When the group arrived in Tokyo, the train doors slid open to a rush of noise and movement. Azire stepped off first, hands in his pockets. He glanced back once and lifted a hand in a casual wave.
"I'll see y'all at the tree," he said, then disappeared into the crowd before anyone could respond.
Messiah barely noticed.
Music echoed down the street ahead, loud and upbeat, accompanied by cheers and flashing lights. Colorful banners stretched between buildings, and floats rolled slowly past packed sidewalks.
Messiah froze, eyes wide.
"No way," he whispered. Then louder, "That's her."
Before Ahmad or Korbyn could ask who he meant, Messiah was already sprinting.
"Messiah, wait," Korbyn called out, but it was too late.
They chased after him, weaving through the crowd until they reached a tall metal gate separating spectators from the parade route. Messiah pressed himself up against it, waving and shouting like he'd forgotten the entire world existed outside that moment.
Ahmad crossed his arms, scanning the crowd nervously. Korbyn leaned on the gate, sighing.
Seeing how happy Messiah looked, though, something in them softened. They stopped complaining. For a few minutes, they let themselves enjoy it. The music. The energy. The feeling of being in the middle of something big.
Somehow, Messiah came back holding merchandise, grinning as if he'd just won the lottery.
Then, screaming erupted.
A man vaulted over the fence near the far end of the street. His movements were frantic, unnatural. Something beneath his jacket pulsed violently, glowing brighter with every second.
Korbyn felt his stomach drop.
"His Nexus is unstable," he yelled. "Run!"
The crowd broke instantly. People pushed and shoved, knocking each other over as panic rippled through the street.
Messiah didn't move.
"Messiah," Ahmad shouted, grabbing his arm. "We need to go now."
Messiah stared past him.
He pulled free.
"Idol Mai," he yelled as he jumped the fence. "Watch out!"
Time seemed to slow.
Before the man could take another step, heat washed over the street. A figure appeared between him and the parade, boots touching the ground like they'd always been there.
He wore white gloves, one marked with a glowing sigil. Flames slowly gathered around his hand, but he didn't attack yet. His voice was calm, almost bored.
"Stop this," he said. "Fight it. You're still conscious."
The man's eyes turned white.
The Zero member clicked his tongue. "I hate it when they give up."
The man lunged again, movements wild and desperate. The Zero member stepped aside effortlessly, flames brushing past his shoulder as if they were part of him. The clash sent heat rippling through the air, forcing Ahmad to shield his face.
The Zero member caught the man's wrist and twisted, slamming him into the ground hard enough to crack the pavement. He didn't look angry. If anything, he looked disappointed.
His eyes shifted toward Ahmad and Korbyn.
"You three," he said, voice calm but sharp. "You here for the Tree?"
The question hit harder than expected.
Ahmad hesitated before nodding. Korbyn followed a second later.
The Zero member hummed in acknowledgment, ducking another reckless strike. "Figures," he muttered. "It's always the Tree that brings people like this out."
He shoved the man back, flames coiling tighter around his arm.
"Listen closely," he said, not raising his voice. "What you're seeing right now is what happens when someone reaches for power before they're ready to carry it."
The man screamed, clutching his chest as the glow beneath his jacket flared violently.
"People like him," the Zero member continued, "feel too much. Fear. Desire. Envy. They let it spill into their Nexus, and once that happens, it stops listening."
For a brief moment, something like irritation crossed his face.
"We call them the Unwoken. Not because they're asleep, but because they never finished becoming themselves."
The sigil on his glove pulsed brighter.
"Sometimes they stabilize," he said. "With help. With time."
His smile returned, thin and unsettling.
"And sometimes," he added, "they remind me why restraint is optional."
He leapt into the air, heat roaring as rings of fire spiraled into place. The spear of flame tore downward, ending the fight in a blinding flash that left the street scorched and silent.
When he landed, the Zero member exhaled slowly, like he'd just finished stretching.
He turned back to the boys.
"If you're going to stand before the Tree today," he said, "remember this moment."
His eyes lingered on Ahmad a second longer than the others.
"Power doesn't save you," he continued. "It reveals you."
Then he stepped aside and waved them off. "Go. This isn't something kids should watch."
Ahmad snapped out of it first. He grabbed Messiah's arm and pulled hard. The three of them ran, not stopping until the noise and smoke were far behind them.
"That was insane," Ahmad shouted, breathless, eyes shining.
"Did you see the rings," Korbyn said, jumping as he ran. "The fire went straight through them."
Messiah laughed, ready to join in, but stopped.
Ahmad and Korbyn were staring at him.
"You could've gotten us killed," Ahmad said, his voice quieter now.
Messiah shrugged. "But we didn't."
Korbyn clenched his fists, taking a breath to calm himself.
Before anyone could speak again, a deep bell rang across the city. The sound echoed between buildings, heavy and unavoidable.
Ahmad looked toward the source. "It's time."
The excitement faded. The laughter died.
Together, they turned and headed toward the Tree of Beginnings.