The sun hung high over Abranta, its golden light bouncing off the crystalline spires of the city, casting rippling reflections across the streets. The crowd surged toward Harbinger Academy, eager for the much-anticipated Invention Showcase—a rare collision of genius and politics, where inventors unveiled their latest creations to the Council of Nine and other powerful figures.
Elora Amaranthe adjusted the folds of her formal robes, her expression composed while her mind quietly ran through a dozen contingencies. Seated in the representatives' gallery, she only half-listened as nearby officials rehashed the same old debates—trade routes, anomalyte resource disputes, Nexuria's crumbling infrastructure. It was all predictable.
"Nexuria needs to stabilize its own economy," someone murmured behind her. "Depending on Abranta's resources will just keep them tethered."
Elora didn't react, keeping her face impassive. Instead, her gaze drifted over the grand chamber, where dignitaries and power brokers from across the realm had gathered. Her mind, however, wasn't on the discussions. It was on her children.
Down in the public seating area, Amelia was locked in a losing battle to stop Gavin from pestering Nachtan. Nola, ever the composed one, had her nose buried in a book, tuning out the world. Ronan slouched in his seat, likely already plotting an escape from the event's stiff formality, while Leo looked half-asleep, the flickering energy of his dimensional anomalyte pulsing faintly around his fingers. Nachtan, uncharacteristically quiet, kept his hands tucked under his jacket.
Elora sighed internally: 'Please, don't cause trouble today'.
"Excuse me, is this seat taken?"
The voice was smooth, self-assured. Elora turned as a woman slid gracefully into the chair beside her. She was quite tall, her sharp features framed by raven-black hair twisted into an elegant knot. Her dark, precisely tailored attire shimmered subtly with metallic thread, catching the light. A quiet kind of power radiated from her.
Elora's breath hitched for a fraction of a second. There was something eerily familiar about her, but the memory stayed just out of reach. She forced herself to relax.
"No, it's not," she replied, her voice steady.
The woman offered a faint smile, but something in her eyes—an unsettling glint of knowing—sent a cold shiver down Elora's spine. Pushing the thought aside, she turned her focus back to the stage. 'Probably just my imagination', she tought by herslef.
The grand hall dimmed. The first inventor stepped forward.
Each presenter had ten minutes—a tightrope walk between dazzling the audience and keeping their attention. The early inventions ranged from remarkable to forgettable. A water purification system powered by anomalyte energy drew some interest. A medical scanner capable of detecting any illness earned polite applause. But as presentation after presentation blurred together, the audience's attention waned.
Then it was Kael Ventra's turn.
He stepped onto the stage, dark hair tousled, his sharp gaze steady with purpose. In his hands rested the Anomaly Energy Orb—small, unassuming, glowing faintly. Next to him, Lydia stood, an anchor of quiet support.
Few in the audience paid him much notice as he began.
"Ladies and gentlemen," his voice carried through the chamber, calm, deliberate. "I present to you the Anomaly Energy Orb—a portable generator of clean, sustainable energy. Small enough to hold, yet powerful enough to light up a city."
There was a mix of polite applause and skepticism.
Kael barely smiled. "I understand your doubt. Words only go so far. Allow me to show you."
He placed the orb on a pedestal. A flick of his fingers activated the console wired to it. A low hum vibrated through the chamber as the orb pulsed. One by one, lights flickered to life, growing in intensity until the entire stage was aglow. Holographic projections shimmered into existence, displaying real-time energy output—enough to power a city block.
Then, with a deft adjustment, the orb's energy shifted, seamlessly powering a mechanical construct that lifted into the air. A silent promise of what could come next—transportation, infrastructure, a complete shift in how cities sustained themselves.
The murmurs in the crowd changed. Interest sparked.
Kael stepped forward. "This is just the beginning. With the right support, the Anomaly Energy Orb could revolutionize energy infrastructure across all realms. Cities like Nexuria will no longer rely on Abranta. Every region could have equal access to power. A future where innovation and equality go hand in hand."
Applause erupted. Even the Council exchanged intrigued glances, whispering among themselves. Kael allowed himself a moment to absorb it all—then his gaze flickered toward the representatives' gallery. A slight frown ghosted across his face.
His eyes had landed on the woman beside Elora.
The faintest shadow of unease crossed his features, but in an instant, he masked it.
The event shifted into celebration. Outside, the Academy's streets came alive with music, food stalls, and glowing lanterns. Laughter wove through the air as festivalgoers indulged in the revelry.
Kael's presentation was the talk of the hour. The council's interest in funding his project sent ripples through the city.
And yet, Elora remained on edge.
The siblings scattered into the festival, each drawn to their own diversions. Nola stayed close to Nachtan, who clutched the book hidden beneath his jacket, his thoughts distant. Amelia and Gavin tested their strength in a competition, while Ronan and Leo melted into the crowd.
Then—
The explosion.
A deafening blast tore through the streets, shaking the ground beneath their feet. A shockwave ripped through stalls, scattering debris like brittle leaves. Screams filled the air as masked figures emerged, anomalyte-powered weapons at the ready. They moved with precision, striking key structures, unleashing chaos.
Elora shot to her feet. Energy flickered at her fingertips as her eyes swept the scene. Around her, officials panicked, vanishing in hurried teleportations.
And yet—one figure remained perfectly still.
Lyssa Holloway.
Her grin was unmistakable now, her posture one of relaxed amusement, as if watching a performance she had orchestrated.
Elora's breath caught.
I know you.
Lyssa turned her head slightly, acknowledging her with a slow nod, her grin widening. Then, as if to mock the surrounding destruction, she leaned back in her chair, utterly unshaken by the screams and fire.