The night sky was cloudless, the dim scar light and twin moons illuminated the night, drawing harsh shadows. Fog rolled in from the sea, merging the line between water and sky into one blurred horizon. The city was quiet at this hour, the hum of activity, the occasional blare of a siren focused on other areas of the city on this ominous night.

The docks had a distinct smell, an overpowering mixture of brine, rust, and old wood that clung to the air. Rows of shipping containers loomed like urban monoliths, their corroded surfaces telling of far-flung journeys across the world. Warehouse lights flickered sporadically, casting long, dancing shadows that seemed to merge and tangle in the gloom. Trucks were parked in long rows as their drivers stayed inside the restaurant slash bar attached to the warehouses. Drunken shouts pierced the night at regular intervals.

John, Clayton, and Crystal stood huddled in the darkness further up the street from the warehouse, their eyes sweeping the area. Clayton's intel had been clear. The children were going to be moved tonight by , probably on one of the docked ships. Unable to determine the location of the children beforehand, they would take this opportunity, when they were moved out in the open to act. Every passing minute was a minute too long, and the trio was ready to take action.

John and Crystal scanned the area with practiced eyes. The military had honed their senses to pick up the faintest anomalies. Each echo in the silence, every shift in the shadows could be a clue. Meanwhile Clayton stood off to one side lighting a cigarette with his lighter, hiding the light of the flame with his hand.

Cheeks pulling in, Clayton took a deep pull from the cigarette. Where other magic users eyes would begin to glow, Claytons turned pitch black, sucking all the light in from around them into the bottomless black pits. When he exhaled, the blood red smoke coalesced into the form of a bat which immediately began flapping in the air around them. Clayton took a second pull and this time created a shadow in the form of a massive panther. Standing on all 4 legs it still came up to Johns shoulders. He watched the panthers claws extend and retract, carving gouges into the cement floor, as it stretched next to them. Clayton nodded to both of his creations in acknowledgment as they stood at the ready. Crystal edged slightly way from the flapping bat towards John, gripping one of her knifes tightly.

“Alright, let’s do this. Any last-minute questions”

Both Crystal and John shook their heads. Crystal would join Clayton's shadows and check any containers currently on board the ships to make sure they didn't miss any that might get out to sea. Crystals physical prowess thanks to her magic would help her get on and off the ships without notice easier than either of the men could accomplish. The shadows would go as her back up and to alert the other team in an emergency. John and Clayton would start closer to the docks and the containers being loaded to see what they could find. Being linked to his shadows, Clayton could coordinate the two teams as needed if they found anything.

With a nod from Clayton, Crystal took off around a corner, jogging to begin her search. The bat disappeared into the air with a rustling of wind and the panther followed silently after Crystal melting into the shadows of the night. Clayton looked to John and nodded again to him before leading the way. They jogged down a ramp towards the staging area. Rows of trucks sat waiting for the shipping containers to be attached before being transported throughout the country. The drivers were either at local motels for the night or within the main building drinking their woes away. Much of the trade that occurred between the mainland and Sovaria came through the Qorluna port. Soventh to the south maintained smaller ports but still obtained much of its Sovarian produce through the Sylverdol shipyards. Huffing softly from the exertion, John and Clayton ran along the rows of trucks until they reached the first containers. They kept low as they tried to keep out of sight.

"You're up, kid," Clayton grunted.

Since the theft at the art show, John had come clean to Crystal about his struggle—how his power had always been wild, dangerous, and beyond his control. But there were still things he kept close, secrets that only Clayton knew. As he took a deep breath, John focused, steadying himself. Slowly, like a warm breeze grazing his skin, he began to sense everything around him with unnerving clarity.

He could feel the heat radiating from Clayton beside him, charged with the subtle hum of magic. The warmth rising from the concrete beneath his feet brushed his face, mingling with the cool air from the metal containers ahead. The cold sapped the warmth from the atmosphere, leaving the area tinged with an icy edge where the containers sat.

This ability to ground himself, to truly feel the world around him, was a gift from the Guardian classrooms his Aunt had forced him to attend. At the time, he hadn’t appreciated it, but now, the Guardians were the only ones who had earned his respect. They’d taught him something invaluable: how to distance himself from his emotions, to calm the storm inside.

In this state of meditation, he could feel the magic stirring within him—dangerous and volatile—just beyond his grasp. He kept it walled off, out of fear of hurting those around him. But in doing so, he heightened his awareness, tuning into the heat that flowed through everything. His daily morning routines weren’t just habits; they were survival. Without them, he’d lose control.

Now, he was ready.

