10/09/4098

  *Skye wakes up in the morning, sprawled on the sofa. She doesn't remember when she fell asleep. Yesterday had been strange, very strange. Skye gets up, noticing her messy appearance. She's disheveled, her pajamas wrinkled, her face half-asleep...*

  Skye: Ugh *sighs while stretching* Mom? *Skye asks as she enters the kitchen.*

  *Luna almost bumps into her, carrying a tray with breakfast ready.*

  Luna: Skye, don't you think you're waking up a little late?

  Skye: *fully waking up* School! I'm late!

  Luna: Calm down, Skye *says, placing the tray on the table* Classes have been canceled.

  Skye: Really? *sitting down and taking a toast* Thank goodness.

  Luna: *While getting ready for work* Yes mija, I got an email from your school saying that classes were canceled today.

  Skye: Was it because of yesterday's storm?

  *Luna pauses for a moment and turns to look at Skye with a soft, concerned gaze.*

  Luna: Skye... do you still want to be a hero?

  *Skye is surprised by her mother's sudden question.*

  Skye: I... Yes, I want to keep being a hero. You know how much I practice my element to get stronger and someday be an example and a light for many people.

  *She sits down, having finished her breakfast. She looks at her mother with understanding eyes.*

  Skye: I understand. I know I'm very antisocial, I focus too much on problems, and I usually get nervous. *Skye twists her hands in her lap.* Maybe I want to imitate my own ideal, and make people start seeing themselves more like them and less like me.

  *Luna looks at her daughter and comes closer to comfortingly stroke her head.*

  Luna: Sweetheart...

  Skye: It's just... I know it's hard to think that someone like me...

  Luna: Skye, you're my daughter. I love you so much. I completely believe in you because I've seen how much you try. But that's not what I was asking.

  Skye: Then... why did you ask me so suddenly? *Skye rests her head on her mother's shoulder.*

  Luna: Today the news reported Tyler's death. They mentioned something about a mission in the southern region. I'm very worried about you and I don't know what I'd do if my little girl got hurt. And you know Tyler was among the strongest heroes, and I can't bear the thought of losing you... *Luna hugs Skye tightly*

  *Skye remains silent as she processes the information*

  Skye's thoughts: What? But... yesterday he was at school, I saw him there. How is this possible? Something doesn't add up...

  *Skye returns her mother's hug and gives her a kiss on the forehead.*

  Skye: Don't worry, mom. I promise I'll be careful. You should go to work, I don't want you to be late because of me, and... thanks for breakfast.

  Luna: You're right, honey, I should go. *She calms down and gets up.* I left some money on the table so you can buy yourself something for lunch.

  Skye: Thank you so much, I promise I won't spend it all.

  Luna: Don't worry, I know how much you love to eat. It's fine, really, don't hold back. Though maybe... you should find a boyfriend who can cook. *She says with a little laugh.*

  *Skye blushes at her mother's words.*

  Skye: Mom!

  Luna: I was just suggesting *she says, leaving satisfied at her daughter's reaction.*

  *Once Luna leaves, Skye goes to her room and grabs her phone. She starts floating slightly with her air to get better signal coverage and access the internet.*

  Skye: Come on...

  *Beep... Beep... BEEEP!*

  Skye: Great! *She starts searching online for details about Tyler's death* Come on... is this all? *She asks herself. Not finding anything new, she decides to investigate based on the little information she has.*

  *Meanwhile, somewhere far away.*

  ???: Come on! *The demi-human wolf woman says as she delivers a strong kick to her opponent's stomach, sending him crashing into a mountain.* Show what the earth-element hero on TV is made of!

  *The man, with brown hair and eyes, defends himself as best he can.*

  ???: Damn it *activating his element, making the ground shoot dozens of sharp spikes directly at the woman.*

  ???: Not *bad dodging the spikes and stepping back* What did you say your name was? Tarnok? I never thought I'd meet such a weak hero.

  ???: Hey Zaryah, finish this already *says a boy dressed in a cloak and hat* I'm done with this *pointing to a blonde woman unconscious on the ground.* Besides, I told you we shouldn't get distracted, we didn't come here for this.

  *Tarnok gets up and takes a defensive stance but doesn't attack. He scans the area and looks at his companion, Vexa, on the ground. He takes a deep breath and thinks for a moment.*

  Tarnok's thoughts: Damn it, I wanted to run a while ago but that wolf attacked us first. I hate situations like this. If only Vexa were closer, I could come up with something. Also... who the hell are these? That boy's energy doesn't resemble the ánima we use in our world, and that stupid wolf doesn't have any energy at all.

