The sun never truly rose in the northern sector. Instead, a dim, smoky light spilled from the sky like ash, catching on the jagged rooftops and shattered windows that framed the outskirts of the city. North Bridge was quiet,too quiet.
Lucian moved with sharp focus, every muscle on edge. Jace followed closely behind, panting, his breath curling in the cold air.
"Lucian," Jace managed between gulps of air. "You're going too fast, can't you slow down a bit?"
Lucian slowed, blinking as if he just realized how far ahead he'd gotten. "I didn't mean to," he said, the mark on his hand pulsing again. "It just… happened."
Jace stared at him. "This is really interesting, it's not normal at all." he said
Lucian didn't answer. Deep down, he was starting to wonder if he was even supposed to be normal anymore.
They moved into a forgotten part of the city, a place where the buildings leaned like crooked teeth and the wind carried voices that weren't always there. They passed rusted signs, torn posters, a hollowed-out tram station long abandoned to moss and silence.
It was there Lucian stopped.
His head tilted slightly. "We're not alone,."
Jace stiffened, glancing around. "You sure?"
Lucian didn't reply.
From the tunnel shadows, a figure stepped into view.
A woman with a tall and strong presence. She wore a long coat stitched from worn leathers and welded scraps of armor. Her silver braids moved like ropes of moonlight against the wind.Her dark skin caught the pale light, and her eyes that looks hoary, sharp and relished with vast knowledge landed on Lucian with quiet intensity.
"You've gotten stronger," she said softly.
Lucian froze. "Do I know you?"
"No," she replied, voice calm. "But I know what you are."
Jace stepped forward defensively. "And what exactly is that?"
The woman's gaze didn't shift. "My name is Riven. I've been searching for you, Lucian."
Lucian's heart pounded in his chest. "Why?"
"To protect you. And to teach you before it's too late."He stepped back. "From what?"
Riven moved forward, slowly, deliberately. "There are people hunting you—Scorchers. You've seen them, haven't you? The red-haired woman? That was just the beginning."Jace frowned. "Who are they?"
"Scorchers,they are relic-hunters," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Assassins bred to erase the memory of old power. They hunt people who bear the mark. People like Lucian."
Lucian's hand flexed, the glowing mark warm now. "Why me? Why do I even have this?"
Riven's expression softened. "The mark isn't just power. It's a memory. A call from something ancient inside you. You're not the first, Lucian… but you might be the last."The air turned heavier.Lucian looked at Jace. He wanted to argue. To laugh. To scream. But something inside him already knew this was true.Riven stepped closer. "If they catch you again, you won't survive it. You need to learn how to control the mark, or it will consume you."Jace's face twisted in confusion and concern. "Then I'm coming with him."
"No," Riven said gently but firmly. "You'll only slow him down now."Jace scowled. "You don't get to decide that."
"She's right," Lucian cut in, surprising them both. "You've already done so much, Jace. I can't drag you further into this."
"You're not dragging me," Jace said, eyes fierce. "I chose this. I chose to help you."
Lucian looked at him. The same guy who had opened his door without hesitation, who had hidden him, fought for him, stayed up nights trying to understand what was happening. Lucian's voice cracked. "If something happens to you because of me... I'd never forgive myself." Jace opened his mouth to respond but Lucian pulled him into a tight hug.
"I'm sorry," Lucian whispered. "And thank you."Jace stood frozen for a moment, then slowly hugged him back. "You better stay alive, Lucian."
"I will." Lucian responded with hesitation.He must stay alive for his friends and loved one.
Riven waited, silent, respectful.
When they finally pulled apart, Lucian turned to her. "Where are we going?" She looked up at the shattered dome of the station. "Away from here. Into the ruins. There's someone waiting to meet you. Someone who knows more than I do." Lucian gave Jace one last look and said "without me here I think you should return home safely,leave this place quickly Northbrigde is a dead zone". Then he and Riven vanished into the tunnels beyond, the flickering blue light of the mark leading the way.
Meanwhile, ina town before Rivo district…
Kia sat hunched over a cluttered table inside a dim apartment. The place was messier than usual, papers, photos, and news clippings pinned to corkboards. A red string connected them all. Lucian's name was scrawled in ink across the top.He stared at a grainy image on his phone,Lucian in the background of a traffic cam, face half-hidden under a hoodie.
"You were here," Kia muttered. "Three nights ago."He hadn't stopped since Lucian ran from his place. That red-haired assassin had terrified him, but what scared him more was the thought of Lucian being alone again. Kia had only gotten two hours with him, barely enough time to ask questions, to understand what was going on before the stranger came crashing through his back window.Lucian had disappeared into the night like a shadow, and Kia had sworn to himself then that he wouldn't lose him again.He grabbed his coat, slung his bag over his shoulder, and headed for the door. "I don't care where you've gone," he whispered. "I'm going to find you. Before they do." walking through dark alleys into Rivo district.