Sheu smiled politely as she introduced herself and the others.
Tinashe said, "Pleased to meet you, and thank you for taking care of Moto."
Sheu shook her head. "I'd say he's been the one taking care of us."
Najo crossed his arms with a faint scoff, not loud enough to argue but just enough to be noticed.
"Really?" Tinashe tilted her head, catching his reaction and chuckling softly.
Oblivious to the tension, she gestured warmly. "Well, you're all welcome here. Please, come inside."
The house was small but spotless — warm, lived-in, and glowing with care. Cushions neatly stacked, the faint scent of fresh bread in the air.
Sheu looked around, puzzled. So this is where Moto comes from? This quiet, well-kept home? She thought of the alleys and rooftops where he chose to sleep and wondered why he acted as though he'd never known comfort.
In the back room, Moto finished scrubbing away the soot from battle and stepped out, toweling his hair.
"There. Done."
Tinashe crossed her arms in the doorway. "Done? You call that clean? Another hour."
Moto groaned. "You've got to be kidding me—"
Then came a sudden heat wave rolling off her, the room itself trembling with her aura. Moto panicked.
"F-fine, I'll do it! I'll scrub, alright!"
"And I better hear water splashing," she called through the door.
The next hour was chaos — Moto grumbling, splashing, slipping, even shouting protests that went unanswered. Meanwhile, Tinashe hummed in the kitchen, preparing food.
When Moto finally stepped back into the living room, brushing damp hair out of his face, the others froze.
Sheu: "...Moto?"
Najo: "No way. That's you?"
Gone was the grime. His real hair gleamed a rare, striking green, catching light like polished jade. His skin was caramel-toned, his features sharper, radiant.
Tinashe set down a basket of muffins and smirked. "There. Now that looks like Moto. Honestly, how could you mistake this boy for some alley-rat?"
Sheu and Najo exchanged stunned glances. Even Aemon, who never cared to look twice at anyone, let his eyes linger.
Moto rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks flushed. "Y-yeah, yeah. Laugh it up."
Tinashe clapped her hands. "Since I'm clearly the only one with taste, how about I give the rest of you makeovers while we catch up?"
Laughter softened the air.
Then Moto asked the question, pressing at his chest.
"Where's Amber? Is she here?"
Tinashe's expression softened. "She's out picking berries with Tanaka. They'll be back soon."
Right on cue, the door creaked open. A small girl stepped inside, cheeks rosy, a basket of berries swinging in her hands. She paused when she saw Moto. Her head tilted curiously, then her eyes widened.
"Brother!" she cried. "Tinashe told me all the stories!"
Amber ran straight into his arms. Moto froze — then hugged her tightly, eyes stinging. She was only a year old when he left, yet she remembered him in some unexplainable way. He'd sworn to protect her, even against the world itself.
"Amber..." His voice cracked. "You've grown so much."
Amber buried her face in his chest. She didn't know why, but she felt safe here, like she'd always belonged.
Tinashe smiled, pride in her voice. "I told you I'd take care of her. She's family."
Moto met her eyes, heavy with gratitude. "Thank you. Truly."
Behind Amber entered another girl — taller, graceful, long grey hair brushing her olive blouse and maroon shorts. She practically bounced with energy, eyes darting between Najo, Sheu, and Moto.
"This is Tanaka," Tinashe said. "She's been staying with us. Tanaka, meet Moto and his friends from Nyika."
Tanaka's eyes sparkled. "So many people from another land... I can't wait to learn from you! Please, let me study your abilities!"
Sheu laughed. "You're that excited to fight us?"
"Who said anything about fighting?" Tanaka grinned. "I want to study. I've read all about Nyika's elemental control, the way you channel forces—"
Her words faded in Najo's ears. His focus had zeroed in on her beauty, her confidence, her bright eyes. Sheu rolled her eyes at him.
Still, Tanaka and Sheu hit it off instantly, diving into talk of technique and training methods.
Moto introduced Amber to his friends.
"This is Sheu."
Amber tilted her head. "So pretty."
Sheu smiled, crouching down. "And you're adorable."
"This is Najo, my rival."
Amber, "He looks strong."
Najo puffed his chest out proudly.
"And this is Aemon. He's... new."
Aemon crossed his arms. "We're not friends."
Amber pouted. "Jerk."
Aemon blinked, caught off guard.
Moto chuckled. "And Amber? Do you have any friends?"
Amber hugged Tanaka's arm. "Just her. She's the smartest ever!"
Tanaka, examining Moto's arm muscles with curiosity, sent a strange pulse of energy through him. He flinched.
"Ah, sorry," she said quickly. "I'll try not to get carried away."
Najo and Sheu glared for different reasons.
That evening, Tinashe pulled Moto aside. "My heart will be arriving soon. Everyone's seen the pillar of light — he'll come home."
Moto's eyes lit up. "Big brother?"
Amber gasped too. "Really?"
Tinashe smiled knowingly. "Yes. Tanaka, hold down the fort while I'm gone."
"Of course," Tanaka nodded.
