Garret's expression fell. "So I won't get to stay in Aurelios? Aw, I was hoping I'd get to read through some of these books."

  All four of them had signed Giro's contract. Their first mission would take them to another city, and they were scheduled to depart within hours.

  Giro waved a hand dismissively. "Relax. You can take whatever books you'd like. If you need more while you're gone, send me a letter. I'll have them delivered."

  "Really? Thanks! Oh- I just remembered I left all the books I picked out back where that guy was. I-"

  He was cut off as Weiss appeared beside him, setting a stack of books neatly at his feet. "Here you go, young man."

  Garret's eyes lit up. "Wow. You're so cool."

  Weiss adjusted her glasses. "I am always willing to help the next generation educate themselves." In a blink, she was back at her desk.

  "Of course," Giro added casually, "if you fail this first mission, you can say goodbye to any assistance from Aurelios." He glanced at Pyre. "Though I doubt that will be an issue with her in your group."

  He turned and began walking between the towering shelves. "Good luck."

  Air bounced lightly on his heels, barely containing his excitement. As much as he wanted to explore Aurelios, anywhere new was enough for him. He hopped over to Garret, who was stuffing books into the satchel Giro had given him.

  "Don't worry, Garret. I promise we won't fail. You'll be back here studying in Ahwelias in no time."

  "It's Aurelios," Garret corrected. "And I know. I can be patient as long as I can bring these with me. It's not like Aurelios is the end-all, be-all anyway. There's plenty I can learn from other places."

  Pyre snorted. "Nah. The most you're gonna learn from Virellis is how to keep your wallet from getting nicked."

  Air tilted his head. "Really?"

  Pyre chuckled. "Yeah. I love it, but it's not exactly known for it's academics. I'd know. I grew up there."

  Garret perked up. "Oh right, you've mentioned that a couple times before. I guess we really are going to your hometown."

  She nodded. "Don't get your hopes up, Gar. I know the best food spot in town, so I'll make sure to show you that. Other than that, I'd rather get this mission done as fast as possible."

  Silver stayed quiet, though he agreed. Growing up alongside Pyre meant he'd spent plenty of time in Virellis too. It wasn't a pleasant city. Most people stayed because the housing was cheap and they couldn't afford anywhere better, or because debt had its hands wrapped tight around their throats. Too many thought they could join a gang, make quick money, and escape. But once Virellis dug its claws into you, it didn't let go.

  ----------

  A few hours later, they boarded another airship. This one was piloted by a different High Council employee, a man who spoke only once to inform them their transport was ready.

  Virelis lay far to the southeast of Modus, its outer edge pressed against the ocean. Garret watched as they passed over the dense forests ringing Aurelios and into the rocky, barren land surrounding Virelis. Where Aurelios shimmered with its fantastical blue hue, Virelis was drab and gray. Its architecture was square and uninspired, its skyline flat and practical. The dark clouds hanging over the city only helped to emphasize it's gloomy nature.

  They touched down on the city's outskirts. The scent of salt hung heavy in the air, drifting in from the ocean, but beneath it was a metallic undertone that stung the nose. Air took a deep breath and immediately scrunched his face.

  Pyre chuckled and patted his back. "You better get used to that smell, kid."

  Garret didn't look much happier. He and Air followed Pyre through the city gates. Cracked streets stretched ahead of them, flanked by dull buildings that seemed to blend together. Dozens of people moved along damp sidewalks and crosswalks while wide-bodied vehicles with thick rims rumbled down the roads.

  Mechanical cars like these had only become publicly available around thirty Cycles ago. Their engines were powered by intricate webs of spells woven into steel and copper. Judging by the volume of their roar, there was still room for improvement.

  Air stared openly at one as it passed. "Woah, they're just like the flying thing we rode in! I can't wait till we get ours."

  Silver shook his head. "Mission first. The car's already somewhere in the city. We just have to find it and take it back."

  Pyre folded her arms. "We might not even need to steal it. If it's in the right hands, he'll hand over Sebas and the car without a fuss. I was never in the gang myself, but I was close with the Ash Runners. If they've got it, leave the talking to me. I'll help you little guys hone your skills later. For now, don't start any fights. I'm serious. People here won't hesitate to rip you to shreds."

