Nightfall arrive at Neverport. The town was quiet, its residents deep in slumber.
Only Axel remained awake, standing near the fountain in the town square.
He approached the statue of the Goddess Artemis at the center, kissed the flower she held, and murmured, "Happy hunting." His eyes closed as he allowed the memories he retrieve from Jay to play in his mind like a vivid dream.
Axel relived Jay's escape—his hesitation, and the moments leading to the burnt grasslands where Jay had faced Ivy.
Axel's senses sharpened as he retraced Jay's flight direction, using his wind magic to soar through the air.
Just as he was about to head for the sanctuary, a whistle from below caught his attention, "Axel, over here!" He turned to see Lunar and Ivy waving at him.
Without hesitation, Axel descended, landing gracefully before them.
His stern demeanor softened as he rushed to embrace Ivy, "I'm glad you came back to me," he whispered.
Ivy gave him a shy smile and handed him a prepared note. Axel read it silently:
"I'm sorry for returning so late. I wanted to locate their hiding place, so I let myself be captured. Now I know where they are. If you're willing, I have someone who would like to share her experience with you."
Axel's eyes moved to Lunar, who stood nervously, avoiding his gaze.
She curtsied awkwardly and said, "Hello, I'm Lunar." Her voice was soft, and her hands clutched her skirt tightly.
"A Gearwork," Axel remarked,"I never expected to meet one here."
He glanced back at Ivy, resting his head briefly against hers, "If you know anything about the Lost Brotherhood, I'll hear it tomorrow morning. For now, would you like to stay at our place?"
Lunar's face lit up, "Yes, absolutely!"
"Then it's settled," Axel said with a small grin. Ivy giggled beside him.
Together, the three made their way back to Axel and Ivy's home, knowing they would need to be well-rested for what lay ahead.
---
The Next Morning
Axel, Ivy, and Lunar walked toward the presence room, drawing attention as they passed through the town
Curious stares followed Lunar, a Gearwork unfamiliar to the locals, and Axel's casual arm resting on Ivy's waist did little to avoid scrutiny.
Lunar smiled and waved at those who stared, her warmth occasionally earning hesitant waves in return.
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Axel ignored the attention entirely, unfazed by the judgmental gazes of women who thought his actions inappropriate.
To Ivy, no one else mattered. Her focus remained solely on Axel. Still, she noticed Lunar seemed more colorful than usually.
When they arrived at the presence room, CJ and Philly stepped aside. "Becca's inside," CJ said without meeting Axel's gaze.
Axel nodded and entered, finding Becca seated on her throne-like chair. She looked up and smiled warmly, "It's good to see you safe, Ivy. Who's the girl?" Her sharp eyes moved to Lunar.
Lunar offered a stiff salute, "Lunar, ma'am."
"She has information on the Lost Brotherhood," Axel explained, guiding Ivy to a seat beside him, "Before we analyze the situation, let's hear their stories."
Lunar stepped forward, her voice steady despite the weight of her words. She spoke of the Gearwork—a reclusive and peaceful race that thrived in ancient ruins and cities. They adapted their environments to sustain their unique needs, living harmoniously until a year ago.
That was when Pi arrived.
Pi brought a large group of refugees—those who had lost their families to King Kurtis, members of the Lost Brotherhood, and others fleeing from the angels. Pi struck a deal with the Gearwork overseer to allow the refugees to coexist in their cities.
At first, the arrangement worked. But then a structure was built to produce Hax, a substance that enhanced biological and physical abilities. The refugees used it liberally, unaware of its toxic effects on the human body.
The consequences were devastating as expected. Some fell gravely ill, others went mad, and a few even developed grotesque extra limbs. When questioned about the substance, Pi would only smile, offering no explanation.
The refugees gain the power of the following: Salamanders, Wisps, and Demi-humans. They clung to the power Hax gave them, blind to the destruction it caused.
When Lunar finished her account, Axel nodded, "Thank you. Now, if you don't mind, could you and Ivy give us some privacy to discuss what happens next?"
Lunar immediately stood and bowed. "Of course. Ivy, show me around!" she said with excitement.
Ivy quickly wrote "Okay" in her notebook, smiling brightly. She blew Axel a kiss before leaving, which he caught and pressed to his heart.
---
Now alone, Becca leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, "Okay, loverboy," she teased. "What do you make of all this?"
Axel crossed his arms, "It's not as simple as it seems," he said thoughtfully. "Both sides have their grievances, and both have committed atrocities they refuse to acknowledge. King Kurtis raided countless homes, and Pi experimented on refugees under the guise of helping them."
Becca twirled a strand of her hair. "If I were them, I wouldn't admit anything either."
Axel chuckled, "That's why they rely on manipulating the truth when talking to us. Both paint the other as irredeemable villains to garner sympathy. And the problem is—they're both telling the truth in their own way, which complicates everything."
Becca paced, her brow furrowed, "It's you," she said suddenly. "They're both trying to win your trust. Kurtis came back in a hurry, and Pi avoided fighting you. They see you as the key to their plans."
Axel clapped his hands, "Exactly. To them, I'm the ultimate prize. Kurtis wants to use my influence in future battles, and Pi wants my help perfecting the next iteration of Hax. To both sides, I'm the most valuable asset."
Becca bit her lip. "So, who should we side with?"
Axel lean closer and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Follow your instincts. Choose who you believe is right. My sword will follow, and the consequences will reveal themselves in time."
Becca closed her eyes, her mind racing. After a long moment, she stopped pacing. "I've decided. I'll side with King Kurtis."
Axel raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
Becca squared her shoulders, "Kurtis may have caused harm, but Pi is actively making things worse with Hax. His justification for helping the refugees doesn't excuse the suffering he's inflicted. Kurtis may have a reason for his actions, but Pi's recklessness is inexcusable."
Axel smiled. "Fair enough. I'll start drafting a letter to King Kurtis. Just remember—every action has consequences."
"I know," Becca said firmly, raising her fist. "I'm ready to face whatever comes."
Axel tapped her fist with his own. "So am I."
The storm was coming. Neverport would soon face its first true conflict.
Who would you have sided with if you were in Becca position?
