"We're here, Bug," Lou announced, weariness evident in his yawn and slumped posture. Unlike him, fatigue held no sway over me. Instead, a torrent of emotions surged through me – happiness at returning to a familiar space, a pang of sorrow at its demise, a yearning for a life long gone. What was this potent cocktail of feelings?

With a trembling hand, I reached out, fingers brushing the rough stone. My vision blurred, a struggle against welling tears. Before me lay a desolate landscape. Shattered cobblestones, moss reclaiming what was once bustling streets, buildings reduced to mere skeletons. A river, unrecognizable from its former glory, carved a path through the ruins. As we walked, a compulsion drew me to touch the remnants of what was once home. The chill of the stone resonated with a deep familiarity, a confirmation that this was indeed Gloria, the kingdom I once cherished.

Gone were the soaring structures that had pierced the sky. In their place, desolation reigned. Yet, amidst the wreckage, a single anomaly snagged my attention. At the heart of the city, where the majestic castle had stood, a lone tower rose like a defiant finger. Its stark construction, a jarring blend of concrete and brick, stood in stark contrast to the surrounding ruins. It was a beacon of modernity in a graveyard of the past.

"Lou..." I trailed off, my voice barely above a whisper as I gestured towards the tower. "See that?"

He finally managed to pry one eye open, a series of exaggerated yawns preceding a groggy, "Hm?" It took a moment for his brain to catch up. "That..." he muttered, squinting at the structure, "doesn't exactly scream 'Gloria's finest architecture,' does it?"

"Even a blind squirrel could figure that out," I retorted, annoyance bubbling beneath the surface.

"Arrogant Bug," he mumbled before sighing and scratching his neck. "Alright, alright. Gut feeling says we should check it out." He took a tentative step towards the tower, prompting me to follow. "Always gotta trust my gut, right?"

An unwelcome prickle of unease crawled up my spine as my senses flared. "Lou," I hissed, spinning towards him, my voice laced with urgency. "Mana... I can feel it."

His eyes widened as I surged forward, taking the lead. You, the reader, might be curious about our motives. After all, why were we venturing off on this unauthorized mission? The answer is simple: Mana. We wanted to know. Was it still a natural occurrence in this world, or had some people found a way to tap into it artificially?

My existence was another anomaly. A Flow practitioner, I could still sense Mana despite lacking artificial modifications. The possibility of regaining my magical prowess in a year or two wasn't outlandish. After all, this innate ability to sense Mana had been with me since birth, I could say that much. Perhaps others shared this gift, or even a more potent connection – being born with Mana itself.

The closer we got to the tower, the denser the Mana grew. Users were definitely within. Suddenly, a young girl, barely more than a child, slammed into my shoulder as she sprinted in the opposite direction. The contact sent a jolt through me, an unfamiliar energy crackling within. Not unfamiliar to my mind, but to this body. The faint warmth and tingle coursing through me – that was Mana for certain.

She crumpled to the ground with a shaky "Ow," halting our advance. My fists clenched as I saw her. A single tattered cloth barely covered her, a soul-leeching collar choking her neck. Another slave, just like the other ones.

Lou knelt beside her, concern etched on his face. "Um… Hey there," he said gently, his voice laced with confusion. "Are you alright? Though..." he trailed off, his brow furrowed, "Come to think of it, it was stupid of me to ask that question. I mean, you don’t really look… Well…"

A sardonic grin stretched across my face. "Took you long enough, Lou," I said, the vein throbbing in his temple a testament to my well-placed jab.

The girl huddled closer, her tear-filled eyes flitting nervously between Lou and me. "I-I..." she stammered, clutching her thin garment around her. Words seemed to fail her in the face of her terror.

The crunch of approaching footsteps sent Lou scrambling to his feet. I, on the other hand, tightened my grip on the Morphblade. This wasn't another victim; this was a predator.

