The lightning cracked the sky and the thunder shook the Earth. As the first raindrops began to fall, Ed and Alexia found themselves on the open road, their cloaks pulled tight against the impending deluge. The downpour came suddenly, a torrential cascade that drenched them to the bone within moments. With each step they took, puddles formed beneath their boots, and the dirt road transformed into a mire of mud.

“How long until we reach Gear Gate?” Ed shouted over the howling winds. His body was drenched and his dark green cloak somehow grew a hue darker. This was not the first time they faced hardship while traveling but this certainly takes the cake for him. Their supplies had dwindled over the past two weeks and having to deal with bounty hunters did not help. He hadn’t realized quitting his job as a city guard to go on an adventurer would be this much of a task. Perhaps this was why he wasn’t an official adventurer.

“Ed I think we’re close, do you see that?” She replied pointing towards a structure far ahead. It was dark and the rain made it hard to see but she was certain that was Gear Gate. A large tower loomed in the distance, it looked as if it was a lighthouse.

Ed strained his eyes through the rain, squinting to make out the shape in the distance. "I see it!" he shouted back, relief flooding his voice. "That must be Gear Gate! Let's push forward, Alexia. We're almost there!"

They trudged onward, boots squelching through the muddy road until they reached the imposing main gates of Gear Gate. There, they were met by a peculiar metallic construct that bore an eerie resemblance to a human.

“Halt in the name of the Grand Magister,” it spoke each word slowly as if processing them in its mechanical mind. “You are now entering Gear Gate, the city of wonders. Please do not make trouble while in this city; we do not appreciate criminals,” it continued, its body stepping aside to allow them entry.

As they stepped into the city, the rain seemed to stop immediately, leaving Ed and Alexia standing in awe. Ed glanced back at the strange construct, its metallic features gleaming within the rain, before turning his gaze forward.

The streets were bustling with activity, and the architecture was unlike anything he had ever seen. Gears and cogs turned in intricate patterns, powering machines and contraptions that lined the streets. Steam hissed from vents, and airships soared above, their propellers whirring as they glided gracefully through the sky. The once ominous sky had cleared, revealing a vista of vibrant Black, a stark contrast to the storm they had just left behind.

"Come one, come all to the Night Market! Here you will find anything you need and more!" A voice boomed throughout the bustling streets. Ed looked around, wondering where the sound was coming from, before realizing it emanated from a peculiar contraption affixed to the walls. The streets were teeming with people and children running around, their laughter and chatter filling the air. He had seen something similar in the Central Markets of Valonde, but the scale of the Night Market was unlike anything he had ever encountered.

“You there, you seem like a worthy warrior. Might some of my wares interest you?” A voice called out to Ed invitingly. He looked seeing a man standing in front of armor stands and weapons.

The vendor was a stout man with a beard as thick as a bush, and his eyes twinkled like one of a shrewd businessman.

Ed, always eager to assess the quality of arms, began to inspect a finely crafted sword. Its hilt was adorned with intricate engravings, and the blade gleamed with a sharp edge.

The vendor noticed Ed's interest and nodded knowingly. "Ah, I see you have a discerning eye, my friend. That there is a Moonsteel blade, forged by the finest craftsmen in Gear Gate. It can cut through steel as if it were butter."

Alexia, while not as versed in weaponry, couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship. She turned her attention to a set of beautifully designed robes. "And what about these robes? They look quite exquisite."

The vendor grinned, eager to showcase his wares. "Those are our Arcanist Robes, woven with enchanted threads to enhance your magical abilities. Perfect for a mage like yourself, miss."

While tempted by the allure of the gear, Ed glanced at their dwindling coin purse. "As much as we'd love to indulge, our budget is a bit tight at the moment. Perhaps another time."

The vendor was not one to give up easily. "Well, I understand. But you seem like a pair in need of fine equipment. Tell you what, I can offer you a special deal, just for today.". He pulled out an old tome dusting it off with a blow. “This is a book written for warriors such as yourselves. It could teach you a lot on how to improve your body and can even teach you a few moves”.

He turned to Alexia, his excitement palpable. "Alexia, this could be a great opportunity to enhance my abilities. What do you think?"

