The following morning was eerily quiet—no shouting, alarms, or fights—just sunlight filtering through curtains and dust particles lazily drifting in the beams. Sylvia's house had that warm silence that made it easy to forget they had nearly died the day before, that's how fancy and classy her house is. Most of them remained sprawled across couches and spare beds. Mira had slept in a guest room, Alec and Irene shared another, and Owen had somehow claimed the whole living room, slept on the couch as if it were his own. For once, no one woke early out of paranoia; they were genuinely rested.
Alec was the first to get out of bed. Unsure of the time, he noticed the smell of tea already in the air. He found Sylvia at the kitchen counter, her hair tied messily, flipping through a small notebook like a newspaper.
He sat across from her, arms folded. "Yesterday, you mentioned your family isn't being backed up anymore. What happened to the rest of them?"
Sylvia took a slow sip of her tea, steam curling around her face, and gave a half-smile. "Well, we're not being heavily supported in this country, at least. My family is probably scattered worldwide—they left, but I stayed."
She lightly tapped her mug. "Every power in this world has a role. They're probably out there helping people. That idea keeps me from worrying too much."
Heavier footsteps creaked from the hallway.
"Damn, you guys are up early," Joel said bluntly as he entered, pulling out a chair and sitting beside them.
One by one, the rest of the group appeared: Mira rubbed her eyes, Irene still looked half-asleep, Crystal quietly entered holding her hair back, and finally Owen.
Mira mumbled, "When can I visit Jessica?"
Hiro leaned against the counter. "We have plans today, and we need you. We're heading to South Vexen's church for more info—the origin of these powers is tied to religious themes and all that extra stuff."
He crossed his arms. "Then after that, we're raiding a Phoenix base. Since they're bound to cause trouble. The goal is to cut off their drug supply; it should keep them busy for a while."
Crystal placed her mug down. "Then we should get ready to leave."
Sylvia rose from her chair, surveying everyone like a commanding officer inspecting troops.
"Good luck. Be careful. Most in Vexen view these powers as gifts, and disrespecting them can lead to punishment. Watch what you say, and don't ask for secrets—they won't be handed over just because you ask."
Owen stretched and cracked his neck. "Then we don't ask. We borrow—and by borrowing I mean steal."
Joel pinched his nose. "No stealing. We can't draw attention. Our sources are limited, and getting info will be a pain in the ass. We won't ask unless necessary."
"That sucks," Owen muttered.
They grabbed jackets, boots, and weapons, then gathered at the door. No more resting, no more talking—just moving.
They stepped into Vexen's streets.
The city was already awake: neon signs flickered in daylight, vendors shouted over each other selling steaming food and glowing tonics, and kids chased each other, shooting tiny sparks from their fingertips. They passed a pawn shop with old electronics in the window.
Suddenly, Owen stopped. "Uh—guys. Look."
They turned to see a display showing a live broadcast. A woman with black hair and sharp brown eyes stood in front of a school.
"Breaking news," she announced. "An attack at Vexen High has just occurred. Students were severely harmed—some even killed—by a classmate identified as Ivan, an ice user."
A clip showed a teenage boy being pushed into a police car, eyes red and unfocused.
"He was found with what is confirmed to be a drug called Autonomisation—the same illegal drug circulating worldwide."
A man leaned into the reporter's ear; she froze, then covered her mouth.
"…Ivan has died. Cause of death appears to be power overuse."
The camera showed his body: blood leaking from his nose and mouth; his eyes were red and lifeless.
Alec exhaled slowly; Owen turned away, jaw tight.
The reporter continued, "If you see anyone with this drug—friend or family—report it to the police before it's too late. These gifts are enough. You don't need drugs. Be grateful."
The broadcast cut black.
"'Gifts?'" Alec said. "I don't think gifts should shorten lives."
"So she's against the drug but not these powers that kill?" Owen asked, confused.
"Well, I don't think the powers caused this," Joel said flatly. "It's probably the drug."
"I agree," Mira said, and they continued walking toward their destination. They made it.
They start entering the church.
"The church welcomes you. Today, I will tell the tale of Vexen," said the priest.
They sat together in the church, none separated. Alec sat near Owen; Mira sat near Crystal; Joel and Hiro sat side by side. The church was larger than it seemed outside—high arched ceilings with hanging lanterns flickering in blue, red, and gold. Stone pillars lined the walls, carved with images of people wielding different powers—raw energy and enchantments. People filled the hall: some in simple robes, others in sleek uniforms marked with symbols like lightning bolts, droplets, and fire. The priest, dressed in white and bronze robes, stood on an elevated platform, wearing a pendant shaped like two hands forming a heart.
"Kings or rulers didn't found Vexen, but it was God," the priest continued, his voice echoing. "It was built through God's blessings—without God, this city wouldn't exist. These blessings helped us rise from our lows. The ancient great families, who aided us in our darkest times, used these gifts. Without them, they couldn't have helped us. Long ago, there was a war; we were losing until… our country gained the power to fight back. These blessings came during the battle. The great families were there, and that's when they truly became great. Our prayers were answered, it was all thanks to god."
Owen leaned toward Alec and whispered, "Even if it helped, it still kills us. He sounds insane."
Alec elbowed him softly. "Shut up"
Owen rolled his eyes.
Behind them, someone gave Owen a look.
The priest pointed to a mural behind him: a grand painting of a colossal figure cloaked in light, touching the foreheads of kneeling people. Each person radiated a different color—blue, red, purple, or white.