"There you are, Mina," a voice called out as a figure emerged from the undergrowth. He was a teenager, perhaps in his late teens, with spiky yellow hair and piercing black eyes that glinted beneath a shock of clean skin. A long brown coat concealed most of his attire, but he approached with an unsettling confidence, ignoring our presence entirely, pocketing his hands.

The moment Mina saw him, she darted behind us, her trembling intensifying. "N-no," she choked out, seeking refuge in our shadows.

"Come on, Mina," the boy's voice was deceptively calm, a honeyed drawl that sent shivers down her spine. "We need you to come back with me, alright? Your 'friends' are worried." His last word dripped with a sinister undercurrent.

Mina's grip on my jacket tightened, a silent plea as her tear-stained eyes darted between us and the newcomer. What horrors had they inflicted to reduce her to such a state?

The boy stopped a short distance away, his gaze surprisingly calm as it met mine. "Excuse me, miss," he spoke in that deceptively soothing voice again. "Would you mind reuniting me with Mina? It wouldn't do for her to catch a chill in this autumn wind, now would it?"

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Neither Lou nor I dared to speak, our eyes fixed on him. He held our stares with unwavering calmness, then raised a hand as if to reach for Mina's shoulder.

My patience snapped. Flow surged through me, channeling into the Morphblade. With a flick of my wrist, a dagger materialized, pointed directly at his chest. "Move another inch if you dare," I growled, desperate for a reaction, yet no flicker of fear in his eyes.

He only hummed, his body momentarily frozen. "Indeed, I sensed your Flow, even though it was only fluctuating," he said, his gaze lingering on me before shifting to Lou. "Though I hadn't anticipated such a hostile response."

"Perhaps it's unavoidable then," he murmured. Before I could react, his hand shot out, lightning-fast, seizing the hand holding the blade. Simultaneously, a knee kick connected with my stomach, the force of the blow stealing my breath and leaving me rooted to the spot. This wasn't ordinary agility; his speed was inhuman. I didn’t have a chance to keep up with him in this undeveloped body of mine.

He released my hand, opting for a swift punch aimed at Lou. Unsurprisingly, Lou blocked it with ease, the boy's blow feeling like a child's tantrum against a seasoned warrior. With one hand, Lou effortlessly lifted the boy and tossed him several meters away. But the boy landed on his feet like a cat, unfazed by the display of strength.

"You," Lou spoke, Flow coursing visibly through his arms, "Mind if I handle the babysitting?"

Clutching my stomach, I nodded. "Go nuts," I rasped, wrapping a protective arm around Mina's shivering shoulders.

The boy, his gaze fixed on Lou, loosened his coat's belt. "Impressive strength," he conceded. "Then again, kid gloves are off." As the coat fell away, an otherworldly energy surged from him, a chilling cold purple Flow that sent shivers down my spine. He'd been hiding his power, just like me.

Lou took a cautious step forward. "A Flow wielder, huh? Same team!" He scratched his neck, a confused frown marring his features. "Didn't pick up on it before. Thought you were one of those..."

The boy didn't let him finish. He lunged forward, a vicious punch aimed at Lou's face. But Lou was ready. With a practiced motion, he drew his sword, the glint of metal forcing the attacker back a step.

"No respect for your elders, either," Lou added, sheathing his blade with a sigh. "Alright, let's see... Flow manipulation boosting a specific stat to superhuman levels...you must be a Sentinel."

The boy, to my surprise, offered a curt nod. "Apologies for the initial brusqueness. Disrespecting my elders wasn't the intention." He confirmed Lou's guess. "Indeed, I belong to the Sentinel specialization."

But the pleasantries ended there. He lunged for another punch, only to abruptly cancel the attack mid-air the moment Lou raised his fist. A hand darted out, landing on Lou's forearm. In a flash, he pivoted, aiming a vicious punch at Lou's head.

Reacting with lightning reflexes, Lou snatched the boy's leg mid-swing. He spun him like a ragdoll before sending him crashing to the dusty ground once more. Lou winced, cradling his hand. "Fractured thumb, thanks to you." He peered at the boy, a grudging respect flickering in his eyes as he healed his thumb in a mere second. "Cold Flow, impressive reflexes for a stranger. Name's Lou, by the way."

