There were other customers inside Marty's restaurant. Garret was surprised to see people somehow enjoying various blue egg dishes. The smells alone reminded him of how disgusting those eggs were.

  "Is there really nothing else to do?" Air asked.

  "I mean, I guess there's the arcade, but you'll have to ask Silver to take you there. As much as I'd like to take you two with me, my relationship with those other two gangs isn't as strong. Harlan's always been a bit wild, so the people working under her are probably a bunch of loons. And Grant Jack is an entirely different kind of maniac. It's just safer if you guys didn't go."

  Garret nodded. "We understand."

  Pyre patted them on their heads and backed out of the restaurant. They could hear Marty sigh from behind the counter.

  "I suppose it was only a matter of time before she left me to babysit..."

  Air and Garret ran up to the counter and hopped onto stools. Garret leaned forward.

  "Actually, Mister Marty, I'm curious. What was Pyre like when she was my age? I've been meaning to ask you since yesterday."

  Marty clipped an order to a string hanging in front of an opening that looked into the kitchen. Several people were already working back there.

  "What are you, fourteen? Around your age I'd say she was a pretty normal little girl, or at least she tried to act normal. When she was twelve we had a bit of an argument. I still regret sayin' what I did that day. When I went upstairs to check on her the day after, she was gone. Didn't even leave a note or nothin'. I was honestly worried sick. For almost two whole cycles I thought I'd chased off the only person who looked up to me. I couldn't help but think she was struggling out there all by herself."

  He paused while handing a plate across the counter.

  "Then, to my surprise, on a random afternoon this annoying kid with shiny hair walks in with Pyre right behind him. We apologized to each other, and she tried to make it seem like things were normal, but I could see somethin' in her eyes that wasn't there before. I never asked about what she did while she was gone. I always thought she'd open up and tell me one day, but it never happened."

  Marty folded his arms.

  "One thing I can say is that she had become much kinder. She was really social. I mean, she made friends with almost everyone in the city. She was basically on everyone's good side. No matter what it was, she used that power gifted to her by fate to help around as much as she could. It got to the point where the cops were startin' to get jealous of her. And it's not like they could do anything about it. She was probably stronger than every one of those pigs combined."

  "She was already super strong around my age?" Air flexed his arm. Barely any muscle showed in his bicep. "Man, how'd she do it?"

  Marty laughed as he passed several more plates out to waiting customers.

  "Well, the answer's simple. She had me and Silver... but mostly me. I taught her everything I knew when it came to fighting. I was probably one of the very few people in Modus at the time who even had the strength to keep her in check."

  Garret's eyes glistened. "Really? Doesn't that mean you're super tough too?"

  "Bingo."

  Air tilted his head. "If you're that strong, why are you working here in this greasy place?"

  Marty scoffed. "A lot of literal blood, sweat, and tears went into this place, kid. Most of the people in this city are living in rented apartments and houses. I own this entire building. I like cooking. It's probably the only thing I'm good at outside of fighting."

  Garret frowned. "Uh huh..."

  Air and Garret suddenly felt taps on their shoulders. They turned to see Silver standing behind them. "Would you two rather talk to this boring old guy or play a few games?"

  "Games?" The two boys said in unison.

  Silver pulled the boys from their stools and urged them to follow him. "You'll see. It's fun, I promise. Pyre and I usually hung out at the arcade when we were younger."

  Air and Garret looked at each other, then back at Silver, and followed him as he exited the building.

  —------

  Pyre found herself between two different attacks. A kick was coming at her from behind, and a fist was rushing toward her face. She arched her back and flipped backwards between the two strikes, landing on her hands before flipping back onto her feet again. A smirk spread across her face.

  "I'm telling you guys, this won't end well."

  She sidestepped a knife thrown by a third attacker. The man who had tried to kick her snapped his head back toward her and delivered a back kick. Pyre caught the man's leg and twisted, pulling him off his feet. She swung him around and hurled him straight into the man who had just thrown the punch. She quickly turned and caught another attack coming from behind. A sharp blade sat trapped between her fingers, heat radiating from its orange glow.

  "Yeah, this isn't gonna hurt me."

  The crystal blade was embedded deep into the man's arm, its surface carved with various flame sigils. Pyre tightened her grip on it and yanked the man forward, driving a sharp knee into his abdomen.

  "Can you guys just let me in? I seriously don't want to hurt you."

  Pyre was surrounded by dozens of men and women. Each of them had at least one crystal embedded into their body. Some had blades, others clubs. Creating intricate enchanted objects with specific and complex functions was something only skilled spellcasters could accomplish. However, there was one way for even those with very little magical knowledge to enchant objects: embedding them directly into their bodies.

