡°Can we focus? Or are we just dressing up for medieval cosplay at this point?¡±


    I ignored the chaos and turned back to the rest of the group. They were all too caught up in the damn weapons. Vinico was still inspecting the blaster like he was thinking of naming it, Gina had a set of throwing knives fanned out in her hand, and even Lore¡ªwho claimed she wasn¡¯t interested¡ªlingered near the crate.


    They were all living in their own delusions of heroics. Too reckless. Too caught up in the moment.


    ¡°Alright, listen up,¡± I said, raising my voice just enough to cut through the scattered murmurs. I waved a hand at Vinico, signaling him to put the blaster back in the crate. He let out a dramatic sigh but complied.


    ¡°We are not crashing the auction tomorrow.¡±


    That got everyone¡¯s attention.


    Alex sat up straighter. ¡°Come again?¡±


    I crossed my arms. ¡°You heard me. We¡¯re not going in guns blazing like we¡¯re starring in some underground action thriller. We¡¯re keeping this low-key. No unnecessary risks. No weapons.¡±


    Gina arched an eyebrow, her arms still crossed. ¡°Then what¡¯s the plan?¡±


    I took a step closer to the table, my gaze sweeping over the group. ¡°The plan is not to storm in there like we¡¯re starring in some cheap action movie. We¡¯ll observe, gather intel, and figure out what¡¯s going on. But we¡¯re not picking fights. We¡¯re not drawing attention to ourselves. We don¡¯t have the numbers, the firepower, or the backup to go head-to-head with a room full of powerful supervillains.¡±


    Vinico scoffed, leaning back into the couch. ¡°So what, we¡¯re just gonna sit back and play spies? That doesn¡¯t exactly sound thrilling.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not about being thrilling,¡± I snapped, patience thinning. ¡°It¡¯s about not dying. You saw that place. It¡¯ll be crawling with people who probably have superpowers, mercenaries, or enough money to hire people with both. Walking in there guns blazing is a death sentence¡ªfor all of us.¡±


    Vinico raised a hand slightly, expression neutral but thoughtful. ¡°So¡­ recon only?¡±


    I nodded firmly. ¡°Exactly. We figure out what¡¯s happening, who¡¯s involved, and then we get out. We tail them, gather what we need, and catch them later¡ªsimple. There¡¯s no need to mess with half the city¡¯s supervillains all at once.¡±


    I glanced at Lore, hoping she¡¯d back me up. Her expression was calm, almost calculating, as if she¡¯d been turning over the plan in her mind before I even said it. Finally, she gave a small nod, crossing her arms.


    ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± Lore said, her voice steady and carrying the weight of experience. ¡°If we try to pull something reckless tomorrow, we¡¯ll be crushed before we even know what hit us. The villains at this auction? They aren¡¯t the street-level types we can just intimidate or outsmart on the fly. These are the big players. We need to play this smart.¡±


    Vinico scratched the back of his neck, still holding the blaster he¡¯d been eyeing earlier. ¡°Yeah, I guess that makes sense. I¡¯d rather not get roasted by some high-level pyro or something.¡±


    Gina leaned back, tossing one of the knives she¡¯d picked up into the air and catching it effortlessly. ¡°Fine, fine. Recon it is. But if things go south, don¡¯t expect me to sit there twiddling my thumbs.¡±


    I shot her a look. ¡°No one¡¯s asking you to twiddle anything. Just stick to the plan, and we¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Henry stood beside me, his eyes scanning the room before finally landing on me. ¡°Then it¡¯s settled. Recon, tailing, and no unnecessary risks. Let¡¯s keep it that way.¡±


    Much to my disappointment, the plan didn¡¯t dampen the group¡¯s excitement in the slightest. As soon as the seriousness of the conversation faded, they were back at the weapons box, diving into its contents like kids in a candy store. In their defense, the weapons were high-grade and absurdly expensive-looking, but it still gave me a headache to watch.


    Jade, unsurprisingly, pulled out two swords¡ªbecause one wasn¡¯t dramatic enough, apparently.


    She turned to me with a proud grin, holding them up for my inspection. ¡°What do you think?¡± she asked, giving one a little shake for emphasis.


    I clicked my tongue, feeling a headache brewing behind my eyes. ¡°Do you even know how to use those?¡± I asked, already knowing the answer.


    Jade giggled, a mischievous sparkle in her silver eyes. She shook her head unapologetically and started swinging them around, completely reckless in her movements. I flinched every time the blades came close to the others, half-expecting the sheaths to fly off and impale someone.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to know how,¡± she said cheerfully, spinning on her heel with the swords held wide like a child pretending to be a warrior. ¡°I¡¯ll just swing them wildly, and whoever¡¯s unlucky enough to be in the way will probably get cut.¡±


    I stared at her, utterly speechless. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ not how swords work.¡±


    Vinico, who had been casually inspecting a futuristic-looking blaster, snorted loudly. ¡°Jade, that¡¯s not a combat strategy.¡±


    Jade shrugged, completely unfazed. ¡°It¡¯s a valid approach.¡±


    Gina, now flipping a knife effortlessly between her fingers, raised an eyebrow. ¡°Yeah, if you¡¯re a maniac.¡±


    I sighed deeply, rubbing my temples. ¡°You¡¯re gonna accidentally decapitate one of us before we even get to the underground site.¡±


    Jade twirled both swords in her hands dramatically before striking a ridiculous pose. ¡°Not if you all stay out of my impressive attack radius.¡±


    Of course, she would think like that. Why bother learning technique or finesse when her meta nature could bend nature to her will? She could probably trip over her own feet and accidentally land the perfect strike. She could close her eyes, swing at random, and still somehow hit her target at the exact right moment. For anyone else, it would¡¯ve been insane. For her? Just another Tuesday.


    I sucked in a deep breath, pinching the bridge of my nose as I walked back to the sofas. ¡°Great logic,¡± I muttered under my breath, though I knew the sarcasm was wasted on her.


    Jade perked up, flipping one of the swords effortlessly before grinning at me. ¡°I know, right?¡±


    Henry leaned in from across. ¡°I don¡¯t think she got that you were being sarcastic.¡±


    ¡°Too smart for her own good.¡±


    I ignored her after that¡ªthere was no point in arguing with a brick wall. Besides, I knew exactly what she was doing. Acting extra. Pushing buttons. Trying to get a reaction out of me, to make me snap and handle her aggressively later. She had too many screws loose, rattling around in that head of hers. I wondered where she picked up these habits. Yesterday, she told me her school years were so brutally competitive that she barely spoke, keeping her thoughts locked away.


    As for these weapons, they weren''t really my thing anyway. Sure, the blasters in the box were tempting, but I already had my own if it came to that.


    As I sank into the plush cushions, the sound of Alex¡¯s voice broke through the chaos.


    ¡°Alright, you weapon-obsessed maniacs, let¡¯s take a break,¡± he called, grinning as he walked back into the room. ¡°Pizza¡¯s on the way. Three large ones. Beer¡¯s already in the fridge.¡±


    ¡°Pizza, beer and alcohol,¡± Henry sighed dramatically, tossing a knife back into the box like he was relinquishing a deep emotional attachment. ¡°Now we¡¯re talking. You¡¯re a decent host after all, Alex.¡±


    ¡°Only decent?¡± Alex shot back, grabbing a can of beer and cracking it open with a sharp hiss. ¡°I¡¯m phenomenal, and you know it.¡±


    ¡°Phenomenal is a stretch,¡± Lore quipped, still lazily flipping through her phone. ¡°You only just remembered to feed us.¡±


    Fifteen minutes later, the table was already a battlefield of open cans, pizza boxes, and Vinico still aggressively playing bartender for himself. He lifted his glass dramatically, eyeing his own mix like he had concocted a new elixir for the gods.


    ¡°You call this a party?¡± he challenged, grinning. ¡°Give me an hour, and I¡¯ll show you what a real party looks like.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t,¡± Gina muttered from her spot on the couch, her focus on her phone, but her tone sharp enough to slice through Vinico¡¯s excitement. ¡°The last time you said that, you ended up multiplying like bacteria while intoxicated, and we had to knock you out so the house didn¡¯t collapse.¡±


    The room erupted into laughter.


    Vinico, however, was not laughing. He ducked his head, his cheeks flushing red as he mumbled something incomprehensible.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t that bad,¡± he muttered defensively, though his voice lacked conviction.


    ¡°Not that bad?¡± Henry raised an eyebrow, grinning. ¡°Dude. You broke a coffee table and my favorite lamp. We had to explain to the landlord why half the furniture looked like it went through a blender.¡±


    ¡°It was artistic destruction,¡± Vinico tried, straightening up with a dignified air.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Lore said dryly, not even looking up from her phone. ¡°If ¡®artistic¡¯ means a headache and an emergency cleanup.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Henry gestured wildly. ¡°He literally fell off the couch twice, then tried to fight his own clone by the sliding glass door. I was baffled and horrified when his clones actually ganged up on him.¡±


    Vinico groaned, sinking into his chair. ¡°Okay, we don¡¯t have to relive my low moments.¡±


    As everybody bantered with each other, I saw Jade eying a bottle on the table with suspicion. It was strong, dark amber liquid sloshing inside a thick glass container with a label that practically screamed, Not for the Weak. Even from where I sat, I could smell the potency, the sharp sting in the air promising nothing good.


    But, she went as far even using her meta so none would notice her actions.


    I leaned back in his chair, watching her with amusement as she hesitated before pouring a small amount into her glass. The moment the scent hit her nose, she jerked her head back, gagging.


    I chuckled to myself. ¡°That bad already?¡±


    Though the way she held the glass away from her face said otherwise.


    She then cleared her throat and squared her shoulders. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± she lied to herself, gripping the glass like it had personally offended her.


    ¡°Sure it is,¡± I muttered to myself, resting my chin on my palm.


    She inhaled deeply, steeling herself, then tilted the glass back and took a bold, reckless gulp.


    The second the alcohol hit her tongue, her body jerked, her shoulders tightening, face twisting in pure betrayal. Her eyes widened in horror, her throat worked furiously to swallow, and her fingers clenched around the glass as if clinging to life itself. She shuddered violently, her face reddening as the burn clawed its way down. Her breath hitched, a soft cough escaping as she tried desperately to hold it together.


    I just sat there, watching the entire disaster unfold.


    She coughed, and then looked around, checking if nobody had seen her actions just now. I let out a laugh, unable to hold it back any longer. Her panicked grimace turned into embarrassment as she realized I had been staring at her the whole time.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that,¡± she muttered, wiping her mouth and turning away. But in her flustered escape attempt, she lost her balance and slipped off the couch.


    I barked out a louder laugh as she caught herself at the last second, sitting there on the floor, hands still gripping the glass like a wounded soldier.


    Her silver eyes snapped to mine, glowing with irritation. ¡°Shut up.¡±


    I grinned. ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re thinking it.¡±


    ...


    ¡°You okay down there?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    She pushed herself back up, still clearly struggling with the aftertaste, and shoved the glass far, far away from her. ¡°I don¡¯t get it,¡± she muttered, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. ¡°How do people drink that? It¡¯s like swallowing liquid punishment.¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°I thought you could handle it?¡±


    She glared at me, voice raw from the burn. ¡°That was before I knew it was satan¡¯s piss.¡±


    I smirked, watching her recover from the disaster of her life choices. ¡°Have you never had alcohol before?¡±


    ¡°Fourth,¡± she grumbled, then let out a defeated sigh, rubbing her forehead. ¡°Yeah. And it still makes me want to vomit.¡±


    I tilted my head, curiosity piqued. ¡°When was the first?¡±


    She hesitated. Her fingers tapped against the glass¡ªonce, twice, three times. Something in her posture shifted, just slightly, but I caught it. The slight stiffening of her shoulders, the way her gaze dropped, as if she was watching something play out in the reflection of the liquid.


    Then, finally, she spoke.


    ¡°I was fourteen.¡±


    I stopped smirking. She didn¡¯t look at me. Instead, she stared down at the glass, watching the amber swirl, her expression unreadable.


    ¡°I was under too much pressure at school,¡± she murmured. ¡°Exams were coming up. If I failed, I¡¯d get beaten at home and school¡­¡±


    A chill crawled up my spine, but I didn¡¯t say anything.


    ¡°Falling in rank wasn¡¯t just about grades. It changed your whole life. If your rank dropped, you got thrown into solitary confinement¡ªsoundproof rooms, no food for a day or more. Less sleep. Physical endurance punishments. Holding painful positions for hours.¡±


    She exhaled slowly, like she was forcing herself to keep talking. ¡°And if you dropped too low, you became a servant to the higher-ranked students. No arguing. No complaining. You just... obeyed.¡±


    Her fingers clenched around the glass, knuckles whitening. ¡°I was at the top in my class¡­ but until¡­ something happened¡­ she came out of nowhere... that girl¡­.I just wanted to...She... She....wouldn''t....¡±


    She felt her throat involuntarily close at she fumbled with wordstopic, almost hyperventilating. Her body didn''t wanted her to talk about it and she quickly shifted the topic.


    ¡°I heard my grandpa say once that it makes you forget things. I thought¡­ maybe it¡¯d help.¡±


    She shrugged, but it was empty, like she was trying to make herself believe it wasn¡¯t a big deal. I clenched my jaw, my fingers curling into a fist against my thigh. Then, slowly, I reached out and rubbed her shoulder, my touch gentle, steady, quiet. She flinched at first¡ªjust a slight, involuntary movement¡ªbut then she relaxed into it.


    None of my actions could change her past. Finally, I let out a breath and stood up.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I muttered, ¡°That¡¯s enough of this garbage.¡±


    Jade blinked up at me, eyes slightly unfocused. ¡°Huh?¡±


    I rolled up my sleeves. ¡°I¡¯m making you something else.¡±


    She frowned. ¡°What?¡±


    I shot her a glance over my shoulder. ¡°My favorite drink.¡±


    I picked up a few of the bottles sprawled across the table, glancing at the mini-bar mess we had somehow accumulated. Dozens of alcohol bottles, loose citrus peels, half-melted ice cubes, and a few questionable ingredient choices were spread across the countertop like the aftermath of an experiment gone wrong. Jade watched me, her silver eyes still a little distant from the weight of our earlier conversation. But I wasn¡¯t about to let her sit in that darkness for long.


    I focused on the task in front of me, choosing each bottle carefully.


    A splash of vanilla liqueur.


    A pour of condensed coconut milk.


    A bit of white rum¡ªjust enough.


    Mix.


    I reached for fresh fruit, cutting, squeezing, sprinkling, layering the drink with precision. A little syrup to balance it. Ice, crushed just enough.


    Jade didn¡¯t say anything, but I could feel her watching. Her gaze followed every movement, her fingers tracing slow, absentminded circles against the side of her abandoned glass.


    Soon, the drink was ready¡ªa clear, milk-like mixture sitting elegantly in the glass, soft and inviting, a stark contrast to the burning hellfire she had just forced down earlier.


    I slid it toward her.


    She raised an eyebrow, staring at the drink like it had personally offended her. ¡°What is this?¡±


    I leaned against the bar, smirking. ¡°Something better.¡±


    She narrowed her eyes at me, skeptical. ¡°Is it gonna melt my insides?¡±


    ¡°Not unless you have a deep-rooted fear of good things.¡±


    She exhaled, still hesitant, but eventually wrapped her fingers around the glass. She eyed me as if trying to read some hidden trick in my expression before finally lifting the drink to her lips. The second the liquid hit her tongue, her entire expression twisted in shock. Her eyes flew wide, her posture straightened instantly, and she pulled the glass away as if she had been electrocuted.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ sweet?!¡±


    I laughed, shaking my head. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s sweet. What, did you think I¡¯d hand you poison?¡±


    She blinked at me, still processing the betrayal her taste buds had just gone through. ¡°But¡ªbut alcohol is supposed to taste like suffering!¡±


    I snorted. ¡°Says who?¡±


    Jade pointed dramatically at the evil bottle she had previously tried to ingest. ¡°Says everything I¡¯ve ever tasted.¡±


    ¡°Well, congrats. Now you know not everything has to taste like a regret-filled bad decision.¡±


    She took another sip, slower this time, letting the flavors settle. Her brows lifted slightly, her tongue darting out to lick the remnants from her lips as if testing to see if her taste buds were lying.


    ¡°¡­Okay, I hate to admit it, but this is actually really good.¡±


    I smirked, crossing my arms. ¡°See? Some things can actually be enjoyable.¡±


    She huffed, looking at the glass like it had betrayed her entire worldview. ¡°This feels illegal. Alcohol isn¡¯t supposed to be fun.¡±


    ¡°Or maybe you¡¯ve just been drinking all the wrong things.¡±


    She took another sip, this time without hesitation. Her shoulders relaxed slightly, the tension that had been sitting in her muscles since her confession finally easing away. I didn¡¯t say anything. I just watched her, satisfied that¡ªshe wasn¡¯t drowning in the past when I was with her.


    Then, without warning our small bubble was shattered and Gina suddenly perked up. She slid her phone into her pocket, her sharp gaze sweeping over everyone.


    ¡°Alright, you guys,¡± she said, grinning mischievously, ¡°let¡¯s play Truth or Dare.¡±


    The room collectively groaned.


    ¡°No,¡± Lore said immediately.


    ¡°Absolutely not,¡± Henry added, shaking his head.


    ¡°Seriously, Gina?¡± Alex said, leaning back in his chair. ¡°We¡¯re not twelve.¡±


    ¡°You say that every time, and yet you always play,¡± Gina shot back with a smirk.


    ¡°Oh, come on,¡± Gina looked at everybody, almost pleading. ¡°Besides, truth or dare is the perfect way to unwind. What else are we going to do while we wait for the pizza to get here?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s got a point,¡± Alex chimed in, lounging on the sofa with a can of beer in hand. ¡°It¡¯s either truth or dare, or we all sit here in awkward silence.¡±


    ¡°I vote awkward silence,¡± Henry said dryly.


    Jade looked at me, whispering. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. ¡°Do I have a choice?¡±


    By now, everyone had emptied at least four bottles, and the tipsiness was setting in. It showed in the way Henry slouched in his chair, the way Vinico kept giggling at everything, and the faint flush spreading across Jade¡¯s cheeks. I secretly wondered what her tolerance level was. Thus, I wasn¡¯t entirely sure if playing truth or dare was the smartest idea right now, but Gina had other plans.


    ¡°Are you all allergic to fun or something?¡± Gina groaned, sitting upright and glaring at the group. ¡°You¡¯re in college! You¡¯re supposed to enjoy dumb stuff like this.¡±


    Her dramatic complaint drew a series of reluctant nods, and after a moment of hesitation, everyone gave in. Gina, triumphant, grabbed an empty bottle and placed it in the middle of the glass table with a theatrical flourish.


    ¡°Alright,¡± she said, her grin returning as she gave the bottle a spin. ¡°Let¡¯s see who¡¯s up first.¡±


    The bottle wobbled and whirled around, catching the dim light as it spun. Everyone leaned in slightly, the anticipation cutting through their tipsiness like a knife. Finally, it slowed, the neck pointing directly at Lore.


    Lore raised an eyebrow, her usual composed expression unbothered by the attention. ¡°Guess I¡¯m the lucky one,¡± she said dryly.


    Gina clapped her hands together, a mischievous glint in her eyes. ¡°Alright, Lore. Truth or dare?¡±


    Lore thought for a moment, her head tilting slightly as if weighing the pros and cons. ¡°Truth,¡± she said finally, her voice calm but carrying a hint of challenge.


    Gina didn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°What¡¯s the most illegal thing you¡¯ve ever done?¡±


    Lore didn¡¯t flinch. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms and meeting Gina¡¯s gaze with cool detachment. ¡°I¡¯m not answering that.¡±


    ¡°You have to!¡± Alex protested, leaning forward with an exaggerated pout.


    Lore¡¯s lips curved into a sweet smile. ¡°No, I don¡¯t. And if I did, I¡¯d have to kill you all afterward.¡±


    That earned a round of laughter, but Gina wasn¡¯t about to let her off the hook. ¡°Fine, but then something less illegal.¡± she said, narrowing her eyes.


    Lore shrugged, and opened her mouth and closed, unable to decide; then a hint of embarrassment crept onto her cheeks. A rare sight indeed, ¡°When I was fifteen and newly formed my meta I was actually running a very famous girl gang in our and surroundings school. And we operated a lot of illegal activities in our area.¡±This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    She shut her mouth immediately as if she had already said a lot under the effect of alcohol.


    ¡°More! More More!¡± Alex urged.


    She shot him a glare before reaching out and giving the bottle a flick. It spun again.


    ¡°This is either going to end hilariously or terribly,¡± I muttered to no one in particular.


    The bottle slowed, its wobbling spin coming to an abrupt stop, and the neck pointed directly at Vinico. The group erupted into laughter and cheers, the alcohol amplifying their enthusiasm as Vinico groaned and sank back into his seat.


    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s me,¡± he muttered, his face a mixture of embarrassment and resignation.


    Gina, now fully in her element, grinned like a cat that had caught a particularly amusing mouse. ¡°Alright, Vinico,¡± she said, leaning forward and resting her chin on her hand. ¡°Truth or dare?¡±


    Vinico rubbed his chin theatrically, as if considering his options. ¡°Truth,¡± he said finally, his tone suggesting he wasn¡¯t quite brave enough for a dare yet.


    Gina¡¯s grin widened, and I knew immediately that she¡¯d been waiting for this. ¡°If you could swap meta natures with anyone at this table, who would it be and why?¡±


    The room immediately erupted in oohs and laughter, with everyone leaning forward to hear his answer.


    Vinico hesitated, his eyes darting around the group. ¡°Seriously?¡±


    ¡°Come on, spill. And no cop-out answers like ¡®no one¡¯ or ¡®myself.¡¯¡± Gina pressed.


    He sighed, scratching the back of his head. ¡°Alright, fine,¡± he said, clearly regretting his choice of truth. ¡°If I had to pick... I¡¯d swap with Jade.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Gina pressed, leaning in closer.


    ¡°Well, duh,¡± Vinico said, gesturing at Jade. ¡°She can literally shift odds to make things happen. Do you know how many times I¡¯ve tripped over my own clones? If I had her powers, I¡¯d never have to deal with that again. Plus, imagine playing the lottery with that kind of meta nature. I¡¯d be rich in no time.¡±


    ¡°Practical,¡± Henry said with a laugh, clinking his beer against Vinico¡¯s. ¡°But also kinda lame. I thought you¡¯d say something spicier.¡±


    ¡°Spicier?¡± Vinico repeated, looking genuinely confused. ¡°What does that even mean?¡±


    Gina rolled her eyes. ¡°It means you missed an opportunity to make this fun. Like saying you¡¯d pick North¡¯s powers so you could sneak into places or Lore¡¯s so you could boss people around.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Lore interjected, her voice deadpan but her lips quirking into a slight smile.


    Vinico threw up his hands. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t blame me! You asked a boring question, Gina.¡±


    ¡°Boring?¡± Gina gasped in mock offense. ¡°Alright, fine. You¡¯re spinning the bottle next, and I hope you get a dare.¡±


    Vinico grumbled as he leaned forward and spun the bottle, the rest of us laughed .


    The bottle spun and spun, eventually slowing until it came to a stop, pointing directly at Alex. The group let out a chorus of exaggerated gasps and cheers, with Gina clapping her hands like she¡¯d just hit the jackpot.


    ¡°Well, well, well,¡± she said, leaning forward with her signature mischievous grin. ¡°Look who¡¯s up. Truth or dare, Mr. Golden Boy?¡±


    Alex chuckled, leaning back casually in his chair, completely unbothered by the attention. ¡°Dare,¡± he said without hesitation, his grin matching Gina¡¯s energy.


    The group let out a collective ¡°ooooh,¡± clearly thrilled by his boldness.


    Gina¡¯s eyes sparkled with amusement as she took a moment to think. Then, her grin turned wicked. ¡°Alright, Alex,¡± she said, tapping her chin theatrically. ¡°I dare you to¡ª¡± She paused, letting the suspense build, ¡°¡ªkiss someone at this table. Your choice.¡±


    The room exploded with laughter and cheers, the alcohol fueling everyone¡¯s over-the-top reactions.


    Alex, however, didn¡¯t flinch. He looked around the table, his confident grin never wavering as his eyes flicked from one person to the next.


    ¡°Make it count!¡± Henry yelled, already leaning forward in anticipation.


    ¡°Go for Gina!¡± Vinico added, smirking as he gestured toward her.


    ¡°Shut up, Vinico,¡± Gina said, swatting at him but clearly enjoying the chaos she¡¯d unleashed.


    Alex¡¯s gaze lingered on each of us for a moment, but then, to everyone¡¯s surprise, his attention settled on Lore.


    A quiet hush fell over the group as we exchanged glances, trying to read the sudden shift in the atmosphere. Gina, however, didn¡¯t look surprised¡ªif anything, she seemed to be holding back a knowing smirk, her eyes flicking between Alex and Lore like she¡¯d just confirmed a long-held suspicion. I wasn¡¯t entirely shocked, either. I¡¯d noticed the subtle tension between them before¡ªthe way Alex¡¯s confidence seemed to falter slightly around Lore, or how Lore¡¯s usually detached demeanor softened ever so slightly in his presence. It was like they were caught in some unspoken game, each too nervous or too proud to make the first move.


    Lore arched an eyebrow, shocked. ¡°What?¡±


    Alex grinned, the kind of grin that betrayed both confidence and just a hint of nerves. ¡°What do you think?¡± he asked, leaning forward slightly.


    ¡°Just get it over with,¡± Henry muttered, clearly impatient for the spectacle to unfold.


    Alex didn¡¯t say anything more. Instead, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to Lore¡¯s cheek, lingering for the briefest moment before pulling back with a casual shrug. ¡°There,¡± he said, sitting back and folding his arms like it was no big deal.


    We all erupted into cheers, jeers, and exaggerated gasps. Even Jade couldn¡¯t suppress a grin as she leaned closer to me and whispered, ¡°Called it.¡±


    Lore, however, face was beat red, unable to handle the intimacy. She adjusted her position in her seat, casually brushing her hair back as if the whole thing hadn¡¯t fazed her. ¡°That was¡­ expected,¡± she said coolly, though the faintest curve of her lips suggested otherwise.


    Gina finally broke the din with a loud laugh. ¡°Oh, come on, Lore. That¡¯s the most excitement we¡¯ve seen out of you all night.¡±


    Lore gave her a sidelong glance, her lips quirking slightly. ¡°I¡¯ll try to contain myself,¡± she replied dryly.


    Meanwhile, Alex too happy, spun the bottle again, his grin still firmly in place, though I noticed the way he avoided meeting anyone¡¯s eyes. It was subtle, but it said everything. Whatever was brewing between those two, it was far from resolved¡ªbut at least this game had managed to crack the surface.


    The bottle slowed its spin once again, finally coming to a stop with the neck pointing directly at Henry. The group collectively erupted in cheers and laughter, with Vinico giving Henry an exaggerated pat on the back.


    ¡°Truth or dare?¡± Gina asked, leaning forward with a smug grin.


    ¡°Truth,¡± Henry yelled on top of lungs, intoxicated.


    Gina¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Alright, then. You¡¯ve been super private about your life¡ªalways deflecting questions and keeping things vague. So, how about you tell us something about yourself for once? Something real.¡±


    The room quieted slightly, everyone¡¯s attention now squarely on Henry. Even Jade, who had been half-focused on fiddling with the swords she¡¯d claimed earlier, perked up to listen.


    Henry sighed, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms. ¡°Alright, fine,¡± he said after a moment. ¡°I¡¯ll play along. But don¡¯t expect anything dramatic.¡±


    He paused, as if deciding where to start. ¡°I come from a pretty normal background. My family¡¯s not wealthy, but we¡¯ve always been comfortable. My dad works in a government office, and my mom used to be a teacher before she shifted to consulting. Anyway, about my life¡­ I have a younger sister.¡±


    ¡°You have a sister?¡± Gina asked with interest.


    Henry nodded. ¡°Yeah. She¡¯s two years younger than me. We get along well enough, though she¡¯s better at pushing my buttons than anyone else.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s her meta?¡± Vinoc asked.


    ¡°She has a power similar to my dad¡¯s,¡± Henry replied. ¡°She can create and manipulate electromagnetic fields around her. Pretty useful and cool, honestly. She could hear the signals in the telephone wires.¡±


    ¡°So, your whole family has good powers?¡± Lore said.


    ¡°Pretty much,¡± Henry said with a small shrug. ¡°My dad¡¯s ability is practical, my mom¡¯s is subtle but effective, and my sister¡¯s¡­ well, she¡¯s still learning, but it¡¯s impressive.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like a nice setup,¡± Gina said, nodding.


    ¡°It is,¡± Henry replied. ¡°We¡¯ve always been financially stable, and I¡¯ve been lucky that way. When it came time for the academy entrance exams, I was nervous, but I passed. Getting the invitation to study here was a turning point. And meeting you guys¡­¡± He trailed off for a moment before continuing. ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t expect to find a group like this. It¡¯s been¡­ different. Good different.¡±


    ¡°Aw, Henry,¡± Gina said, grinning. ¡°You do have a heart.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t get used to it.¡±


    The bottle spun again, its momentum slowing until it came to rest, pointing once more at Alex. Before Gina could pounce with her usual mischief, Lore unexpectedly stood up, crossing her arms and fixing Alex with a pointed look.


    ¡°Alright, Alex,¡± she said, her voice sharp and direct. ¡°Where did you get so much money to blow on a penthouse and this¡±¡ªshe gestured toward the open box of weapons¡ª¡°arsenal?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡± he started, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. ¡°You see, uh¡­ it wasn¡¯t exactly my money. It was¡­ um, North and Jade¡¯s idea.¡±


    That got everyone¡¯s attention. All eyes turned to Jade and me, their expressions ranging from curious to outright skeptical. Jade blinked, looking like she¡¯d been caught off guard, while I sighed, already bracing for the inevitable fallout.


    Alex hurried to explain, the words tumbling out in a rush. ¡°They figured out they could pretty much win the lottery anytime they wanted by combining their powers¡ªNorth with his ability to see luck and Jade with her probability manipulation. So, uh, yeah¡­ that¡¯s where the money came from.¡±


    The silence that followed was deafening. Then, all at once, the group exploded.


    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± Louvel said, his eyes wide. ¡°You two can win the lottery and you didn¡¯t think to include us?¡±


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Gina chimed in, looking equal parts impressed and outraged. ¡°You¡¯ve been sitting on a goldmine, and we¡¯ve been scraping by on ramen and energy drinks?¡±


    Even Vinico, who was usually more laid back, crossed his arms and frowned. ¡°Yeah, what gives? I could¡¯ve used a new gaming setup.¡±


    ¡°Alright, alright,¡± I said, holding up my hands in defense. ¡°It¡¯s not like we¡¯re robbing banks here. We¡¯ve only done it a couple of times, and we kept it low-key to avoid drawing attention.¡±


    ¡°Low-key?¡± Gina scoffed.


    ¡°Well, next time, include us,¡± Henry said, his tone a mix of frustration and envy. ¡°I mean, come on. If you¡¯re already breaking the system, why not share the love?¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± I said with a sigh, glancing at Jade, who nodded. ¡°Next time, we¡¯ll bring you in. Just don¡¯t blame us if we suddenly have the entire city¡¯s financial watchdogs breathing down our necks.¡±


    Vinico muttered something about ¡°missed opportunities,¡± and Gina downed another swig of beer, muttering, ¡°Can¡¯t believe I missed out on a yacht.¡±


    Alex, meanwhile, spun the bottle again, clearly relieved to pass the focus onto someone else. This time, it landed on Jade.


    All eyes turned to her, the earlier tension quickly replaced with eager curiosity. ¡°Well, Jade,¡± Gina said, her grin returning with full force. ¡°Truth or dare?¡±


    But the mood in the room shifted briefly when the penthouse doorbell rang. Alex stood up, his steps a little unsteady from the beer, and returned moments later with an armful of pizza boxes. The rich, cheesy aroma filled the air instantly, breaking through the lingering tension from our earlier discussions.


    ¡°Alright, everyone, dinner¡¯s served!¡± Alex declared, setting the boxes on the glass table and flipping them open with a flourish.


    We didn¡¯t need any more encouragement. Like a pack of starving wolves, we dove in, grabbing slices and pairing them with our already open beers. The table¡¯s conversation turned lively again, the earlier grumbles about lottery winnings forgotten, at least for the moment. Jade, sitting close to me, seemed quieter than usual. I wondered if it was her first time playing truth or dare, and she looked a little nervous¡ªor maybe it was just the alcohol hitting her. She ducked closer to me, nibbling on a slice of pizza while keeping her eyes on the bottle like it might leap up and bite her. Once we sat back on our seats with pizza slices in our hands, the moment of truth¡ªor dare¡ªcame. All eyes were fixed on Jade, her usual air of mystery amplified tenfold by the alcohol-fueled curiosity swirling in the room. She wasn¡¯t just the most mysterious member of our group; she was also the only one not originally from Earth. It wasn¡¯t exactly a secret, but it wasn¡¯t something we talked about openly either. Everyone had questions, and I could see the gears turning in their heads. But before Gina could pounce with one of her trademark probing inquiries, Vinico, emboldened by his growing intoxication, raised his voice and cut her off.


    ¡°Wait, wait! It¡¯s my question!¡± he declared, waving a pizza slice like a scepter to assert his authority. ¡°Back off, everyone!¡±


    A chorus of groans filled the room.


    Gina rolled her eyes. ¡°Oh my God, Vinico¡ª¡±


    Lore sighed heavily, rubbing her temples. ¡°We were so close to having a decent conversation.¡±


    But Vinico was undeterred. He pointed dramatically at Jade, swaying slightly, his eyes narrowing with exaggerated drunken seriousness.


    ¡°Alright, Jade, here¡¯s the deal¡ª¡± he paused for effect, wiggling his eyebrows in what he probably thought was a mysterious manner. ¡°Who would you date if North wasn¡¯t here?¡±


    Gina let out a loud groan, dragging a hand down her face. ¡°Jesus Christ, men always ask the stupidest questions.¡±


    Lore shook her head, already done with this conversation before it even started. ¡°We really let him speak.¡±


    Henry and Alex, however¡ªtraitorous bastards that they were¡ªleaned forward like this was suddenly the most interesting thing in the world.


    ¡°Oh-ho,¡± Alex grinned, his elbows resting on his knees. ¡°This just got good.¡±


    Henry smirked. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m curious. Who¡¯s runner-up?¡±


    I exhaled sharply, already annoyed that this was happening. ¡°That¡¯s the dumbest question I¡¯ve heard all night.¡±


    Alex pointed at Vinico. ¡°It¡¯s still your turn to take a shot for asking something dumb.¡±


    Vinico gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. ¡°Rude. But fine. I accept my punishment.¡± He grabbed his drink, downed it like a warrior accepting his fate, then gestured wildly at Jade. ¡°Now answer!¡±


    Jade sighed dramatically, taking an exaggerated sip of her sweet drink. Then she glanced at me, her cheeks turning bright red. Her smile was soft, her gaze flickering between me and her almost empty cup, her asking for more.


    ¡°Hmm. If North wasn¡¯t here¡­¡± she trailed off, her expression unreadable.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯d ever be able to open up this much with another person in my life,¡± she said, without hesitation.


    The room fell completely silent.


    Vinico blinked. ¡°Oh. Oh¡ªshit.¡±


    Alex whistled low. ¡°Damn. That was¡­ unexpected.¡±


    Henry scratched his head. ¡°Well. That¡¯s¡­ kinda hard to compete with.¡±


    Lore gave a small, almost imperceptible smirk, her gaze flickering between Jade and me. ¡°At least she¡¯s honest.¡±


    Vinico let out a slow exhale, looking down at his drink. ¡°Well, shit. I just wanted to know if I had a shot.¡±


    Jade snorted, shaking her head. ¡°You don¡¯t.¡±


    The group broke into another laughter, the tension dissolving just a little.


    Gina raised her can. ¡°Alright. That¡¯s enough emotional depth for one night. Someone dare Vinico to do something stupid so we can move on.¡±


    Jade didn¡¯t seem to notice or care about anything but her pizza, throwing me one last affectionate glance before reaching for another slice. The bottle spun again, the group¡¯s attention shifting, the game slowly losing structure as alcohol dulled everyone¡¯s competitive instincts.


    The night stretched into the early hours, our so-called truth-or-dare game fizzling into nonsense, replaced by aimless banter, slurred jokes, and the occasional dramatic reenactment of Vinico¡¯s worst life decisions. Laughter mixed with the clinking of bottles, and soon, the room was an absolute battlefield¡ªempty pizza boxes, abandoned beer cans, and people sprawled out in various states of drunken catastrophe.


    At some point, I realized Jade needed to go to bed before she was beginning to pass out on the floor, so I hauled her to her feet. Easier said than done. Her arm draped heavily around my neck, as if she had decided I was her new mode of transportation.


    "Why are you a tree?" she slurred, squinting up at me.


    "I''m not a tree, Jade," I muttered, adjusting her weight so she didn¡¯t completely drag me down.


    "You feel like a tree," she argued, gripping my shirt for stability.


    "You feel like deadweight," I shot back.


    She snorted, leaning even more into me. "That¡¯s so rude. I thought you loved carrying me."


    "That¡¯s absolutely not true."


    "Lies," she sing-songed, her words barely coherent.


    With all the grace of two extremely inebriated people, we stumbled through the penthouse, my main objective being to dump her somewhere remotely resembling a bed. We didn¡¯t get far. Somehow, in our drunken haze, we misjudged the layout of the room and¡ªBAM. We collided straight into a pillar.


    Jade let out a muffled, "Ouch," her voice soft and barely annoyed, as if she were more inconvenienced than actually hurt.