The boy sighed, a surprisingly respectful sound. Brushing dust off his tunic, he bowed with a flourish. "Oliver Quartz. A pleasure." He rotated his fists, a playful glint in his eyes.

Lou sighed "Man, you’re way too easy going I could die!"

I barked out a laugh. him, easygoing? Now that was rich. Coming from either of them, the sudden shift in mood sent shivers down my spine. These guys were hiding something – a confidence bordering on arrogance.

Oliver pondered for a moment, then strode towards his discarded coat. "A moment, if you please," he said, brushing dust off the garment as he met Lou's gaze. "You mentioned being Lou. By any chance, are you Lou Haventon, the notorious Experience Sponsor?"

Lou puffed out his chest, a triumphant chuckle escaping his lips. "The one and only, Sponsor of Experience!" he boasted, a reaction that elicited a groan from me and a face-palm.

Oliver nodded curtly, bowing once more. "Then, as much as I'd relish continuing this…sparring session, I'm forced to make a tactical retreat." His eyes flickered to Lou's childishly disappointed expression.

Confusion etched itself onto Lou's face. "Huh? But... fighting you might give me some answers! We can settle this! Why retreat now?"

"Unfortunately, I can't afford a battle I'm certain to lose," Oliver countered, his gaze darting between me and Mina. That prompted me to instinctively tighten my grip around her.

Suddenly, a blur. Oliver materialized inches from me, his eyes boring into mine. My reaction was immediate – the Morphblade materialized in my hand, slashing towards him in a reflex. He reacted with inhuman speed, leaping back just as the blade sliced through the air where his head had been a moment prior.

Startled, I scrambled to my feet, protectively pulling Mina closer as I glared at the intruder. This unexpected turn of events left me reeling.

"Hold on," Oliver countered, his eyes widening in mock surprise. "Retreat, yes. Attack you, good lady? Never." He tossed the coat at my feet with a flourish.

Confusion clouded my features. "Then why the sudden close call? And what's with the coat – a parting gift?" I questioned, nudging the garment with my foot.

"Just contemplating Mina's return," he said nonchalantly, a shrug accompanying his words. He reached into his pocket, producing a strange device that hummed with an otherworldly energy. "As for the coat, consider it a parting favor."

"Favor? Why me?"

"Your Flow and Aura," Oliver explained, his gaze lingering on me. "They need dampening to interact with other Flow users." He raised the device. "While you have a concealing charm, it seems insufficient."

“Oh, and stop holding back, okay? There is no point in doing so if you can’t face your opponent while you’re not showing your true potential.”

A green glow emanated from the device as Oliver spoke into it. "Astolf, initiate teleportation. Parting gift included."

Before Lou could react, his teeth gritting in frustration, Oliver vanished in a blink of emerald light. No trace remained, except for the discarded coat at my feet. We had an idea of where he might be – the strange tower – but following him was another story entirely.

“Damn it!” A guttural curse ripped from Lou's throat. Disappointment hung heavy in the air, thick enough to choke on. We'd wasted precious time bickering with Oliver, exchanging blows that yielded little more than a glimpse into his fighting style and his affiliation with someone named Astolf.

Silence descended for a beat, heavy and oppressive. It was Lou who shattered it, his voice tight with unease. "Bug," he began, his hand instinctively going for the hilt of his sword. The ground trembled beneath our feet, a low rumble that resonated in our bones. "I think I know what kind of parting gift Oliver left us. And let me tell you, my gut’s telling me that it’s quite a drag."

A cold dread slithered down my spine. Lou's grip tightened on his sword, and even Mina whimpered, clinging tighter to my arm. The tremor intensified, morphing into a series of thundering thumps that shook the very earth. My heart hammered a frantic rhythm against my ribs as the chilling truth dawned on me.

"Flow beasts!" I cried, my voice barely a whisper above the growing din. "He called an army of them on us!"