The sun loomed high over Zareth City as repairs continued in full swing. The once-ravaged town began to resemble its old self, albeit slowly. Townsfolk moved with cautious optimism, rebuilding shattered homes and tending to the wounded. Amid the clang of hammers and the murmur of conversation, Marcus Graveblood stood tall, lending his strength wherever needed.
He lifted debris with ease, reinforcing scaffolding, and moved heavy materials for the workers. A woman approached him, her arm bandaged and her young son at her side.
"You're the one who saved us," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "Thank you."
Marcus offered a soft smile. "Just doing my part."
"You did more than that," said an elderly man who limped up next. "You and that other lad—you kept hope alive."
More people came forward, offering heartfelt thanks. Some handed him food, others gave him small tokens—handcrafted charms, a flower, even a drawing from a child. The warmth Marcus felt in those moments wasn't the kind fire conjured—it was something deeper.
As the sun reached its zenith, Marcus paused and looked up at the blue sky, streaked with faint clouds.
"Time for lunch," he muttered, rubbing his rumbling stomach.
The walk to the diner was filled with appreciative glances and waves. A few folks stopped him for a quick handshake or a slap on the back.
Inside the diner, a wave of warm spices and chatter welcomed him. He stepped in and paused as a familiar sight caught his eye. From the corner of the room, Kael sat at a booth near the window, bandages visible beneath his partially open shirt. He wasn't alone.
Liana, the mayor's daughter, was nestled close—too close—and her lips were locked with Kael's in an enthusiastic embrace.
Marcus blinked. Then smirked.
"Well damn, Kael. Didn't take long, did you?"
Shaking his head, Marcus chuckled and made his way to the counter, where a young waitress smiled nervously.
"Lunch, please," Marcus said. "Meat platter if you've got it."
"Y-yes! Right away!" she stammered before hurrying off.
As he waited, he walked over to Kael's booth. Liana saw him coming and quickly climbed off Kael's lap. She leaned in to whisper something in Kael's ear.
"I'll be waiting upstairs," she said with a playful grin.
Kael gave her a soft, lingering kiss. She straightened, nodded at Marcus with a smile, and climbed the staircase leading to the diner's upper rooms.
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Enjoying your new title, brave hero?"
Kael flushed. "Shut up."
Marcus slid into the booth. "No wonder you were so keen to save the mayor's estate."
"She was in danger," Kael mumbled.
Marcus chuckled again. "Sure, sure."
Their laughter died down as the weight of reality set back in.
"Repairs are going well," Kael said, changing the subject. "People aren't giving in to despair. That's something."
Marcus nodded. "They're tougher than they look. Zareth will heal."
Kael leaned forward, more serious now. "Any update on the investigation?"
Marcus's smile faded. "Not much. The USA is hitting walls. The ones they captured… most of them committed Prana-induced self-destruction before they could be interrogated. Burned from the inside out."
Kael sat in silence, brow furrowed. "Fanatics."
Just then, the waitress returned with plates of steaming food. The aroma was mouthwatering—seasoned meats, vegetables, and warm bread.
Marcus dug in. Kael only picked at his food.
"Still hurting?" Marcus asked.
Kael shook his head. "Nah. Just… thinking."
Marcus glanced at him. "You're blaming yourself."
"A little."
"You saved lives, Kael. Liana's, the mayor's… probably the whole city if that orb thing is as dangerous as they say. You didn't fail."
Kael looked away. "I know. I just… I keep thinking, what if I was faster? Stronger? If I had taken out more of them—maybe they wouldn't have escaped with the orb."
Marcus sighed. "That's the weight of being a warrior. We always think we could've done more."
Kael gave a faint smile. "When did you get all wise?"
"Old man told me once. Before he died."
Kael stood up and stretched. "I've got some things to do."
Marcus grinned. "Sure, sure. Enjoy yourself."
Kael rolled his eyes and walked upstairs.
Later that day, Marcus headed to the training center. Since Kael's injuries sidelined their ruin exploration plans, he had decided to sharpen his skills in the meantime.
Inside the reinforced training room, Marcus faced a row of dummies and targets. Drawing a deep breath, he closed his eyes. Fire Prana surged through his veins.
A loud blast echoed as a fire slash cleaved a dummy in half. He moved like lightning—slashes, punches, kicks. The room trembled under the force of his training. Sparks danced across the metal floor, scorch marks spreading.
He lost himself in the rhythm, sweat pouring, muscles burning.
Hours passed before Marcus exited the room, panting and soaked.
A cleaning crew entered behind him, one staff member peeking in and gasping.
"Holy… this room is reinforced with one of the toughest alloys, and it's wrecked. Dents, burns, gashes everywhere."
He whistled and shook his head. "Monster..."
Far away, deep in a winding mountain cave, Director-General Ryun and his secretary, Elra, explored the 13th suspected location of the orb.
The walls were lined with ancient markings, symbols from an age long forgotten. Ryun stood with arms behind his back, observing silently.
"Nothing again," Elra said, voice tight.
Suddenly, the whistle of wind. An attacker burst from the shadows, axe raised high.
It slammed down on Ryun's back.
CLANG.
The axe shattered.
The attacker's eyes widened in terror. "What—what are you made of?!"
Ryun turned slowly. His eyes, sharp as razors, locked with the assassin's.
"Do you know where the orb is?"
The assassin opened his mouth—
—and was dead before he could speak. A single strike from Ryun's hand crushed his chest like paper.
Ryun turned to Elra. She gave a subtle shake of her head.
"No leads."
"Hmph. They're getting clever. But they'll run out of places to hide."
Meanwhile, in a subterranean chamber hidden beneath the mountains, the masked group gathered.
The orb pulsed at the center of a strange, intricate machine. Gears of obsidian and silver spun slowly as glowing lines of Prana etched themselves across its surface.
"It's almost ready," said Dog Mask, staring into the machinery.
"How long until activation?" asked Cat Mask.
"A few more days," said Mouse Mask. "But there's a problem."
"Ryun," Goat Mask growled. "He's getting closer."
Pigeon Mask paced. "We'll need to split. Half of us will stay to activate the machine. The rest will lure Ryun away."
"We attack him head-on?" Cat Mask asked.
"We distract him," said Goat Mask. "Delay. Injure. Maybe kill."
"Doubt it," said Dog Mask. "But we have to try."
They fell into silence.
Cat Mask placed her hand on the orb. "This machine… once it awakens, the world will bend."
"Let it bend," Pigeon Mask whispered. "Let it burn."
They nodded in unison.
Five shadows dispersed—Cat, Dog, Mouse, Pigeon, Goat—each taking a different tunnel.
War loomed.
And the echoes of ancient power stirred.
Back in Zareth, Marcus stood once again on a rooftop, staring at the stars.
He could feel it—something was coming. Something vast and terrible.
And he would be ready.
"I won't let them hurt anyone again."
His fire burned brighter in the night.
The battle had just begun.