"Hey, you two," Claire calls from the door, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "Before you head back to the Tower, I wanted to let you know the satellites picked up something interesting-a meteor shower tonight. Should be visible from the roof around ten. Might be worth taking a break and catching it."

Alyse's eyes light up. "A meteor shower? That sounds amazing."

Claire nods. "It's supposed to be one of the brightest displays in years. I figured it'd be nice to watch together... assuming you're not too busy with your brooding," she adds, raising an eyebrow at me.

I roll my eyes but smirk. "I'll consider taking a break from brooding to make an appearance. Thanks for the heads-up."

"Don't thank me, thank the universe," she says with a grin before turning her attention back to Kylen, who's already knee-deep in whatever portal-related mess he's concocting.

Alyse and I make our way to the car. It's quiet on the outskirts of Indianapolis-just the sound of crickets chirping and the hum of the lab's exterior lights. I unlock the car, and Alyse slides into the passenger seat.

As I start the drive back to Smith Tower, Alyse gazes out the window, her face illuminated by the glow of passing streetlights. "Do you think Kylen's portal will actually work?"

I grip the wheel a little tighter. "Maybe. If anyone can pull it off, it's Kylen. But whether it should work... that's another question."

She looks over at me, her dark hair falling across her shoulder. "You don't want to leave Earth, do you?"

I pause, caught between the road ahead and the weight of her question. "I don't know. There's a part of me that does-home is out there, not here. But after everything we've been through, can we just... leave? Knowing what might follow us?"

Alyse doesn't reply immediately. Instead, she turns her attention back to the window. "I think part of you has made Earth your home too. Whether you want to admit it or not."

Her words hang in the air as we drive through the quiet streets, the city lights growing brighter as we near the Tower.

By the time we reach Smith Tower, it's nearly nine-thirty. We step out of the car and into the crisp night air. Alyse tilts her head back, scanning the sky. A few faint streaks of light are already visible against the dark canvas above.

"Guess Claire wasn't kidding," I say, stuffing my hands in my jacket pockets as we head inside.

Inside the Tower, the atmosphere feels different-calmer, almost expectant. People are scattered about, but there's a quiet buzz in the air, like everyone's waiting for something to happen. Alyse and I take the elevator to the penthouse, where Claire's already set up blankets and chairs on the balcony, ready for the show.

"Grab a seat," she calls out, gesturing to the open space. "The meteors are just getting started."

As I settle into a chair beside Alyse, I catch myself glancing up at the sky, waiting for the next streak of light. For the first time in a long while, I let myself breathe, let myself just... be.

The meteors streak across the night sky, thin trails of light breaking through the darkness. It's a rare kind of beauty, the kind that reminds me of home-but also of how far away that home really is. Claire leans back in her chair, a steaming mug of tea cradled in her hands, while Alyse sits cross-legged on a blanket beside me, her eyes wide with wonder.

"This almost makes up for the mess today," Claire says, breaking the silence. "Almost."

I glance her way, raising an eyebrow. "What mess are you referring to? The drunk knight, the barely-functional portal, or Dylan nearly blacking out from training with Hail?"

Claire snorts into her tea. "All of the above. Honestly, it's a miracle we're still upright."

Alyse laughs softly, her gaze still on the sky. "You've got to admit, though-there's something peaceful about this. Like, for once, we're not fighting off disaster or chasing after someone."

"For now," I say, resting my arms on my knees. "Give it an hour. Someone will break something, light something on fire, or stumble in drunk."

"Speaking of which," Claire interjects, "where is Hail? Off adding another chapter to his drinking saga, I assume?"

Alyse shrugs. "Probably. He's been... coping in his own way, I guess."

Claire sighs. "We should probably stage an intervention at some point. But not tonight. Tonight, I'm focusing on this." She gestures at the sky with her mug. "You know, a little cosmic therapy."

Alyse chuckles and nudges me. "What about you, Red? You're awfully quiet. Not lost in your brooding again, are you?"

I smirk, shaking my head. "Just taking it all in. It's been a while since I've seen anything like this."

"Home?" Alyse asks gently.

"Yeah," I admit. "The skies on Naurus... they weren't like this, exactly. Brighter. More alive, in a way. But there's something about this sky that feels... grounded. Real."

Claire tilts her head, studying me. "Do you miss it?"