    I groaned, my head and world spinning, as my forehead pressed against the cold marble. "Who the hell put this here?"


    Jade blinked at the pillar. "It was always here.."


    "That¡¯s not the point."


    She pulled back slightly, studying it as if it had personally betrayed us. "Maybe... maybe it''s in our way on purpose."


    I turned to her, exasperated. "You think Alex planted an obstacle course in his penthouse just to mess with us?"


    Jade nodded solemnly. "He''s rich. They do that."


    I pried her off the pillar and steering us back in the right direction. We made it about three more steps before she suddenly stopped walking altogether, her grip on my shirt tightening.


    ¡°Wait,¡± she whispered. ¡°I forgot how to walk.¡±


    I stared at her, completely done. ¡°You what?¡±


    She looked down at her feet as if she had just realized they existed. ¡°They¡¯re too far away.¡±


    I let out a sharp breath, fighting the urge to drop her right there. ¡°You¡¯re literally standing. Just move forward.¡±


    She made a very serious attempt, lifting one foot off the ground, only to lose balance and nearly take me down with her.


    ¡°NOPE, NOPE¡ªokay,¡± I grabbed her waist just in time, stabilizing us both before we collapsed into an expensive-looking sculpture.


    Jade blinked up at me, completely unfazed. ¡°Wow. That was almost disastrous.¡±


    I exhaled sharply, dragging her forward before she could get any more philosophical about her inability to function.


    ¡°Alright, no more walking for you. You¡¯re getting carried.¡±


    Her eyes lit up like I just told her she won a lifetime supply of kittens. ¡°Princess style?¡±


    ¡°More like sack-of-potatoes style.¡±


    Jade gasped, dramatically clutching her chest. ¡°You would disrespect me like this?¡±


    Without answering, I lifted her effortlessly, throwing her over my shoulder in one swift movement. She squeaked, flailing for all of two seconds before accepting her fate. ¡°This is fine,¡± she muttered. ¡°I like the view.¡±


    ¡°All you¡¯re looking at is the floor.¡±


    We pushed forward, but my coordination¡ªor complete lack thereof¡ªgot the better of us again. One misstep. That¡¯s all it took. I tripped over the arm of the sofa, and suddenly, we were toppling like dominoes, crashing to the floor in a tangled heap. Jade landed unceremoniously on top of me, her hair falling into my face, muffling my immediate string of curses. She let out a tiny, sleepy groan, her body limp and warm against mine.


    ¡°Bad boyfriend,¡± she mumbled, her voice muffled against my chest. ¡°Always making me fall. You don¡¯t even care.¡±


    Her mindless grumbling sent me into fits of uncontrollable laughter. ¡°Oh my God, Jade,¡± I wheezed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    I managed to press a quick, apologetic kiss to her cheek, but I was still laughing too hard to move properly. Jade squirmed slightly, but instead of trying to get up, she snuggled further into me, completely giving up on life.


    ¡°This is my home now,¡± she announced sleepily.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not,¡± I groaned, trying to push myself up¡ª


    And failing. I tumbled forward again, this time collapsing onto her like a useless sack of potatoes. Jade let out a dramatic sigh, her arms flopping to the sides like she was surrendering to the universe¡¯s unfairness.


    ¡°See?¡± she mumbled, voice barely above a whisper. ¡°So mean¡­¡±


    I buried my face into her shoulder, my body shaking with laughter.


    ¡°Oh my God,¡± I muttered. ¡°We are never going to make it to bed.¡±


    Jade hummed sleepily, her fingers lazily poking my cheek. ¡°We could just¡­ stay here. Floor¡¯s nice. Feels like¡­ ground.¡±


    I groaned, shifting so I could actually breathe again. ¡°That¡¯s because it is the ground..¡±


    She nodded sagely, like I had just said something deeply profound. ¡°¡­Smart,¡± she whispered.


    I snorted, pushing myself up again¡ªslowly this time. As I tried to lift her up too, she suddenly went completely limp, hanging off me like an oversized ragdoll. ¡°Jade.¡± No response.


    ¡°Jade, you are NOT dead, I literally saw you move a second ago.¡± Still nothing. I narrowed my eyes. ¡°Oh, so this is the game you¡¯re playing?¡±


    She let out a tiny snore. I wasn¡¯t buying it for a second. With zero hesitation, I poked her sides mercilessly.


    She jerked instantly, yelping as she tried to escape. ¡°AH¡ªNORTH¡ªNO¡ª¡±


    ¡°Magically alive now, huh?¡± I teased, grinning as I hoisted her up properly.


    She glared at me, half-dazed, her expression somewhere between sleepy and betrayed. ¡°You¡¯re a demon.¡±


    ¡°You were faking your own death, I had to be sure.¡±


    She huffed, narrowing her eyes. ¡°I was resting artistically.¡±


    ¡°Oh, so you were just performing a sleep-based protest?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    I chuckled, finally guiding her down the hall again. ¡°Well, congratulations, your protest failed.¡±


    The others were no better off. Gina was crawling toward her room, muttering something about how the ground was moving under her.


    ¡°It¡¯s shifting, I swear,¡± she mumbled, dragging herself forward like a soldier in battle. ¡°It¡¯s alive. The floor is alive.¡±


    Alex, to his credit, had the highest tolerance of all of us. He was helping Lore in much the same way I was helping Jade¡ªexcept his steps were actually stable, and Lore, surprisingly, wasn¡¯t even protesting. That was concerning. Vinico, meanwhile, was sprawled on the floor, surrounded by a sea of empty beer bottles, snoring loudly. At least he wasn¡¯t cloning himself uncontrollably in his drunken state¡ªa small mercy. But Henry? Henry won the prize for the night. He had somehow ended up with his head on the piano table. His fingers sloppily danced across the keys in what could almost be called music.


    ¡°See?¡± he slurred, his voice thick with intoxication.


    His fingers hit another set of keys, way off-tune this time.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ amazing.¡±


    Gina, who was still on the floor, peeked up just long enough to glare at him. ¡°You sound like a dying rat.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Lore muttered from Alex¡¯s arms. ¡°It¡¯s a crime against sound.¡±


    Henry pouted, completely unbothered. ¡°Haters.¡±


    Meanwhile, Jade was still muttering against my shoulder, her head leaning heavily against me.


    ¡°You¡¯re so mean,¡± she grumbled, half-asleep.


    I sighed, adjusting my hold on her. ¡°I¡¯m doing my best, okay!.¡±


    She huffed, her breath warm against my neck. ¡°Can¡¯t even do it properly.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯ve carried you three different ways tonight. How exactly am I failing?¡±


    She poked my chest weakly. ¡°Not princess style.¡±


    ¡°Oh my God.¡±


    Alex, passing by with Lore still draped over him, smirked. ¡°She¡¯s got a point. Step it up, man.¡±


    Jade wiggled weakly in my grip. ¡°See? Even Alex knows.¡±


    I groaned, lifting her slightly higher into my arms. ¡°You are a princess. A very drunk one.¡±


    Jade let out a soft, satisfied hum, finally relaxing again. ¡°That¡¯s more like it.¡±


    Finally reaching the bed, I carefully lowered Jade onto it, doing my best to be gentle¡ªbut the moment I let go, she flopped backward like a boneless ragdoll, arms sprawling at weird angles. She let out a tiny groan, her face half-buried in the pillow.


    Then, still half-asleep, she mumbled dramatically into the fabric, ¡°I love you, so much.¡±


    I let out a quiet chuckle, shaking my head. ¡°I love you more,¡± I murmured.


    However, Just as I thought I was done, I glanced down and realized Jade was wearing way too many layers of clothes. She¡¯d complain if she woke up in the middle of night.


    I let out a slow sigh. ¡°Alright, sit up.¡±


    Jade, half-asleep, groaned dramatically. ¡°Nooooo.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± I hooked my arms under her, pulling her up into a half-sitting position. She squirmed like a lazy cat, her head lolling against my shoulder as she weakly resisted.


    ¡°You¡¯re so mean,¡± she muttered, barely coherent.


    ¡°You¡¯re wearing, like, five layers, Jade. Do you wanna sweat to death in your sleep?¡±


    ¡°Maybe. I''ll happily die with your hand in mine.¡±


    I gave her a flat look before reaching her woolen coat. She immediately clutched at it, holding on like a stubborn child. ¡°It¡¯s warm.¡±


    I pried it off her anyway, struggling as she half-heartedly fought me.


    ¡°You¡¯re being difficult on purpose.¡±


    She pouted, not denying it. With some effort, I finally got the coat off, tossing it aside on hanger. She yawned, blinking up at me.


    ¡°You look like a nesting doll.¡±


    She giggled sleepily, which only made my struggle worse. I reached for the zip-up jacket, only for her to cross her arms in protest. I raised an eyebrow. ¡°Jade.¡±


    She stubbornly shook her head. I sighed, then with zero hesitation, I tickled her ribs.


    ¡°AH¡ªNORTH¡ªWAIT¡ª¡± She yelped, immediately uncrossing her arms, trying to escape.


    I took full advantage of her moment of weakness and unzipped the jacket, yanking it off before she could resist again. Finally. Except¡ªthere was another, a sweater.


    I let out a low groan. ¡°How many clothes do you even own?¡±


    Jade laughed, weakly attempting to slump back into the pillows. ¡°You¡¯ll never get through them all.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I absolutely will.¡±


    She hummed, still drunk and sleepy, but playfully testing my patience.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I said, rolling up my sleeves. ¡°Arms up.¡±


    Jade blinked sluggishly at me. ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°The sweater, Jade. Arms up.¡±


    She squinted, as if debating whether to obey.


    I narrowed my eyes. ¡°Jade.¡±


    She huffed. ¡°Fiiiine.¡± With slow, exaggerated movements, she finally lifted her arms, her body swaying dangerously. I grabbed the hem of her thick sweater and pulled it up, only for it to get stuck halfway over her head. A muffled groan came from inside the fabric.


    ¡°North,¡± she whined, voice completely muffled. I bit back a laugh. ¡°Stay still.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t see!¡±


    ¡°Because it¡¯s on your face, Jade.¡±


    ¡°This is traumatic.¡±


    I finally yanked it off, leaving her in a sheer-white long-sleeved top that clung gently to her body. She flopped back instantly, shivering slightly now that she was free from her thousand-layer cocoon. I knelt at the foot of the bed, fumbling to remove her socks. My fingers felt clumsy, but I somehow managed to tug them off, leaving her legs dangling awkwardly over the edge. She twitched slightly at the sensation, kicking weakly at me in retaliation.


    ¡°Hey,¡± I protested. ¡°I¡¯m helping you, gremlin.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she muttered into the pillow. ¡°You¡¯re being weird.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m taking off your socks, Jade.¡±


    ¡°Weirdly.¡±


    I rolled my eyes, grabbing her legs and shifting her properly onto the bed before she managed to squirm off the edge. Then, I grabbed all her discarded layers and tossed them onto a hanger nearby, shaking my head at the absurdity of it all.


    Jade peeked up at me sleepily.


    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t forgive you.¡±


    Her silver hair was a tangled mess, strands sticking to her cheek from the warmth of alcohol and exhaustion. I reached for the small pins holding it in place and gently removed them, one by one, letting her hair fall loosely around her shoulders. As soon as I finished, she stirred, blinking up at me with sleepy confusion.


    ¡°Why¡¯re you messin¡¯ with my hair?¡± she slurred.


    ¡°Because you¡¯ll hate yourself in the morning if you sleep with all these pins digging into your skull.¡±


    She considered this for a second, then gave the tiniest nod, her eyelids already drooping. ¡°Too smart,¡± she whispered.


    I smiled, brushing a few strands away from her face. ¡°I try.¡±


    Her eyes fluttered shut, and I thought she had finally passed out¡ªbut then, suddenly, her fingers snuck out from under the blanket, fumbling weakly for mine.


    I blinked, watching as she clumsily caught my hand and gave it a tiny, barely-there squeeze.


    ¡°¡­Warm,¡± she mumbled.


    I felt something inexplicably soft bloom in my chest.


    ¡°Go to sleep,¡± I murmured, intertwining our fingers briefly before gently pulling away.


    She made a small noise of protest, but I tugged the blanket over her, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. As I stood up, about to step away, she shifted again, her voice barely a whisper.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go too far.¡±


    I exhaled softly, shaking my head with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡±


    I stood there for a moment, swaying slightly, staring at her like some kind of drunken artist admiring his masterpiece. She was nestled so comfortably, her breathing soft and even, her hair fanned out against the pillow, framing her face in a way that made her look peaceful. Untouchable.


    Pride swelled in my chest. Mission accomplished.


    I was about to step back¡ªmaybe even grab some water to sober up a little¡ªwhen my legs gave up on me. I collapsed onto the bed beside her, the mattress dipping under my weight.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    When I woke, it was late¡ªsomewhere past ten.


    The penthouse was quiet, bathed in the golden sunlight filtering through the heavy curtains. The light pooled lazily on the floor, spilling over the furniture like a warm, sleepy embrace. Jade was still in my arms. Her body pressed against my chest, her warmth familiar and calming. She stirred slightly, tucking her head deeper into my shoulder, her breath a soft tickle against my collarbone. I knew she was awake. But her eyes stayed stubbornly shut. This was her weird little morning routine¡ªone I had come to expect. She¡¯d wake up, linger in that half-asleep state, and refuse to acknowledge the morning until she was good and ready.


    Over the three cycles I¡¯d lived, I hadn¡¯t met anyone quite like her. She was bizarre. She was endearing. She was so completely Jade.


    I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, murmuring, ¡°Good morning.¡±


    A muffled ¡°Mmm.¡±


    She buried her face further into my chest, pressing in like a grumpy cat trying to disappear into the covers.


    ¡°Too bright,¡± she grumbled.


    I chuckled, running a hand soothingly down her back. ¡°You say that every morning.¡±


    ¡°Because it¡¯s true.¡±


    It took nearly thirty minutes of coaxing, gentle nudges, and strategic shifting before she finally cracked her silver eyes open.


    The moment she did, she groaned, immediately wincing as her hand flew to her temple. ¡°My head is killing me,¡± she whined, her voice hoarse and heavy with regret.


    I messaged her head,. ¡°Well, no one forced you to drink twenty cans of beer last night.¡±


    Her brows furrowed deeper, and she let out a dramatic sigh. ¡°I didn¡¯t think it would hit this hard. Stupid alcohol.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow. ¡°You got up five times during the night to use the bathroom. Honestly, I¡¯m just grateful you didn¡¯t vomit. That would¡¯ve been a whole different disaster.¡±


    She let out an incoherent grumble, scrunching her face as she attempted to sit up only to immediately flop back onto the pillows with another groan. ¡°Why does my brain feel like it¡¯s being squeezed by a vice?¡±


    That got a laugh out of me. ¡°Figures. You were too confident last night for someone who rarely handles alcohol.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t rub it in,¡± she mumbled, throwing an arm over her eyes as if to block out both the light and my amusement. ¡°I hate mornings.¡±


    ¡°Well, mornings love you,¡± I teased, leaning down to kiss her cheek.


    She peeked out from under her arm, her silver eyes narrowing. ¡°Not funny.¡±


    ¡°Alright, alright,¡± I said, raising my hands in mock surrender. ¡°I¡¯ll get you some water and painkillers. Maybe coffee if you¡¯re lucky.¡±


    "Wait! Don''t move. Ugh, why is this stupid sun up so early?" Jade groaned dramatically, burying her face deeper into my chest like she could physically block out the entire existence of daylight.


    I ran my fingers through her hair lazily. "It''s almost eleven. The sun is not early. You are late."


    She huffed, her voice muffled against my shirt. "No. The sun is rude. It should go back down."


    I chuckled. "You want me to file a complaint with the universe?"


    She peeked one eye open, blinking sleepily. "Please. And tell it to give me at least three more hours."


    I shook my head, "I don''t think it works like that."


    She let out another exaggerated sigh, stretching just enough to reach for the blanket¡ªonly to pull it over both of us completely, cocooning us in darkness.


    "There. Fixed it."


    I snorted, my voice slightly muffled by the blanket now covering my face. "we cannot just live in a blanket fort forever."


    "Why not?"


    "Because we need to get up."


    "Says who?"


    "Me."


    She sighed, stretching slightly, but instead of getting up, she just ended up more tangled in me.


    "You''re supposed to be getting up," I pointed out.


    "I''m up. My eyes are open."


    I raised an eyebrow. "Your eyes are literally closed right now."


    She peeked one eye open again, then immediately shut it. "There. Now I''m up."


    "That''s not how it works."


    She pouted, shifting until her head was resting under my chin, her arms still loosely around me. "If I stay like this, will you stay in bed, too?"


    I sighed, knowing full well where this was going. "Jade."


    She nuzzled closer, her voice soft and sweetly manipulative. "North."


    I tilted my head, narrowing my eyes at her fake innocence. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Loving you.¡±


    I snorted, shaking my head. ¡°Oh, now you love me? Didn¡¯t you just call me a terrible boyfriend last night?¡±


    ¡°Ahh! I wouldn''t dare. Where would I find someone like you, who brings me my coffee to bed and loves me so much.¡±


    I shrugged. "I dunno. You were kind of mean last night."


    Her silver eyes widened dramatically, and then, with zero hesitation, she threw herself onto me, effectively pinning me to the bed.


    ¡°Wait, wait¡ª¡±


    ¡°No take backs. I was adorable last night. You love me. You owe me kisses and so many cuddles.¡±


    I laughed, helpless against her determination. ¡°You are so spoiled.¡±


    She grinned, completely unrepentant. ¡°And whose fault is that?¡±


    I groaned, running a hand down my face. ¡°Mine. Definitely mine.¡±


    She beamed, satisfied. I wrapped my arms around her squirming body.


    "North, no!" she gasped, laughing as I pulled her closer.


    "Yes."


    I kissed her softly at first, just a brush of lips against hers, but she was already smirking, her hands pressing against my chest, trying to shove me away playfully.


    "You are so annoying!" she grumbled, even as she tilted her head for another kiss.


    ¡°So why are you not letting go?¡±


    "Shut up," she whispered, grinning as she grabbed my face and pulled me down for another kiss.


    I smiled into it, shifting so I was half on top of her, pinning her down as she squirmed under me. Jade let out a soft gasp, her fingers threading through my hair, only to immediately change tactics and attempt to wriggle free.


    I laughed, catching her wrist. "Oh no, you''re not escaping."


    She gasped in mock offense. "Oh, so now I''m trapped?"


    "Completely."


    She pretended to struggle, half-heartedly pushing against my shoulders before I ducked down and pressed teasing kisses along her jaw, her cheek, the corner of her lips.


    "North!" she whined, giggling as she squirmed.


    "Jade," I whispered against her skin, kissing a trail down her neck, making her let out a breathy laugh.


    "Okay, okay, I surrender!" she gasped, laughing breathlessly as she weakly swatted at me.


    I grinned, pressing a lingering kiss to her lips before pulling back just enough to see her face. Her silver eyes were soft, her cheeks flushed, her breath warm and unsteady.


    ¡°My head still hurts,¡± Jade sank deeper into the pillows, her silver eyes fluttering shut. I thought of something and pressed my thumbs lightly against her temples, moving in slow, soothing circles.


    A soft, pleased hum escaped her lips.


    "Mmm¡­ that¡¯s nice."


    I chuckled, adjusting my position on the bed, my other hand resting lightly on her forehead as I continued the gentle massage. I pressed a little firmer, working through the tension behind her ears, down to the base of her skull.


    She let out a breathy sigh, her body going limp against the mattress.


    "Ah, yes, there, it feels so good," she muttered, melting under my touch.


    I smiled, running my fingers through the strands of her hair, gently rubbing along the nape of her neck. She let out another small, satisfied noise, tilting her head slightly.


    "That¡¯s cheating," she mumbled, her voice soft and drowsy.


    I raised an eyebrow, amused. "How is this cheating?"


    "You¡¯re making me too relaxed. Now I can¡¯t even be mad at you for letting me drink last night."


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Finally, after giving away ten minutes of free massage session, I pushed myself off the bed, hoping someone had already made coffee, saving me the effort.


    The air outside our room was still and carried the faint tang of stale beer and cold pizza from last night. I stretched lazily as I stepped into the living area. The penthouse was in a state of half-recovery: chairs slightly out of place, pizza boxes stacked on the counter, and the odd can of beer lying forgotten in corners.


    Fortunately, In the kitchen, Henry was already up and meticulously preparing coffee for everyone.


    ¡°Morning,¡± I greeted, grabbing a cup of coffee as Henry offered it with a small nod.


    ¡°Morning,¡± Henry replied, adjusting his glasses. ¡°You survived, I see.¡±


    Across the room, Alex was running on the treadmill, his feet pounding rhythmically against the belt at what could only be described as superhuman speed. His hair clung to his forehead, damp with sweaty, but his expression was as composed as ever.


    ¡°Barely,¡± I muttered, ¡°Where¡¯s Vinico?¡±


    ¡°Still sleeping,¡± Henry said, glancing toward the far corner of the living room.


    Vinico, unsurprisingly, was still out of commission. He had somehow managed to drag himself off the floor and onto one of the oversized chairs, where he now lay sprawled like a cat, one leg dangling off the side. He was snoring softly. The empty bottles scattered around him told their own story.


    ¡°Impressive,¡± I said, raising an eyebrow. ¡°That¡¯s more effort than I expected.¡±


    I turned toad Alex, ¡°Alex, got any painkillers? Jade¡¯s not exactly in top shape this morning.¡±


    Alex didn¡¯t stop running. He jerked his head toward the counter, where a small bottle of pills sat neatly beside a glass of water. ¡°Over there,¡± he said, his tone annoyingly unaffected. ¡°Figured someone would need them.¡±


    I grabbed the pills and coffee. ¡°Thoughtful.¡±


    Alex smirked, still running. ¡°I¡¯m an angel.¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°That¡¯s definitely not the word I¡¯d use.¡±


    Shaking my head, I headed back to the room. Opening the door, I found Jade still curled up in bed, her hands clutching her forehead like she was physically trying to hold her skull together. Her silver eyes peeked out from under the blanket as I entered, her expression a mix of pitiful and annoyed.


    I sat down beside her, holding out the pill first. ¡°Here. Take this.¡±


    She let out a soft groan, but obediently took the pill, swallowing with difficulty before immediately clutching her head again.


    Her face scrunched up in discomfort. ¡°I hate this.¡±


    ¡°You should,¡± I said lightly, handing her the steaming cup of coffee next. ¡°Here, wash it down.¡±


    She took the coffee gratefully, sipping slowly, letting out a soft, content sigh.


    Her grip on her forehead loosened slightly, and I could see the tension starting to fade from her shoulders. It took a few minutes, but eventually, her breathing steadied, and she leaned back into the pillows, her face looking less like she wanted to commit murder.


    I watched her carefully. ¡°Better?¡±


    She nodded weakly, her lips curving into a small, sleepy smile. ¡°A little. Thanks.¡±


    ¡°But it still feels like my brain is trying to leave my skull.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s what you get for acting like you could outdrink Vinico.¡±


    Her groan of regret was immediate. ¡°Ugh. You should have stopped me?¡±


    I arched an eyebrow. ¡°I did. Twice.¡±


    She pouted. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you stop me harder?¡±


    I chuckled, setting the coffee aside. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry, next time I¡¯ll just physically restrain you.¡±


    She nodded seriously. ¡°Yes. Do that.¡±


    I rolled my eyes, reaching out again to gently massage her temples, rubbing slow, soothing circles.


    She let out a pleased hum, her eyes slipping shut. ¡°Mmm. Okay, I forgive you.¡±


    I snorted. ¡°Wow, what a generous drunk princess you are.¡±


    "I could fall asleep again like this," she murmured, her breath slowing.


    ¡­


    The day had just begun, and it was supposed to be the longest¡ªand potentially the most dangerous¡ªof the third cycle so far. My thoughts started to race, sifting through the plans we¡¯d made, the risks we were about to take, and the uncertainty of what we¡¯d find. The underground auction wasn¡¯t just a hunch anymore; it was a ticking clock, and by nightfall, we¡¯d either have answers or a heap of new problems.


    A soft murmur escaped Jade''s lips as I kept massaging.


    "You''re overthinking."


    I exhaled slowly. "I have a lot to think about."


    I kept my voice low, not wanting to disturb her further. She tilted her head, glancing up at me, her silver eyes still sharp despite the lingering haze of sleep.


    "Whatever happens," she said, her voice steady, "we¡¯ve got this." She nudged my side. "You always make it work."


    Then, with perfectly timed exasperation, she added, "Just¡­ let me drink my coffee first before you drag me into any life-threatening schemes."


    I chuckled, the weight on my mind lightening¡ªjust a little. The corner of my lips lifted as I tapped the side of her mug. "Fair enough."


    She took a slow sip, sighing in contentment.


    The coffee was great.

 Act 2.46 (Chrysalis)

    End before the New Beginning


    To be honest, what weighed on me the most wasn¡¯t just the looming mission or the potential dangers it posed¡ªit was my Likeness.


    The once-towering tree was now withering before my eyes. Over the last two days, its transformation had been slow but relentless. Dried leaves detached themselves one by one, spiraling downward and vanishing into nothingness. Its deep blue trunk, which had always represented a sense of lasting stability, was now darkening to indigo¡ªa clear sign I was stepping into uncharted territory, an area of deep mysteries and uncertainties. The leaves, once a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of shifting rainbow hues that changed daily, were now a dull amber. The message was clear: a warning.


    I had plenty of reasons to suspect what might be behind these changes. The first was obvious¡ªwe were tailing the villains connected to the underground auction, a dangerous game in itself.


    The second reason was Vesper¡¯s involvement, her presence adding layers of unpredictability. And then, of course, there was the ominous possibility of a doomsday-level event.


    But honestly, every country on Earth had superpowered militaries trained to handle those apocalyptic scenarios, so that wasn¡¯t my primary concern. There were still smaller, immediate dangers to worry about. Sudden ambushes, unforeseen consequences, or getting mobbed by people with grudges¡ªor worse. For now, all I could do was focus on the present and make plans for a future that felt increasingly fragile. The tree was a sign, no doubt, and ignoring it wasn¡¯t an option.


    I bent down, grabbing Jade to plant a quick peck on her cheek. She tried to dodge, her coffee mug held precariously in one hand, but all she could manage was a grumble and an exaggerated huff. Smirking, I let her be and grabbed the extra towel hanging in the room before heading to the bathroom.


    Once inside, I settled onto the toilet seat, letting out a quiet breath as I took out an ice cube. But this wasn¡¯t your typical ice cube made of frozen water that would melt in seconds. No, this was a magical construct¡ªarcane spells encased in crystalline form¡ªgiven to me by Sir Nash. Right now, in my hand, I had two spells ready for use: Weight of Time and Breakdown.


    The spells weren¡¯t without their drawbacks, though. Over the past couple of months, I¡¯d noticed the side effects of Splinter and Mindfield. Splinter made me lose my rationality far more often than I liked, while Mindfield dulled my already questionable sense of morality. Neither was ideal, but both were manageable¡ªfor now.


    If I were being honest, I suspected the only reason the spells hadn¡¯t wreaked more havoc on me was because I had a more than decent grip on my mind and emotions. At least, better than most. Still, as much as I disliked using them, the choice wasn¡¯t really mine to make. Given what was coming¡ªthe storm that loomed on the horizon¡ªI needed every edge I could get to stand my ground. If I wanted to avoid being swept away, I had to be ready.


    And these spells? They were my only option.


    I stared at the two spells in my hand. Leave a Face Behind was still sitting in my lab, untouched.


    Given how chaotic the last few days had been, I hadn¡¯t had the time¡ªor the stomach¡ªto revisit it. But the experiment¡¯s results with it had been unsettling, to say the least. So unsettling, in fact, that I hadn¡¯t even considered going near it again, let alone using it on myself. I could still clearly remember every detail of the eerie smile in my mind as if it had imprinted into the deepest part of my memories. Similarly, Jade was well aware of the side effects of the other spells. If she found out I was planning to use one more, she¡¯d probably lose it.


    I could already picture her reaction: storming in, snatching the spells out of my hands, and lecturing me until I gave up entirely. No way I was letting that happen. That¡¯s why I¡¯d come to the bathroom to perform the little ritual in secret. Hopefully, it wouldn¡¯t cause enough commotion to alert anyone to what I was doing. It wasn¡¯t like I had time to explain¡ªor argue.


    Thankfully, the process was quick. But I couldn¡¯t ignore the memory of the pain that came with bonding to Mindfield and Splinter. I knew what was coming. To prepare, I stuffed a towel into my mouth. It wasn¡¯t exactly ideal, but the alternative¡ªa shampoo bottle¡ªseemed both ridiculous and like a very bad idea.


    I let out a muffled sigh around the towel. This was going to hurt, no doubt about it. But there was no turning back now.


    With a slight pinch between my index finger and thumb, I broke the ice cube shell of the Weight of Time spell.


    The dormant arcane magic inside expanded instantly, its ghostly surface morphing like a living entity as it began to envelop me. I clenched my teeth and squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for whatever was about to hit. But then, just as quickly, the spell collapsed on itself¡ªor more accurately, on me. When I opened my eyes, there was nothing. No changes in my surroundings, no sensation of pain, no dramatic effects. Everything was eerily normal. Did it fail? Or had it expired because I left it sitting on the shelf for too long? I couldn¡¯t figure it out. It was completely different from the Mindfield and Splitter spells I¡¯d used in the past¡ªspells that helped me organize my thoughts and shield myself from telepathic attacks.


    The Weight of Time spell was supposed to enhance my defenses. The mechanics behind it were mind-boggling¡ªusing time itself to negate damage. I¡¯d met plenty of metahumans with meta natures that played with similar concepts. Some absorbed attacks and sent the damage to their future selves to deal with later, while others made injuries appear on their bodies hours after the fact, allowing them to keep fighting in the moment. The most ingenious example I¡¯d encountered was someone whose meta nature gave them a glimpse of the injuries they¡¯d sustain a day before they happened. It was like a small insight into the future, but only for damage. Armed with that knowledge, they could think of ways to avoid harm altogether.


    But the Weight of Time spell: From what I understood, it might have been distributing the damage across my past self in short bursts, allowing me to endure heavier blows without breaking.


    Of course, only Sir Nash, the creator of the spell, truly understood how it worked. The man was a metahuman on another level entirely. He had access to what felt like an endless arsenal of useful meta natures, each one more ingenious than the last. He literally had hundreds of powers at his disposal. He wasn¡¯t just in a league of his own¡ªhe was the league.


    I remembered something and took a step aside from the toilet seat to the full body mirror and Indeed, the signs were quite apparent. My eyes¡ªthey were changing. I could see black strangeness suddenly appearing out of nowhere, swirling and slowly mixing into already existing strangeness in my corneas, like tendrils of madness. It was moving, shifting¡­ and maybe even rejoicing.


    The whole process felt symbolic, like the root of the arcane or something equally profound. Or maybe it was madness.


    Either way, the spell I now used was clearly coagulating something within me, shaping and altering me in ways I didn¡¯t fully understand.


    Unlike the Mindfield and Splinter spells, which had created a helix-like structure within my consciousness that I could access by focusing my mind on a single point, there seemed to be no straightforward way to figure out how the Weight of Time spell worked without actually getting into a fight.


    My lips curled up into a smile as a thought crossed my mind¡ªmaybe I could test it by wrestling with Jade. That sounded like a good idea. A very good idea indeed.


    Though, I suddenly felt a strange compulsion.


    Slowly, I lifted my hand and peeled open the lid of my left eye, staring closely at the void inside. For a moment, I just studied it, my breath slow, controlled¡ªtoo controlled. My index finger hovered hesitantly, lingering just above the surface. Then, finally, I touched it. Nothing. It wasn¡¯t soft, not like an eye should be¡ªunnervingly so. My skin brushed against it, expecting some kind of give, some reaction, but there was none. No discomfort. No sensation. No resistance. I let out a slow breath. It felt¡­ smooth. Glasslike.


    As if it wasn¡¯t a part of me at all¡ªjust a reflection of something that used to exist. Curious, I dragged my nail against it, scratching lightly. No pain. No irritation. Just that same eerie smoothness. Like I wasn¡¯t touching an eye. Like I was touching something else entirely. Something unnatural.


    Something that had long since stopped belonging to me. I couldn¡¯t properly express the feeling.


    Those things clearly weren¡¯t eyes anymore¡ªnot in the traditional sense. I didn¡¯t even know what to call them. Crystal orbs?


    That sounded about right. Whatever they were, they were definitely not human.


    I sighed, shutting my so-called eyes, but it wasn¡¯t the same as blinking. There was no moisture, no sensation, just the mechanical motion of eyelids covering something that wasn¡¯t supposed to be there. First, my mind had twisted into something alien, no longer organic or human. And now, my eyes followed suit. Great. Just great.


    I rolled my supposed new eyes, feeling both amused and irritated at the absurdity of it all. Yet, no matter how much I tried to shrug it off, I couldn¡¯t shake the gnawing discomfort clawing at my thoughts.


    Arcane¡ªit was truly a corruption of the human mind and body.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    The underground auction was set for tonight.


    By evening, our group was split between two cars, loaded up and ready to go.


    When the clock struck six, we arrived at the abandoned train museum ¡ªthe same location we¡¯d scouted last night.


    We parked some distance away, far enough to avoid immediate suspicion but close enough to keep a clear view of the entrance. The plan was simple: watch and learn. We needed to see who was going in, how they were getting inside, and if there were any hidden security measures. Every detail mattered if we wanted to slip in undetected.


    In one car, Alex, Lore, Jade, and I were stationed about two or three hundred meters from the gate. Our vantage point was decent¡ªnot perfect, but enough to give us a direct line of sight to the entrance. In the other car, stationed slightly farther down, were Henry, Vinico, Gina, Louvel, and Placid. They were positioned at a different angle, keeping an eye on side routes, blind spots, and possible escape points.


    Alex and Lore both had magnifying scopes trained on the main gate and the surrounding area, their eyes glued to the scene outside. They were looking for anything¡ªan alternate entrance, hidden doors, patterns in movement, or even subtle tells that might reveal the access point.


    So far, though, we hadn¡¯t seen much.


    Just a few people here and there, slipping through like they knew exactly where to go. Each of them was dressed in sleek black and blue suits¡ªthe kind that screamed wealth and exclusivity.


    "Looks like VIPs," Alex muttered, still glued to her scope.


    "Agreed," Lore added, adjusting her lens slightly. "They''re moving like they belong here. No hesitation, no second-guessing."


    Jade, seated beside me, let out a low whistle. "So, what? Do we just walk up like we own the place, too?"


    "That¡¯s the general idea," I murmured, watching the gate with narrowed eyes.


    Fortunately, we¡¯d already prepared for this. Our group was dressed to blend in¡ªdark, clean-cut suits, expensive-looking accessories, and just enough confidence to avoid suspicion. We weren¡¯t going in guns blazing. We were ghosts until proven otherwise.


    "No one is stopping them at the front gate," Alex muttered, still observing through the scope.


    That was good and bad. Good because it meant no immediate ID checks or forceful screenings. Bad because we had no idea what was waiting inside.


    Lore frowned. "Either security is tighter inside¡­ or there¡¯s some kind of hidden verification system we¡¯re not seeing."


    I exhaled slowly. "We need to know how they''re being identified. Badges? Chips? Biometrics?"


    Alex scanned the incoming VIPs again. "None of them are showing anything obvious."


    ¡°Could be hidden tech. Smart lenses, coded frequencies in their suits, or¡ªhell¡ªmaybe they¡¯re using meta-detection scanners."


    The last option made my stomach tighten. If they were using high-level scanning systems, we¡¯d be screwed before we even stepped through the door.


    Alex kept watching. "There¡¯s still no sign of bodyguards or enforcers. Either they¡¯re really confident no one¡¯s gonna try anything stupid, or¡­"


    "¡­They''ve got defenses in places we can¡¯t see," Lore finished grimly.


    Jade sat in the backseat with Lore, but my attention kept drifting toward her. I was in the front passenger seat, trying to focus on the mission¡ªon the auction, on the risks, on the countless moving pieces that could go wrong.


    But every time I sneaked a glance at the rearview mirror, my thoughts derailed.


    She was wearing a sheer, off-white blouse with long, puffed sleeves that tapered delicately to fitted cuffs. The high neckline added a refined elegance, while a large fabric flower adorned her shoulder. The semi-transparent fabric gave a glimpse of subtle layers beneath, creating a sense of sophistication. She paired the blouse with a matching sheer, layered maxi skirt that flowed gracefully around her, the gathered tiers near the hem adding a romantic, dreamy quality. The soft shimmer of the fabric caught the light with every step, and pointed silver heels peeked out from beneath the long skirt. Her loose, natural waves cascaded over her shoulders, framing her face with an effortless kind of grace¡ªthe kind you couldn¡¯t manufacture.


    She must have felt my gaze, because our eyes met briefly in the mirror. A single second. Maybe less.


    I cleared my throat, trying to pull myself together.


    ¡°Once we¡¯re inside, we need to be ghosts,¡± I suggested, my voice steadier than I expected.


    Lore gave a small nod, his eyes still fixed on the gate. ¡°Agreed. No slip-ups. One wrong move, and this whole thing could fall apart.¡±


    The atmosphere in the car was cut short by the crackle of Gina¡¯s voice over the phone. ¡°I think it¡¯s time to move.¡±


    Alex and Lore immediately stopped their observations, their attention shifting to the conversation.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Lore asked, his tone cautious.


    Gina hesitated, the faint sounds of the other car¡¯s engine rumbling in the background. ¡°Look, we don¡¯t know the timing for sure, but if people are already going inside, it might have started. That¡¯s probably why we¡¯re not seeing much activity at the gate. I think it¡¯s better to take the risk and move now. It¡¯s already getting dark.¡±Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    With scopes still in his hands, Alex glanced at me, ¡°What do you think?¡±


    I exhaled deeply, my eyes flicking between the gate and the sky above.


