The moon makes its presence known in the dark sky that dominates the Oksilis planet, casting a faint light over the four adolescents as they travel toward where they believe the city they came from lies. Francesca maintains a moderate speed, worried about her friend's condition. Tyron keeps one hand on her waist to avoid falling from the vehicle, which makes her blush slightly—the soft contact against her cloak feels strangely intimate. She stays alert in case he weakens and slips, while the brown-haired boy hides his face, looking downward with a smile. Despite the dull pain in his abdomen, he barely cares; the reward of being this close to the girl he likes outweighs it all. He can enjoy the scent of her hair, keep his left hand on her waist, and—most importantly—his karategi is pressing against the wound until they reach their destination, where the warrior can heal him. He decides to savor the moment, even as he presses the blue fabric tighter with his right hand to stop the bleeding.
Emily watches the display panel on her hover bike with concern and calls out to Francesca to slow down. Flying alongside her, she says, "There's some kind of gauge here—like a battery—and it's down to about a quarter. It doesn't look like a speedometer. We might be running out of fuel."
The information unsettles everyone. There's nothing in sight that could save them from a free fall to whatever lies on the planet's surface. Before panic sets in, the blushing pair and the brunette look to Alexa. Catching their stares, she replies, "What? Just because I was trained by my grandmother since I was little doesn't mean I'm an infinite source of knowledge. I don't know how these things work or what that gauge means."
Hope begins to fade. Francesca glances back at Tyron and notices the blood still seeping from his wound. In a gentle tone she asks, "Ty, how are you feeling?"
Her concern makes him blush even harder. Hiding his face under his hood, he answers, "I-I'm f-fine. Don't worry."
Emily smiles. "I have to admit, these bikes are easy to handle—almost too easy. It's still weird that the accelerator's on the opposite side, though."
Francesca keeps her eyes forward. "I agree. But it doesn't surprise me, considering they give these vehicles to gray-skinned Oksilis because they think they're stupid."
Alexa grows serious. "This would be a good time to call the master."
Tyron looks startled—and red. "A-Are you sure? Weren't you the one against asking for help, saying it would waste one of our best weapons?" He presses the blue karategi tighter to his wound, thinking, We can't lose hope… and I don't want to let go of Fran.
Emily nods worriedly. "I agree now. There's nothing else that can help us. We're adrift on a planet where some kind of cult wants us dead, we might be out of fuel, and there's no land nearby."
Francesca, serious and slightly flushed, answers, "I agree too. We don't have many options left, and Ty needs urgent medical attention. But what Ty said is also true—we're adrift, but the danger isn't immediate yet. Ty, how do you feel?"
Tyron looks up at the sky, blushing. "I think I can hold on. It's just a small wound. Don't lose hope."
Alexa explains calmly, "You were probably keeping your Fiu concentrated throughout your body. That likely reduced the damage. Still, you're injured. Be thankful—Fiu makes our muscles more resistant."
He nods. He can't deny it. He's hurt, and although it doesn't hurt much, he feels a little dizzy. They're about to say their master's name when a shadow rushes toward them at incredible speed and stops abruptly in front of them, gripping their bikes with both hands.
"Hold on tight," a familiar voice orders.
The warrior has appeared.
They're shocked—they hadn't even called his name—but they obey. A massive explosion erupts behind them, followed by a powerful blast of air that nearly rips them loose for a split second. Then Jayden says, "I finally found you. Where the hell did you go? You've been gone for five hours."
They apologize and explain everything. Jayden floats calmly in midair, annoyed. It's the first time they've seen him do that. Francesca and Emily think at the same time, Was that explosion a sonic boom?
Jayden moves to Tyron, removing the boy's hand from his abdomen. He notices the bloodstain on Francesca's blue karategi. Asking permission, he lifts Tyron's clothing slightly and inspects the wound—about four centimeters deep, not through-and-through, bleeding lightly but not life-threatening.
"It's fine," he says. "It's minor." Then he turns to Francesca. "Here." She accepts the blood-stained fabric, glancing at Tyron, who still keeps a hand at her waist. Strangely, the contact feels reassuring, so she says nothing.
Jayden grips both bikes. "Now, hold on to me."
They hesitate. Tyron asks, "Why?"
"Just do it," Jayden answers.
They grab onto him. He releases the bikes, which fall into the void, and in an instant the world vanishes around them.
On a floating island, Niter sighs after having spoken one of the Barriers' names aloud. Why did he ask me to say it? he wonders.
