The next morning, the sun had barely risen, yet Gustavo and Bia were already standing on top of a building, scanning the city below.
"Gustavo… it's way too early," Bia yawned, her eyes heavy with sleep. "We can look for him later."
"No way!" he snapped, impatient. "I want to fight him and prove I'm the strongest here!"
Bia let out a soft laugh that echoed through the quiet morning. "Wow… you're such a kid."
"You're really annoying, you know that?" he shot back, offended.
"I know," she replied with a teasing smile.
A calm voice suddenly came from behind them, making both turn in surprise.
"Gustavo, Bia… what are you doing up here?"
It was Zeki. His curious gaze rested on them.
"Finally!" Gustavo exclaimed, excitement rushing into his voice. "Let's fight right now so I can show you how much better I am!"
Zeki looked at him, his expression calm but serious. "Alright."
"Wait, Zeki!" Bia interrupted, worried. "Don't get dragged into his nonsense."
"Come on, let's go somewhere open!" Gustavo insisted, already moving toward the edge of the building.
Before they could leave, a sharp voice cut through the air from a nearby building.
"I KNEW I RECOGNIZED THAT VOICE! STOP SHOUTING, KID!"
"Wait… Isadora?" Bia said, surprised.
A faint smile formed on Zeki's lips. "What a coincidence."
"Look who it is… ponytail," Gustavo muttered, annoyed. "Or better yet, the nosy one."
Not like you're any different, Gustavo… Zeki thought silently.
"What did you just say?"
With a swift, graceful jump, Isadora leapt from her window and landed on the rooftop beside them. She immediately faced Gustavo, and the two began exchanging sharp words.
"Sorry about the noise," Zeki interrupted, his calm voice cutting through the tension. "Gustavo and I were about to fight. Do you want to join us, Isadora?"
"Oh, so that's what this is?" she said, interest lighting up her eyes. "I thought I heard something. Of course I'm in." She glanced at Zeki. "By the way… I'm surprised someone as polite as you hangs out with this idiot."
"Idiot?!" Gustavo snapped. "Fine! Then it's me and Zeki against you! I'll crush both of you!"
"Gustavo, you can barely handle Isadora alone," Bia said sarcastically. "Both of them? Give me a break."
"WHY DOES EVERYONE UNDERESTIMATE ME?!"
"Let's move before someone complains again," Zeki suggested calmly.
"Agreed," Isadora said with a smirk.
They soon arrived at an open area—a small park with only a few scattered trees. Bia and Isadora sat off to the side while Zeki and Gustavo took their positions.
"Zeki, don't underestimate me just because I struggled against that Earthworm!" Gustavo said seriously.
"Earthworm? What are you talking about?" Isadora asked, confused.
"Long story. I'll tell you later," Bia laughed. "So… who are you rooting for?"
Isadora observed the two fighters carefully. "Hmm… Gustavo looks pretty dumb—no offense, it's obvious. Zeki seems smarter. I checked the written test rankings—he was first in everything. But being smart doesn't guarantee victory. What about you?"
"Zeki," Bia answered without hesitation.
"Not your brother?" Isadora raised an eyebrow.
"Honestly? I don't think he can beat Zeki. I've seen it… he's really strong."
"In that case…" Isadora said, impressed. "I'm going with Zeki too." She stood up. "Alright! Begin!"
Zeki and Gustavo faced each other.
Zeki remained calm, adjusting his stance with quiet focus. Gustavo, on the other hand, clenched his fists as intense energy began to glow around them.
"You think you're better than me just because you're calm?" Gustavo growled. "Today I'll show you who's really in charge!"
He charged forward, fists blazing with energy, and threw a powerful punch. Zeki dodged smoothly, a translucent psychic barrier forming around him.
"So that's your trick?" Gustavo shouted. "You think that barrier will save you? I'll break it!"
He stepped back, gathering more energy, then unleashed a barrage of rapid, heavy punches against the barrier.
"Come on, Zeki! Show me what you've really got! Or are you scared?!"
Zeki remained unfazed. His barrier held firm. With a subtle motion, he redirected Gustavo's attacks, creating an opening—
And released a controlled psychic wave.
Gustavo was pushed back.
"Damn it! Stop dodging and fight me properly, you coward!"
He quickly recovered, pouring even more energy into his body for a final attack. Zeki watched silently, already preparing.
Suddenly, a dense fog began to spread across the area.
Zeki's expression sharpened instantly.
"Bia! Isadora! Behind you—jump away now!"
Though confused, both reacted immediately and moved. Gustavo, still focused on the fight, didn't notice. The fog thickened, swallowing everything.
Zeki felt it.
A presence. Danger.
He extended his psychic power, shielding Isadora. A sudden attack shot toward her—
But Gustavo moved instinctively, blocking it with an energy-coated fist.
"What the hell was that?" he panted. "Who's attacking her?!"
Isadora froze, remembering the previous night. It can't be… that guy again? Is he really stupid enough to come back?
Zeki focused, releasing a powerful psychic force that began dispersing the fog. Slowly, visibility returned.
A hooded figure stood before them.
"Stay alert," Zeki said firmly. "There are more… and their intentions aren't good."
The figure stepped forward and removed the hood.
"Hello, Isadora," Chapo said with a cruel smile.
Isadora froze.
"Isadora… do you know him?" Bia asked, confused.
"No. Who are you? And how do you know my name?" she replied sharply.
"You just ruined my fight!" Gustavo snapped.
"You can call me Chapo, princess," he said coldly.
Isadora's eyes narrowed slightly. "Wait… you're the one who sent those guys after me?"
"Exactly," Chapo smiled. "Just a little game. Though honestly… you should've kept that loser from last night locked up. I'm not sure your pretty face will survive this time."
Zeki stepped forward. "Before anything else… why don't you ask your friends to come out of hiding?"
"Wait… there are more?!" Bia exclaimed.
"Oh, you noticed. So… what are you going to do about it?"
One by one, figures emerged from the shadows.
Eight of them.
Smiling. Laughing.
One stepped forward.
"Hey, Isadora!" It was Chipilo.
"If you try anything, I'll ruin your fun," Isadora said coldly. "I warned you yesterday, Chipilo. If your gang gets involved… you'll regret it."
"Oh yeah?" Chipilo sneered. "Let's see if you've got the guts. Your threats are getting boring."