    The Likeness painted itself in swirling storm patterns above the abandoned train museum, a chaotic symphony of colors. Dark red rippled at the storm¡¯s core, the embodiment of tension, while streaks of light blue shimmered in fleeting patches, symbolizing a fragile, temporary peace. Dark green twisted through the chaos¡ªhidden developments lurking just out of reach. Emerald streaks flashed briefly, representing potential beneficial changes, but they were faint and fleeting. Violet swirled ominously, a promise of hidden truths waiting to be uncovered, while soft pink danced around the edges, hinting at minor conflicts.


    And there, at the storm''s periphery, faint streaks of gold glimmered¡ªthe rare promise of guaranteed success. Yet those streaks were few, sparse enough to remind me that nothing here was certain.


    The Likeness confirmed what I already felt: the risk was undeniable, but waiting wasn¡¯t an option. The storm showed paths of opportunity alongside danger. If we moved now, there were chances¡ªslim, but present. But if the auction had already begun, we risked losing everything: our chance to observe, to intervene, to learn the truth.


    ¡°I think Gina¡¯s right,¡± I said finally. ¡°We need to move, but carefully. One group at a time. If something goes wrong, we retreat immediately.¡±


    Alex gave a firm nod, and Jade grinned, her excitement barely restrained. ¡°Let¡¯s do this.¡±


    We stepped out of the car, the cool evening air brushing against us as we adjusted our clothes. Our group had dressed to blend in¡ªsharp and sleek, but not ostentatious. We needed to look like we belonged without standing out too much.


    "Vinico," I said into the phone, keeping my voice low. "Leave clones behind to keep the car nearby. Park it somewhere close enough to grab if we need it."


    "On it." His response was quick, efficient¡ªno unnecessary chatter.


    As he worked, Alex, Lore, Jade, and I began our cautious approach to the gate.


    The guards at the entrance had their attention focused on monitors and a live holographic map, scanning for all and anything moving inside the park. It was very troublesome to simply sneak in.


    They were here to keep people like us out. Then, something shifted. One second, the guards were fully present. The next, their heads turned as if pulled by invisible strings, drawn toward something far in the distance. It wasn¡¯t just a glance. More like an itch on the back of their head. And then, the gate creaked open, malfunctioning, probably, and then the fuse box nearby suddenly caught fire with a flash of sparks.


    I turned my head just enough to glance at Jade. She stood behind me, relaxed, unbothered, her expression one of quiet amusement.


    Alex and Lore exchanged looks, wordless but knowing, before the three of us at the same time gave her an exaggerated thumbs-up.


    Jade¡¯s lips curled into a smirk, tilting her head slightly, as if to say, "Oh, was that impressive? I barely tried."


    We slipped inside, moving like shadows with purpose, quick but quiet.


    By the time we reached the meeting point, the rest of the group¡ªGina, Henry, Vinico, Louvel, and Placid¡ªhad followed the same invisible thread, arriving without incident.


    We regrouped in the spot we had scouted the night before, the location where we had seen the invisible train.


    But something was wrong.


    The train wasn¡¯t there.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡°Where is it?¡± Gina muttered, her voice low but tense.


    Her eyes swept the tunnel, scanning for anything we might have missed.


    ¡°It was here last night,¡± Vinico said, her brow furrowed. He was looking through the heat goggles, ¡°It can¡¯t have just vanished.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s invisible,¡± Placid pointed out, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s still here, just... more invisible?¡±


    Meanwhile, Alex was using portable x-ray scopes to scan the area, ¡°I ain¡¯t seeing anything.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure they are working?¡± Lore asked sceptically with her hands resting on her hips.


    ¡°Stop it!¡± I raised my hand, frowning. I signaled for everyone to calm down. ¡°Someone might have taken it,¡± I said, keeping my tone steady to avoid letting the tension grow. ¡°Just wait a little. It might be back in no time.¡±


    I shrugged internally, worried about our group''s real lack of common sense.


    The group exchanged uncertain glances, their unease palpable, but no one argued.


    There wasn¡¯t much else we could do at the moment, and the last thing we needed was to start panicking.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hide in the meantime,¡± I suggested, scanning the area for suitable cover. The last thing we wanted was to be caught out in the open if someone¡ªor something¡ªreturned with the train.


    Without a word, we moved into the shadows, spreading out to take positions behind whatever cover we could find.


    Lore crouched behind a large, weathered tree trunk, its roots gnarled and twisted like frozen tendrils. Alex slipped behind a massive tumble of weeds, their overgrown forms creating a natural curtain that obscured her completely.


    Gina and Vinico found a cluster of boulders, their jagged edges providing enough space to conceal them. Jade stayed close to me, tucking herself behind a massive stone as I pressed myself against its cool surface.


    ¡°Unless someone¡¯s got X-ray or other meta-type vision,¡± Jade whispered, ¡°they shouldn¡¯t be able to spot us.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s hope not,¡± I replied, my voice low. I adjusted my position, making sure I had a clear view of the tracks while staying hidden.


    I focused on the Likeness again, trying to catch any changes in the swirling storm above and the train tracks. The big problem was that none of us would know even if the train was already on the tracks until someone opened the door from the inside.


    Of course, I didn¡¯t count Jade in we, she certainly had her way of seeing things from different perspectives.


    I shifted my perspective further. However, I also wondered another thing at the same time, even though the arcane spell had mutated my eyes into that of crystals, they didn¡¯t seem to lose their original function and nor was my meta nature affected in the slightest.


    The only thing that changed though was the weird sensation of as they moved in my skull and they suddenly became very heavy. I could feel the weight rolling.


    Focusing my thoughts on the urgent situation ahead, Instead of seeing the big picture, I broke down the Likeness into its fundamental form; I tried to see the shapes and not the whole picture. And immediately, my vision was filled with lines, squares, triangles and what not overlapping with the existing reality: plants, trees, the grass blades buried under the snow and the snow itself har turned into geometric structures.


    If not for focusing on a point, I could barely see what was in front of me at the moment, as my Meta was so aggressive.


    "It''s here," Jade murmured, tapping my shoulder.


    I gave a short nod in acknowledgment but didn¡¯t turn around. Not yet. We had to wait, had to see if anyone was already inside.


    I motioned for her to message the others instead of speaking aloud. No sudden noises. No movements that could give away our location to anyone watching.


    But inwardly, I swore. Dammit. I turned my attention back, focusing hard on the lines and shapes, trying to make out any shifts, any warning signs in the air around us. Nothing.


    That was wrong. It shouldn¡¯t be nothing. The patterns should have shifted, the colors should have changed¡ªsomething, anything to signal that stepping onto this train would alter my fortune.


    Instead, the space just sat there, still and quiet. Weird.


    I frowned. It really sucked when my meta nature didn¡¯t work the way it was supposed to. Like, if there¡¯s danger, show me. Even if something is invisible, that doesn¡¯t mean it disappeared from local reality.


    In one way or another, it¡¯s still affecting the space. So why the hell wasn¡¯t it reacting?


    ¡­


    Fifteen more minutes of watching. Fifteen minutes of waiting, observing, questioning¡ªand nothing. No one had taken the train. No hidden signals, no secret movements.


    It was just¡­ sitting there.


    That was when I stood up, stretching out the tension in my limbs before gesturing for the others to follow. ¡°Alright. We¡¯re going in. Quietly.¡±


    We moved discreetly, blending into the shadows as we approached. Following the same routine as before, I turned intangible, letting the energy shift through me before I stepped forward and passed effortlessly through the locked door.


    A second later, I unlatched it from the inside. The compartment filled with the soft shuffle of boots and quiet murmurs as our group slipped inside.


    Then, ¡°Wow,¡± Gina whispered, her tone laced with something between wonder and suspicion. ¡°It actually exists.¡±


    I turned to her, deadpan. ¡°Did you really think we were lying?¡±


    She shrugged, crossing her arms. ¡°I mean, I wasn¡¯t fully convinced until now.¡±


    I sighed. ¡°Gina, we saw it yesterday.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but you also said it was invisible, which¡ªlet¡¯s be honest¡ªsounds insane.¡±


    Lore scanned the space, his expression calm but assessing. ¡°And there¡¯s no one inside.¡±


    No conductor. No staff. Just us.


    I frowned. ¡°Either this place is fully automated, or whoever runs the underground auction doesn¡¯t care enough to hire a driver for one night.¡±


    Louvel let out a low whistle, strolling toward the front controls. ¡°Well, in that case¡ª¡± he plopped himself into the driver¡¯s seat, flashing us a broad, satisfied grin. ¡°¡ªI guess I have some experience with running this.¡±


    He reached for the lever, the one that seemed to act as both a throttle and an activation switch. I barely had time to take a seat before the entire compartment jolted, and the train hummed to life. The lights inside flickered once, then steadied.


    And just like that¡ªwe were moving.


    Meanwhile, I took Jade¡¯s hand in mine as I sank into a corner seat, my mind still tangled in thought. Was the underground place entry by invitation only, or could anyone just walk in? If it was invitation-only, what was our next move? Would we have to forge our way in, sneak around, or¡ªSomething soft nudged my hand. At first, I ignored it, assuming it was just Jade adjusting her grip. But then, I felt her thumb pressing against mine, poking, nudging, swiping. I glanced down. Jade was completely focused, her silver eyes narrowed, her lips pressed in determined concentration.


    She was¡­ fighting with my thumb.


    Like a cat batting at a toy, she was trying to pin my thumb down with her own. She¡¯d move quickly, attempting to trap it under hers, but every time, I shifted just slightly out of her grasp. Her brows furrowed. She tried again¡ªfaster this time, a little flick of her wrist¡ªbut I was quicker, dodging at the last second. She let out a tiny huff. I clicked my tongue, biting back a smirk as I watched her. Here we were, sitting in a train compartment, waiting for an underground auction full of dangerous people, and instead of worrying about it, Jade was laser-focused on this ridiculous little battle.


    Not the auction. Not the risk. Just my damn thumb.


    I flicked it out of her reach again, watching as she squinted at me, frustrated yet stubborn.


    ¡°This is cheating,¡± she muttered.


    I raised an eyebrow. ¡°Cheating?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re too fast.¡± She pouted slightly, but the fire in her eyes didn¡¯t dim. She wasn¡¯t giving up.


    With a sudden quick move, she faked to the right, then darted left¡ªalmost catching my thumb under hers. Almost. I dodged at the last second. Jade stared at my hand, betrayed.


    Then, she lunged forward, full commitment, grabbing my entire hand with both of hers.


    ¡°HA!¡± she exclaimed triumphantly, her entire face lighting up as she pinned my thumb down with both hands.


    I let out a chuckle. ¡°Oh, wow. Two hands? That¡¯s bold.¡±


    She grinned. ¡°Victory at all costs.¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°I think that¡¯s called desperation.¡±


    She stuck her tongue out at me, still holding my hand hostage. ¡°Sore loser energy.¡±


    I shook my head, half-amused, half-fond. Of course, Jade would fixate on something so ridiculous in the middle of everything. She didn¡¯t care about the auction, the risks, the danger. What mattered right now was that she had won our ridiculous thumb war.


    And damn it, she looked so cute doing it.


    The train rocked gently as it sped through the underground tunnels, the dim compartment light casting soft shadows against the metal walls. Jade was still leaning into me, fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on my wrist, her earlier victory in our ridiculous thumb war still fresh in her mind. Then, out of nowhere, she sighed dramatically and turned her face up toward me, silver eyes gleaming with something decisive.


    ¡°North,¡± she started, her voice suspiciously serious.


    I glanced down at her, eyebrows raised. ¡°Yeah?¡±


    She poked me in the chest, twice for emphasis. ¡°Once we wrap up this whole supervillain nonsense, you¡¯re taking me to dinner.¡±


    I blinked. ¡°Dinner?¡±


    ¡°Yes. A real one.¡± She sat up straighter, crossing her arms like she was preparing for battle. ¡°And before you say anything, no, I don¡¯t mean grabbing takeout on the way home, or eating cold pizza .¡±


    I exhaled through my nose, amused but also a little guilty, because¡­ well. She had a point.


    She tilted her head, waiting. ¡°You realize you¡¯ve never actually taken me on a proper dinner date, right?¡±


    I frowned, thinking back. ¡°¡­Haven¡¯t I?¡±


    She gasped, shoving me lightly. ¡°See?! You don¡¯t even remember!¡±


    ¡°Okay, ouch.¡± I caught her hand before she could push me again, lacing my fingers through hers. ¡°We eat together a lot?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± she scoffed. ¡°You make lunch and dinner, but that¡¯s not the point.¡±


    I opened my mouth to counter that, but she gave me a pointed look.


    ¡°¡­Alright, fair.¡±


    Jade leaned closer, squinting up at me with exaggerated seriousness. ¡°I want a real date. You know¡ªcandlelight, actual silverware. Somewhere in a fancy restaurant.¡±


    I smirked. ¡°Yeah?¡±


    She nodded, ¡°And maybe¡­ you can ask one of your teleporter friends to zap us somewhere in a different country?¡±


    I huffed out a laugh. ¡°Oh, so now I¡¯m just using my connections to fast-track our date across dimensions?¡±


    She waved a hand. ¡°Come on. You¡¯re telling me you can¡¯t pull one little favor to take me somewhere fancy?¡±


    I chuckled, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. ¡°Alright. I promise. After this, I¡¯ll take you somewhere special.¡±


    The atmosphere in the compartment grew heavier as the train descended deeper underground. The quiet hum of the rails against the tracks was the only sound, but inside, the tension was palpable.


    Jade, who had just been dreaming about candlelit dinners in Italy, was now sitting rigidly beside me, her fingers tightening around mine. Vinico had gone unusually silent, staring out the window, while Gina¡¯s leg bounced impatiently. Even Lore, who was usually the calmest among us, was frowning slightly, calculating something in her head.


    We were close. And then. Shit. Through the train¡¯s window, we saw something that threatened to wreck our entire plan. Right there, stationed at the underground checkpoint, were two guards in black suits. Not just any guards¡ªhigh-level security. Armed, trained, professional. They were checking every single person coming through¡ªwhether they arrived via the underground waterway entrance or teleported in directly.


    Invitations only. No exceptions.


    The realization hit all of us at the same time.


    Gina was the first to react, ¡°Uh¡ªNorth? We have a small problem.¡±


    Vinico exhaled sharply, ¡°No, we have a giant-ass problem.¡±


    Placid leaned closer to the window, her fingers tapping against her thigh. ¡°OMG, We are so screwed.¡±


    Lore clicked her tongue. ¡°Okay. We need a plan. Fast.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay, okay¡ªlet¡¯s not panic,¡± I interrupted.


    I let out a slow breath as I squeezed Jade''s hand. My crystalline eyes shifted in their sockets, heavy and strange, as I focused on the security checkpoint ahead. The Likeness painted itself across my vision in abstract geometry¡ªtriangles and squares overlapping reality, showing glaring danger. But instead of focusing on that I looked for gold threads that wove through the chaos, rare and precious, promising success.


    I couldn''t help the slight smirk that tugged at my lips. "We''ve got this handled."


    My lucky charm, the arrogant dragon was right beside me, so why was there a need to panic. Even if the sky was falling, I was sure she could hold it all together.


    Jade flipped her silver hair back, the movement deliberately casual as she leaned into me. The sheer fabric of her blouse caught the dim light, creating an ethereal effect that matched those otherworldly moon like eyes of hers. "Of course we do. Though honestly, what would you do without me here to save your ass every time?" she teased, voice carrying that effortless cocky charm she always had when she knew she had the upper hand.


    "Lucky for me," I murmured, watching as the patterns of my meta nature swirled around her like they were drawn to her presence, "that''s not something I need to think about. You''re right here."


    Jade¡¯s sharp, witty exterior cracked just a little. Her gaze softened, the playful smirk fading into something warmer, something real.


    "Oh God, they''re doing it again," Placid groaned from behind us, the sound echoing in the train compartment. "Can we focus on not dying instead of whatever this is?"


    "Seriously," Vinico chimed in, "this is physically painful to watch."


    "can you two stop flirting for five minutes?"


    Gina made a dramatic gagging noise. "Seriously, I think I lost a year off my life hearing that."


    Jade was completely unbothered. "Y¡¯all are just mad you¡¯re not getting this level of love."


    I chuckled, not bothering to argue. She wasn¡¯t wrong.


    What really got me, though, was how she never hesitated to defend me¡ªnot for a second. She didn¡¯t care if it meant stepping out of her comfort zone or taking on anyone who doubted us.


    Meanwhile, outside the train window, the real show was about to start.


    At the security checkpoint, a man in a brown suit strutted up to the guards like he owned the place, two ridiculously hot women clinging to him like ornaments. I could already tell from the way the guy carried himself¡ªhe was exactly the type of sleazeball who thought money could buy anything. His gold rings gleamed, his slicked-back hair was too perfect, and his hands were resting just a little too comfortably on the women¡¯s shoulders, fingers conveniently brushing against their breasts.


    The guards barely reacted, just took his invitation, glancing it over with dull professionalism.


    Then, a flicker.


    A single light above them flickered. Once. Twice.


    Then¡ªBOOM.


    A small pop echoed through the underground place entrance as sparks rained down from the ceiling. The guards barely had a second to react before a rogue spark landed directly onto a stack of papers sitting near their table.


    In the next second. Fire.


    The flames licked up the edges of the papers, climbing fast, catching onto the cloth-draped security desk before anyone could stop it. T


    he guard dropped the invitation, cursing loudly as he stumbled backward. His partner ran around frantically, trying to find something¡ªanything¡ªto control the rapidly spreading fire. The man in the brown suit finally removed his hands from the women, using them instead to shield his face from the shower of sparks still raining down.


    "Oops," Jade whispered beside me.


    Chaos. Perfect, beautiful chaos.


    The train compartment slid to a perfect stop amid the mayhem, and we didn''t waste a second. Jade and I stepped out first, both of us wearing matching grins as we strode past the flaming chaos she''d created. I couldn''t help letting out a laugh¡ªit was just too perfect. Behind us, our group followed, and I could hear them barely containing their laughs and admiration.


    "That was absolutely brilliant, Jade!" Alex exclaimed, trying to keep his voice down despite his excitement.


    "Pure artistry," Lore agreed, matching our confident stride.


    We confidently strode in.


    No need to show invitation anymore.

 Act 2.47 (Chrysalis)

    End Before the New Beginning 1.2


    The entrance hall transformed into something that belonged in a billionaire supervillain''s fever dream. Art deco columns stretched up into darkness, their golden surfaces reflecting the soft purple glow of floating orbs that drifted aimlessly through the air.


    The Likeness of the place was going wild. The place was heavily saturated with power.


    I gathered our group in an alcove, away from the steady stream of costumed criminals and well-dressed monsters flowing past us. "Alright," I said, keeping my voice low. "We need to split up. Cover more ground."


    "Looking for anything about the train victims?" Jade asked, her silver eyes scanning the crowd.


    I nodded. "And any mention of the Bakers. These types love to network¡ªsomeone''s bound to drop names."


    A woman glided past our alcove, her dress seemingly made of living shadows that writhed and twisted.


    "Three teams," I decided, watching as more powered individuals filled the space. "Jade and I will take the main floor. Alex and Lore, check out the upper levels¡ªlooks like they''ve got some kind of VIP section up there." I gestured to the glass boxes suspended above us, where figures moved behind tinted windows.


    "What about us?" Gina asked, gesturing to herself, Vinico, and Placid.


    "Take the lower level," I said, noticing a stairway that descended deeper underground. "I can see power signatures down there¡ªlots of them. Might be where they''re keeping the merchandise."


    Jade squeezed my hand. "And Henry and Louvel?"


    "Stay mobile. Float between groups. If anything goes wrong, they''re our backup."


    The Likeness above swirled with competing colors¡ªdark red for danger, violet for secrets, and thin streaks of gold for opportunity. We had a chance here, but one wrong move...


    "Remember," I added, "we''re not here to fight. If someone engages you, play along. We''re all fellow criminals here, right?"


    Jade''s lips curled into a smile that perfectly matched our surroundings¡ªbeautiful and dangerous. "Just a bunch of villains doing villain things."


    "Exactly. And speaking of¡ª" I gestured to a man nearby who was casually turning his memories into gleaming crystals and trading them with a collector. "¡ªkeep an eye out for power displays. If anyone asks for a demonstration..."


    "Fake it," Lore finished. "Got it."


    "Meet back here in an hour," I said. "And whatever you do, try not to¡ª"


    "Start an international incident?" Jade suggested innocently.


    I couldn¡¯t help taking a closer look at her Likeness and my eyes widened, seeing how much she was bleeding into reality.


    "That would be nice, yes."


    We split up, merging into the crowd of villains like we belonged there. As Jade and I headed toward what looked like a bustling black market area, I caught glimpses of our team disappearing into the throng: Alex and Lore ascending a floating staircase, Gina''s group slipping down into the lower levels, Henry and Louvel vanishing into shadows.


    A man walked past us, casually catching and bottling the last screams of the dying. I watched as another woman across the room aged thirty years in seconds, her life force being siphoned by another villain''s touch. I revised my thoughts. Without getting ourselves killed, exposed, or recruited.


    I brought my attention back to Jade.


    "Excited?" I asked, watching Jade''s face as she took in the underground spectacle. Her silver eyes were practically sparkling, darting from one incredible sight to another like she couldn''t decide what to focus on first.


    She nodded so fast I thought her head might fall off, then grabbed my arm with both hands, pressing close. "North! Look at that woman¡ªher dress is made of actual fire!" A delighted gasp. "Oh! And that man over there, his shadow just ate someone else''s shadow!"


    Her enthusiasm was contagious. Before I could respond, she bounced up on her toes and planted a quick kiss on my cheek, nearly missing in her excitement. I couldn''t help but laugh. Here we were, in literal villain central, and Jade was treating it like the most amazing amusement park she''d ever seen. A waiter drifted by¡ªliterally drifted, his feet hovering a good inch off the marble floor. I snagged two glasses of something that looked like captured starlight.


    "Here," I handed one to Jade. "I promise it''s nothing like that paint-thinner cocktail you tried yesterday."


    She wrinkled her nose at the memory but accepted the glass. "That was so gross. I still can''t believe I drank that stuff."


    "Just try this one. Trust me?"


    She gave me a skeptical look but took a careful sip. Her eyes widened. The liquid shimmered as she swallowed, making her skin glow faintly for a moment. "Oh! It tastes like... like..."


    "Sunshine and secrets?" I suggested, grinning.


    "Kind of!" She took another sip, more enthusiastic this time. "Still not as good as your cocktails though."


    We wandered through the crowd, Jade practically glued to my side, absorbing everything with wide-eyed fascination. A group of villains nearby were having an animated discussion about territory disputes, their powers casually on display. One woman''s words literally froze in the air as she spoke, shattering when someone disagreed. Another man punctuated his points by aging and de-aging the plant life around him.


    "Did you see that?" Jade whispered, tugging my sleeve as we passed a woman who was collecting tears in crystal vials. "She''s crying diamonds! Actually crying diamonds!"


    The jazz band caught our attention next¡ªand what a band it was. The pianist''s fingers never touched the keys; they floated an inch above, pulling music directly from the air. The bassist''s shadow was playing a second bass line, creating impossible harmonies. And the singer? Her voice split into three-part harmony with itself, each note visible as rings of color that expanded through the room.


    A couple of dancers swayed on the dance floor, their movements enhanced by their powers. One pair left trails of starlight with each step. Another seemed to dance in the air. They had wings on their backs.


    Jade''s eyes were fixed on the dancers, practically vibrating with barely contained desire. She bit her lip, looking up at me hopefully. "North...?"


    "Do you even know how to dance?" I asked, already knowing the answer.


    Her face lit up with that brilliant smile that never failed to make my heart skip. She shook her head, silver hair catching the light. "Nope! But I really want to try! Please?" She bounced on her toes again, practically radiating excitement. "I''ll follow your lead, I promise! I''m a quick learner¡ªyou know I am!"


    How could anyone say no to that? I set our glasses on a passing tray and offered my hand with an exaggerated bow. "Well then, my villainous lady, may I have this dance?"


    Jade''s delighted laugh drew several heads our way as she practically jumped to take my hand. I led her to the edge of the dance floor, where she immediately started studying the other couples'' movements with intense concentration.


    "Just feel the music," I murmured, pulling her close. "And try not to fall down."


    She stuck her tongue out at me but focused on the steps. True to her word, she was a natural. Within minutes, she had the basic movements down. Within two songs, she was adding her own flourishes, her inherent grace making up for her lack of formal training. I noticed more than a few appreciative male gazes following her movements. Jade in that sheer, off-white outfit, moving like she was born to dance, her silver eyes bright with joy¡ªshe was magnetic. A few of the more powerful-looking villains were watching with particular interest, whispering among themselves. The band shifted to something slower, more sensual, notes of deep purple and midnight blue swirling through the air around us. Jade melted against me with a happy sigh, completely at ease despite being surrounded by some of the most dangerous people on the planet.


    "This is amazing," she whispered, her breath warm against my neck. "Why don''t we infiltrate villain lairs more often?"


    I had to bite back a laugh. "Because usually we''re too busy fighting them?"


    "Details, details." She pulled back just enough to give me an impish grin. "Besides, this is way more fun."


    When the song ended, we found a small table near the edge of the dance floor. Jade was practically glowing with happiness, watching everything with undisguised wonder. I squeezed her hand, trying to focus on our actual mission instead of how adorable she was when discovering new things. The warmth of her smile was almost enough to make me forget we were technically here to stop these villains, not join their party.


    Then, out of nowhere, a woman materialized beside our table like a ghost, "Pardon the interruption," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "My employer couldn''t help but notice your wonderful dancing. Mr. Compound would be honored if you''d join him for drinks in the private lounge." She produced two ornate invitation cards that seemed to be made of crystallized darkness. "He''s quite selective about his guests, but he has an eye for... unique talents."


    The Likeness above her head swirled with dark violet¡ªsecrets tangled with opportunity. My meta nature kicked in, breaking down the geometry of the space around her. Everything about her movements formed perfect triangles, too precise to be natural. Trained. Dangerous.


    I felt Jade''s posture shift subtly beside me, her earlier playfulness giving way to careful attention. But, despite the situation, she maintained a perfect poise.


    "We''re flattered by the invitation," I said, matching the woman¡¯s polite tone.


    The woman''s smile was practiced but genuine. "Indeed he is. I''m Cassandra, by the way. Mr. Compound''s social coordinator." She gestured gracefully toward the upper level. "The view from the private lounge is quite spectacular. And the company..." She paused delicately. "Well, let''s just say it''s a rare opportunity to meet others of similar... inclinations."


    She gave me a slight nod, her lips curving into a sophisticated smile.


    "How could we refuse such a gracious invitation?" I stood, offering Jade my hand.


    As she took it, I kept her close¡ªprotective but not obviously so.


    "Wonderful," Cassandra said, gesturing for us to follow. "If you''ll come with me?"


    We followed her through the crowd, ascending a spiral staircase.


    The VIP room opened before us, and the social dynamics were immediately clear. Men in bespoke suits engaged in quiet conversation, some accompanied by elegant women who served drinks or provided companionship. Equally powerful women commanded their own spaces, dressed in sophisticated but alluring outfits, surrounded by attentive men.


    At the center of it all sat Compound at a massive obsidian table, his presence impressive but not overwhelming. The patterns showed me how reality curved gently around him¡ªpower, but carefully controlled. Cassandra took her place behind his chair, part of what was clearly an inner circle rather than mere security.


    "Ah, our dancers arrive," Compound said warmly, standing to greet us. His voice matched his appearance¡ªpowerful but cultured. "I''m Marcus Compound. Thank you for accepting my invitation."


    He gestured to two empty seats, the placement clearly chosen to make us feel included rather than trapped. "Please, join us. I so rarely get to meet interesting new faces.¡±


    I guided Jade to her seat with practiced courtesy before taking my own. The Likeness above the table was a storm of colors¡ªdark violet for secrets, yes, but also streaks of gold for opportunity. Whatever game was being played here, it was far more sophisticated than simple intimidation.


    "You''re very generous to include us," I said, noting how Compound had positioned himself as a host rather than an interrogator. "Though I must admit, I''m curious what caught your attention."


    Compound smiled, pouring two glasses of something that shimmered like liquid starlight. "Let''s call it an appreciation for performance art. Besides," he gestured casually at the room, "one can never have too many interesting friends in our line of work, wouldn''t you agree?"


    "Right," I said, meeting his smile with one of my own. "An interesting friend is a treasure no wealth can buy.¡±


    Simultaneously, I was also studying the room. Like that guy in the corner''s shadow kept trying to grope the woman next to him when he thought no one was looking. Classy.


    The other guests were sizing us up, not even trying to be subtle about it. A woman with actual scales for skin kept flicking her forked tongue in our direction. Another whose body seemed to be made entirely of living glass clinked softly every time she moved.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    A server approached¡ª A woman in a dress made of what looked like liquid rubies, carrying a tray of drinks that sparked and fizzing. Her movements were too fluid to be human. Compound gestured for her to serve us first. I took one glass. As she moved to give Jade a drink, I subtly shook my eyes. I was already aware of Jade alcohol tolerance, and this meta-infused alcohol would surely hit her too hard. And the last thing I needed was to handle Jade throwing a tantrum in a room full of villains.


    "I don''t believe I caught your names," Compound asked, somehow making his massive frame look almost elegant despite practically dwarfing his custom chair. "I must admit, watching you two on the dance floor... There''s something quite captivating about the way you move together."


    "Jupiter," I said smoothly, the fake name sliding out easy as breathing. "And this my partner is Seren." Jade gave a slight nod, playing it cool effortlessly. Though, I could tell she was a little nervous the way she twitched from time to time.


    Soon, the others around the table resumed their talks, quickly losing their interest in us, seeing we were nothing but some low level, random villains.


    Yet, I couldn''t help but notice the way a few of their eyes kept drifting toward us. The men were about as subtle as a brick through a window¡ªtheir gazes lingering on Jade''s face, the curves of her body. It was really troublesome. Even Likeness painted their intentions in sickly yellow streams.


    In an opposite corner, a man in a white suit suddenly stood up, his chair scraping back dramatically. His skin rippled like television static, and when he spoke, his voice came out in multiple tones at once.


    "Compound, you promised us a preview," Static-man said, earning murmurs of agreement from several others. "We didn''t come here just for small talk."


    Compound raised his massive hands in surrender. "Patience, Maxwell. Good things come to those who wait." He glanced around the table, a showman building anticipation. "Though I suppose a small demonstration wouldn''t hurt."


    A hidden door slid open, and an assistant wheeled in a sleek silver case


    A woman on another sofa leaned forward eagerly. "Is this the augmentation serum we''ve heard about?"


    "Indeed." Compound lifted a small vial of shimmering liquid from the case. "Though I should warn you¡ªthe effects are temporary. But in those few minutes..." His smile widened. "Well, let''s just say it pushes your abilities beyond their normal limits."


    Static-man shifted impatiently. "We''ve heard the sales pitch. Show us."


    Compound nodded to his assistant, who stepped forward voluntarily. She was a meta with minor telekinetic abilities¡ªI''d seen her floating drinks earlier. She took the vial without hesitation and drank.


    The effect was immediate. The air around her began to ripple, and suddenly many objects in the room lighter than a chair lifted off the ground. Glasses, papers, decorative items¡ªall floating in perfect formation. She moved them with a precision I''d only seen in high-level telekinetics.


    "As you can see," Compound continued, "the formula temporarily amplifies existing abilities. Imagine: five minutes of being the most powerful version of yourself."


    "Duration?" the diamond woman asked sharply.


    "Currently? Three to five minutes. We''re working on extending it, of course."


    "And side effects?" Someone else asked.


    "A mild headache, nothing more." Compound shrugged. "Though we recommend waiting twenty-four hours between doses."


    The room erupted in excited discussion¡ªprices, quantities, exclusive territory rights. These weren''t just random criminals; they were potential distributors, each probably controlling their own network of meta villains.


    I kept my face carefully neutral, playing the role of an interested observer. A temporary power boost wasn''t what we''d come here looking for, but it was valuable intelligence nonetheless. Any new player in the meta-enhancement market was worth knowing about. However, I doubted his claim about only mild headache and the side effects should be more serious.


    ¡­


    As everyone was busy having their serious discussion about the purchase, I set my empty drink down with practiced casualness, "I hate to cut this gathering short, but we should be going."


    Compound raised an eyebrow . "Already? The night''s barely begun."


    "Unfortunately, we have another engagement." I paused deliberately before adding, "The Bakers aren''t known for their patience."


    The effect was immediate. Several heads turned our way, conversations dying mid-sentence. Even Compound''s carefully maintained expression flickered with interest.


    "The Bakers?" The static-skinned man laughed, but there was an edge to it. "Those lunatics? Last I heard, they were cooking up something that turned half their test subjects inside out."


    I smiled politely, neither confirming nor denying. A sharp looking woman with bright red lipstick and dress, tapped her fingers against her glass, creating sharp chimes. "Dealing with them is... risky.¡±


    "Better to stay out of their territories entirely," someone else muttered. "They''ve gone completely mad with their experiments."


    Another man voiced out, "Though I did hear they''re somewhere in the lower levels tonight. Apparently, they''re showing off some new formula they''ve been developing for months." He took a long drag from an equally smoky cigar. "Word is, they''ve already got buyers lined up from at least six different countries."


    "Seven," corrected a woman with metallic scales. "My sources say even the Australians are interested, and they usually stay out of meta-trafficking."


    ¡°I helped Jade up, noting how the other villains watched our movement with barely concealed curiosity. "We appreciate the hospitality."


    As we turned to leave, the smoke-man called out, "If you survive dealing with those psychopaths, come back and tell us what they''re really up to. Could be worth your while."


    "I''ll keep that in mind."


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Soon, we found our group in one of the quieter corners of the main hall, everyone filtering in from their different zones.


    "Oh my God, you guys won''t believe what we found in the lower levels," Gina burst out, then quickly lowered her voice when Vinico elbowed her. "There''s this whole fighting arena down there. And get this¡ªthey''re making metas fight against some kind of... I don''t even know what to call them. demons?"


    Alex was rubbing her temples. "Upstairs was a complete waste of time. Unless you count watching some guy literally eat memories for entertainment."


    Henry interrupted, "Louvel and I followed this group into what we thought was a regular meeting room. Turns out it was some kind of... power auction? But not like normal meta trafficking. They were trading in something called ''potential.''"


    Louvel shuddered. "Yeah, saw this guy volunteer for a demonstration. They hooked him up to this machine and..."


    "And?" I prompted.


    "And it showed everyone his ''potential futures'' or something. All the powers he could potentially develop. Then they started bidding on them. Like they were shopping for abilities that could be developed into very powerful versions in future."


    "Speaking of the lower levels," Vinico added, "those aren''t just regular security guards down there. We saw one of them... absorb someone who tried to sneak in without proper clearance. Just... pulled them into their body. Like they were made of living quicksand or something."


    "Well, we''ve got something better. The Bakers are definitely here, on the lower levels. They''re about to showcase some new formula they''ve been working on. And from what we heard upstairs, they''ve got buyers from seven different countries waiting." I said.


    "Seven?" Alex whistled. "That''s..."


    "A problem," Lore finished. "A big one."


    "It gets worse," Henry added. "I had planted a lot of cues on people around and, I overheard a few workers talking about ''test subjects'' being prepped for the demonstration. Living test subjects."


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    The lower level was a maze of interconnected chambers, each doorway spilling different colored lights into the dark hallways.


    Music and laughter echoed from some rooms, while others emanated strange sounds or occasional screams. There were a lot of things going on from people indulging in their deepest desires to betting on the future.


    "There," Jade whispered, nudging me slightly. A group of particularly well-dressed individuals was being led by a woman in a black bodysuit


    I gestured for others to follow silently and calmly.


    One by one, our team fell into step behind them, maintaining just enough distance to look unconnected.


    The hallway opened into what must have been an old underground theater, now converted into some kind of presentation space. Rows of plush chairs descended toward a circular stage area.


    "This way, honored guests," another guide appeared, this one wearing the same veined bodysuit. "The demonstration will begin shortly."


    Our team split naturally, taking seats in different sections to maintain better coverage. Jade and I found spots near the middle, while I noticed Gina and Vinico settling into the back row. Alex and Lore took positions closer to the stage, and Henry and Louvel disappeared somewhere in the shadows between sections.


    "Important crowd," Jade whispered, her voice barely audible.


    Soon, our silence was broken as two men strode onto the stage, their white coats a stark contrast to the darkness¡ªthe Bakers.


    Everything about them screamed ''mad scientist.¡¯. Three more figures followed, taking seats in the front row like proud investors at a product launch.


    An attendant appeared, half-dragging two people onto the stage. The man and woman were clearly drugged, their movements uncoordinated, eyes unfocused. They were placed in chairs like props in a twisted show. Their hands, legs and body immediately wrapped in thick metal chains as if they will fly off if left loose. Yet, these were just simple precautions for what to come.


    My fist clenched involuntarily. Around the room, I could sense our team''s tension¡ªAlex''s sharp intake of breath, Lore''s barely contained movement, Gina and Placid foot tapping with nervous energy. Even Henry and Louvel, hidden in the shadows, seemed to shift restlessly.


    I hoped they would head my earlier warning and stay still if they valued their lives enough.


