Chapter Text
In the dim, flickering light of the lab’s emergency power, Zayne’s eyes glinted, calculating and alert. His pale skin, untouched by sunlight for years, contrasted sharply with the deep shadows around him. His black hair was cut short, uneven in places from experiments that treated him like an object rather than a person. He was slender, but his movements were quick and precise, a result of his enhanced mind anticipating every possibility.
He pressed his back against the cold, steel wall, his breath steady despite the rising tension. Around his neck hung a simple metal chain, a reminder of what was taken from him—his freedom, his past. His pale blue eyes darted from corner to corner, catching every detail in the dimly lit corridor as if every shadow hid a threat.
Tonight. We run.
Zayne replayed the plan in his head. He wasn’t alone. The others, scattered now, had shared a silent understanding. They were all part of the same grand experiment—different powers, different abilities, but united by one desire: to escape.
He remembered the start of the chaos—the moment when the lights in the facility flickered, the security systems failed, and they all made their move. He had led them through a maze of hallways, their faces barely visible, shadows blending with the cold gray of the lab.
The air hummed with tension, and the walls seemed to close in. Footsteps echoed behind them—closer and closer. The guards were catching up.
One by one, they began to split off, disappearing into the darkness of the facility. Each of them knew it was their best chance. Zayne couldn’t stop them. They had no time for hesitation. If they stayed together, they’d be caught. If they separated, maybe one of them would make it out.
Zayne moved faster, his mind racing through the blueprints of the lab he had memorized over endless nights. As he reached the final door to freedom, he hesitated for a moment, looking back into the labyrinth of shadows behind him.
Where are they?
The thought clawed at his mind, but there was no going back. The door hissed open, revealing the outside world for the first time. The cold night air hit his skin like a shock, the scent of rain-soaked earth almost foreign.
He took a deep breath, then vanished into the night.
Inside the enchanted training hall, the air buzzed with magic. The room was bathed in the warm glow of Ephedian light, the perfect place for the three girls to hone their powers.
Iris twirled in mid-air, her hands glowing with a soft pink aura. She focused her energy, aiming at the targets that circled above. With a flick of her wrist, she released a beam of magic, shattering the nearest target into glowing fragments.
"Nice one!" Talia called from across the room, her voice steady and composed. She stood with her usual calm focus, conjuring a barrier of shimmering blue magic in front of her. With a powerful thrust, she sent the barrier crashing into the last few targets, scattering them like dust.
Auriana, with her usual energy, spun into action. "Check this out!" she called, her magic glowing a bright orange. She summoned a pair of twin daggers made of pure light, flinging them toward the farthest targets with incredible precision. The daggers struck, sending a cascade of glowing embers through the air.
The girls shared a quick, triumphant glance.
"That’s enough for today," Talia said, lowering her hands. "We need to be prepared for whatever Gramorr or his minions throw at us next. He’s been quiet lately, and that makes me uneasy."
Iris landed gracefully, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "Do you think he's planning something bigger?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Auriana shrugged, twirling a strand of her hair absentmindedly. "Maybe, but that doesn’t mean we should worry all the time. A break wouldn’t hurt."
Talia frowned, but after s while formed a smile. "Well, this time I have to agree with hou Auriana. Lets take a break."
After a hard day of training, the girls decided to relax at the smoothie bar, their usual spot for unwinding.
“I am so ready for this!” Auriana grinned, her eyes already scanning the menu. “I want something extra sweet today.”
Talia, ever the serious one, gave her a look. “You’ll just crash later. Something lighter is better.”
Iris smiled. “It’s fine, let’s just enjoy the break.”
Behind the counter, Nathaniel was busy creating his latest smoothie recipe, absorbed in his work. He didn’t notice the girls right away until Iris called out.
“Nathaniel!”
He looked up, surprised but happy to see them. “Hey! Perfect timing. I’m working on a new recipe—it’s gonna be great.”
The girls gathered around, curious about his new creation, but none of them noticed Zayne quietly entering the shop. He kept his hood low, blending into the crowd as he slipped to the back of the room. His mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the lab and the vial he had stolen—an experimental chemical that could change everything. Zayne held the small vial carefully, unsure of when or where he’d use it.
As he moved toward the far side of the bar, Zayne’s hand accidentally brushed against a nearby table. The vial slipped from his fingers, tumbling to the floor with a soft clink. It rolled, unseen, under the counter.
Distracted by the noise, Nathaniel glanced down and spotted the small vial.
“What’s this?” he muttered to himself, picking it up. Another customer nearby saw it too.
“Looks like it’s yours,” the customer said, nodding toward the vial.
Nathaniel, busy with his smoothie preparation, shrugged. “Thanks,” he replied, setting the vial on the counter near his blender, not really paying it much attention.
As he continued blending his new creation, the vial tipped over slightly, its strange liquid dripping unnoticed into the smoothie. Nathaniel didn’t see the spill—he was focused on getting the right consistency for the perfect smoothie. With a final spin of the blender, he poured the drink into a tall glass, completely unaware that it had been altered.
“Here it is,” Nathaniel announced proudly, holding up the smoothie. “The Nathaniel Special!”
The girls laughed as Nathaniel prepared to taste his new creation, none of them aware of the change in the ingredients.
Meanwhile, Zayne had left the bar, his thoughts elsewhere. He made his way back to his hideout, eager to figure out his next steps. Only when he was safe and alone did he reach into his pocket, expecting to feel the vial.
His eyes widened in shock when he realized it was gone.
Panic surged through him. “The vial... where did it go?”
Zayne’s mind raced, and suddenly, he remembered the bar—the moment it had fallen from his grasp. His heart sank. Whatever was in that vial had been left behind, and he had no idea where it had ended up.