  *Tarnok looks at his stomach, noticing the bruise from Zaryah's kick.*

  Tarnok's thoughts: Even if I cover my body in ánima, it doesn't seem to reduce any damage from her attacks. She only fights with brute strength. That just makes her more monstrous. And the other one is even stronger. Those magic abilities are definitely not from here.

  Zaryah: Hey Takumi, why are you so boring? You're always slacking, and for once I can have fun and you complain.

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  Takumi: Just finish already, look at him, he seems to have a plan ready *says, vaguely pointing at Tarnok while leaning on a tree.*

  *Zaryah turns to look at Tarnok, who takes off his jacket and gets into an attack stance.*

  Tarnok: I hate this job *launching himself full force at them, covering his entire body with ánima to reinforce every muscle.*

  Zaryah: Hehe, this will be fun.

  *Zaryah positions herself, but Tarnok stops abruptly about 2 meters from her. He kicks up dust, blocking the demi-human wolf's vision, and thanks to the force of his run, the ground cracks, creating the perfect moment for Tarnok. The ground opens completely, Zaryah wipes the dust from her face but is already falling. Tarnok leaves her and runs, using all his ánima towards Vexa.*

  Zaryah: Damn it! *Managing to stabilize herself and start climbing out of the hole* Takumi!

  Takumi: I know *getting into battle stance* Huh? *Takumi stops when he sees Tarnok not stopping *Are you stupid? You're heading straight to your dea-

  *A vibration wave hits Takumi, paralyzing him for a few seconds, just as Tarnok had predicted. Zaryah climbs out of the hole and sees Tarnok wrapping Vexa in his jacket.*

  Zaryah: I'll kill you! *Running with all her strength, slowly closing the gap to Tarnok.*

  *Takumi recovers and follows Zaryah, using his magic to fly and pursue the two heroes. Tarnok turns a corner. Takumi and Zaryah follow him, reaching a mountainous area. As soon as they move forward, Takumi realizes too late. Tarnok activates his element, the corner turn, the hidden terrain... And above all, the jacket where Vexa was seems emptier.*

  Tarnok: Zaryah *doesn't finish the sentence as he turns and sees Vexa in a hidden crevice, aiming both hands at them and releasing a massive vibration wave.*

  Vexa: Tarnok... *weakly.*

  *The wave hits, and huge walls of earth trap the duo, creating spikes, pillars, and earth fists. Although the heroes' surprise attack was successful, Takumi and Zaryah manage to escape almost unharmed. But when they look around, neither hero is anywhere to be seen.*

  Zaryah: Shit!

  Takumi: Well, whatever, they weren't our priority anyway.

  *Back in Lightown, at the FCG.*

  ???: Kaelion, are you feeling better?

  *Kaelion, a young man with black hair wearing a cap, sits heavily in the chair beside him.*

  Kaelion: Yes, Thalior, though half of my body still hurts.

  Thalior: We need to keep working. Yesterday's accident left half the city destroyed. Are the holograms still active? We can't let anyone know we're running out of time.

  Kaelion: Everything is fine, boss, the holograms are working perfectly.

  *Thalior sighs and starts writing a report with all the information.*

  Thalior: Any deaths?

  Kaelion: Fortunately not. The soldiers managed to use the portals in time for the civilians. Explaining why without revealing too much was the hard part.

  Thalior: That damn kid, it had to be right now. The ones in the south are doing stupid things, and the north... We're lucky we don't know anything about them.

  Kaelion: I don't understand, boss. Wouldn't it be better if we controlled them?

  Thalior: You have a lot to learn, kid... *sighs* Let's just hope they stay missing.

  Kaelion: Should we send someone after him?

  Thalior: Kaelion, we won't send anyone. He killed Tyler, was able to defeat our heroes, and almost beat you up. We won't send anyone after that kid. Focus on the cameras and monitor for any suspicious movement. We still don't know why he left so suddenly yesterday.

  Kaelion: Understood, boss. I'll put every camera to work. *Starting to type.*

  Thalior: Good.

  *At Skye's house.*

  Skye: I still can't find anything *throwing herself on the bed frustrated* and I haven't eaten. I should go buy something, it'll also help me get familiar with the city.

  *Skye puts on her usual hoodie and heads outside. She opens an app to see a map of the city, with buildings, restaurants, streets...*

  Skye: Wow, technology is amazing.

  *Skye walks through the poor streets she lives in. She keeps her hood up and picks up her pace. There are people begging, police sirens, and businesses that seem to make a lot even without customers... Finally, she reaches the massive city, looking through the display of each store she passes.*

  Skye: *Taking off her hood* Much better.

  *She's amazed at how humans have evolved. Despite having their elements, humans always strive to improve. And the result is the beautiful futuristic city view that Skye stares at in awe.*

  Skye: Simply... wow.