  Instead of deliberately pouring measured amounts of energy into something over time, an implanted object would naturally siphon small amounts of energy from the body during daily life. By using materials already magically attuned, like crystals, even maniacs like these gang members could create enchanted weapons.

  When Pyre was younger, this method of enchanting was rarely used and often looked grotesque. But this new gang, who labeled themselves the Crystalbacks, seemed to have streamlined the process and adopted it as their primary form of weaponry.

  A lot of the faces she saw were unfamiliar, so she understood why these people didn't just let her pass. What annoyed her was that they completely ignored her whenever she tried to explain anything. She ducked and weaved through numerous attacks before leaping onto a nearby light pole. Fire trailed from her feet as she rose into the air.

  "Can you guys just listen to me for one second? Harlan is my friend. We-"

  "Crowe doesn't have any friends! Only enemies and benefactors!" one woman shouted. The rest of the gang members surrounding her cheered in agreement. Pyre rolled her eyes.

  The gang members roared in anger. One of them swung their blade and cut straight through the light pole Pyre was standing on. She scoffed as the pole began tilting forward.

  "Are you serious? It's gonna take weeks for them to replace that light."

  Finally fed up, Pyre raised her fist and jumped from the falling pole. Fire blazed around her hand, casting a searing orange and red glow over the Crystalbacks below her. Seconds later she crashed into the concrete, creating a shockwave that knocked everyone onto their backs.

  Pyre stood from a crouch, lifting her knuckles from the cracked pavement.

  Through the Crystalbacks' groans, the sound of clapping echoed across the area. She turned to see a long-haired woman clapping slowly with a smirk on her face. It was Harlan Crowe.

  "Bravo! You really are amazing. Sorry about letting these newbies harass you. They really did need to be taught a valuable lesson when it comes to knowing which fights to pick."

  "Yeah? Why did I have to teach it?"

  She stepped across several of the incapacitated Crystalbacks as she approached. Each of them groaned as her foot pressed down on them. The long-haired woman opened her arms.

  "Cinder always said actions spoke louder than words."

  Pyre returned the hug. "I'm surprised you were actually listening to anything he said."

  They broke apart and walked into the warehouse together. Pyre wasn't surprised to see the interior mostly empty. Aside from a couch and a few chairs nearby, there was nothing notable. Harlan tapped a spot on the floor near the corner. A square outline appeared before a hatch lifted open. A staircase waited below.

  Pyre followed Harlan down the steps and entered a massive underground base. Machines clanged and rattled as they worked. People stood beside them, operating controls and monitoring the outputs. As they passed one machine, Pyre leaned in to watch crystal shards rolling down a conveyor belt. Some crystals shone with vibrant blue color, but most were dull and grey.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  "So this is how you're getting everyone their own augments. Smart."

  "It's much cheaper than ordering whole crystals. I've got a machine set up for each kind of attunement."

  "And with how big this whole operation looks... you're selling outside of Virelis, aren't you?"

  "Yep. With these machines outlawed in most kingdoms, a lot of militaries have been commissioning us privately. It's a lucrative business. Way more than whatever pills or powder Cinder had us pushing every day."

  The two women reached a plush purple couch and sat down.

  Pyre continued scanning the facility. "I actually wanted to ask you about that. How did Cinder die? I didn't want to ask Silas. You know how he is. He tries to act tough, but I could tell he's still not over it."

  Harlan lit a pipe and took a slow puff. Smoke drifted into the air before she answered. "It was that rat bastard Grant Jack. His goons worked with the cops to corner us out of nowhere. You know how Cinder rarely made public appearances. I always thought he was just paranoid, that nobody would dare attack him."

  Her expression hardened.

  "When Silas took Cinder's place, nobody argued. We all thought we'd march into that damn tower and take Grant Jack's head off. Can you believe what that coward did instead? He made a deal with him. Said Cinder died because he was too stubborn and refused to open up."

  Harlan's grip tightened around her pipe. "I wanted to rip Silas's heart out right then and there. But I knew better."

  Pyre thought for a moment. "You don't think Silas played a part in getting Cinder killed, do you?"

  Harlan shook her head. "Of course not. That man was like a father to him. He was devastated. That's why I can't believe he went and negotiated with that son of a bitch. Now he and Grant Jack are peddling the exact same crap. Doesn't Silas realize how greedy Jack is? It's only a matter of time before Jack has him killed too."

  She gestured toward the machines.

  "So before that happens, we're tearing down the Metalheads. Most of them are normal people with barely any magical ability. I've been building this gang specifically to take their place. When the time comes, I'm going to kill Grant Jack myself."

  She nudged Pyre.

  "Can you imagine Silas's face when I deliver Grant Jack's stupid shiny head to his doorstep, wrapped in a big pink bow?"

  Pyre laughed.