  Air nodded quickly. "Got it! Now... you said something about food before we left?"

  "We're here."

  Pyre stopped in front of a glass door and pushed it open. The bell above it jingled as Garret, Air, and Silver stepped inside. The red cushions on the stools were cracked with age. Silver leaned down between the boys and whispered into their ears.

  "Whatever you do, don't order anything with eggs."

  Garret frowned. "Huh? Why—"

  A booming voice cut him off. "I know yer not badmouthin' my cookin' again, boy!"

  Silver winced and straightened. "What? No, of course not, sir. You're the best cook in Virelis. I'll have the usual." He hurried to a stool.

  Pyre guided the boys to two empty seats and handed them menus. "Order anything you want. It's all good."

  Garret scanned the page, then pointed. "Are these eggs... blue?"

  Silver immediately began gesturing frantically for him not to order it. The bearded man behind the counter leaned in, his beard carrying a strong grease-laden scent. "Oh yeah. That's my famous moon omelet. The eggs sit in a special sauce for five hours. Go on and order it, kid. You'll love it."

  Garret hesitated, then gave a weak nod. "Uh... sure. Okay."

  Air snickered. "I'll just have a beef sandwich, please."

  The man disappeared into the kitchen. Garret's hands trembled slightly on the counter.

  "You're going to regret that," Silver whispered.

  Garret covered his face. "He suggested it. I couldn't just say no."

  Pyre scoffed. "Don't let Silver scare you. I used to eat these eggs all the time. And I'm perfectly healthy." She flexed her thick bicep for emphasis.

  Minutes later, the cook emerged, balancing all four plates effortlessly. He tossed them down one by one with practiced precision.

  Air's sandwich looked perfectly normal. Garret's omelet glowed faintly blue beneath the buzzing lights.

  He broke off a piece and lifted it slowly to his mouth. A cautious nibble. He swallowed.

  His eyes lit up.

  He devoured the rest of the bite, chewing happily-until his chewing slowed. His smile faltered. A frown crept in. He forced himself to swallow, then grabbed the glass of water beside him and chugged it.

  "Blegh... it tastes good at first, but there's an aftertaste that's just-ugh." He shuddered. The eggs carried a sharp tang, and the sauce left their texture rougher than it should have been.

  Pyre, meanwhile, was enthusiastically shoveling blue scrambled eggs into her mouth. She laughed mid-bite. "Haha! He's dissin' your eggs right in front of you."

  The bearded man rolled his eyes. "Eh. It's an acquired taste." He crossed his arms. "So what're you doin' here? Don't tell me you came all this way just for your old man's cookin'."

  Pyre swallowed. "Workin' a mission under the Aurelios High Council. We're tracking a guy, his car, and a package he was supposed to pick up."

  The man's eyes narrowed. "And you're just tellin' me that? That ain't classified?"

  "I don't think so." Pyre's plate was already clean.

  "And the kids? Thought you and Silver split. Don't tell me you got back together and adopted a pair right after."

  "Nah. Just lookin' after 'em for a bit. Helpin' them get on their feet. Like you did for me."

  The man huffed. "Good to know you picked up my better traits. Only the gods know what kind of menace you'd be otherwise." He paused. "You want your old room while you're in town?"

  Pyre nodded. "Yep. Hope it's not too dusty."

  Air perked up. "If there's dust, I'll blow it away!"

  Silver groaned. "That's a quick way to irritate my nose."

  Pyre leaned forward, peering past the boys at Silver. Contempt spread across her face. "You're not sleeping anywhere near my room. Use the money Giro gave you and get a motel."

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  Silver offered a tight smile. "Right."

  After they were done eating, the bearded man pulled a hanging string. A square in the ceiling creaked open, and a narrow staircase folded down in a rush of dust.

  Pyre climbed first. Air and Garret followed close behind. At the top was a short hallway leading to a single room. Inside sat two beds, a desk, a narrow clothes cabinet, and dozens of little trinkets scattered across every surface. Garret had known Pyre since he was small. To him, she had always been the toughest person alive, someone who wasn't afraid of anything. He wasn't prepared for it to be so... average.

  Stuffed animals were piled high on one bed. Posters of various bands clung to the walls. Old, empty perfume bottles lined the desk like trophies.

