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STARBORNE

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Synopsis

Chapter 0: THE FALLOUT

Chapter 0: The Fallout

The grand city of Kaloi's City, a sprawling urban labyrinth of steel and concrete, simmered under the weight of an impending storm. Neon lights buzzed and flickered in the rain-soaked streets, illuminating the faces of a restless populace. Beneath the surface, a sickness brewed—the physical plague ravaging the city and the corruption festering in its heart.

Sionu Harajin, a bike courier by trade, stood on the edge of a crumbling rooftop, his silhouette framed by the orange glow of the city below. He gripped the handlebars of his black delivery bike, the sleek frame battered and scuffed from years of relentless work. His golden eyes, sharp and piercing, surveyed the chaos below—riots had erupted in the streets, fires lit up the skyline, and the deafening wail of sirens filled the air. Kaloi's City, his home, was falling apart, and he had unwittingly played a part in its downfall.

The Event

Three days ago, Sionu's life had been ordinary—if being a courier in a city drowning in decay could be called that. He was delivering a package, just like any other day. The instructions had been clear: deliver it to Kaloi Central Exchange, no questions asked. The client had paid generously, but something about the job had unsettled him. The package was heavy, too heavy for its size, and when he had asked about its contents, the response was cold and mechanical: "Your job is to deliver, not to question."

Against his better judgment, Sionu had agreed. He needed the money. His mother's medical bills and his crumbling apartment weighed on him like a boulder. The delivery had gone smoothly—until it didn't.

As he sped toward the Exchange, a blinding light had erupted behind him. The roar of the explosion had torn through the city, hurling him and his bike into a nearby alley. The air had filled with the acrid stench of burning metal and flesh. He had stumbled to his feet, dazed and bleeding, only to realize the truth: he had carried the bomb.

The guilt had hit him like a thunderclap. He had delivered the payload that had annihilated an entire district, leaving thousands dead or dying.

The Fallout

Now, as he stood on the rooftop, the memories of that moment burned in his mind. He clenched his fists, electricity crackling faintly around his fingertips—a new and terrifying development. The explosion had done something to him. As he had crawled out of the rubble in the aftermath, he had felt the energy surging through his veins, an unnatural power that responded to his emotions.

But what use was power in a city that had turned into a graveyard? The government had quarantined Kaloi's City, sealing it off from the rest of the world. The survivors were left to fend for themselves amidst the chaos. Gangs roamed the streets, preying on the weak, while the plague swept through the population like wildfire.

Sionu's thoughts were interrupted by a voice behind him.

"You're just going to stand there and brood all night, or are you coming down?"

He turned to see Blitz Jalid, her silver hair gleaming under the faint moonlight. She was armed as always, her twin pistols holstered at her hips. Blitz was his girlfriend, though the weight of recent events had strained their relationship. She was one of the few people he could still trust—or so he hoped.

"I needed a moment," Sionu replied, his voice heavy.

"Well, take your moment and get it over with. Ultimo's waiting. He thinks he has a lead on who hired you to deliver the bomb."

Sionu's heart tightened at the mention of Ultimo Uthman, his best friend and the one person who hadn't abandoned him after the explosion. If Ultimo had a lead, it could be the first step toward redemption—or revenge.

The Streets of Kaloi

Descending from the rooftop, Sionu and Blitz navigated the shattered streets of Kaloi's City. The air was thick with smoke, and the once-bustling avenues were now littered with debris and the haunting remnants of lives torn apart.

"I don't get it," Blitz said as they walked. "If you knew something was off about the job, why take it?"

"You think I don't regret it?" Sionu snapped. "I didn't know what was in the package, Blitz. I was desperate."

Blitz didn't respond, but the silence between them spoke volumes.

They reached an abandoned warehouse on the edge of the city—a hideout where Ultimo had been gathering intel. Inside, the atmosphere was tense. Ultimo, a towering figure with broad shoulders and a fierce gaze, greeted them with a grim nod.

"I've got something," he said, gesturing to a holo-map projected onto the table. "The package you delivered was traced back to a group called the Ebon Hand. They're a shadow organization operating out of the Ebony Church in Latvier. If we can find them, we might be able to figure out why they targeted Kaloi's City—and who gave the order."

A New Purpose

For the first time since the explosion, Sionu felt a glimmer of hope. If he could uncover the truth, maybe he could atone for what he had done. But as he studied the map, a sense of foreboding crept over him.

The Ebony Church was no ordinary place. Stories of its dark rituals and the monstrous beings that served the Ebon Hand were whispered in the darkest corners of Kaloi's City.

"You're not going in alone," Blitz said firmly, as if reading his thoughts.

Sionu glanced at her and Ultimo. Despite their differences, they had stood by him. Together, they might have a chance.

"Fine," he said. "Let's find them."

As they prepared to leave, Sionu felt the electricity in his veins stir again, stronger this time. Whatever had happened to him during the explosion wasn't just a curse—it was a weapon.

And he would wield it.

End of Chapter 0: The Fallout

To Be Continued...