  "He'd try to play it cool. 'He simply got what was comin' to him.'"

  She mimicked Silas's voice as she spoke.

  "After that," Harlan said, "maybe we can work things out. Until then, I don't want to see his face."

  The two women sat in silence for a moment before Pyre cleared her throat.

  "So... I actually came to ask you about something. A few weeks back, did anyone in your gang grab a man named Sebas? He was transporting something valuable, and I'm supposed to be finding him."

  Harlan placed her pipe on the table.

  "We actually did try taking him and his car. At the exact same time as the Metalheads. My guys are stronger, but they're less experienced. We managed to grab the man, but not the car or whatever was inside it."

  Pyre straightened.

  "So Sebas is alive?"

  "Maybe. We questioned him, but he wouldn't talk. So we sold him."

  "Sold him? To who?"

  "Down in the Fogmarket. When word got out that he was an Advent, people were begging us to put him up for auction. Personally, I don't see the appeal of owning some kind of superpowered slave. He never showed any special ability while we had him. But people were still willing to pay good money."

  Pyre nodded slowly.

  "Alright. This is going to be more difficult than I hoped."

  "If you want," Harlan added, "you could help me take down Grant Jack. Whatever was in that car, I bet he's still holding onto it."

  Pyre sighed.

  "As much as I'd like to, I can't. I've got people I'm looking after. With the way the Metalheads operate, word of me helping you would be enough to put them in danger. Jack's got too many connections. He definitely already knows I'm here."

  Harlan looked down at her legs.

  "Right... well, I've still got things to do."

  She stood and stretched her arms overhead.

  "It was nice talking to you again."

  "Likewise," Pyre replied.

  —--------

  Lights lining the walls flashed between different colors. The entire building glowed with vibrant hues from the numerous arcade machines scattered around the room. Children giggled as they ran between the rows of games, and the faint smell of grease lingered in the air.

  Garret's eyes widened with excitement. "Woah. How come you never told me about this awesome place, Silver?"

  "Well, to be honest, it's expanded a bit since the last time I was here. There were only a couple of games, and they were pretty simple. Just things you could kill a few hours doing." He walked up to one of the machines and fiddled with its blue joystick. "These seem really advanced. I wonder how much these things cost."

  Silver crouched down and noticed the coin slot. One mint coin equaled one play. He rummaged through his bag, pulled out a coin, and popped it into the slot. When he stood up again, the screen showed that he had one credit.

  He pressed the start button and began moving the joystick haphazardly. The character he controlled bounced around the screen before a flying ball dropped from above and struck it, causing it to explode in a silly animation.

  Silver raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Is that it?"

  Garret tapped a small diagram to the left of the buttons while Silver's character continued dying. He had already read through the instructions.

  "There's directions right here. If you read them, you'd know you're supposed to shoot the hell-orb before it gets to you. Here, let me try."

  Silver tightened his grip on the joystick. "Hold on, just let me go one more time."

  Garret frowned as he watched Silver insert coin after coin, only to die seconds later. He couldn't help thinking that Silver had brought him and Air here so they could play.

  Growing bored of watching Silver fail over and over, Air began looking around at the other games. There was nothing like this in his memories, so the constant beeping and electronic noises were a little overwhelming.

  Air pulled out one of the coins Pyre had let him keep after they bought their new clothes. Without Silver or Garret noticing, he wandered off and examined the glowing screens as he passed.

  As he walked, he noticed a kid crying nearby. The boy pointed upward at a balloon that had drifted up to the ceiling. Without hesitation, Air broke into a jog and leapt upward to grab it.

  The gust from his jump scattered crumbs and candy wrappers across the floor. Moments later his feet touched the ground without making a sound. He handed the balloon back to the boy.

  The child smiled through his tears and thanked him before running off.

  Air smirked, feeling proud of himself.

  Then he felt a tap on his shoulder.

  He turned around to see a girl a little shorter than him. The bright lights shined against her black hair. She wore a tattered pastel blue blouse with a white collar. The fabric was stained in several places, though none of the marks looked fresh. A faint frown sat on her face.

  Air tilted his head. "Uh... hi?"

  The girl held out her hand toward him.

  Air followed her gaze and realized she was staring directly at the coin in his hand. "Oh. Did you want this?"

  She nodded and pulled out the inside of her pocket to show him that it was empty.

  Air smiled and dropped the coin into her palm. "There you go. I've got plenty, so it's no big deal."

  She closed her fingers around the coin and hurried to a nearby machine. A large pad connected to it had six boxes arranged on the floor. Arrows were carved into the surface of each box except the center one, which had a circle. Air watched her insert the coin and place her feet on the arrows. Whenever she stepped on one, something flashed on the screen. He walked closer to examine it.

  "Woah. This might be the coolest one I've seen yet."

