The Saros Circuit hummed with energy, its small but loyal fanbase gathering for what promised to be an ordinary race night. The track wasn't flashy like the big leagues, but it had its charm—tight turns, a deceptively fast straight, and enough drama to keep fans coming back. Tonight, however, there was a palpable tension in the air. Whispers about a new racer making their debut had spread like wildfire, and all eyes scanned the paddock for the mysterious competitor.
The crowd didn't have to wait long. A sleek white motorcycle rumbled into the pit area, its deep growl silencing conversations as heads turned. The rider, clad in a tailored white leather suit with subtle gold accents, dismounted with fluid precision. The helmet caught everyone's attention—a glossy white piece with a visor shaped like a bird's beak and golden feathers gleaming under the overhead lights. The figure stood still momentarily, surveying the scene, before walking confidently toward the bike prep area.
An announcer's voice boomed from the speakers lining the track. "The new rookie you all have been waiting for, The Hawk, has finally graced us with his presence!" Sun looked towards the cheering crowd and waved.
Behind the enigmatic racer trailed another figure—a tall figure wrapped in an oversized fur-lined jacket, their gold-yellow helmet catching the light like a beacon. Sekh moved with an air of authority, her presence commanding without words. Her choice of men's clothing and the mask of her helmet shielded her identity from the prying eyes of the crowd. She wasn't here to be noticed but to ensure her protégé succeeded.
Sun leaned against the bike in the paddock as Sekh approached, her voice calm but firm. "Remember what I told you. Eyes on the track. No unnecessary risks. You're not here to prove anything to these amateurs—you're here to make them remember you." Sun nodded, the sharp angle of his visor giving him an almost predatory look. "I got this." Sekh leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "You're not just racing for you. Oh's waiting. Make him proud."
A flicker of determination crossed Sun's posture, his gloved hands tightening on the handlebars. "I will."
The lineup at the starting grid was tense, the roar of engines filling the cool evening air. The Hawk stood out like a beam of light among the colorful helmets and racing suits. The announcer tried to excite the crowd, but their attention was already fixed on the white-and-gold figure.
When the lights flashed green, the racers exploded off the line, tires screeching against the asphalt. The opening laps were chaotic, with riders jockeying for position, bumping shoulders, and testing each other's nerves. Sun held back, assessing the competition with measured precision.
Then, halfway through the third lap, he made his move. With a sudden burst of speed, he shot through an opening on the inside, his bike cutting through the pack like a knife. The crowd erupted as The Hawk began picking off riders one by one, his precision and control unmatched.
By the final lap, it was no longer a race—it was a showcase. Sun's white motorcycle glided through the tight turns of the Saros Circuit with effortless grace. On the straights, he unleashed the full power of his machine, leaving his rivals in the dust. The finish line approached, and he crossed it first, raising a gloved fist in victory as the crowd roared.
Back in the paddock, Sun rolled his bike toward the trailer where Sekh waited. The buzz of the crowd and the chatter of rival teams washed over him, but he remained focused. Sekh approached, her fur jacket draped casually over one arm, her helmet still on.
"Not bad," she said, her voice carrying a note of approval. "You hit your marks, kept it clean, and gave them a show. Just don't let it go to your head." Sun leaned slightly against the bike, his breathing still steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. "I didn't just win, Phi. I owned that track." Her chuckle was dry and quick. "You owned it tonight. But this is just the beginning. Remember, the big fish are still out there. This was a warm-up. Nothing more."
Sun nodded, his helmet reflecting the neon lights above. "I know. But this was a good start."As they loaded the bike into the trailer, Sun glanced back at the paddock one last time. The crowd was still buzzing, spectators and competitors alike pointing toward the empty track where "The Hawk" had made his mark. With a final nod to his mentor, he climbed into the trailer, disappearing into the night.
On the outskirts of the paddock, a journalist stood leaning against a fence, his notebook open and a pen poised over the page. He had come to the Saros Circuit expecting the usual small-time races—a few promising newcomers, a handful of veterans holding on with dear life for another season. What he'd found instead was a phenomenon. His eyes lingered on the departing trailer as he scribbled notes furiously. "The Hawk," he muttered, testing the name out loud. "What's your story?"