I pause, the question heavier than I expected. "Every day. But I also know there's no going back. At least, not to how it was."

Alyse reaches out and rests a hand on my arm. "You're not alone, Red. You've got us. Even if we're all a little dysfunctional."

"Speak for yourself," Claire quips, grinning. "I'm perfectly functional."

"You spent three hours today yelling at a toaster because it burned your bagel," Alyse says with a grin.

Claire raises a finger in mock indignation. "That toaster was defective, and you know it. Besides, it's the principle of the thing."

I chuckle, the weight on my chest lifting just a bit. "I'm not sure 'functional' and 'Smith Tower' belong in the same sentence, but sure, Claire. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

The three of us fall into a comfortable rhythm, trading jabs and jokes as the meteors continue to fall. For once, the chaos of our lives feels far away, and the stars above remind us that, even in the madness, there's still room for moments like this.

The meteor shower begins to taper off, and the three of us sit in comfortable silence, watching the last few streaks of light dance across the night sky. Just as I lean back, thinking the night might actually end peacefully, a sudden bright streak cuts across the horizon, much larger and brighter than the others. It burns intensely, casting a faint glow across the city skyline.

"That's not a meteor," I say, standing abruptly.

Alyse follows my gaze, her brows knitting together. "It's... heading straight for the city."

Claire's mug clatters against the table as she sets it down quickly. "We need to alert Kylen. Now."

Before she finishes the sentence, the bright object hits the ground with a distant, thunderous boom. Even from here, the shockwave reaches us, rattling the railing of the balcony. A plume of smoke and fire rises into the air near the city racetrack.

"That's not just any crash," Alyse whispers. "It's something-or someone."

Without waiting, I bolt for the elevator, Alyse right behind me. Claire's voice calls after us. "I'm sending the alert! Don't do anything stupid!"

I ignore her and step inside, my finger pounding the ground floor button. The elevator takes ages but eventually we reach the ground floor and Alyse and I burst out and through the doors to the city street.

"Red, wait!" Alyse grabs my arm as I move toward my car. "You can't just run in there without a plan."

"I know," I snap, though the truth is I haven't thought beyond getting there. "I'll figure it out when we're closer. Stay here."

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"Not a chance," she says firmly, climbing into the passenger seat as I open the driver's side door.

We tear through the streets, weaving between cars and ignoring traffic lights. Alyse has her phone out, pulling up news reports and satellite feeds. The crash site grows closer, the smoke visible even through the dark.

"Any idea what we're walking into?" I ask, keeping my eyes on the road.

"Nothing yet. But reports are already flooding in. Whatever-or whoever-came down, they hit during a race. The place was packed."

I grit my teeth. Civilians. Of course. This just got more complicated.

By the time we reach the racetrack, the scene is chaos. Cars are overturned, debris is scattered everywhere, and a crowd of frightened spectators is pouring out through every available exit. Security guards try to control the panic, but it's no use.

Alyse grabs my arm as we push through the fleeing crowd. "Look over there."

In the middle of the track, where the smoke is thickest, a figure emerges. Tall, armored, and radiating power. The armor is black, sharp, and menacing, with an eerie red glow running through its seams. A blade is strapped to the figure's back, its hilt emitting a faint hum.

The figure steps forward, raising a hand. A pulse of sound erupts from it, sending shockwaves through the air. Cars buckle under the pressure, and a section of the grandstand collapses.

Alyse's voice is barely audible over the ringing in my ears. "Red... who is that?"

I tighten my fists, my heart pounding. "No clue."

The figure strides forward through the smoke, the black armor glinting under the floodlights of the racetrack. Spectators scream, scrambling to escape the chaos, while security forces shout futile orders. The air buzzes with tension as I step onto the track, Alyse hesitating a few steps behind me.

"Stay back," I tell her, my voice sharp. I don't know what I'm walking into, but I can't risk her getting caught in the middle of it. "Help the civilians!"

The armored figure turns its head, the glowing seams along its body pulsing faintly. A low, distorted voice echoes out, directed squarely at me. "Scarlet Phoenix."

My heart skips a beat. Whoever this is knows me, but I don't recognize them-or the madium armor. Still, I can't show hesitation. I let the flames flicker to life in my hands, the heat chasing away the chill creeping down my spine.