  *She spends some time exploring the city, noticing every piece of technology, every small detail. Art—that's all Skye sees in every corner of the city. But her stomach growls, reminding her she still has to eat.*

  Skye: Time to go.

  *Skye puts her hood back on and heads into the poor neighborhood. This time, as she passes an alleyway, she hears a dull noise. She hesitates, remembering the fear it gave her the day before, but decides to investigate.*

  Skye: I-is someone there?

  *Silence.*

  Skye: H-hello?

  *Dull noise.*

  Skye: *Stepping further into the alley* I don't want trouble, I just...

  *Silence again.*

  *Skye sighs and turns to leave but suddenly sees a figure lying on the ground, leaning against the wall, trying to get up.*

  Skye: Are you okay? *Approaching to help, noticing the person's clothes are a bit too old.*

  ???: I don't need help, leave. *Drawing a hidden katana from inside their robe, though almost immediately dropping it while coughing blood.*

  *Skye ignores the mysterious person's aggressive attempt and helps them stand, accidentally knocking the hood off and revealing a blond boy with yellow eyes.*

  ???: I said *coughs*

  Skye: What's wrong? I need to take you to a hospital *touching his forehead you have a high fever.*

  *The person tries to pull away from Skye, but has no strength.*

  ???: Hospital? You mean a healer?

  Skye: Don't you know what a hospital is? Don't you have health insurance?

  ???: What's that?

  Skye: Without insurance, they won't treat you... Are you hurt?

  ???: No, sick, but I don't know from what.

  Skye: Are you new in the city? Have you had all your vaccines?

  ???: Vaccines?

  Skye: *Incredulous* You haven't even had a vaccine? That would explain the fever.

  ???: I don't need your help.

  Skye's thoughts: What do I do? I don't have enough money for insurance... Wait, maybe I could buy the vaccines directly. No, they won't sell them without authorization. Maybe...

  *Skye looks at the shady pharmacy on the corner.*

  Skye's thoughts: I have nothing to lose by checking.

  Skye: Stay here a moment.

  *Skye leaves him leaning against a wall and runs into the pharmacy.*

  Skye: Hi, I need vaccines.

  *The woman behind the counter looks at Skye.*

  Woman: How many?

  Skye: Uh... I don't know, the basics, for someone who's never been vaccinated.

  Woman: Are you joking? *She says vaguely.*

  Skye: I'm serious, I have money. *Putting the money on the counter.*

  Woman: That's not enough.

  Skye: Please, it's urgent.

  Woman: You need almost ten times this amount.

  Skye: TEN times more!?

  Woman: If you don't have money, leave.

  Skye: I... Please, I'll pay tomorrow, it's very urgent.

  Woman: You don't look like you have money.

  Skye: Please, I'll work here if I have to.

  Woman: Are you serious?

  Skye: Yes, please, I need them.

  Woman: Fine, I accept the deal.

  Skye: Thank you so much!

  Woman: As long as you pay... *placing a bunch of little bottles and a syringe on the counter.*

  *Skye leaves the money, takes what she bought, and goes back outside, where she sees the boy crawling away.*

  Skye: Hey! Stop moving! *Helping the boy sit up.* I just want to help you.

  ???: I'll kill you if you *coughs again*

  Skye: Stop complaining *taking out the syringe and bottles.* You're staying still whether you like it or not.

  *The boy tries to resist, but Skye is stronger.*

  ???: Damn it, where the hell did you get that strength!? Are you normal?

  Skye: Stop whining *filling the syringe with one of the bottles* Come on, stay still.

  *The boy looks at the liquid, then at Skye. Being on the verge of collapse, he lets himself be injected. One by one, Skye gives him all the vaccines.*

  Skye: Are you feeling better?

  *Silence.*

  Skye: Hey, are you okay?

  *The boy stays silent, then stands up, freeing himself from Skye's hold.*

  ???: What's your name? *as his ánima starts to recover and becomes noticeable in the environment. Too much ánima for someone barely recovering.*

  Skye: My name is Skye and... Wait, how is it possible you've never been vaccinated but just got sick? You haven't told me your name, I don't know anything about you.

  ???: Skye, I guess I owe you now. *As his ánima starts to make Skye dizzy due to how much he's producing.* I'm 17, that's all I'll tell you.

  Skye: *Dizzy* I'm also... *Skye finally faints.*

  *Comfort—that's what Skye feels. When she opens her eyes, she's at home, in her room, asleep on top of her research papers.*

  Skye: Was that a dream? *Rubbing her eyes.*

  Luna: Skye!

  Skye's thoughts: Mom's home already?

  *Skye gets up and walks to the living room. There, her mother is waiting.*

  Luna: Honey, look... *pointing at a man, the same one Skye saw yesterday at school.*

  Skye: You're...

  Tarnok: My name is Tarnok. I've come to ask you a few questions.