Cloaked In Magic

We regrouped quickly, scanning the area. Jade’s pinpointed direction had brought us to a deeper jungle within the park museum, and though the ground was blanketed perfectly with the white snow, the iron tracks shone clear under the moonlight.

“There,” Jade said, pointing toward a seemingly empty stretch of track.

I followed her finger and squinted hard as I tried to see what she was seeing.

But no matter how hard I looked, all I could see was a faint shimmer of moonlight on untouched snow.

Then it clicked. Unlike me or the others, Jade didn’t see the world through normal eyes. To her, it was like viewing reality as a tree splitting into countless branches, each representing a different possibility. Maybe in her sight, the train tracks existed across multiple probabilities, and in one of those possibilities, the invisible train compartment became visible—perhaps due to a specific condition or factor.

It made sense. Her meta nature wasn’t just about shifting odds; it was about perceiving and navigating those odds with precision.

“I don’t see anything,” Louvel muttered, squinting at the spot Jade had pointed to.

Jade shrugged, her expression a perfect blend of superiority and mild exasperation, as if silently declaring us all idiots.

Without a word, she bent down, scooped up a handful of fresh snow, and began compacting it into a snowball.

“What are you—” Vinico started, but Jade didn’t wait. With all her strength, she hurled the snowball toward the seemingly empty space.

We all froze as the snowball smacked into an invisible barrier mid-air, exploding into a flurry of white powder. My jaw tightened as the faint shimmer of the barrier rippled outward for just a second before disappearing again.

“There’s something there,” I said, my voice steady but laced with excitement.

The group didn’t need further encouragement. We dashed toward the spot, the fresh snow crunching beneath our boots. As we closed the distance, it became clear just how well-hidden the area was. Tucked away in a remote corner of the park, surrounded by thick, overgrown trees and shrubs, the space was almost completely out of sight from anyone else.

“I don’t think anyone would come out here,” Temple said, his voice low as we gathered near the invisible barrier. “Even if they did, the security at the park entrance would keep them out. This place is practically a fortress of privacy.”

“And yet here we are,” Louvel said with a grin, though his eyes were sharp as he scanned the area.

I stepped closer to where the snowball had hit, crouching down to inspect the ground. My fingers brushed against the faint shimmer of the barrier—it wasn’t just invisible, but tangible, like glass. “It’s definitely cloaked,” I muttered.

I turned to Vinico, my eyes narrowing with focus. “Can you find the door to get inside?”

He grinned, his confidence unwavering. “On it,” he replied, already beginning to split into dozens of clones.

The duplicates swarmed the invisible train compartment, their hands knocking, pulling, and feeling along every inch of the surface. They moved with practiced efficiency, mapping out the unseen structure like ants exploring their surroundings.

As the Vinico clones worked, Temple tilted his head thoughtfully. “Do you think they might’ve been smart enough to lock the door? What if we need a key to get in?”

“Good suggestion,” I said with a nod. Then an idea struck me. “Hold on.”

Before anyone could stop me, I let my body shift into its intangible state.

The sensation was strange, as always—a fleeting moment where I felt lighter, like I was less tethered to the physical world. I stepped forward, and sure enough, I passed through the cloaking spell with ease. The spell was clever, but it wasn’t designed to block entry. Its purpose was to hide, not to protect.

From the outside, I could hear the muffled gasps of the group as I disappeared from sight. Inside, the view was completely different. The cloaking spell peeled away like a veil, revealing a single train compartment. It wasn’t grand or overly ornate—just an old-style subway car, the kind you’d expect to see decades ago. The interior was dusty but functional, its worn leather seats and slightly faded metal rails reminiscent of a bygone era.

As I took a few steps further in, the compartment's automatic lights flickered to life. The space was narrow but surprisingly clean, and at the far end, the automatic door slid open with a faint whoosh. To my surprise, as the door opened, the cloaking spell fell away completely, revealing the train car to everyone outside.

I grinned, stepping forward and leaning casually against the now-visible doorway. “Get in, everybody,” I called, my tone light but triumphant.

The group stared at the now-visible train compartment for a moment before hurrying over. Placid was the first to step inside, her sharp eyes scanning every detail. “You could’ve told us you were going to pull a stunt like that,” she muttered, though her tone lacked heat.

“I figured it was easier to ask for forgiveness than permission,” I replied with a smirk.

Vinico followed, his clones dissolving around him as he stepped into the car. “Alright, Jade is officially the coolest person I know,” he said, clearly impressed. “This thing is legit.”

The rest of the group piled in, each taking in the old train compartment with expressions ranging from relief to curiosity.

