Shadowlight was sitting on the edge of Mrs. Kelly’s balcony, happily eating a piece of cake, while Sun-Z sat beside her on a chair. Black Storm and Star X stood nearby as they paid their visit.

Mrs. Kelly: “I’m so happy and grateful that you came to visit me. I miss you been around.”

Sun-Z: “We’re the grateful ones, Mrs. Kelly. We feel safe and comfortable with you.”

Mrs. Kelly: “That makes me glad to hear. So… have you gotten used to living with Mr. White?”

Star X: “Not really, but we’re doing our best.”

Mrs. Kelly: “That’s good.”

Black Storm: “Please take care of yourself, Mrs. Kelly. We’ll visit whenever we can.”

Shadowlight: “Of course—especially for your delicious food.”

The others shoved him, and he tumbled off the balcony with a yelp.

Mrs. Kelly: “Oh—and thank you for the flowers. They truly made my day.”

After saying their goodbyes, the group left with serious expressions, heading to meet the inventor.

Shadowlight led them through an unfamiliar part of the village where the streets narrowed into twisting alleys.

Black Storm: “Shadowlight, are you sure you know where you’re going?”

Shadowlight: “Relax. I was here yesterday—it’s the same road.”

They finally stopped in front of a small house hidden at the corner of the alley.

Shadowlight: “Here we are.”

They climbed the stairs and knocked. With every knock, the tension grew—until the door swung open and a boy stared at them in surprise.

Nathan: “Uh… are all of these your friends?”

Shadowlight: “Yeah.”

Nathan: “Well, welcome. Come in.”

The door opened wide, revealing a strange house packed with gadgets, wires, and half-finished machines, like a chaotic workshop.

Nathan: “Please don’t touch anything while you wait. I’ll go tell my master you’re here.”

Black Storm: “Okay.”

Nathan disappeared down a long hallway. The others stared around in awe at the high ceilings and bizarre devices.

Sun-Z: “It’s strange, but what you’d expect from an inventor.”

Star X: “Look at this thing—what is it?”

They leaned closer, but a loud, stern voice echoed behind them.

Inventor: “Didn’t Nathan tell you not to touch anything?”

They spun around in shock.

Star X whispered nervously, “We didn’t touch anything…”

The inventor’s intense stare made her shrink back behind Sun-Z.

He gazed at them, muttering to himself. “They’re barely older than Nathan… and this girl might even be younger.”

Shadowlight: “Sorry to show up this early and without appointment.”

Inventor: “You again?”

Shadowlight: “Yes—and these are my friends.”

Inventor: “You never said there were this many. I don’t work for free.”

Nathan: “Sir, he helped me before. I offered to return the favor.”

Inventor: “One person helped you, not four. And besides, the device needs maintenance.”

Black Storm: “Is there anything we can do? We just want our memories back.”

Inventor: “I don’t offer cures—only inventions. And this one is only a memory stimulator. It won’t work unless the amnesia is mild.”

Shadowlight: “We still want to try. It’s our only hope.”

Sun-Z: “Please… help us.”

Star X: “We’ll do anything in return.”

The inventor hesitated, glancing at Nathan, who silently begged him with his eyes.

Inventor: “There is one thing.”

Everyone gasped.

Shadowlight: “What is it?”

Inventor: “I need a rare metal—polished beryllium. It reflects energy and can repair the device, but I can’t obtain it myself.”

Black Storm: “How do we find it?”

Inventor: “You’ve seen the crowded market. All the merchants all the merchants from around have come to buy gemstones and various minerals here. All thanks to one man—the financier who brings the minerals here. His name is Michaelos. Bring me a polished beryllium stone from him, and I’ll help you.”

Everyone carried a new sense of determination—an unspoken mission none of them intended to fail.

Far away, inside the Leader’s headquarters, more than a hundred elite soldiers were summoned, confused and irritated as they gathered.

“Didn’t they say the Leader was out on a mission?”
“Why are we even here?”

From the shadows, Gunner watched them with a crooked smile and turned to the nearby guard.

Gunner: “Those are the Leader’s special battalion, right?”

Guard: “Yes. The strongest men we have.”

Gunner: “Perfect. Tell them to line up—and say it’s the Leader’s order.”

Guard: “….”

The battalion reluctantly formed ranks, boredom and suspicion written on their faces. Then Gunner stepped onto the Leader’s platform.

Gunner: “Welcome, and thank you all for gathering.”

Soldier: “Who gave you permission to stand there? Get down, you piece of trash!”

Soldier #2: “So it was you who summoned us?”

Soldier #3: “Are we a joke to you? Who are you to call us without the Leader?”

Gunner’s smile widened.

Gunner: “I gathered you because you are the strongest men here. You are the battalion that will go down in history today. Thank you for your obedience—for showing up without losing a single one of you.”
He paused.
Gunner: “You will be the finest sacrifice my experiment could ever ask for.”

