The rain didn't stop that night.
Opundi City looked like a beast drenched in sorrow—its stone streets shining under flickering lanterns, its alleys whispering secrets no one wanted to hear.
Preye walked without direction.
Her boots splashed through shallow puddles as she moved through the poorer district of the city.
The Swali Market, a place where honest people rarely lasted long.
A place she had spent years trying to clean up during her job at the courthouse.
She almost laughed at the irony.
Now she was the one wandering its dark streets. Her stomach growled, she hadn't eaten all day.
"Fantastic," she muttered, a former court officer, Hungry, Jobless and possibly losing her sanity.
Her fingers twitched again.
The faint blue Ori Energy from earlier flickered briefly.
Preye frowned.
"That wasn't normal…"
Ori Energy awakenings usually happened after years of training.
Yet hers had appeared from pure anger.
That wasn't supposed to happen.
Before she could think further—
A scream echoed down the alley.
HEY! GIVE IT BACK!"
Preye stopped walking.
She sighed, "Of course."
The universe clearly wasn't done testing her patience.
She turned the corner, three rough-looking men had surrounded a skinny young man.
The victim wore oversized clothes and clutched a small leather bag like his life depended on it.
One of the thugs yanked the bag away, thanks for the donation," the thug sneered.
The skinny boy jumped forward desperately, "that's all I have!"
The second thug shoved him hard, he crashed into a wooden crate.
The third cracked his knuckles, "run along before we break something."
Preye leaned against the wall. She watched silently.
Old Preye would have stepped in immediately.
Old Preye believed in rules, Justice, Proper procedure.
New Preye? She wasn't sure yet.
The boy slowly stood up.
He was shaking—but he still faced the three men.
"That money is for my sister's medicine."
The thugs burst into laughter.
"Then your sister better start praying."
Something inside Preye snapped, She sighed again.
"Seriously?" , She stepped forward.
All four heads turned.
The leader of the thugs looked her up and down.
A soaked girl in simple clothes, Alone.
He grinned, "Well look what the rain washed in."
His friend chuckled.
"Pretty too."
The leader waved the bag lazily.
"You here to make a donation too?"
Preye rubbed her temple.
"I've had a very bad day."
The thugs exchanged amused looks.
"And?"
She looked up slowly.
"So I'm asking nicely."
Her voice became cold.
"Give the bag back."
For a second there was silence.
Then the alley exploded with laughter.
The leader wiped tears from his eyes.
"Oh this is good."
He tossed the bag to his friend.
"Boys… educate her."
The first thug rushed forward confidently.
Big mistake.
Preye moved, Fast.
Her knee drove straight into his stomach.
The thug folded like wet paper.
Before he could even scream, she grabbed his arm and flipped him over her shoulder.
CRACK.
He hit the ground hard.
The alley went quiet.
The other two blinked in confusion.
"What the—"
The second thug charged angrily.
Preye sidestepped him effortlessly.
Her elbow smashed into his jaw.
He spun twice before collapsing face-first into the mud.
The leader froze.
His brain was still trying to understand what just happened.
Preye stepped closer.
Rain slid down her hair.
Her eyes looked calm, too calm.
"You were saying?"
The thug backed up nervously.
He pulled a knife.
"Stay back!"
Preye stopped.
For a brief moment, something inside her chest stirred.
Fear.
Anger.
Frustration.
Then the strange blue Ori Energy returned.
This time stronger.
The air around her rippled.
The thug noticed.
"What… what is that?"
Preye looked down at her glowing hand.
She frowned.
"Honestly?"
"I have no idea."
The Ori Energy suddenly surged.
The ground beneath her feet cracked slightly.
The thug panicked.
He lunged with the knife.
That was his second mistake.
Preye moved instinctively.
Her hand struck his chest.
The blue energy exploded outward.
BOOM.
The thug flew backwards like a kicked barrel.
He slammed into the wall and collapsed unconscious.
The alley became silent again.
Rain continued falling.
The skinny boy stared with wide eyes.
His mouth hung open.
Preye stared at her hand.
"…Well."
She flexed her fingers slowly.
"That's new."
The boy rushed forward and grabbed the bag.
"YOU'RE AMAZING!"
Preye blinked.
"What?"
"You just destroyed them!"
He looked at her like she was a legendary hero.
Preye groaned internally.
Great.
The last thing she wanted right now was admiration.
The boy suddenly extended his hand energetically.
"My name is Timi!"
She stared at him.
"Timi?"
"Yes!"
He grinned.
"You saved my life!"
She sighed.
"Technically I just ruined their day."
"That too!"
He looked her over again.
"You're not from around here are you?"
Preye shook her head.
"No."
"Are you a guild warrior?"
"No."
"A wandering hero?"
"No."
"A secret assassin?"
"…No."
Timi rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Hmm."
"Then what are you?"
Preye looked up at the rainy sky again.
Her life had collapsed just hours ago.
She had awakened a strange power.
And now she had accidentally beaten up three criminals.
She smirked slightly.
"I'm unemployed."
Timi blinked.
"…Oh."
A moment passed.
Then he suddenly brightened.
"Well!"
"What?"
He pointed dramatically at the unconscious thugs.
"You could start a business."
Preye slowly turned to him.
"A business?"
"Yes!"
He grinned widely.
"Crime."
She stared at him.
For a long moment.
Then she started laughing.
For the first time that day.
Not bitter laughter.
Real laughter.
When she finally stopped, she wiped rain from her face.
"You're insane."
Timi shrugged.
"Maybe."
Then he looked at her seriously.
"But the world isn't fair."
Preye's smile faded slightly.
She already knew that.
Timi continued.
"Good people struggle."
"Bad people win."
He tilted his head.
"But you…"
He pointed at her glowing hand.
"You look like someone who could change that."
Preye looked down at the fading Ori Energy.
Her expression hardened slightly.
"Change it?"
She closed her fist.
"No."
Her eyes sharpened.
"I'm going to beat it."
Timi grinned.
"Even better."
In the distance—
City bells suddenly rang.
Alarm bells.
Preye frowned.
"That's not good."
Timi peeked down the street.
His eyes widened.
"Oh no."
"What?"
"River Guards."
Preye sighed.
"Perfect."
Timi grabbed her sleeve.
"We need to run."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
He pointed at the three unconscious men.
"Because it looks like you just attacked them."
Preye stared at the scene.
Then she sighed deeply.
"Of course it does."
Timi was already running.
"WELCOME TO MY LIFE!"
Preye shook her head.
Then she ran after him.
Behind them—
The rain continued to fall over Opundi City.
And somewhere in the shadows…
A hooded figure watched the glowing traces of Preye's power.
The figure whispered quietly.
"…Impossible."
"Ori Energy?."
The hooded figure smiled slowly.
"Things are about to get interesting."