He flipped to a fresh page, scrawling a bold headline:
"The Hawk Takes Flight: Racing's New Enigma."
Tucking the notebook into his jacket, the journalist pushed off the fence, his mind racing with questions. Who was this mysterious racer? Where had they come from? And why did they already feel bigger than the small-time circuit they'd just conquered?
He smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Looks like I've got my next big story," he said to himself, already planning how to dig deeper into The Hawk's mystery. The chase was just beginning for him, and he couldn't wait to see where it led.
–☀︎–
Ra sat in his office, his eyes still fixed on the frozen frame of the race's live stream on his laptop. The Hawk's masked figure lingered on the screen, his white motorcycle crossing the finish line with precision and ease. Ra had watched plenty of races in his life, but something about this one had him leaning forward, his mind working overtime.
Bakhu and Manu, his twin German Shepherds, lay by his feet, their heads resting on their paws. At the sound of Ra tapping his fingers on the desk, they perked up, ears twitching.
"Toh," Ra called, his voice low but firm.
Toh appeared almost immediately from the adjoining office, tablet in hand, his sharp features illuminated by the screen's glow. "You saw it, I take it?"
Ra gestured to the screen. "The Hawk. That was his debut, wasn't it?" Toh nodded, swiping through his notes. "First official race. And he didn't just win—he dominated. No one knows who he is yet, but people are already talking."
"They should be," Ra muttered, leaning back in his chair. "That wasn't just skill. That was calculated." Toh raised an eyebrow. "Think he's connected to the investigation?" Ra shook his head. "Not yet. But someone that good doesn't come out of nowhere. If he keeps this up, he could get close to the right people—Asyut included."
"Assuming he's on our side," Toh pointed out. Ra reached for his phone. "We'll find out soon enough. I'm calling Ma and Keh. If anyone knows how to read a newcomer, it's them."
—
Ma and Keh arrived less than an hour later, stepping into Ra's office with their usual contrasting energy. Ma's sharp heels clicked against the polished wood floor, her tailored coat emphasizing her natural grace. Behind her, Keh moved silently, their frame exuding quiet strength.
Bakhu and Manu rose and walked to the door as the pair entered. The judge and bodyguard peted the loyal dogs briefly before walking to the other side of Ra's desk. The twins' tails wagged happily as they followed momentarily before returning to their posts by Ra's side.
"K'Ra," Ma said smoothly, setting her bag on the edge of the desk. "This is the third late-night call from you this month. Should I be flattered or concerned?"
"A little of both," Ra replied, gesturing for them to sit.
Keh stood by the window, their sharp gaze sweeping the room while Ma perched elegantly on one of the chairs. Toh stood beside Ra's desk; his tablet balanced effortlessly in one hand.
"This about Oh again?" Ma asked, though there was a knowing edge to her tone.
"In a way," Ra said, turning his laptop toward her. The paused race stream filled the screen. "'The Hawk'. He just made his debut. It was a clean sweep, but the way he handled the track wasn't just talent. It was deliberate."
Ma leaned forward, her sharp eyes narrowing as she studied the masked figure crossing the finish line. "Interesting. He's already an enigma, but I didn't expect him to make waves so soon."
"People are already speculating," Toh said, scrolling through his notes. "Some think he's a seasoned racer going incognito. Others think he's just a stunt."
"I think he is neither," Ra said firmly. "Whoever he is, he's playing the long game. And if he's aiming for the big circuits, he's going to cross paths with us eventually."
Ma sat back, crossing her legs. "Do you think he's connected to Asyut already?"
"Not yet," Ra replied. "But he's fast enough and smart enough to get close. And if Asyut is behind Oh's accident, The Hawk might be the way to flush him out."
Keh finally spoke, their voice low but deliberate. "You suggest using an unknown element to disrupt an already dangerous situation. Bold, but risky."
"Everything about this is risky," Ra said, his tone hardening. "We're no closer to finding the person pulling Asyut's strings, and I'm tired of waiting for them to slip up. If The Hawk can shake things up like this, I'm willing to take the chance."