Alexia sighed "Alright, Ed, if it helps you become a better bodyguard, then it's a worthwhile investment."

With a grin and ignoring her comment on him being a bodyguard, Ed handed over the two gold pieces to the vendor, who eagerly handed him the book filled with martial arts techniques. Ed couldn't wait to delve into its pages and start practicing.

As they were about to leave the vendor's stall, the vendor's keen eye caught Alexia's curiosity. He reached under the counter and presented her with a delicate ring adorned with a deep blue gemstone. "And for you, miss, I have something equally special."

Alexia's gaze was drawn to the mesmerizing gemstone, and she couldn't help but be captivated by its beauty. "What does this ring do?" she inquired.

The vendor's grin widened. "This, my dear, is a Mana Reservoir Ring. It can store excess mana while you cast your spells, allowing you to tap into that stored energy when you need it most. A handy little trinket for a skilled mage like yourself."

Alexia couldn't deny the appeal of such a magical item. With a nod, she decided to make the purchase. "Alright, I'll take it."

The vendor carefully placed the Mana Reservoir Ring on a cushion and handed it to her with a courteous bow.

As the night market's lights and sounds enveloped them, Alexia tugged gently at Ed's arm, leading him into a quieter alleyway away from the bustling crowds. "Ed," she began, her voice a hushed whisper, "we should find a place to sleep for the night. We've been roughing it in the wilderness for weeks, and a proper bed would do us good."

Ed nodded in agreement. "You're right, Alexia. A comfortable night's rest sounds like a luxury after all we've been through."

They continued down the alleyway until they stumbled upon an inviting inn tucked away from the noisy main streets. A quaint wooden sign swayed gently above the entrance, depicting a cozy bed with a full moon in the background.

Together, they entered the inn and were greeted by the warmth of a hearth crackling in the corner. The innkeeper, a portly man with a welcoming smile, approached them. "Good evening, travelers. What can I do for you?"

"We'd like to inquire about a room for the night," Alexia politely requested.

The innkeeper nodded and fetched a large ledger from the counter. "Certainly, we have a few rooms available. Would you prefer a single room or two separate ones?"

Ed and Alexia exchanged a glance before Ed replied, "A single room will do just fine."

The innkeeper recorded their information in the ledger and accepted the payment. He then handed them a hefty iron key with a wooden tag bearing the room number.

"Your room is upstairs, first door on the left," he informed them. "Enjoy your stay, travelers."

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Ed and Alexia thanked the innkeeper and made their way up to their room. It was a simple but cozy space, complete with a comfortable bed, a small table, and a window that overlooked the bustling streets below.

With a sigh of relief, Ed turned to Alexia and smiled. "I can't believe we made it here, Alexia. This city is truly remarkable. Tomorrow, we'll explore all it has to offer."

A new dilemma arrived upon them concerning the bed. It was a comfortable, ample bed, but not spacious enough for both of them to sleep without some compromise.

Ed scratched his head, glancing at the bed and then at Alexia. "So, uh, who gets the bed?"

Alexia, ever the picture of propriety, arched an eyebrow and considered the question. "Well, Ed, in most noble households, it's customary for the lady to have the bed while the gentleman sleeps elsewhere."

Ed chuckled nervously. "Right, but we're not exactly in a noble household, and we're both adventurers here."

They exchanged hesitant glances, neither wanting to insist upon taking the bed, yet both secretly yearning for a good night's sleep.

After a brief silence, Alexia cleared her throat, her tone diplomatic. "Perhaps we should hold a vote to determine the rightful occupant of the bed. It's only fair, after all."

Ed nodded in agreement. "Sounds reasonable. How should we vote?"

Alexia considered their options. "Well, since it's just the two of us... Ember and Slinky can each count as a vote, too."

Ed blinked in surprise but couldn't help but smile at the clever suggestion. "Alright then. A vote it is."

With that, she called out her familiars. Ember, the winged bear cub, and Slinky, the feathery snake, slithered over, looking up at their human companions with curious eyes.

