The world rang like a struck bell.

  Takeshi’s flash grenade had gone off with a white burst so bright it turned the plaza to snow. Sound folded in on itself. For a few long seconds, all Caelan could hear was the sharp whine in his skull and the slow beat of his own heart.

  Shapes moved through the haze—shadows in black jackets, red flashes of lenses, the blur of motion. When the ringing eased, the noise came crashing back: gunfire, shouting, laughter.

  Frontline.

  Garron ploughed through the nearest wall of armoured soldiers like a freight train, his fist taking one man clean off his feet. Braen’s warhammer came down in a thunderous swing, smashing one of Ravon’s men into the ground as sparks burst from her tower shield. “Thirteen!” Veyra shouted, and Braen slammed her shield into the marble at that angle. An arrow bounced off its rim and flashed skyward.

  “Seven!” Veyra called next, and Braen shifted the shield’s base, planting it again. The moment it struck, Veyra’s arrow ricocheted perfectly, punching through another soldier’s visor.

  “Try not to bring the building down with you!” Braen shouted over her shoulder.

  One of the men lunged at Garron with a spear, but Garron caught him mid?charge as if he weighed nothing. With a single motion, he snapped the man’s neck and tossed the armour aside; it shattered on the ground, breaking down into drifting golden orbs. He turned back toward Braen with a grin and called, “No promises!”

  A cluster of Ravon’s troops broke rank, tripping over the bodies already strewn across the marble. “Hold the line!” their senior barked—then a thrown shield flattened him before he finished the sentence.

  Nearby, Takeshi lay sprawled on the ground, rummaging through his bag. “Are you going to do something, you drunken bum?” Veyra shouted.

  “Yeah, let’s get drunk, then start a fight with a city—and let’s not forget not telling me, yet again,” Takeshi muttered. “All I get is moan, moan, moan from the witches.” He pulled out a handful of random grenades and lazily tossed them into the oncoming guards—flash, concussion, frag—each one bursting with chaotic precision. “Leave me alone! If you can’t handle the rest, not my problem, crybaby!” he yelled back.

  Centre.

  Aidan stood beside Elyria and Mynxi as Elyria, in utter shock, muttered, “This is honestly the last thing I expected to see today… this has to be a joke.” Mynxi, holding her hand, watched with a huge grin.

  Aidan glanced at Elyria. “Honestly, if you think this is a mess, you should’ve seen last week—that was a mess…” He trailed off as he noticed soldiers with firearms fanning out around them. “Bro?” he shouted.

  Milo laughed from cover. “Calm down! They’re lit up like Christmas trees—I can’t miss this.”

  At terrifying speed, Milo darted forward toward the gunmen. “Sorry, too slow,” he giggled, firing his pistol under a soldier’s chin and through his head. Two others raised weapons—Milo spun past the first, shooting him through the back of the helmet, ducked an axe, and spun again, two quick shots through the second man’s eyes. The last attacker lunged; Milo’s bullet grazed his helmet, twisting it. Milo ejected his magazine and slammed it into the man’s throat, then pistol?whipped him until the armour broke down into golden orbs.

  “I honestly thought Cap was crazy,” Milo laughed, “but he’s right—stuff really pays off.”

  Bullets whizzed past his shoulder—four perfect headshots from Aidan’s sidearm, dropping the next wave. “Seriously, I won’t always have your back,” Aidan shouted.

  Milo grinned. “You will—or Sis will kick your ass.”

  “Play nice!” Keira called. “Milo, watch what you’re doing.”

  “Or what?” Milo taunted.

  Aidan groaned. “Why would you say that?”

  “I’m sick of everyone thinking they can fuck me around today!” Keira yelled back. “Any more of that shit and I’ll tell everyone about that thing you used to sleep with!”

  “Sis—watch out!” Aidan shouted.

  Keira just grinned from ear to ear. “Don’t you worry about me.”

  A guard shouted, “Open fire!”

  Keira darted straight for the hail of bullets, whispering, “One Shot—Ripple.” She vaulted onto one guard’s shoulder; the others stared, as a terrifying smile grew across her face. “Catch, you fucker.” She fired point?blank into his eye. The recoil launched her into her next position, every shot ripping into the next guard’s throat. Each blast bounced her wherever she needed to be, carving through five soldiers in seconds.

  “Fuck yes! Who saw that?” she cheered.

  “Sis?” Aidan said, pointing behind her.