Jade stepped in last, her silver eyes meeting mine with a small, approving smile.

“Thanks” I said.

“Well,” Louvel said, brushing his hands off the main driver seat. “Looks like we figured out the first part. Now let’s see where this thing leads.”

Everyone gathered near the driver’s seat, crammed together, all staring at the intimidating mess of dials, switches, and buttons. Nobody seemed to have a clue how to make the train move, but that didn’t stop Louvel from reaching out and pressing a button at random.

“Don’t just poke things!” Placid hissed, smacking his hand away.

Louvel huffed, rubbing his wrist. “Well, someone has to do it.” He shrugged and stepped back like he had zero regrets.

Jade leaned in closer, squinting at the controls. “It can’t be that complicated. It’s just a train.”

Vinico snorted. “Just a train,” he echoed sarcastically. “Sure, because ancient cloaked train compartments are totally standard issue.”

Despite the bickering, the train suddenly jerked forward. Everyone stumbled slightly, gripping onto the nearest surface as the compartment lurched into motion. The automatic doors slid shut, and with a faint shimmer, the cloaking spell reactivated, rendering the train invisible from the outside.

We all stared at each other, startled. Then, slowly, all eyes turned to Louvel. Louvel, who looked far too pleased with himself.

He dusted off his hands like a job well done. “See? Told you.”

Placid pinched the bridge of her nose. “I swear to god—”

Temple crossed her arms. “You have no idea what you just did, do you?”

Louvel grinned. “Not even a little bit.”

Vinico sighed, already rubbing his temples. “Fantastic. We’re being driven into the unknown by the guy who presses random buttons.”

I, meanwhile, was still gripping onto the control panel for balance. “…Does anyone know how to stop it?”

As the single compartment train rolled forward, we watched the overgrown jungle blur past, the old tracks creaking faintly under the strain. The track extended further than I’d expected, winding through thick clusters of trees and dense brush. After five minutes, the landscape shifted. We approached the entrance of an old tunnel, its arched opening framed by crumbling stone and half-consumed by vines.

The train plunged into the darkness, red and green lights flickering to life along the interior walls of the tunnel. They illuminated the space in intermittent flashes, giving everything an eerie, strobe-like quality. The air grew damp, the tunnel’s musty scent creeping into the compartment.

After another three minutes of steady movement, the train began to slow. A low screech echoed through the compartment as it came to a halt beside an underground channel of fresh water. The faint sound of running water filled the air, mingling with the hum of the train’s engine.

“Leave a few clones behind,” I said to Vinico as the group began stepping out cautiously. “In case this thing starts moving back on its own. If it’s programmed to shuttle passengers back and forth, we’ll need to know.”

“Got it,” Vinico replied, splitting off a handful of clones who stationed themselves inside the train.

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

The rest of us stepped out into the underground chamber.

The rest of us stepped out into the underground chamber.

The sight before us was like something out of a villain’s lair—straight from a comic book or spy movie. Though we were underground, the space was immaculate in its own way. The floor and walls, made of dark stone, had turned black from years of moisture and age. Everything was slick with humidity, the floor slightly slippery under our boots. The air was thick and warm, the sound of dripping water echoing faintly around us.

“Creepy,” Placid muttered, glancing around. “But clean. Too clean.”

Vinico nodded in agreement, wiping a thin sheen of moisture off his arms. “Yeah, this is giving me rich-people-evil-hideout vibes.”

Louvel ran a hand along the slick wall, pulling it back with a grimace. “I’m guessing it’s not a spa retreat, though.”

Jade stepped forward, “No signs of immediate danger.”

She paused, tilting her head slightly as if listening for something beneath the steady hum of water.

“…Yet.”

I, myself, scanned the Likeness of the place. The colors were neutral. Unsettlingly neutral. Not too dangerous, not safe either.

Vinico nudged Louvel. “So, what do you think? Secret evil hideout? High-stakes auction site? Underground karaoke club?”

As we moved deeper into the underground lair, a nagging feeling settled in the back of my mind. Something about this setup felt off. The train compartment couldn’t possibly be the only way to access this place. I glanced at the underground water channel, its calm surface catching the dim light, glistening like black glass.

Boats.

They could easily use boats.

If the channel led somewhere outside the city, this place wasn’t just a hidden room—it was an entire network of movement.

I nudged Jade, my voice low but certain. “That waterway—it’s not just for show, is it?”

She followed my gaze thoughtfully. “No chance. If they have an escape route, it’s probably connected to another underground passage. Maybe even a port.”

