[PoV: Varro Lazas / Nova Arlen]
Apartment, Old City
After buying groceries and returning to the apartment, I started heating the stove and oiled the frying pan.
"What will you cook?" Rubik asked from inside the dimensional pouch.
My left hand swung the pan now sizzling with seasonings while my right hand stirred. "I'll make soy-chicken fried rice."
"Sounds delicious."
"Of course—this used to be my signature dish."
"Were you a chef before?"
The question hung in the air. Though I remained calm cooking, a gust of the past passed by—a sad one.
"No," I replied. "But with my cooking, I can feed many who are starving."
"Sounds like a philanthropist to me."
"If I were a philanthropist, I'd make sure no one in this Federation went hungry."
Finally, the fried rice was ready on a clean plate.
Slowly, I scooped a spoonful and put it into the mouth that had been waiting for food.
"So, what are your plans moving forward?" Rubik asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Never mind." Rubik sounded annoyed for asking.
I chewed seriously, my thoughts drifting to what Rubik had meant. Had I forgotten something?
"Ah! You mean the plan to build connections with the Blood Circle area?" I asked, finally understanding what Rubik had been getting at.
"Yes!"
I chewed the rice again. Seriously—right now I was more focused on the meal than the plan.
I thought for a moment. "Hmm… don't worry."
"You speak so casually."
"I've thought the plan through."
"You sound confident. What if it fails?"
I gave a slight grin. "Trust me. This will go smoothly because I'll ask someone for help."
"Help? Who would you ask? Someone from The Umbra?"
"No."
"Then who?" Rubik asked, very curious.
"The Aurora Syndicate."
The words "Aurora Syndicate" hung in the oil-scented air. Rubik fell silent for a moment, processing my statement—something any sane creature would hear as a suicide plan.
"You're insane," Rubik's voice finally broke—flat but loaded. "You just saw them labeled as terrorists on the news. Now you want to walk into the wolf's den and 'ask for help'? Help for what—becoming their target practice?"
I scooped a piece of savory chicken, swallowed it before answering. "You're being narrow-minded, Rubik. They aren't just terrorists; they're an organization. Every organization, however radical, operates by its own logic and interests. They hate the Federation. And I do too. That makes me interesting to them."
"Interesting to dissect, maybe."
"You forget my position," I said, looking at the energy cube in my open dimensional pouch. "I am a member of The Umbra. Do the Mutants hate The Umbra? No. They have a connection to The Umbra. Think of The Umbra as a savior to the Mutants. To them, I could be help, a weapon, or a symbol. They won't just kill me outright. They will try to accept me—or at least use me. And that's the opening."
"The plan is too risky. Assuming they won't kill you is a bet with your life."
"Life is a series of bets. This bet is more measured than it looks. I won't approach them empty-handed. I'll bring 'ties' from the past."
"What? What ties?"
"No. Forget it." I paused. "Connecting with the Aurora Syndicate is our key to access the Blood Circle."
"Aki," I called in my mind.
Instantly, the small figure crawled out from my sleeve and climbed onto the table. "I'm here, Nova!"
"And what can an ant do against a group of fanatic mutants?" Rubik asked skeptically.
"It's not the ant, Rubik. It's its 'eyes.' Aki will be my eyes and ears inside their nest. Before I step in, I'll send it to map the area, listen to conversations, find pressures and gaps in the Aurora Syndicate's hierarchy and the Blood Circle territory. I won't walk in blind. I'll walk with a map."
Rubik was silent again, this time longer. "That… makes more sense."
"Of course," I said, returning to my fried rice.
"So what about that girl? Neila?"
A faint smile spread across my lips. "Neila is long-term insurance and another asset. A Mutant—an 'Energiser.' If I can guide her, her power could become a very valuable tool. For now, she's the perfect reason for me to stay in the Old City without suspicion—a merchant charmed by local 'charms.' It will be the perfect cover."
"You're planning a lot at once, Varro."
"Living in a broken world requires that," I replied, clearing the last plate. "First, I need to gather intel on the Aurora Syndicate's meeting points in the Old City. Every organism leaves traces. Aki will help me find them."
I looked at Aki, eager on the table. "Ready for our first adventure, little friend?"
"Ready!" Aki answered, its antennae trembling with excitement. "I'll find all their traces!"
•••
[PoV: Neila Harfes]
Boarding House Room, Block 3A
The dream came back.
I stood in an empty space, surrounded by tiny lights pulsing like fireflies. They circled around me, touched my skin, and each touch left a warmth that made me feel… powerful. In the distance, there was a rustling sound—an unread whisper.
I woke up gasping. My room was dark, lit only by moonlight slipping through the curtain gap. My palms were sweaty, and that strange feeling remained—a subtle flow of energy running in my veins, like a small river I had just discovered.
I walked out to get water. Passing my grandmother's room, I heard her speaking in her sleep, her voice hoarse and full of despair. "…Don't… don't trust them, Darius… it's a trap…"
Darius. That was my father's name.
My heart pounded. What was my grandmother hiding? What did my parents' deaths have to do with the business world she spoke of?
Back in my room, I couldn't sleep. I stood again before the mirror. This time, I focused on that strange feeling. I tried to recall the sensation from my dream, to call that warmth. I stretched my hand; my fingers nearly touched my reflection.
Then something happened.
A pale, almost invisible light flickered from my fingertip. It was momentary—like the dim spark of static electricity. But it was real. I saw it.
My heart raced—a mix of fear and glee. Is this what that strange man meant by "talent"?
I looked at the business card I had placed on the table. It read "Nova Arlen — Collector & Seller of Antiques," followed by a contact number.
Maybe… maybe I should give him a chance. Maybe he could tell me what's happening to me. Or at least give answers my grandmother can't—or won't—give.
With hardened resolve, I took my phone. My fingers trembled as I typed a short message.
"Hello, Mr. Nova. This is Neila. We met on the bus. Is your offer still available?"
I stared at the screen for a while before my index finger pressed 'send.' The message flew into the dark night, carrying my fear and hope.
•••
[PoV: Varro Lazas]
Apartment, Old City
Briiing!
A phone buzzed in my pocket, breaking the silence. I had just finished cleaning the kitchen. Rubik had 'fallen asleep' again inside his pouch, and Aki was resting in the little house I'd made from a matchbox.
I opened my phone. A message from an unknown number—yet its content explained everything.
A long smile spread across my face. Everything was going according to plan.
I typed a quick reply. "Of course. Glad to hear from you, Miss Neila. How about we meet tomorrow afternoon after your school? Tell me a place that's convenient for you."
Perfect. While I prepared my approach to the Aurora Syndicate, having a potential Energiser by my side would be a great advantage. She was an untapped resource, and in the world I navigated, resources were everything.
The world may be cracked, but through those cracks, light can enter. And I planned to catch every bit of light I could.
The game had begun.
.....