Suddenly, Jayden appears with his students. Niter yelps and falls backward as a strong gust sweeps the area. The teens let go of the warrior, stunned by their surroundings. Alexa and Emily help the blue-skinned Oksilis back to his feet, while Francesca notices Tyron still clutching his wound and reaches for him—only for Jayden to hoist the boy onto his shoulder and walk toward a two-story house.
"Wait, Sir Jayden!" Niter calls. "I didn't prepare Roxy for your visit. Give me a moment to warn her!"
"I don't care if she hates me," Jayden replies, knocking on the door. "She's a doctor from the Society of Users. She can't refuse to help a minor."
"That's not the problem—!" Niter begins, but the door opens.
A pink-skinned woman with purple spots appears, wearing a black tank top and green shorts, barefoot, with purple hair and yellow eyes. "Hello, how can I—?" She freezes when she recognizes the hooded man.
"Hello, I'm Jayden D—" he starts.
Her trembling hands fly to her mouth, a joyful smile breaking through—then she faints on the spot. Niter catches her telekinetically before she hits the ground.
"EH?!" the four teens exclaim.
"What the hell—?!" Jayden blurts.
"I tried to warn you," Niter sighs. "The problem isn't that she hates you. She admires you."
"ADMIR—?!" everyone echoes.
Minutes later, Roxy wakes up and invites them inside. Jayden and the girls wait outside a small office while Roxy treats Tyron. Emily and Alexa talk quietly by the window about the golden Oksilis—how Niter said there was only one, yet they saw five, and even watched gray Oksilis turn gold.
Francesca taps her foot impatiently, glaring at Jayden. "Why didn't you heal him yourself? Why let a stranger treat one of your students? Didn't you hear what we saw? We can't trust anyone on this planet!"
Jayden's eyes harden. "I'm surprised that someone who once threatened an entire planet—knowing I wouldn't act—now questions my judgment. My reason is simple: if she's who she claims to be, she'll heal him perfectly. I'll know immediately if she's trustworthy—because I can do the same."
His killing aura fills the room, terrifying Emily and Alexa, yet Francesca doesn't back down.
Inside, Roxy finishes healing Tyron completely. From the office, raised voices can be heard. Niter asks nervously, "Is it normal for them to argue with their master this much?"
Tyron smiles as he adjusts his yellow karategi. "Depends. Francesca argues with anyone when something bothers her… we've even fought him before."
Roxy laughs softly. "I thought your girlfriend was worried about you—but I didn't expect you to challenge Lord Damnare."
Tyron blushes deeply. Niter adds casually, "Well, he does like her."
"How do you know that?!" Tyron stammers.
"I read your minds when we first met," Niter replies. "And you're obvious."
Roxy giggles. "That's adorable. Being in love is wonderful."
Back in the waiting room, Francesca is still arguing with Jayden—until he suddenly slaps her. The room falls silent. He grips her shoulders firmly.
"Exactly why you let someone else treat your wounds—to learn who you can trust. Now stop complaining and look."
The door opens. Tyron walks out—perfectly healed.
Francesca forgets the sting on her cheek and runs to hug him. He blushes furiously as she holds him tight.
"I'm fine, Fran. Thanks for worrying."
She realizes what she's done and pulls away, flustered, resuming her cold expression. "Good. Don't use that technique again until you master it."
Jayden approaches the group and bonks each of them on the head. "Well done, brats… BUT ARE YOU INSANE?! FOLLOWING AND FIGHTING A CULT?!"
He inspects Tyron one last time and nods in approval.
Roxy steps forward, trembling. "What did you think?"
Jayden ruffles her hair. "Excellent work. Perfect tissue recovery—no scarring."
She bursts into tears of joy, praising his research on medical Fiu. Niter clears his throat.
"Yes, dear, but I have questions about the fight that caused that wound."
Jayden gestures to his students. "They'll explain the cult. And… I apologize for doubting you."
The teens bow. Then Emily steps forward.
"We know what's inside the bottles. But first—do you know any way to change an Oksilis' skin color?"
Roxy and Niter exchange stunned, curious looks.
Back in Guarly, at a mechanic's workshop, Roberto Forcer wipes grease from his hands as a motorcycle pulls up outside—a pristine Honda CBR250. The rider removes her helmet, revealing wavy blonde hair and brown eyes.
"Is the boss here?" she asks.
Roberto nods, dazzled. She smiles slyly.
"Oil change, brake pads, and tighten the chain," she says.
"Easy enough," he replies. "I'll have it ready tomorrow."
She offers her number. As she leaves, Roberto suddenly calls out, "Wait—your name?"
She smiles. "Bel."
This will be easy, she thinks.