The night was alive with an electric hum that made the air feel heavier and sharper like it could cut through flesh and bone. Rows of floodlights bathed the Aaru Circuit in a harsh, artificial glow, casting long, menacing shadows on the dark pavement. Low-hanging clouds obscured the stars above, and the faint smell of rain lingered, teasing the riders with the threat of a slick, unforgiving track.
"Ra" Pratun Raettawy leaned against his bike, the golden body gleaming under the lights like a blade of pure sunlight. The engine purred low, almost inaudible beneath the cheers of the crowd gathered beyond the barriers. They called him "The Falcon," not just for his string of victories but for how he rode—as if he was as fast as the bird. Ra didn't just win; he devoured the competition, leaving wreckage in his wake.
But tonight wasn't about glory or championships. Not for him. Not on this track, where the turns were tighter, the stakes higher, and the night seemed like an adversary. Aaru at night wasn't a race; it was a battlefield.
Seth flicked his visor down two rows behind him, his reflection staring back at him for a moment before vanishing into darkness. The rookie had no business being here, not in this league, not against riders like Ra. But Seth didn't care. He'd scraped and clawed his way to this grid, and now the engines' roar and the crowd's buzz were the only things keeping him tethered to reality. This wasn't just a race for him—it was an escape, a shot at rewriting his story.
The lights on the starting gantry pulsed red, bathing the riders in a hellish glow. Ra's gloved hands tightened on the grips, his breathing slow and deliberate. He could feel the vibrations of the other bikes through the soles of his boots, a collective heartbeat about to erupt.
The countdown began. Five red lights. Four. Three. Ra glanced at the horizon, noting the faint flicker of lightning in the distance.
Two.
His vision narrowed to the first corner, the treacherous hairpin where the bravest riders made their mark and the reckless ones found the ground.
One.
The lights vanished.
The roar of engines shattered the night, a deafening symphony of fury and speed. The bikes surged forward, tires screaming against the tarmac, sparks flying as metal kissed the pavement. The night swallowed them whole, the floodlights casting fleeting halos on the riders before they vanished into the darkness of Aaru.
–☀︎–
Ra leaned casually against his bike, his helmet tucked under his arm as he watched Seth fidget nervously nearby. "You handled yourself pretty well out there, kid," Ra said, his voice calm and even. "Aaru isn't forgiving; you made it through in one piece."
Seth rubbed the back of his neck, offering a sheepish smile. "Barely. I feel like I spent half the race just trying not to crash. Watching you out there, though… it's like you've got the track memorized or something."
"Not memorized," Ra replied with a slight chuckle. "Just understood. Every track has a rhythm, a personality. You'll get there eventually."
"I hope so," Seth said, sighing. "Right now, I'm just trying not to embarrass myself too much."
Ra studied him momentarily before stepping closer, his expression softening slightly. "You've got potential, Seth. I can see it. You're raw, but you've got the instincts. The thing is, instincts alone won't cut it here. Not with guys breathing down your neck trying to intimidate you." Seth blinked, surprised. "Are you saying I need help?"
"I'm saying everyone needs help," Ra said matter-of-factly. "Even I had someone showing me the ropes when I was where you are. Look, I can show you a thing or two if you want. Help you find that rhythm, avoid the mistakes that'll get you killed out here."
Seth's eyes widened. "Wait, you're offering to mentor me?"
Ra shrugged, his tone nonchalant but sincere. "Call it what you want. I've been where you are, and I know what it's like to have everyone looking at you like you don't belong. But you do belong, kid. You've got the fire. You just need someone to help you channel it."
"You really think I've got what it takes?" Seth asked, his voice tinged with both hope and doubt.
"I wouldn't waste my time if I didn't," Ra replied, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "So, what do you say? You ready to put in the work?" Seth straightened, a spark of determination lighting his eyes. "Yeah. Let's do it. I'm all in."
"Good." Ra clapped him on the shoulder. "First lesson? Don't let anyone get in your head. They're loud, but they're also predictable. And predictable is beatable."
Seth laughed, some of his earlier tension easing. "Got it. Anything else?" Ra turned toward their bikes, his voice firm but encouraging. "Yeah. Bring your A-game, kid. I don't waste my time on half-effort."
This was another chance for Ra to outrun the demons that haunted him. For Seth, it was a new shot at immortality. For everyone else, it was a race that would kickstart a new era.