The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the Rust Quarter as Alex sat quietly near the edge of the square, his breath visible in the cold air. He hadn't approached Darius like he'd thought about doing; instead, he had decided to watch, to observe more carefully. After all, Elara's warning had been clear—getting involved with Darius could be dangerous. But watching? Watching was safe. He could learn without being seen.
Darius was back in the square, standing in the same spot where Alex had seen him perform before. His presence commanded attention, even in the busy marketplace. Darius wasn't performing now, not yet, but people still glanced at him as they passed, giving him a wide berth. He seemed to have a certain aura about him, a quiet menace that made people keep their distance.
Alex stayed hidden in the shadow of a crumbling building, his eyes trained on Darius. If he could learn anything just by observing, then maybe—just maybe—the AI would be able to help him piece together the secrets of energy manipulation. He had seen the man perform once, but now he wanted to know more. How did Darius summon that energy? What was the process? How did it feel?
Watch him closely, Alex thought, directing the request to the AI. Analyze everything he does.
"Scanning for energy activity," the AI responded, its voice cold and analytical. "Subject inactive. Awaiting further observation."
Alex settled in to wait, knowing that patience would be key. The Rust Quarter buzzed around him, but he tuned it out, focusing only on Darius. The man stood tall and imposing, his heavy black coat blending into the shadows of the square, his face obscured by the scarf he always wore. People may have feared him, but they also respected him—Alex could tell by the way they moved around him without complaint.
As the minutes passed, a small crowd began to gather nearby, drawn to Darius by the same curiosity that had pulled Alex in the first time. They wanted to see what he would do next, to witness the power that only a few in the Quarter possessed. Alex felt a flicker of excitement. Maybe today he would get the answers he was looking for.
Suddenly, Darius moved. He stepped forward, raising one gloved hand, and the air around him seemed to shift. A subtle hum filled the square, barely noticeable at first, but growing in intensity as Darius extended his hand further. His fingers twitched, and the space between them seemed to shimmer with energy.
There it is, Alex thought, leaning forward slightly, his heart racing.
"Energy manipulation detected," the AI said, its voice more active now. "Source localized to subject's hand. Scanning for energy flow."
Darius's hand began to glow faintly, the same blue light that Alex had seen before, but this time it was more controlled. The light flickered, pulsing rhythmically as Darius focused, shaping the energy with precision. The crowd watched in awe as the orb formed in his palm, bright and vibrant. But it wasn't just for show—there was power in that light, a force that hummed in the air, making the hair on Alex's arms stand up.
Alex's eyes widened as he watched. How does he do it?
"Energy flow originates from the subject's core and channels through the arm," the AI explained. "Control of energy flow appears stable. Subject uses minimal physical exertion to maintain energy form."
The AI's explanation wasn't enough. Alex needed more—he needed to know what Darius was doing, step by step. His eyes remained glued to the man's hand, watching for any signs of how he controlled the energy, how he summoned it in the first place.
Darius continued to manipulate the orb, his fingers twisting and turning, making the energy shift and change shape. It was mesmerizing. The orb grew brighter for a moment, then dimmed, before morphing into something more complex—a cluster of smaller lights, each one orbiting the other. The crowd murmured in amazement, but Darius remained stoic, his expression hidden behind the scarf.
"Subject demonstrates high control of energy flow," the AI noted. "Energy manipulation requires focus but appears effortless for subject. Potential combat application remains."
Alex shivered, though not from the cold. The way Darius controlled the energy was unlike anything Alex had seen before. It was more than a show—it was mastery. There was a purpose behind it, even if Alex didn't fully understand it yet.
Darius held the glowing orbs in the air for a moment longer, then with a flick of his wrist, they vanished, leaving the square in darkness once again. The crowd let out a collective breath, a few of them clapping hesitantly, but Darius didn't acknowledge them. He simply lowered his hand and turned, disappearing into one of the nearby alleyways without a word.
Alex stayed in his hiding spot, his mind buzzing with everything he had seen. The AI had given him some information—details about energy flow and control—but it wasn't enough. He wanted to know how Darius summoned the energy in the first place. What did it feel like? Was it something inside him? Was it a technique, or something more innate?
Why can't you analyze how he creates the energy? Alex asked the AI, frustrated by the lack of concrete answers.
"Energy origin undetectable without closer observation," the AI replied. "Subject's internal energy pathways remain obscured. Further data required."
Alex frowned. He needed to get closer. Watching from a distance was helping, but it wasn't enough. The AI could only do so much without a more direct analysis, and Alex was beginning to realize that if he wanted real answers, he would have to take a risk.
But how could he approach someone like Darius? Elara had warned him to stay away, and after watching the display of power just now, Alex understood why. Darius was dangerous—there was no denying that. But danger didn't deter Alex anymore. Not in a world where power meant survival.
The sky was darkening, and Alex knew he couldn't stay in the square much longer. He stood up, his legs stiff from sitting in the cold for so long, and made his way back toward the narrow streets of the Quarter. His thoughts were racing, his mind trying to process everything he had seen and learned. Darius had power—real power—and Alex wanted it, needed it. But what would it cost him?
As he walked back to the small room he shared with Elara, Alex made a decision. He would continue to watch Darius, to observe from the shadows until he understood more. But at some point, he would have to confront the man—ask him how he did it, how he controlled the energy.
For now, though, Alex would wait. He needed more time, more data, and maybe more courage. Darius wasn't going anywhere, and neither was Alex's determination.