Chapter 15: The Weight of the Stars
The morning sky over Kaloi's City was an ashen gray, the sun struggling to pierce the thick veil of smoke that hung over the ruins. What little light made it through cast long shadows over the broken streets. Sionu Harajin walked in silence, flanked by Blitz Jalid and Ultimo Uthman. The trio moved cautiously, navigating a path through the wreckage left behind by the chaos of the previous night.
Sionu's golden eyes scanned their surroundings, his senses heightened. The faint hum of electricity coursed through his veins, and every nerve in his body remained taut, ready to spring into action. He could still feel the weight of the battle in the plaza, the overwhelming power of the chasm, and the Watcher's chilling words.
"You tread upon sacred ground."
The Watcher's cryptic warnings clawed at his mind, stirring questions he couldn't yet answer. Was the destruction in Kaloi's City only the beginning of something far worse?
Behind him, Blitz's boots crunched against broken glass, her pace steady but tense. Her ice-blue eyes darted between the ruins, watching for any sign of danger. Frost clung to her gloves, and a faint chill radiated from her, the manifestation of her newly awakened powers. She hadn't spoken much since they sealed the chasm, her sharp words from earlier still lingering in the air.
"We can't keep doing this," she had said. "Whatever that thing was, it's not the last of them."
Ultimo, walking ahead, seemed unbothered by the tension in their group. His hands were buried in the pockets of his trench coat, but the swirling shadows that coiled around his figure betrayed his unease. The green streaks in his jet-black hair gleamed faintly in the dim light, giving him an otherworldly appearance.
"We need answers," he said suddenly, breaking the silence. "Answers—and a plan. Wandering through rubble isn't going to get us anywhere."
Blitz shot him a glare. "And what exactly do you suggest, Ultimo? Ask the Watcher for its number and set up a meeting?"
"Enough," Sionu said quietly, his voice steady but firm. He glanced back at Blitz, then at Ultimo. "Arguing isn't going to help. We all know what we're up against—or at least part of it. We need to regroup and figure out our next move."
Blitz sighed and crossed her arms, but said nothing. Ultimo simply smirked and kept walking.
The Hideout
The hideout was a dingy, abandoned apartment on the outskirts of the city, far enough from the central chaos to offer some semblance of safety. Its walls were stained with years of neglect, and the air was thick with the musty smell of damp wood and ash. Maps, documents, and hastily scribbled notes were scattered across a table in the center of the room, alongside a collection of makeshift weapons and supplies.
Sionu dropped onto the couch with a heavy sigh, his head leaning back against the worn cushions. His body ached from the battle in the plaza, and his mind was a swirling storm of thoughts.
Blitz and Ultimo took seats at the table, their expressions grim. Blitz grabbed a pencil and began tracing patterns on a map of Kaloi's City. Her movements were slow, deliberate, and laced with frustration.
"That symbol we saw in the plaza," she said, not looking up. "The star surrounded by circles. It wasn't random."
"No," Ultimo agreed, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "And neither was the chasm or that creature. The Watcher called us 'children of chaos.' You think it's tied to us? To… what we've become?"
Sionu lifted his head, his golden eyes narrowing. "You're saying this isn't just about the explosion? That this was always going to happen?"
Blitz dropped the pencil and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Think about it. The powers we've gained, the way that thing in the chasm reacted to us—it's all connected. This isn't coincidence."
Before anyone could respond, a loud knock echoed through the apartment.
The three of them froze, their instincts kicking in. Blitz's hands clenched into fists, a thin layer of ice forming over her knuckles. Ultimo's shadows crept along the floor, dark tendrils coiling like living serpents. Sionu stood, faint arcs of electricity dancing over his fingertips.
The knock came again, louder this time.
"I'll handle it," Ultimo said, his voice low. He moved to the door with practiced stealth, his shadows wrapping around him like armor. With one hand, he turned the handle, pulling the door open just enough to see outside.
A hooded figure stood in the doorway, their face obscured by a dark cloak. The faint glint of metal caught the light, suggesting some kind of mask beneath the hood. The figure raised their hands slowly, a gesture of peace.
"I come with information," the figure said, their voice calm and even. "But it comes at a cost."
The Artifact
The hooded figure sat at the table, their movements precise and deliberate. They reached into their cloak and produced a small shard of obsidian, its surface etched with intricate markings that glowed faintly in the dim light. The symbol of the star surrounded by circles was unmistakable.
"This," the figure said, placing the shard on the table, "is a fragment of the ancient seal that once held the chaos at bay."
Blitz's eyes widened as she leaned forward. "The seal?"
The figure nodded. "Long ago, this world was bound by the Astral Veil—a barrier that separated your realm from the Starborne. The explosion shattered that veil. And now, the gates are opening."
Sionu's hand hovered over the shard, the electricity in his veins humming in response to its energy. "What happens if the gates fully open?"
The figure's voice grew colder. "The Starborne will return. And they will consume everything."
A heavy silence fell over the room. Ultimo was the first to break it. "So what do we do? Seal it back up?"
The figure stood, their cloak billowing slightly. "You must find the other fragments. Reforge the seal. Or watch your world burn."
Before anyone could respond, the figure disappeared into the shadows, leaving the trio alone with the weight of their new mission.
To Be Continued…