The floor beneath them suddenly ignited with glowing circuits. Energy was ripped from their bodies, forcing them to their knees. Above them, clouds of nanites swarmed like metallic insects, waiting to strike.

Screams filled the hall.

Gunner descended calmly and sat beside a monstrous generator. He took a syringe filled with a glowing liquid and plunged it into his arm. His veins bulged violently as he laughed—mad, triumphant—while the soldiers’ life force was drained into the machine.

Their bodies shriveled one by one, reduced to lifeless husks.

The guard collapsed in terror, watching the massacre, while Gunner’s flesh expanded—muscles thickening, lungs swelling, every cell mutating with stolen power. At last, the final soldier fell. The nanites retreated, sliding back into a massive metal container.

Gunner exhaled deeply and stood, marveling at his transformed body.

Gunner: “Incredible… After all these years, you’re still as generous as ever.”

He stepped forward and punched a stone pillar. It exploded into rubble.

Gunner: “Step one is complete.”

The guard immediately fled from the place

“I have to warn the counselor—warn the Leader!”

But Something yanked him backward. He screamed as a strange device embedded in his spine dragged him across the floor—straight back to Gunner.

His voice cut off abruptly.

As for our friends, they stood outside with Nathan, talking under the warm afternoon light.

Nathan: “Sorry… I promised I’d help, but I ended up turning it into a job for you.”

Shadowlight: “Don’t worry about it. It’s expected. What we’re asking for isn’t easy.”

Black Storm: “That’s right. Thank you, Nathan. The inventor agreed mostly because of you.”

Star X: “Yeah! Thank you so much!”

Sun-Z: “We really appreciate it, Nathan.”

Nathan flushed with embarrassment but couldn’t hide the spark of determination in his eyes.

Nathan: “I’ll help with the search. I know Michaelos—I’ve met him with my master before! I’ll check if he’s in the village. If he is, I’ll track him down and meet you in the afternoon.”

Shadowlight: “Seriously? You’d do that for us?”

Nathan: “Of course.”

Black Storm: “Deal, then.”

They said their goodbyes and headed back toward Mr. White’s house.

Black Storm: “We’ll finish training first, then return to the village and get serious. For now, let’s trust Nathan.”

Everyone: “Okay!”

Back at Mr. White’s House

Training resumed as usual, except something had changed.

They were sharper. More focused. Their determination burned stronger than before.

Mr. White noticed.

He watched in silence. Even when they ate, their behavior seemed… normal. Too normal. He didn’t question it, but suspicion lingered in his eyes. When training ended and they headed out, they casually approached him.

Sun-Z: “We’re going to the village for a bit. Star X and I want to see the market.”

Mr. White didn’t protest. He simply stared at them thoughtfully… then returned quietly to his lab.

Our friends hurried back to the agreed spot. A few minutes passed before Nathan came sprinting toward them, breathless.

Nathan: “I found him… but he hasn’t been in the market for two days!”

Star X: “What? Then where is he?”

Nathan: “At the arena.”

Black Storm: “The arena?”

Nathan: “Yeah. It’s where warriors train and duel with swords. Michaelos goes there a lot.”

Black Storm: “Then that’s where we’re going.”

He looked at the others.

Black Storm: “Ready?”

Everyone: “Yes!”

They took off together—hearts steady, minds sharp.
Their first real mission had just begun.

Everyone headed to the old dueling arena Nathan had told them about. The moment they stepped inside, they were struck by the sight.

The arena was massive—circular, wide, and enclosed beneath a glass dome that flooded the space with warm sunlight. Around them, rows of tall bleachers wrapped the arena like a colossal ring. Powerful warriors were training everywhere—men with strong builds, scars, and fierce expressions. None of them looked like ordinary villagers.

The room went quiet.

People began to notice them.

A few warriors approached, and leading them was a bald giant with arms like tree trunks and a towering frame that made even Black Storm tense.

Nathan leaned in, whispering nervously,

Nathan: “That bald guy… that’s Grayden. Michaelos’ coworker.”

Grayden stopped in front of them, his shadow swallowing them whole.

Grayden: “Who are you? And what are you doing in a restricted arena? Outsiders aren’t allowed here.”

Nathan quickly stepped forward.

Nathan: “We need to meet Michaelos. It’s important!”

Grayden bent down, glaring at Nathan… until recognition flashed in his eyes.

Grayden: “Wait… you’re the inventor’s assistant, aren’t you?”

Nathan: “Yes!”

Grayden’s stare sharpened.

Grayden: “Then tell me—who are they?”

A tense silence hung in the air.

Then Shadowlight stepped forward confidently.

He smirked.

Shadowlight: “We’re the ‘mutants’ everyone keeps talking about… at least, that’s what your villagers like to call us.”

Grayden’s eyes widened.

Gasps echoed around the arena.

Whispers spread instantly.

“It’s them—those kids…So they really exist…”

The air had suddenly become electric.