Kain clenched his jaw, his thoughts churning as he walked beside Haley. She’s Itunal. The revelation had hit him like a blow to the gut, though he kept his expression neutral. A rookie, sure, but Itunal all the same—a cog in the supernatural machine that hunted men like him. And here she was, leading him around like some clueless outsider. He forced himself to stay calm. Seth—he was Seth right now. No one knew Kain was hiding beneath the disguise.
In his mind, the voices of his fractured conscience—Doc and Belmont—grumbled to life.
“Focus,” Doc’s steady voice murmured. “She doesn’t know who you are. As far as Haley’s concerned, you’re Seth—the harmless stranger she’s showing around. Play the part.”
“Sure, play the part,” Belmont growled. “Until she gets a whiff of who you really are. Then what? You think a rookie’s going to hesitate when she figures it out? The Itunal don’t hand out second chances.”
Kain’s scowl was brief, but sharp. She won’t figure it out. Not yet. If she had any idea who I really was, she’d have tried to arrest me already. Rookie or not, the first thing they teach the Itunal is to follow the law. No hesitation.
“Then she’s either clueless,” Doc reasoned, “or waiting for the right moment to strike. Which is it, Kain? How much of this is an act?”
Kain didn’t answer right away. Instead, he kept his pace steady, careful not to let his silence seem unnatural to Haley, who chatted about something he wasn’t bothering to follow. He hated how much she’d already done to lower his guard. She’d been helpful—too helpful. If this was some elaborate play to gain his trust, she was doing a damn good job.
“You’re slipping,” Belmont muttered. “I can hear it in your tone. Don’t forget who you are. She’s not helping Seth—she’s helping the man she thinks you are. Which means it’s all a lie. You know that, right?”
Kain’s teeth clenched. “I don’t need a lecture, Belmont,” he snapped internally. “I know it’s a lie. I just don’t know how deep it goes yet.”
Doc’s tone stayed measured. “Fine. So, what’s the play? You can’t keep following her around like this. If she’s part of the Itunal, someone’s bound to start asking questions. Rookie or not, she’s not the only one you have to worry about.”
“I know that,” Kain replied, biting back his frustration. “I’m already working on it.”
“Yeah?” Belmont snorted. “Care to enlighten us, oh fearless leader? Or are you just winging it again?”
Kain’s lips curled into the faintest smirk, one Haley likely mistook for casual confidence. “I stay close. Let her think she’s in control. If she’s green enough, she won’t realize she’s being played. I’ll figure out why she’s here, what she knows. And when the time comes, I’ll decide if she’s a threat or not.”
Doc’s voice sharpened slightly. “And if she is?”
Kain’s reply was cold, deliberate. “Then she’s one more mistake I’ll have to clean up.”
Belmont’s chuckle echoed in his mind, dry and bitter. “You’re such a charmer, Kain. Really. No wonder the Itunal can’t stop chasing you.”
Doc’s voice cut through Belmont’s sarcasm. “Stay focused. If Haley’s bait, someone’s holding the line. Watch your back.”
“I always do,” Kain thought, his expression hardening just enough to betray a sliver of his true self.
As they walked, he cast a sidelong glance at Haley. She seemed relaxed, cheerful even—completely unaware of the storm brewing beside her. If she was playing him, she was damn good at it. But Kain wasn’t about to be outplayed. Not by a rookie. Not by anyone.
She gestures casually, as if it’s no big deal, but there’s a hint of pride in her tone. “My dad’s the current leader and the one who got me into it. He showed me the ropes, made sure I understood what it means to protect people. Being part of the Itunal isn’t just about responsibility, though you gotta be pretty damn strong to even make it in. You have to be able to wield chaos energy—mana, qi, star ether. And, well…” She flashes him a grin. “I’m a wielder of star ether, so I’ve got that box checked.”
Kain takes this in, nodding thoughtfully. But Haley isn’t done.
“Thing is, you’re not with the Itunal, and you came through a Portal Point, which… is weird,” she says, her brow furrowing as she studies him. “And then there’s the energy you’re giving off. It’s like mana, qi, and star energy but… not quite any of them? I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Kain looks at her, feeling a bit exposed but intrigued as well. “And yet, here you are, helping me out.”
Haley smiles, finishing off her burrito and taking another swig of her drink. “Because whatever that wild, dangerous energy is, my instincts say you’re not a bad guy. Call it gut feeling or just crazy, but… I think you’re worth getting to know.” She shrugs, tossing him a casual, open grin. “So here I am, playing tour guide to the mystery guy with the weird, new energy signature.”
Kain laughs, shaking his head. “Well, I’m grateful for it. You’re definitely making this whole thing a little easier.”
“Good,” she replies, her tone warm but teasing. “Stick close, and I’ll make sure you survive your first day in The Bazxar.”
She pauses, then adds with a wink, “Guess you can say you’re not the only one who’s good at handling trouble.”Haley waves back casually, exchanging a few friendly words as if it’s all in a day’s work.
