The evening breeze rustled the banners over the mosque gates as Emar waited, still scanning for the mysterious contact. Then, his wrist console chimed again.
A new message.
> Move to Sky Park. Wait at Benchmark 345.
It vanished before he could respond.
Emar frowned. The unease in his chest was growing. Why am I following these messages? Who is this Zaar? Why do I want to meet him so badly? The urge was irrational, heavy, like a pull he couldn't shake. Every step toward Sky Park felt less like a decision and more like instinct.
When he reached Benchmark 345, the park's crowd seemed to subtly shift. People in varied clothing — nobles, merchants, guards — all froze mid-motion, eyes turning toward him. Their stares weren't hostile, but awed, as if they were witnessing something they never expected to see again.
What Emar didn't know: this was a sacred dueling spot, a place reserved for warriors who swore their lives to the Sky Realm in ages past.
Before he could speak, a hand gripped his arm and yanked him backward.
"Move," a voice snapped.
Emar was dragged through the park's narrow side paths, the city's skyline flashing between buildings. They burst into a quieter street where a sleek skycar waited. The stranger shoved him inside and leapt in after him.
Emar stared at him. "Who are you? And what's going on?"
The man didn't answer at first, piloting the car with quick, practiced motions. Emar's glare deepened until the man sighed.
"Husahmm. That's my name. You're the one they've been talking about — special, apparently. I'm the one who messaged you."
"You said you'd help me meet the Zaar."
"I will. But I can't get in myself. You can. Don't ask how, just… get to the Night Lion Sky."
"The security—"
"—will try to kill you," Husahmm cut in. "Drones, interceptors, auto-turrets. This car's good, but you'll need to hold on. Don't stop until you reach the central tower. Be strong."
Without waiting for Emar's reply, Husahmm popped the side hatch and jumped out, vanishing into the city streets.
The skycar's AI took over, its engines whining as it shot upward into the high lanes.
---
Scene — Night Lion Sky Approach
The city blurred beneath him. The car turned invisible, weaving between patrol routes. But as soon as the spires of the Night Lion Sky appeared in the distance — black stone and gold banners gleaming under stormlight — alarms screamed across the comms.
Gunmetal drones surged into view, their beams slicing through the air. Energy blasts lit the sky in a strobing web of light.
The car banked hard, the AI deploying shields that shimmered with blue Ore light. Emar gripped the seat, jaw tight, eyes closed as the machine danced between incoming fire. It felt like an eternity of near-misses, the sound of heat beams scraping against the shields.
Inside the command tower, a guard rushed to Commander Roko. "Unknown intruder. Night Lion airspace."
Roko's eyes narrowed. He reached for a heavy spear tipped with raw Ore, the weapon humming with lethal energy.
"Bring him down."
One perfect throw — the Ore spear tore through the sky, splitting the car's hull in a burst of flame.
The explosion tossed Emar out into the open air. His vision blurred, and before he could right himself, the ground came up fast.
---
Scene — Night Lion Sky, Interrogation Hold
He woke to the cold steel of restraints and the low hum of scanning devices. Guards in black armor surrounded him, their visors reflecting the flicker of the scan results.
"Nothing," one muttered. "No ID, no registry."
Roko stepped into the room, studying him with sharp eyes. No expression, no sign of what he was thinking.
A short time later, he strode into the Zaar's chamber.
"My lord. An intruder. Survived the defenses. No identification. Likely sent by the council to kill you."
From the shadows, an information broker stepped forward. "Do not entertain this, my lord. He's dangerous. Put him into eternal sleep."
The Zaar didn't look at either of them, his gaze still fixed on the open sky. "Make arrangements to meet him. Politely."
Roko blinked. "You wish to… meet him?"
"Yes," the Zaar said calmly. "And first — I will interrogate him myself."
---
Deep Space, Aboard a Small Stealth Ship
The cockpit was quiet except for the steady hum of the engines and the occasional flicker of navigation glyphs across the glass.
Husahmm sat in the pilot's seat, hands loose on the controls.
Or rather… the image of Husahmm.
With a faint ripple, the illusion dissolved like mist. A's true face emerged — calm, sharp-eyed, unreadable. He leaned back, finally free of the disguise.
He glanced at the comm unit on his wrist, speaking in a low, measured tone.
"So… you're real. Emar. I thought you were just a story whispered in the old records. But you exist — and it took more than I'd like to admit to find you."
A short pause. Then he tapped a sequence into the comm.
"Call the boss. Tell him I've confirmed the target. And… pay the information broker who passed his name to us. Then remove him from the information circuit entirely."
A faint acknowledgment came through the comm before the channel closed.
A turned his gaze to the swirling lights of the Realm Gate ahead. His expression didn't shift, but there was something in his eyes — curiosity, and perhaps a trace of caution.
"The Zaar wants to meet you, Emar," he murmured to himself. "And now… so do I."
The ship slipped silently into the gate, vanishing into the starlit current.