They made their way slowly, John checking all nearby containers for signs of life. One container held animals being illegally shipped, their bodies giving off waves of heat that brushed against John as they moved sleepily. The distant sound of voices could be heard, dim behind the mountains of containers. They worked slowly as John inspected each of the containers as swiftly as possible, making sure not to miss anything. His slow acceptance of his power and his eagerness to make himself comfortable with its touch was showing its use. He could distinguish the minute differences in the heat given off by living things, plants, or even electronics.

John tried to work as quickly as he could while being sure he didn't miss anything. There were just so many containers and they were running against the clock. They broke into one eagerly that John identified as having traces of magic, a unique feel from the heat itself, but found nothing inside but furniture and antiques. Likely there was a magical item hidden within there, a Shikai, maybe even a powerful Shoten. There were thousands of containers here, stretching far across the dock and stacked on top of each other in towering walls creating a maze. He was starting to worry they might not find the children in time. Hoping that Crystal was having better luck than him John worked swiftly while Clayton guarded his back.

Hair flowing in the cool wind behind her, Crystal jumped from container to container, making her way dozens of feet above the ground and towards the large ships by the water. Her own magic gave her enhanced physical prowess and extendable claw-like nails like that of a feline. She could see clearly in the dark, the shadows hiding nothing from her gaze as the moons' lights illuminated the way for her.

There were a dozen ships docked tonight, only two actively loading with others waiting their turn. Giant cranes situated near the edge rotated and lifted each container, moving them and then stacking them in order on the ships ready to depart first. Men scrambled about the ship either helping to organize the shipments or preparing for departure. Shouts could be heard as Crystal drew closer.

Clayton's creepy bat followed closely behind her, its flapping heard in the air it pushed behind it. The panther easily kept pace with each of Crystal's leaps, gracefully jumping and landing side by side with Crystal as if in sync with her thoughts. As they approached the first of the ships Crystal slowed and the bat approached her.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

" It can examine the exterior of the containers" said a scratchy voice from the bobbing figure, "It cannot penetrate the interior of the vessels. The woman will need to advise"

Crystal nodded ," Me and the cat will check inside the ships. Notify her if you find anything"

"It understands"

The bat flew off towards the first of the containers. She'd called the panther a 'her', but she wasn't even sure if these things even had genders. They always talked about themselves with “It” and “. Her whole life, she'd been exposed to the magical world. Growing up as the daughter of a member of the Nexus of Balance and a Guardian Elder both, shed seen more of the magical world than most people ever got to. What was left of it anyways. Even so, Elizabeth and John were oddities in the today’s world. Very few people had abilities that could be controlled beyond their own bodies, without the need for constant physical touch. Crystal had felt jealous of some of the things people could do, knowing that even then there were those jealous of what she could put her body through on nights like these.

Clayton was something else altogether. His creations all had a will and personalities of their own. Though they seldom talked of their own volition they didn't seem like temporary creations. They seemed like creatures with a history, like they had come from somewhere. They didn't exactly scare her but they creeped her out like nothing else did. She would work with them when asked but she never liked it.

She looked over at the Panther. Its eyes stared at her, illuminated by the moonlight and its claws extended and then flexed as if in anticipation, gouging silent groves into the container top. With a shiver she crouched and then leaped off towards the first containers by the ships.

She paused in the moonlit shadow of the ship, waiting as she saw the silhouette of a man crossing above. After he passed, she jumped towards ship wall claws digging easily into the metal as she began crawling up towards the top. She heard a soft clink, clink next to her as the Panther followed her path. Swiftly they rose and reached the top. Crystal looked over the railing.

There lay the ship’s sprawling deck beneath the glowing moonlight, a massive steel beast draped in shadows and anticipation. Rusting metal paths crisscrossed in a precise grid, connecting the different sections of the ship like a mechanical spiderweb. It was a landscape that seemed to exist on an entirely different scale, one built for machines and the inhuman rhythm of commerce rather than the fleeting softness of human life.

To one side, giant cranes towered over the deck, their arms swinging with a ponderous grace, dancing a slow ballet with the shipping containers they ferried to and from the ship's belly. Every movement was a testament to controlled power, the hulking machines dwarfing the people scurrying at their feet. The containers themselves were scattered around the deck, some stacked in precarious towers, others spread haphazardly like the discarded toys of a giant. Each bore the scars of countless voyages - rusting edges, scuffed paint, and the faded logos of corporations from every corner of the globe. They were a patchwork quilt of utilitarianism and a thousand unseen stories.

In the center, the closest ship's superstructure jutted upwards, a city of steel and glass stacked atop the deck. Navigational lights flickered in the inky darkness, giving the ship an eerie, otherworldly aura. The command bridge sat perched at the top like an eagle's nest, offering a clear vantage point of the entire ship and the vast expanse of water around them.