    After all, the room was packed with top-tier villains, spies or guests from various countries. One wrong move and we''d all might be dead before we could blink.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen,¡± First baker began, gesturing to the drugged individuals beside him. ¡°What you are about to witness is the pinnacle of genetic engineering. A formula designed to merge human genes with the traits of animals, creating beings capable of unmatched strength, agility, and instinct-driven combat.¡±


    His partner held up a vial of shifting, dark liquid. "The result is a perfect fusion of human intelligence and bestial power. Completely controllable, of course.."


    ¡­


    "Imagine the applications, ladies and gentlemen. With just a few hundred enhanced subjects, you could overwhelm any territory in days. Regular armies would be useless against creatures that can regenerate, adapt, and evolve mid-battle." He pulled up a holographic display showing casualty projections. "Our simulations show that releasing just fifty enhanced subjects into a major city would result in total chaos within hours. Perfect for destabilizing governments, toppling regimes, or simply creating enough havoc to mask other operations."


    "And that''s just the military applications," the first Baker added. "Think bigger. Imagine enhanced guards for your territories, unstoppable enforcers for your operations. Or better yet¡ª" he smiled, and something about it made my skin crawl, "¡ªimagine releasing a few enhanced subjects into your competitors'' territories. By the time anyone realizes what''s happening, it would be too late. The beauty is in the chaos they create, the sheer unstoppable force of evolved predators loose in urban environments."


    We all knew exactly what kind of killing machines these men were talking about. We¡¯d fought them. The memory was too vivid¡ªthe sharp claws, the unnatural speed, the inhuman strength that had nearly torn us apart. What more, one alone had taken our entire team to bring down¡ªthis was how it had been created.


    The two men in white prepared the syringes, holding them up for the audience to see as they filled them with the dark, viscous liquid of the serum. And then they approached their test subjects, needles ready.


    I felt Jade''s hand relax in mine, and noticed the slight quirk of her lips. That subtle, sweet smile that usually meant¡ªtrouble.


    The injections went in. The room waited with collective held breath.


    Then,


    Nothing happened.


    The test subjects remained slumped in their chairs, showing no signs of transformation. The Bakers frowned, checked their vitals, muttered to each other in confusion.


    "Perhaps a higher dose," the other baker suggested from the down-row, as the two preparing another syringe.


    Still nothing.


    Jade turned to me, her silver eyes twinkling with innocent mischief. She gave my hand a gentle squeeze, as if to say ''Don''t worry, I took care of it.'' Of course, she''d interfered with the formula''s effectiveness¡ªprobably altered its chemical composition. The people might still experience some bad effects but it¡¯ll not be worse as turning into a monstrosity.


    The Bakers were growing increasingly flustered, their scientific explanation devolving into confused mumbling. In the front row, their three associates shifted uncomfortably.


    Around us, the audience of villains began to murmur. Some looked annoyed, others amused. A few were already standing to leave. What should have been a nightmare turned into something almost comical¡ªtwo mad scientists failing basic chemistry while their test subjects just sat there, looking mildly confused but otherwise completely normal.


    And there was Jade, watching it all with that sweet, satisfied smile, like she hadn''t just casually sabotaged a super-villain demonstration in a room full of the world''s most dangerous criminals.


    Sometimes I wondered if she was actually the scariest person in these situations.


    On stage, the Baker brothers were falling apart. The taller one kept running his hands through his hair, leaving it standing in wild directions as he paced back and forth, muttering formulas and chemical compounds. His brother wasn''t any better, frantically flipping through a notebook, his voice rising to nearly hysterical pitch.


    "Impossible... the compound was perfect... every test subject responded... every single one..."


    ¡°How could this formula be wrong; It¡¯s derived by using meta?¡±


    "Ladies and gentlemen," the taller one finally managed, his eye twitching visibly. "We seem to be experiencing some... technical difficulties." He forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. "We''ll reschedule the demonstration for next week. Same time, same place."


    The three Bakers in the front row were already up, gathering equipment and documents while snapping at each other in harsh whispers.


    "The catalyst should have triggered immediate response¡ª"


    "Did you check the base compounds? The temperature could have¡ª"


    "We tested it twelve times! TWELVE TIMES!"


    Their voices cracked with barely contained panic. These weren''t the confident scientists from earlier¡ªthese were men watching their life''s work crumble in front of an audience of the world''s most dangerous criminals.


    I caught Henry''s subtle nod from across the dark room. His eyes met mine, gleaming with satisfaction. The mental markers were in place¡ªinvisible, undetectable threads connecting his mind to theirs. Unless they could leave the city in the next hours, they couldn''t hide from us.


    As the audience began filing out in disappointments, our team moved with careful casualness. Too much hurry would draw attention. Too slow and we''d lose them.


    In the corridor, I pulled Jade aside for just a moment. "That was incredibly risky," I whispered, but squeezed her hand to show I wasn''t angry.


    Henry''s urgent voice crackled in our comms: "They''re heading for the water exit. Moving fast. Very fast."


    We emerged into the massive underground dock just as the Bakers reached a series of small boats waiting in the channel.


    They divided themselves into teams of two, taking different boats¡ªsmart, if you''re expecting normal pursuit. They also loaded the two people in the first boat like a sack of potatoes.


    Meanwhile, the engines whined as keys turned, and then... nothing. Just the hollow click of dead machinery echoing off the stone walls.


    "Jade," I warned, noticing how the Bakers'' heads snapped up in unison, panic shifting to something sharper. More dangerous. "No more powers. They''re starting to realize this isn''t coincidence."


    She nodded just as the engines finally roared to life, the boats shooting off into the darkness of the underground water channel, leaving violent ripples in their wake.


    "Move," I ordered, and our team sprinted for the train platform.


    The tension in the small compartment was suffocating.


    Louvel took the controls without a word, and in his other hand gold coins liquefying and solidifying rapidly.


    Beside him, Placid pulled thick coat buttons from her pockets¡ªthey looked innocent enough, but her fingers danced over each one, charging them with enough energy to punch through concrete.


    Nobody spoke. Nobody needed to.


    At the same while, Henry maintained his mental link. "They''re splitting up," he murmured, voice tight with concentration. "Two cars."


    Finally after ten minutes, the small train compartment burst out of the tunnel into the cold, bitter night air. We moved as one unit, no hesitation, no discussion needed. Before the train fully stopped, we were already out, spreading into the shadows of the park like smoke.


    Jade caught my eye as we moved, and I saw in her silver gaze what I felt: that particular mix of excitement and focus that came with the hunt. Yet, I was feeling the same exhilaration. I wanted to hunt.

 Act 2.48 (Chrysalis)

    End Before the New Beginning


    "They''re splitting up properly this time," Henry announced as we sprinted toward our vehicles. "Two heading toward the industrial district, three taking the central bridge route."


    "Smart," I muttered. "Not smart enough though."


    We divided seamlessly, like clockwork. Alex rolled her shoulders, already grinning in anticipation. Jade slipped into the backseat of Henry¡¯s car, while I claimed her right side. Meanwhile, Lore¡¯s team crammed into Louvel¡¯s absurdly flashy sports car¡ªa beast that looked more suited for a high-budget music video than a high-stakes chase. But its speed was undeniable.


    "Please, please, PLEASE," Henry was muttering as he started his new car¡ªa sleek black sedan he''d bought just two days ago. "I just got the custom upholstery. Do you know how hard it is to find someone who''ll put in bullet-proof seats without asking questions?"


    "You jinxed it," Jade sang from the backseat. "Now something''s definitely going to happen to it."


    "Don''t." Henry pointed at her in the rearview mirror. "Don''t you dare. Last time it was Lore and Alex, who messed up my baby. And I¡¯m still angry about it." He shot Alex a glair.


    "It was fine," Alex shrugged. "And that''s what insurance is for."


    "You can''t just keep writing off destroyed cars as ''acts of God''!"


    "Technically, metas are acts of God."


    I stifled a laugh as Henry brought up the tracking display on his dash. His focus locked onto two blinking markers on the map. "Got them. First group¡¯s heading for the Central Bridge¡ªNorth to West District. The other¡¯s angling for the warehouse district." He let out a frustrated groan. "Why is it always warehouses? Do villains get a bulk discount on abandoned properties or something?"


    Through the comms, Louvel¡¯s voice cut in, smug and mischievous. "How about a little friendly competition? First team to bring down their targets gets bragging rights. And drinks are on the losers."


    "No racing," I said firmly, just as Henry growled, "You''re on."


    We tore out of the lot, tires screeching, engines roaring. Louvel''s car vanished ahead like a comet, leaving us to claw after it. Through the comms, I could hear Gina whooping with excitement while Lore demanded everyone buckle up.


    "Left at the next light," Henry barked, eyes darting between the road and the tracker glowing on the dashboard. His fingers twitched on the wheel. "I''ll take the bridge route."


    "Got it," Louvel¡¯s voice crackled over comms, followed by a muffled argument in the background.


    "Vinico, stop backseat driving! I know what I¡¯m doing!"


    "You absolutely do not!" Vinico shot back, voice sharp with panic. "You''re driving like a madman! Slow it down a little¡ªI can''t even see outside anymore!"


    Laughter. Gina and Placid, unbothered as ever. "Hahaha."


    Henry barely had time to roll his eyes before he took the next corner so sharp it felt like gravity forgot to apply. My stomach lurched, the tires shrieking against asphalt as we careened onto a narrower street.


    "They''re splitting up further," Henry growled, hands white-knuckling the wheel. "Getting crafty." His voice took on a dangerous edge. "If they scratch my car, I swear¡ª"


    "Focus on driving," I cut in.


    "They''re approaching the container yard," Henry announced. "Louvel, you in position?"


    "Almost. Just need to¡ªVINICO, I SWEAR IF YOU GRAB THE WHEEL AGAIN¡ª"


    There was an audible scuffle over the line, punctuated by a string of expletives and something that sounded suspiciously like Louvel elbowing Vinico in the ribs.


    I clicked my comms. "Everyone focus. These aren''t your everyday criminals. These are the Bakers. They''re insane, but they''re brilliant. Be ready for anything."


    City lights streaked past, neon reflections bending over our windshield as both cars surged through the night. The streets were mostly empty at this hour, but the looming container yard ahead meant we were running out of road. The game board was shrinking fast.


    And then¡ª


    "Hey?" Jade¡¯s voice carried an unsettling casualness.


    I blinked at her, "Yeah?"


    "I think Henry¡¯s car is about to get that scratch he was worried about."


    "Why would you say tha¡ªOH COME ON!" Henry¡¯s groan was practically wounded as he whined.


    Alex also took his shot, ¡°Oh, cheer up. Worst case? We walk away with a little car damage."


    Henry¡¯s expression darkened. "Say that again, and I¡¯m ejecting you from this vehicle."


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Fifteen minutes.


    That¡¯s how long it took to finally get eyes on the Bakers¡¯ car as it sped toward the massive bridge linking the North and West districts. The structure loomed ahead, its towering suspension cables slicing the night sky into geometric shadows. Kilometers of concrete and steel stretched over the dark water, the reflection of city lights shimmering below like ghostly fireflies.


    Henry¡¯s grip tightened on the wheel. ¡°Got you.¡± His voice was low, satisfied.


    He pushed the engine harder, the growl of our acceleration bouncing off the bridge¡¯s colossal support beams as we gained ground.


    The Bakers¡¯ taillights flared brighter in our windshield, a heartbeat away.


    Then Alex leaned forward from seat, voice loud and urgent. ¡°Ram them.¡±


    Henry¡¯s eyes nearly popped out of his skull. ¡°Excuse me?¡± His outraged stare flicked to the rearview mirror. ¡°This is a custom-built¡ª¡±


    ¡°RAM THEM!¡± Alex was already bracing himself, grinning like a lunatic. ¡°They¡¯re about to do something. I can feel it.¡±


    He absolutely did not feel anything. If Alex had a sixth sense, it was for taking pleasure in others misfortune. And he was exploiting the fact that Henry¡¯s brain was so overloaded with calculations and stress that he couldn¡¯t filter out truth from absolute nonsense.


    Henry hesitated for a split second, his life flashing before his eyes¡ªor maybe just the image of his perfect leather seats. Then, with a noise that was equal parts rage and resignation, he growled, ¡°I hate all of you.¡±


    And slammed the accelerator.


    The car lurched forward, the engine howling as we closed the last few meters. The Bakers must have seen us coming, because their car suddenly shot forward, tires squealing, their engine screaming in protest.


    ¡°Do it!¡± Alex barked. ¡°What are you worried about? I promise I¡¯ll buy you a new one tomorrow.¡±


    Henry let out a strangled, suffering noise¡ªand yanked the wheel.


    The impact was brutal. Our front end smashed into their back bumper with a crunch that probably shaved years off Henry¡¯s life expectancy. The force sent both vehicles swerving violently, the screech of tires cutting through the night like a warning siren.


    The Bakers¡¯ car fishtailed hard, nearly spinning out, but somehow¡ªagainst all logic and fairness¡ªthey recovered, their car regaining traction and bolting forward even faster.Henry¡¯s foot stayed planted on the gas, matching their speed, the needle on the speedometer ticking toward suicidal levels. His knuckles were a death grip on the wheel.


    "My car," he was muttering. "My beautiful, expensive, definitely-not-insured-for-this car.¡±


    The bridge turned into a high-speed battlefield, the lanes narrowing ahead, steel cables flickering past in our peripheral vision. The Bakers¡¯ driver swerved, cutting into the next lane so sharply that a delivery truck barely had time to react. The massive vehicle blared its horn, brakes screaming as it jackknifed trying to avoid collision.


    Henry jerked us left at the last possible second, barely squeezing past the truck¡¯s front end.


    "They''re trying to shake us!" Jade called from the back, eyes flicking between the road and her tracker.


    "No kidding!" Henry snapped. His car hugged the road


    Then, as if driving recklessly wasn¡¯t insane enough, the Bakers¡¯ passenger window rolled down.


    Alex noticed it first. ¡°Uh-oh.¡±


    Before we could react, the glint of a weapon caught the light.


    "They¡¯ve got blasters!" I shouted.


    Henry¡¯s voice rose an entire octave. "WHAT?! WHY?! That is entirely unnecessary!¡±


    A flash of muzzle fire burst from their window. The first hot shot melted past our windshield, missing us by inches. The second pinged off the hood.


    Jade was already ducking down, yanking her own blaster, ¡°I can hit their tires.¡±


    Henry¡¯s horrified expression flicked to the rearview mirror. ¡°No! Do you know what happens when a car loses control at these speeds? We all die!¡±


    Alex smirked. ¡°Sounds like a ¡®them¡¯ problem.¡±


    ¡°IT IS VERY MUCH AN US PROBLEM.¡±


    Another shot melted the side mirror, spraying glass. Henry let out a strangled noise that could have been either rage or grief.


    Alex grinned. ¡°That¡¯s it. You should ram them again.¡±


    ¡°I will kill you in your sleep.¡±


    Still, Henry followed their every move, his beloved car proving its worth as it clung to the road like a lifeline at absolutely reckless speeds. The city lights blurred past in streaks of yellow and white, but up ahead¡ª


    "They''re trying to lose us in the construction zone," Henry called out, eyes locking on the looming mess of scaffolding, concrete barriers, and half-finished ramps ahead. Red and white caution signs flickered in our headlights like silent warnings.


    Alex leaned forward between the seats, eyes sharp. "Push harder. Don¡¯t let them¡ª"


    His words cut off as the Bakers'' car suddenly sputtered. Not a good kind of sputter¡ªthe engine-is-dying-a-horrible-death kind.


    I didn''t need to look at Jade to know she was smiling. Her silver eyes were locked on the Bakers¡¯ vehicle, her lips slightly parted. Her hands clutching mine tightly.


    Then their car jerked¡ªonce, twice¡ªbefore it completely lost control.


    Smoke billowed from under the hood. Their vehicle swerved wildly, tires screeching before it spun out of control. The car skidded sideways, coming to a brutal stop across two lanes of traffic. Horns blared as civilian cars screeched to a halt around them. A delivery truck barely avoided impact, skidding onto the shoulder. The whole road became a metallic symphony of brakes and curses.


    Henry slammed our brakes, the car jerking to a stop fifty feet away.


    His hands were shaking¡ªwhether from stress or the sheer rage of having his car involved in another catastrophe, I wasn¡¯t sure.


    Then the passenger door of the Bakers'' vehicle exploded open.


    A man in a lab coat practically fell out, his face red with rage. Two more followed. All three of them looked equally deranged.


    Jade exhaled sharply. "I hate it when villains wear lab coats. It always means weird science nonsense."


    ¡°Incoming," I warned as the trio stalked toward us, their body language aggressively unhinged.


    The tallest one¡ªa gaunt man with wild, silver-streaked hair¡ªwas foaming slightly at the mouth as he flailed his arms in our direction.


    "YOU!" he shrieked, voice cracking with hysteria. "You¡¯ve been interfering ALL NIGHT!"


    Henry rubbed his temple. "Oh God. They''re monologuing."


    "First the demonstration," the lab-coated menace continued, "then the boats, NOW THIS!"


    The second Baker, a stocky man with burn scars up his arms, pointed an accusing finger at us. "Our groundbreaking experiment was on the verge of success! And then you incompetent vigilantes destroyed everything!"


    Jade leaned out the window slightly. "Pretty sure you crashed your own car, buddy. I had no hand in it"


    The third one, a twitchy-looking man with unsettlingly bright eyes, gave an eerie, giddy laugh. "Oooohhh, but this is better! Yes, yes! This is better! Now we can test directly on you!"


    The wild-haired scientist ripped off his coat dramatically¡ªbecause of course he did¡ªrevealing a metallic harness strapped across his chest.


    Was he into BDSM, I silently wondered.


    "Enough talk!" he howled. "We''ll just take your bodies apart for the data instead!"


    Alex rolled his shoulders. "See? Told you. Stupid."


    The First Baker took point, his body seemed to be charging up. The Second fingered something in his pocket, while the Third adjusted what looked like a mechanical bracer on his forearm. I felt the familiar tingle as my Likeness activated, and the world bloomed into color ¨C dark red warnings pulsed around each Baker, while threads of orange chaos writhed through the growing traffic jam.


    "Henry," I said quietly, still scanning the flares of danger. "How many people are around us?"


    Henry¡¯s voice was distant, already crunching the numbers. "Give me a second... Forty-three cars. Seventy people, maybe more."


    A bad number. Too many moving parts. Too many lives in the balance.


    Then, the First Baker began to change. Muscles swelled beneath his lab coat, stretching the fabric until it ripped at the seams. He rolled his shoulders, and the ground beneath him cracked as he took a single step forward.


    I narrowed my eyes. A thread of silver light tethered him to the crowd behind us.


    Whatever his ability was, it had something to do with the crowd.


    "You feel that?" His voice was suddenly deeper, heavier, like it resonated with something beyond himself. "That¡¯s seventy people¡¯s worth of strength. Want to see what I can do with it?"


    Alex grinned. "You guys can handle the other two, right?" He rolled his shoulders, golden air of invincibility crackling faintly around his frame. "I''ve got this big one."


    "Wait¡ª" I started, but Alex was already moving forward.


    Before I could warn him, the First Baker exploded into motion. One moment he was twenty feet away.


    The next¡ª


    BOOM.


    His fist collided with Alex¡¯s chest like a thunderclap, sending a shockwave rippling through the air. The ground beneath them fractured, the sheer force of impact kicking up dust and shattered pavement. Alex slid back a few feet, boots carving lines into the asphalt¡ªBut he stayed standing. Completely unharmed.


    "That all?" Alex asked, curiosity genuine.


    The golden air shimmered around him, his body absorbing the force effortlessly.


    The First Baker¡¯s expression twisted in confusion.


    Then frustration.


    Then¡ªrage.


    The Second Baker seized the moment.


    His hand shot out, pulling a handful of gray clay from his pocket. His fingers moved rapidly, skillfully, shaping dozens of tiny figures in seconds. They dropped to the pavement like lethal raindrops.Each one no bigger than a thumb, yet somehow¡ªalive. Immediately, they scattered, skittering toward the civilian vehicles.


    Henry cursed. "No, no, NO¡ª"


    "Jade¡ª!" I snapped, but she was already moving.


    She raised her hand, silver light flashing in her irises. And the tiny clay figures froze in midair, as if caught in an invisible web.


    The Second Baker snarled. "Tch. Thought you might do something like that."


    He snapped his fingers¡ª


    And the **tiny figures ****detonated.


    A chain reaction of miniature explosions rippled through the bridge. Car alarms screamed. Glass shattered. Metal groaned and twisted.The shockwaves sent civilians who had stepped out to watch the show, ducking behind their vehicles, panic rippling through the crowd.


    The Third Baker took his chance. He twisted the dial on his bracer, and the device let out a high-pitched whine. He was going for Henry. Henry¡¯s eyes widened.


    "Oh, HELL no¡ª"


    He barely had time to react before the Third Baker was on him. A blurred fist lashed out, and Henry dodged by pure instinct, twisting just enough to narrowly avoid the bracer¡¯s strike.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "I would like to be EXCLUDED from this narrative!"


    The First Baker was raging now, swinging at Alex with massive, earth-shaking blows¡ªbut Alex was barely trying, dodging easily, letting his own momentum wear him down.


    The Second Baker was already molding more clay, his fingers moving at impossible speed.


    Suddenly, Jade took charge. Feeling, it was her time to show off, and she knew it. Her silver eyes flicked over the bridge, landing on the tiny, scrambling figures¡ªthe cute monstrosities that had been terrorizing civilians just moments ago.


    With a flick of her wrist, she plucked one of the tiny clay figures from the pavement. The thing twitched violently, its miniature limbs flailing. If it had lungs, it¡¯d be screaming.


    Jade tilted her head, studying it like a curious scientist examining an insect.


    ¡°Interesting little trick,¡± she mused. Then she squeezed. "But today is a very unlucky day for you."


    The tiny figure cracked in half. And across the battlefield, every single one of its brethren followed suit. The horde of living clay monsters collapsed, their fragile forms crumbling like puppets with severed strings. Some froze mid-run, others toppled off car roofs, skidding lifelessly across the pavement.


    The Second Baker let out a strangled gasp, his hands shaking. ¡°W-What? No! That¡¯s impossible! Why they are not detonating¡±


    Jade simply tilted her head, silver gaze flicking to him like she was studying an insect.


    ¡°Oh? You thought I''d just let them run around unsupervised?" She gave a delicate shrug. "How careless of you."


    The Second Baker¡¯s hands twitched as if trying to force them back under control. But it was useless.


    His power had been hijacked.


    The Second Baker''s face twisted in outrage. "You¡ª"


    Meanwhile, the Third Baker let out a frustrated snarl, raising his arm while fighting Henry. The mechanical bracer strapped to it beeped, pulsing with green light. "You think that''s all we can¡ª"


    Pure red warning symbols flared in my vision¡ªIMMEDIATE DANGER.


    I opened my mouth to shout a warning, but Jade¡¯s eyes flicked toward him first to help. And her voice was eerily casual.


    "You really shouldn¡¯t have built that so poorly," she noted, as if discussing the weather. "The containment failure rate on prototype sonic weapons is... fascinating."


    Immediately, the third Baker''s taunt was cut off in an agonized scream. A violent explosion rocked the air¡ªnot a fiery detonation, but a wet, meaty sound. Henry froze. Third Baker collapsed onto his knees, howling in agony, staring at the bloody ruin of his arm. His bracer gadget¡ªor what was left of it¡ªwas scattered across the asphalt in mangled, sparking chunks, along with a fair bit of his own flesh.


    And whatever he had been planning was over.


    "Oh wow," Alex muttered. "That is gruesome."


    The Third Baker screamed again, voice raw and louder from all the pain, his remaining hand clutching at the stump where his dominant hand used to be. His entire body shook violently from the shock.


    Jade let out a small sigh, like she was disappointed.


    "I told you," she said, her voice silky smooth. "Your containment seals were sloppy."


    The Third Baker sputtered, face twisting in horror. "Y-You¡ªYou did this¡ª"


    Jade tilted her head again, mock surprise flickering across her face. "No," she said sweetly. "Your stupid meta engineering did this."


    "She¡¯s so mean," Henry muttered under his breath.


    "I love it," Alex added.


    The Second Baker spun in panic, hands flying to mold more clay figures. But he was too slow.Henry materialized behind him like a ghost. Before the Baker could react, Henry¡¯s boot connected with his face. The Baker collapsed, his head snapping back with a sickening crack. Henry didn¡¯t stop.


    He was on him in a second, pinning him down, fists flying. The Baker let out a weak, gurgled noise, blood dripping from his mouth, his face already turning into raw hamburger meat.


    I whistled lowly. "Jeez, Henry."


    Alex let out a low whistle while fighting his own battle, but still somehow having time to divide his attention. "He¡¯s been holding that in all night, huh?"


    "It¡¯s a cathartic process," I replied.


    Jade didn¡¯t wait for us. She was already moving toward the Third Baker, who was still cradling the remains of his hand, his breath coming in shaky, erratic bursts.


    I groaned. "Oh, come on, Jade. You¡¯re just taking all the fun now."


    She ignored me and walked¡ªgraceful, calculated¡ªher heels clicking sharply against the cracked asphalt. She was more villain than the three of these so-called Bakers. The Third Baker looked up, eyes full of raw terror. He tried to scramble backward, but he was weak, bleeding, completely out of tricks.


    Jade smiled. "You know, I was going to let you crawl away."


    The Third Baker froze. Then Jade¡¯s heel came down hard. Right onto his remaining hand. He shrieked.


    Jade just leaned down, voice silky smooth. "Oops."


    The Baker gasped, shuddering violently. "P-Please¡ª"


    ¡°No,¡± Jade cocked her head. "My boyfriend don''t let me have fun often, so I need to fill my quota tonight."


    Fuck! How was shielding her from the outside harm was my mistake? The dragon was too arrogant that it was infuriating. I shook my head.


    Then she kicked him across the face, sending him sprawling on the road.


    ¡°Also, you killed a lot of people. You even dared to trap us in an underground tunnel and let a swarm of those mutated rats on us. So I won¡¯t let you go even if you beg.¡±


    In another corner, the tall Baker pushed himself up from the cracked asphalt.


    Blood trickled from his split lip, but his smile stretched wide¡ªtoo wide. He shifted his weight¡ªand suddenly, he was gone. A sonic boom cracked through the air as he propelled forward, a wrecking ball of pure muscle and rage. He slammed into Alex with the force of an oncoming train, sending him flying straight into the side of a sedan. The vehicle crumpled around him, its alarms wailing in discordant, metallic noises. Glass rained down, the frame buckling inward as Alex disappeared into the wreckage.


    The First Baker didn¡¯t even wait to see if Alex was still breathing. His focus had already shifted¡ªJade.


    She had been playing with her prey, toying with the Second Baker, his teammate, whose ruined hand twitched feebly as blood pooled beneath him. He barely clung to consciousness, his face twisted in silent agony as Jade lifted her fancy and expensive dress with both her hand and pressed her heels to his chest, her weight just heavy enough to keep him pinned without crushing him.


    She didn¡¯t seem concerned by the charging mountain of destruction bearing down on her.


    The First Baker¡¯s steps shattered pavement, his sheer mass turning the ground beneath him into craters as he tore toward her with unstoppable momentum.


    Nearly unstoppable.


    Jade didn¡¯t dodge. She didn¡¯t lunge, or brace herself, or counterattack. Instead, she simply¡ªstepped left.


    At the exact moment she needed to.


    The First Baker¡¯s charge whiffed by millimeters, his massive fist slamming into empty air. His body, so heavily reinforced with borrowed strength, had no way to adjust mid-motion. His momentum was too much, and his speed too great. He stumbled forward, digging his feet into the asphalt, grinding to a halt just before he could careen into a traffic barrier.


    He turned back, rage twisting his expression, his veins pulsing with stolen power. ¡°STOP MOVING!¡± he bellowed, voice distorting, reverberating like a living earthquake.


    Jade simply arched a brow. ¡°Why?¡±


    With an enraged snarl, he charged again¡ªthis time even faster. The wind around him howled as he came in with everything he had, an unstoppable force aiming to crush her beneath his weight.Jade let him get closer this time. Just a little. Then, with a perfectly timed motion, she stepped aside again¡ªand let her foot trail, just slightly. It was just enough to trip him. The First Baker¡¯s own momentum turned against him, his body tilting forward at the worst possible angle. He had no way to recover. The sheer force of his charge hurled him straight through the bridge¡¯s safety barrier.


    For one sickening second, he dangled over the edge.


    Jade watched, unimpressed. ¡°That¡¯s unfortunate.¡±


    Before gravity could finish the job, Alex¡ªwho had finally pulled himself out of the wreckage¡ªwas already moving.


    ¡°Need a hand?¡± Alex called, far too cheerful for someone who had just been punted through a car.


    Without waiting for an answer, he grabbed the First Baker¡¯s coat and, using the man¡¯s own excessive weight against him, hurled him back onto the bridge. The First Baker crashed down hard, flattening an unfortunate, very expensive car that had been parked nearby. The sound of metal folding was catastrophic.


    A man¡ªwho had been recording the fight on his phone¡ªlet out a strangled gasp as he barely managed to scramble away in time. He stared at the wreckage of his car, his expression one of pure devastation.


    His mood, his insurance, and his entire week?


    Ruined.


    But we weren¡¯t done.


    Despite everything, the Third Baker had managed to stagger to his feet, his ruined arm clutched tightly against his body. With a bloodied snarl, he lunged into his coat, scrambling for another gadget, fingers fumbling from the pain and adrenaline.


    I watched him closely now, my mind finally clicking into place¡ªhis meta ability wasn¡¯t something physical, wasn¡¯t something like Alex¡¯s unbreakable strength or Jade¡¯s shifting odds. His power worked through his gadgets¨C But I couldn''t tell how, because Jade never gave him a chance to put them on display. Anyway, who cared?


    He took a small spider-like device. A rapid beeping began to pulse again.


    Jade sighed. ¡°Really?¡±


    The Third Baker snarled, shaking, his body barely holding itself together. ¡°Y-You¡­ can¡¯t stop¡ª¡±


    Jade kicked the device right out of his hand in a swift motion. Her fighting skills were very best of the best and the villain''s eyes were too slow to catch her movements. The device skidded across the pavement. The device let out one final, pathetic spark before it crumbled into a useless pile of wires and shattered components. Jade didn¡¯t even bother looking at it. Instead, she turned to the Third Baker, who was still shaking, his whole body trembling from blood loss, pain, and the sheer realization that he had just lost everything.


    She tilted her head, her silver eyes gleaming in the dim city lights. "You should worry more about your life."


    The Third Baker''s breath hitched, his good hand clutching at his ruined arm, his chest rising and falling too fast. He looked like a man on the verge of completely falling apart, and he knew it.


    Jade''s expression shifted, her gaze flattening into something deadpan and unimpressed. "What are the odds of every single one of your weapons failing?"


    She let the question hang in the air for a moment, then gave him the exact kind of look you''d give a child who was about to stick a fork into an electrical socket. The Third Baker''s mouth opened, like he wanted to say something¡ªsome desperate last plea, some final villainous statement, something. But nothing came out.


    Jade sighed, as if the entire situation had personally inconvenienced her. "Yeah. Thought so."


    It seemed she wasn¡¯t having much fun as she had hoped for before. Then she kicked him in the ribs angrily, venting out her frustration. I could only hope he would be left alive.


    Jade dusted off her hands. "Alright, who''s next?"


    Henry groaned, looking in her direction. "No one, Jade. You ended them all.¡±


    I clicked my tongue, dismissing him, and turned my focus to the First Baker.


    In my perception, the First Baker was like a parasite¡ªhis power feeding on the people around him. The more people nearby, the stronger he became. And right now? The traffic jam on the bridge, the bystanders still watching, the sheer number of panicked civilians nearby¡­ He was growing stronger by the second.


    The First Baker laughed, his voice deeper now, distorted by the sheer power coursing through his veins. His bulky over-muscled arms flexed, veins bulging beneath his skin, thickening unnaturally as he slammed his fists together. A concussive shockwave rippled outward.


    ¡°Feel that?¡± he boomed, his voice reverberating through the metal beams of the bridge. "That¡¯s what a human battery can do."


    His gaze locked onto Alex first. Then Jade. And finally, back to Alex. His grin stretched wide, teeth flashing. ¡°Let¡¯s see how you handle me now.¡±


    He moved. Before, he had been fast. Now? He was unstoppable. One moment, he was standing there. The next, he was on top of Alex, fists raised.


    BOOM.


    The impact shook the small section of the bridge. Both fists slammed into Alex¡¯s torso with the force of a freight train¡ªthe asphalt beneath them cratered instantly, sending chunks of concrete flying outward. A massive shockwave rippled around them, sending cracks spiderwebbing through the structure. The Baker¡¯s fists met resistance¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t the kind he expected. His entire body buckled, arms shaking as his full-powered attack stopped dead in Alex¡¯s grip. The force had left deep imprints in Alex¡¯s arms, but he remained. Unmovable. Unshaken. Unbreakable.


    A slow exhale escaped Alex¡¯s lips. His fingers tightened around the Baker¡¯s fists. ¡°You really don¡¯t get it, do you?¡± Alex¡¯s voice was calm, almost disappointed.


    The First Baker snarled, his arms tensing, trying to force the strike through. Nothing happened. Alex¡¯s grip tightened further. A vein popped in the Baker¡¯s forehead as he struggled against the inevitable.


    ¡°You hit like a truck,¡± Alex admitted, tilting his head slightly. Then he smiled. "But I¡¯ve been hit by worse."


    With a grunt, Alex twisted his grip and the massive Baker flipped through the air, his oversized body slamming into the concrete with a bone-rattling crash that shook nearby cars. Metal groaned, alarms wailed, and for a second, the world seemed to pause¡ªbut only for a second.


    The First Baker launched himself forward again, muscles rippling, his entire massive body flexing as he threw another devastating punch.


    BOOM!


    Alex didn¡¯t dodge. He met the attack head-on, again and again. Their fists collided like a meteor strike, the sheer impact sending out a visible shockwave that distorted the air between them. The bridge shuddered violently, spiderweb cracks splintering outward beneath their feet. Below, the river convulsed, waves rippling outward from the sheer force of their blows.


    One punch. Another. Another.


    Each hit exploded like a cannon blast, sending bursts of displaced air screaming across the battlefield. Cars rocked from the force, their windows shattering, their alarms blaring in protest. The entire bridge groaned, straining under the sheer physics-defying destruction. The First Baker grinned, his strength still surging, his power feeding on the panic as more and more people dove out of their cars and ran for their lives. Alex stood tall. His body flickered, a golden air igniting around him, flaring to life just before each colossal blow connected. The force was enough to send him skidding back, his boots grinding against the fractured pavement, but he never fell.


    The Baker snarled, frustration creeping into his expression. His power was at its peak¡ªmore than a hundred people''s worth of raw, untamed strength pumped through his veins.


    He should be winning.


    "You should be breaking," the Baker growled.


    "Yeah, well," Alex cracked his neck, stepping forward, unshaken. "You should¡¯ve brought more."


    ¡°Alex, end it fast! We need to leave!¡± I yelled from the sideline, eyes flickering between the incoming sirens.


    ¡°On it.¡±


    The Baker lunged again¡ªbut this time, Alex didn¡¯t just block. He caught the Baker¡¯s entire fist mid-swing. The golden air of his invincibility flared, the sheer impact dispersing like a shockwave, and with one fluid motion, Alex twisted the Baker¡¯s arm, yanked him off his feet, and slammed him down with enough force to send a crater through the bridge. The Baker coughed, blood speckling his lips, his massive body trembling from the sheer brutality of the impact. But instead of fear, his expression twisted into something worse. Delight.


    "You''re good," he admitted, his voice lower now, more guttural, more monstrous. He pushed himself up on shaking arms, but there was a mad glint in his eyes.


    Then, he grinned, blood dripping from his teeth. "But let¡¯s see if you hold up against¡ªthis!"


    With a roar, he slammed both fists into the ground. A massive chunk of concrete¡ªseveral tons of reinforced steel and stone launched into the air as if gravity had momentarily stopped existing.


    The Baker punched it. The air howled as the gigantic slab of bridge hurtled toward Alex like a meteor


    Alex let it crash head on.


    BOOM!


    Shatter!


    The instant the bridge chunk collided with Alex¡¯s fists, it didn¡¯t just break¡ªit seemed to vaporize. The impact exploded outward, stones and debris rippling across the area like bullets, damaging nearby by cars as few people far too close to watch the fight escaped for their lives. Meanwhile, Alex''s air of invincibility surged through the air like a detonating star. The Baker coughed, stumbling backward, blinking through the bullet like debris as he realized. He had thrown everything at Alex. And Alex was still standing. Alex moved. Faster than before. Faster than the Baker could react. Before the First Baker could even blink, Alex was already in front of him. And then, with one devastating punch, Alex drove his fist straight into the Baker''s chest.


    BOOM.


    The First Baker¡¯s entire body lifted off the ground, a second shockwave erupting outward


    Meanwhile, across the battlefield, I spotted Jade angrily dragging the Third Baker across the pavement. It was brutal. His body scraped against the rough road, his legs twitching weakly, leaving a smeared trail of blood behind them. Both of his hands were gone, blasted by his own gadgets detonating in his hands, and his face¡ªwell. Let¡¯s just say if I didn¡¯t know who he was before the fight, I sure as hell wouldn¡¯t recognize him now. I slowed my pace, narrowing my eyes. What¡¯s she so pissed about? She¡¯d won, hadn¡¯t she?


    Then, as I got closer, I saw it. Tiny specks of blood.


    Not just anywhere. On her dress. Her off-white, perfectly fitted, expensive-looking dress.


    Ah. It clicked instantly.


    Before I could say a word, she threw the unconscious Baker at my feet, like a discarded sack of garbage. I looked down at his ruined, barely breathing form. Then back up at her. Her silver eyes still blazed with cold fury, her jaw set tight, her hands clenched into fists at her sides.


