Weeks slipped by soft and steady, now that everything between them was official. They ruled side by side, planned side by side, and nothing was kept hidden anymore. But the Emperor never forgot that faint, wild spark his scouts had picked up far to the north. One evening as they looked over maps spread across their table, he tapped a finger right over the marking for Elenova. “That power we heard rumours about?” he said low. “Go find it properly. See exactly what it is… and exactly who holds it.” Alice slipped out before dawn, moving like mist across the borders. Where anyone might see her, extra hands bloomed out of nowhere to knock over a bucket, pull a cart across the road, or gently turn a guard’s head the other way—then faded away without a trace. By midday she was walking right through Elenova’s busy harbour like she was just another traveller, keeping her face half-hidden under her hood. It was bright, warm, full of life that had no idea the shadow was already walking among them. She followed that faint, humming pull right through the market lanes to a quiet courtyard at the edge of town. There he was: MJ, fifteen years old, swinging a practice sword while Liam sat on the fence sharpening a real blade, watching his back like always. MJ went to kick a rock out of frustration—only for it to hang floating in mid-air, glowing bright vivid blue. It flared up fast, then lashed out and split a thick wooden post clean down the middle before he gasped and forced it back under control. “Easy man,” Liam called out without even looking up. “One day you won’t catch it in time and blow this whole yard apart.” “I can’t help it!” MJ huffed, staring at his own hands like they were something foreign. “It just builds up like a storm trapped inside me.” Alice watched every single second, her eyes widening just a little. This wasn’t just some trick or small gift. It was ancient, wild, and strong enough to shift everything coming their way. She stayed long enough to memorise their faces, how their bond worked, and exactly what that power felt like. But as she turned to leave, her hood slipped just for a moment. MJ looked straight over, and their eyes locked. “Who’s there?” he called out spinning fast. By the time Liam jumped down to check the alley, it was empty. Alice was already miles away, heading back home with all the answers they needed. That night she stood beside him once more. “It’s a boy named MJ,” she told him. “Untamed blue power—fire, ice, telekinesis all wrapped into one. And Liam… the one always right beside him, his oldest friend. They have no clue what they really have.” The Dark Knight leaned forward, shadows swirling soft around him. “Keep watching them. Don’t interfere yet. Not until the board is set just right.”

Chapter 8: Palace of Light