  A towering guard loomed over Keira. He grabbed her by the leg, lifting her to eye level. “End of the line, little girl.”

  Keira just smiled. Before he could blink, a knife was to his neck. The man dissolved into golden orbs as Keira landed lightly. “Bitch, please—check yourself.”

  Mynxi pointed, beaming. “Auntie Keira is the best!”

  Elyria rubbed her nose, muttering, “Of course—that’s what he’d turn them into. Fudgers.”

  Lumi dropped her staff so it rested gently against the broken stone, then slipped a large sewing needle from her bag. She walked calmly toward a knot of guards.

  “Lumi, just go back to your shop,” one of them scoffed. “You’ve been out of the game too long.”

  She smiled. “Who made that armour for you lot? No pockets, so clunky and slow… and what’s the point if you’re going to leave the wearer so open—and not even looking the least bit cute or cool? Such a shame. You could’ve at least looked cool while I eliminated you, if you’d come to me first.”

  The guards laughed—right up until Lumi tilted her head and let her measuring tape slip from her neck. She snapped it around the first man’s throat, yanked him toward her, and drove the needle into his eye. He burst into golden orbs.

  Keira watched Lumi tear through the rest of the group with quick, efficient strikes, muttering to herself, “Yeah, definitely my new bestie.” She fired her sniper one?handed behind her without looking, dropping another guard.

  Stand.

  From across the chaos, Elyria shouted, “And what the hell is this?”

  Vice Commander Karvek crept up from behind the stage and locked eyes with Caelan across the roar and panic of the plaza. His voice cut clear. “I should’ve put you down the moment I saw you. How dare you walk in here and speak to a hero in such a tone? I will present your head in my name.”

  Caelan’s grin split his face. “Aww, baby—you couldn’t handle this on my worst day.”

  Karvek’s jaw clenched. “Just die already.” Before he had time to react, the world narrowed to clouds as the weight of a mountain dropped onto him. Caelan pinned him with his knees, face close, murmuring something about cheap tricks—then raised his hand and brought it down across Karvek’s cheek. The slap cracked through the plaza like a bell.

  “Mach slap!” Caelan crowed and brought his hand down again.

  Karvek shook his head, mouth bleeding. “It’ll take more than—” he began.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Caelan’s smirk widened. He slapped again—louder, gleeful. “Mach slap! Mach slap! MACH SLAP! Hey, Solara—notice these guys can take a bit of a beating? Aw, shit, he’s crying. You want these tears for lube, over there?”

  Karvek, through clenched teeth, spat, “I’m not crying.”

  Caelan slapped him once more. “Mach slap!”

  Nearby, Solara strangled Ravon with a length of platform timber, sitting on his back, knees locked around his chest as she wedged the splintered wood into his mouth. She leaned in close and purred, “Don’t tell me that’s all you’ve got—if this is what you really wanted, you could have asked nicely. Shame.” Ravon gagged and choked on the wood as she pushed it further, whispering, “Why are you trying to get away? This isn’t even the start of what you did to our little Mynxi.”

  Pael, on the ground, scrambled to his feet, panicked. “Sir—what should we do? Should we help Ravon, sir?”

  Aurex, still on his knees atop the stand, watched the scene in wide-eyed terror. He muttered to himself, “They’re all monsters—every last one of them. Ravon could’ve taken this city by himself. What in the stars made them into such monsters?” He watched the Revolutionary Army joke and plan, the members arguing over whether Lumi should make matching hats.

  “Evacuate the people!” Aurex barked at Pael. “Ensure the plaza is cleared. Once the people are safe, assemble our forces. Whatever that was from the south gate—we deal with that, or we’ll have nothing left standing.”

  Ravon, still half-pinned and gagging, fixed his eyes on Aurex and hissed, “Traitor… traitor.”

  Pael waved frantically, ordering the guards to allow exits and reform at the south entrance to meet the new threat. Citizens fled—but then some turned back, faces hardening, and rushed to help the city guard form the lines.

  Caelan paused, looking up at Aurex on the stand. He called out with a smirk, “Go on, lad—take a deep breath. Air’s lovely up here when you’re not sucking that prick’s arse.” He gestured toward Ravon.

  Aurex swallowed, eyes darting. “Do what you need to do. My first priority is my loyal followers and this city we built together. Mr Pael—pull every available firearm, from warehouses, from wherever. No matter the cost. We will deal with the south gate later.”

  Pael barked orders, and men scrambled to gather arms. Some fleeing residents, seeing the city guard reorganize, turned and ran to assist. The south entrance began to thrum with activity.