Vinico, overhearing, whistled lowly. “Damn. So we might be standing on top of an entire secret transit system?”

Louvel crouched near the edge of the platform, dipping his fingers into the water before shaking them off. “It’s clean. That means it’s flowing from somewhere. Which means…”

Placid sighed. “Which means there’s another way in and out. Great.”

That wasn’t even the strangest part. I turned my focus back to the room itself. No cameras. No motion sensors. No guards patrolling the halls. Nothing. It was eerily silent, as if the people who operated here relied solely on secrecy, rather than traditional security.

Jade frowned, scanning the area. “No defenses. That’s weird, right?”

I nodded. “Yeah. Too weird. Either they don’t expect intruders, or… they have a way to make them disappear before anyone can sound an alarm.”

But it worked in our favor. Without guards or cameras, we didn’t have to worry about raising alarms or alerting anyone to our presence. Still, the absence of any form of security gave the place an eerie, almost unnerving feel, as though it was entirely self-assured in its secrecy.

We pressed on together, each of us scanning the space carefully.

Meanwhile, Vinico’s clones moved like a well-oiled machine, their synchronized steps silent but effective. They darted through hallways, peered into rooms, and mapped every inch of the hidden estate, feeding him real-time updates.

“Three rooms down, clear.” One of his clones murmured.

“Second floor hallway—five doors, all locked.” Another relayed.

Vinico nodded to himself, hands on his hips. “See? Who needs a security system when you have me?”

Jade side-eyed him. “If you compliment yourself one more time, I’m locking you in a closet.”

“That’s not fair,” Vinico complained.

The interior of the underground site was nothing like the damp, stone tunnels we had entered through. It was pure, unapologetic luxury. An underground mansion. A hidden empire. We moved through the corridors, each step revealing more evidence that this wasn’t just a hideout—it was a world of its own.

Every modern convenience you could think of had been installed. There were state-of-the-art ventilation systems, climate control, and even subtle, automatic lighting that adjusted depending on the movement in the halls. This wasn’t just built for survival—it was built for comfort. For indulgence.

Louvel ran his fingers along an ornate gold-trimmed door, “They spared no expense.”

Temple let out a low whistle as we passed a room with floor-to-ceiling mirrors, a fully stocked bar, and imported leather furniture. “This isn’t just a hideout,” she muttered. “This is a playground for people with money. Lots of it.”

Vinico popped his head into a private dining area, whistling. “Damn. Full buffet setup. This place is better stocked than my fridge.”

Placid snorted. “That’s not saying much.”

Louvel, peering through a door leading to a spa-like sauna, crossed his arms. “No guards. No cameras. But all this?”

He turned to look at us, expression sharp. “Whoever runs this place… they don’t just have money. They have power.”

Temple exhaled, tapping her fingers against her arm. “Enough power to feel safe without needing physical security. That’s not just confidence—that’s absolute control.”

Finally, we reached the heart of the lair—a massive hall. The space opened up into a grand circular room, its ceiling vaulted high above us. Fancy round tables with plush chairs were arranged neatly around the hall, their polished surfaces gleaming under the light of glittering chandeliers. The air here felt different, heavier, as though the room itself held the weight of a thousand secrets.

We paused at the entrance, each of us taking in the grandeur of the space. “What do you think this room is for?” Louvel asked, his voice echoing slightly in the expansive hall.

Jade stepped forward, her silver eyes narrowing as she inspected the setup. “It’s a multipurpose room,” she said. “Could be for dining, parties, or—”

“An auction,” Temple interrupted, finishing her thought. He pointed toward the slight incline at the far end of the hall, where a small stage sat elevated above the rest of the room. It was empty now, but its purpose seemed clear.

“It’s all too well-prepared,” I said, “The chairs, the tables, the chandeliers—it’s meant for gatherings. And the stage... this isn’t just for eating or partying. It’s where deals are made. Big ones.”

“Alright,” I said finally, breaking the silence. “Let’s spread out and search the hall for anything useful. Clues, records, anything. If this really is an auction site, there has to be some evidence left behind.”

We spent the next few minutes scouring the hall, turning over chairs, inspecting tables, and examining the stage for any trace of evidence. But it was as though the place had been wiped clean. Not a single document, marking, or item of interest remained—whoever maintained this place had done an impeccable job of ensuring no loose ends were left behind. As I sifted through the pristine room, Gina’s words replayed in my mind. She had been confident about her prediction: the auction was set to open on Saturday. Her ability to see fragments of the past through objects’ memories wasn’t something I’d ever doubted before, and it gave us a solid timeline. But tonight, it was obvious—there was nothing for us to uncover. The stage was set, but the actors hadn’t arrived yet.

