Riku stumbled forward, his head pounding and his vision swimming with kaleidoscopic colors. The city stretched before him, impossibly vast and shimmering with hues that didn't exist back on Earth. Jagged spires reached skyward, intertwined with glowing veins of energy, while floating platforms carried beings of every shape and size across the skyline.
"Where… am I?" he muttered, his voice barely audible over the hum of the alien city.
The ground beneath him felt unnervingly smooth, like glass, yet it pulsed faintly, as though alive. The sigil on his chest flared momentarily, sending a wave of heat through his body. Instinctively, he clutched at it, his mind racing.
This isn't real. This can't be real.
"Found you."
Riku froze. The voice, low and dripping with malice, sent a chill down his spine. He turned slowly, his heart thundering in his chest.
The figure from before—the one who had thrown the blade—was now mere steps away. They grinned, their dark armor glinting under the unnatural light of the city. In one hand, they twirled a curved blade that seemed to drink in the surrounding light.
"You're slower than I thought, anomaly," they sneered. "Guess that makes my job easier."
"Wait! I don't know what's going on!" Riku shouted, raising his hands.
The figure tilted their head, amusement flickering across their face. "Oh, I love this part—the denial, the confusion. But sorry, no time for explanations."
They lunged.
Riku's body moved before he could think. Shadows erupted from the sigil on his chest, wrapping around his arm like coiling snakes. The tendrils formed a barrier just as the blade struck, the impact sending a shockwave through the air.
The attacker's grin widened. "Oh, you're fun already."
Riku stumbled back, the tendrils retreating slightly as if uncertain. His chest burned, the sigil glowing brighter with each passing second.
"What… is happening to me?" he whispered, panic rising.
"You're waking up, idiot," the figure said, slashing again. This time, the tendrils lashed out, deflecting the attack with a burst of raw energy. "But don't worry. You won't have to deal with it for long."
The fight continued, Riku's body acting on instinct as he dodged and countered with bursts of shadow. Each movement felt alien, as though someone—or something—else was guiding him. The attacker, however, seemed unfazed, their movements fluid and precise.
Just as Riku's strength began to falter, a sharp whistle pierced the air.
"Enough."
The voice was calm yet commanding, cutting through the chaos like a blade. Both combatants froze, turning toward its source.
A woman stepped out from the shadows, her silver hair catching the strange light of the city. She wore sleek black armor adorned with glowing crimson runes, and a dagger rested lazily in her hand. Her sharp eyes darted between Riku and his attacker.
"You're making a mess," she said, her tone laced with irritation.
The attacker scowled. "Stay out of this, Kaelitha. The Covenant doesn't take kindly to interference."
Kaelitha smirked. "And I don't take kindly to amateurs ruining my turf."
Before the attacker could respond, Kaelitha moved. In a blur, she was behind them, her dagger pressed against their throat.
"Here's the deal," she whispered, her voice venomous. "You leave now, or I send you back in pieces. Your choice."
The attacker hesitated, their blade wavering. With a frustrated growl, they stepped back, sheathing their weapon.
"This isn't over," they spat, disappearing into the shadows.
Kaelitha turned to Riku, her sharp gaze scrutinizing him. "You're either incredibly lucky or incredibly stupid," she said.
"I… don't know what's happening," Riku admitted, his voice trembling.
Kaelitha sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Of course you don't. Fresh arrivals never do."
"Arrivals?" Riku asked, taking a shaky step toward her.
Kaelitha rolled her eyes. "You're in Ætherion, genius. Nexus of gods, demons, mortals, and everything in between. That thing on your chest?" She pointed to his glowing sigil. "It marks you as an anomaly. And trust me, that's not a good thing."
Riku looked down at the sigil, his stomach churning. "Why… why me?"
Kaelitha shrugged. "Why anyone? The Æther chooses its playthings randomly. What matters now is staying alive."
"Alive?"
"Yeah," Kaelitha said with a smirk. "Because every bounty hunter, godling, and wannabe hero in this city is going to want you dead."
Riku's knees nearly gave out. "This… can't be real."
Kaelitha's expression softened slightly, though her smirk remained. "Welcome to Ætherion, kid. Reality doesn't mean much here."
She turned, motioning for him to follow. "Come on. If you want to survive, you're going to need me."
Riku hesitated, glancing back at the empty street where his attacker had vanished. The city loomed around him, a labyrinth of danger and mystery.
With a deep breath, he followed Kaelitha into the shadows.