Three months had passed since Alice walked into the Spire. Three months of studying maps, picking apart reports, and testing every word spoken in the war rooms for lies or omissions. She had already proven herself more times than most generals did in a lifetime. Now the Emperor sent her out on her first true mission: slip into Elenova, the sunlit trade port far to the north, and find the strange flicker of power his scouts had picked up—something that did not belong. She slipped through the border wards like smoke. Her robes shifted colour to match whatever was around her, and whenever anyone looked like they might catch her movement, extra hands would bloom just out of sight—brushing a cart into their path, dropping a bucket to distract them, or gently turning their heads away until she had passed. By sunset she was walking right along Elenova’s busy harbour like she belonged there. It was nothing like Necrokeep or the Abyss. Bright painted ships lined the docks, spices and roasted meats scented the air, people laughed and traded and sang without any idea that eyes from the dark were already walking among them. Alice kept her hood low, watching everything, following the faint, humming thread of magic that pulled her deeper into the town toward the quieter residential lanes. It led her to a small courtyard at the edge of town. There he was: MJ, just fifteen years old, practising with a wooden sword while his friend Liam sat on a nearby fence sharpening a real one. MJ went to kick a loose stone out of frustration—only for it to hang suspended in mid-air, glowing bright pale blue. The light flared brighter, then suddenly lashed out, cracking a wooden post clean in half before he gasped and slammed both hands down, forcing it back under control. “Easy,” Liam called out, not looking up. “You gonna bring the whole roof down one of these days.” “I can’t help it!” MJ huffed, staring at his own palms like they were foreign. “It just… builds up. Like there’s a storm trapped inside me waiting to break out.” From the shadow of an alleyway, Alice watched every second, her eyes widening just a little. This was no ordinary gift. It was wild, ancient, far stronger than anyone here realised. If it stayed untamed, it would tear him apart. If the Emperor learned to control it… it could break every army that stood against him. She lingered only long enough to memorise his face, the way his power moved, and who stood closest to him. Then she turned to leave—but stepped right around a fruit seller carrying a heavy crate, and for a split second her hood slipped back. MJ looked straight over, their eyes locking for a heartbeat. “Who’s there?” he called out, spinning around. By the time Liam jumped down to check, the alley was empty. Far above the rooftops, Alice walked calmly back toward the tree line, already knowing exactly what she would tell him. By midnight she was back in his private study, standing before him while he waited quietly by the fire. “Elenova has what you were looking for,” she said, leaning one hand on the table where his maps were spread. “A boy named MJ. Fifteen. Telekinesis, and a core of blue fire and ice all wrapped into one. Raw, completely untrained. And powerful enough to turn the whole tide of this war—for us, or against us.” The Dark Knight stood slowly, stepping closer, the firelight catching the edges of his helm. “Interesting. And who stands beside him?” “A swordsman called Liam. Loyal. Quiet. Bounty hunter. Best friend since childhood.” Alice looked right at him. “They aren’t ready for what’s coming. Not yet.” He was quiet for a moment, then nodded slowly. “Watch them. Both of them closely. Do not interfere. Not until it is time.” “Understood.”

Chapter 5: Debut of the First Hunt