The bi-hounds' echoing howls grew fainter and farther as they chased the shadow decoy. The members of the Shadow Banner squad made brief nods at each other, then set off. They escorted Jun out through a concealed exit, his footsteps tentative as he followed the group through the twisting alleyways of Sector 13.
The streets were alive with the usual chaos—hawkers shouting about their wares, neon signs flickering in the gloom, and the occasional distant hum of patrol drones. A few persistent vendors tried to catch their attention, but the group moved swiftly, brushing off their calls. Jun couldn't help but glance at the odd assortment of trinkets and gadgets being peddled, some glowing faintly with mana, others emitting soft mechanical whirs.
Finally, an hour of threading through alleys and hidden paths came to an end, and they arrived at a warehouse. On the outside, it was decrepit; its metallic walls looked rusted and grimed up. However, from behind a hidden back door through which they entered, Jun caught his breath. In sharp contrast, the place looked rather new, and cozy, and full of silent energy.
Lanoir showed him around the space. "Welcome to one of our safehouses," she said, her voice tinged with pride.
The main living area was really inviting, with two long L-shaped couches circling a central firepit. Above it, a sleek chimney system whisked away the smoke. The kitchen gleamed with advanced appliances, some of which seemed to operate on a mix of mana and technology. A well-maintained barracks-like setup provided ample facilities: bathrooms, storage areas, and even a small medical bay equipped with alchemical instruments.
Lanoir handed Jun a thin card. "This is your room key," she said, taking him to a door down one of the hallways. "Take some time to settle in.
Jun entered the room and stopped to take a deep breath in. The room was much nicer than he had ever gotten used to. A large four-poster bed dominated the corner of the room, next to a study table stacked up with piles of blank mana-scrolls. A compact gym and private shower completed the setup. He stood speechless, his heart racing as he took in all that this meant. Step by agonizing step, he extended his hand and touched the shadow snake's head.
Before him, the wisp-like creature materialized, coiling in midair with an excited trill. Its iridescent scales shimmered faintly, a sign of its growing bond with Jun. The snake's presence was reassuring, and Jun felt a flicker of hope amidst the chaos.
Having finished cleaning himself, he sat in the gym area, concentrating on mana circulation. He had been taught different techniques over time: conceptual destruction to hone control and deliberate, manual circulation to fine-tune his body for magic. Each technique presented risks. A single wrong step could cause mana deviation-a potentially deadly condition. The shadow snake stayed with him, intuitively coaxing his efforts with gentle prods.
Hours went by as Jun trained, the mana pathways strengthening slowly in front of the snake's discerning eyes. By the time he felt exhausted, it was well past three in the morning.
The next morning, Jun was awakened by voices and smells of cooking. He walked out into the kitchen to see the squad sitting around a massive table. Myrda and Panois were in the middle, using alchemy gadgets and magical equipment for breakfast. Plates of food glow with a faint light. Each dish was prepared in such a way that it had restorative properties.
"Good timing," Myrda said with a smile. "Panois and I take turns cooking. You'll find our meals aren't just tasty—they're optimized for cultivation."
Jun took a seat, hesitantly at first. As he ate, he could hardly help but marvel at the effects of the food. His mana felt sturdier, his mind sharper. The group saw this as an opportunity to brief him further.
"We're not just a ragtag team of rebels," Rickety began. "Myrda and Panois are volunteers from the Universal Commune, a collective outside the Goldilocks system. They've dedicated their lives to infiltrating and dismantling the Empire."
Slythe leaned forward, his scaled hands clasped. "Lanoir, Rickety, and I are part of the Black Bloc, an anarchist magical association aligned with the Commune. We've been fighting the Empire for years."
Jun's stomach curled. "So… you're terrorists?"
Lanoir's face set in its lines. "Revolutionaries," she corrected. "The state calls us terrorists because we challenge their corruption and exploitation. The Empire enslaves hybrids, exploits Ether creatures, and hoards resources for the nobility and corporations. What we do is necessary."
Jun's mind was racing as he tried to process their words. The realization of what he had stumbled into was almost too much to bear. But then, as he looked around the table, he saw something he hadn't expected: camaraderie, purpose, and a fierce determination to fight for a better future.
"And what about me?" Jun asked. "Why bring me into this?
Rickety's mandibles clicked softly. "Because whether you like it or not, you're part of this now. The shadow snake chose you for a reason. And with that relic, you're more important than you realize."
Jun dropped his gaze to his plate. He still didn't completely trust them, but he had felt something for the first time in a long time that he hadn't felt since his early days: hope. Maybe, in the chaos and uncertainty, he'd find a place where he would fit into things finally.