  Garret set his bag down beside the empty bed and slowly turned in place. "Wow. You had a lot of stuff."

  Pyre dropped onto her bed, sending up another cloud of dust. "Yeah. A lot of it's stolen," she said, stifling a cough.

  Her eyes caught on something hanging from the closet door. A black leather jacket. She crossed the room quickly and began brushing it off with both hands. "I completely forgot about this."

  Air tilted his head. "Your old jacket?"

  "It used to be Marty's," Pyre said, slipping it on. "I'd wear it to feel older."

  She stepped in front of the mirror, wiping a clear patch through the dust with her sleeve. "Woah. It fits me perfectly now." A grin spread across her face. "Hehe. I look awesome."

  Her gaze dropped to the rest of her clothes. "Doesn't really match what I've got on, though." She turned toward them. "Hey, you boys want to do some clothes shopping? Giro gave you plenty of cash. Might as well use it."

  Air tugged at the blue shirt he was wearing and gave it a cautious sniff. "Yeah. I think I need something else to change into."

  Garret frowned slightly. "Won't that take time away from the mission?"

  Pyre waved him off. "Like I said, I've got everything under control here. Even if my friends don't have what we're looking for, I doubt any of the other gangs will try stepping up to me. I'm basically a celebrity here, you know?"

  ----------

  After leaving their belongings in Pyre's room, they stepped back out onto the street. On the way, Pyre explained that despite the city's drab appearance, fashion was one of its staples. She always figured people dressed as eccentrically as possible just to stand out against all the browns and grays.

  The mall they entered followed the same philosophy. Neon lights and glowing signs lined the walls. The paint looked haphazard at first glance, but a closer look revealed careful patterns beneath the chaos. They passed several clothing stores, but Pyre ignored them. Then she abruptly turned into one and called out, "Guess who!"

  The woman behind the counter lit up. "Pyre, baby!" She hurried around the counter and wrapped the much taller girl in a tight hug. Pulling back, she gave Pyre a once-over. "What's this you're wearin'?" She leaned down and tugged at Pyre's purple waist cape, examining the torn, jagged ends. "Where'd you get this thing from? A dumpster?"

  Pyre giggled. "Actually, I took it as a trophy from a fallen enemy. Guy almost split me in half, but I managed to get the upper hand in the end."

  The woman shrugged. "Man, you're as hardcore as ever." She returned to her seat behind the counter and glanced at the boys lingering behind Pyre. "What's with the little nuggets followin' you around?"

  Pyre rested a hand on each of their heads and nudged them forward. "I'm just lookin' after 'em for a bit. I'm actually here to get them some new clothes. Marty used to take me here all the time, so I figured why not come back."

  The woman rolled her eyes. "You don't have ta remind me. I was with you half the time."

  Pyre scratched her head. "Oh yeah..." She looked down at Air and Garret. "Pick out whatever you like."

  The boys browsed for several minutes before settling on their choices. Air chose a simple dark blue shirt and a brown suede jacket with thin leather strips hanging from the breast pockets just below the shoulders, along with matching wrist cuffs. He paired it with beige cargo shorts over bluish gray tights and rounded yellow sneakers.

  Garret kept things simpler. He selected a green fleece hoodie, a brown shirt, black jeans, and black shoes with white soles. Growing up in a small forest town, he struggled to match pieces from the more urban selection. Pyre had to step in to help him choose his pants and shoes. She insisted both boys grab jackets, reminding them how often it rained in the city.

  For herself, Pyre picked out a black hat, black leather jeans, and black boots with silver laces to match the leather jacket she had found earlier. Since she was holding onto the boys' money, she paid for everything.

  As she turned to leave, the woman called out, "Since you're in town, there's a brand new Gritwing fighting ring down in Greywater. Big tournament tomorrow afternoon."

  Pyre tapped her chin. "As much as I'd love to see some big birds dukin' it out, I've kinda got a job to do. Maybe if there's time after, but I doubt it."

  The woman leaned back, inspecting her nails. "Ah, I get it. Shame, though. I heard Silas is gonna be there. Thought you might wanna catch up."

  Pyre froze and turned. "You said Silas is gonna be there? I was planning on talking to him for this mission."