  "Shhh."

  The girl raised a finger to her lips just as music burst from the machine. Her feet began tapping the arrows in time with symbols rising up the screen. Her movements were quick and graceful. Her eyes darted across the display while Air could barely follow a single arrow. His eyes widened as he watched.

  When the music ended, she stopped moving. Despite how fast she had been dancing, she didn't seem out of breath at all. Before Air could say anything, she held out her hand again.

  He reached into his pocket and handed her another coin. Instead of starting the game again, she shook her head and gestured for more. Air hesitated. But looking at her worn clothes, he couldn't help assuming she rarely had enough money to play a game she clearly loved. He dug deeper into his pocket and handed her several more coins.

  "What're you doing, kid?"

  Silver and Garret stood behind him.

  "If there's one thing you're not supposed to do," Silver said, "it's hand out money to strangers."

  Air shook his head. "But she didn't have any, and she's really good at this game. You should-" He turned back toward the machine. The girl was gone. Air frantically looked around the arcade, but he couldn't spot her anywhere.

  Silver frowned. "She ran off the second you looked away. I know you're trying to be nice, but you really shouldn't fall for tricks like that."

  Air slumped. "... got it."

  He decided to step onto the dance platform and tried the exact same song on the same difficulty. The result was disastrous. He missed nearly every arrow and even tripped over his own foot at one point, tumbling off the platform.

  After that, the three boys spent the next hour trying a couple different games. Air had almost forgotten about the girl when he noticed something outside a nearby window. Two men in suits were surrounding her. She kicked and struggled, even managing to strike one of them in the shin before they lifted her and shoved her into a car.

  Air's gaze sharpened.Without thinking, he sprinted toward the arcade exit. Garret and Silver immediately chased after him.

  "Wait, Air! Where are you going?" Garret shouted from far behind, already out of breath.

  Air didn't hear him. People crowded the sidewalk, forcing him to dodge and weave between them. Realizing he wasn't gaining ground on the car fast enough, he jumped onto a nearby awning and bounced up onto the roof above it. From there he leapt from rooftop to rooftop until he finally caught up to the vehicle. Air dropped down onto the hood.

  The startled driver began swerving wildly. Inside the car, the men in the front seats were shouting to each other. The passenger rolled down his window and stuck out a grey wooden wand. He bent his wrist and traced symbols in the air. Air had seen enough spells by now to recognize what was coming. The sharp angles and blazing orange-red glow of the symbols told him it was a fire spell. Air tensed his body up in anticipation. A fireball shot toward him and slammed into his barrier like a dumbbell pressing into a cushion before bouncing harmlessly away. He grabbed the man's wrist and yanked him straight out of the moving car. The man tumbled across the street behind them.

  As Air looked back, he saw Garret and Silver sprint past the rolling man. Now he had to stop the vehicle. Unfortunately, he had no idea how it worked. The driver gritted his teeth and tried to shake Air off the hood. Air glanced into the back seat, where the girl was gesturing. First she mimicked the driver turning the wheel. Then she made a motion like pulling it. Air grinned.

  He raised his fist and punched through the windshield. Glass shattered as he reached inside, grabbed the steering wheel, and yanked upward. The entire wheel ripped free from the dashboard. Air stared at it in his hands. Then he noticed blood dripping down his fingers.

  His face scrunched. "Ow, that-" Before he could finish speaking, the car spun out of control. It flipped onto its side and hurled him into a nearby wall.

  When he sat up, the girl was standing over him. Her expression looked just as blank as before.

  Air shook his head, dizzy. "Oh. Hey. You okay?"

  She gave a small nod.

  Moments later Garret and Silver arrived, both gasping for breath.

  "Kid... what the hell... is wrong with you?" Silver panted.

  Air pointed at the girl. "She needed help! Those guys were trying to kidnap her!"

  Garret noticed the blood dripping down Air's hand. He crouched beside him and began tracing thick green symbols around the wound. When the symbols faded, small shards of glass pushed out from the cuts and the skin quickly began to scab.

  "I can't believe you punched through the glass like that."

  "Well, I didn't know it would poke me."

  Silver sighed. "I guess I can't really blame you for doing what you did."

  He looked at the girl.

  "I'm glad you're safe, but you should probably see this as some kind of karma. Be more careful next time. Do you have a home to go back to?"

  The girl nodded.

  "Are your parents there?"

  She shook her head no.

  "Then where are they? Back in the arcade?"

  The girl turned around and began walking down the sidewalk.

  Silver rubbed his face in frustration. "Come on, kid. Work with me here."

  Air jumped to his feet and silently followed her. Garret followed as well. Silver rolled his eyes and trudged after them. At this point, he was starting to wish he had just stayed in bed that morning.