    Then, in a perfectly flat tone, she said: ¡°He ruined my dress.¡±


    As if that alone explained the sheer level of violence she had just inflicted upon his very existence. I opened my mouth, then closed it. Because, honestly?


    It did explain it. Jade gestured to herself, her expression bordering on insulted disbelief.


    "Do you know how hard it is to find something that fits right when you follow my standards of perfection?"


    There was genuine offense in her voice. As if the Third Baker¡¯s biggest crime wasn¡¯t being a villain, or trying to kill us three times in a row, capturing hundreds of civilians and experimenting on them, creating monsters, but getting his filthy, inferior blood on her perfectly curated outfit.


    Behind us, Alex and the First Baker''s fight continued to shake the bridge. Another particularly vicious impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air, but Jade didn''t even flinch. She just kept staring at the bloodstains spreading across the pristine fabric.


    Not to anger her further. And, without missing a beat, I deadpanned: "Well. He deserved it."


    Jade huffed, brushing dust off. "Damn right, he did."


    Then her lips curled up in beam of sweat smile, "You still understands me the most."


    I looked away, not wanting to laugh. Yet, the Second Baker gurgled something unintelligible through what remained of his shattered face, his breath coming out wet and uneven.


    Jade¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously. "I wouldn¡¯t," she advised coolly. "The odds of you surviving any more backtalk are astronomically low right now."


    I ignored her complaints and instead, kicked him unconscious. His body went limp instantly, finally shutting up. Then, without a second thought, I grabbed him by his feet and started dragging him toward Henry¡¯s car. Henry was going to cry when he saw the bloodstains, but honestly? We needed these idiots alive. He could get over it. As I was shoving the Third Baker into the trunk, Henry dragged the Second Baker over. His situation was comparatively better¡ªno missing limbs, just a broken nose, a few cracked ribs, and the humiliation of losing.


    Henry hesitated for a second, staring at the blood already seeping into the fabric of his trunk¡¯s interior. His eye twitched. But instead of complaining, he took a deep, suffering sigh and shoved the Second Baker on top of the Third, slamming the trunk shut with finality.


    A brief silence passed.


    The First Baker screamed resonated throughout the surroundings.


    A sound of pure agony.


    I turned just in time to see his arm twisting at an unnatural angle, bones snapping like dry twigs from the recoil of Alex¡¯s final hit. His entire body hurled backward, momentum unstoppable. He crashed through one car. Then another. Then a third, the metal crumpling inward like aluminum foil beneath his sheer weight.


    He slammed into the bridge railing. The metal gave way instantly, snapping like brittle wood. For a split second, the Baker hung in midair¡ªhis body twisting, gravity already claiming him.


    Then, with one final, guttural yell, he fell.


    Down, spiraling through the air like a broken comet, into the roaring waters below.


    The splash was enormous, sending a wave cascading outward, swallowing the spot where he had disappeared. The current churned violently, but no body surfaced.


    Alex exhaled slowly, his aura of invincibility flickering once more before fading. He rolled his shoulders, flexing his fingers, his knuckles raw and red¡ªbut he was fine.


    Because of course he was.


    He turned and walked toward the edge of the bridge, peering over.


    Jade and Henry had already dashed forward, scanning the dark, churning water below.


    A tense silence settled over the bridge, interrupted only by the distant wail of sirens and the choppy waves below.


    Henry frowned. ¡°Is he alive?¡±


    Jade tutted, arms crossed as she assessed the situation.


    Then, completely serious, she said, ¡°I can¡¯t swim in this dress.¡±


    A moment of silence.


    Alex huffed out a laugh. "Noted. We won¡¯t throw any more supervillains off bridges unless you''re wearing something waterproof."


    Jade agreed with him, "At least someone here is thinking ahead."


    I had come to realize that her senses of sarcasm were very bad.


    Henry groaned, rubbing his temples. ¡°Can we focus? I need to know if we have a loose end that¡¯s about to come crawling out of the water like a horror movie.¡±


    I squinted down at the churning blackness below. The First Baker had taken one hell of a hit. His arm was probably completely shattered, if not his entire ribcage. He had plummeted at least sixty feet into a raging current at night. The Likeness above the water was also very calm, so I believed he must have either swam away fast, or taken by the water currents.


    The odds weren¡¯t entirely in our favor. He''d live to see the another day.


    But.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see a body,¡± I admitted. ¡°Which means we should probably assume he¡¯s not dead.¡±


    Henry let out a muffled, frustrated scream into his hands.


    Alex grinned. "Cheer up. If he survived, at least we get to fight him again. And I like punching him."


    Henry just turned on his heel and walked back toward the car, muttering something about needing a raise and better friends.


    Jade sighed, glancing at the water one last time before following. ¡°If he survived,¡± she said casually, ¡°He''s already too broken to be fixed in a few days. So, really? we already won.¡±


    ¡°So,¡± Then Alex drawled, his grin lazy, ¡°anyone else wanna fight, or are we done here?¡±


    The answer didn¡¯t come from our enemies¡ªmost of whom were either unconscious, broken, or stuffed into Henry¡¯s bloodstained trunk. Instead, it came from the distant wail of sirens. Flashing red and blue lights flickered against the ruined bridge, illuminating the cracks in the pavement, the crumpled vehicles, and the very obvious signs of an illegal superpowered brawl.


    Our fight had barely gone more then five minutes. The superhero teams were arriving.


    I sighed, already turning on my heel. ¡°Time to go.¡±


    Jade let out a dramatic sigh, ¡°We never get to enjoy these moments, do we?¡±


    ¡°Maybe next time,¡± Alex smirked, "Assuming Henry doesn''t die from stress before then."

 The End: Perhaps We Were Not Meant To be Together

    Perhaps We Were Not Meant To be Together


    All of us piled into the car, slamming doors behind them. For a full minute, nobody spoke.


    The only sound was our breathing¡ªsome heavy, some controlled¡ªmixed with the faint ringing still in our ears from the brutal fight.


    "We need to move." I said calmly, while watching distant figures converging on the wreckage. "City Protectors will be here any minute, and I''d rather not explain why we have two unconscious Bakers in the trunk."


    Henry stared at his car''s trunk, now containing two unconscious Bakers, and let out a long-suffering sigh. "The blood is never coming out of that upholstery."


    "At least your precious car survived," Alex cut in, brushing concrete dust from his jacket with exaggerated care.


    His eyes drifted to the crater where he and the First Baker had gone toe-to-toe, his expression caught between pride and chagrin. "More or less."


    Jade was still fuming about her ruined fancy dress, picking at the bloodstains with tissue papers. "I vote we drop them at Processing and then get food. I''m starving, and this night is already ruined." She shot a venomous look at the trunk. ¡°Useless Bunch!¡±


    "Speaking of destinations," Alex stretched in his seat, "where are we actually going?"


    Henry eased the car into motion, "Their base. The warehouse where rest our team is. Might as well crash the whole party while we''re at it."


    "Sounds perfect." I also glanced back at our unconscious cargo. "We need answers about what they were really after tonight."


    Henry¡¯s eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, scanning the chaos we¡¯d left behind¡ªthe bridge(somewhat destroyed), the wrecked cars, the unconscious villains stuffed into his trunk. Then, with a clipped inhale, he slammed his foot on the gas. Subsequently, the engine roared, tires screeching against pavement as we shot forward, merging into the flow of traffic that had just begun to resume.


    For one blessed moment, I thought we might actually get away clean.


    Then came the rhythmic thunder of rotor blades.


    A police helicopter.


    "Damn it," I muttered. "I jinxed us."


    The helicopter''s spotlight found us like an accusing finger from above, flooding the car''s interior with harsh white light. The loudspeaker crackled with artificial authority:


    ¡°UNKNOWN VEHICLE, STOP IMMEDIATELY. YOU ARE ORDERED TO PULL OVER AND SURRENDER. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN YOUR DETAINMENT¡ªBY FORCE IF NECESSARY.¡±


    Jade made a sound like an angry cat, her silver eyes tracking the chopper outside the window. I saw the shift in her focus. Then the helicopter wobbled midair. The rotors stuttered. For a split second, the whole machine lurched dangerously, its frame groaning under unseen force, tilting just slightly off course. The pilot¡¯s frantic voice shouted something unintelligible over the loudspeaker, cut off by static as the aircraft spun, losing stability.


    I grabbed Jade¡¯s wrist instantly, yanking her hand away from the window before she could make things worse.


    ¡°Easy now! Small distractions only,¡± I hissed, low enough for only her to hear. ¡°If someone dies, we¡¯ll have a bigger mess. None of us get out of this clean if that happens.¡±


    Her gaze snapped to mine, sharp enough to cut. For a heartbeat, I thought she might argue. Then understanding flickered across her face, and the pressure in the air dissipated. The helicopter stabilized with a mechanical whine of protest.


    "You''re no fun anymore," she rolled her eyes, pulling her wrist free from my grip. ¡°Fine.¡±


    Henry didn''t wait for a second warning. He yanked the wheel hard, and we dove into the West District''s maze of narrow streets and aging architecture. Neon signs blurred past like strange stars, their glow reflecting off rain-slicked asphalt. The helicopter dogged our trail, but down here, among the urban canyons, its advantage was limited. Its spotlight strobed across us in fragments, unable to maintain a lock as Henry threaded the car through gaps that seemed to materialize just for us.


    "We''ve got maybe five minutes before they coordinate with ground units," Henry announced, his voice carrying that edge. "Anyone have a preference for how we disappear tonight?"


    ...


    "Jade London," I called weakly, my eyes half-closed and head resting on the Jade''s shoulder.


    "What?"


    I blinked lazily, then repeated back, "What?"


    Jade humphed in irritation, turning slightly from where she was crouched, clearly busy with something. "Stop annoying me," she grumbled. "You see I''m working. Unlike a certain someone who hasn¡¯t even lifted a finger all day."


    I smiled, knowing exactly where this was going.


    Jade kept going, her voice half-distracted, half-exasperated. "And now, on top of everything else, I have to make sure the police don¡¯t catch us. Because, apparently, I¡¯m the only competent one here."


    My too-hardworking, too-aggressive, too-capable girlfriend.


    I chuckled softly, letting my fingers tighten around hers before she could pull away. "What would I do without you?"


    She froze for half a second before scoffing. "Cry. Obviously."


    "So smart! I would probably cry my heart out." I laughed, shifting slightly so I could look at her properly. She tried to avoid my gaze, but I caught the faintest pink creeping up her ears. Oh, she was embarrassed. Jade, who could tear through entire squads without breaking a sweat, was flustered because I was staring at her. I tilted my head, my fingers brushing away a few strands of her messy, windswept hair, a result of all the fighting, running, and jumping she had been doing.


    "You¡¯re really too hardworking?" I murmured.


    Jade huffed, trying to look annoyed, but I saw the small twitch at the corner of her lips.


    "Well, someone has to do the work," she muttered softly.


    I leaned in slightly, my hand still resting against her hair. "Yeah," I agreed. "And that¡¯s why I need to take care of you too."


    Jade poked me in the chest, her silver eyes glinting. "Remember you have to take me on a date tomorrow?"


    I smiled, tightening my grip on her hand. "Of course, I remember. How could I ever forget it."


    "Good." She exhaled, leaning into me slightly, as if she were finally letting herself rest. "Candlelight dinner, fancy food¡ªand I swear, if you take me to one of those shady hole-in-the-wall places we hide out in, I¡¯ll kill you."


    I laughed softly. "Noted. No shady hideouts. Just real silverware and overpriced appetizers."


    Jade smirked. "And dessert. You¡¯re getting me dessert."


    "Whatever you want," I murmured, my thumb tracing slow circles against the back of her hand.


    "You promise?"


    I looked at her¡ªreally looked at her. The dirt and bruises from the fight, the blood staining her torn sleeves, the exhaustion hidden in the way she held herself. But even now, she still glowed¡ªstill looked like the most alive person I had ever met.


    "Yeah, Jade. I promise."


    Then, of course, she ruined the moment.


    "If we die tonight, I¡¯m haunting you," she muttered.


    I snorted. "Wow. So Romantic."


    ...


    Meanwhile.


    "Next right," Henry muttered, taking the turn so smoothly it barely registered. "Then we cut through the old market district."


    The helicopter''s spotlight still burned overhead, but Henry wasn''t wrong ¨C the maze of narrow streets and covered markets ahead would give us plenty of cover. Not exactly ideal for his precious car, but better than getting caught.


    Alex pulled out his phone, already dialing. "I need to check on Lore''s team. Those warehouse runners had the train hostages with them."


    "Speaking of problems," Jade''s voice carried a hint of amusement as she watched the side mirror, "we''ve got three patrol cars trying to join our little parade."


    A ghost of a smile crossed Henry''s face as he downshifted, the engine''s pitch dropping to a predatory growl. "Watch this." The car lunged forward, threading through an alley so narrow our side mirrors whispered against the old brick walls. Behind us, the police cruisers were forced to crawl, their wider frames betraying them.


    Alex held up a hand for silence as the call connected. "Lore? Yeah, we got two of them. The First Baker took a swim." He paused, listening. "How''s the warehouse situation?"


    Through the phone''s speaker, we could hear the chaos of an ongoing pursuit ¨C engines roaring, Vinico shouting something unintelligible in the background, Somewhere in the mess, Gina¡¯s distinctive, borderline-maniacal laugh cut through. Lore''s voice emerged from the mayhem, carrying that particular strain of someone trying to herd cats through a firefight. "Three slipped into the complex. But we''ve got eyes on them. Louvel''s car is running circles around their bargain-bin getaway vehicles. And Vinico..." A sigh. "Vinico decided to play meat roadblock."


    Alex let out a snort. "Of course he did. Any hostages?"


    "Yeah, actually. Spotted them moving civilians into the east building. Looks like a couple dozen from the train incident. We''re setting up to¡ª"


    Lore suddenly cut off.


    In the background, there was a sharp curse, followed by the unmistakable sound of blaster fire.


    "Shit! Gina, on your left!"


    A rapid series of blaster shots crackled through the phone. Then¡ª


    Vinico¡¯s voice, whooping like he was on a rollercoaster instead of an active battlefield.


    When Lore returned, his voice dripped exasperation. "Sorry. Gina almost died. Again. I swear to whatever god is listening, just because you can rewind time before death doesn''t mean¡ªGINA, GET DOWN FROM THERE! HAVING AN AUTOMATIC BLASTER POINTED AT YOU IS NOT A GAME!"


    Henry, meanwhile, yanked the wheel hard, cutting through what looked like a loading dock behind a closed market. The helicopter¡¯s spotlight swept past overhead, but the maze of overhangs, steel beams, and market awnings kept breaking its line of sight. We shot out onto a wider street, lined with shuttered storefronts and dimly glowing signs, the empty roads making it perfect for a high-speed escape.


    Alex didn¡¯t miss a beat.


    "Hold position," he told Lore. "We¡¯re heading your way once we lose the tail."


    Through the speaker, we heard a scuffle, followed by Lore groaning.


    "Vinico! Stop treating gravity like a suggestion and FOCUS on the girl turning our floor into an ice rink!"


    ¡°STOP!!¡± She yelled loudly.


    I had no idea what that meant, but it sounded horrifying.


    Lore''s sigh could have powered a small city. "I''ll call you back. Trying to coordinate this circus and talk is like... actually, there''s no comparison. This is its own special hell. Later."


    The line went dead, leaving us with just the engine''s rumble and the city''s blur outside our windows.


    Jade settled back, a smile playing at her lips. "Sounds like they''re having much fun than us."


    Henry took us down another side street, this one curving away from the market district and into the dimly lit backroads of the industrial sector.


    With Jade constantly shifting the odds in our favor, the once-tight police pursuit had crumbled into chaos. Thanks to Jade''s subtle manipulations of probability, our pursuit had dissolved into confused fragments¡ªsirens echoing from all the wrong places, the helicopter circling ever wider as its pilot struggled against a maze that seemed to shift and twist beneath them.


    Henry''s shoulders relaxed fractionally as he checked the mirrors one last time. "Almost clear," he noted with quiet satisfaction. "Two more turns and we hit the industrial zone proper. Plenty of shadows to disappear into until¡ª"


    The words died in his throat.


    Mid-sentence. Mid-breath.


    His whole body went rigid, his hands tightening around the wheel, his gaze fixed on the rearview mirror. I caught the flicker of hesitation in his expression¡ªsomething between recognition and unease. Then, he looked back at me. At me specifically, and his voice was different when he spoke.


    "Vesper."


    My stomach dropped.


    Alex, who had been stretching casually in the front seat, finally picked up on the tension. "Okay, what¡¯s happening? Who¡¯s Vesper?"


    I kept my eyes locked on Henry''s reflection, mind already sprinting through scenarios, each worse than the last.


    "They took her."


    The car''s interior seemed to shrink, the tension suddenly thick enough to choke on. Alex twisted in his seat, gaze darting between us. "Someone want to fill me in? Who''s Vesper?"


    I felt Jade¡¯s hand slide into mine, her fingers curling around mine gently, grounding. A quiet act of support¡ªjust enough pressure to remind me I wasn¡¯t alone in this moment.


    "Can you track her?" I fought to keep my voice level, remembering the promise I''d made¡ªthe one I was already failing to keep.


    Henry nodded. "Yeah."


    "Then let¡¯s go."


    He hesitated. "North, this feels wrong. The timing..."


    "We''ve got dozens of hostages waiting in the warehouse district," Alex cut in, frustration edging his words. "Will someone please explain who this girl is?"


    Henry took a hard right, the car''s engine snarling as we accelerated down a different street. His consciousness was already spreading out, tracking signals, processing information streams most people couldn''t even perceive.


    "She''s scared," he reported, his voice tight. "Heart rate''s elevated. Moving northeast at..." He paused, calculating. "Eighty miles per hour. Has to be a vehicle. Their destination seemed to be North district."


    "The hostages," Alex started, but I cut him off.


    "Lore''s team has that contained. Nothing moves there without us knowing." I turned back to Henry. "How long?"


    "Fifteen minutes. Right when we were trading blows on the bridge." Self-recrimination crept into his tone. "I should have caught it sooner, but with everything else..."


    "Hey." I gripped his shoulder, forcing him to focus. "You caught it now. That''s what matters."


    Drawing a breath, I met Alex''s increasingly impatient stare in the mirror. "She''s a girl who just manifested meta abilities. She came to me for help, convinced someone was plotting to exploit her powers and hunting her."


    Alex''s expression darkened. "And you didn''t think to mention this before because...?"


    I exhaled. "Our plate was already full. So, I wanted to understand what we were dealing with before dragging everyone into another mess.


    "Are you okay with the detour?¡± I asked.


    Alex huffed out a short breath, shaking his head. ¡°Are you kidding? We just fought a bunch of lunatics on a bridge. What¡¯s one more mess?¡±


    Henry, still quiet, gave a short nod, then yanked the wheel sharply, cutting onto a new route. ¡°We¡¯re going.¡± His voice was clipped, focused, his mind already locking onto the location ping from wherever Vesper was being held.


    The car accelerated, the night rushing past us, but somewhere deep inside, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of uneasiness. I shouldn¡¯t be feeling anxious.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    After what felt like an hour-long drive, Henry finally killed the engine, the car settling into silence half a block away from our destination. The mansion loomed in the distance, its tall iron gates standing firm, guarding its pristine, impossibly well-kept estate. Six luxury cars were parked in a neat, deliberate row just outside the front gate. High-end models, sleek and black, with tinted windows and diplomatic plates. Not just rich¡ªinfluential. Not the kind of people you wanted to piss off carelessly.


    Henry¡¯s fingers drummed against the steering wheel, his expression locked into something calculating, sharp. ¡°Vesper¡¯s signal is strong,¡± he reported, eyes glued to the readings in front of him. ¡°Underground. About fifty feet down. They¡¯ve got her in some kind of reinforced chamber.¡±


    I frowned, leaning forward, studying the mansion¡¯s facade. It was three stories of old money architecture, a perfect blend of classic wealth and modern security upgrades. The kind of place designed to show off privilege while still keeping people out. I silently observed the likeness of the place: only a sliver of chance.


    Jade let out a low whistle, peering through the window. ¡°Well, someone¡¯s compensating for something.¡±


    Alex cracked his knuckles. ¡°Yeah. Their security budget.¡±


    Henry ignored both of them, his focus still locked on the map, his mind working overtime. ¡°The layout¡¯s complex. Cameras on every angle. There¡¯s definitely underground access, but breaking in quietly? That¡¯s not happening. We either ghost our way in, or we go in loud.¡±


    Alex stretched, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Loud¡¯s fun.¡±


    Jade joined. ¡°Loud is indeed fun.¡±


    Out of nowhere, they suddenly seemed to become think alike best friends.


    Henry shot Alex and Jade a glare. ¡°Loud gets us arrested.¡±


    I exhaled, still staring at the estate, feeling the familiar weight of unease pressing against my heart. This wasn¡¯t just some random gang hideout. This was carefully curated power. The kind of people who didn¡¯t need to fight in the streets. The kind of people who could ruin lives with a phone call. And Vesper was somewhere beneath it all.


    ¡°Alright, Break it down for me, Henry," I said, keeping my voice low. "What exactly are we looking at inside?"


    Henry''s consciousness hidden in Vesper thoughts, divided and latched onto others in the mansion, spreading wider while processing every detail.


    ¡°One. We¡¯ve got six luxury cars, all with diplomatic plates, which means at least some of these people have official protection. That¡¯s a problem.¡±


    ¡°Two. Security is layered¡ªhigh walls, infrared cameras covering every entrance, motion sensors along the fence line, and at least four guards patrolling the perimeter. That¡¯s just outside. Three. Inside, it¡¯s worse. Multiple people. Guards are stationed throughout, and this place is rigged with smart locks and biometric access points¡ªnot something we can just bypass with a lockpick.¡±


    I nodded, absorbing the information. ¡°And Vesper?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s underground, roughly fifty feet below the east wing. Reinforced chamber. No windows, one way in, one way out. Which means they¡¯re either keeping her secure for now, I believe until either she breaks or they find a different solution for her to agree to their demands.¡±


    Alex leaned forward, studying the estate with a thoughtful squint. ¡°Do we know who actually owns this place?¡±


    Henry shook his head.


    Jade hummed. ¡°Translation: If we mess up, we¡¯re dealing with more than just a cleanup crew. We¡¯re dealing with people who can make us disappear.¡±


    I exhaled, pushing aside the instinctual unease gnawing at my chest. Moreover, everything was painted red and black in my perception, mixed within were a few streaks of gold: danger, death, a chance. What more, we didn¡¯t have the luxury of second-guessing.


    ¡°Alright. How do we get in?¡± I asked, voice steady.


    Henry paused, then ran a hand through his hair, thinking. ¡°We¡¯ve got three options.¡±


    ¡°We ghost our way in,¡± Henry started. ¡°Jade manipulates the odds, I handle security bypass, and we avoid every camera and guard like shadows. We get in, grab Vesper, and get out before they even know we were here.¡±


    Jade smirked, tilting her head. ¡°No alarms. No mess. I like it.¡±


    ¡°We create a diversion,¡± Henry continued, ¡°draw security away from the east wing, use the chaos to slip in unnoticed. This way, we don¡¯t have to be perfect¡ªjust fast.¡±


    ¡°Or,¡± Henry sighed, ¡°we go in loud. Fast, hard, overwhelming force. We take out security before they can react, force our way inside, grab Vesper, and fight our way out. High risk, high reward.¡±


    I exhaled, mind made up. ¡°Let''s choose first option. we go quiet. Clean and quiet. Less chance of collateral damage, and we don''t need the entire North District coming down on us.¡±


    Henry nodded immediately, already expecting that answer. Jade smirked, looking pleased. Alex also agreed, ¡°Gives us more control over the situation."


    I watched another patrol pass the front gate. "Let¡¯s first talk through it."


    Henry didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°First gap comes in two minutes. Guards change rotation at the east corner¡ªthirty-second window while the cameras adjust.¡±


    ¡°That gets us to the grounds,¡± I noted. ¡°Next?¡±


    Jade¡¯s smile deepened, her silver eyes flickering with interest. ¡°Service entrance. Probability of all three guards taking their smoke break simultaneously is about to become... surprisingly high.¡± A slight pause. ¡°Funny how that works.¡±


    Alex arched a brow. "And if we run into someone inside?"


    "We don¡¯t," I said firmly. "That¡¯s the point. Henry tracks their movements, Jade manipulates our timing, and we move like we¡¯re not even there."


    Alex hummed in approval, arms crossed as he studied the estate ahead.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    I nodded, glancing at each of them. ¡°Alright. We move in sequence. Henry, you''re our eyes¡ªtrack every camera, every guard, every security system. Jade, you handle the rest.¡±


    Alex rolled his shoulders. "And I¡¯ll stay ready for physical confrontation. But let¡¯s hope we don¡¯t need that. Clean entry means clean exit."


    Henry exhaled, glancing at his screen. ¡°One minute until the first gap.¡±


    I clenched my fists, my body already settling into the familiar calm of an operation, honed from lifetimes of experiences. I suppressed all my fear and uneasiness into a single point in my mind and swallowed it whole, forgetting that concept of fear even existed for the next few minutes or hours. This was the skill I had learned taking part in wars fought with chaos. Fear was but nothing mere distraction.


    We slipped out of the car, keeping low as we moved between the shadows of the parked luxury cars. The security guards were predictable¡ªwalking the same paths, heads turning at precisely the right times for us to slip past unnoticed. That was Jade¡¯s work. Crossing the open courtyard was the hardest part¡ªa hundred feet of perfectly manicured lawn, dotted with decorative trees and modern art installations, all positioned to make security sweeps easier. Jade exhaled softly, and I could see her shifting the odds, bending coincidences into certainty. Every time she nudged a reality a little, the Likeness in my perception would shift, adding more golden streaks into red and black perception. The wind picked up slightly, rustling the hedges just enough to disguise the light crunch of our footsteps. The infrared cameras flickered briefly, their feed resetting one second early, creating a gap exactly when we needed it.


    We glided across the lawn like shadows, keeping low, silent, heading straight for the service entrance.


    Henry¡¯s mapping of the area was dead accurate. Three guards near the side entrance, standing just outside a small employee lounge, leaning against the wall. Laughing. One was already lighting up a cigarette, the glow of his lighter illuminating his smug, oblivious expression.


    Jade barely glanced at them. The second guard, mid-conversation, suddenly patted his pockets, frowning.


    ¡°Shit. I left my lighter inside.¡±


    The third sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll grab it. You guys wait here.¡±


    They had no idea they were being nudged like chess pieces. As the third disappeared inside, the second turned to follow, leaving only the first¡ªhalf-distracted, exhaling smoke, barely paying attention. Alex moved first. A quick step, a smooth twist of his wrist, and the guard crumpled, unconscious before he could even realize what had happened. I caught him before he hit the ground, dragging him quietly behind a stack of crates. The entrance was clear. I reached for the door handle¡ªlocked.


    Henry stepped forward, pulling out a thin device, a compact security override tool. It was unused from our earlier auction preparation. He clamped it against the keypad, fingers dancing across his wrist display as the lock began to decrypt itself in real time.


    A soft beep. The lock clicked open. We slipped inside.


    Footsteps echoed somewhere nearby, but Jade¡¯s influence made sure every guard turned the wrong corner at the right time.


    The hallway was dimly lit, sleek and modern despite the estate¡¯s classic architecture. The walls were lined with expensive artwork, the floors polished and cool beneath our steps.


    Henry¡¯s eyes flickered to his screen. ¡°Cameras looping. We¡¯re clear for sixty seconds before they reset.¡±


    We moved fast. The service hall led straight to the main house, branching into a wider hallway lined with luxury decor and distant, muffled conversations. Footsteps echoed somewhere nearby, but Jade¡¯s influence made sure every guard turned the wrong corner at the right time. We cut left¡ªstraight toward the stairwell leading down.


    Henry gestured ahead. ¡°Two floors down. Basement level, east wing.¡±


    Alex exhaled, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s hope they weren¡¯t smart enough to reinforce the stairs.¡±


    We reached the door to the lower levels¡ªit required a keycard, a biometric scanner, and a passcode.Before Henry even reached for his tools, the panel glitched again. A rapid series of beeps, a flicker of error messages¡ªand then, with a soft mechanical whine, the door unlocked.


    Henry stared at it.


    Then at Jade.


    Jade tilted her head. "Wow. What an unexpected security flaw."


    Alex grinned. "I love when reality bends in our favor."


    Henry just let out a quiet sigh of acceptance. We entered the stairwell, moving fast.


    One level down.


    The air was cooler here, the walls turning from lavish decor to cold, reinforced steel.


    Another level down.


    The hallway was different now¡ªless polished, more utilitarian, as if the wealth and grandeur stopped the second you weren¡¯t meant to be there.


    Jade¡¯s silver eyes sharpened, her steps careful. ¡°Security¡¯s thicker down here.¡±


    I nodded. ¡°Means we¡¯re getting close.¡±


    We reached the final door.


    Henry checked his tracker, eyes narrowing. ¡°Third door on the left.¡±


    The lock looked reinforced, thick enough to withstand brute force, lined with sophisticated security overrides. But everything seemed be afraid of Jade, dead or alive, as if she was a boogeyman coming for their life.


    Another door unlocked, just like that. Another malfunction. The panel buzzed weakly before the lock clicked open, the heavy chamber door shifting slightly outward. Alex grinned, already stepping inside. The door slid open with a soft mechanical hiss, revealing a dimly lit chamber lined with reinforced steel walls. The moment we stepped inside, the air felt thicker, charged with an eerie silence. This wasn¡¯t just a holding cell¡ªthis was a containment unit. Designed not for all kind of prisoners. The room itself was bare-bones, sterile and clinical. No windows, no decorations¡ªjust cold, smooth metal surfaces and an overhead fluorescent light that flickered faintly as if even it was unsure about its presence.


    But my eyes weren¡¯t on the room.


    They were on her.


    Vesper.


    She was sitting in the center of the chamber, perched on a simple metal bench, her posture stiff. Her wrists were bound, locked into high-grade suppression cuffs, the kind used to restrain metas with unknown abilities. Her dark hair was messy, strands falling over her face, but her eyes¡ªher sharp, striking eyes¡ªwere clouded. Not just with exhaustion, but with something unnatural.


    She blinked sluggishly as she lifted her head toward us, her movements delayed, slow, like her body wasn¡¯t fully cooperating. Something was wrong. She didn¡¯t react immediately. Didn¡¯t flinch.Didn¡¯t even look surprised or relieved. She just stared, her expression blank, unreadable.


    I took a slow step forward, ¡°Vesper?¡±


    No response.


    Henry¡¯s fingers moved quickly, scanning the security terminal on the wall, assessing the locks, and Alex kept an eye out.


    Jade¡¯s silver eyes flickered, ¡°They¡¯ve drugged her.¡±


    That would explain it.


    Alex frowned. ¡°How bad?¡±


    Jade crouched slightly, studying her more carefully. ¡°Not enough to knock her out, but enough to keep her¡­ compliant. A little detached. Probably something mild. Suppressants.¡±


    Henry¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°They didn¡¯t just want to contain her. They wanted her passive to follow their bidding.¡±


    Vesper¡¯s gaze finally landed on mine, her pupils slightly too dilated, her movements a fraction too slow. Then she spoke. Her voice was quiet, a little hoarse, but steady enough.


    "You found me?...I knew I was right.¡±


    It didn¡¯t sound like relief. It sounded like she wasn¡¯t sure if this was real or just another hallucination. Though I wondered where her black cat was, was it even alive?


    Jade reached for the cuffs but stopped short. ¡°These are wired into the security system. If we just yank them off¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Henry interrupted, already moving to the terminal. ¡°Give me a second. I need to disengage the dampeners before I can override the actual clasp.¡±


    Alex was already positioning himself near the door, listening for movement outside, his expression hard, focused. "How long before someone realizes she''s not where she''s supposed to be?"


    Henry scowled. "Less time than I¡¯d like."


    I crouched in front of Vesper, keeping my voice calm, steady. ¡°Can you stand?¡±


    She blinked at me slowly. Then, after a second, she exhaled, shifting her weight forward. She tried to stand, and immediately, her knees buckled. I caught her before she hit the floor. Her fingers gripped my sleeve weakly, frustration flashing across her face, just for a second, before she set her jaw and forced herself upright again.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got you,¡± I murmured, steadying her.


    Henry muttered something under his breath, his fingers moving fast, and finally, the cuffs clicked open. The dampening glow flickered out, and the restraints fell from her wrists, clattering softly against the steel floor. For the first time, I saw real relief flicker across Vesper¡¯s face. She flexed her hands slowly, rubbing at the raw, irritated skin around her wrists.


    Jade shot Henry a look. "They¡¯ll know that was disabled manually."


    Henry sighed, already backing toward the door. "Yeah. We need to move¡ªnow."


    I turned back to Vesper. "Can you walk?"


    She didn¡¯t answer immediately. Then, carefully, she pushed off the bench. Her steps were wobbly, her muscles clearly fighting against the aftereffects of whatever they gave her¡ªbut she stayed upright.


    Alex nodded approvingly. "Good enough. Let''s get the hell out of here."


    Henry tapped his screen, rerouting security feeds, buying us seconds at best, minutes if we were lucky.


    Jade adjusted her grip on Vesper¡¯s arm. ¡°No wrong moves now. We walk out the way we came¡ªwithout making a sound.¡±


    She was still processing all of this, still fighting off the drugged haze, but in the dim light, I could see it, that flicker of determination, cutting through the fog.


    I squeezed her shoulder lightly. ¡°Stay with me.¡±


    She exhaled. "I¡¯m here."


    We moved like shadows through the mansion''s hushed corridors, slipping past security systems that should have detected us but didn''t¡ªcouldn''t. The weight of our rescue pressed down with each step¡ªVesper stumbling beside us, Jade''s constant shifting odds, Henry''s laser focus, Alex''s coiled readiness. Freedom waited just beyond the estate''s boundary. A few more steps into the night, and we could vanish into the city''s embrace.


    And then, I stopped.


    The others made it two steps further before realizing I''d frozen.


    My heartbeat didn''t quicken with fear¡ªit slowed, as if time itself was stretching around what approached.


    He walked toward us with measured, deliberate steps¡ªan old man, though "old" felt like a laughably inadequate word. He was ancient, but not in any way that suggested frailty or decay. He stood impossibly straight, as if time had never dared suggest he bow to its weight. Each footfall echoed with unnatural clarity, the very air seeming to part before him like a curtain. His skin was alabaster pale, stretched tissue-thin across his frame¡ªalmost translucent. And beneath that near-transparent veil of flesh, I saw them:


    His bones.


    Golden.


    Luminous.


    They shone from within like artifacts from a forgotten age, as if his very skeleton had been forged by something that preceded human understanding:


    Sir Nash.


    The Master of Arcane.


    In that moment, the pieces clicked together with horrible clarity. I understood why I was here¡ªwhy we all were. It had been my doing. All of it.


    I drew in a breath that felt too thick, tasting the weight of his impossible existence. His steps halted, and his gaze locked onto mine. For one eternal second, neither of us moved. Something flickered across his features¡ªrecognition, yes, but tinged with genuine surprise.


    He hadn¡¯t expected to see me.


    His smile bloomed slowly, broad and warm like an old friend greeting another. But was it truly joy, or simply the way things like him acknowledged their favorite prey?


    Beside me, Jade went rigid, her fingers twitching with aborted purpose. Henry remained perfectly still, a statue processing too much data. Alex edged closer to Vesper, his stance casual but combat-ready. Vesper, still fighting the fog of whatever they''d given her, stared with unfocused eyes, her breathing shallow and quick.


    Sir Nash took another step forward, his voice honey-warm and gently amused¡ªa tone that felt obscene coming from something like him.


    "Ah," he said, his golden bones catching the dim light. "Now, this is a pleasant surprise."


    The way the words rolled from his tongue felt wrong. Time stretched like taffy, the air growing stagnant. I felt the others'' tension¡ªtheir readiness for combat. But there would be no fight. Not one we could win. Jade''s fingers found mine, ice-cold and trembling as she leaned close, her voice barely a whisper but saturated with dread.


    ¡°North, I can¡¯t see.¡±


    "All the possibilities," she breathed, color draining from her face. "It''s all dark. Every single one."


    I swallowed. I had never thought about it that if her perception was dark she would turn blind. Dark. Not just bad outcomes. Not just risk and uncertainty. A void where futures should be. It was like standing on the edge of a cliff and realizing¡ªtoo late¡ªthat there was nothing below you.


    Sir Nash¡¯s smile widened, just a fraction.


    Did he hear her?


    Did he already know?


    His eyes, unnaturally glimmered, dark as an abyss filled with strangeness, constantly coagulating and morphing, something unreadable behind them, something too deep, too old, something that watched us like we were pieces of a puzzle he had already solved.


    "Come now," he said smoothly, his voice too warm, too knowing. "Surely you¡¯re not afraid of an old man."


    But Jade was terrified. Her grip on my hand painfully hard, her fingers ice-cold, trembling slightly¡ªa rarity, almost impossible. I turned my head just enough to see her face, her normally composed expression fractured with something sharp, something real¡ªfear. Her silver eyes, always sharp and calculating, stared at Sir Nash with naked horror, her breathing quick and shallow. Then, barely audible: "He has no cause, North. It''s lost somewhere. I can''t change his cause of existence."


    She swallowed hard, clinging to my hand like an anchor in a storm.


    ¡°Too bad for us.¡±


    I exhaled, my vision shifted and world saturated with shapes and colors; I let my perception bloom into the world beyond what could be seen.


    Above us, hanging from the air like puppets on invisible strings¡ª


    Coffins.


