Night had fallen over Manchester, casting the city in shadows and muted hues of orange from the few remaining fires. Callum crept through the slums, his footsteps light but purposeful. He carried no weapon—just a spray can tucked into his coat and a satchel of leaflets bearing slogans of resistance.
He worked quickly, scrawling words of defiance on a crumbling wall:
"Freedom, not fear."
As he turned to leave, a shadow fell over him.
"Nice work," a voice said, cold and calm.
Callum froze, his heart pounding as he turned to face Swift Angel. The Vanguard's leader stood a few feet away, his golden wings half-spread, their metallic feathers catching the moonlight. Angel's grey eyes bored into him, unreadable but heavy with authority.
For a moment, neither spoke.
"You're Callum," Angel said finally, his tone as sharp as the air between them.
Callum straightened, his defiance overriding his fear. "That's right. And you're Swift Angel, the man who thinks he can rule us."
Angel's expression didn't change. "We're not here to rule. We're here to save this city from tearing itself apart."
Callum laughed bitterly. "Save us? By crushing anyone who dares to speak out? That's not saving—it's tyranny."
Angel took a step closer, his wings folding behind him. "You're young," he said, his voice quieter now. "You don't understand what's at stake. I've seen what happens when people like you let chaos take hold. Cities burn. Families die. Is that what you want for Manchester?"
Callum's fists clenched at his sides. "And what's your solution? Tear down anyone who doesn't fall in line? You're no different from the gangs you claim to protect us from."
Angel's eyes flashed, but he kept his composure. "I've spent my life fighting for something better. For your order. For peace. But peace doesn't come without sacrifice."
"Spoken like a true tyrant," Callum spat. "You think you're the hero, but all you're doing is building a world where no one has a choice."
Angel stepped even closer, towering over Callum. "Do you think your rebellion is helping? Do you think stealing supplies and blowing up buildings makes you a saviour? You're just a scared kid playing with fire."
Callum glared at him, his voice steady despite the fear creeping into his chest. "At least I'm fighting for something real. For freedom."
Angel's wings flared, casting long shadows over the walls. "Freedom without order is chaos. And chaos destroys everything it touches."
"Then maybe destruction is better than living under your boot," Callum shot back.
For a moment, Angel seemed taken aback. His expression softened, if only slightly. "You don't understand what you're saying," he said quietly.
"Maybe I do," Callum replied.
Angel sighed, his wings folding tightly against his back. "You remind me of someone I used to know," he said, his tone distant. "A soldier who thought he could change the world on his own. He ended up buried in a ditch because he refused to see the bigger picture."
Callum raised an eyebrow. "Is this the part where you try to scare me into submission?"
"No," Angel said, his voice firm. "This is the part where I have to tell you the truth. You're not going to win. You're outnumbered, outmatched, and you're putting everyone you care about at risk."
Callum hesitated, his defiance faltering for the first time. "So what? I'm just supposed to give up?"
Angel took a step back, his expression unreadable. "You're supposed to think about what you're really fighting for. Because if it's just to tear us down, you're no better than the people we're trying to stop."
Before Callum could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the alley. Shadowleaf emerged from the darkness, her bow drawn and her arrows glowing faintly with shadow magic.
"We've got company," she said, her tone curt.
Angel turned to see a small group of rebels armed with makeshift weapons approaching cautiously.
"Callum!" one of them shouted. "Get back here!"
Callum's eyes darted between Angel and his comrades. "Let me go," he said, his voice trembling.
Angel hesitated for a long moment before stepping aside. "Go. But remember what I said."
Callum didn't need to be told twice. He ran, his heart pounding as he disappeared into the night.
As Shadowleaf approached Angel, her bow still drawn, she frowned. "You let him go?"
Angel nodded, his gaze distant. "He's not the enemy. Not yet."
Shadowleaf raised an eyebrow. "You're playing a dangerous game, Angel. People like him don't stop fighting. They don't just give up."
"Neither do I," Angel said, his tone resolute.
Shadowleaf sighed, lowering her bow. "Let's hope you're right."