Tinashe hurried to the edge of the property, waiting on a raised platform, heart hammering.
Later, as Moto and Amber walked together, he still couldn't believe it.
"You remember me... but you couldn't even crawl when I left."
Amber smiled proudly. "Tinashe told me stories every night. She said my brothers were heroes, out saving the world. Big brother Asher even visited sometimes. I knew you'd come too."
Moto's throat tightened. He hugged her again, longer this time.
"Your hugs are warm," Amber giggled.
They traded stories — hers about school, his about travels. When she showed him her hair clip, identical to the crystal on his necklace, he froze.
"Some kids were mean to me for not having powers," she admitted.
Moto frowned. "Tell me who. I'll—"
Amber laughed. "Tinashe said not to. Last time I told Asher, he chased their whole families out of the city!"
Moto laughed too. "Sounds like him."
Amber clenched her fist suddenly. "Then train me! I want to get strong too, so you don't have to hurt yourself."
Moto remembered Khosa's words. "Amber... training you would only invite violence."
"That's not fair. You train."
"I train so you don't have to live like I did. That's the point."
Amber huffed. "You should practice what you preach."
Before Moto could reply, Tanaka called them for supper. The house filled with warmth and chatter that night.
The next morning, Tinashe sat at her lookout. In the distance, a man approached, green hair glinting under the sun, a single bag slung over his shoulder.
Her heart leapt. She ran to him.
Asher dropped his bag the instant he saw her, his cool façade cracking. They collided in a tight embrace.
"My love," he whispered.
She held him tighter. Their silence said more than words could.
"I missed you," he said.
"I know," she breathed. "But I'm not the only one."
She stepped aside, revealing Moto charging at full speed.
"Asher!"
Moto barely had time to raise his arms before Asher barked, "Guard up!" and threw a punch. Moto dodged, the strike grazing his cheek.
Asher grinned widely. "Not bad. You've grown."
They clashed — fists meeting like a greeting only brothers understood.
From the sidelines, Sheu's jaw dropped. "Moto... he's fighting differently. More freely."
Najo scowled. "Watch this."
Unable to hold back, he jumped in. "Move aside, Moto! Let me show him real strength!"
Asher caught his leg mid-kick and casually flung him into a tree.
Aemon smirked. "Teaming up, huh? Guess I'll join." He rushed in, knives flashing.
Tanaka beamed. "I finally get to see it!"
Sheu glanced at her, slightly irked.
"Go all out!" Tanaka shouted.
At her words, Najo bent the earth, hurling chunks of stone at Asher, who effortlessly evaded while blocking Moto's strikes.
Aemon brought Grillet out, the double grinning as Moto thickened a smoke screen, all of them pressing in from every angle.
Tanaka's eyes gleamed behind her glasses, fixed on every move.
Tinashe blew a playful kiss. A crimson sparrow burst from her lips and landed on Asher's chest, heating him until steam rose.
"Appreciate the boost, babe," Asher laughed, his skin glowing hotter, tougher. With each strike, he countered them more easily—
Until a tiny figure bolted into the yard.
"Hiyaaa!"
Amber punched Asher's leg. He stumbled back, clutching his chest dramatically.
"No... too strong..." He collapsed.
Amber gasped. "I'm sorry! Please wake up!"
Asher sprang up, hoisting her onto his shoulders. "Victory goes to Amber!"
Her laughter filled the air, joined by smiles all around.
That night, when Amber was asleep, Asher leaned forward.
"As long as we're all here, I've got a report from Gehen."
Najo raised a brow. "Andzani mentioned you were there."
Asher chuckled. "Ah, yes. How's he doing? Did he ever get that army he was after?"
Aemon stiffened.
Moto answered carefully. "Sort of. Khosa said having one would only invite war."
Asher smirked. "He still believes that, huh?" His tone was light, but his eyes sharp.
Moto frowned. "Don't you?"
"War invites itself," Asher said. "You just hope you're strong enough to survive it—or you'll lose everything. That said..." He leaned back slightly. "Andzani always struck me as the kind of guy who can be... unhinged."
Aemon muttered, "Understatement of the century."
Moto stayed quiet, digesting his brother's counterpoint to Khosa's ideals.
Asher's tone shifted. "Like I was saying—I was running missions to keep us afloat. But my real goal was to find Mom."
Sheu's eyes widened. "Your mother? Why would you look for her there?"
Asher blinked, realizing the gap in their knowledge. He placed a hand on Moto's shoulder. "You haven't told them yet, have you?"
Moto's jaw tightened. His friends turned to him, waiting—but he stayed silent.
Asher's voice lowered, steady and sincere. "Moto... they've followed you because they trust you. You need to show them that same trust."
Moto stared into the fire, torn.
"I'm proud of you," Asher added softly. "More than you know. But hiding this won't protect them. It'll only make the truth worse when it finally comes out."
Moto swallowed, then nodded.
Back inside, Moto faced his friends. His hands trembled, but his resolve was firm.
He drew a breath.
"There's something I need to tell you all..."