The streets of Ætherion were as alien as they were haunting. Buildings floated mid-air, connected by glowing bridges of energy, while streams of light and shadow twisted between towering spires. The sky shifted constantly, blending deep blues and crimson streaks, as if the heavens themselves were at war.
Kaelitha walked briskly ahead, her silver hair catching faint glimmers of the ever-shifting light. Riku trailed behind her, his senses on high alert. Every shadow seemed alive, every faint noise a potential threat.
"Eyes up," Kaelitha said without turning. "Act like prey, and you'll be eaten alive."
Riku forced his gaze forward, though his legs felt like lead. "You still haven't explained what's going on. Why is everyone trying to kill me?"
Kaelitha sighed, stopping abruptly in the middle of the street. She turned to face him, arms crossed. "Alright, here's the crash course. Ætherion isn't just some city—it's a nexus. Every universe, every dimension, every godforsaken realm? They all bleed into this place. You got pulled in because the Æther saw something in you."
"Something like what?"
"Anomalies," she said, pointing to his glowing sigil. "You don't belong here, but you exist anyway. That makes you dangerous. Dangerous enough for factions like the Chrono-Covenant to put a bounty on your head."
Riku frowned, his hand instinctively moving to the mark on his chest. "But I didn't ask for this!"
Kaelitha smirked. "Doesn't matter. You're here now, and the rules don't care about your feelings."
"Then why are you helping me?"
"Because you owe me," she said matter-of-factly. "And you're interesting. That's rare around here."
Riku's stomach churned. He wasn't sure if she was being honest or if this was some elaborate manipulation. "So… what do I do?"
"You listen, you learn, and you don't die," Kaelitha said, starting to walk again.
…..
They arrived at what appeared to be a tavern, though it was far from ordinary. The building looked like a twisted amalgamation of stone, glass, and glowing veins, constantly shifting and reshaping itself. The sign above the door read The Broken Chalice.
Inside, the air was thick with tension. Creatures of all shapes and sizes crowded the dimly lit space, their voices a cacophony of growls, whispers, and guttural laughter. A cyclopean bartender polished a glass behind the counter, his single eye glowing faintly.
Kaelitha led Riku to a secluded corner booth. She gestured for him to sit, then slid in across from him.
"First things first," she said, pulling out a small vial filled with swirling silver liquid. "Drink this."
Riku eyed the vial suspiciously. "What is it?"
"Basic stabilizer. Keeps your anomaly powers from frying your brain—temporarily, at least."
"Frying my brain?" Riku repeated, his voice rising.
Kaelitha rolled her eyes. "Yes, genius. That sigil on your chest isn't just a pretty tattoo. It's leaking raw Ætheric energy. Without control, it'll kill you. This'll buy you some time."
Reluctantly, Riku took the vial and uncorked it. The liquid inside shimmered, almost alive. He hesitated before downing it in one gulp.
The effect was immediate. A cool sensation spread through his chest, dulling the burning heat of the sigil. His mind felt clearer, as if a fog had been lifted.
"Better?" Kaelitha asked.
Riku nodded. "Yeah… thanks."
"Don't thank me yet," she said, leaning back. "Now, we need to talk about your next steps."
"Next steps?"
"Survival 101," Kaelitha said. "The first rule of Ætherion is simple: Find your place, or someone will bury you in theirs."
Riku frowned. "And what's your place?"
Kaelitha grinned, the kind of smile that promised both danger and opportunity. "Me? I'm a soul-hunter. I track people, retrieve things, and occasionally clean up messes like you. For a price, of course."
"So what's my place?"
"That depends," she said, her tone turning serious. "Right now, you're nothing more than a walking target. But with the right training, you could be… something more."
Riku leaned forward. "Like what?"
Kaelitha's eyes gleamed. "That depends on how much you're willing to sacrifice."
Before Riku could respond, the tavern door slammed open. A hush fell over the room as a tall figure stepped inside. Their armor was black and gold, adorned with intricate symbols that glowed faintly. Their presence was suffocating, their gaze scanning the room like a predator seeking its prey.
"Covenant," Kaelitha muttered under her breath.
The figure's eyes locked onto their booth, and they began to stride forward.
Riku's heart raced. "What do we do?"
Kaelitha stood, her dagger materializing in her hand. "We fight."
"Fight? Are you crazy?"
"No," she said with a wicked grin. "I'm good at what I do. Stick close, and try not to die."
The figure stopped a few paces away, their voice cold and mechanical. "Anomaly #3127. By order of the Chrono-Covenant, you are to be terminated."
Kaelitha stepped in front of Riku, her stance relaxed but ready. "Sorry, but this one's under my protection."
The figure drew a massive, crackling weapon—a hybrid of a sword and a staff. "Then you will share his fate."
Kaelitha glanced over her shoulder at Riku, her smirk never fading. "Lesson number two: When all else fails, make sure you're faster than the idiot next to you."
Riku groaned. "You've got to be kidding me!"
The fight began with an explosion of light and shadow, and for the second time that day, Riku's instincts took over.