The Ferris wheel creaked to a halt, its glowing lights flickering against a sky suddenly dimmed by thick, rolling clouds. At a restaurant nearby, a family of four sat at a round table, sipping lemonade and picking at fries. Their laughter slowly faded as the wind picked up.
"Dad," Jane said, pointing at the sky, "look. Something's wrong."
Peter, a sturdy man with weathered hands and a calm presence, looked up. His brow furrowed. Beside him, Mia's hand tightened around her glass. Her gift—mind reading—tingled with an uncomfortable presence.
"It's nothing," Peter said quickly, standing. "Everyone, get to the bus. Now."
Jane's eyes narrowed. "Why? What's going on?"
"No questions," Peter barked, already striding toward the parking lot. "Now!"
Their yellow school bus, repurposed for family outings, rumbled to life as the family climbed in. Mia slid into the passenger seat, eyes wide.
"Peter," she whispered, "this... this isn't supposed to happen yet. Your father said it would take time."
"I know," Peter said, voice low. "But it's happening. And that means we need to find the others. Fast."
Sam, Jane's younger brother, leaned over from the back seat. His eyes gleamed with curiosity and a touch of mischief.
"Who exactly are we finding, Dad?"
Peter didn't look back. "The Silver Keepers. The ones with the pieces. The first is Dr. David in Vasco City."
Sam grinned. "That's like thirty minutes from here, if I fly."
Peter scowled. "You're not flying. You're staying in the bus."
Suddenly, Sam threw open the side door.
"Daisy! Come on!"
A girl with short-cropped hair and biker gloves sprinted across the lot and jumped in. "This better be good," she said. "I left a street race for this."
Peter spun around. "Who is this?"
"My girlfriend," Sam said cheerfully. "Daisy, meet my dad Peter, my mom Mia, and my sister Jane. Family, meet Daisy—lover of speed, danger, and chaos."
Peter grumbled and turned his eyes back to the road. "Buckle up, everyone."
Before he could hit the gas, the sound of a scream pierced the air. Peter slammed the brakes.
A teenage boy—barely eighteen—was staggering near a petrol pump, blood dripping from his forehead. In his hand, he clutched a silver lighter said go go! To a younger girl about fourteen.
Peter jumped out, barely dodging a flaming burst from the pump.
"Get him in!" Mia shouted. "Sam, grab some fuel cans!"
The boy—unconscious now—was dragged into the bus. Daisy wrapped his head in Jane's scarf, steady hands working quickly.
"I used to work rescue," she said, not looking up. "Didn't last long, but I picked up a few tricks."
They drove fast—too fast. Mia clutched the boy's hand, trying to read his mind. Blank. Too much trauma.
"We're almost at Vasco," Peter muttered. "Dr. David should have the second silver piece."
Jane leaned forward. "Dad, you never told us what the 'Rabbit is Sleeping' even means."
Peter glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "I'll explain when we get there."
**
They arrived at a quiet neighborhood in Vasco City. Peter stopped the bus in front of a small stone house. "07869. This is it."
Sam knocked. A teenage girl with dark braids and a lab coat opened the door.
"Lisa!" Peter called from the bus. "Where's David?"
Lisa approached, concern etched in her face. "Uncle Peter... Dad's gone. He disappeared last night after a call from someone. I think it was Dong Lee."
Peter cursed under his breath. "Then we go to Martin Brose—next closest member. Four miles to Dota City."
"I'm coming with you," Lisa said. "Dad told me everything about Kyle and... the Rabbit."
Peter hesitated.
"I'm a trained doctor," Lisa added. "He taught me. Let me help."
They abandoned the sluggish bus for David's armored SUV. Jane helped Sam load the boy, still unconscious, into the back.
"Who is he?" Lisa asked.
"We found him," Jane said. "Almost got him killed. Long story."
In the car, Lisa cleaned the wound more thoroughly. "He'll survive," she murmured. "But we need to know who he is."
Peter kept his eyes on the road. "One step at a time."
**
Near the Dota City border, a black car blocked their path. A tall woman stepped out, hair flaming red, dressed in a leather jacket lined with glowing threads of gold.
"Lucy," Peter whispered. "Martin Brose's wife."
"Peter," she said, approaching. "Martin is gone. Just like David. I came to warn you. Dong Lee... he's dead."
Silence fell.
"He left a clue behind," she continued, handing Peter a worn piece of parchment. "The golden pieces have been scattered. Hidden. You'll have thirty days to retrieve them... or the world ends."
Mia stepped forward. "Come with us."
Lucy shook her head. "I have my own path. I'm a fire master, remember?"
As Lucy turned to leave, the boy in the back seat stirred.
"Where... where am I?" he asked weakly. "I was at a gas station…"
"You're safe," Mia said gently. "We found you."
Lisa handed him water. "What's your name?"
The boy blinked. "A.D."
Peter turned to him. "If you want to live, come with us."
A.D. nodded, confused but too weak to argue.
"Dad," Jane said, "please tell us. What does 'The Rabbit is Sleeping' mean?"
Peter sighed. "It's a code. It stands for Reassemble the Bizane. He was the first savior. A king who defeated Kyle once. He wore the Bone Mask—part of what we're looking for. The rest... only the golden piece bearers know."
Jane sat back. "And the first piece?"
"In the Detora Forest," Peter said, his eyes hard. "Where the demon king Danousa rules."
They drove on. Thirty days. Four pieces. One mission.
The world had started to shift—and the Rabbit had begun to stir.