    Massive, illusory coffins, each one hanging above our heads


    I turned my gaze to Sir Nash, and his Likeness manifested before me. He wasn¡¯t a man. He was something that pretended to be one. A shape roughly human, but faceless, nothing but a form filled with thick, dark ichor¡ªblack and endless, spilling from his body, leaking down his limbs, pooling around his feet like tears. The ground beneath him sizzled where it touched, like reality itself was rejecting his presence.


    His Likeness was strange, something from somewhere else, something that had no place in this world¡ªsomething that had walked out of the unnatural.


    He smiled again.


    And we froze. Not by choice¡ªbut because space itself seemed to crystallize around us. Something inside me splintered, a crack spreading through my consciousness like ice breaking. Then Henry''s nose began to bleed. A single crimson line, delicate as calligraphy, traced its way down to his lip. His eyes met mine for one terrible moment¡ªconfusion bleeding into understanding, then terror, then nothing at all. They rolled back, and he collapsed without a sound.


    Just... stopped existing. As if someone had simply deleted him from the world.


    Alex lunged to catch him, but caught only empty air. We all reached too late, watched too late, understood too late. Henry''s body hit the floor with the finality. Alex barely had time to process the loss before something invisible reached into his mind and tore it apart. His golden aura of invincibility¡ªthe power that had saved him countless times¡ªflared like a dying star, pulsing with desperate, animal brightness.


    He surged forward with impossible speed, faster than thought, faster than I could grab him.


    My fingers closed on empty air as I spun, shoving Jade behind me, using my body as a shield. Because if someone had to die next, it wouldn''t be her. Never her. Not Jade.


    Sir Nash raised his hand with elegant fashion. A staff materialized out of thin air, appearing in his palm as if it had always been there, as if he had simply remembered it into existence.


    Alex lifted off the ground like a puppet yanked by cruel strings, limbs splayed at awkward angles, his expression contorting through rage and agony as his invincibility fought against the inevitable. The first bone break sounded like a gunshot in the silence. Then another. And another. Invisible forces pulled him apart like a child dismantling a toy, twisting him into shapes that violated geometry. His bones erupted through skin in a grotesque flowering, stark white against streaming blood. His air of invincibility aura fought to keep him alive, to maintain that promise of invulnerability¡ªbut it only prolonged his suffering. One heartbeat longer than Henry. One more second of conscious horror before his light guttered out like a candle in a hurricane.


    His air of invincibility kept him alive for one more second than it should have. After another gasp, he also stopped breathing. His golden aura flickered once. Then it was gone.


    Jade kept trembling behind me, something I''d never witnessed in all our time together. Not Jade, who laughed in the face of death. Not Jade, who could bend probability until it broke, who treated gunfights like dance recitals. Not my Jade, who had stood beside me through nightmare after nightmare, her smile never wavering, her confidence absolute. But now she shook like autumn leaves in a storm, her fingers knotted in my shirt so tight I could feel her nails through the fabric, her breath heavy. She was terrified. For the first time in our shared history of doing impossible things, Jade was genuinely, completely afraid.


    And I had no idea how to protect her from something that negated possibility itself.


    Sir Nash took another step forward, his expression unchanged, his smile never faltering, his golden bones still glowing beneath his translucent skin. His dark ichor in my perception leaked steadily, pooling beneath his feet, spreading outward, creeping toward us.


    But, the Fear, remained trapped in the depths of my mind, unable to override my resolve. I stood my ground, letting my perception bloom into its fuller spectrum. The world exploded into layers of meaning¡ªevery surface, shadow, and space painted in gradients of potential: what I could use, what would kill me, what might save us if I was fast enough, smart enough, desperate enough.


    I needed an escape route. Needed to get Jade out. Needed to¡ª


    But before I could make a move, Sir Nash spoke. ¡°I¡¯ve been watching you since the moment you set foot inside the mansion.¡±


    I stiffened, my fingers twitching. He smiled again, tilting his head slightly as if amused by my reaction. ¡°I wanted to see what your purpose was,¡± he continued, taking a slow step forward. ¡°To see what you were after. But you should not have come for that girl.¡±


    He gestured toward Vesper, collapsed beside us in a heap of terror and shame. The drugs still clouded her mind, but witnessing death¡ªreal death, sudden and brutal¡ªhad locked her in place. She hadn''t even registered soiling herself, the puddle beneath her steaming slightly in the cold air, her eyes fixed on the broken ball like body of what had been Alex moments ago.


    His smile widened a fraction, and in that moment I saw something deeper behind his eyes¡ªnot malice, not cruelty, but something far worse: curiosity. We weren''t enemies to him. We were specimens. Lab rats who had wandered into the wrong experiment. The coffins above us swayed gently on their invisible chains, casting strange shadows that danced across the walls like hungry things. Waiting.


    Sir Nash studied Vesper with the detached interest of a scientist observing a rare specimen, then shifted his golden-eyed gaze back to me. The darkness within those eyes churned like ancient seas.


    ¡°The girl behind you,¡± he mused, ¡°rather has a rather peculiar ability.¡±


    I went still.


    "She even tried to rewrite my past at one point." His voice carried a note of genuine amusement, as if a child had attempted to move a mountain with their bare hands.


    Jade''s sharp intake of breath betrayed her shock, her fingers digging deeper into my sleeve. She had tried¡ªand failed¡ªto alter the causality of something that existed outside of cause and effect itself.


    Sir Nash''s chuckle echoed unnaturally in the hallway, "I have rarely seen a meta so powerful before." His tone held something approaching admiration, but his eyes remained distant, cold and unreachable. "She is impressive, truly. But... she is still young. Her power is untamed, unshaped."


    He sighed, a deep, theatrical breath, as if disappointed by a great potential wasted too soon. ¡°She needs time to mature.¡±


    Then, he spoke again, ¡°But, North¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªI must thank you.¡±


    He smiled, almost fondly. ¡°For giving me the method to extend my life.¡±


    "I did not want to use it initially," he continued, false regret dripping from every word. "But I had no choice. And now, I find myself here, in this particular moment, standing before this girl who can locate the bizarre meta-nature you wrote and I have been seeking. A near-impossible task, yet she may be able to achieve it."


    I cursed myself under my breath. This was all my fault. I had given him that method. And now it had come full circle, curling back around to strangle me. Jade had always called me a compulsive fixer, someone who couldn¡¯t help but find solutions, even when no one asked for them. And this time, it had backfired in the worst way possible. I clenched my fists, trying to think¡ªfast, fast, faster. Should I lie? Should I create another method, something that would distract him, delay him, throw him off course? But Sir Nash wasn¡¯t an ordinary man. He might see straight through my lies.


    And even if he didn¡¯t, if he even suspected deception, the consequences would be unthinkable.


    No. I needed something else. Something that would let us walk away breathing.


    Because Henry and Alex were already dead. They were gone. The grief would come later. Right now, Jade and I were still alive. And if I wanted to honor their deaths, to make this right, we needed to survive.


    There was always another loop.


    Another chance.


    Another time.


    Meanwhile, Jade¡¯s grip on my sleeve remained tight, her trembling fingers pressing into the fabric as if it were the last real thing she could hold onto. I could feel her breath¡ªshallow, uneven¡ªagainst my back. And yet, she was still thinking. Still calculating.


    I could see her Likeness manifesting in reality despite her terror. The massive dragon that represented her true nature mostly slept coiled in the thick clouds above, its ancient eyes fixed on Sir Nash with imperious disdain. She was bleeding into reality unchecked, her desperation pushing her closer to overdraw. She was still searching, still trying to calculate impossible odds, to bend probability, break some cause and effect, until it gave us an escape route. I squeezed her hand, trying to make her stop before she hurt herself, but she was beyond feeling it now.


    I moved before thinking, not out of desperation, but out of calculated necessity. I knew what Sir Nash could do¡ªand I knew that if I didn''t speak now, if I didn''t give him something, we would both die here.


    I would willingly die in her place, but Jade¡ªno. The thought of her death was a void I refused to look into. I would tear reality apart with my bare hands before I let that happen.


    I forced the next words out, steady, controlled, ¡°Perhaps I might suggest something.¡±


    Sir Nash tilted his head, golden bones catching the light like trapped sunlight. "Oh? How?"


    I took a slow breath, forcing myself not to look at Jade behind me, forcing myself to keep my focus on him.


    "You said it yourself. I gave you the method to extend your life," I said, each word measured, weighed, offered like coins to a ferryman.


    His eyebrows lifted slightly, interest flickering in those ancient, unreadable eyes.


    "And do you believe we only have one method?" I continued, my voice steady despite the void growing in my chest.


    A subtle shift. A distraction. I had given him something before, something he had clearly used, something that had extended his unnatural existence even further. Now I dangled the possibility of more, another piece of forbidden knowledge that only I possessed.


    His smile widened.


    "Oh?" He stepped forward with liquid grace, hands folding behind his back¡ªa predator''s casual confidence before the kill. "And how many do you claim to know, Mr. North?"


    Caution was everything now. Too many lies would shatter like glass against his perception. Too much hesitation would reveal the desperation beneath my words.


    I swallowed, keeping my posture neutral, unaffected.


    I kept my posture neutral, unaffected. "Several." The word fell like a stone into still water. "Some were never viable, some only half-completed. But some?" I met his gaze for just a heartbeat. "Some are still waiting to be tested."


    Sir Nash laughed softly, the sound rich, filled with a genuine sense of amusement.


    "Ah, North." His tone dripped indulgence, as if addressing a clever child. "Do you think I cannot see through this desperate gambit?"


    "But I do wonder," he mused, tapping a golden finger against his chin, the bone beneath his skin pulsing with inner light. "Did you hesitate because you were contemplating lies?"


    I stiffened, but I kept my breathing even.


    "Or did you hesitate," he continued, "because you were considering offering me something real?"


    I felt my pulse stutter.


    Sir Nash chuckled, shaking his head like a teacher disappointed by a promising student. "You truly are fascinating." He fell silent, watching me with those impossible eyes, amusement dancing in their depths.


    Then, "You''re right," he admitted finally. "There is still much I need. Much that remains incomplete."


    "I can help you," I offered, my voice steady despite knowing he saw through every layer of my facade. "There are many ways I could be useful."


    He sighed theatrically, stretching slightly before tapping his staff against the floor. "You do have a point, I suppose."


    One beat of terrible silence.


    Then he exhaled sharply, disappointment heavy in the air.


    "But I still do not like loose ends."


    The bottom of my stomach dropped.


    His golden fingers flexed, the otherworldly darkness in his eyes intensifying until it seemed to devour light itself. The weight of inevitability crashed down like an avalanche.


    His gaze flickered past me.


    To Jade.


    My breath crystallized in my lungs.


    He tsked irritatingly. "The little girl behind you is so much trouble."


    I felt Jade go rigid against my back, her presence suddenly fragile as spun glass. Pure dread flooded my system.


    Sir Nash''s next words were calm, almost curious, like he was speaking of a delicate flower that had grown in the wrong place. "She¡¯s been digging deeper and deeper," he murmured, tilting his head slightly. "She¡¯s too dangerous to be left alone."


    The next moment, Jade breath stopped.


    No sound.


    No movement.


    No warning.


    But I felt it.


    Felt it in the space between heartbeats, as if our souls were tethered together.


    For the first time in my life, I was afraid to look back.


    But I did.


    I turned, every motion weighted with dread, my pulse thundering against my skull as horror crawled into my lungs.


    My heart shattered.


    Every muscle in my body locked up.


    Every muscle locked in denial.


    No,


    No, please, no, no¡ª


    Jade stood frozen, her body unnaturally still, caught between one breath and the next.


    I turned, slowly, my limbs moving like they were trapped in molasses, the weight of reality pressing too heavily on my chest, suffocating me before I could even see.


    And then I saw her: Her silver eyes were wide, trapped in that final moment of understanding, lips parted on words she would never speak. Her skin had transformed¡ªsmooth and perfect as blown glass, catching light in ways that human flesh never should, reflecting it back in fractured rainbow patterns.


    She wasn''t breathing.


    Wasn''t blinking.


    Wasn''t anything anymore.


    Just a moment captured in crystal, a photograph developed in glass and silence.


    My hands shook as I reached for her¡ªtouching shoulder, arm, cheek¡ªbut she gave no response.


    She just stood there¡ªtrapped in time, frozen in the moment.


    No flinch.


    No movement.


    Nothing.


    Her body began to tilt, a statue losing its balance. I caught her before she could shatter against the floor, gathering her into my arms as if holding her tight enough could undo this moment, could rewrite time itself. She felt wrong in my embrace¡ªtoo light, too fragile, like holding a hollow shell of the person she had been. Not my Jade anymore, just an echo trapped in crystal.


    A sound tore from my throat¡ªraw and animal and broken¡ªas tears spilled hot and violent down my face, falling onto the smooth glass of her frozen skin.


    This wasn''t supposed to happen.


    This couldn''t be happening.


    Not Jade.


    Not like this.


    I pressed my forehead against hers, my body shaking, my breath coming in short, uneven gasps that barely felt like breathing at all.


    "You idiot."


    The words came out before I even thought about them, slipping into the awful silence between us.


    I could still see her smirk in my head, that teasing glint in her eyes whenever she was about to do something reckless, ridiculous, impossible.


    "You never thought things through," I muttered, my fingers clenching into the torn fabric of her dress. "You always just¡ªjumped in. Didn¡¯t wait. Didn¡¯t let me handle it. You just¡ª"


    I sucked in a shaky breath, but it didn¡¯t help. It just hurt more. My body trembled, my mind spiraling, the weight of her absence pressing down so hard it felt unbearable.


    "I was supposed to have your back," I whispered.


    My voice cracked. "I was here. I was right here."


    And yet¡ª


    She had still tried to carry it on her own.


    And now¡ª


    She was gone.


    I gritted my teeth, squeezing her cold, still hand, my breath stuttering.


    "Damn it, Jade." My voice shook, breaking at the edges. "Why couldn¡¯t you just¡ªwait? Just once?"


    I let out a breath that felt more like a broken laugh.


    "Who the hell am I supposed to fight with now?" I murmured, voice barely there. "Who¡¯s gonna drag me into trouble? Who¡¯s gonna call me out when I started to overthink, lost? Who¡ª"


    I stopped, my throat locking up, my chest tightening, my hands trembling against her.


    "You said you¡¯d be here, forever" I whispered, barely a sound. "So why aren¡¯t you?"


    I had lost Henry in an instant.


    Lost Alex in a heartbeat.


    And now Jade¡ªmy Jade¡ªwho had always stood beside me, who pushed the boundaries of possibility itself, who always found a way to survive¡ª


    She was just... gone.


    Frozen in that final terrible moment, trapped in time like a butterfly in amber, forever caught in the aftermath of a choice she should never have had to make.


    Sir Nash sighed with the detached weariness of an immortal watching insects die. "There''s no need to be sad about her," he said, his voice carrying the same interest one might have for dust settling. "I thought you could see everything; she was broken to begin with, sewed together by threads to create a perfect doll. She would have become something terrible soon."


    I couldn''t look at him. Couldn''t listen. Couldn''t think. Couldn''t breathe.


    The world had contracted to the weight of Jade''s body in my arms, my heart shattering and reforming just to break again, an endless cycle of agony that would never heal.


    The tears wouldn''t stop.


    The trembling wouldn''t stop.


    The pain would never stop.


    Every corner of my existence was saturated with loss, drowning in grief that had no bottom, no end, no mercy.


    And yet¡ª


    I was still alive.


    That was the cruelest joke of all.


    But then¡ª


    Something shifted.


    The gasping stopped.


    The breaking stopped.


    Everything... stopped.


    A vast, frigid emptiness settled into my chest, drowning out even my own heartbeat. The void spread through me like black ice, freezing everything it touched.


    For a long moment, I just stared.


    Calm.


    Too calm.


    This was enough.


    My hand turned incorporeal, passing through my own flesh and bone like morning mist through trees. My fingers slipped past ribs as if they were merely suggestions, until they found something cold and wet and fighting¡ª


    My Heart.


    It was still beating.


    It shouldn''t be.


    How dare it continue?


    I had lost everything. Felt too much.


    My ribs should have collapsed under the weight of absence.


    My lungs should have refused to draw another breath.


    My existence should have ended the moment her''s did.


    And yet, my treasonous heart kept beating.


    Kept pushing.


    Kept forcing me to exist in a world without her.


    I hated it.


    My fingers tightened around the rebellious muscle, feeling its rhythm falter beneath my grip. Still it fought on, still it dragged me forward, demanding I continue this mockery of living when there was nothing left to live for.


    I squeezed harder, nails biting into tender flesh, trying to crush it into something as broken as I felt inside. I wanted it to stop. I pushed aside the soul crushing pain. I wanted to tear it from my chest and hold it out to Sir Nash¡ªthis useless, persistent thing that wouldn''t let me die.


    And I clenched my fingers one final time.


    I crushed it.


    My grip turned the beating muscle to pulp, and for one perfect moment, everything went quiet.


    No more beating.


    No more fighting.


    No more dragging me forward against my will.


    Just blessed silence, spreading through my chest like ink in water, like night swallowing stars, like the end of everything.


    As darkness crept in at the edges of my vision, my fingers traced her glass-like cheek, remembering how she used to smile. How her eyes would spark with mischief just before she''d lean in close. I pressed my lips to hers¡ªcold crystal where there should have been warmth, smooth and lifeless where there should have been soft response. Remembering how much she liked to kiss. The taste of salt from my tears mixed with the metallic tang of blood from my dying heart, a bitter farewell sealed with a kiss.


    "Next time," my voice barely a breath, "I''ll find you sooner."


    The darkness swept in like an ocean tide, and my last thought was of her silver eyes, bright with laughter, waiting somewhere in another life, in another time, in a world where we might get it right.


    <hr>


    Ten thousand lifetimes pass beneath cold moons,


    The golden dragon seeks the dance of her shadow.


    What is death but morning frost on spider silk?


    What is life but one breath between dreams?"


    When jade shatters upon winter¡¯s frost,


    Does its essence truly fade to night?


    Or does it merely sleep within the snow,


    Waiting for spring¡¯s gentle return?


    Through immortal dreams and mortal dust,


    Our fates are woven in stars.

 Act 3.1 (Rebanking: Fractured Mind, Memories & Time)

    Rebanking: Fractured Mind, Memories & Time


    In the next moment, the universe didn¡¯t so much tilt as it shattered¡ªreality splintering like a broken mirror. One second, my eyes were shut, my heart crushed and lifeless, and the next¡ª


    Pain.


    Sharp. Immediate.


    My knees hit concrete with enough force to send shockwaves through my new bones. The impact drove the air from my lungs in a harsh gasp. My palms slapped against rough pavement, tiny pieces of gravel biting into soft flesh that hadn''t known calluses for years. I stayed there, sprawled on the sidewalk, trying to remember how to breathe. The sensory assault was overwhelming.


    Above me, the sky churned with dark clouds, and rain poured down in heavy sheets, relentless, like the gods were furious¡ªat something, at someone.


    I tilted my head slightly to avoid drowning in the shallow puddle where my face had landed. Not that it really mattered. Dying before starting the third loop might have been a mercy.


    Oh, wait.


    My vision swam, the world blurring at the edges as a another wave of agony crested through my body. Yet somehow, through the fog of pain and disorientation, my memories remained crystalline¡ªsharper than broken glass. It was like watching my past life through a high-definition screen, every detail enhanced, every moment preserved in perfect, terrible clarity.


    Wait! Wait! Wait!


    Something was missing.


    Why was there a gap at the end? The harder I tried to grasp it, the more convoluted my thoughts became, twisting into a tangled mess. It was like staring at a puzzle with missing pieces, knowing they should be there but unable to reach them. And then, lurking in the dark corners of my mind, I felt it¡ªanother bundle of memories. Disconnected. Out of place. They shouldn¡¯t be like this. My mind felt too organized, unnaturally structured. That in itself was wrong.


    My thoughts pushed closer, my heart hammering as I chased the missing fragments. But the moment I touched that empty void of darkness¡ª


    Pain.


    My head jerked violently, and in its wake, broken pieces of memory surfaced like shattered glass.


    Huh? What the fuck?!


    The fragmented replay of events only made things worse, distorting what I was desperately trying to understand. It was all wrong. Finally, through the static and confusion, I managed to make out a few outlines, just enough to piece together something horrifying. I had already lived through the third loop. This was supposed to be my fourth loop. Something had happened¡ªsomething strong enough to make me forget. To shatter my memories, leaving some completely muddled while others remained crystal clear.


    I slammed my fist into the puddle beneath me, sending dirty water arcing through the air. It splashed across my face, and I immediately regretted it as pain shot up my arm like lightning, fingers going numb while muddy water trickled into my mouth, tasting of grit and gasoline.


    "Dammitt," I spat, along with a mouthful of contaminated rainwater.


    This was exactly why I hated time shenanigans with every fiber of my being. What was I supposed to do now? Spend half of my next life¡ªassuming there would be one¡ªtrying to piece together the puzzle of my third timeline like some temporal detective? The very thought made me want to punch something again, despite my throbbing hand warning me what a stupid idea that would be.


    Great. Just fucking great.


    In frustration and annoyance, I pushed myself off the ground, wiping the rain from my face with the back of my hand. My clothes were already beyond ruined¡ªsoaked, dirty, and clinging uncomfortably to my skin. There was no fixing it now. I spotted an umbrella lying nearby,probably mine, half broken due to my sudden fall, and picked it up. Not that it would help much at this point. I¡¯d still have to sit in class completely drenched. Sighing, I trudged toward the bus stop. Despite the miserable weather, the streets were still alive with the usual early morning hustle. The bus arrived five minutes later, its brakes hissing as it pulled up. My mind was only half-present as I stepped inside, my feet moving on autopilot.


    I didn¡¯t bother looking for a seat. The wet clothes made sure of that. Instead, I stood near the door, gripping the overhead rail, dripping onto the floor like a walking raincloud.


    As the bus lurched into motion, I focused on piecing together my broken memories. Fortunately, I wouldn¡¯t have to spend too much time adjusting¡ªat least not when it came to relearning slang or other minor nuisances. The fragmented memories, though incomplete, still gave me enough information to revise and catch up quickly.


    Despite the confusion, I found a small sense of satisfaction. I had made new friends¡ªgreat friends, actually. Out of all the versions of myself across the loops, I felt the proudest of my third self. That version of me had stepped way out of his comfort zone, taking major leaps I never would have dared in my previous loops.


    But something was wrong. Something missing and altered.


    A face, completely muddled.


    A girl.


    She seemed to be everywhere¡ªwoven into so many memories that practically it was all her, and yet, I couldn¡¯t make out her face. Nor could I remember someone like her existing in my other loops. What more, Every time she appeared in a memory, the moment itself darkened, like a shadow creeping over the edges of my mind, distorting everything. It had to mean something. Either she was the culprit behind my missing memories, or¡ªworse¡ªI had somehow become entangled with someone who treated my personal space like her divine right, someone who clung to my arm as if she owned my very soul. The fragments showed her presence like a physical force¡ªnot just near me, but claiming me in a way that made my current self deeply uneasy. What kind of person had she been, to leave such an imprint? What kind of person had I become, to allow such intimacy?


    Her name: ****London


    I stared at my reflection in the grimy bus window, watching raindrops trace paths down the glass, distorting my troubled expression. Only a half name, and even that pointed to a broken city.


    Whatever had happened in that third loop, whatever connection we''d shared... it had been significant enough to warrant this selective amnesia.


    Finally, after what felt like an endless forty-minute journey of squishing sounds and disapproving glances from fellow passengers, I arrived at the academy. My shoes made wet sucking noises against the marble floors as I walked, leaving a trail of puddles behind.


    The question of how to handle my supposed friends from the previous loop gnawed at me. Should I seek them out? Act like I remembered everything? The thought of navigating social interactions with only puzzle pieces of memories made my head hurt.


    At least I was only five minutes late for Power Theory class¡ªthat mind-numbing parade of historical dates and theoretical frameworks that usually sent half the class into a coma. Today, that might actually be a blessing. With my brain already stuffed to bursting with fragments of three different lifetimes, I couldn''t bring myself to care about the sociopolitical implications of the First Power Revolution.


    I eased the door open, wincing at its slight creak.


    My wet shoes squeaked traitorously against the floor as I made my way to the back of the classroom, doing my best impression of invisibility. Finding an empty seat, I sank into it like I never existed.


    Then, I turned my attention to the lecture, watching water droplets fall from my hair onto my blank notebook, creating tiny expanding universes on the paper.


    "In the early days, many scientists attributed the sudden emergence of meta nature in people to evolution. However, this theory quickly lost traction when, after only three years, scientists proposed that prolonged exposure to a specific environmental anomaly¡ªsuch as a previously undetected radiation band, a chemical reaction in the atmosphere, or a microscopic organism introduced by meteorites¡ªtriggered dormant genetic sequences in humans, leading to meta-nature abilities."


    "Only after two more years, a radical group of researchers posited that these abilities were the result of covert experimentation by an unknown organization, possibly using gene-editing technology like CRISPR. This theory gained momentum when peculiar traces of engineered DNA were discovered in individuals with meta-nature, suggesting deliberate tampering.¡±


    ¡°Another theory at the same time also gained quite the traction, some scientists suggested that the abilities emerged from a phenomenon called "quantum resonance," where fluctuations in the quantum fabric of reality began affecting human biology. This theory argued that these shifts altered how individuals interacted with space, time, and energy, unlocking latent potential in their physiology."


    "Naturally, the general public also had its own set of theories, ranging from that aliens had seeded Earth with genetic material long ago, and that recent cosmic phenomena (e.g., a passing comet or solar flare) activated these latent genes, to work of divine forces such as "God," to secret government experiments."


    ¡°A growing faction of metaphysicists claimed the abilities were evidence of humanity reaching a new spiritual threshold, unlocking hidden energies tied to the universe itself. This theory gained traction among mystics, especially when individuals with meta-nature reported heightened states of awareness or unexplained visions. However, none of this theories to this day could be proved right.¡±


    The sound of chalk scraping against the board filled the air.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ...


    The class was as boring as any class could possibly get. I wasn¡¯t sure if it was just the teacher¡¯s complete inability to make things interesting or if I was simply too old to be sitting through these lectures again. Either way, my attention drifted as I scanned the room, looking for familiar faces. Alex was just two rows across from me, his usual blank expression making it seem like he was just as done with this as I was. Lore sat up front, ever the diligent student. Vinico and Gina weren¡¯t here¡ªthey had a different schedule. Finally, I figured I¡¯d start with Alex. Out of everyone, he was the safest bet. We could at least be considered somewhat friends.


    Two excruciating hours later, the professor finally stopped talking. I''d retained exactly none of it, each word evaporating from my mind faster than the water had from my clothes. As the teacher gathered his things and left, I let my head sink into my folded arms, feeling the weight of multiple lifetimes pressing down on me.


    This fourth loop was already shaping up to be a special kind of hell. All I wanted was to fast-forward through it like a boring movie.


    Something bounced off my head. My body reacted before my brain could catch up, snapping upright with the kind of reflex you develop after dying a few times.


    "Hey, North."


    I turned to find a guy two seats away, sporting the kind of grin that usually preceded trouble. Three others clustered around him like backup dancers in a bad music video.


    I blinked, mind racing through its fractured archives. Nothing. Not even a footnote. This guy was such a background character, he might as well have been furniture in my previous loops. Maybe he knew me in the first loop? Maybe he was important at some point?


    Well, whatever.


    I waved at him awkwardly, hoping to end the interaction before it even began.


    Yet only two minutes had passed. Something hit me again.


    This time, it wasn¡¯t just a crumpled paper or some harmless prank. It was a small ball of fire.


    The moment it made contact, it burned through my already worn-out hoodie, the fabric curling and crisping away. I felt the slow, creeping warmth sear into my skin. At first, it was just a mild sting¡ªbut then, like a floodgate bursting open, anger flared inside me, sudden and uncontrollable. My emotions spilled out faster than I could rein them in.


    Before I could think, I moved.


    What???


    I had somehow phased straight through the benches and chairs, closing the distance between us in an instant. My hand clamped around his throat, lifting him before he even had a chance to react. My fist blurred¡ªone second, his face was in front of me, and the next, it was snapping to the side, blood splattering onto the desks.


    His friends'' smiles evaporated into pure shock, leaving them too stunned to even step forward as their buddy''s lip split clean in two.


    The boy in my grip gasped, his split lip trembling, his hands clawing weakly at my wrist.


    Then, just as quickly, a strong force pulled me back.


    Alex.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    His grip was firm as he yanked me off, stopping me from outright killing the useless excuse of a human who thought setting people on fire was a joke. The second he was free, the boy¡¯s friends finally snapped out of their trance, lunging forward to grab him, their glares now fixed on me. But at least Alex glared back at them, standing between me and whatever retaliation they thought they were about to dish out.


    So, at this point in time, at least Alex still considered me a friend.


    Without another word, he grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the classroom, straight toward the washrooms. As soon as we got inside, I leaned over the sink, splashing cold water onto my face.


    I needed that.


    I took a shaky breath, gripping the edges of the sink, staring at my dripping reflection in the mirror. I couldn¡¯t believe what had just happened. What the hell had gotten into me? Why had I suddenly become so angry? I never lost control of my emotions so easily. Hell, I wouldn¡¯t even lose my control if someone threw me into a volcano.


    Removing Fear and Anger was drilled into us like a religion during the first and second loops¡ªwhen I served in Legion or will serve in future. If I had followed my training properly, I should have been able to swallow those emotions like water¡ªgone before they could even be felt. Yet¡­


    Yet.


    "I''ve never seen you so angry before," Alex finally broke the silence as I dried my face with a paper towel. His tone was neutral, but there was an edge of curiosity beneath it. "They used to bully you every day, and now you snapped. Hopefully, they learned their lesson. But you sure like to not show your abilities."


    I shot him a strange look, my mind churning. Was that supposed to be a compliment or a pointed observation?


    "When were you able to phase through matter?" he asked, leaning casually against the wall like we were discussing the weather and not the fact that I had just walked through something solid like a damn ghost.


    Well¡­ when was I able to do that? You tell me. I sighed internally, the pieces refusing to fit together. The third loop had really done a number on me¡ªscrambling my mind, memories, and emotions like eggs in a blender. Sudden bursts of anger, crystal-clear memories sitting next to black holes, and now apparently phasing through solid matter like it was nothing.


    What other surprises had my third self left buried in this borrowed body?


    ¡°Just discovered it recently,¡± I lied bluntly. No point in fumbling through an explanation when I hadn¡¯t even sorted it out myself.


    Alex hummed, clearly unconvinced, but he let it go for now. He glanced down at my arm, his expression shifting as his eyes landed on the burns stretching across my skin. I barely had time to react before his arm wrapped around my shoulders in a tight grip¡ªtoo tight.


    "You should stand up more for yourself," he muttered, squeezing me hard enough that for a second, I wondered if he was actually trying to strangle me.


    My body tensed instinctively, but before I could shove him off, old memories surfaced. This was just his way. Rough, firm, but never malicious.


    Still, I scoffed. "You trying to kill me or inspire me?"


    Alex laughed, releasing me but not before ruffling my hair like I was some kid. "Little bit of both."


    I exhaled, rubbing my burned arm absently. "I think you''re right, though. It¡¯s always better to fight than suffer silently. What''s the worst that could happen?"


    He smirked, crossing his arms. "You get your ass kicked, obviously."


    I rolled my eyes. "Not exactly the motivational speech I was hoping for."


    Alex chuckled, shaking his head. "You¡¯ve also gotten smart."


    "Yeah," I muttered, staring at my reflection in the cracked mirror across the room. "I just wish I knew what else I¡¯ve gotten without realizing it."


    ¡°Anyway,¡± Alex grinned, rocking back on his heels. ¡°I just wanted to see if you¡¯re going to the semester party.¡±


    ¡°Semester party?¡± I echoed, blinking at him.


    ¡°Yeah! It¡¯s mainly to welcome the new batch of students, but a lot of seniors show up to scout for potential recruits. So, you can imagine what a great opportunity it¡¯ll be¡ªnot just to meet them but to, you know, get acquainted.¡± His excitement was obvious, practically radiating off him.


    I shuffled through my broken memories, trying to place the event. After a moment, it clicked¡ªI had been to this party before. The realization settled in my mind like a puzzle piece snapping into place. It was where I met eight or so other people, half of whom eventually became my close friends.


    But those weren¡¯t the details that stood out.


    Like completing a mission and suddenly unlocking hidden achievements, flashes of new memories surfaced¡ªones I hadn¡¯t recalled before. And among them, one stood out sharply against the rest:


    A girl. Crying. The same girl that existed everywhere.


    Though, her face remained shrouded in darkness, as if my mind refused to unveil her identity, yet the scene was unmistakably real. Then another fragment: her trying to feed me ice cream, and something was definitely wrong with me because I was eating off her spoon happily. Then came the last image¡ªboth of us lying on the ground, looking up at the stars. A strange sense of nostalgia tugged at me, making my stomach churn with something I couldn¡¯t quite name. I suddenly felt very sad, very very sad, enough to suddenly make me want to cry. My hand unknowingly reached my heart.


    ¡°So, you wanna come?¡± Alex¡¯s voice jolted me back into the present.


    I blinked, realizing I had zoned out. ¡°Uh, when¡¯s the party?¡± I asked, scratching my head in an attempt to look like I was genuinely trying to remember. It wasn¡¯t even a lie¡ªI had indeed forgotten the date, and these broken memories weren¡¯t exactly in order.


    Alex eyed me, clearly skeptical. ¡°You seriously forgot? It¡¯s in three days, dude.¡±


    ¡°Right, right,¡± I muttered, processing. Three days. That wasn¡¯t much time, but enough to figure out why those memories suddenly resurfaced.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re skipping,¡± Alex continued, watching me closely. ¡°I mean, unless you¡¯re planning to hide out in your room all night like a cryptid, which, honestly, wouldn¡¯t shock me.¡±


    I scoffed. ¡°First of all, rude. Second, no, I¡¯ll come. Probably.¡±


    Alex narrowed his eyes. ¡°That¡¯s not a real answer.¡±


    I sighed, shaking my head. ¡°Fine. Yes. I¡¯ll be there.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± he said, satisfied. Then, that damn smirk crept onto his face. ¡°Who knows? You might even find yourself a girl. I heard there are a lot of pretty single seniors.¡±


    I rolled my eyes, already regretting agreeing to this.


    But then, his voice dropped lower, conspiratorial, as if he were about to share some top-secret classified intel. ¡°I heard they¡¯re always on the lookout for innocent boys like you.¡±


    I blinked. Wait a second.


    Was he implying¡ª


    My brain stalled. Was he saying I¡¯d never been in a relationship? Never had sex? That I was some kind of fresh, untouched lamb walking straight into a den of prowling, experience-hungry seniors?


    I shot him a look, half annoyed, half bewildered. ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    Alex bit back a laugh. ¡°I mean, you do give off that whole clueless, ¡®I¡¯ve never been corrupted by the world¡¯ vibe.¡±


    I scoffed. ¡°Oh, please.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just saying,¡± he continued, grinning like he was enjoying my reaction way too much. ¡°Some of them really like that.¡±


    He clapped a hand on my shoulder, shaking his head like an older brother imparting wisdom. ¡°You¡¯ll thank me later.¡±


    Doubtful.


    Finally, as I attended one lecture after another, I didn¡¯t really have time to interact with others. But I had made up my mind¡ªI¡¯d get to know them better at the party. That was the plan, at least. By the time academy classes wrapped up in the late afternoon, I made my way toward home.


    This time, I took the train instead of the bus.


    The ride was quiet, giving me a moment to sift through the tangled mess of my thoughts. The fragmented memories, the resurfacing flashes of people and events I had yet to fully understand¡ªit all weighed on me. But there was no point in chasing shadows. Not yet. Slowly. Standing before the wooden door of the two-story house, I slid my key into the lock and turned it. The click echoed in the still air as I stepped inside.


    Huh?


    Aunt Grace was perched on the sofa, sipping coffee while a movie played on the TV. That wasn¡¯t right.


    I frowned. According to my memories, she shouldn¡¯t be home yet.


    What changed?


    Butterfly effect.


    So soon?


    ¡°You¡¯re back!¡± she called out, glancing at me over the rim of her mug.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± I set my bag down on the sofa and made my way toward the kitchen to grab a cup of water.


    As I filled my glass, a new thought surfaced¡ªone I had never truly questioned before. Despite my three hundred years of memories, I never really knew what my aunt did for work. I mean, I knew she earned well. Her hours were flexible. She was never really struggling financially. But what exactly was her job? Her meta allowed her to heal paper. That much I was certain of. If I followed that train of thought, it meant there was no document too shredded, no book too torn, no written record too damaged for her to restore.


    But that couldn¡¯t be all, could it? What if that wasn¡¯t even her primary meta? Interesting.


    I needed to keep an eye on this in my fourth loop. The realization settled into place like a puzzle piece I hadn¡¯t even known was missing. Making a mental note, I walked back to the living room and sat in the chair across from her, casually observing as she continued sipping her coffee, her eyes flicking between the TV screen and me.


    There was more to Aunt Grace than I had ever given thought to.


    ¡°You came home early from work?¡± I asked, keeping my tone casual as I took another sip of water.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Aunt Grace replied, not even glancing at me. Her eyes remained fixed on the TV screen. ¡°I finished early today.¡±


    I nodded, pretending to accept her answer at face value. But something felt off. She wasn¡¯t the type to get off work early¡ªnot according to my memories, at least.


    Deciding to push my luck, I leaned back in my chair and said, ¡°By the way, you never actually told me what kind of job you have.¡±


    Her head snapped toward me so fast it was almost unnatural. The shift in her demeanor was subtle but impossible to miss¡ªsomething in my question had caught her off guard.