Eventually, we gathered back at the train compartment, our objective for the night completed.

I let out a sigh of relief as I leaned against the compartment door, but a small knot of apprehension lingered in the back of my mind. Something about what was to come tomorrow gnawed at me, an unshakable sense of unease that I couldn’t quite name.

It wasn’t like me to feel this way. Fear wasn’t an emotion I often entertained, but this… this was different.

What’s wrong with me? I thought, shaking my head to clear it. I shouldn’t feel like this.

The train compartment shuddered as it began to move, carrying us back along the same hidden tracks we had arrived on. The cloaking spell reactivated as the compartment slid through the dark tunnel, and before long, the faint glimmer of moonlight signaled our return to the surface. It eventually emerged back into the open air, and the fresh breeze hit me like a splash of cold water. The anxiety that had coiled around me underground loosened its grip, fading into the background. I took a deep breath, letting the cool air settle my nerves.

“I never realized I hated being underground so much,” I murmured to myself, though Jade, standing nearby, caught the remark and raised an eyebrow. “What was that?”

“Nothing,” I said quickly, waving it off. “Just… thinking.”

The train came to a halt, and we stepped out one by one.

The crisp night air was a welcome change, refreshing after the humid, claustrophobic atmosphere below.

I didn’t need to feel anxious. There weren’t many things—or heroes, for that matter—that could stop me from moving, leaving, or even being captured unless I wanted them to in this world.

In a sense, I was kind of untouchable.

Stepping outside the train compartment, we watched as it cloaked itself once again, fading from view like a ghost vanishing into thin air.I scanned the group, noting the way they talked and joked lightly about the place we had just explored. The earlier tension had loosened, but I knew it wouldn’t last. This wasn’t over.

I cleared my throat, drawing their attention. “Alright.”

Louvel, Temple, and Placid all turned to face me, their expressions shifting into something more serious. They knew what was coming. They had been expecting this question.

“Which one of you is willing to take part in this mission tomorrow?”

The three exchanged brief glances, and though there was silence, it wasn’t awkward. They had clearly prepared their answers beforehand, each weighing their choices carefully.

Louvel was the first to speak. “I’ll take part,” he said, shrugging casually. “I’m free, so why not? But if things get too dangerous—like, life-threatening dangerous—I’m out. I’m not looking to die over this.” His honesty wasn’t surprising, and frankly, it was understandable.

Temple was next:

“I won’t be able to join,” she admitted, her voice carrying a hint of regret. “I’ve got other commitments.”

She didn’t elaborate, but her tone made it clear this wasn’t an easy decision for her. Louvel and Placid looked surprised by her answer.

“Other commitments?” Louvel asked, raising an eyebrow.

Temple let out a soft sigh. “I’ll be leaving Earth on Monday,” she said finally. “My family—the Patriarch—has already decided.”

Louvel and Placid looked surprised by her answer. “Other commitments?” Louvel asked, raising an eyebrow.

The revelation hit Louvel and Placid hard, though I wasn’t surprised. Temple had mentioned this to us before at the coffee cafe.

Placid was the last to respond, and though she nodded her agreement, there was clear hesitation in her eyes. “I’ll take part,” she said, though her voice lacked conviction. I had a feeling she was already regretting her decision, but she was too proud—or too loyal—to back out.

I sighed quietly, shaking my head. “Hopefully, we won’t have to fight tomorrow,” I said casually.

The place will be crawling with powerful villains. Us attacking it head-on would be like trying to topple an elephant. We’d only hurt ourselves. Still, there was no turning back now. I had already messaged the rest of the group about our findings, and we’d be meeting soon to plan our next steps.

I let out a slow breath, looking at the three of them—Louvel, Temple, and Placid.

“Thank you,” I said, my voice genuine. “For everything tonight. You didn’t have to come, but you did, and I appreciate it.”

Placid grinned, stuffing her hands into her pockets. “You’re welcome.”

We moved quietly, unseen through the overgrown park, making our way toward the exit

Once outside, Jade, Vinico, and I flagged down a cab.

As we slid into the backseat, Vinico stretched, letting out a dramatic sigh. “Alright, place your bets—what kind of ‘surprise’ do you think Alex has waiting for us?”

“If it’s another one of his dumb pranks, I’m leaving immediately.”

“You always say that. Yet, you never leave.”

The cab took a turn, the city lights blurring past the window. Alex had sent the address earlier, calling everyone over. Whatever this surprise was—it had better be worth it.