The morning sunlight filtered through the cracks in the walls of Mark’s hideout, casting faint streaks of gold across the cluttered space. Light stirred first, blinking against the brightness. The soreness from the fight at the park still lingered, but he was healing faster than he expected. Nearby, Riya was perched on the edge of the table, her head resting on her folded arms, dozing lightly. Mark, sprawled on a small cot in the corner, snored faintly.

Light yawned, sitting up and rubbing his neck. The faint glow of Aria, perched on a shelf nearby, caught his attention. She blinked at him with her sharp eyes and then fluttered closer.

“You have a long day ahead of you,” her telepathic voice echoed softly in his mind.

“I don’t doubt it,” Light murmured under his breath, glancing toward his companions.

Moments later, Mark woke with a dramatic stretch and groan, running a hand through his messy dark brown hair. A streak of lighter brown near his temple caught the morning light. His warm hazel eyes gleamed with their usual mix of mischief and intensity, even as he cracked his knuckles. "Morning already? Feels like I just went to bed."

“You did just go to bed,” Riya muttered groggily, rubbing her eyes. Her long jet-black hair was slightly disheveled, the asymmetrical braid on one side undone. She glared at Mark, but the sharpness of her emerald eyes softened when she turned toward Light.

“Up and at ’em, sleepyheads,” Mark said, grinning. He adjusted his sleeveless dark gray jacket, the high collar making him look rugged yet practical. “We’ve got work to do.”

“Work?” Riya asked, narrowing her eyes. “You mean scrounging for scraps?”

Mark shook his head and smirked, tugging at the crimson bandana tied around his wrist. “Nope. Today, we’re finding a real job. Something that pays, something big.”

The trio made their way into the bustling streets. The morning air was crisp, and the noise of vendors hawking their wares filled the air. Stalls of fruits, trinkets, and odd mechanical devices lined the sidewalks, their owners shouting over each other to attract customers. The trio weaved through the crowd, passing alleyways filled with the chatter of street performers and the hum of passing hovercarts.

After wandering for a while, they arrived at a small, worn-down restaurant tucked between larger buildings. Its faded sign hung crookedly, and the faint aroma of fried food wafted through the air.

Mark led them inside, where the smell of grease and stale coffee mingled in the air. They found a table near the back, sitting in the shadows where they could observe without drawing too much attention.

“Why are we here?” Riya asked, crossing her arms. Her gaze swept over the dingy interior, noting the cracked walls and the lone waiter who moved lethargically between tables.

Mark leaned back in his chair, resting his boots on the edge of the table. “Sometimes, you just have to let opportunities find you.”

Light raised an eyebrow, his teal eyes glinting with skepticism. “You mean we’re waiting for someone to hand us a job on a silver platter?”

“Something like that,” Mark said with a wink.

Riya sighed, resting her chin on her hand. “You’re impossible.”

Before she could argue further, a man approached their table. He was dressed in an unassuming brown cloak, his hood pulled low over his face. Yet his presence carried an air of quiet authority that made the trio tense. He slid into the seat across from them without asking, his sharp eyes scanning each of them in turn.

“Are you willing to do anything for money?” the man asked, his voice low and smooth, almost hypnotic.

Mark tilted his head, studying the stranger. “Depends who’s asking.”

The man smiled faintly, though the gesture didn’t reach his eyes. He reached into his cloak and placed a small, ornate box on the table. Its intricate design gleamed faintly in the dim light. “I have a job for you. A simple retrieval. I need a certain... key returned to me.”

“A key?” Riya echoed, her tone skeptical.

“Yes. A very old, very important key. It’s currently in the possession of a group of smugglers operating out of the southern docks. I need it recovered, discreetly,” the man explained, his fingers tapping lightly on the box.

“Why not do it yourself?” Light asked, leaning forward.

The man’s smile didn’t waver. “I’d prefer to keep my involvement... minimal. Let’s just say I can’t afford to draw attention to myself.”