"Who are you?" I demand, my voice steady despite the uncertainty twisting in my chest.

The figure tilts its head, almost mockingly. "I have come for the DragonsBreath. Hand it over, and I will consider sparing this planet."

DragonsBreath. My weapon. My mind races. How does he know about it? Is he here for revenge? For power? And why does he seem so familiar?

"I don't know who you think you are," I say, stepping closer, "but you're not getting anything from me."

The figure raises a hand, and an ear-splitting hum fills the air. The pressure slams into me like a wall, forcing me to take a step back. Alyse cries out behind me, clutching her ears.

"Red!" she shouts, her voice strained.

I glance back at her, torn, but she gestures for me to keep going. "I'll be fine! Just-handle this!"

Turning back to the figure, I narrow my eyes. The flames in my hands grow brighter, and I launch a bolt of fire straight at him.

The attack connects, engulfing the figure in flames. For a moment, I think I've made a dent. But as the fire clears, he stands unscathed, the dark armor shimmering ominously.

"You'll have to do better than that," he growls, reaching over his shoulder to draw the massive blade strapped to his back. The weapon hums with energy, its edge glowing faintly red.

I grit my teeth, feeling the familiar weight of a fight bearing down on me. Whoever this guy is, he's no ordinary opponent.

Without waiting for him to make the first move, I charge, summoning fire to my fists. As I close the distance, his blade swings toward me in a wide arc. I duck under it, flames trailing from my hands as I aim a punch at his side.

The impact lands, but it's like hitting a brick wall. The armor absorbs the blow, and before I can pull back, he slams an elbow into my chest, sending me sprawling onto the asphalt.

"You are unworthy of the DragonsBreath," he says coldly, advancing as I struggle to catch my breath.

Who is this guy? And why does he care so much about my weapon?

Alyse's voice rings out from the sidelines. "Red, get up!"

I push myself to my feet, shaking off the pain. This isn't over. Not by a long shot.

Claire suddenly appears behind Alyse, her face pale and breathless. She's clutching her side, clearly winded from running.

"Claire!" I bark over the cacophony of chaos. "Get Alyse out of here! Help the civilians-make sure they're safe. I've got this!"

Her gaze flickers to Alyse, then back to me, her jaw tightening. She nods, taking Alyse by the arm, despite her protests.

"Be careful!" Alyse yells, her voice thick with worry.

I nod sharply, forcing myself to ignore the knot forming in my chest as they disappear into the crowd. I don't have time to worry about them now.

I turn back to the armored figure, steadying myself as the brace around my ankle flares to life. A surge of energy pulses through me as the Madium armor unfolds over my body in sleek, overlapping plates. It feels heavy at first, but the weight quickly fades as I adjust, my grip tightening on the DragonsBreath.

The blade hums as I draw it, the fiery light illuminating the shattered track. I can feel its power coursing through me, matching the intensity of my resolve.

The figure watches me, tilting his head slightly. "Ah, so the fabled DragonsBreath is in your possession. Fitting."

I don't respond. Instead, I charge.

Our blades clash, sending sparks and fiery arcs into the air. The force of his strike is overwhelming-every swing feels like it could split the ground beneath us. But I hold my ground, matching him blow for blow.

His blade-black as night, wreathed in dark flames-sings with power, cutting through the air like it's alive. Something about it feels wrong, familiar in a way that churns my stomach.

I grit my teeth, parrying another heavy strike. "Who the hell are you?" I shout over the din.

He laughs, the sound distorted and hollow, like it's coming from the depths of a cavern. "I am Dreadwind," he says, his voice echoing ominously.

Before I can process the name, he lifts his free hand and releases another wave of sound. It crashes into me like a tidal wave, throwing me off my feet. The DragonsBreath skids across the asphalt as I hit the ground hard, the wind knocked out of me.

I struggle to push myself up, my ears ringing. As I reach for my blade, Dreadwind is already closing the distance, his massive sword raised high. He swings, and I barely roll out of the way as the blade carves into the ground, leaving a scorched trail.

The black flames lick the air around me, unsettling and all too familiar. My eyes widen as realization hits me.

"The Darkblade..." I mutter, scrambling back to my feet. "How do you have that sword?"

Dreadwind doesn't answer. Instead, he lunges again, his strikes relentless. I barely manage to block the next swing, the clash of our weapons sending a shockwave through my arms.