  "Then you'd better show," the woman replied. "Silas isn't easy to come by these days, not with him bein' the new leader of the Ash Runners."

  Pyre stared at her. "He's what? Mara, are you serious?"

  "One hundred percent."

  Pyre took a step back. "I can't believe it. I knew he said he'd kill that old man one day, but I never thought he'd follow through." A slow smirk spread across her face as she glanced at the boys. "How do you two feel about watchin' some birds fight?"

  Air grinned. Garret's stomach growled loudly. "Uh, I never finished those disgusting eggs. Is there anything to eat in this mall?"

  Pyre burst out laughing.

  ----------

  Silver remained seated at the counter in Marty's shop as the sun dipped toward the horizon. He let out a slow sigh. "Hey, Marty. You think Pyre's ever going to forgive me?"

  "Hmm. Depends. Do you think you should be forgiven?" Marty replied, polishing a glass.

  "I mean, of course. It's like she doesn't realize how hard it is not to put her on a pedestal. Every time I stood next to her, it felt like she towered over me."

  "And I bet that made you feel real small." Marty set the glass down. "Can't say I relate. There was probably a time she felt beneath me, but she didn't let that sway her decisions...most of the time. She just kept climbing until we were equals. Especially after she met you."

  "So I'm just a stair on a stepping stool to her?"

  "You always manage to see things in the worst light, kid. That's probably part of why she left you. Think back and find the exact moment you stopped lifting her up and started dragging her down."

  Silver rolled his eyes. "Ugh, whatever. Asking you was a mistake. Sorry." He pushed away from the counter and headed for the door.

  About half an hour after Silver left, Pyre and the boys burst into the restaurant, mid-conversation.

  "If you keep eating like that, you're totally gonna get fat!"

  Garret shook his head frantically. "B-be quiet. There weren't any buffets back home, and all that stuff looked so good. I had to try it."

  Pyre laughed. "That's not how normal people eat at buffets. You're supposed to go back multiple times. I'm honestly impressed you managed to stuff all that down."

  Garret stared at the floor, embarrassed. "You're ignoring the part where I saved money. Trying at least one of everything in one sitting is a smart financial decision."

  Air gave him a light punch on the shoulder as they climbed the stairs. "Yeah, right. Fatty."

  "Hey, don't call me that!"

  Their laughter faded as their heads disappeared through the ceiling hatch.

  Seated alone in the kitchen, Marty studied an old photograph of himself and Pyre from cycles ago. "I didn't realize at first either," he murmured. "So I can't really fault you, can I?"

  The moon climbed high, its light barely piercing the thick clouds hanging over the city's towers. Engines rumbled steadily through the night.

  ----------

  Speakers blared and voices shouted. In the very center of the room stood a circular metal cage. Sharp, high-pitched clangs rang out from inside as two feathered beasts the size of large dogs clashed. Their vibrant brown and blue plumage glittered beneath the lights, and every time their claws met, the crowd gathered around the cage roared. Eventually, one bird struck a fatal blow and its opponent dropped dead. The crowd erupted in cheers.

  Of course, there were groans mixed in. Some had bet up to nine hundred mints on the fight alone.

  On the far right side of the building, multiple VIP booths lined the wall. Each held pristine black cushioning on circular couches and smooth marbled tables at their centers. The people seated there were clearly well off, most surrounded by beautiful men and women.

  "Ugh, how can you stand the smell of blood?" a blonde woman asked, dressed in a short black dress that sparkled under the neon light above the booth. She leaned into the man with his arm wrapped around her.

  "I've dealt with this smell my entire life. It's nothing to me."

  Another blonde in similar clothing trailed her finger up his chest. "Wow, you're so tough, Si-Bear."

  "Being tough is the only way you make it in this city, y'know."

  A man in a suit approached and set a briefcase on the table before backing silently into the crowd. One of the women leaned closer to it.

  "You got it right again, Si-Bear. You always know which one's going to win," a third blonde said.

  "Of course I do. Just by lookin' at 'em, you can tell who'll overpower the other. And the winner always has a gleam of dark determination in their eye just before the fight starts. I've seen that same darkness in humans. Every time I see it, I know whoever it's turned against is going to die."