As they continue through the winding streets of The Bazxar, Kain raises an eyebrow, glancing over at Haley. “So, since you’re handing out answers so freely, mind telling me—what exactly is a ‘Sea-tizin’?”
Haley chuckles, a knowing glint in her eye. “Thought you might ask that.” She takes a sip of her drink, gathering her thoughts before answering. “Well, technically, it’s nothing fancy just a blend of ‘citizen’ and ‘sea,’ because our world—the supernatural world—was hidden deep beneath the ocean for a long time. But to really get why it means what it does, you’ve gotta understand some history.”
She looks at Kain, her expression growing a bit more serious. “Back in the ancient days, there was no border between the mortal and supernatural worlds. Humans and magical beings walked side by side, and depending on who you ask, it was a golden era or a dark one. Some thrived on the harmony between realms, while others… well, they enjoyed the chaos.”
She pauses, her gaze distant. “But then, around the 5th to 6th centuries, everything changed. Mortals, driven by fear or greed—or both—hunted down supernatural beings to near extinction. They drove us into hiding, pushed us further and further out of their lands. Eventually, the surviving magical beings had no choice but to retreat to the first ever known rift, located on a remote island far out in the ocean. There, hidden from mortal reach, they found refuge.”
Kain listens, caught up in the story. “And that’s where the term comes in?”
Haley nods. “Exactly. The king of Atlantis—a powerful, legendary figure—saw what was happening and chose to help. He opened his realm, providing sanctuary for the supernatural. Through his guidance and magic, we were able to escape and hide, protected by the waters and the unknown depths. For centuries, we lived in peace, isolated, until we dared to come out again, cautiously reentering the mortal world.”
Kain frowns thoughtfully. “But when you came out, you had to follow rules, right? After all before everything happened I didn't even know this world existed. Why not just live freely? Humans aren’t exactly dangerous anymore; they’re not like they were back then.”
Haley raises an eyebrow, giving him a hard look. “You think mortals aren’t dangerous? Ever hear of the Salem witch hunts? That wasn’t thousands of years ago—that was the 1600s. Even in a young place like America, mortals turned on anyone they thought was connected to the supernatural. And Salem’s just one example. Fear is a powerful thing, Kain. People fear what they don’t understand, and fear makes them do terrible things.”
Kain nods, quiet as he absorbs this. Haley’s voice softens slightly, but there’s an edge to it. “That’s why the Itunal was formed. They were created to keep the balance, to maintain peace and harmony between our world and theirs. They uphold the laws that protect both sides. But even with rules, not every supernatural being follows the same path. Just like mortals, we’ve got our saints and our sinners. Some races, by nature, lean toward darkness; others, toward light. And without guardians—powerful ones—there’d be nothing but chaos.”
She pauses, a note of regret in her voice. “Some of us still hold resentment toward mortals for the old days, for the way they turned on us. Others live in fear of what would happen if they found us again, and if they ever came to understand what we truly are.”
Kain watches her, quiet and contemplative. “I guess… there’s more to this than I realized,” he says, his tone sober.
Haley nods. “Being a Sea-tizin means understanding that delicate balance, Kain. It means living with both freedom and responsibility, keeping one foot in our world and one eye on theirs. We walk the line between history and progress, between fear and respect. And trust me—once you’ve seen what both sides are capable of, you learn pretty quick why that line exists.”
Haley gives Kain a light nudge, shaking off the serious tone with a laugh. “But enough of that depressing stuff—we’re here! Our final stop for the day.”
She flashes him a bright smile, and Kain looks up, realizing they’re standing before a massive, ornate building. Its facade is a blend of classic and arcane architecture, with towering columns carved from enchanted stone, shimmering wards embedded in its walls, and symbols of unity from countless realms etched along the entrance. The structure radiates an energy of power and formality, like a mystical government headquarters. Crowds of beings from every race and background move in and out, many of them dressed in sharply tailored suits with faint, glowing enchantments stitched into the fabric.
Kain stares up at the building, his confusion growing as he reads the bold lettering above the entrance: USISIS – United States Sea-tizin Immigration Services.
Turning to Haley, he raises an eyebrow. “Immigration Services?”
Haley grins, clearly enjoying his bewilderment. “Yep! Welcome to the USISIS. As a new member of the magical community, before you can open a bank account, or even get a place to live, you’ve gotta become a legal Sea-tizin.” She pats his shoulder and gestures toward the grand entrance. “Time to get you registered, apply for your visa, and get that naturalization paperwork started. I’m telling ya, Kain, bureaucracy exists everywhere—even in the magical world.”
Kain lets out a small laugh, shaking his head. “Never thought I’d be getting a supernatural visa today.”
Haley chuckles, giving him gentle words as her eyes points toward the entrance. “Welcome to life as a Sea-tizin, Kain. Let’s get you official.”
“A-ahhh—” Kain stammers, but before he can protest, Haley grabs his arm and drags him through the grand entrance.