"Each gift," said the priest, "was purposeful, not random. The great families realized this early and stepped up. Unfortunately, things aren't the same anymore—especially the Akiramans did the most for us."
Hiro's eyes shifted to another part of the mural—depicting people fighting in streets amid flames and waves, with lightning users and healers.
"The modern era is marked by greed," the priest said, tone darkening. "Factions commit murder, cities are attacked, families torn apart. The gifted must serve balance, not chaos. These powers have drawbacks, but they come at a cost."
"At least he's right about abuse," muttered Owen. "But he refuses to see these powers aren't the problem—the people are."
The priest clasped his hands. "Today, we face an era of violence. False power, artificial miracles—drugs that disrespect God."
Crystal lifted her head slightly.
"Our duty," said the priest, "is to eradicate this corruption and disrespect towards our God."
Joel's eyes narrowed at his words.
The priest pressed on, but Hiro cast a quick look at the others.
He nodded slightly. It was time to move. They silently left, avoiding attention. Outside, the city resumed its noise—puddles reflecting neon lights, steam from sewer grates, and nearby street performers juggling fire and water, the crowd clapping for them can be heard from far.
Joel spoke first. "They see powers as sacred, and that drug is blasphemy."
"And these powers are gifts," Alec added. "Figures."
Hiro crossed his arms. "At least we know more about the world. I believe the family history because Sylvia mentioned her family name, so much of what the priest said could be true historically." Joel muttered, "But that's barely enough to end this mess." Owen sighed, annoyed. "Well.. we're going to raid a Phoenix base because they might pose problems."
Alec looked at Hiro. "Why only because they might cause trouble? You even said you don't even care for them. Trouble only? We need a better reason."
Crystal stepped forward and sighed. "They're at war with other gangs half of them aren't even from Vexen and we don't know what other people outside of Vexen can do, and this gang war most likely will take place in Vexen, affecting us instantly. We might get involved and attacked. Our goal is just to take their drug supply while they're busy, and when they notice, they'll have to pause any further gang violence, plus it'll weaken them."
Mira clenched her fist. "Then let's go. Im tired of doing nothing."
"Wait," Alec says loudly. "I thought we weren't doing this."
Joel doesn't answer.
Hiro keeps walking.
Crystal follows.
Owen stops completely. "Hold up. Yesterday it was 'Phoenix doesn't matter.' Now we're marching toward their front door?"
Irene's eyes narrow slightly. "Yeah. You guys are being inconsistent."
Mira turns slowly toward Joel.
"You did say you didn't care about them."
Joel's jaw tightens — just slightly.
"We don't," he says.
"That's gotta be a lie," Alec replies immediately.
Silence.
The kind that isn't defensive — just tired.
They're close enough now that the building fills their vision. A flicker of movement behind a second-story grate.
Hiro finally stops walking.
"You're right," he says.
That makes everyone still.
Owen blinks. "About what?"
Joel exhales slowly.
"We said we don't care about Phoenix," he says. "And strategically? We don't."
"That's not what this looks like, stop lying," Irene says sharply.
"No," Crystal admits softly. "It isn't."
Mira studies them.
"You're targeting them," she says. "After saying they're irrelevant, and you don't care."
Joel looks at her — and for the first time, there's something unguarded there.
"It's not about Phoenix," he says.
"Then what is it about?" Alec presses.
Hiro's voice is steady, but quieter now.
"Time."
The word lands heavier than expected.
Owen frowns. "We all have time."
Hiro doesn't look at him.
"Not like you."
That shuts the air down.
Mira's expression shifts slightly — not sympathy. Recognition.
Joel rubs the back of his neck.
"We're not going to be here much longer," he says plainly. "So we'd rather leave something behind than nothing."
Alec's voice lowers. "By fighting Phoenix?"
"By stopping something," Joel replies. "Anything."
Irene's eyes sharpen.
"So this is desperation."
Joel doesn't deny it.
Crystal closes her eyes briefly — like she hates that word, but can't argue with it.
Mira steps closer.
"You still said you didn't care about them, so why are we here."
"We don't," Hiro repeats. "Not emotionally."
"Then why them?" Owen asks.
Joel looks at the base.
"Because they're visible. They're active. They're something we can touch."
There it is.
Not strategy.
Tangibility.
Alec exhales slowly. "You just want to matter before you're gone."
The honesty in that makes Crystal flinch.
Hiro doesn't.
"Yes."
The question doesn't come immediately.
It builds.
It sits in the space between them, heavier with every second they stare at that rusted Phoenix insignia carved into brick.
Mira is the first to turn fully toward Joel and Hiro.
Her voice is quieter now.
"How long?"
Joel doesn't pretend not to understand.
Alec's eyes narrow slightly. "Yeah."
Owen steps forward, suspicion sharpening again. "Have you guys been planning this?"
Silence.
Not confused silence.
Not offended silence.
The kind where the answer already exists.
Crystal looks down first.
Hiro exhales through his nose.
"Yes."
The word is steady.
Not defensive.
Just honest.
Irene's posture stiffens. "Since when?"
Joel doesn't hesitate. "Since before we met you."
That shifts the air instantly.
Mira's jaw tightens. "So this wasn't just… out of no where."
"No," Hiro says.
Owen lets out a humorless laugh. "Wow."
Alec runs a hand through his hair. "So the training..."
Silence poured in, nobody talked.
They moved deeper into Vexen's heart. Crystal closed her eyes, using her powers.
Joel looked at her. "Crystal, can you scope the perimeter?" he asked, curiously.
"Is that a joke?" was the reply she gave.
To be continued.