  The fourth woman chimed in. "Oh, Si-Bear, you'll protect me from anyone with that crazy look, won't you?"

  "Of course."

  The first blonde snarled and tugged on his jacket. "Me too, right?"

  The other two joined in, and all four began bickering until a booming voice cut through them. "Are you for real?"

  They turned to see Pyre towering over the booth, Air and Garret clinging to her thighs. "Not even old man Cinder stooped this low," she said, her eyes scanning each woman.

  "That's because Cinder was a picky old bastard," Silas replied without looking up, swirling wine in his glass.

  The third woman clung tighter to him and glared at Pyre. "And what was that you said, you overgrown bitch? If anyone's low, it's you."

  Pyre let out a hearty laugh and wiped a tear from her eye. "Wow. Just wow. You really think big ol' Si-Bear over there could keep you safe from me? You're so dumb it's cute. I see why Silas likes you."

  The second woman scoffed and turned to Silas. "Si-Bear, did you hear that? This ogre thinks she can insult you. Want me to grab Gungnir so you can teach her a lesson?"

  Silas set his glass down and sighed. "Ladies, I know you're new here, but you should know when to show respect. You remember that darkness I mentioned? Look into her eyes and tell me what you see."

  Hesitantly, they obeyed. Pyre's expression stiffened. The women trembled as they saw what looked like a black fire burning behind her irises. They recoiled into the couch, huddling against Silas and breaking eye contact.

  "She's a friend of mine, so she's not going to hurt you. Just be more attentive."

  "Y-yes, Si-Bear," they replied in shaky unison.

  Silas finally looked up. His eyes were shadowed by the brim of his hat, though their deep blue color remained clear. "What do you want? I hope you didn't come just to scare away my girls."

  Pyre stepped around the table, nudged one blonde aside, and sat wedged between two others, arms crossed. "We're looking for a man named Sebas. He worked under Aurelios' High Council and was retrieving an important item. We think one of the gangs in Virelis intercepted him."

  Silas tapped his foot. "I've heard about this. The Ash Runners didn't do it. If I had to guess, it was either Harlan Crowe and her Crstalbacks or Grant Jack and his Metalheads. They're the only ones with enough pull to learn about Sebas and whatever he was transporting. It was tied to the search for 'The Advent,' right? Someone's working hard to keep anyone from learning those four hundred Cycles were erased. I'm sure they've got influence to pay off anyone they want."

  "Harlan has her own crew now? When did she leave?"

  "A couple months ago, when Cinder died. A lot of the more notable members from smaller gangs joined her. I've tried making a few negotiations, but she won't even look at me since I took Cinder's spot. I really don't want to have to kill her."

  "Ah, that sucks. I'd rather not hear about my friends killing each other."

  Garret, who had been listening closely, spoke up. "Why don't you do something about it, Pyre?"

  She shook her head. "I can't. It'd be disrespectful. When you're as strong as I am, it's better not to intervene." She leaned over one of the blondes, pulled Silas in, knocked his hat off, and gave him a nuggie while he struggled in embarrassment. "If I took down all the gangs, this city would be worse off."

  Silas freed himself and quickly replaced his hat. "The authorities here are corrupt as it gets. If everything was left to them, the city would fall apart for sure. For all his faults, Cinder kept his people safe. Sure, it was so they'd be alive to buy our drugs, but that's better than what might happen if power shifts the wrong way." He adjusted his hat, trying to hide his blushing face from the women.

  Garret nodded.

  Pyre stood and cracked her knuckles. "Welp, you boys want to watch a few more matches?"

  Air shook his head. "Not really."

  "Yeah, this bird fighting thing is kind of cruel," Garret added.

  Pyre sighed. "Aw, it's not that bad. Fine, I'll take you back to Marty's." She took a step, then paused. "Oh, I almost forgot. How's Wayne doing?"

  Silas shrugged. "She should be in school right now, but she's been acting up lately. She's nowhere near as bad as you were, so I'm sure I'll be able to get her under control sooner or later."

  Pyre nodded and left with Air and Garret. On the outside, she seemed unbothered, but the moment Silas mentioned killing Harlan, her heart sank. Maybe she really should step in this once. What was the point of her strength if she couldn't use it when it mattered most?