Riya’s eyes narrowed. “Sounds shady.”

Mark shrugged. “Sounds like money to me.”

The man’s smile widened slightly. “Indeed. I’ll pay you handsomely upon completion. Enough to keep you comfortable for quite some time.”

Mark’s grin grew, but Light and Riya exchanged a look.

“Something’s off about this,” Riya said softly.

Light nodded, lowering his voice. “Yeah, but... we don’t exactly have a lot of options.”

Mark leaned forward, his grin unfaltering. “We’ll take it, but we’ll need an advance.”

The man’s expression faltered for a moment. “An advance?”

Mark gestured at Light and Riya. “Look at us. If we’re going to pull this off, we’ll need better equipment. Weapons, clothes... you know, the essentials.”

The man studied them for a long moment, then sighed. “Fine. I’ll give you enough to cover what you need. But don’t make me regret this.”

With the advance in hand, the trio set out to prepare for the mission. Their first stop was a small weapons shop hidden in a side street, its windows lined with an assortment of blades and firearms.

Mark picked out a sturdy pair of batons and a set of reinforced boots. He swung the batons experimentally, nodding in approval. “This’ll do the trick.”

Riya, after some deliberation, chose a sleek pair of compact laser guns. She tested their weight and balance, her movements fluid and precise. The emerald accents on the guns matched the sharp glint in her eyes.

Light opted for a simple, well-balanced dagger with a black hilt. Though he felt the stir of his Etherea within him, he knew a physical weapon was always a reliable backup.

Next, they visited a secondhand clothing store, where they picked out darker, more durable outfits suited for stealth and combat. Riya chose a sleek, form-fitting combat suit reminiscent of a spy’s attire, with reinforced sleeves and flexible material for unrestricted movement. It hugged her frame perfectly, enhancing her agility while maintaining a professional and dangerous look, much like the style of a seasoned assassin. A lightweight hooded cloak in deep purple completed the ensemble, adding an aura of mystery.

Mark found a reinforced jacket with additional padding on the shoulders, while Light selected a midnight blue coat with silver accents, its high collar lending an air of quiet authority.

By the time they were done, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the city streets. The trio felt more prepared than they had in weeks, their spirits bolstered by the promise of action—and coin.

As night fell, they made their way to the southern docks. The air was heavy with the scent of saltwater and rust, the faint hum of machinery echoing in the distance. The smuggler’s hideout loomed before them: a crumbling warehouse surrounded by rusted shipping containers. Dim lights flickered outside, and a few armed guards patrolled the perimeter.

“Here we go,” Mark said, cracking his knuckles.

“Quiet this time,” Riya hissed. “We can’t afford to get caught.”

Light adjusted his coat, his teal eyes scanning the area. Aria, perched on his shoulder, gave a soft chirp of encouragement.

Author's Note- 

What is Etherea?

Etherea is the life force energy that permeates the world, granting individuals extraordinary abilities based on their unique nature and inner potential. It manifests in eleven distinct types:

1. Elemental: Powers rooted in nature, like fire, water, or air.

2. Energy: Control over light, plasma, or kinetic energy.

3. Psychic: Mind-based abilities like telepathy or telekinesis.

4. Biological: Enhancements to physical traits or transformations.

5. Spatial: Manipulating space, including teleportation or gravity.

6. Temporal: Control over time, such as freezing or glimpsing the future.

7. Cosmic: Celestial powers, manipulating stars, black holes, or abstract concepts.

8. Arcane: Magic-like abilities, including alchemy or spellcasting.

9. Technological: Powers linked to technology, like hacking or technomancy.

10. Conceptual: Abstract manipulation of emotions, ideals, or luck.

11. Infinity (Rare): Powers that defy classification, unique to one’s essence.

Each Etherea grows stronger with its user’s experience, emotions, and adaptability. It is both a gift and a responsibility, capable of shaping destinies—or destroying them.