In the warmth of the office, the group settled into strategy. Ma sipped from the glass of whiskey Ra handed her while Keh sat on the arm of the couch, their presence a silent reminder of the stakes. "We need to figure out who The Hawk is," Ma said, setting her glass down. "If he's clean, we can bring him in. If he's not…"
"We adapt," Ra finished, leaning against his desk. "Toh, start digging. I want everything we can find on him—racing history, connections, even rumors." Toh nodded, typing rapidly on his tablet.
"And Asyut?" Ma asked, raising an eyebrow. "Same as before," Ra said. "We keep the pressure on. If he feels threatened, he'll slip eventually. But The Hawk might be the wildcard we need to speed things up."
"Assuming he's willing to play ball," Keh said. Ra met their gaze, his expression unflinching. "He will be. If he's as smart as I think he is, he'll know we're on the same side." Ma's lips curved into a faint smile. "You're putting a lot of faith in a masked stranger, Ra. Let's hope it pays off."
As the group continued their discussion, Bakhu and Manu settled at Ra's feet, their silent loyalty a reminder of the family he was fighting to protect—both the one he had and the one he hoped to rebuild. "It will. It has to."
–☀︎–
Later that night, Toh sat in his dimly lit office, the hum of his laptop the only sound breaking the silence. The screen displayed footage from The Hawk's debut race, paused on a single frame: the masked racer standing beside their mentor, whose golden-yellow helmet and oversized fur-lined jacket made them impossible to miss. Toh leaned forward, replaying the clip for what felt like the hundredth time, his eyes narrowing as he studied the mentor's stance, their gestures, the way they moved.
"Familiar," he murmured, his brow furrowing. "Too familiar."
He paused the video again, focusing on the mentor as they handed a tool to The Hawk. It wasn't just their physicality that struck him—it was the quiet confidence in their movements, the subtle way they commanded the space around them. The kind of confidence that came from years in the racing world. Toh had seen it before, but the thought lingering at the edge of his mind refused to come into focus.
"This doesn't make sense," he muttered, sitting back in his chair.
He couldn't shake the feeling. The way they stood, the way they gestured—it reminded him of someone. But who? His mind raced through the possibilities, pulling from years of observing Ra's life, his circle, and the racing world. Then, like a bolt of lightning, it hit him: Sekh.
"No," Toh whispered, shaking his head.
It couldn't be her. Sekh was a car racer, not a motorcyclist. She'd never shown any interest in bikes, and to his knowledge, she didn't even know how to ride one besides the basics. Still, the resemblance in mannerisms was uncanny. He thought of the golden-yellow helmet and the fur-lined jacket—both striking, bold choices that matched Sekh's taste. And the way she carried herself? That was unmistakably Ra's daughter.
"Toh, you're reaching," he told himself aloud. "She wouldn't keep something like this from Ra. She's too close to him." And yet, a part of him couldn't let it go. Sekh was fiercely independent. She loved her father deeply, enough to get in brawls on his behalf, much to his chagrin. But she also carved her own path, often in ways that surprised even Ra. If she were The Hawk's mentor, it would explain the deliberate anonymity and the calculated way The Hawk moved through the racing world. Sekh wasn't someone who did anything halfway.
Still, the pieces didn't quite fit. She was a car racer. Her world was one of engines and roll cages, not bikes and leathers. Why would she suddenly dive into motorcycle racing?
Toh stood, pacing the room. The more he thought about it, the more it frustrated him. He wanted to dismiss the idea outright, but his instincts wouldn't let him. They'd been right too many times before. "This stays with me," he finally decided, his voice firm.
He wasn't ready to bring this to Ra, not without proof. Sekh had earned the benefit of the doubt, and if he was wrong, the fallout of such a baseless accusation would be immense.
Turning off the laptop, Toh left his office and walked down the dim hallway. As he passed a familiar framed photo, he paused. It showed Ra in his prime, grinning as he held a gleaming racing trophy high above his head. Perched on his shoulders was a young Sekh, her tiny hands reaching for the trophy, her smile as bright as her father's.
Toh paused, his lips curling into a faint smile. The thought lingered as he continued down the hall, entering his room. He closed the door behind him, his mind already working through the next steps. If Sekh truly was involved, it would mean there was far more to this than any of them had realized. And if she wasn't… well, that was a problem Toh wasn't ready to face just yet.