"What the hell," Keeko said, her voice dangerously quiet, "were you thinking?"

  Abell opened his mouth to respond, but the look in his mother's eyes made the words die in his throat. He'd seen her angry before, plenty of times, but this was different somehow.

  "Do you have any idea..." Her voice cracked. She took a breath, steadying herself. "Mr. Millia told me everything. Do you have ANY idea what could've happened? Those Malignants would've killed you, Abell. KILLED you."

  "But they didn't."

  "Because you got LUCKY!" Because some stranger happened to be passing by! What if he hadn't been there? What if you'd been alone?"

  Abell's jaw clenched. But I saved them, didn't I? Why are you yelling at me?"

  "You nearly DIED saving them!" Keeko stepped closer. Abell could see her hands trembling. "You're fifteen. You're not a Luminary. You're not Gen..."

  She cut herself off, but they both knew what she'd been about to say.

  You're not Genevieve.

  The silence stretched between them. Mrs. Millia shifted awkwardly by the doorway, clearly wishing she were anywhere else. Her daughter peeked out from behind her mother's skirt, eyes wide.

  Keeko closed her eyes, visibly forcing herself to calm down. When she spoke again, her voice was steadier but no less intense. "You can't keep doing this. Charging into danger without thinking, without a plan, without backup. Without..."

  She stopped mid-sentence.

  Her entire body went rigid, her eyes snapping to Hugo with an intensity that made the room grow cold. She instinctively went into her battle stance, one fist closer to her face and the other pointed outward.

  "Why are you here?" She asked.

  Hugo, who'd been leaning casually against, straightened slightly. His expression changed from bored listener to a man used to the attention.

  "Keeko Vespera," he said, his tone carrying a cocky air. "It's been a while."

  Keeko's eyes narrowed. For a long moment, she just stared at him.

  “Not even a hello?” Hugo spread his hands, half-greeting, half-showmanship. “And here I was thinking you’d missed me.”

  "Answer me! Why are you here?"

  “You know I can’t reveal that.” His tone stayed light. “But I did see your son’s… heroics.”

  "Stay away from my son." She responded.

  "Relax." Hugo held up his hands in mock surrender, though his smile never wavered. "I'm not here to recruit him. Well, not officially, anyway."

  "Hugo, you bastard..."

  "Wait." Abell looked between them, confused and exhausted. "You two know each other?"

  Keeko didn't take her eyes off Hugo. "It's none of your concern, Abell."

  "Actually," Hugo said, shifting to focus on Abell, "I'd say it's very much his concern now."

  "Don't." Keeko's voice carried a warning edge. "Don't even think about it. Just go, Hugo. I'm not interested in whatever you or that order wants."

  "Think about what?" Abell asked, frustrated. "What's going on? Who IS this guy?"

  Keeko opened her mouth, clearly preparing to shut down the conversation, but Hugo spoke first.

  "Let me introduce myself properly." He pushed off the wall and stepped forward. "Since your mother seems determined to keep you in the dark."

  He stared into Abell's eyes,

  "I am Hugo Creed. One of the three current leaders of the Luminary Order."

  Mr. Millia, who'd been quietly tending to his wife in the corner, went completely still. His face drained of color.

  "Hugo... Creed?" The words came out as barely more than a whisper.

  Mrs. Millia's hand flew to her mouth. "The Hugo Creed? One of the Clarion?"

  Their daughter peeked farther out from behind her mother, eyes wide.

  "Just Hugo is fine though," he said.

  "Lord Hugo!" Mr. Millia rushed forward, nearly tripping over himself. He dropped into a deep bow that made Abell uncomfortable just watching it. "We can't thank you enough! You saved our lives! My daughter's life!"

  “What about me? I saved you first, Damn farmer.” Abell thought.

  "Please, there's no need," Hugo started, but Mrs. Millia was already joining her husband, pulling their daughter along.

  "Thank you!" she said, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you so much! We'll never forget this!"

  The little girl, still partially hiding behind her mother, whispered something too quiet to hear. Her mother nudged her gently. The girl took a hesitant step forward and held out something: a small flower she'd been clutching.

  "Thank you for saving us, Mister Hugo," she said, her voice tiny.

  Hugo's expression softened. He knelt down to her level and accepted the flower with unexpected gentleness.