Everywhere, the ship was a buzz of activity, crew members scurrying about with an urgency that spoke of a departure growing near. Their shouts echoed off the metal around them, becoming a discordant symphony of work and movement. Crystal leaped over the rail and quickly took cover by a wall. She saw a door at the bottom of the navigation tower. Swiftly and silently, her and the panther crisscrossed the deck, hiding behind containers, machinery, and any shadow they found as they made their way. Crystal saw the bat once along her way, landing on the wall of a nearby container and then laying against it as if listening, an indecipherable splotch of ink.

Crystal kept her eyes on the people, their movements unpredictable and thus potentially hazardous. It was the people who always posed the real threat. Despite her physical prowess, her powers did not render her invincible. A lucky shot or an unexpected alarm could end their mission before it even began.

The panther moved with a fluid grace that was mesmerizing. Its hulking form slipped between shadows like a phantom, its dark coat blending effortlessly with the night. Watching it, Crystal felt an unexpected twinge of envy. Clayton's creations may have unnerved her, but there was no denying their effectiveness.

Reaching the door of the superstructure, she tried the handle. Locked. Crystal crouched low to the deck, her eyes on the locked door handle. Despite her enhanced feline agility and strength, a locked door still posed a problem. She looked at the Panther and tilted her head slightly towards the door. The Panther's green eyes stared back at her, and then the creature moved. It padded silently towards the door, its steps a graceful dance of power and precision. Then, with a barely audible sound, it dissolved into a wispy cloud of smoke.

The smoke was darker than the night, an inky blackness that felt palpable even in its ethereal form. The Panther's smoky essence slid effortlessly beneath the door, disappearing from sight. After a moment, Crystal heard the unmistakable click of the door latch. The Panther reformed on the other side of the opening door, its body solidifying from the smoky tendrils into the solid, dark figure she was familiar with. It turned to look at her, eyes glinting in the faint light filtering from the corridors within.

Relieved, Crystal made her way into the labyrinth of the ship, the panther taking point. They navigated the maze-like corridors and rooms with measured steps. Her enhanced senses didn't reveal anything suspicious, nor did the quiet, steady presence of the Panther signal any danger.

“The other says men found the open door”

Nodding at the panther Crystal looked for her way out, she felt a pang of disappointment but accepted the outcome.

"Understood," she replied, pushing down the feeling. Not every search yielded results, but that didn't mean they could slack off.

Crystal and the Panther retraced their steps, making it back to the ship's deck without incident. The second ship was waiting for them, its hull gleaming in the moonlight. With a swift nod to the Panther, she gathered herself and jumped, her powerful legs propelling her through the air.

The wind whistled in her ears, the thrill of the leap momentarily driving away the disappointment of the fruitless search. She extended her claws, ready to latch onto the cold steel surface of the next ship. Her landing was a near-silent thud, the vibrations absorbed by her athletic body.

Behind her, the Panther dissolved into smoke once more, soaring across the gap in its ethereal form. It solidified on the deck next to her, its physical form reappearing in the blink of an eye. The second ship lay before them, another challenge, another chance.

Crystal and the Panther made quick work of the second ship. Utilizing their abilities, they swept through the vessel's interior like ghosts. Corridors and rooms passed in a blur as they navigated the labyrinthine innards of the ship. The bat, too, reported back, its analysis of the containers coming up empty once more.

The search of the second ship, much like the first, yielded no results. Once again, they found themselves retracing their steps, slipping back onto the deck. Crystal's heart pounded in her chest, her body pulsing with the adrenaline of their clandestine mission. But there was no time to linger on the disappointment of their unfruitful search. The third ship was beckoning, its silhouette cast in sharp relief by the glimmering moonlight. With a swift leap, Crystal closed the distance between the ships, her powerful body arcing through the night air. The Panther followed suit, transforming into its smoky form and gliding across the gap.

Landing on the third ship felt different. Even from the deck, Crystal could sense an undercurrent of anticipation, a sense of urgency that was absent from the other vessels. She saw crew members scurrying about, preparing the ship for departure, but there were no containers being loaded. An oddity that set off alarms in her mind.

Without wasting any more time, Crystal slipped into the ship, the Panther at her heels. They moved stealthily, blending in with the shadows as they navigated the corridors. This time, they did not meet the resistance of locked doors.

The ship's interior was a stark contrast to its exterior. Lines upon lines of empty beds stretched out before them, the sterile scent of a medical facility hung heavily in the air. In the dim lighting, she could see medical equipment, their screens flickering with standby lights. IV bags hung next to every bed, a dimly glowing blue fluid held in each. She also saw doctors, dressed in white coats, their attention absorbed by the documents and screens in front of them. The sight of them was jarring, the realization of what she was looking at hit her like a wave. She had found the ship but the children weren't here yet. Whatever they were doing to the kids, it was meant to start here.