  From the chaos, Caelan called to Takeshi, grinning, “Takeshi—look at what Solara’s doing, mate!”

  Takeshi’s muffled, drunken reply came from behind a toppled column: “Don’t care. Hate you all.”

  South Gate.

  As Aurex’s men began to form around the south entrance, Pael sprinted among them, shouting orders. “Form ranks! Move out! All followers, initiate evacuation protocols—”

  He didn’t finish. A deafening crash split the air as something massive slammed down from the sky. Dust billowed outward, swallowing the gate in a choking haze. The entire plaza froze.

  Through the settling fog, a shape emerged—tall, jagged, and wrong. Three guards hung impaled on a dark, hardened emerald blade. When the dust vanished in a sudden shockwave, a matching shield materialized, slamming down and wiping out anyone too close to the south gate.

  Aurex stumbled, staring. Even Ravon—struggling moments ago—went pale, trembling under Solara’s grip.

  Keira’s hands shook. Then a grin split her face—the same grin that curved across Caelan’s.

  As the smoke thinned, the emerald giant stepped fully into view, its eyes were pools of black obsidian.

  Aidan sighed. “They’re going to do it.”

  Veyra muttered a prayer. “Please, Goddess… just this once, let them use their brains.”

  “Everyone back in formation! Don’t you dare—” Solara started, but the storm hit first, a wave of pressure rolling through the plaza.

  Elyria’s eyes widened. “A bit reckless. It’s only been seventeen years.”

  Mynxi climbed onto Elyria’s shoulders, squealing. “So cool! Look, look—funny man and Auntie Keira are going to fight the monster!”

  Caelan stepped forward, staring into the creature’s eyes. “Sis, get fucked. He’s mine.”

  Keira folded her arms. “Big brother, you’ve had your fun today. Remember, you’re only here to make your favourite sister happy—so walk on.”

  “For the love of the stars, fight it together!” Solara shouted.

  Both turned, shouting in unison. “No!”

  The emerald creature tilted its head, almost waiting.

  “Fine. Usual?” Keira asked.

  “Don’t come crying when I win,” Caelan replied.

  “Same!” she shot back.

  “On three,” Caelan said.

  “Fuck you—on two. One… two—” They both lunged forward, then stopped, glaring. For a beat, they both held up their fists and threw rock, paper, scissors between them. Caelan’s rock smashed Keira’s scissors.

  “Ha! My turn!” Caelan crowed, jumping lightly on his feet.

  “Don’t come crying when it kicks your ass,” Keira mumbled, kicking the ground while walking back toward formation.

  “Go on, Captain,” Milo called. “Try not to mess it up like last time!”

  “Thanks. Don’t worry, I’ll find you a new teddy soon,” Caelan said, waving.

  “You promised—” Milo started.

  Aidan blinked. “Fumpy?”

  “Shut up, you all promised!” Milo shot back as everyone laughed.

  The laughter died when the emerald blurred. One moment it stood at the gate; the next it was in Caelan’s face, blade slicing past his neck.

  Caelan grinned. “Oh, you’re stronger than your little friend.”

  The blade came down again—but Caelan was already moving, sidestepping effortlessly, hands behind his back, humming as he walked. The monster matched him step for step, but always a fraction too slow.

  “Look at the little Captain—he’s dancing with it!” Braen called, clapping.

  “Don’t encourage him!” Takeshi yelled. “Stop showing off and finish it before I have to waste all my grenades saving your ass again!”

  Caelan ignored them, spinning around the creature’s swing. He ducked low, swept his right leg up, and drove both fists to his side, channelling momentum into a single kick that met the emerald’s shield with a boom. The creature flew backward through a building.

  Caelan laughed. “What a joke. It’s got speed and power, sure—but fight one, fought a million.”

  The rubble exploded outward. The emerald came hurtling back, its sword gleaming. Behind it, four smoky tendrils snaked through the debris, dragging massive boulders that it flung toward Caelan.

  Caelan drew Keira’s katana, admiring it mid?motion. Where did she even get this? he thought. Weight, balance… and that dragon engraving—‘One Shot – Captain’? Shit, I love that girl.

  He pulled the blade free. The air froze.

  As the boulders hurtled toward him, Caelan exhaled, eyes closing. Then he moved.

  Shockwaves cracked through the plaza. The boulders fell in half. Caelan met the emerald midair, blade to blade.