  "You're very welcome," he said. "I was just doing my job."

  "Ugh, whatever, what are you even doing in a place like this?" Keeko scoffed, her voice full of disdain.

  Hugo returned to his feet, meeting Keeko's gaze with a radiant smile. "I can't really say. Top secret mission." He paused.

  Abell watched the whole scene with growing confusion. The Luminary Order. The Clarion.

  What the hell?

  "Can someone please tell me what's going on?" Abell said finally, his voice cutting through the gratitude and tears. "Is this guy supposed to be a big deal or something?"

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  Hugo straightened, turning on Abell with an expression that might have been sympathy. "Seems like you kept him sheltered, Keeko. Can't say I blame you, but..." He gestured vaguely at the Millia family. "Most people in Eudora know my name. Comes with the territory."

  "The territory of what?"

  "Of being one of the people who keep this country from falling apart." Hugo's tone was light, but there was truth beneath it. "The Luminary Order handles the threats that local fighters can't."

  Abell's mind raced, trying to process everything. "Well, this doesn't explain how you know my mother."

  "Abell, quit being nosy. We should leave." Keeko's brow furrowed.

  Hugo's smile turned nostalgic. "She was my superior for three years. Best and worst years of my life." He glanced at Keeko. "She was absolutely merciless. Made me wish for death at least twice a week."

  "Hmph. Don't remind me," Keeko said flatly.

  "Aww, don't be like that." But there was affection in his tone, something warm that made Keeko's expression tighten. "Though I have to say, seeing you now, you've gotten even more beautiful with age. Didn't think that was possible."

  "Hugo..."

  "What?" His smile was innocent, but his eyes weren't. "I'm just making an observation."

  The air in the room shifted subtly. Abell couldn't quite put his finger on it, but there was something in the way Hugo looked at his mother that made her posture stiffen.

  This guy could be my ticket out of this dump.

  Before anyone could respond, rapid footsteps approached from outside. The door burst open, revealing the village elder, an old man named Marcus, who somehow always knew everything happening in Iridius within minutes.

  "Is everyone..." He stopped short, taking in the scene. His eyes landed on Hugo, and his weathered face went through the same progression of shock and recognition. "Is that..."By the Liberator... Those eyes." Marcus stepped fully into the farmhouse, followed by several other villagers who'd apparently heard the commotion. "One of the Clarion. Here. In Iridius."

  The newcomers piled into the same bowed gratitude, thanking Hugo as if he’d descended from the statue in the market.

  Hugo handled it all with practiced ease, accepting gratitude with humble words that somehow didn't diminish his presence.

  "This calls for celebration!" Marcus declared suddenly, "Tonight, we feast! In honor of Lady Keeko, young Abell, and the legendary Hugo Creed!"

  A cheer went up from the gathered villagers.

  Abell felt his stomach sink. A festival. Great. Exactly what he wanted more of this boring town’s antics.

  "That's not necessary," Keeko started.

  "Nonsense!" Marcus waved away her protest. "Iridius stands because of your family's protection. The least we can do is honor that properly." He turned to the crowd. "Spread the word! Tonight, we celebrate our guardians!"

  The villagers dispersed quickly, already chattering about preparations. Within minutes, the house had emptied except for the Millia family, Keeko, Abell, and Hugo.

  "Well," Hugo said into the sudden quiet. "Looks like we're staying for a party."

  Keeko's glare could have melted steel. "We need to talk. Privately."

  "I'd love to." Hugo's smile was infuriatingly pleasant. "But first, shouldn't we make sure your son actually gets to some rest? He looks like he's about to fall over."

  Abell opened his mouth to protest that he was fine, but his body chose that moment to betray him. His legs went weak, and he had to catch himself on the back of the couch.

  Keeko was beside him in an instant, her anger temporarily forgotten in favor of concern. "Abell..."

  "I'm okay," he managed, but his voice sounded distant even to his own ears. The adrenaline that had kept him going was finally wearing off, leaving behind exhaustion that went bone-deep.

  "Sure you are," Hugo said dryly. "Come on, kid. Let your mom get you home before you pass out again."

  The walk back to Iridius was awkward.