"Okay, Ember, Slinky," Ed began, "we need to decide who gets the bed tonight. If you think Alexia should have it, go stand next to her."

Ember, being the loyal companion he was, immediately trotted over to Alexia's side, sitting down obediently.

Alexia smiled at her familiar. "Thank you, Ember."

Slinky, the ever-curious snake, glanced between Ed and Alexia before slithering over to Alexia, coiling around his boot.

Alexia grinned, giving Slinky a playful pat. "Well, it looks like we have a winner."

Ed couldn't help but laugh at her clever maneuver. "You got me there, Alexia. Alright, you get the bed tonight."

Alexia graciously accepted the decision, climbing onto the comfortable bed with a satisfied smile. "Thank you, Ed. Don't worry; we can take turns."

Ed settled into a chair that had been pushed against the wall, feeling content despite the arrangement. It was a far cry from a bed but better than sleeping in a cave. "Sounds fair. Goodnight, Alexia."

"Goodnight, Ed," she replied, her voice laced with warmth.

The hours went on as they slept. It was peaceful besides the faint noises of the Night Market.

Suddenly, a faint but unmistakable clicking sound filled the room, catching Ed's attention. His eyes widened as he turned toward the source of the noise. Before him, held by an intruder, was a peculiar weapon that looked like something out of a fantastical tale.

The pistol was a masterpiece of intricate design, a fusion of metal and gears with a gleaming brass finish. It had a slender barrel and a handle adorned with intricate etchings and gears that seemed to serve a purpose beyond mere decoration. At the front, a series of chambers rotated like a miniature clockwork mechanism. Tubes and pipes snaked along its length, feeding into a small furnace-like structure that emitted a soft, ominous hum.

Ed's brows furrowed in confusion as he stared at the firearm. He had never seen anything like it, and its presence left him bewildered and on edge.

Before he could fully process the situation, a man tipped his wide-brimmed hat and greeted them with a disarmingly polite tone. "Evenin', folks. Name's Clayton, and I'm here to collect a rather handsome bounty."

He was clad in a patched leather duster that had seen its share of wear and tear, and a bandolier filled with mysterious vials crisscrossed his chest. His piercing gray eyes matched his beard which had been neatly kept.

Ed's heart raced as he tried to make sense of the situation. "Bounty? What are you talking about?"

Clayton's lips curled into a sly grin as he produced a weathered poster from his coat pocket. He unfurled it to reveal a wanted poster, bearing Ed's likeness and the ominous words: Former Sentinel of the Valonde Kingdom, Edmund Reiner, Abducts Princess Alexia of Felucia Kingdom.

Dead or Alive, Bounty of Two Thousand Gold Coins Offered.

Ed's eyes widened in disbelief. "Kidnapping? That's ridiculous! I didn't kidnap anyone!"

Alexia, now awakened by the commotion, peered at the poster in confusion. "Ed, what's going on?"

Clayton kept his pistol trained on Ed as he explained the situation to Alexia. "Ma'am, your friend here has been accused of kidnapping you, and there's a hefty reward for his capture."

Alexia's eyes darted between Ed and the bounty hunter, her expression a mixture of surprise and disbelief. "This is a misunderstanding! Ed would never do such a thing."

Clayton however seemed undeterred by her protest. "With all due respect, ma'am, I'm just here for the money."

Suddenly, as if sensing the tension in the room, Ember sprang into action. The small winged bear cub leaped from the bed, its wings unfurling to give it an imposing presence. With a fierce growl, Ember lunged at Clayton, its sharp teeth clamping down on the man's leg. Clayton let out a startled yelp, his grip on the pistol loosening as pain shot through his limb.

Ed, quick to react, leaped to his feet, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He launched a powerful right hook toward Clayton's face. The blow landed with a resounding smack, snapping Clayton's head to the side. Stunned and disoriented, Clayton stumbled backward, the pistol slipping from his grasp and clattering onto the wooden floor.

Ed managed to pin Clayton against the wall, his forearm pressing hard against the bounty hunter's throat, making it difficult for him to breathe.

Clayton's eyes darted around the room, searching for an escape route, but Ed's grip was unrelenting. "Alright, you win," Clayton gasped, his face red from the lack of air. "I give up."