  Last time I had to hold back, he thought. Didn’t do that sword justice. But with this one— He smiled. —I’ll show you, Sis. I’ll honour your faith.

  Steel shrieked. Every swing clashed with a counter, each parry flowing into another strike. Caelan laughed louder with every exchange until his mirth drowned the noise of battle.

  He feinted left, slipping past the emerald’s guard. “Three days to plan this one out,” he taunted. “Try this on for size!” He spun, driving his katana upward beneath the creature. It caught itself with a smoky arm, but Caelan was already twisting, bringing his heel down from above. More fog limbs sprouted, deflecting him.

  “Perfect,” he whispered. He thrust forward. “Death Thrust!”

  The emerald threw up its shield arm, smaller fog limbs bracing it. Caelan’s blade hit like thunder, cracking the shield. He pressed harder—ten consecutive thrusts in a blur—until the shield splintered and the emerald flew into another building.

  Solara, still straddling Ravon, groaned. “What a show?off. This would be over if that ego of his—”

  “RUN!” Karvek’s voice cut her off. He tackled Solara off Ravon.

  Ravon didn’t run. He snatched a knife from his armour and plunged it into Solara’s side.

  “Damn it!” Solara gasped as she fell.

  “Sis!” Caelan shouted, but the emerald was already on him again, sword flashing.

  “On it!” Keira snapped, raising her sniper.

  Ravon drew back to stab again. “Bitch!”

  Before anyone could react, a small figure darted in front of him—a tiny Revolutionary jacket gleaming.

  Caelan froze mid?swing, eyes wide. “How did she—? Is that my stand?”

  Mynxi, armed with nothing but a stick, mirrored Caelan’s movements beat for beat. She struck Ravon and Karvek in unison, sending both flying into the ruined stand.

  She landed lightly before Solara. “You meanies! Leave Auntie Solara alone! She’s nice and pretty!”

  Elyria was already there, catching Solara as she fell. “You can’t let him distract you all the time,” she said softly. “Don’t worry—you’ll be fine.”

  Solara gritted her teeth. “Damn it. Teach me for telling everyone else to focus—ow, it’s deep.”

  “Just stay still.” Elyria pressed a glowing hand over the wound. “It’s not perfect, but—” Her entire form shimmered with a green light. The glow flared brighter and brighter until it painted every surface around her.

  The entire plaza seemed to stop. Even the shouts and gunfire died into silence. Soldiers froze mid?motion, breaths held. The emerald itself hesitated, its blade pausing mid?swing as the strange light washed over it. For a heartbeat, no one moved—only the low hum of Elyria’s power filled the air. Then the wound began to close.

  Caelan, still duelling the emerald, blinked. “Did I miss something? How are they getting these powers?”

  Keira rushed over, planting herself between Elyria and the chaos as the glow faded. “See? All better now. Just be careful until it fully sets. Not perfect.”

  “Tell me now!” Keira demanded. “I swear to fuck—tell me now! I want glowing hands too, motherfucker!”

  Solara winced but smiled. “That’s amazing, Elyria. How did you—”

  “Never mind for now,” Elyria said, shaking her head. “And did you forget?”

  Keira immediately scooped up Mynxi, spinning her in a hug. “How did you do that? Come on—you can tell your favourite auntie. Did you copy my big brother’s moves?”

  Mynxi nodded eagerly. “Uh?huh! Did I look cool?”

  Keira squealed, half collapsing. “What was that?” She froze, eyes wide. The others turned.

  Mynxi blinked. “What?”

  Keira pointed. “You… you have a tail! Oh, it’s so cute!”

  Mynxi beamed. “Uh?huh! Want to see me pick things up with it? What do you eat with if you don’t have a tail? Why doesn’t anyone else have one?”

  Solara, rising unsteadily, groaned. “Right, everyone—let’s finish this up. Garron, Braen—get those two.” She pointed toward the collapsed stand.

  Garron frowned. “Cowards. Must’ve slipped away.”

  Solara clenched her jaw. “Don’t worry. That won’t last long.”

  From the middle of the ruined plaza, a sudden shout ripped through the stunned silence.

  “FUCK!” Caelan’s voice thundered across the square.

  Every head turned toward him—the emerald frozen mid?step, Keira mid?reload, even Elyria and Solara looking up in alarm.

  “Captain?” Milo called nervously.

  Caelan didn’t answer. He just stood there, shoulders twitching, the katana still gleaming in his grip.

  The last echo of his shout hung in the air.

  Silence answered.