THE CITY OF SYMBIAN – NORTH
Princess Catalina rests her palm against her cheek, watching the landscape blur past the carriage window.
Her captains ride in formation beside her.
Father is sick. I can't tell him about this. He keeps asking about Paloma… and yet—
The City of Symbian comes into view — a sprawling expanse of stone walls and fluttering banners.
The morning sun bathes the streets in a warm, deceptive gold.
People walk the thoroughfares in clusters, their chatter rising like a hum through the carriage window.
The carriage halts before the towering iron gates of the castle. A massive banner hangs above them, reading: HOUSE OF SYMBIAN.
Guards step forward as the captains dismount, their armor clinking.
Catalina steps onto the cobblestones, her expression a mask of cold authority.
"I demand to see your King," she says.
A guard hurries inside and returns moments later, signaling for the gates to open.
Inside, a massive table of polished gold dominates the hall, surrounded by a circle of silent men.
Guards line the walls, their shadows long against the stone.
At the center of the gathering sits a man wearing a heavy crown.
"Princess Catalina. So nice to meet you," the King says, his voice echoing.
"Where is your father? He is the one supposed to be here. Not you, child."
Catalina pulls out a chair and sits, her posture rigid.
"I am currently the one in charge," she replies, her voice steady. "Matters are serious. Things aren't going well in Center City."
"I warned that we should inspect that place first," one of the sitting men interjects. "But the firecracker's captains insisted they go."
The King gasps, leaning forward. "We haven't seen them ever since."
Catalina glares, a sharp hiss escaping her teeth.
Even them?
The King clears his throat, the sound heavy in the quiet room. "I sent letters to the House of Havers, but they responded with a shocking desire."
"What was that?" Catalina asks.
"They said they remain neutral. That they don't have interest in joining the fight."
Catalina swallows hard.
Heat drips from her face as the temperature in the room seems to rise.
The sitting elders narrow their eyes, their collective gaze weighing on her.
"Catalina, is there something you have to tell us?" an elder asks.
"A place in Center City called Antara was destroyed via heavy battle. And we lost Hooker."
The table erupts in a collective intake of breath.
The King's eyes search hers. "Are you telling me your Household's greatest fighter was destroyed?"
She nods once.
The King's eyes widen. "Who did that?"
"A woman did that. This is going worse than I expected," Catalina says. "And that is the reason why we should join forces."
"Who knows what happened to our firecracker's head Captain. We have to be cautious," another man says, his fingers drumming nervously on the gold table.
"This is serious. Silas has been in the shadows for quite a while now," Catalina adds. "He sent me letters days ago that his entire Warlords and Advisor were killed by the Alligator."
The room falls into a stunned, heavy silence.
None of the men can meet Catalina's eyes. They trade panicked glances, their faces pale as they wait for someone else to speak first.
"This Alligator… we should never have interfered with him!"
"And now, another woman killed Hooker. All these powerful Legend-class humans rising... it might be the downfall of the North," another warns.
Catalina sighs, the weight of the crown pressing on her mind. "Not if we act cautiously now that we know how powerful they are."
The King nods slowly.
Catalina is young, but she thinks like a true queen, the King realizes.
"I agree with the princess." He speaks.
"Silas has his own plans… but he did not tell me what they are."
The King's brow furrows. "My spies told me that the Secret Society has chosen to react."
"Indeed. I suspect the incident in Antara is what forced them to react."
"Maybe we should try to form an alliance with them," an elder suggests.
"Carefully," the King warns. "The Secret Society doesn't like the North. They've always wished for our downfall."
Catalina places her hand on her jaw. "Perhaps we should watch them from the shadows.
If the Alligator and that woman are more powerful than the Secret Society, then they might join forces with us."
The elders exchange glances, then nod in agreement. Even the King offers a slow, calculated nod of approval.
MAMI SHALLOW'S RESIDENCE – CENTER CITY
Daisy sits on a stool behind the counter as the smell of salted snacks and cheap ink fills the shop.
Johnny and Nina stand at the front, managing the flow of customers.
The store is packed. People weave through the narrow aisles, clutching junk food and basic supplies. They pile their items on the counter and pay in crumpled bills and dull coins.
Nina offers a practiced smile to a woman in a tattered coat. "Have a nice day."
Some customers return the smile; others just walk away, their eyes weary and fixed on the floor.
It's surprising how people still stay in Center City after all the chaos."
"It's hard for them to leave. It's not safe anywhere," Johnny replies, his eyes scanning the street through the glass.
"But what about the South?" Nina asks.
Daisy chuckles from the corner. "Ever since I left home, I've never been to a town where there is no violence."
Nina furrows her brow, her head tilting. "That's because you've only been in Center City."
Daisy folds her arms across her chest. "Wonder how this store keeps getting customers."
Nina laughs, the sound bright against the dull roar of the street. "That's your concern? Of course people will survive. They'll eat."
"What about the merchants who supply all this stuff?
"What about them?"
Daisy tilts her head, her curiosity piqued. "How do they supply it?"
Nina's shoulders shift. "Mami's younger brother, Pious, told me that Mami pays a guy. He gets shipping from the South."
A voice booms from the back of the building, vibrating the shelves.
"Daisy!"
Daisy sighs, her shoulders slumping. "What again..."
Poof.
The air ripples and wraps. Daisy solidifies in the back room. Mami stands there, her presence filling the small space.
"Go across the street. A man just came out wreaking havoc for the residents there. I can sense his evil, his looks and actions. He wears a Rabbit costume."
Mami places a firm palm on Daisy's shoulder. "He might be one of Silas's men. Stay cautious. Retreat if anything looks fishy."
"How far is he?"
"Just run straight. He's about eight kilometers away."
The door swings open. Johnny enters, his face set in a grim line. "I'm going as well."
Mami looks at him, her eyes sharp. "You're not ready yet. Stay with Nina in the store."
"I'm ready. And this is the only way I can strengthen my abilities."
Mami holds his gaze for a long beat, then sighs. "Fine."
Daisy flashes a rock sign. She and Johnny dissolve into the air, the space where they stood warping into a blur of light before vanishing.