Minutes passed as Helaine went back and forth with Razek, the latter clearly getting under her skin just for the fun of it.
"Hey," Cyrus called out, walking toward them with a sly smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You three."
He stopped in front of them, resting both hands on his belt. "I've got a plan."
Rin exhaled a soft puff from her pipe, shaking her head as she leaned against the counter.
Cyrus raised his right hand in a halting gesture. "Now, now, you might be wondering why. We're going to scout his transport station. Tonight."
"Why?" Razek blinked.
"Because," Cyrus said, turning his head slightly toward Rin, then back to the others, "we need to understand what we're dealing with before making a move."
He gestured around casually. "Also, my lovely friend here has decided to let us stay at her place for the time being."
"Only because you promised me a few things," Rin replied, pipe between her lips.
"For this little mission," Cyrus continued, taking a cigarette from his coat and lighting it, "Razek, you'll be staying here—with me. Helaine and the kid will go scout out the place."
Evryn raised a brow. "Shouldn't you go? I mean, it was your idea."
Cyrus took a drag of his cigarette, then exhaled slowly. "Yeah, well—I've got some things to take care of first. Besides, Helaine's got the skills for this sort of thing."
Evryn didn't argue. He was too tired to dig into Cyrus's business, and he never liked prying into people's personal matters unless he had to.
"If you say so," he sighed.
Helaine shrugged. "Sounds fine to me." She preferred working at night anyway—it was quieter.
"Aww, man," Razek groaned, slouching in the chair. "You're really not gonna let me come? That's cold…"
Helaine rolled her eyes. "You should definitely know why. You never keep your mouth shut and always cause chaos."
"Whattt—hey now, can't get mad at me for having a little fun~" Razek replied, grinning, his voice laced with teasing.
***
Vvvvv.
The hum of an engine echoed steadily across the desert dunes. A matte-black transport, the size of an armored truck, glided over the sand—smooth and silent. On either side, armed men marched beside it, their boots crunching against the burning grains of sand.
Above them, standing alone atop a dune with both hands tucked in his coat pockets, a man observed from the ridge. A toothpick rested casually at the corner of his mouth.
His jet-black hair was slicked back—not in a pomp but shaped like a wind-swept crown, sharp and untamed. Two thin silver strands framed the sides of his face, dancing with the breeze.
Piercing golden-yellow eyes, with narrow vertical slits, gave him the look of a predator—dangerous, alert, and locked in.
He wore a black, high-collar jacket, open at the front with silver trim catching glints of sunlight. It cut off short at the waist but trailed into long coattails behind him. His combat trousers, black and tapered, were built for movement—marked by a white vertical stripe running down the left leg, etched with faint runes. Slim black boots anchored his stance, their heels glowing a soft yellow, pulsing in sync with the vehicle's distant hum.
"Tch… making me come out here, for what?" He bit down slightly on the toothpick, eyes narrowing. "Protecting a pretty little box full of filth. And they expect me to keep it safe?"
He scoffed.
"Hmph… at least I'm getting paid."
***
"Okay," Helaine turned around, glancing at Evryn. "This is a good place."
They stood in an open room—simple, vacant, with a wide floor and a single bright light shining down from above. The ceiling was high, the walls bare and faintly scuffed, like the space had seen use but wasn't actively maintained. Dust clung to the corners, but otherwise, it was quiet and still.
"What is this place?" Evryn asked, eyes scanning the room.
Helaine gave a quick glance around. "I don't know, but it'll do. Go put that sword down somewhere—we're just using hands and fists."
Evryn looked down at the sword on his hip. "Alright." He unhooked it and walked over to the far corner, leaning it carefully against the wall before returning to the center of the room.
Helaine stood with her right hand resting on her hip, eyes fixed on him.
"What?" Evryn asked.
"Oh, nothing… my mind just dazed off for a moment, that's all."
She straightened up a little. "Okay, you need to learn how to use your Aether properly—and figure out what your power actually is." She paused. "You do know how to fight, right?"
Evryn nodded. "Of course I do."
"Good. Just know that might change. Sometimes, people have to adjust their fighting style to match how their Aether works. What feels natural now might not work with your power later."
She flicked her gaze to her nails, then formed her right hand into a fist.
"It doesn't happen every time," she added, "but it can. No one really knows how Aether fully works. Sometimes you find out things you didn't even think were possible. At least…" she lowered her hand to her side, "that's been my experience."
"Now, Evryn," Helaine said, her tone steady but soft, "I need you to focus inward. Close your eyes."
Evryn did as told, shutting his eyes and pulling all his attention inward. His breath slowed. His thoughts quieted. The world around him faded as he concentrated solely on himself.
"Now," Helaine continued, "relax your mind. Picture yourself in an empty room. Focus on that space. Once you do, you'll start to feel something—an energy. When you sense it… concentrate on it."
Evryn followed her instructions, visualizing a hollow, dark room—silent and still. And then, within that void, he felt it.
A presence.
A pulse.
A flame—faint at first, but unmistakable. A swirling, purple flame that shimmered like a galaxy, alive with depth and motion.
"When you feel the flame, don't go to it. You pu—"
Helaine's voice faded. The sound of it dissolved, echoing into nothingness.
Evryn stood alone in the void.
The flame pulsed ahead of him—beautiful and terrifying. Without thinking, he stepped forward, hand slowly reaching for it. As he drew closer, violet sparks danced from his fingertips, arcing toward the flame.
And then—
Contact.
The flame surged into his hand. Purple lightning raced up his arm, crawling to his shoulder like living fire. Pain slammed into him. Evryn's eyes flew open within the vision, glowing with a purple, galaxy-like hue.
He gritted his teeth, "Damn it!"
The flame before him expanded—growing, twisting, spreading. It swallowed the room in an instant, purple fire licking across every surface, whirling like a vortex. Evryn's breath caught in his throat. His mind raced. Words jumbled. Thoughts failed.
It was too much.
He tried to pull away, muscles straining, but it was like the flame had latched onto him. The energy pulsed—strong, rhythmic, hungry. It wasn't just surrounding him—it was pulling him in.
The flames flickered brighter, crackling as they danced. He leaned back, trying to use his weight to break free.
Come on… not like this!
And then—
A presence.
He felt it before he saw it.
A pair of eyes—cold and pale blue, like frozen rivers—locked onto his.
He couldn't breathe.
"Evryn!"
His eyes snapped open.
He was back in the room. Gasping. Chest rising and falling rapidly. Sweat clung to his skin.
Helaine stood in front of him, gripping his shoulders tightly, her expression filled with concern.
"Are you okay?"
Evryn blinked, still shaken. He glanced around the room, then slowly lifted his right arm, staring down at his left hand.
"Yeah… I think so."