  Keeko kept one hand on Abell's shoulder, ostensibly to steady him, but he suspected it was more to keep him close and away from Hugo. The Luminary walked alongside them, seemingly unbothered by the tension keeko radiated

  Sunset neared as Lanterns were already being strung up in the square. Voices called out preparations. The smell of cooking meat began to fill the air.

  Word had spread fast.

  "You know," Hugo said conversationally, "he's got talent. Real talent. That fight with the two smaller Malignants? Most people his age couldn't have handled that."

  "So?" Keeko asked flatly.

  "And his Lux. It's amazing." Hugo's tone was innocent. "It seems similar to mine but also different."

  "Ugh, you even saw that."

  "Sure did."

  Abell stayed quiet, listening to them banter, if you could call it that. His mother, who rarely spoke about her past, had trained one of the most famous Luminaries in the country. And from the way Hugo looked at her, there was more to their relationship than just mentor and student.

  They reached their home in Iridius as the town transformed around them. Tables being set up. Children running between stalls. The festival was already taking shape.

  "I need to change," Abell muttered, looking down at his torn, blood-stained shirt.

  "Go inside," Keeko said. "I'll meet you there in a few."

  "Actually," Hugo interjected, "mind if I borrow him for a minute? There's something I want to discuss."

  Keeko's eyes narrowed. "No."

  "Relax. I'm not going to corrupt your son in five minutes." Hugo's smile was disarming. "I just want to talk. That's all."

  "Hugo..."

  "It's fine, Mom," Abell said, surprising himself. He was curious what the famous Hugo Creed wanted to talk to him about. "I'll catch up."

  Keeko looked like she wanted to argue, but after a long moment, she sighed. "Five minutes. Then you come inside."

  "I will."

  She cast one more warning glare at Hugo before turning and heading inside their house, her pace just slightly faster than necessary.

  Hugo watched her go, his expression softening in a way that made Abell uncomfortable.

  "What’s with you guys?" Abell said bluntly.

  Hugo's attention snapped back to him, those star-shaped pupils gleaming with surprise. Then he laughed, a genuine sound of amusement. "Aren't I supposed to be the one asking questions here?"

  Abell furrowed his brow. Waiting for some type of answer.

  "Your mother is an exceptional woman. Beautiful, powerful, terrifying. How could I not admire her?"

  "Ugh. Ew."

  "Anyway." Hugo's tone shifted, becoming more serious. "You fought well today. The two wolves, you handled them better than I expected. Your technique needs work, and your clearly Lux is unstable, but your instincts are sharp."

  "Thanks, I guess."

  "But you also nearly died. That Grade-B was beyond you. Way beyond you. If I hadn't been there..."

  Abell's jaw tightened. "I know."

  "Do you?" Hugo turned to face him fully. "Because from where I was standing, you looked ready to die fighting rather than running. That's either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid."

  "I just did what anyone else would do."

  "Not many would put themselves in harm's way like that," Hugo said. "You chose to stay. Why?"

  Abell thought about it. About the little girl's face, frozen in terror. About the memory of being six years old, helpless, waiting for death.

  "I couldn't run," he said finally. "I promised myself I would save them; I like to keep my promises."

  Hugo studied him for a long moment, those alien eyes unreadable. Then he nodded. "My goodness, kid, you're weird."

  He reached into his coat and pulled out something small: a card with an official-looking seal.

  "This is a recommendation letter. It guarantees entry to Academia Lucis, what most people call the Luminary Academy, for the entrance exams."

  Abell stared at the card. "Why are you giving this to me? What's the Luminary Academy?"

  "Man, you really don't know anything, do ya?" Hugo chuckled. "It's where people are trained to become Luminaries."

  "And you want me?"

  "Because you've got something most Academy students don't. Heart." Hugo pressed the card into Abell's hand. The seal caught the fading sunlight. "Power can be trained. Technique can be learned. But the willingness to stand your ground when everything in you is screaming to run? That's rare."

  Abell's heart pounded.

  Is this my chance? To finally leave this town and make something of myself? To fulfill the promise I made to her?

  Hugo turned to leave, heading toward the festival preparations without waiting for a response. "Let me know if you want to go. I'll be here for another week." He smirked over his shoulder.

  Abell stood alone in the fading light, staring at the recommendation letter clutched in his hand.

  The chance he'd been waiting for.