Years had passed since the conflict between Magina and the Country of Nations had reached a tense, uneasy truce. The city of Magina, with its dazzling neon signs and towering skyscrapers, had grown even more vibrant, a labyrinth of life and light. Yet, beneath the glimmering surface, a lingering shadow loomed—a gnawing fear of the beasts beyond the walls and the fractured bonds between its people.
In the heart of the city, the hum of activity was a constant. People went about their routines, oblivious to the whispers of danger. For a group of teenagers, however, life in Magina was anything but ordinary.
JC, Angel, Mark, Lissy, and Jackson had grown up in this city. They were products of its contradictions—equal parts awe-struck by its beauty and disillusioned by its darkness. On this particular evening, the five of them had gathered in their usual spot: an abandoned rooftop overlooking one of the busiest districts in Magina.
JC leaned against the rusted railing, his stoic gaze fixed on the sprawling cityscape. His dark brown skin seemed to absorb the faint glow of the neon lights below, his expression unreadable as always. Despite his quiet demeanor, he was the unspoken leader of their group, the one everyone turned to when things got tough.
"Hey, JC," Lissy called out, her bright green eyes full of mischief. She tossed a small pebble toward him, grinning when it clinked harmlessly against the railing. "You gonna keep brooding, or are you actually gonna say something for once?"
Angel laughed, her fiery red hair catching the light of the setting sun. "Leave him alone, Lissy. JC only talks when he has something deep and meaningful to say."
Mark snorted, adjusting his glasses. "Yeah, like, 'Don't do that,' or 'Be careful.' Such a philosopher."
"Shut up," JC muttered, though the faintest smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Jackson, the youngest of the group, sat cross-legged on the rooftop, fiddling with a broken holo-watch. His light blond hair fell into his eyes as he worked, his nimble fingers moving with practiced precision. "You guys are too loud. If someone hears us, we're gonna get kicked out of here again."
"Relax, Jack," Angel said, plopping down beside him. "Nobody cares about this place. Besides, it's not like we're doing anything illegal. Yet."
Lissy grinned. "Yeah, unless you count being awesome as a crime."
Mark rolled his eyes. "You'd probably turn yourself in just for the attention."
Their banter continued as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the city in hues of purple and gold. But as the first stars began to appear, an uneasy feeling settled over the group. It wasn't unusual for them to hang out until dark, but tonight, the air felt heavier, as if the city itself was holding its breath.
"Do you guys hear that?" Jackson asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The group fell silent, straining to listen. At first, there was nothing—just the usual hum of the city. But then, faintly, a low, guttural growl reached their ears.
"What the hell was that?" Angel whispered, her playful demeanor replaced with tension.
JC straightened, his eyes narrowing. "We need to go. Now."
"But we just got here!" Lissy protested, though her voice wavered.
JC didn't respond. Instead, he turned toward the rooftop's exit, his movements quick and deliberate. The others hesitated for only a moment before following him.
As they made their way down the crumbling staircase, the growling grew louder, accompanied by the sound of scraping claws against metal.
"Guys," Mark said, his voice trembling, "I think it's inside."
"Keep moving," JC ordered, his tone firm.
They burst out onto the street below, the bright lights of the city offering a momentary sense of safety. But that illusion shattered when a massive shadow loomed over them.
Emerging from the alleyway was a creature unlike anything they had ever seen—a monstrous hybrid of scales and fur, with glowing red eyes that burned with malevolence.
"What the hell is that?" Angel gasped, stumbling backward.
"A beast," JC said, his voice steady despite the chaos unfolding around them. "Stay behind me."
"But JC—" Lissy started, her voice shaking.
"Now!" he barked, cutting her off.
As the beast lunged, JC stepped forward, his hand instinctively reaching out. For a moment, it seemed like nothing would happen, but then, from his palm, a faint glow began to emanate—a light so pure and bright it cut through the darkness like a blade.
The others stared in shock as the light formed a barrier between them and the creature.
"JC," Mark breathed, "what are you?"
JC didn't answer. His eyes remained locked on the beast, his expression unreadable. For the first time, the group realized that their quiet, stoic friend might be hiding secrets even deeper than the city they called home.