Ed, panting heavily, slowly released his hold, stepping back cautiously. Clayton slumped to the floor, rubbing his throat as he caught his breath.

Amidst the tension, Alexia stepped forward, her expression a mix of relief and guilt. "Ed, I... I should have told you," she began, her voice filled with regret. "I knew there were bounty hunters after you, but I didn't want to worry you."

Ed blinked in surprise, his focus shifting from Clayton to Alexia. "Bounty hunters? You knew?"

Alexia nodded, her eyes downcast. "Yes, I'm sorry. I should have warned you earlier."

Before she could continue, Clayton’s pleading interrupted her. "Please, you have to understand," he implored, his voice quivering. "I have a daughter, just a little girl. She's all I have left in this world."

Alexia, still perplexed by Clayton's motivations, questioned, "Why would you choose such a dangerous profession if you have a daughter to take care of?"

Clayton's shoulders slumped, and he sighed heavily. "It's the only way I can make enough money to provide for her," he admitted, his gaze downcast. "The bounties, they pay well, and I thought I could keep her safe this way."

An uneasy silence hung in the room as Ed and Alexia exchanged uncertain glances. They were hesitant, torn between the need for their safety and the man's desperate plea.

Clayton, sensing their indecision, offered a deal. "Look, if you let me go, I'll take you to my home. You can sleep there for the night separate bedrooms and breakfast included. Then we'll part ways. No harm, no foul."

After a tense moment, Ed and Alexia reluctantly agreed to his proposal. Separate beds were enticing and breakfast sealed the deal. They followed Clayton through the city's dimly lit streets until they reached a modest, weathered house nestled in a quiet neighborhood.

As Clayton pushed open the creaky door, the room was filled with a sudden burst of energy. A young girl, no older than seven, rushed toward him with a joyful cry, throwing her tiny arms around him in an affectionate hug. "Daddy, you're home!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with happiness.

Touched by the heartwarming scene, Ed and Alexia stepped into the house, only to be confronted by a shocking sight. The girl, half of her body replaced by a complex arrangement of cybernetic limbs and machinery, Metal limbs seamlessly merged with organic flesh, and faint lights pulsed beneath the surface. looked up at them with an expression that was both innocent and tragic.

Clayton sighed heavily, his gaze lingering on his daughter. "This is Emily," he introduced, his voice heavy with sorrow.

Alexia gasped, her hand covering her mouth in shock. "What... what happened to her?"

Clayton's expression darkened as he recounted the tale. "Two years ago, there was an accident in Gear Gate. A reckless scientist conducted a failed experiment that caused an explosion. It killed several people, including my wife, and severely injured my daughter."

Ed's brow furrowed with sympathy. "And the scientist?"

Clayton's eyes hardened with determination. "He's now the Grand Magister of this city. I've been searching for answers and revenge ever since."

His anger grew as he thought about the Grand Magister's rise to power. "The people elected him," Clayton explained with frustration. "He developed Galarium, a groundbreaking energy source, and it made him so popular that they elected him as their leader."

Alexia scoffed at the notion. "This is what happens when you allow commoners to run things,". She muttered.

“My apologies for my rambling, you must be tired I’ll show you to your rooms”. His voice quickly changed from one of anger to calm.

Clayton led them to their rooms, apologizing for the modest accommodations. As the two of them settled into their respective beds, Ed fell asleep instantly feeling the warmth of a bed he had not felt In a long time.

Meanwhile, Clayton quietly closed the bedroom door behind him, leaving Ed and Alexia to sleep. But he had other matters to attend to. After ensuring Emily was asleep, he descended into the basement of the house, a cluttered space filled with a chaotic mix of weapons and lab equipment.

His eyes settled on a spherical object resting on a workbench pulsating with blue light. It was a bomb powered by Galarium. Clayton's face contorted with a mixture of anger and determination. He clenched his fists, his eyes locked onto the glowing sphere. "I'll avenge you, my love," he whispered to the memory of his wife. "I'll make him pay for what he's done." He marked a date on the Calendar.

In two weeks he was going to assassinate the Grand Magister