    ¡°Really?¡± she asked, her voice deceptively smooth, but I could hear the slight hesitation beneath it.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I said, holding her gaze.


    She paused for a fraction of a second, then gave a dismissive shrug. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, you know¡­ regular office stuff. The kind of boring paperwork people do.¡±


    She turned back to her movie, as if that was the end of the conversation.


    Sure. I¡¯d believe that.


    For now. I exhaled and was about to stand when her voice cut through the room again.


    ¡°Why is there a hole in your hoodie?¡±


    I froze.


    Her sharp eyes squinted as she took a closer look, her gaze flickering down to my sleeve. ¡°And your skin¡ªit¡¯s red.¡±


    I instinctively covered the burn mark with my hand. ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± I said quickly. ¡°Just an accident during a self-defense class.¡±


    She didn¡¯t say anything for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she leaned back against the couch.


    ¡°Hm,¡± was all she said before taking another sip of coffee.


    I took that as my cue to leave. Without another word, I stood up and made my way upstairs, feeling her eyes linger on my back longer than they should have.


    Finally, in the safety of my trash heap of a room, I collapsed onto the bed, springs groaning under me like they shared my exhaustion. God, I was tired. So fucking tired. I''d had these grand plans about taking it easy in my third loop, actually enjoying life for once.


    What third loop?


    I had already stepped into my fourth.


    Hopefully, this one would last longer.


    With a deep breath, I shifted my focus, pushing my thoughts away from the loops and onto something I could control¡ªmy body. My hands. My abilities. I thought back to that moment in class, to the exact feeling I had when I had accidentally turned intangible. Now, as I focused again, the shift happened smoothly, like the ability had always belonged to me. There was no resistance, no strain¡ªjust an effortless transition, as if it was as natural as breathing.


    That left me with only two possible explanations:


    One: I could''ve gotten this ability¡ªeither I''d said "screw it" to all my restrictions and gone fishing for powers.


    Two: This was the work of a mage¡ªa spell I had unknowingly carried into this loop.


    And then, there were my memories. Too clear, too organized. If they were tied to magic, that would explain a lot. A spell could have latched onto my subconscious, traveling back with me like a parasite. That would explain the aggression, the missing fragments in my memories. The side effects of a foreign magic tampering with my mind. Or maybe¡­ maybe the mage in the third loop had deliberately messed with the spells, leaving me like this. I needed to find this mage and ask him some questions.


    Suddenly, thunder rumbled loudly outside, shaking the thin walls of my room. A moment later, another downpour started.


    I frowned.


    How odd.


    It wasn¡¯t supposed to rain again or any at all.


    What the hell was going on? How much had the original timeline already so broken?


    Ignoring the fury of whatever thunder god was throwing a tantrum outside, I turned my attention back to my own problems.


    After all, my problems were more important than whatever was happening to the world.


    Who cared if it ended tomorrow?


    Not me.


    Soon, Like a cloak, the night enveloped me. When morning arrived, I woke feeling strangely refreshed, as if my body had recovered from something I wasn¡¯t fully aware of. A hot shower helped clear the lingering fog from my mind, but as I stepped out and opened my closet, disappointment immediately settled over me. I stared at the sad collection of clothes hanging limply inside, uninspiring and worn. I sighed deeply, rubbing the back of my neck. What kind of teenager lives and dresses like this? No wonder no one liked me. No wonder I blended into the background like an afterthought.


    Shaking my head, I rifled through my options and finally pulled out the clothes I had set aside for special occasions. Dates, I had optimistically thought when I bought them. Not that I¡¯d actually had one. Not yet. I hesitated in front of the mirror, tugging at the hem of my new shirt and jacket, wondering if old me could even pull off something like this. Objectively, I wasn¡¯t bad-looking. Hell, I might even call myself too good-looking on certain days. But confidence? That was a whole different matter.


    Whatever. I wasn¡¯t going to waste too many words on style and clothes.


    Fifteen minutes later, I was at the kitchen table, eating cereal with Aunt Grace. She was watching the weather news while getting ready for work, her usual morning routine. The news anchor was droning on about the erratic weather patterns¡ªstormy nights, crisp mornings, an unpredictable cycle that had persisted for a week now. Apparently, it might last longer. The weatherman advised everyone to carry umbrellas.


    But I wasn¡¯t listening to him.


    Something else had caught my attention.


    The date.


    I blinked, spoon halfway to my mouth. A strange unease crept into my bones. I grabbed my phone off the table and checked.


    My fingers tightened around it.


    I glanced at Aunt Grace¡¯s phone nearby and snatched it up, quickly tapping the screen.


    She groaned, shooting me a disapproving look. ¡°You know, normal people ask before snooping through someone¡¯s phone.¡±


    I ignored her. My mind was already racing, the implications slamming into me one after another.


    Then¡ª


    My hands froze.


    My heart stopped.


    The phone slipped from my fingers and hit the table with a soft thud.


    No.


    No, no, no.


    Somehow¡ª


    I was still in yesterday.


    Today was Yesterday.


    The fucking day was BEGINNING TO REPEAT.

 Act 3.2 (Rebanking: A City Regressing in Time: London)

    A City Regressing in Time: London


    After the debut of Meta Nature, while the rest of the world surged forward, one city¡ªso old, yet so steeped in history¡ªstepped away.


    Not forward, not still, but backward.


    Day by day, stone by stone, the years unraveled like thread from an old tapestry.


    They say it has been a very, very long time since a child last gasped its first breath within the City of London.


    No wails in the night, no new names to etch into history.


    Not silence¡ªabsence.


    All because of one person''s selfish desires, centuries of progress had been halted¡ªno, reversed, like water flowing uphill, like autumn leaves returning to their branches.


    A legend, whispered from Weymouth to Month among those who still remained, told of a man. Not just any man, but one who had become more myth than mortal. A man who still lived somewhere in the city''s twisted forgotten streets. A man whose hands gripped the very wheel of time¡ªand with all his might, he was pushing it back:


    One day at a time.


    One year at a time.


    One lifetime at a time.


    The city of broken dreams.


    The city of broken time.


    London¡ª where the past wasn''t just remembered, but relived, over and over, in an endless cycle of temporal regression. Where history wasn''t just preserved, but actively reclaiming its territory, brick by brick, Victorian brick.


    Yet, though London regressed, not all of its people regressed with it. A few, very peculiar residents¡ªTimeless and Ageless¡ªstill tried to move forward, resisting the weight of a city caught in its own past.


    Morning arrived cloaked in gray, the rain pouring heavily as it had countless times before. But to the residents of London, it was nothing new. A mere expectation, woven into their lives like an inescapable rhythm. Rain was a common occurrence¡ªno, a daily occurrence. It was relentless, inflexible, pressing the new day backward before it could properly begin.


    The Storm of Time.


    That was what the aristocrats whispered at their lavish parties, sipping golden champagne as they watched the downpour from behind crystal-clear windows.


    But somewhere on the rain-slicked streets, far from the warmth of those gilded halls, a girl was running.


    Elysia: "A young girl who dreamed in colors."


    She clenched her fists, determination flickering in her eyes as she crossed the street, her boots splashing through shallow puddles. Her backpack secured tightly on her back. And when she reached a particularly large one, she leaped over it with all the resolve of someone leaping toward something greater than just dry pavement. And in the wake of her footsteps, something bloomed. A single flower, soft and delicate, sprouted from the concrete¡ªonly to vanish an instant later, swallowed back into the cold, unfeeling city. Elysia barely noticed. She dashed toward the sidewalk storefronts, her pace light, almost too cheerful for the dreary morning. But beneath that mask of brightness, something restless lurked.


    A question. A fear she never spoke aloud.


    If I stop dreaming, will I disappear?


    The thought clung to her like a second skin.


    And then there was another oddity about her, one most people failed to notice, or simply dismissed as a trick of the light.


    She never blinked.


    Not once.


    Not ever.


    The urgency of her current task had thrown her off her usual rhythm. The unexpected call had sent her running out the door, head full of thoughts, and she had forgotten¡ªfor the first time in forever¡ªto carry her umbrella.


    And in this city, in this endless storm, that was no small mistake.


    Elysia moved swiftly, trying to keep her clothes from getting completely drenched before her important meeting. Her pace quickened as she darted under awnings and sheltered storefronts, but no matter how fast she moved, she couldn¡¯t outrun the storm.


    Somewhere else, in a forgotten corner of the city, another figure moved through the downpour.


    A tall man walked with an easy, rugged posture¡ªunhurried, unconcerned. His golden eyes gleamed beneath the dim light of streetlamps, and when he grinned, his sharp teeth caught the glow like a predator baring fangs.


    His shadow was not his own.


    Trailing behind him, shifting unnaturally against the rain-slicked cobblestone, was the outline of a great wolf.


    Thorn, "The Laughing Hunter." A large umbrella rested in his grip, a stark contrast to the wild energy that clung to him. His footsteps were steady, deliberate, carrying him toward the heart of the city, toward the tallest clock tower that loomed over everything like an unblinking eye.


    And elsewhere still, another presence arrived¡ªa presence the city knew.


    A luxurious carriage rolled to a smooth stop before the grandest building in the district. The curtains of its velvet-draped windows parted slightly, and from within, a slender, delicate hand emerged. Immediately, a man stationed at the entrance rushed forward. He took the offered hand with hesitant reverence, his breath catching in his throat. The fingers were cool, impossibly fragile. He trembled, afraid he might shatter them with the slightest pressure.


    A beautiful human.


    No. An elf. Lyriel, "The Glass Willow"¡ªknown by all in the city as the Elf of Shattered Beauty.


    Her motto was whispered in the circles of the elite, in the quiet moments between polite conversations and careful observations:


    "Perfection is a fragile thing. That is why I break so beautifully."


    As she stepped out of the carriage, she finally released the man¡¯s hand, her gaze as calm as the falling rain.


    "Thank you," she said, her voice like the soft chime of crystal wind chimes.


    The man¡ªwell into his fifties, a life hardened by time and work¡ªstill felt the faintest trace of embarrassment looking at her directly. There was something otherworldly about Lyriel, something that made people unsure whether to be in awe or in fear. Graceful yet distant, she carried herself with the weight of something unreachable. Her body¡ªliving glass. Ethereal. Flawless. But always fragile.


    She could shatter into a thousand glittering shards and reform, each fracture leaving behind faint, iridescent scars. They weren¡¯t wounds. They were reminders.


    As she walked, her reflection in the rain-slicked streets lagged half a second behind her, as if her past self was still trying to catch up. Her silver-white hair cascaded down her back like liquid light, its strands catching the glow of lanterns and streetlamps. Her silver-white eyes held the same luminous quality, unreadable pools of depth and quiet devastation. Across her cheekbones, faint cracks shimmered, glowing softly whenever the darkness tried to consume her. Her gown¡ªflowing, woven from moonlight and mist, embroidered with patterns of falling leaves. With every step, she left behind a faint trail of glass petals that dissolved before they could ever touch the ground.


    The storm did not touch her.


    Yet, these three¡ªElysia, Thorn, and Lyriel¡ªweren¡¯t even the main characters of the story. They were merely fragments of something larger, a piece of the grand puzzle that was London.


    Inside the city, in the places unseen by ordinary eyes, gathered an assembly of people who defied simple explanations. The odd. The timeless. The forgotten.


    And tonight, in a dimly lit conference hall, they had gathered.


    The room was vast, its walls lined with towering bookshelves and chandeliers that cast shifting patterns of gold and shadow. The long, polished table at the center stretched across the room, each seat occupied by someone who could have stepped straight out of a fairy tale¡ªor a nightmare.


    At the far end of the table sat the Tooth Fairy.


    Unlike the delicate, whimsical creature found in bedtime stories, this Tooth Fairy was a doctor by profession. A skilled surgeon, precise and methodical. But her hobbies? Far less conventional. She stole teeth from her patients. And not just their teeth¡ªsometimes, she stole the expressions from their faces, leaving behind an eerie blankness in their wake. Tonight, she smiled, a wide, unsettling grin, her fingers lightly tapping against the table as she observed the others.


    Beside her sat The Marionette Prince.


    A young boy, thin and fragile-looking, no older than fifteen. But he was not human¡ªat least, not entirely. His skin was smooth like polished off-white wood. His eyes blue and hair golden. A living doll. He sat unmoving, waiting patiently with empty glassy eyes.


    Further down, Lady Symphony let out a huff of frustration, her fingers absently gliding over the violin resting in her lap. A self-proclaimed genius of music, young Lady Symphony had no interest in anything beyond her craft. Politics bored her. These meetings infuriated her. Every moment spent here was a moment stolen from her music. Her frown deepened. She was not happy to be here.


    Finally, at the far end, oblivious to the noise around him, Elliot, The Man Who Remembers, was already writing. A thick book rested in his hands, a pen moving endlessly across its pages. He wrote without pause, without hesitation, recording everything¡ªnot just this meeting, but every meeting, every instance, every moment lost to time. Because in this city, time did not move as it should.


    And Elliot was the only one who remembered everything before it was forgotten by the masses.


    Then¡ª


    The doors creaked open.


    All conversation halted instantly.


    A single figure entered, an old man with an immaculate suit, a gloved hand adjusting the monocle on his right eye.


    His steps were measured, deliberate. His presence commanded attention without demand. ¡°Good morning, everyone,¡± he greeted, his voice warm, his smile too perfect, teeth shining bright.


    (Undoubtedly the work of the Tooth Fairy¡ªshe had many customers wrapped around her fingers.)


    ¡°I hope my urgent call didn¡¯t ruin your morning.¡±


    Lady Symphony, without hesitation, lifted her violin and dragged the bow across the strings, creating a jarring, unpleasant screech that echoed through the chamber. Though she didn¡¯t and couldn''t speak, everyone understood her words.


    The old man chuckled, unfazed. He stepped forward, pulled out the grand chair at the head of the table, and took his seat. ¡°This,¡± Sir Heir repeated, his voice grave, ¡°is a very urgent matter.¡±


    Every single person in the room¡ªevery being that had long abandoned the constraints of time¡ªimmediately straightened at his words.


    Because in this city, among these strange and ageless figures, time was their enemy.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    They called themselves TimeKeepers.


    The Constant Foundation.


    Their purpose? To prevent London from regressing further, to stop the city from unraveling as its people de-aged with each passing day, slipping backward into nothingness.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Thorn, the wolf turned man, leaned forward, his golden eyes gleaming. ¡°Did any of the Sheltered get attacked last night?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Sir Heir shook his head slightly, his monocle glinting under the dim chandelier lights. ¡°The problem is much more serious.¡±


    Across the table, Dante let out an irritated growl. ¡°Did the words get stuck in your old mouth?¡± he snapped, his patience already worn thin. ¡°Say it quickly. I¡¯ve got work to do.¡±


    No one flinched at his rudeness. Dante was fire. He could walk through infernos, touch molten metal with his bare hands. His personality was no different¡ªblunt, searing, impossible to ignore.


    But Sir Heir wasn¡¯t bothered. Instead, he exhaled and cut straight to the point. ¡°Something is happening to the rest of the world,¡± he said, his voice ringing through the chamber. ¡°It¡¯s repeating itself upon a single day.¡±


    A stunned silence fell over the room. A sharp inhale. A hushed gasp. A chair scraping backward. Some froze in place, their hands tightening over the table¡¯s edge. Others sucked in cold air, eyes wide, mouths slightly open as their thoughts struggled to process the weight of what had just been spoken.


    Even those who had long abandoned the illusion of time could feel the magnitude of the words.


    The world¡ªstuck in a loop.


    One day, over and over again.


    ¡°¡­Say that again.¡±


    The voice belonged to Virgil.


    He sat unnaturally still, his shadow flickering despite the lack of wind. His fingers were locked together, his expression unreadable¡ªbut his eyes. His eyes were focused, waiting, demanding clarity.


    Sir Heir met his gaze evenly and repeated: ¡°The rest of the world is stuck in a single day.¡±


    ¡°How could that happen?¡± Lyriel asked, her voice as calm as ever, yet edged with polite skepticism. ¡°An event of this magnitude¡­ Are you certain? I find it very hard to believe something like this could simply happen.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m certain. Very certain, actually,¡± Sir Heir replied, meeting her gaze directly. He did not waver, did not lower his eyes in discomfort as others often did when facing The Glass Willow.


    For a moment, Lyriel studied him, her silver-white eyes reflective, calculating. She did not press further, but the doubt remained in the way her delicate fingers tapped lightly against the polished surface of the table.


    ¡°Do we know the reason? Who¡¯s causing it?¡± a voice from the other end of the table inquired.


    Sir Heir exhaled, clasping his hands together in front of him. ¡°Not yet.¡± His tone was even, but the weight of those words was undeniable. ¡°That is why I have called Mr. Seer to this meeting today.¡±


    He turned slightly, gesturing toward the man seated in the dim light¡ªa figure draped in a long trench coat, his wide-brimmed hat casting a deep shadow over his face. Resting against the table was his cane, its polished handle inlaid with swirling silver patterns that mimicked constellations. And on his wrist, a pendulum. A shimmering delicate crystal. But it was no mere decoration. A tool, perhaps, for scrying, divination, or intercepting mystical knowledge.


    ¡°Mr. Seer,¡± Sir Heir continued, ¡°would you care to explain the situation to the rest of the council?¡±


    A hush settled over the room as all eyes turned toward the man with the star-kissed cane.


    ¡°Certainly,¡± Mr. Seer said, clearing his throat. His voice was smooth yet weighted with something unreadable.


    Reaching into his coat pocket, he retrieved an old, weathered map. The parchment, aged and brittle, unfurled with slow deliberation, revealing a sprawling web of constellations. Some recognizable, others unfamiliar¡ªshifting, rearranging themselves in unnatural patterns, as if the stars themselves were in flux.


    He traced a gloved finger over a particular set of celestial bodies, his pendulum swaying slightly with the movement. ¡°You see,¡± he began, ¡°both the spirit world and the astral realm have been in a state of great turmoil recently.¡±


    A pause.


    The room remained silent and listened.


    No one interrupted.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡°You will each be handed a special suitcase,¡± Sir Heir announced, his voice even but carrying undeniable authority. ¡°Inside, you will find devices designed by Mr. Camera. These devices will prevent you from forgetting that the day is repeating.¡±


    Another murmur swept through the group.


    Sir Heir clasped his hands together and pressed forward. ¡°Your mission is simple. Each of you will use your own methods¡ªobserve, infiltrate, manipulate, or confront. However you choose to proceed is up to you. But the goal remains the same.¡±


    His monocle caught the candlelight as he leaned slightly forward. ¡°Confirm the cause of the loop. Make sure we have the right person. And above all, determine how to stop it.¡±


    His voice dropped, the weight of his words anchoring deep into the minds of those present. ¡°If we succeed,¡± he continued, ¡°this might not only help the world escape its cycle¡ªit might finally allow us to halt London¡¯s regression forever.¡±


    The room was once again utterly silent.


    ¡°Let us begin.¡±


    <hr>


    I was on my way to the academy, utterly baffled and on the verge of ripping my hair out. I hadn¡¯t just checked my phone¡ªI had checked my aunt¡¯s phone, scoured the web, everything¡ªjust to make sure I wasn¡¯t hallucinating or caught in some elaborate prank by a meta. But as the rain kept falling, relentless and unchanging, I knew the truth. The day was still yesterday. I took a deep breath, adjusting my grip on the battered umbrella I had patched up with tape. My pockets were empty¡ªnot a single coin to my name¡ªbut if time was truly repeating, it wouldn¡¯t matter. Hell, I could win a billion dollars today, and by tomorrow, it would all reset like none of it ever happened.


    Let¡¯s wait and see¡­


    I decided.


    When I had all the time in the world so there was no need to freak out.


    Like yesterday, I took the bus to the academy, and¡ªjust as I had feared¡ªthe same boring lecture repeated itself. At least my clothes weren¡¯t soaked this time. Small victories. But then, just like before, the nameless background boy¡ªthe slave to his own habits¡ªthrew a crumpled ball of paper at me. This time, I caught it mid-air with ease and tossed it right back at him, flashing a smile. The boy looked utterly confused. His two lackeys stared at me like I had just rewritten the laws of the universe. I smirked to myself. Oh, you poor idiot.


    If this day was doomed to repeat itself, I needed to find ways to keep myself entertained. And messing with him? That was now priority one.


    Later, after class, Alex once again cornered me about his offer for the semester party in three days.


    This time, I agreed without hesitation.


    ¡°By the way,¡± I said as he was about to leave, ¡°do you want to grab lunch?¡±


    Alex paused mid-step, considering. ¡°Hmm¡­ where?¡±


    What do you mean where? Did he think I had some grand meal plan? I was broke. Obviously, the answer was the cheapest place possible.


    ¡°Student cafeteria,¡± I shrugged.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Alex agreed, then¡ªwithout warning¡ªslung his arm over my shoulder, shifting almost his full weight onto me as we walked.


    I grunted under the unexpected burden but didn¡¯t shake him off.


    At the cafeteria, I grabbed a big slice of cheese pizza¡ªcheap, only two dollars. Alex, on the other hand, piled his plate with meat and veggies like he hadn¡¯t eaten in days. It was only when we finally sat down at a table that I realized¡­ damn, this guy really eats a lot.


    ¡°So, what do you think about the academy?¡± Alex asked, glancing at me between bites. ¡°Are you enjoying it?¡±


    I let my pizza slice hang half out of my mouth before answering. ¡°Kind of,¡± I mumbled, chewing before swallowing.


    ¡°Half the city dreams of getting into this place, and I got a free ride,¡± I said, my tone thoughtful¡ªthough, obviously, half-lying. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I enjoy it?¡±


    Alex grinned as he bit through an entire chicken leg in one go. ¡°I mean, someone¡¯s always trying to mess with you,¡± he pointed out, licking the grease off his fingers. ¡°You¡¯re not exactly powerful, and you never try to defend yourself. So, of course, the troubled kids pick on you more than others.¡±


    ¡°True,¡± I hummed, poking at my plate. ¡°But I just don¡¯t want to get into unnecessary trouble. A lot of the students here come from big families, important backgrounds. Who knows what kind of power plays they¡¯ve got going on behind the scenes? And my parents, well¡­ I come from a normal family. No impressive lineage. My meta itself isn¡¯t all that helpful most of the time.¡±


    I sighed, leaning back. ¡°It¡¯s just four years. I think I¡¯ll manage somehow.¡±


    Alex¡¯s expression darkened. With a sharp flick of his wrist, he tossed the cleaned-off chicken bone onto his plate, the motion carrying more frustration than necessary.


    ¡°Why are you saying bullshit like that?¡± he snapped.


    I blinked at him, caught off guard.


    ¡°Who said you can¡¯t fight back?¡± he continued, his gaze locked onto me. ¡°You just need to surround yourself with the right people. Who cares if your meta isn¡¯t flashy? Well¡­ it¡¯s not useless if you were automatically selected based on it.¡±


    He leaned in slightly, his tone intensifying. ¡°I heard about a senior in third year, he was in the same boat as you¡ªdude had a meta so insignificant it barely got noticed. All he could do was adjust his surroundings temperature to match his own body temperature.¡±


    I frowned. ¡°And?¡±


    Alex smirked. ¡°And the last I heard? He¡¯s on an actual mission to terraform a planet. The government needed him to cool down an entire fucking planet. Would you believe that? A ¡®useless¡¯ meta turning into a straight-up blessing?¡±


    I sat there, processing his words.


    ¡°There are a lot of stories like that in this academy,¡± Alex went on. ¡°If you just made a few more friends, you¡¯d hear them. So, quit acting like your meta is some kind of dead weight.¡± He leaned back, crossing his arms. ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯s a blessing in disguise.¡±


    Alex slammed his hand onto my shoulder, and I winced, wondering how someone who could act so smart sometimes could also be so damn reckless.


    "You need to loosen up," he said, grinning. "You''re always so tense."


    "And you''re always too careless," I shot back, rubbing my shoulder. "One of these days, you''re gonna break something¡ªprobably me."


    Alex laughed and waved me off. "You''re tougher than you look."


    We ate quietly for the next fifteen minutes, trading bits of conversation between bites.


    "You finish the calc homework?" I asked absently, nudging a piece of food across my plate.


    "Define ''finish,''" Alex muttered.


    I sighed. "You didn''t do it."


    "I''ll copy yours before class."


    "No, you won''t."


    "Sure, I will."


    "Not if you want to live."


    He snorted but didn''t argue further. Before we could drift into another mundane topic, a sudden commotion erupted in the hallway. The cafeteria doors swung open violently as a few students came barreling in like bulls charging into a fight. They grabbed trays, piling food onto their plates while talking over one another in loud, excited voices.


    ¡°What the hell¡¯s going on now?¡± Alex asked, his head swiveling toward the chaos.


    I shrugged, but we both perked up as snippets of conversation reached us.


    "Did you hear? Neo challenged Davien and every other system meta user in the academy to fight him¡ªanyone who dares to take him on!"


    "No, you¡¯ve got it wrong," another student interjected, shaking his head. "He¡¯s calling for a full-on competition between all the system metas in the academy¡ªto finally create an official ranking of who¡¯s the most powerful!"


    Someone scoffed. "They both belong to the System Meta category. What are they even trying to prove? We all know how they fight and what kind of skills they have."


    Another student snickered, shaking his head. "If you¡¯re stupid, just say so. System users don¡¯t just fight with raw skill¡ªthey have stats, actual numbers on their hands that track their strength. Their stats go up and down based on ranking and power."


    He leaned in, lowering his voice slightly as more students gathered. "You realize how many system users we have in the academy, right? Most of them are the best this city has to offer. There¡¯s barely anyone outside of this place with higher stats than them. So if they¡¯re going all out, the challenge is on another level."


    "So, what you¡¯re saying is¡­ they¡¯re in cahoots? Creating this whole commotion just to grind and level up?"


    "Yeah," the boy nodded thoughtfully. "Probably. It¡¯s most likely just a game to them."


    "A game that could turn the whole academy upside down," someone else muttered.


    I shifted my attention back to the last bite of my pizza, barely sparing the conversation another glance.


    Alex turned to me, eyes gleaming with excitement. "This is gonna be insane."


    His grin was wide, like a man standing at the edge of a storm, ready to throw himself into the chaos without hesitation.


    I didn¡¯t respond.


    Something inside me twisted, a familiar pull that I could never quite shake.


    Another fracture in the timeline.


    I chewed my food slowly, barely tasting it, my thoughts heavy, tangled. The conversation around me blurred into background noise, distant and unimportant. The world was unraveling more and more, cracks that splintered through the foundation.


    Yet, a quiet, aching sense of emptiness gnawed at me.


    A sense of loss.


    Of emptiness.


    It was subtle at first¡ªa whisper in the back of my mind, an echo of something I couldn¡¯t quite grasp. But the more I ignored it, the stronger it grew, sinking into my bones, weighing down my every breath.


    I was missing something.


    Or maybe...


    A certain someone who shouldn¡¯t be there in the first place.

 Act 3.3 (Rebanking: Psychologist Teacher & Wise Mentor)

    Psychologist Teacher & Wise Mentor, Or (One Step At a Time)


    ¡°I want to find someone,¡± I said to Alex for unable to suppress the ever-growing urge any longer.


    Alex stopped to look at me. ¡°What?¡± he asked, tilting his head. ¡°Who are you looking for? Did something happen?¡±


    I grabbed a paper towel, rubbing my hands absentmindedly before crumpling it and tossing it aside. ¡°I don¡¯t know who they are,¡± I admitted, softly, ¡°but my memories of them are¡­ faded. I can¡¯t remember their name or face. But I feel like we had some kind of connection because every time I close my eyes, these scenes keep replaying, and I can¡¯t seem to focus on anything else.¡±


    Alex¡¯s frown deepened, a flicker of concern crossing his face. ¡°Are you sure someone¡¯s not messing with your head?¡± he asked. ¡°Have you been in contact with any telepathic metas recently?¡±


    I shook my head firmly. ¡°Not that I¡¯m aware of,¡± I said, brushing off the thought. ¡°But I don¡¯t think it¡¯s external manipulation. It doesn¡¯t feel like that.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Alex trailed off, finishing another piece of chicken and tossing the bone onto his plate. ¡°We don¡¯t have any such metas in our class¡ªor even in the academy¡ªwho deal specifically with memories or dreams. Those types usually attend specialized classes because of the whole invasion of privacy thing. Regular students don¡¯t interact with them for that reason.¡±


    He paused, thinking. ¡°I don¡¯t personally know anyone like that,¡± he admitted. ¡°We do have a guy in our class who can attach his thoughts to someone else¡¯s head and listen in on what they¡¯re doing. There¡¯s also that girl who can manipulate the emotions of entire crowds. But nothing like what you¡¯re describing. Nothing that lets them mess with someone¡¯s memories or thoughts directly.¡±


    Alex leaned back, folding his arms. ¡°So, if it¡¯s not external¡­ then.¡±


    I wondered if Alex was subtly implying that I might be losing my grip on reality¡ªor even going full-on mental. Honestly, he wasn¡¯t wrong. I was teetering on the edge of both.


    If I didn¡¯t find that person soon, I might just lose it entirely.


    Clicking my tongue in frustration, I sighed. I wanted to take my time sorting things out, but my restless mind wouldn¡¯t let me.


    Alex finally finished his food, and even the boys who had been loudly debating the competition between the System metas had quieted down.


    Out of nowhere, Alex¡¯s expression brightened like a lightbulb had gone off. ¡°You know, we have the Wise Mentor from the Hive GhostWriter Meta and the Psychologist Teacher¡ªalso a GhostWriter¡ªhere at the academy. Why don¡¯t you go and ask one of them for advice?¡±


    I raised a skeptical eyebrow.


    Alex noticed my doubt and continued. ¡°Their entire job revolves around helping students. Wise Mentor helps people find the right direction, and the Psychologist listens to problems. That¡¯s literally what they do.¡±


    ¡°Do you really think they can help?¡± I asked, still unsure. I wasn¡¯t doubting their abilities or expertise¡ªfar from it. But the thought of opening up to anyone, even a so-called professional, made me uneasy. If it wasn¡¯t for the fragmented memories of the last loop, and he''d forget everything tomorrow, I wouldn¡¯t even be talking to Alex about this.


    Alex seemed genuinely confused by my hesitation. ¡°Why does it matter if they can help or not? It won¡¯t cost you anything. Personally, I went to Wise Mentor a while back, and he helped me a lot with some trouble I was dealing with.¡±


    He leaned forward, lowering his voice slightly. ¡°And I¡¯ve heard the Psychologist Teacher can even induce hypnosis to help students uncover deeply buried problems or traumas.¡±


    I nodded thoughtfully, mulling it over. ¡°I see.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t like I had much to lose. By tomorrow, everyone would forget everything anyway. There was no point in staying so closed off.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± I said abruptly, standing up. There was no time to waste, and honestly, it wasn¡¯t like I was being productive sitting here.


    Five minutes later, we were on the fifth floor of the building. This floor didn¡¯t house any student classes; it was reserved for student council offices and other administrative activities.


    Stopping in front of a door, I turned to Alex before knocking.


    ¡°I want you in the room if¡ªwhen¡ªshe decides to use hypnosis,¡± I said, fixing him with a serious look.


    Alex raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. ¡°Oh? You trust me that much to listen to your secrets?¡±


    It wasn¡¯t trust, not entirely. Truthfully, I was worried about this GhostWriter character. Titles like Wise Mentor and Psychologist Teacher weren¡¯t just descriptions¡ªthey carried roles and goals within the broader narrative. They had tasks to fulfill, and I wasn¡¯t about to become an unwitting pawn in someone else¡¯s game.


    ¡°Just be there,¡± I said firmly.


    Alex shrugged. ¡°Fair enough.¡±


    We knocked, and a voice from inside called, ¡°Come in.¡±


    I was relieved that I didn¡¯t need to set up an appointment beforehand.


    As I explained my situation, the Psychologist Teacher listened attentively. She gestured for me to take a seat on the sofa. At one point, she urged Alex to leave, explaining that therapy sessions were meant to be private. But I insisted he stay. The teacher initially resisted, her expression firm, but after some persistence, she sighed and relented.


    Finally, we were face to face. The Psychologist Teacher was tall and dressed in a sharp black suit. She exuded an air of authority, the kind that made you sit a little straighter without realizing it.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go over the facts one more time before we move forward,¡± she said, her tone calm and measured.


    ¡°You¡¯ve recently been experiencing hallucinations of a figure whenever you close your eyes,¡± she continued, her gaze unwavering. ¡°These visions are now interfering with your ability to focus. However, the problem is that the figure¡¯s face is blurred, and there are no clear details to identify them, which adds to your frustration and confusion.¡±


    ¡°Correct,¡± I replied, nodding.


    ¡°It does sound like the work of a meta,¡± she said thoughtfully, her words slow and deliberate. ¡°Someone who can plant fake memories or dreams, perhaps. But let¡¯s not rush to conclusions.¡±


    She leaned forward slightly, her gaze softening. ¡°Describe the figure to me.¡±


    I nodded, trying to get comfortable in my seat. ¡°It¡¯s a girl,¡± I said simply.


    ¡°And?¡±


    What else do you want me to say? I thought, mildly exasperated. I didn¡¯t remember much else about her. Well¡­ except for one thing.


    ¡°There¡¯s something else,¡± I admitted after a pause. ¡°I feel very¡­ sad when she appears. Like, deeply sad. Enough that sometimes I stop breathing for a moment.¡±


    The teacher¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, considering my words. ¡°Let¡¯s assume no one has tampered with your mind,¡± she began. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then it¡¯s possible this person left a deep subconscious cue. Something strong enough to trigger such a profound emotional response. It can also be a past, deeply buried trauma resurfacing.¡±


    I nodded slowly. What she said made sense. It was as good an explanation as any.


    ¡°Okay,¡± she clasped her hands together and picked up a notebook from her desk. ¡°Let¡¯s start by remembering more.¡±


    Her gaze locked onto mine. ¡°Take a deep breath,¡± she instructed, ¡°then focus on the movement of my pen¡ªthe sound of it scratching against the paper. Let your mind loosen, let it drift, and listen to nothing but my voice.¡±


    Then, she turned to Alex. ¡°Stop breathing.¡±


    Alex, who had been lounging in the desk chair, shot her a mildly exasperated look.


    I couldn¡¯t help but smile at him.


    I followed her instructions, inhaling deeply, exhaling slowly. Of course, she could try all she wanted, but I wasn¡¯t about to fall under any hypnosis unless I chose to loosen the mental restraints myself.


    Still, I played along.


    My mind stretched like a rubber band, tightening and then slowly retracting, pulling inward until all that remained was the rhythmic scratch of her pen against the paper. Her voice became a lullaby in the background, soft, distant, untethering me from the present.


    I began to forget where I was.


    <hr>


    Alex watched North curiously.


    For the past few months, he had been trying to figure out exactly what kind of person his friend was.


    Their friendship had started over something absurdly simple. When they were still new to the academy, Alex had been heading home when North, whom he didn¡¯t even know at the time, had taken a step toward him at the school gates and said something strange.


    A warning.


    "Your luck is depleted. A great trouble is ahead of you. You should avoid going home or change your route. Danger might come from anywhere."


    Alex had been skeptical, of course. But he hadn¡¯t ignored the warning. After all, students at this academy weren¡¯t frauds¡ªif someone told you something, it carried weight, both inside and outside these walls.


    That was the moment he started paying attention to North.


    ¡°Focus on a single happiest memory of the girl you see,¡± the Psychologist Teacher''s voice was soft, pleasant¡ªalmost too pleasant. Under hypnosis, it seemed to carry a weight that compelled him to do things North might have otherwise avoided.


    Left to his own devices, he never paid too much attention to these memories. Maybe out of fear. Maybe out of self-preservation. Digging too deep meant unearthing emotions he wasn¡¯t ready to face. It meant finding the locked box of things he had long since buried¡ªthings he wasn''t willing to unravel.


    Most importantly, it meant accepting something he had been running from.


    That someone had broken through his defenses. Had unraveled him like a loose thread in a sweater¡ªone gentle pull, and he had scattered instantly. Alex, sitting across from him, watched closely. And then he saw it. North smiled. Not his usual half-hearted smirk, not the sarcastic quirk of his lips¡ªthis was something else. A genuine, full, happy smile. It was the happiest he had ever seen him.


    It caught Alex off guard. In all the time he had known North, he had never seen that kind of expression on his face.


    And then the Psychologist Teacher spoke again, her voice slipping into his subconscious like silk. ¡°Now, tell me¡ªwhat do you see?¡±Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    The question entered his ears, and without hesitation, North responded¡ªhis voice lighter, almost amused. A quiet chuckle escaped him before he answered.


    ¡°She¡¯s hugging me,¡± he said, his tone carrying a warmth Alex had never heard before. ¡°She won¡¯t let go until I kiss her and agree to her demand.¡±


    His breathing softened as the memory pulled him deeper. ¡°She doesn¡¯t want me to go home. She doesn¡¯t want to be alone. She¡¯s begging me to stay, even saying she¡¯ll agree to one of my demands if I do. And she¡¯ll give me one free pass to order her around. Which apparently she hates quite a lot.¡±


    His words lingered in the air, and in the quiet that followed, Alex noticed something odd.


    The teacher¡¯s pen had stopped moving.


    She hadn¡¯t judged him, hadn¡¯t reacted in any visible way¡ªshe was too much of a professional for that. Her face remained unreadable, composed. But the fact that she had stopped writing at some point in time told Alex that something about North¡¯s response had made her pause as she was experiencing the moment with him.


    Meanwhile, Alex himself found it difficult to form words. There was a strange expression on his face¡ªone even he couldn¡¯t quite describe. Because for the first time since he had met North¡­It felt like he was seeing a piece of him that wasn¡¯t meant to be seen.