The duel intensifies, our blades locked in a deadly dance. His movements are precise, calculated-he fights like someone who's been doing this for a lifetime. Every swing, every step feels deliberate, like he's testing me, measuring my strength.

But I'm not about to back down. I force him into a parry and take the opening to unleash a torrent of flames, engulfing him in a fiery storm.

He emerges unscathed, the dark energy around him absorbing the fire like it's nothing. "Is that all the great Scarlet Phoenix has to offer?" he taunts, his voice dripping with contempt.

My grip tightens on the DragonsBreath. "You don't know me," I growl, surging forward.

Our swords collide again, the battle escalating. With every strike, I dig deeper, pushing past the fatigue, the doubts. Whoever Dreadwind is, whatever he's here for-he won't win. Not tonight.

I press the attack, flames from the DragonsBreath spilling out with each swing. The heat should be overwhelming, but Dreadwind doesn't falter. His armor absorbs most of the blows, and his counters are precise, almost surgical.

He steps back suddenly, swinging the Darkblade low. A wave of black fire explodes outward, and I leap to the side just in time, the heat searing against my armor.

"Persistent," Dreadwind remarks, his tone almost bored. "I expected more from the wielder of the DragonsBreath."

I snap, slamming the blade into the ground. A surge of fire erupts from beneath him, forcing him to jump back.

He laughs again, the sound echoing unnaturally. "You think that blade makes you invincible?"

I grit my teeth. His taunts are getting to me, but I push the frustration down. I charge forward again, faking high and striking low. The DragonsBreath connects, the flames scorching across his chest plate. For the first time, he stumbles, caught off guard.

"Not so untouchable now, are you?" I growl, pressing the advantage.

He recovers quickly, swinging the Darkblade in a wide arc. I duck under it, stepping in close. Our swords clash again, locking us together.

Up close, I can see the faint glow of his helmet's visor, the shadow of a face behind it. "Who are you, really?" I demand. "And why do you want the DragonsBreath?"

He doesn't answer, just pushes me back with brute strength. I skid across the asphalt, barely keeping my balance.

"Who I am doesn't matter," he says finally, his voice calm, almost mocking. "What matters is that you're not ready for what's coming."

Before I can react, he slams the Darkblade into the ground. A shockwave of black fire erupts outward, the force throwing me back. I crash into the side of a ruined vehicle, the impact rattling through my armor.

I stagger to my feet, the DragonsBreath still burning in my hand. My body aches, every breath sharp and shallow. But I can't stop now.

Dreadwind steps forward, his movements slow and deliberate. "You're holding back," he says, tilting his head. "Afraid of what happens if you go all out?"

I tighten my grip on the blade. He's right-I've been holding back. But something about him, about that sword, feels too dangerous to underestimate. If I go all out and lose, I could make things worse.

But if I don't...

I charge again, flames roaring around me. The DragonsBreath hums louder, its power surging through me. I swing with everything I have, the fire spiraling into a fiery tornado.

Dreadwind meets the strike head-on, the Darkblade cutting through the flames like a knife through butter. He's strong-too strong.

He forces me back, the weight of his strikes almost overwhelming. But I hold on, matching him blow for blow.

Finally, I see an opening. I twist the DragonsBreath, catching his sword at just the right angle. The force of my strike sends the Darkblade flying from his hand. It skids across the asphalt, its dark flames flickering.

Dreadwind stumbles, but he doesn't panic. Instead, he lifts his hand, releasing another devastating blast of sound. It hits me square in the chest, knocking the wind out of me and sending me sprawling.

By the time I recover, he's already retrieved the Darkblade. He stands at a distance, watching me. "Impressive," he says, almost reluctantly. "But this isn't over."

Before I can respond, he swings the Darkblade in a wide arc, unleashing a wall of black fire. It engulfs the space between us, and when it clears, he's gone.

I stagger to my feet, the DragonsBreath still glowing faintly in my hand. The racetrack is in ruins, the air thick with smoke and the acrid smell of burnt asphalt.

I glance around, searching for any sign of him, but it's clear he's gone. My chest tightens as I think about what just happened-about him, his strength, and that sword.

Whoever he is, this isn't the last I'll see of him. And next time, I need to be ready.