Vieira couldn't focus on anything at school. He was about to step into a world that shouldn't even exist.
The moment the final bell rang, he grabbed his bag and left, ignoring his classmates' chatter. He pulled out the location Kenji had written on a slip of paper, a place he had never heard of before.
The address led him to the edge of town, where abandoned buildings and empty lots stretched under the evening sky. He double-checked the note. This can't be right...
Then, he spotted it.
A small, unmarked shop wedged between two crumbling structures. It looked like it had been there for decades..... a dusty sign read "Antique & Oddities."
He hesitated. This is supposed to be The Order's base?
Taking a breath, he pushed the door open. A bell chimed as he stepped inside.
The air smelled of aged wood and something faintly metallic. Artifacts, weapons, and scrolls lined the shelves, but the shop was empty. Too empty.
"You made it."
Kenji's voice.
Vieira turned to see him leaning against a counter, arms crossed. Ryo and Aya stood nearby.
"Hope you didn't get lost." Kenji smirked.
"Is this The Order?" Vieira asked, scanning the room.
Ryo adjusted his glasses. "Not exactly."
Aya pointed to the back of the shop. "Come on."
Kenji led the way, pushing through an old wooden door. The moment Vieira stepped through, his vision blurred... like stepping through a heatwave.
When it cleared, his breath caught in his throat.