    ¡°Let¡¯s move on,¡± the teacher said softly, her voice carefully measured.


    ¡°Can you remember her name? Don¡¯t focus on it directly,¡± she instructed, ¡°but listen for echoes¡ªfragments of sound, something bouncing off someone or something. Clues that might be harder to erase.¡±


    North fell silent.


    Minutes passed. His expression shifted in waves¡ªhappiness, pain, sadness¡ªthen back again, like a cycle of emotions tearing through him. His breathing grew uneven, his chest rising and falling as though he were struggling against something unseen, something deeply buried.


    Then¡ª


    "Let¡¯s go."


    The words tore out of me before I even realized I was speaking. My eyes snapped open, my mind recoiling, my entire being pulling itself back to reality like I had been on the verge of drowning. The hypnosis¡ªwhatever trance I had been under¡ªvanished in an instant, as if it had never even touched me.


    The teacher frowned, clearly confused by the abrupt reaction.


    Alex, too, stared at me, waiting, trying to read me.


    But I was already moving, pushing myself up and heading straight for the door. My feet carried me forward, but my head¡­ my head was spinning.


    Alex was on me before I could take more than a few steps, his hand gripping my shoulder.


    I let him.


    ¡°What happened?¡± he asked, his voice steadier than my own thoughts. ¡°Did you see something bad?¡±


    I didn¡¯t answer. Couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°You looked really happy in there,¡± he pressed. ¡°And now¡ª¡± His fingers tightened slightly, grounding me. ¡°Now you look like someone just ripped your soul out.¡±


    I swallowed hard.


    I wasn¡¯t sure what I felt. Panic? Dread? Something far worse?


    ¡°Did you get her name?¡±


    A pause. I nodded. Alex didn¡¯t hesitate with his next question, but when he asked it, my body froze.


    ¡°What about her face? The girl¡ªis she real?¡±


    The world tilted. A sharp, unbearable pain erupted behind my eyes, like a rusted blade carving through my skull. I staggered, my balance slipping, my breath hitching in my throat as memories I wasn¡¯t ready for came crashing in.


    No. No, no, no¡ª


    It hurt. It hurt so fucking bad. My nails dug into my wrist, trying to ground myself, to pull myself out of whatever hell I had just unlocked. But Alex saw. His grip turned from firm to urgent, his other hand steadying me as he quickly guided me down onto the hallway sofa before I collapsed under the weight of it all.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked, his voice a sharp contrast to the dull, ringing pain in my head.


    I squeezed my eyes shut, my jaw clenched so tightly I thought my teeth might shatter. I forced myself to breathe.


    Inhale. Exhale.


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I whispered the name that had shattered everything.


    ¡°Jade¡­¡±


    A second passed. A lifetime. Then, finally, the full name slipped out, fragile yet heavy.


    ¡°Jade London.¡± My voice shook as I said it. ¡°That¡¯s her name.¡±


    "She¡¯s real. Somewhere."


    I grabbed my head, fingers threading through my hair as I tried to make sense of it all. Without wasting another second, I pulled out my phone and immediately started searching through HyperSpace. My hands moved on instinct, pulling up social networks, databases, anything that might lead me to her. I glanced at Alex, silently urging him to do the same. For the next thirty minutes, we scrolled, shuffled from one link to another, scanning endless profiles, news archives, and hidden corners of the web.


    But nothing. Nothing. It was like she had never existed.


    Alex exhaled sharply, then raised his phone, a holographic display flickering between us. ¡°Do you think this is her?¡±


    I glanced at the girl in the image¡ªstanding on the red beaches of Mars, smiling at the camera, her hair caught mid-motion by the planet¡¯s soft winds. She was pretty. But no.


    I shook my head. ¡°It¡¯s not her.¡±


    Alex sighed and leaned back against the sofa, running a hand through his own hair. ¡°How the hell is this possible?¡± he muttered. ¡°There¡¯s no one in this age who isn¡¯t on the web. Even if they keep their accounts private, they still leave a trail¡ªa government record, a school registration, something.¡±


    He was right. Mostly. And that only made my frown deepen.


    My fingers drummed against my phone as I stared at the blank search results. ¡°What if she¡¯s not here?¡± I murmured, mostly to myself.


    Alex glanced at me. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    I hesitated, then spoke my thoughts aloud. ¡°What if the person in my memories doesn¡¯t actually live on Earth?¡±


    Alex blinked, clearly taken aback. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I mean, it¡¯s possible she lives on another solar system, right? Maybe she has her own local server network that doesn¡¯t connect to ours.¡±


    Alex stared at me like I¡¯d lost my mind. Then he scoffed, shaking his head. ¡°Okay, but how would that even make sense? If she was from some other planet, why the hell do you remember her? Crossing the solar system? You know, unless you have high enough reach or some highly important matter, the government is not happy with letting civilians use Stargates. And people who could teleport that much distance are literally legends.¡±


    I pressed my lips into a thin line. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admitted. ¡°But we can¡¯t just ignore the possibility.¡±


    I had already opened Pandora¡¯s Box. Now, there was no shutting it. I needed to see this through¡ªotherwise, I knew I wouldn¡¯t be able to rest. Alex exhaled, clearly not thrilled about where this conversation was going. But instead of arguing, he powered off his phone and turned to me.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he said, leaning forward. ¡°Do you remember anything else? Any detail from that memory that might help us narrow this down?¡±


    I closed my eyes, digging into the fragile echoes of my past, searching for anything¡ªanything¡ªthat could lead me to this enigma names Jade London.


    A light flickered in my head.


    ¡°She liked plants,¡± I murmured, the thought slipping past my lips before I could even process it fully. ¡°So much so that even the smallest plant in her home had a name. Every morning, she had a routine¡ªshe would water each and every one of them, saying good morning as if they were her children.¡±


    I chuckled at the ridiculousness of it.


    Alex gave me a flat look, as if I had just told him I¡¯d found the meaning of life, and it was houseplants.


    I quickly wiped the grin off my face.


    But the girl¡ªJade¡ªwas just too silly. I mean, who did that?


    ¡°Not helping,¡± Alex sighed, shaking his head. ¡°If this is just some elaborate fabrication by a meta who can manipulate memories, I¡¯d say they¡¯re a pro at their craft.¡±


    Despite his words, there was a noticeable ease in his shoulders. Maybe seeing me smile, even just for a second, had taken some of the tension off him.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he said, clasping his hands together, already shifting gears. ¡°Here¡¯s what I¡¯ll do¡ªI¡¯ll leave a message in the group chat. Someone might know a meta who can track a person through memories. Given how bizarre some abilities are, someone in this city is bound to have that kind of skill. And we even have a name to go off of. What do you think?¡±


    I nodded. ¡°Yeah¡­ yeah, that¡¯s a good idea.¡±


    Then, more sincerely, I added, ¡°Thanks, Alex. For all of this.¡±


    He shrugged like it wasn¡¯t a big deal, but I knew he didn¡¯t have to care this much. He didn¡¯t have to waste his time chasing some phantom from my past. And yet, here he was.


    Alex rolled his eyes. ¡°Yeah, yeah. Don¡¯t get sentimental.¡±


    ¡°But, uh¡­¡± I hesitated, then flashed him an embarrassed smile. ¡°Could you post the message now? So we might have some clues by the end of the day?¡±


    Alex gave me a look of utter annoyance.


    ¡°You¡ª¡± He opened his mouth, then promptly shut it, probably deciding I wasn¡¯t worth the energy.


    In all honesty, I could handle this on my own. There were plenty of people on HyperSpace who did tracking jobs for money¡ªit was practically an official business. If I wanted, I could even go through a real search agency, one of those private investigation firms that took on custom tracking cases.


    The problem?


    I only had one day.


    Even if I paid someone, there wouldn¡¯t be enough time for them to start anything substantial. By tomorrow, I might be back at zero. Which meant¡­ I also needed to find a mage. Someone who could take a look at whatever the hell was happening inside my head.


    Alex typed out the message in the class group chat¡ªone that, apparently, I wasn¡¯t part of¡ªand then we finally parted ways.


    The sun had already begun its descent, painting the sky in hues of deep orange and purple. The exhaustion in my body weighed heavier with each passing minute, and my head was still throbbing from earlier. I didn¡¯t want to stay out any longer. So I took the train and went home.


    <hr>


    At home, surprisingly, Aunt Grace wasn¡¯t back yet, which only made me more curious about what kind of work she actually did. But that wasn¡¯t important right now, so I pushed the thought to the back of my mind and climbed the stairs to my room.


    The moment I stepped inside, I dropped my bag and pulled out my Chromium HyperSpace band. Sliding it over my eyes, the familiar logo flashed by, and in an instant, I was inside the Public Lounge.


    Without wasting time, I jumped straight into my Personal Lounge.


    I had no interest in checking what my past self had been up to¡ªI had more important things to do. My focus was locked onto one thing: Network Hub.


    I clicked on it, and the interface expanded immediately, unfolding a vast array of links and access points¡ªgames, chatrooms, community hubs, and specialized applications for every purpose imaginable.


    Ignoring all of it, I scrolled down until I found what I was looking for.


    Silk Road: Meta Services and Trades.


    As soon as I tapped the option, my avatar materialized on a vast, digital road stretching endlessly into the horizon.


    I had always liked this part of HyperSpace. Anything could be found here with just a few clicks, and the best part? There wasn¡¯t much censorship. The government couldn¡¯t control HyperSpace, no matter how hard they tried. In fact, in recorded history¡ªand in my three centuries of life¡ªno one had ever figured out who the real owner was. And no matter how many attempts had been made, HyperSpace had never been successfully shut down. So instead of fighting a losing battle, the government chose to watch from the shadows, monitoring instead of interfering. It wasn¡¯t perfect. But it was still better than not having a free platform where people could speak their minds, seek services, and trade without restrictions.


    At the moment, there were millions of services listed¡ªcountless virtual shops dotted the street, glowing neon signs flickering with advertisements and trade offers.


    The sheer volume of information was overwhelming. But I wasn¡¯t here for sightseeing. I needed efficiency, not chaos. I quickly applied another filter to refine the list, sorting out the irrelevant businesses and narrowing it down to what I actually needed. Immediately, the number of available shops dropped to just a few thousand¡ªstill a lot, but much more manageable.


    Most of the users were offline. Half the shops had been shut down permanently. But even with those limitations, I still had hundreds, if not thousands, of potential leads¡ªpeople I could ask for their services.


    If only finding a mage was this easy. If I could just get in touch with the right one, most of my problems would be solved. I exhaled, rubbing the back of my neck as I scanned the remaining listings.


    Hopefully, I¡¯ll find what I¡¯m looking for. And who knows¡ªif this search worked out, maybe I could even set up my own virtual shop in the future. Sell my own services, earn good money. The thought made me grin.


    With that in mind, I continued moving along the digital road¡ªan actual silk road, shimmering and shifting beneath my feet, exactly as its name suggested.

 Act 3.4 (Rebanking: Someone Stole My Teeth In Sleep & Animals Gaining Awareness)

    Someone Stole My Teeth In Sleep


    Each virtual storefront on the Silk Road was its own little universe.


    No two were alike, each designed to lure in customers with promises and shimmering illusions.


    The first to catch my eye was Echoes of Yesterday. Its sign rippled like water disturbed by unseen raindrops, the letters bending and shifting. Below, its tagline beckoned: Let us hear the footsteps that led them away.


    I lingered for a moment, considering. Footstep tracking sounded useful¡ªuntil I remembered the major flaw in my plan. It wouldn¡¯t work if I didn¡¯t even know where she had been or lived.


    I moved on.


    The Mirror¡¯s Memory loomed ahead, its storefront was made entirely of floating mirrors, each reflecting a different time, a different place. Some showed sunlit courtyards; others, dim alleyways or moonlit rooftops. The store''s tagline whispered as I passed: Every reflection tells a story.


    Intriguing. But too limited. I needed more than glimpses¡ªI needed certainty.


    Then I saw Dreamwalker¡¯s Haven. It hovered slightly above the ground, its entrance shrouded in thick, shifting purple mist that pulsed like a living thing. The sign flickered, letters appearing and disappearing as if they were surfacing from deep water: Find them in the realm of dreams.


    I hesitated. Then stepped inside.


    Even though the HyperSpace was a virtual world, the fake air inside was filled with the scent of something unplaceable¡ªlavender, perhaps, or something older, something that smelled like forgotten memories. A woman stood behind the counter, her eyes a cosmos of shifting stars, her silver hair flowing in an invisible current. A hologram, but unnervingly lifelike.


    "Welcome, sir," she said, her voice echoing as if carried across a great distance. "Are you looking for someone in the world of dreams?"


    "Can you find someone just by knowing their name?" I asked, already bracing for disappointment.


    She shook her head, the movement slow, almost regretful. "Dreams are intimate things. Names are not enough. We need something personal¡ªa cherished possession, a lock of hair, even a place they frequented."


    I exhaled, frustrated. I had none of those things. Without another word, I turned and walked out.Further down, Karmic Compass, golden wheels rotating, intricate Chinese characters hovering weightlessly in the air. It promised: Your destiny is intertwined with theirs. I stepped closer, scanning the description. But again, the cost was too high¡ªbirth dates, shared experiences, physical ties. I had none of that, either. Finally, I stopped in front of Digital Tracks. Its storefront was sleek and minimal, all clean lines and pulsing neon blue. Unlike the others, it didn¡¯t deal in mysticism. Instead, it offered a more modern promise: Track their digital shadow across the network.


    Hope flared for a moment¡ªthen just as quickly faded. The person I was looking for barely left a footprint, digital or otherwise.


    Subsequently, Emotion¡¯s Echo promised to follow the threads of feeling, but both side. StarChaser Securities claimed my answers were written in the stars, found by our sight, but I wasn¡¯t looking for cosmic guidance¡ªI needed certainty. Soul Print Seekers swore that every soul leaves a mark, but their methods required prior imprints, residual energy. I had nothing. I stopped at Pulse Echo Ventures, drawn in by floating heartbeat patterns. Inside, the air smelled sterile, tinged with something metallic, like the antiseptic hush of a hospital. The walls gleamed a cold, clinical white, and faint blue scanning grids hovered midair like digital specters.


    A holographic woman in a lab coat gestured toward the floating pulses, her expression serene, scientific. ¡°Each heartbeat is unique,¡± she said, her voice smooth and modulated. ¡°Like a fingerprint written in rhythm.¡±


    I already knew where this was going. ¡°But you need a baseline reading, don¡¯t you?¡±


    She nodded. ¡°Of course. At least thirty seconds of direct contact with the subject¡¯s¡ª¡±


    I was already walking away.


    The next shop stopped me in my tracks. Teardrops & Traces exuded a quiet, melancholic beauty, its walls were lined with delicate crystal vials, each holding liquid in shifting hues¡ªsapphire sorrow, amber longing, opalescent joy. The glow of soft candlelight reflected off the glass, making it look as if the vials were pulsing with emotion itself.


    The shopkeeper animated avatar, part digital construct, part ghost of ink and light¡ªwatched me with silver-streaked hair and rain-pattern tattoos that shimmered as he moved.


    ¡°Every tear holds a story,¡± he murmured, lifting a vial between his fingertips. The liquid inside swirled, catching the light. ¡°And every story leads somewhere.¡±


    ¡°What if I don¡¯t have their tears?¡±


    His face fell, a shadow passing through his holographic features. ¡°Then I¡¯m afraid I cannot help you.¡±


    I exhaled sharply and moved on.


    Bloodline Beacons loomed ahead, its entrance framed by gothic spires and twisting wrought iron. Floating DNA helixes spun lazily in the air, their soft glow illuminating the dim shop interior. The scent of old parchment and something faintly metallic¡ªcoppery, like blood¡ªin the air.


    Behind the counter, a shopkeeper dressed like a Victorian nobleman twirled a phantom pocket watch between gloved fingers, watching me with a bemused smile.


    ¡°Blood calls to blood,¡± he intoned, voice rich with theatrical flair. ¡°But the connection must be direct. Parent, child, sibling¡­¡±


    I turned on my heel before he could finish. Not what I needed.


    Further down the path, I came across Nanite Network. Its storefront with sleek, modern efficiency¡ªchrome surfaces, hovering data streams. A holographic figure materialized before me, their body a smooth silver shell crisscrossed with intricate circuitry. Their voice was clipped, almost mechanical.


    ¡°Our nanites can track anyone, anywhere,¡± they stated.


    I perked up. ¡°Once deployed?¡±


    ¡°Yes. However¡ª¡±


    I cut in before they could finish. ¡°But you need physical contact to deploy them first, right?¡±


    A pause. A fractional tilt of the head. ¡°Correct.¡±


    By the time I reached Lasting Impressions, frustration had settled into my bones like a dull ache. The shop shimmered like flowing aurora lights, its colors shifting mesmerizingly. Inside, three translucent figures hovered weightlessly, their voices a chorus of echoes that spoke in unison.


    "We read the eternal imprint of the soul upon the fabric of reality," they intoned, their words threading through the air like silk.


    For a fleeting moment, hope flared in my chest.


    "But we require something tangible¡ªa personal object, a lock of hair, anything with a direct connection."


    And just like that, the hope died.


    I kept moving.


    Time¡¯s Reflection was housed inside a vast clockwork chamber, gears the size of buildings turning overhead, ticking in a rhythm that felt both ancient and infinite. The shopkeeper¡ªif they could even be called that¡ªwas an ever-shifting figure, their body caught in an endless cycle of aging forward and backward, flickering between youth and frailty.


    "Every person leaves ripples in time," they explained, their voice oscillating between the crispness of youth and the rasp of old age. "But without a temporal anchor point..."


    I understood before they could finish. Another dead end.


    By the time I reached Echoes & Empathy, my patience was razor-thin. The shop¡¯s interior swirled with vibrant colors, an ever-changing vortex of emotion made visible. The virtual shopkeeper, a being of pure light, spoke in a harmony of chimes and whispers.


    "We can track emotional resonance across vast distances," it said. "But the connection must be reciprocal. Both parties must share¡ª"


    I cut them off with a sharp wave of my hand. Of course. There was always a catch. Always something missing. Always one more thing needed. Then I saw it. Almost missed it, actually. Unlike the others, with their dazzling displays and attention-hungry holograms, this shop was quiet, subtle. A single sign hung above the entrance in elegant, understated script: Whispers of the Heart.


    The door beneath it seemed to be made of flowing darkness, shifting like ink in water. Beneath the shop''s name, a tagline was etched in delicate silver:


    "Distance means nothing to those bound by emotion."


    For the first time all day, I felt something different. Not excitement, not frustration¡ªjust a quiet, ache.


    The shopkeeper was an elderly man, his avatar slightly transparent, like smoke caught in amber. He looked at me the moment I stepped inside, his gaze knowing. "You¡¯re looking for someone," he said before I could speak. It wasn¡¯t a question.


    I swallowed. "Can you find them just with a name?" My voice was steady, "And¡­ the feelings I have about them?"


    The old man flickered slightly, his cartoonish form wavering like candlelight. "The stronger the emotion, the clearer the path," he murmured. "But such searches¡­ they come with a price."


    I leaned forward. "What kind of price?"


    His gaze held mine, knowing. "To find someone through pure emotion requires opening yourself completely. Every feeling, every memory, every moment shared¡ªI would need to see it all." His voice dipped lower. "And sometimes..." He paused, his form dimming slightly. "Sometimes what we find isn¡¯t what we hoped for."


    Opening up to a stranger, again!


    I stared at the old man, my mind racing. Time to think about it? What was I even hesitating for? The day would reset at midnight anyway¡ªeverything would go back to how it was, including whatever memories or emotions I shared. The only thing that would remain was any information I managed to gather.


    A slow, easy smile spread across my face. Sometimes being trapped in a time loop had its advantages. "Actually," I said, straightening my posture, "let''s discuss payment first. How much?"


    The old man¡¯s form flickered again, "That depends entirely on the difficulty of the search and how much energy must be expended." His eyes studied me, their smoky depths unreadable. "First, we must determine if finding this person is even possible. Strong emotions are essential, yes, but they must be... specific. Focused."


    "And if they''re not?"


    The old man met my gaze without hesitation. "Then we both waste our time and your credits."


    He gestured, and an ornate table formed digitally from the shadowy floor. The chair beneath me materialized just as smoothly, cool and solid beneath my hands. Across the room, the door to the main shop darkened, the faint shimmer of a "Consultation in Progress" sign appearing in elegant, glowing script.


    "Shall we discuss terms?"


    I nodded, slipping into the seat as he remained standing, his transparent avatar more solid now¡ªlike the act of negotiating tethered him more firmly to the moment.


    "Your base fee?" I asked, getting straight to business.


    "Five thousand credits for the initial emotional resonance test." His tone was smooth, matter-of-fact, "If we establish a clear connection, the full tracking service starts at twenty thousand. Price increases with distance, emotional interference, and any... unusual circumstances."


    I inhaled slowly, "One important thing."


    The old man arched a brow. "Yes?"


    "What if they''re not on Earth?"


    His expression barely flickered. "Other colonies are not unusual. Though it does increase the¡ª"


    "No," I cut in. "I mean... what if they''re millions of light-years away? In another solar system entirely?"


    For the first time, his practiced composure cracked. His avatar flickered back and forth, glitching briefly like a hologram losing its signal. Then, just as quickly, he stabilized. A slow smile¡ªgenuine, intrigued¡ªspread across his face.


    "In all my years..." he murmured, his eyes gleaming with something close to admiration. "No one has ever asked me to track someone across such vast distances."


    He leaned forward, "Tell me," he said, his voice quieter now, measured. "What makes you so certain they''re that far?"


    "I''m not certain," I admitted. "But I need someone who can search that far if necessary."


    The old man''s smile widened, his interest sharpening like a blade catching light. "Then I''ll make you a deal." He spread his hands wide, the motion slow, deliberate. "If your target truly is in another solar system, and if I can successfully locate them..." He let the words hang in the charged air between us. "No charge."A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    I blinked. "Really?"


    He nodded, his expression both amused and utterly serious. "Emotions work in inexplicable ways. Distance, time, space¡ªthese are merely physical constraints. But feelings?" He tapped his chest lightly, his voice almost reverent. "They operate on a different level entirely. Whether someone is next door or a thousand light-years away, the emotion remains unchanged. In some cases, they even deepens."


    I nodded. He wasn¡¯t wrong.


    But the way he spoke about this cosmic love tracking¡ªwith that glimmer of genuine fascination¡ªstoked a fragile ember of hope in my chest. This wasn¡¯t just another shopkeeper looking to make a sale. No, here was someone who saw this as more than a transaction. It was a challenge. A chance to push the boundaries of his meta. Or perhaps even upgrade it to another level if he was successful. Very interesting. And if he fails, I reminded myself, everything resets at midnight anyway. The credits wouldn¡¯t matter¡ªthey¡¯d vanish with everything else. But the knowledge? The confirmation that this kind of search was even possible? That was something I could carry forward.


    "Deal," I said firmly. "Where do we start?"


    The old man touched his nose, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Down payment first. We can discuss the rest later."


    Tsk. Typical.


    I clicked my tongue, exhaling through my teeth. Not that I blamed him. It was just., I was a broke student, and nor I had saved up gold coins or stacks of physical credits. So, I turned to the only reliable source I had: my dear friend, occasional enabler, and nearly half of my lifeline in these endless loops.


    I pulled up a screen and called Alex.


    The ring chimed twice before the connection clicked open.


    "Wassup?"


    "Yeah, I found someone. Says they can help track the person."


    "So?"


    "I need money," I admitted, cutting straight to the point. "Can you lend me a few thousand hyperspace credits? I¡¯m running low on fuel this month."


    Silence.


    I shifted in my seat. "I promise I¡¯ll return them by the end of the week."


    More silence. Then, in my peripheral vision, a notification blinked.


    Transfer complete.


    I grinned. "Let''s start."


    The old man barely glanced at the transaction before extending his hand. Shadows slithered across the table, deepening the air between us.


    "First," he murmured, "you¡¯ll need to open your mind completely. Every memory, every emotion tied to this person¡ªthey must flow freely." His voice softened, his tone no longer that of a merchant but something¡­ older. Wiser. "I warn you again: this process can be¡­ intense."


    Intense didn¡¯t matter. I needed to uncover this mystery before my brain imploded like a watermelon left in a gravity field too long.


    So I did. I let go, unraveling every fragmented memory I had of her¡ªthe shattered glimpses gathered through the third cycle. Her face remained veiled in darkness, stubbornly refusing to come into focus. But I had pieces. Small, disjointed pieces. At first, I thought it wasn¡¯t much. Maybe twenty, thirty percent of what I should remember. But as I started speaking, the details stacked. The more I talked, the more I realized how much I actually had¡ªfar more than I expected. The realization sent a ripple of unease through me. Where were the rest? Could I unlock them? Or had they been erased, forever out of reach?


    A mage¡ªI needed a mage.


    But that was a problem for another time. Right now, I talked. I talked for two hours.


    The old man avatar listened. He didn¡¯t interrupt, didn¡¯t ask clarifying questions. Just sat there as he absorbed every detail I spilled. Most of it was trivial¡ªbackground habits, small idiosyncrasies, the way she used to tilt her head when she was lost in thought. But he seemed satisfied. Eventually, my shoulders loosened. The tension coiled tight in my chest eased, if only a little. It felt good to let everything out.


    The old man went silent after I finished talking. For a long moment, nothing happened. Then, his nose twitched¡ªlike he''d caught a scent. I watched, uneasy, as he began moving around me in slow, deliberate circles. Every few steps, he paused, sniffing the air. It was strange to watch.


    "Hmm." He reached out, grabbing at something I couldn''t see. "There''s more here than I expected."


    I sat still, not wanting to mess up whatever he was doing. It felt strange - he was clearly interacting with something around me, but I couldn''t see what it was. Even my Likeness¡ªmy augmented perception¡ªpicked up nothing. It was as if he were plucking at invisible threads woven through the air around me.


    He grabbed one of these threads near my shoulder. His eyes immediately went ink blank, his avatar freezing in place. A few seconds later, he gasped, like someone coming up for air after being underwater.


    "Not this one," he muttered, already reaching for another. "Just physical traces, no emotional connection."


    He tried again, this time grabbing something near my chest. The same thing happened - his eyes clouded over, his body went rigid, then he snapped back to awareness. Another dead end.


    "Strange, strange" he said, frowning now. "The connections are all broken up with no end. Scattered." He kept moving, grabbing thread after thread. Each time his eyes would go distant and glassy, and each time he''d come back looking more frustrated.


    I watched intently, my hands gripping the chair. The way his face twisted each time he hit a dead end told me we weren''t getting anywhere.


    "Someone''s messed with these connections," he said, more to himself than to me. "Broke them apart on purpose. Scattered the pieces."


    He reached for one more thread. This time when he came back to awareness, something in his face had changed. He looked worried.


    "Your emotions," he said slowly, "Someone''s turned them into a trap. Each piece leads somewhere different. Follow the wrong one..."


    "Can you find her or not?" I cut in. I didn''t care about the how - I already knew what was wrong with me and didn''t need a confirmation from a stranger.


    He stared at me for a long moment. "You know what I''m actually tracking here, right?" He tapped his chest. "It''s the emotion woven around you. The stronger your feelings for her, the clearer the path becomes."


    "So you can find her?"


    "I can follow these threads. But we might hit some dead ends along the way. Your feelings are what guide me. The deeper the connection, the better chance we have."


    Then his voice dropped to barely a whisper, and a strange smile crossed his face. "I once found a girl in hell itself, so don''t think I can''t do this. Distance means nothing when feelings run deep enough."


    I stared at him, skeptical¡ªnot because I doubted the existence of hell. That was just another dimension, crafted by some deeply unhinged reality bander who had modeled it down to the last horrifying detail. Even its demons were real, conjured straight from that twisted vision, and now they ran amok across world, luring people with their sweet promises.


    No, what I doubted was his ability to access it. That was no small feat.


    Still¡­


    His words sent a flicker of hope through me.


    <hr>


    Nothing existed here except the endless dark and a perfect massive sphere that hung in its center.


    The prison didn''t look real. It was like someone had taken a bunch of black marbles and hung them in space, connecting them with thin dark threads. But these weren''t marbles¡ªthey were containment spheres. Thousands of them. Each one was about the size of a small room, perfectly round, and pitch black from the outside. You couldn''t see this place from Earth''s telescopes or any other observation post. It existed in its own pocket of space, built right at the edge of a massive black hole. The whole structure spun slowly, like a giant spider web caught in a breeze no one could feel. Some genius had figured out how to use the black hole''s gravity to power the prison, turning each sphere into its own tiny time trap.


    The spheres were arranged in sections. The outer rings contained the newer prisoners, where time moved just slow enough to keep them contained. Deeper in, where her cell was, time barely crawled. At the very center, right next to the black hole itself, time pretty much stopped completely. Those were the cells for prisoners who''d really pissed someone off.


    Through the walls of the outer cells, you could see all kinds of people. There was a guy in Cell #1109 who looked like he was trying to punch his way out, his fist frozen mid-swing. Probably been stuck like that for years. In #1242, a woman floated cross-legged, like she was meditating. Smart¡ªless you fought it, less it pulled you in. Some cells were crowded with weird equipment. Cell #1567 had what looked like half a laboratory floating around its prisoner. Others were completely empty except for their occupants. A few spheres glowed different colors¡ªred, blue, green¡ªmarking prisoners who needed extra containment. Powers, probably. The really dangerous ones.


    The maintenance bots were the only things moving at normal speed. Little black dots zipping between spheres, adjusting things, keeping the whole impossible prison running. They looked like mechanical spiders, climbing along those dark threads connecting everything.


    Somewhere in the middle section. #2187.


    From the outside, it looked just like all the others, but inside... She floated in the center of this impossible space, suspended in the void like a forgotten dream. Her skin held an otherworldly pallor, almost translucent against the absolute darkness. Her long dark hair drifted around her in lazy waves like she was underwater. Her face was peaceful. Like she''d accepted where she was or perhaps she wasn''t aware of her situation in the first place. The gentle rise and fall of her chest was the only movement in this timeless prison, each breath taking what might be years in the outside world.


    Her prison jumpsuit was standard issue, dark gray, no signs of rank or prisoner classification. Weird. Usually, they marked the dangerous ones.


    The numbers running across her sphere''s surface were different too. Most cells had basic containment equations. Hers looked more complicated. The patterns shifted constantly, like they were adapting to something. Every few minutes, the whole sequence would reset and start over.


    Other prisoners showed what happened if you fought back. In Cell #1984, someone had almost turned themselves inside out trying to escape. Their sphere was completely black now, gravity so intense even light couldn''t escape. Cell #2221 held nothing but a faint outline of someone who used to be there¡ªlike a photo left in the sun too long, slowly fading away. Some spheres had viewing stations attached, little platforms where guards or visitors could stand and watch the prisoners. Most were empty now. Nobody liked staying out here too long. Something about the place got to you after a while. Maybe it was seeing all those people frozen in time, or maybe it was the black hole itself, pulling at the edge of your mind.


    <hr>


    The old man was on his knees, his hologram glitching bad. He looked like he''d aged a hundred years in the last few seconds.


    "By all the gods," he gasped, actually gasping for air even though he was just a program. "I''ve never... a place like that..." He grabbed the edge of a table, trying to pull himself up.


    "What exactly did you see?" I asked, watching his hologram struggle to stabilize.


    He shook his head weakly. "I... I couldn''t make sense of most of it. Just a black sphere, and behind it..." His form flickered again. "Darkness. But not normal darkness. It was like looking into eyes that stared back. Almost pulled me in. Never felt anything like it."


    ¡°I couldn''t make any sense of it. It might even be the abyss itself.¡±


    A sphere and darkness like abyss... I sat there, letting his words sink in. Three hundred years of memories started firing in my brain, each one adding a piece to a puzzle I wasn''t sure I wanted to solve or confront again. Then, my thoughts suddenly stopped onto one notion: I''d seen black holes before¡ªwho hadn''t these days? But. The way he described that darkness...


    A darkness that stares back.


    Something clicked. An old memory, maybe when I had just graduated from the academy. I was drinking with a retired space marine officer who''d had way too much syntax booze. He kept rambling about his final mission, about a place that "ate light and time itself." We all thought he was just drunk, mixing up sci-fi stories with reality. But the way he described the darkness...


    Then there were those classified files I''d stumbled across during my early days of serving in Legion. Most of it was redacted, but I remembered one phrase clearly: "Project Singularity - Ultimate Containment Solution for Class-X Meta Threats."


    ¡°Singularity Sphere.¡±


    I whispered back to myself.


    The Singularity Sphere wasn''t just a prison. It was THE PRISON. The place they sent people who could tear holes in reality like tissue paper. The kind of metas that made other meta humans look like kids playing with toy cars. It was one of the three most secured prison ever made by humanity, just behind: The Zero Point, The Null Zone, and The Paradox Engine.


    Later in life, I''d read many detailed reports on the Singularity Sphere. Cell block A was for the reality warpers¡ªpeople who could rewrite the laws of physics on a whim. Cell block B held the immortals who''d gone insane after a few too many centuries of life. Then there were the consciousness hijackers, the quantum manipulators, the time-benders. Metas so powerful that normal containment was like trying to hold a star in a paper bag. Hell, I''d heard stories about one prisoner who could duplicate himself infinitely, each copy with its own consciousness. Another who could possess entire populations with a single thought. They even had someone in there who could reverse entropy¡ªimagine that kind of power in the wrong hands. These weren''t just criminals; they were walking apocalypses waiting to happen.


    I was built at the galaxy''s center, using a supermassive black hole as both power source and eternal warden. A place where the laws of physics themselves became chains, where time could be stretched until it snapped.


    A facility where they could freeze someone between moments, trap them in their own private eternity. The ultimate solution for threats that couldn''t be eliminated any other way. Only a handful of people knew it existed. Even fewer knew how to reach it.


    And in all its history, through all the centuries it had existed, no one had ever escaped. Not just because it was impossible, because the people who had built it had actually removed the concept of escape and freedom inside. So, those who were trapped inside never could have such daring thoughts.


    My mind shook endlessly, was deeply shaken, ¡°What the hell did she do to end up there?¡±


    <hr>


    I pulled off the HyperSpace band and tossed it onto my desk. My head was spinning with everything the old man had told me. Lying on my bed, I stared at the ceiling, trying to make sense of it all. Jade had seemed so alive in the third cycle¡ªlaughing, talking, hugging, just being herself. The girl I''d seen in those memories didn''t fit with someone who belonged in the galaxy''s most secure prison. Breaking into a Singularity Sphere? The idea was insane. I didn''t even have the kind of power needed to attempt something like that. Yet, why did I feel a sudden urge to do something stupid. I closed my eyes, hoping for a good night sleep, but a scene of hugging me tightly kept replying before my eyes while I shifted uncomfortably in my bed.


    Thunder rolled outside my window. Within minutes, rain was hammering against the glass, like the universe itself was trying to wash away my crazy ideas. The water streak down the panes, each drop catching the city lights, creating patterns that almost looked like the equations I''d seen floating across those prison spheres in the past life.


    The familiar heaviness of the reset crept in. Time loop coming. Everything would start over, just like it did yesterday. Same day, same morning, same¡ª


    ...


    ...


    Pain.


    My eyes snapped open to darkness. Not the usual early morning wake-up call I was expecting. Something was wrong with my face. Very wrong. The left side of my jaw felt like someone had taken a hammer to it, each heartbeat sending fresh waves of agony through my skull. Stumbling to the bathroom, I nearly tripped over my own feet. The light flickered on, harsh and bright, and I found myself staring at a stranger in the mirror. Well, almost a stranger. Same face, except for the left cheek that now looked like I was hiding a small melon under my skin.


    I sucked in a breath through clenched teeth and swung my legs over the side of the bed, nearly toppling over as I stood. My balance was off. My body felt heavier on one side, like my head was weighted down with lead. Stumbling forward, I slammed my shoulder into the doorframe, cursing under my breath as I fumbled my way to the bathroom.


    Before the mirror, a stranger stared back at me.


    Well¡ªalmost a stranger. The same face, the same tired eyes, the same stubborn crease between my brows. But the left side of my face¡­


    Swollen. Massively swollen.


    My cheek bulged outward like I was hiding a small melon inside my mouth, my skin, the flesh puffy and discolored. My lips were uneven from the swelling, and my left eye looked smaller, buried under the curve of my face.


    What the actual hell?


    With shaking fingers, I pulled back my cheek, trying to see inside. And my stomach twisted. Two half-grown wisdom teeth. That¡¯s what I should have had. But the left one¡ª


    Gone.


    Not broken. Not chipped. Not even loose. Just¡­ gone. Like someone had surgically removed it while I slept. But there was no blood. No stitches. No sign of an incision. Nothing.


    I shoved my fingers into my mouth, running my tongue and fingertips over the gap. The skin was smooth, as if the tooth had never even been there. The gum wasn¡¯t raw or tender¡ªit was fully healed. Like my body had skipped the entire process of extraction, healing, everything.


    My fingers probed deeper, frantic now, like I was digging through a bird¡¯s nest searching for a lost egg.


    Finally, my hand shot out, gripping the sink edge so hard my knuckles turned white.


    Whoever did this is going to regret it.


    But then a new thought slithered in, cold and unwelcome.


    Who could have done this¡­ when the world resets every night?


    The realization sent a shiver racing down my spine. The reset should have undone everything. Every injury, every event, every decision¡ªwiped clean at midnight like it had never happened. And yet¡­


    I huffed through clenched teeth.


    Suspicious. Very suspicious. And worse, it wasn¡¯t random. Someone had deliberately targeted me.


    Another looper? Someone like me? Perhaps.


    My grip on the sink tightened. My jaw ached, my mind spun, but one thing was suddenly very, very clear.


    "Just you wait."